4/4/2024: 20,000 Elephants!
PLUS: Nest Egg Blues; Iron Mike’s Fight Prep; and Open to the Public
Today is Thursday, April 4, 2024.
It is the 95th day of the year.
271 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A traveler gets busted with extensive suitcase contraband and an iconic Vegas spot closes for good. Details in HIT LIST.
LIZZO isn’t quitting music and JENNIFER LOPEZ rebrands her tour. More in SHOWBIZ.
KRISTEN DUNST would be on board for a “Bring It On” sequel…under one condition. Details in CASTING CALL.
SCOTT DISICK is over KOURTNEY and TRAVIS’ PDA. More in KARDASH.
An iconic royal residence opens its doors to public tours for the first time. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The average American feels he needs $1.46 MILLION to retire comfortably.
That’s up nearly $200,000 from the same survey conducted just last year by insurance company Northwestern Mutual.
IT GETS WORSE: The average respondent had a nest egg worth only about $400,000.
Responses also varied by generation: Boomers said they would need just shy of a million bucks, while Millennials expect to need $1.65 MILLION – up drastically from the $1 million they said in 2020.
GO FIGURE: Among respondents who had at least $1 million in investable assets, they anticipate needing $4 MILLION to retire comfortably. [via WSJ]
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Next time you fly, remember to put your liquids in small bottles, ditch your e-cigarette, and leave your 74 pounds of marijuana at home.
A Detroit woman was busted over the weekend for attempting to haul that much marijuana on a flight from Boston to London. The stash was divided between two suitcases, vacuum-sealed, with AirTag trackers in each. The street value would be up around $370,000.
The suspect, 28-year-old Nalexus Palmer, managed to fly from Detroit to Boston with her drugs first. Palmer told authorities she was just a mule, carrying the luggage that was given to her by a stranger and never looking inside. She admitted to transporting other bags in the past for pay by an unnamed man she met in Atlanta four years ago. She’s due in court at the end of May. [via CBS Detroit]
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A Florida homeowner woke up on Sunday to find extensive damage to her car and called the cops – only to find that a pair of hungry pit bulls were responsible for the damage.
Home security footage shows a cat scurrying underneath her car in the driveway as the dogs followed shortly after, appearing to think the cat had made it into the vehicle. That’s when the dogs started clawing at the car’s body, enough to tear off entire sections, before eventually running off after the cat got away.
No leads yet on who the dogs belong to. The car owner expects about $3,000 in cosmetic repairs. [via WKMG]
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Just days away from their 67th anniversary, the Tropicana Las Vegas -- once known as the “Tiffany on the Strip” -- closed its doors for the final time on Tuesday.
The Vegas staple is set to be knocked down in October to make room for a new MLB stadium, which will become home to the Athletics in 2028.
Not all will be lost, however. Many of the iconic and historical things from the hotel will be rehomed in the Vegas area, including at UNLV, the Neon Museum and the Showgirl Museum.
FUN FACT: The Tropicana was featured in the 1971 film “Diamonds Are Forever” when James Bond stayed at a suite there. It was also a frequent hangout for the Rat Pack and has lots of mob connections. [via NY Times]
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Botswana’s conservation efforts have helped grow the elephant population there, where an estimated 130,000 savannah elephants represent nearly one-third of the entire global population of such animals.
For locals, elephants are dangerous pests that destroy agriculture and kill people and animals so the government manages a robust hunting industry.
But in Germany, regulators want to tighten the country’s loose trophy-animal-importation laws, which currently allow any or all of the remains of a kill to come home with a hunter.
In response, the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, tells German newspaper Bild that if the new rules go into place, he’ll send 20,000 elephants to Germany. “It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana," Masisi said, adding, "We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world.”
Masisi insists he isn’t joking. The potential ban would affect the entire European Union, not just Germany. [via NBC News]
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DEATHS
JUAN VICENTE PEREZ MORA -- the world’s oldest man -- has died.
He passed away Tuesday, according to a post by the governor of Tachira, Venezuela, where the supercentenarian lived. No official cause of death was shared.
Mora was confirmed as the world’s oldest man by Guinness World Records in February 2022 at 112 years and 253 days old. As for his secret to living so long -- a shot of booze every day.
He was 114.
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BREAKUPS
CHANCE THE RAPPER and his wife KIRSTEN CORLEY are calling it quits after five years of marriage.
Corley announced the news on Instagram, telling fans that after a brief separation the two have decided to divorce.
