5/19/2023: Life’s a Beach
PLUS: Drone Dilemma; “Squid Game: The Challenge; and “Slow Motion Chase”
Today is Friday, May 19, 2023.
It is the 139th day of the year.
226 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Amateur sleuths think they may have found the identity of the ZODIAC KILLER and researchers have found millenia-old architectural designs. More in HIT LIST.
BRITNEY SPEARS’ marriage is just fine and someone needs to get JOHNNY DEPP a toothbrush ASAP. More in SHOWBIZ.
EDDIE MURPHY is in talks to star in a new “Pink Panther” film and a documentary about the DUGGAR family’s cult-like religion will air on Prime Video. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN is continuing her justice crusade. More in KARDASH.
The NYPD’s series of events surrounding the traumatizing chase PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN claimed to have been in earlier this week differ from what the couple’s rep initially stated. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
AMAZON’s ambitious drone-delivery program isn’t making the progress the company had hoped.
In January, internal documents suggested Amazon would use a drone fleet to make 10,000 home deliveries of items up to 5 pounds within 30 minutes in two US markets throughout the year.
SO FAR: They’ve made 100 deliveries.
Amazon says the regulatory landscape has changed thanks to restrictions put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration. [via CNBC]
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Police in Annan, Scotland, found a black Honda Civic that had recently been reported missing early Wednesday morning – when it was left stuck on top of a metal drum in the middle of a roundabout.
Officials have no idea who took the car or how it got into the odd predicament.
They say they’re asking anyone for dashcam footage or security camera recordings to help figure out what happened. [via BBC]
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The identity of the ZODIAC KILLER may finally be known.
A team of sleuths known as the Case Breakers, who have a history of cracking some of America’s most high-profile mysteries, claim that the FBI has identified an Air Force veteran named Gary Francis Poste as the Zodiac Killer.
The group of former law enforcement investigators, journalists and military intelligence officers told The Sun that an FBI whistleblower revealed Poste “has been secretly listed as the Zodiac ‘suspect’ in [FBI] Headquarters’ computers since 2016.” Though the FBI says the case is currently “open and unsolved.”
That group claims that they were able to match weapons Poste gave away to family and friends prior to his death in 2018 to some of the murders. They also have a handful of people who have stated on the record that Poste is the Zodiac Killer.
In addition to the alleged Zodiac murders, Poste had a criminal history of his own. At one time he was locked up in a California mental facility and also served time for assaulting and injuring his wife.
As for what happens next, no one appears to really be sure. But at least Americans can rest easy knowing Senator TED CRUZ is not the Zodiac Killer. [via The Sun]
For those unfamiliar with the reference, in 2013 a Twitter account posted about one of Cruz’s speeches writing “#CPAC Alert: Ted Cruz is speaking!! His speech is titled: ‘This Is The Zodiac Speaking.’” The joke really took off in 2015 and 2016 after Cruz announced his candidacy for president.
HISTORY LESSON: The Zodiac Killer shot, stabbed or choked to death as many as ten people between 1962 and 1970, though he claimed in encoded messages sent to newspapers that he killed a total of 37 people.
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Researchers in the Middle East say they’ve discovered the world’s oldest architectural design plans, believed to date back more than 9,000 years.
The study calls the findings “extremely precise descriptions” of hunting traps that would’ve been used during the Stone Age, engraved into stone slabs. The traps were for structures to help herd wild animals, where they could then be more easily trapped and killed.
Even by today’s standards the structures were massive: Giant walls spanning up to three miles long corralled animals into giant, 13-foot-deep pits.
BUT WAIT: Structures like these are not a new discovery – they’ve been found at sites dating back around 6,000 years, but researchers are impressed at the detail and thorough design, especially spatial awareness, that was included. [via ARTNews]
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Family Destinations Guide has put together a list of the 100 Best Secret Beaches in the United States.
