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5/2/2022: Jill Biden’s Book Sales Tank
PLUS: Apple Tracking at Disney, Naomi Judd Passes Away, and Mr. Irrelevant
Today is Monday, May 2, 2022.
It is the 122nd day of the year.
243 days remain.
TRENDING
Saturday was National Bugs Bunny Day.
Twitter users celebrated Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday by sharing their favorite local — independently owned — places to shop for books.
#NFLDraft landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends over the weekend as Round 2 and Round 3 took place. Head to Sports to find out this year’s Mr. Irrelevant.
Naomi Judd was trending after news of her passing was announced. More in Deaths.
Sunday was National Mother Goose Day.
#May1 landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends Sunday as social media users welcomed the new month.
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HIT LIST
The whiny, pajama-wearing laptop class at JPMorgan has shamed the banking company into loosening its return-to-work policy that required most employees to spend at least three days a week in the office.
Now, only two days a week will be required. The New York Post reports that employees feel like they’re being watched and tracked like children, as JPMorgan monitors keycard swipes to ensure employees are spending the appropriate time back in the office.
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A family vacationing at Disney World last week discovered they were being tracked by an Apple AirTag for hours.
Apple released an update in recent weeks that sends an iPhone user a notification that there's an unidentified tag near them after several hours, after receiving pressure from privacy advocates. The family’s daughter received just such a notification.
The family hurried to their vehicle, and quickly searched for the device, to no avail. That’s when they got in the car and sped off to the police station. While en route, the device’s location remained in the parking lot, leading the family to believe it fell out in their frantic attempt to find it in their bags and clothing.
Unfortunately, police couldn’t open a criminal investigation without the tag itself being entered into evidence.
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The first baby tree kangaroo has emerged from its mother’s pouch at the Bronx Zoo since 2008.
The species is listed as endangered. It’s native to Papua New Guinea, and only 2,500 are believed to exist in the wild.
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NERD ALERT: A gathering of MENSA members spent the weekend in Maine testing out a selection of sixty-five board game concepts.
The American Mensa Mind Games gives geniuses from across the country the opportunity to try out new games. Ultimately, five will get the Mensa Select seal of approval.
Previous games to get the stamp include Taboo, Scattergories, and Trivial Pursuit, AP reports.
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The Nasdaq concluded its worst month since 2008 on Friday, losing more than 4% across the board.
The losses are largely attributed to Amazon, which lost 15% and wiped billions from Jeff Bezos’ net worth after the company reported earnings below expectations.
For the month, the Nasdaq lost 12%.
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CHARTS
Weekend Box Office
10. Morbius: $1.5 million (down from 9)
9. Father Stu: $2.2 million (down from 8)
8. Memory: $3.1 million (new)
7. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: $3.92 million (down from 5)
6. The Lost City: $3.93 million (up from 7)
5. Everything Everywhere All at Once: $5.5 million (up from 6)
4. The Northman: $6.3 million (stayed at 4)
3. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: $8.3 million (stayed at 3)
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2: $11.3 million (stayed at 2)
1. The Bad Guys: $16.1 million (stayed at 1)
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DEATHS
NAOMI JUDD has died.
The country music star died by suicide Saturday after losing her battle with “the disease of mental illness,” according to a statement from her famous daughters WYONNA and ASHLEY.
She was 76.
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JOANNA BARNES has died.
The actress, best known for her roles in 1961’s “The Parent Trap” and the 1998 remake, passed away Friday at her home in Sea Ranch, California after a lengthy illness.
She was 89.
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JOSSARA JINARO has died.
The “ER” actress passed away on April 27 after a battle with cancer.
She was 48.
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BABY NEWS
ANDY COHEN, 53, welcomed a daughter, named LUCY EVE COHEN, via surrogate on April 29.
The “Watch What Happens Live” host shared a snapshot of 3-year-old son Ben meeting his new sister for the first time on Instagram.
He captioned the pic, “When Ben met Lucy.”