The pair, who are both 30, share two daughters, 8-year-old Kensli and 4-year-old Marli.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 43 points (0.11%) to close at 39,127 on Wednesday. The S&P ticked up just 5 points (0.11%) to close at 5,211 and the NASDAQ added 37 points (0.23%) to close at 16,277.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $85; BRENT CRUDE at $89.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.54 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN leveled back out, trading just under $66,000 Wednesday evening.
🛩 There were more than 5,950 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 825 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $67 million jackpot or a $31 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
When LIZZO said “I quit” on social media over the weekend, she didn’t mean she was done with either creating music or social media. Instead, she now says she is no longer giving attention to the negative energy surrounding her.
The update comes on the heels of months of allegations from former backup dancers who claim they were sexually harassed and body-shamed while working for Lizzo. [via Deadline]
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MIKE TYSON is serious about his upcoming fight with JAKE PAUL.
During a recent appearance on “Hannity,” Iron Mike said he is “living in the gym” right now to make sure he is in “incredible shape” for the match on July 20.
As for whose side Hannity is on, he told Tyson to “beat the daylights out of” Paul and “shut him up.”
“I will do just that for you,” Tyson replied. [via TMZ]
FOR THE RECORD: Paul is 9-1, with 6 KOs, while Tyson is 50-6, with 44 KOs. Tyson will turn 58 a month before the bout, while Paul will be 27.
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While filming the Disney+ docuseries “Limitless,” actor CHRIS HEMSWORTH found out he is “between 8 and 10 times” more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than his peers.
The discovery has prompted him to write a memoir about “his role as a modern-day dad and staying healthy,” a friend told the Daily Mail.
He has reportedly hired a ghostwriter from Creative Arts Agency to assist him with the book. No word on when it will hit shelves. [via Daily Mail]
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JENNIFER LOPEZ is giving her tour a revamp, adding “The Greatest Hits” to the name.
After canceling seven dates due to weak ticket sales, JLo made the decision to change her tour to include not only her newest album, “This Is Me…Now,” but also some of her greatest hits.
The move suggests that fans were having a hard time connecting with her latest tunes. [via Variety]
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PATRICK MAHOMES’ dad, Pat Mahomes Sr., has officially been charged with felony DWI, following his arrest in February.
With the charge being his third drunk driving offense, the 53-year-old now faces a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.
As for how his son feels about the incident, all he has said about it is that it is a “family matter” that will “stay a family matter.” [via The Blast]
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A pink Pucci dress – named for designer Emilio Pucci – once worn by MARILYN MONROE sold over the weekend for $325,000.
The sale is a new world record for most expensive Pucci dress sold at auction, according to Julien’s Auctions.
The dress was part of Julien’s “ICONS: Playboy, Hugh Hefner and Mairlyn Monroe” event. Other items included Monroe’s movie costumes and makeup, as well as several items from Hefner’s that were left at his estate after his 2017 passing.
Over $4 million was spent in total at the auction. [via Daily Mail]
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ZOLCIAK-BIERMANN DIVORCE UPDATE: In the latest round of he-said, she-said, KROY BIERMANN is accusing his estranged wife KIM ZOLCIAK of spending over $600,000 on luxury goods in a span of seven years.
According to a spreadsheet of her spending, obtained by Page Six, Biermann alleges Zolciak spent the money at places such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Agent Provacateu, Chanel and Versace -- with around $300,000 spent solely at Saks between 2016 and 2020.
He also claims she dropped more than $161,000 in 2021 and over $65,000 in 2022 on Bitcoin and the lottery.
The document seemingly supports Biermann’s claim that Zolciak “devastated the family financially.” [via Page Six]
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CASTING CALL
KRISTEN DUNST would be on board for a “Bring It On” sequel, but only if it’s done tastefully.
Speaking to “Entertainment Tonight,” Dunst said she would be open to the idea of a follow-up to the 2000 teen-comedy, “as long as it’s not embarrassing.”
In the original, Dunst stars as newly crowned cheer captain Torrance Shipman, who discovers her group’s routines have been stolen from the nearby East Compton Clovers, led by head cheerleader Isis, played by GABRIELLE UNION. [via ET]
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Ahead of her return to “Grey’s Anatomy” this week, JESSICA CAPSHAW announced that she is launching a new podcast with co-star CAMILLA LUDDINGTON.
The not-yet-named podcast will air on iHeartRadio, premiering this summer. [via People]
FYI: Capshaw plays Dr. Arizona Robbins and Luddington plays Jo Wilson on the hit medical drama series.
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“Joker: Folie a Deux” is following in its predecessor’s footsteps with not only the plot, but also the rating.
The Motion Picture Association gave the JOAQUIN PHOENIX-fronted sequel an R-rating this week for “strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality and brief full nudity.”