The top spot goes to Awahua Beach in Hawaii. No. 2 on the list is Shell Key Preserve in Florida, followed by Lanikai Beach and Kauapea Beach, both in Hawaii.
Rounding out the Top Five is Sedge Island, New Jersey.
As for how FDG determined its ranking system, they surveyed 3000 adults.
For the rest of the list click here>>>
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DEATHS
Pro wrestler BILLY GRAHAM has died.
He passed away Wednesday after decades of battling undisclosed health issues, according to his friend, and fellow WWE star, RIC FLAIR.
Graham was 79.
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Real estate magnate SAM ZELL has died.
He passed away Thursday of complications from a recent illness, according to a statement from his company Equity Group Investments.
Zell was often referred to as “the grave dancer” for resuscitating dead properties. In addition to founding the Equity Group in 1968, Zell launched and grew over 100 companies.
He was 81.
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BABY NEWS
IRELAND BALDWIN has welcomed her first child with boyfriend, rapper RAC.
The daughter of ALEC BALDWIN and KIM BASINGER announced the birth on Instagram Thursday with a photo of the new family of three.
They have named the little girl Holland.
By the way -- Ireland is 27 and RAC is 38.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 115 points (0.34%) on Thursday to close at 33,535. The S&P added 39 points (0.94%) to close at 4,198 and the NASDAQ added 188 points (1.51%) to close at 12,688.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71; BRENT CRUDE at $75.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.53 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN slid again Thursday, down nearly 2% and trading under $27,000.
🛩 There were more than 3,760 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 105 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $132 million jackpot or a $68.8 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $162 million jackpot or a $86.8 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Alex Lahey, “The Answer is Always Yes”
ANNA, “Intentions”
Brandy Clark, “Brandy Clark”
Curtis Waters, “Bad Son”
Dan Croll, “Fools”
Dave Matthews Band, “Walk Around the Moon”
Def Leppard With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, “Drastic Symphonies”
Graham Nash, “Now”
Gumm, “Slogan Machine”
Hannah Rose Platt, “Deathbed Confessions”
Kesha, “Gag Order”
Lauren Early, “Don’t Take My Dream Away”
Leftover Salmon, “Grass Roots”
Lewis Capaldi, “Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent”
Matt Espy, “Hawksworth”
The Milk Carton Kids, “I Only See The Moon”
Paul Simon, “Seven Psalms”
PONY, “Velveteen”
Sir Chloe, “I Am the Dog”
Stella Rose, “Eyes of Glass”
Various Artists, “The Little Mermaid Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”
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BRITNEY SPEARS is shutting down rumors that her marriage is in shambles with a lovey-dovey Instagram post.
In the clip Spears is hanging all over her husband SAM ASGHARI while expressing her love and gratitude for him. She also talks about her love of flowers and redesigning their home.
Rumors of their marriage being on the rocks started swirling last month when Spears was seen vacationing without her husband and he was spotted in Los Angeles without his wedding ring. Turns out she was with some friends and Asghari removed his ring for a movie role. [via People]
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Fans are concerned about JOHNNY DEPP’s dental hygiene.
While smiling during a seven-minute standing ovation at the premiere of his film “Jeanne du Barry” at the Cannes Film Festival, attendees couldn’t help but notice his “rotten” teeth.
As photos surfaced on social media, some compared his brownish, decaying teeth to the ones he wore while playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.
WORTH NOTING: Depp has a history of substance abuse, which can erode teeth enamel and lead to decay. [via Daily Mail]
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PRISCILLA PRESELY’s wish to be laid to rest next to her “true love” ELVIS PRESLEY at Graceland was denied in the recent settlement reached with granddaughter RILEY KEOUGH.
The issue is that Elvis is currently flanked by his parents, so if Priscilla were to be buried next to him one of them would have to be moved, which seems morbid.
Priscilla and Elvis’ daughter LISA MARIE PRESLEY is buried opposite her father at the Graceland estate.