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RELATIONSHIPS
KATIE HOLMES, 43, is dating musician BOBBY WOOTEN III, 33.
The pair were spotted in a passionate embrace in Central Park last week, along with Wooten’s mom Kathy.
This is Holmes’ first public romance since she split with chef EMILIO VITOLO JR in May 2021.
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THE SWAMP
Department of Homeland Security head ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS told NPR last week, “I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms,” nodding to what will happen to Twitter once ELON MUSK completes his takeover.
These comments are all the spookier in light of last week’s development that President JOE BIDEN’s administration has created a Ministry of Truth that is setup within the Department of Homeland Security, officially called the Disinformation Governance Board.
In an even creepier twist, Mayorkas told CNN on Sunday morning that the newly-formed ministry will be dedicated to “safeguarding the right of free speech.”
BUT HOW? Mayorkas also told NPR last week that law enforcement and legislatures need to do more to police speech.
IN OTHER WORDS: Certain speech should be outright outlawed, and transgressors should be arrested, so that the truth can’t run afoul the Biden Family Crime Syndicate’s totalitarian leftist agenda, propped up by his corrupt administrative state and bootlicking journalist lackeys.
MEANWHILE: Rep. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ whined on Twitter on Friday that she’s “Tired of having to collectively stress about what explosion of hate crimes is happening bc some billionaire with an ego problem unilaterally controls a massive communication platform…”
ELON MUSK picked up on the shade, and replied, “Stop hitting on me, I’m really shy” with a blushing face emoji.
Cortez reportedly replied that she was actually talking about Mark Zuckerberg, but then deleted the retort.
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A new midterm poll by NPR shows an astounding upheaval of traditional preference and voting patterns: Parents with children under 18 years old prefer the GOP over Democrat Party 60 to 38 percent.
Among Latino voters, an unprecedented 52% prefer the GOP, while 39% plan to vote Dem.
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A grand jury convened in New York to investigate former President DONALD TRUMP has ended. No charges have been brought.
This investigation is separate from the civil investigation into Trump’s businesses, where a suit could be filed in the coming weeks.
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Book sales tracking service BookScan reports that a biography of First Lady JILL BIDEN sold just 250 copies in its first week.
WORTH NOTING: You’d think the wife of the man who got 81 million votes could swing – I dunno – at least 800 books?
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tuesday night’s drawing will be for a $57 million jackpot or a $33.9 million cash payout.
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No winner for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $27 million jackpot or a $16.1 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
BILL MURRAY addressed the accusations of misconduct levied against him on the set of his upcoming film, “Being Mortal.”
During an appearance on CNBC over the weekend, Murray explained that he “had a difference of opinion” with a woman working on the set. He explained that he did something he “thought was funny” but “it wasn’t taken that way.”
As previously reported, production on the film was suspended amid an investigation into the accusations. It is unknown if Murray will return to the project.
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LEONARDO DICAPRIO and Brazilian President JAIR BOLSONARO recently got into a heated exchange on social media.
The war of words came after Leo used Twitter to urge Brazil’s young people to vote in the forthcoming elections, pointing out what happens in their country “matters to us all.”
In response, Jair tweeted, “Thanks for your support, Leo! It’s really important to have every Brazilian voting in the coming elections. Our people will decide if they want to keep our sovereignty on the Amazon or to be ruled by crooks who serve foreign special interests.”
The two men have a history of clashing over environmental issues involving the Amazon.
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DANNY BONADUCE is taking a break from his radio show as he battles a mystery illness.
“The Partridge Family” star tweeted out Friday that he is going to take some time to focus on his health but hopes to “be back on the air soon.”
He did not share any details about the illness or symptoms he has been experiencing.
“The Danny Bonaduce & Sarah Morning Show” has been on Seattle radio station KZOK since 2011.
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HOPE SOLO is entering rehab for alcoholism.
The former US women’s soccer star announced on social media Friday that she has asked the National Soccer Hall of Fame to postpone her induction ceremony as she enters in-patient alcohol treatment.