Phoenix reprises his role as the villain in the second film, with LADY GAGA joining him as his toxic lover, Harley Quinn.
“Joker: Folie a Deux” will hit theaters this October. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
SCOTT DISICK is not a fan of ex-girlfriend KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN’s constant PDA with husband TRAVIS BARKER.
An insider told OK! Magazine that Scott has “put his foot down on more and more issues lately -- including asking Kourtney to tone down the PDA with Travis in front of their children.”
The comment comes just days after a social media video showed Kourt and Travis making out, while her and Scott’s daughter Penelope stood in the background, looking disgusted.
Kourt and Scott also share sons Mason and Reign. [via OK!]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Tourists will be able to explore the inside of Balmoral Castle for the first time ever later this summer.
The Royal retreat in Scotland has permitted tours of the grounds for years, but the new policy expands access to inside the castle itself and areas of the grounds that are usually off limits.
Tours are only available for about a month starting in July, though, and are limited to 40 per day, for 100 British Pounds a pop. Or, if you really want the royal experience, pay 150 Pounds and also get afternoon tea.
The inside look promises to show rooms used by the Royal family when they’re in residence as well as a gallery of clothing worn by QUEEN ELIZABETH and her mother over the years. The last stop on the tour includes a display of KING CHARLES’ watercolor art. [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Hug a Newsperson Day
National School Librarian Day
World Drummer’s Day
National Alcohol Screening Day
National Burrito Day
World Rat Day
National Ramen Day
Tell a Lie Day
International Carrot Day
National Walk Around Things Day
National Vitamin C Day
D.A.R.E. Day
National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day
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ON THIS DATE
1841 - William Henry Harrison dies. He had been president for a month.
He contracted pneumonia while giving his inauguration speech. He suffered throughout his short time in office, and never accomplished much legislatively.
Following his death, John Tyler took office -- he was the first VP to get the job because of the president's death.
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1865 - Following its capture by Union soldiers, Richmond, Virginia welcomes President Lincoln.
Lincoln was closely following general Ulysses S. Grant, and was camping out near the front lines of war.
With the war coming to an end, Lincoln was in a notably good mood, and enjoyed touring the liberated city. He even took to chopping lumber with the beleaguered troops.
The night before, according to his diaries, he had a dream about being assassinated.
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1949 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is established.
Since then, NATO has been a worldwide peacekeeping force.
NATO nations collectively spend 70 percent of the world's national defense budgets.
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1964 - Beatles’ hit “Can’t Buy Me Love” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
It would stay at the top for five weeks.
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1968 - Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated on his hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee.
All evidence pointed to James Earl Ray as the shooter, who was captured after an extensive manhunt. He was found in London, on his way to Zimbabwe.
After his trial, he pled guilty in order to avoid a death sentence. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison.
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1975 - Microsoft is founded.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who were friends at Harvard, joined forces to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for Altair 8800.
Allen came up with the name of Microsoft — a combination of microcomputer and software.
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1982 - Wayne Gretzky becomes the first and only NHL player to score 212 goals in a single season.
This was in only his 3rd year in the NHL.
He continued to play another 17 seasons. One year after he retired, the league retired his number -- 99.
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1996 - The “Howard Stern Radio Show” premieres in Austin, TX.
By the end of the year his show would play on 34 stations.
Stations were able to choose from a 24-hour menu or carry the network’s programming around the clock.
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2019 - Kathie Lee Gifford leaves NBC’s “Today” show.
In interviews leading up to her exit, Gifford said that her husband's passing in 2015 influenced her decision to exit the morning show.
She also wanted to take a crack at writing and directing movies.
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BIRTHDAYS
Austin Mahone - pop singer - 28
Chris O’Neal - actor, “How to Rock” - 30
Jamie Lynn Spears - actress, “Zoey 101” & “Sweet Magnolias” - 33
Eric Andre - actor, “The Internship” - 41
Natasha Lyonne - actress, “Orange Is The New Black” - 45
James Roday Rodriguez - actor, “Psych” - 48
David Blaine - magician - 51
Jill Scott - R&B singer - 52
Robert Downey Jr. - actor, “Iron Man” - 59
David Cross - actor, “Arrested Development” - 60
Graham Norton - TV show host - 61
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman - mexican drug lord - 67
Craig T. Nelson - actor, “Coach” - 80
Born On This Date
Heath Ledger - actor, “The Dark Knight” & “10 Things I Hate About You” - 1979 (d. 2008)
Anthony Perkins - actor, “Psycho” - 1932 (d. 1992)
Maya Angelou - poet - 1928 (d. 2014)
Dorthea Dix - nurse & social activist, created the first American mental asylums - 1802 (d. 1887)
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