As previously reported, Priscilla and Riley were at odds over Lisa Marie’s estate. All things were settled this week, with Priscilla walking away with millions of dollars. [via TMZ]
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Musician LIAM PAYNE, formerly of ONE DIRECTION fame, revealed that he is 100 days sober.
When asked how he feels by an iFL TV reporter, he simply replied, “amazing.”
Payne also said he is working on a new album and plans to go on tour again soon. [via ET]
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Photos from MADONNA’s 1992 “Sex” book will be up for auction for the first time ever later this year.
According to Christie’s, a fine arts auction house, over 40 works from the book will be available in a live sale taking place in New York on October 6, 2023. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Madge’s charity Raising Malawi, a non-profit dedicated to providing health and education to children in Malawi.
Madonna released “Sex” in October 1992, following her fifth studio album, “Erotica.” It spent three weeks on top of the New York Times Best Seller list.
In honor of the coffee table book’s anniversary last year, Madonna launched an 800-copy re-release of a limited edition of the book. [via People]
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JON GOSSELIN says he has not spoken to his twin daughters MADY and CARA in nine years. The “Jon & Kate Plus 8” alum told The Sun that his texts and calls to the girls go unanswered, but he continues to reach out with hope.
“The last time I spoke to Mady and Cara was 2014,” he said of the two, who are now 22.
Jon is also dad to sextuplets Aaden, Collin, Joel, Hannah, Alexis and Leah, whom he shares with ex-wife KATE GOSSELIN. Of the eight kids, only Hannah and Collin live with their father. As for the rest, Jon said he has not spoken with them since 2018. [via The Sun]
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CASTING CALL
EDDIE MURPHY is in talks to play Inspector Clouseau in the upcoming “Pink Panther” film at MGM.
The titular character, played by PETER SELLERS, first appeared in 1963. Sellers reprised the role in 1964’s “A Shot in the Dark,” 1975’s “The Return of the Pink Panther,” 1976’s “The Pink Panther Strike Again” and 1978’s “Revenge of the Pink Panther.”
Others who have played the French police inspector, include ALAN ARKIN, ROGER MOORE and STEVE MARTIN. [via Variety]
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Prime Video is taking a deep dive into the Institute in Basic Life Principles aka the cult-like religion followed by members of reality TV family the DUGGARS.
In the documentary former members of IBLP, including JILL DUGGAR and her cousin AMY DUGGAR-KING, speak about the “ultra-conservative ministry’s cult-like practices.”
Jill’s sister JINGER DUGGAR previously opened up about the “manipulation” she felt from the teachings and left the religion in 2017.
The Duggars were featured on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” and spinoff series “Counting On,” where their strict and sheltered upbringing at the hand of their parents, JIM BOB and MICHELLE DUGGAR, was featured.
“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” premieres on the streamer on June 2. [via Page Six]
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“Squid Game: The Challenge” will premiere on Netflix this November.
The reality competition version of “Squid Game” will feature 456 contestants competing in several games inspired by the hit series. They are all fighting to win a $4.56 million cash prize -- the largest cash prize for a reality series.
The competition series did not go off without a hitch, however. Earlier this year it was reported that an independent safety assessment had to be conducted after several contestants required medical attention during competition. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
For Mother’s Day KIM KARDASHIAN paid off the legal debts of more than 50 moms across the country.
According to People Magazine, the reality star teamed up with Fanatics CEO MICHAEL RUBIN who is on the board for REFORM Alliance, which works to transform probation and parole policies in the US, for the gesture.
Each of the women who received payments “have demonstrated track record[s] of rehabilitation and success while they are on supervision,” and are working toward getting the supervision removed. The only thing standing between them and true freedom were their “outstanding financial obligations.”
Kim said by paying off the fees she hopes to “give these women the second chance they’ve earned.” [via People]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The New York Police Department is throwing some cold water on Wednesday’s car chase story involving PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE.
An official review found the pursuit was just minutes – not the two hours Har’ and Meg said it was – no one was injured, no one was arrested, and no further investigation is warranted.