Last March, Solo was found passed out for more than an hour behind the wheel of a car with her 2-year-old twins in the back seat. She was arrested on charges of driving while impaired, resisting a public officer and misdemeanor child abuse.
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OK! Magazine will stop publishing its weekly print edition after 17 years.
It is the first of the major titles to succumb to the world of online journalism. The celebrity gossip mag took a major hit during the pandemic, as it relies on commuter sales at airports and train stations.
Insiders told Page Six the company will continue to publish occasional special issues and its website will stay online.
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A coffee shop in West Hollywood is letting customers weigh in on whose side they are taking in the JOHNNY DEPP vs. AMBER HEARD trial.
Two tip jars — one for Depp and one for Heard — have been displayed since the beginning of last week.
According to employees, Depp has come out on top with tips at the end of each day.
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POTENTIAL “DR. STRANGE” SPOILERS AHEAD
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Twitter lit up Sunday after apparent leaked footage from the new “Doctor Strange” sequel surfaced online.
Many are speculating that the grainy footage shows JOHN KRASINSKI as Reed Richards in the flick.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hits theaters this week.
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CASTING CALL
The stars of “That ‘70s Show” will make special guest appearances in the spinoff “That ‘90s Show.”
TOPHER GRACE, LAURA PREPON, ASHTON KUTCHER, MILA KUNIS and WILMER VALDERRAMA will appear alongside KURTWOOD SMITH and DEBRA JO RUPP, who are reprising their roles as Red and Kitty Forman on the spinoff show.
“That ‘90s Show” will air on Netflix. No premiere date has been announced.
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“Neighbours,” Australia’s longest-running soap is set to air its final episode on August 1.
The show kick-started the career of several international stars, including MARGOT ROBBIE, LIAM HEMSWORTH, RUSSELL CROWE and KYLIE MINOGUE.
The series ran for 37 years.
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The final hours of a crime victim’s life will be investigated in a new Peacock original series, “Dateline: The Last Day.”
The eight-episode series will feature new reporting from the “Dateline” team on stories that have never been featured.
It will premiere on June 14.
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STEVE BURTON, the actor who got fired from “General Hospital” over his covid-vaccine stance, has a new home in Salem.
Writer Ron Carlivati confirmed on Twitter over the weekend that Burton has joined the cast of “Beyond Salem,” Peacock’s “Days Of Our Lives” spinoff.
Details of his role are unclear.
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The CW canceled another of its long-running series on Friday.
“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” got axed after seven seasons. The news comes shortly after the network announced it was also doing away with “Batwoman.”
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN and PETE DAVIDSON made their red carpet debut at the 2022 White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday.
She wore a silver, sparkly Balenciaga gown, while Pete wore a black suit and Prada sunglasses.
The pair flew to DC after Kim’s week in court alongside her sisters KHLOE and KYLIE, and their mom KRIS, as they defended themselves in the case against brother ROB’s ex-fiance, model BLAC CHYNA.
A judge cleared Kim of Chyna’s defamation claims on Friday, but the jury has yet to reach a verdict on the rest of the allegations. Deliberations resume today.
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For the first time ever, all of the KarJenner women - and their dates - are invited to tonight’s Met Gala.
This year’s theme is “Gilded Glamour.”
WORTH NOTING: For years the famous family was not invited to the annual bash as they were considered “tacky reality stars” by event host and creator, Vogue guru ANNA WINTOUR. Kim was the first from the family to attend the event as KANYE WEST’s plus-one in 2013.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Netflix has dropped what was to be MEGHAN MARKLE and PRINCE HARRY’s first animated series for the streamer.
“Pearl,” which Markle created and executive produced, was announced last summer. It was described as a family series centered around the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who finds inspiration in a variety of influential women throughout history.
According to insiders, a number of projects that are part of the streamer’s multi-year deal with the royals remain in the pre-production stage.
WORTH NOTING: The deal was made in 2020.