IN FACT: The agency that sent the photographers said that it was the couple’s driver who was reckless.
Two NYPD squad cars escorted the car, but not at high speeds, with sirens and lights. One NYPD insider says it “was a slow motion chase.”
IT GETS WORSE: Police sources say the couple got back to their apartment 20 minutes after leaving the event. [via ABC7NY]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Pizza Party Day
International Virtual Assistants Day
National Devil’s Food Cake Day
National NASCAR Day
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ON THIS DATE
1536 – Henry VIII of England has his wife Anne Boleyn beheaded.
Several men were accused of sleeping with the Queen, one of whom was her own brother. Historians speculate this was just a ruse designed by the king's aide Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell didn't like Anne sticking her nose in his business, telling him where to divert Church revenues.
A queen unfaithful to the king was guilty of treason, a crime punishable by death. The adulterous men would be drawn-and-quartered; women burned at the stake.
But the king intervened. Burning his wife at the stake would be brutal, so he ordered her head lopped off by a trained swordsman. A common ax would have been too low-brow.
Anne maintained her innocence throughout it all.
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1749 – King George II of England divvies up part of his empire in the New World and gives it to the Ohio Company.
It was an organization of land speculators and settlers looking to trade in the New World.
They never did end up settling on the land, which was also claimed by the French. It was a dispute over this area that built up to the Seven Years War between France and Britain.
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1848 – Mexico agrees to the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. This ends the Mexican-American War. Mexico agrees to fork over California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of what became Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Kansas, and Texas. That's about one million square miles all together.
That works out to the Mexicans giving up about half their country to the United States.
The Mexicans also paid $15 million to the U.S.
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1943 – More than a year before the actual invasion, Winston Churchill and FDR decide May 1, 1944 would be the date for storming German-occupied Normandy Beach in France.
Of course, due to bad weather, the invasion was put off for another month.
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1961 – A big win for the Soviets in the space race. The Venera One probe is the first manmade object to pass by another planet as it approaches Venus.
Though, being a Soviet project, nothing came of the launch. Mission controllers had lost contact with the vessel weeks before. They didn't get any images or recordings.
Ten years later, on this date in 1971, the Soviets would launch the Mars 2 spacecraft.
It crash-landed into Mars.
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1992 – Amy Fisher shoots Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the face.
Fisher was cheating with Mary Jo's husband Joey.
Mary Jo survived the attack, and was able to identify the gun woman.
Today she’s a motivational speaker and wrote a book about the experience.
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2005 – “Star Wars Episode Three: Revenge of the Sith,” which is the sixth movie in the franchise, is released.
SPOILER ALERT: It depicts how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, how Luke and Leia were separated, and what sent all the Jedi into exile.
Critically panned but a success nonetheless - it earned $380 million domestically.
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2018 - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot at Windsor Castle.
They are given the titles the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II.
Of course their time in the UK wouldn’t last long…
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BIRTHDAYS
JoJo Siwa - reality star & singer - 20
Marshmello - DJ - 31
Lainey Wilson - country singer - 31
Eleanor Tomlinson - actress, “Alice in Wonderland” - 31
Sam Smith - pop singer - 31
Aleister Black - wrestler - 38
Yo Gotti - rapper - 42
Andrea Pirlo - soccer player - 44
Kim Zolciak-Biermann - reality star, “Don’t Be Tardy” - 45
Kevin Garnett - basketball player - 47
Grace Jones - pop singer - 75
Born On This Date
Nicole Brown Simpson - former wife of OJ Simpson - 1959 (d. 1994)
Andre the Giant - wrestler & actor, “The Princess Bride” - 1946 (d. 1993)
Peter Mayhew - actor, Chewbacca in “Star Wars” - 1944 (d. 2019)
Malcolm X - activist, author & religious leader - 1925 (d. 1965)
Ho Chi Minh - communist who led the Viet Minh movement - 1890 (d. 1969)
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