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SPORTS
The “Mr. Irrelevant” pick of the 2022 NFL Draft was BROCK PURDY, 22.
With the No. 262 and final pick of the draft, the San Francisco 49ers chose the quarterback from Iowa State.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Life Insurance Day
National Truffle Day
Melanoma Monday
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ON THIS DATE
1536 - Anne Boleyn is arrested and taken to the Tower of London
False charges of adultery and incest were made against the highly unpopular Queen leading to her imprisonment. Her marriage to King Henry VIII was also declared null and void in light of the charges.
Two weeks later, and after a four day show trial, she would be beheaded.
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1611 - The King James Version of the Bible is first put into mass print.
Robert Barker was the designated printer, being the official typesetter of the King. English was yet to be standardized, so there was widespread variation in how the text was presented, once multiple printers got their hands on reproducing it.
This was the third try by the Church of England to standardize its theology and to get along with fringe groups, like the Puritans.
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1863 - General Stonewall Jackson is fatally wounded during the Battle of Chancellorsville.
He was allegedly shot on accident by his own Confederate troops. He survived the initial bullet and ensuing amputation, but died from pneumonia eight days later. The death destroyed morale among Confederate ranks.
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1945 - Berlin falls to the Soviets during World War II.
The bloody Battle of Berlin injured or wounded hundreds of thousands of Nazi and Russian troops over several weeks. An aggressive shelling campaign by the Soviets killed thousands of German civilians.
It was during this battle that Adolf Hitler lost hope and killed himself.
Even after the formal surrender, German troops marched and fought westward, hoping to surrender to American or British forces, not the Soviets.
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1952 - The world’s first commercial jet airliner takes off, en route to Johannesburg from London.
The British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet 1 was the first of 12 of its kind. It spanned 115 feet and was 93 feet long, and could hold 40 passengers.
The Comet line of jets were in service until 1974.
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1969 - Ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II makes its maiden voyage.
The trip from Southampton, England to New York took nearly five days.
In 1982 she functioned as a troop transport during the Falklands War, and was retrofitted for helicopter pads and dormitories.
Her last voyage designated as a ship of the British Crown ended on November 11, 2008, with arrival in Southampton, but not before getting stuck in the harbor, and needing the assistance of five tugboats.
It is now a floating hotel in Dubai.
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2011 - Terrorist Osama bin Laden is shot to death in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where he is presumed to have been hiding for years.
During the raid, an American helicopter crashed, though its crew survived.
Special forces took scores of intelligence data, as well as bin Laden’s bullet-ridden corpse, which was disposed of somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
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2020 - Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the Icelandic actor who played Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in “Game of Thrones,” sets a world deadlift record by lifting 501kg (1,104 lbs).
He is the first and only person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Europe’s Strongest Man and the World’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year.
Analysts and strongmen experts consider Hafþór to be the strongest man to have ever lived.
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BIRTHDAYS
Princess Charlotte - daughter of Will & Kate - 7
Farruko - reggaeton singer - 31
Paul George - basketball player - 32
Kay Panabaker - actress, “Summerland” - 32
Pat McAfee - football player - 35
Thomas McDonell - actor, “Prom” & “The 100” - 36
Kyle Busch - race car driver - 37
Lily Allen - pop singer - 37
Ellie Kemper - actress, “The Office” & “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” - 42
David Beckham - soccer player - 47
Dwayne Johnson - actor, “San Andreas” & “Fast and the Furious” - 50
Donatella Versace - fashion designer - 67
Christine Baranski - actress, “The Big Bang Theory” & “The Good Wife” - 70
Engelbert Humperdinck - pop singer - 86
Born On This Date
Lesley Gore - pop singer - 1946 (d. 2015)
Doris Fisher - singer, songwriter, “Tutti Frutti” - 1915 (d. 2003)
J. Fred Coots - songwriter, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” - 1897 (d. 1985)
The Red Baron - German WWI fighter ace - 1892 (d. 1918)
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