Today is Thursday, May 30, 2024.
It is the 151st day of the year.
215 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
NORTH KOREA advances its rocket program and consumer tech tracks down a rogue driver. Details in HIT LIST.
A Nigerian scammer claims to be behind the bogus Graceland auction. More in SHOWBIZ.
Disney dropped the trailer for “Moana 2” and ELLEN DEGENERES announces her final standup tour. Details in CASTING CALL.
KOURTNEY details her road to conceiving son Rocky. More in KARDASH.
A major annual Royal event proceeds as planned despite a scaled back summer schedule. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Even though a recent satellite launch by North Korea failed to make it to orbit, analysts say the rogue nation is making strides in developing rocket technology.
The Chollima-1 rocket carrying a reconnaissance satellite barely made it off the launchpad before exploding over the Yellow Sea minutes later. State media suggests the failure resulted from using new rocket motor technology, but the truth could be anything.
Intelligence officials believe the North Koreans were using something called “hypergolic fuels,” which Reuters describes as “substances that can be stored at room temperature but ignite on contact [with] each other, requiring careful handling.” Getting a handle on how to properly deploy such fuel could advance North Korea’s rocket technology by strides. [via Reuters]
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Ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, officials have worried about sewage levels in the Seine River, where multiple events and opening ceremonies will be held.
To assure the world that the water is clean, President EMANUEL MACRON and Paris Mayor ANNE HIDALGO have said they’ll take a swim in the river on June 23.
But living up to their snobby reputation, Parisians have openly scoffed at hosting the Olympics, dreading the influx of visitors. And to mock their leaders’ efforts to clean things up, protestors are organizing a “[s—] flashmob” on June 23, encouraging people to drop a deuce in the river ahead of the officials’ swim.
There’s even a website where people can login and identify the location they’ll log-out their bowels. [via Metro]
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Houston, Texas has bumped Newark, New Jersey as the country’s dirtiest city.
According to a study by LawnStarter, the southern city landed the top spot due to its terrible air quality, infrastructure woes and staggering number of pests invading homes -- specifically cockroaches.
Rounding out the top five dirtiest cities are:
2. Newark, New Jersey
3. San Bernardino, California
4. Detroit, Michigan
5. Jersey City, New Jersey
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There have been plenty of creepy stories about stalkers using Apple’s AirTags to track unsuspecting victims -- but in this case, Apple’s geo-tracking technology identified a hit-and-run suspect.
Last week, a driver in an SUV hit a 15-year-old riding his bike before speeding off. Fortunately, the rider only suffered mild injuries, but the collision caused his AirPod headphones to go flying. Miraculously, one of the buds got lodged inside the SUV, allowing the victim to track the vehicle’s location, which he passed along to authorities.
When they arrived at the home, the SUV was parked in the backyard -- obviously to avoid detection. The driver confessed immediately. [via WPBF]
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A Wisconsin family is suing KinderCare Learning Centers after their one-year-old tested positive for cocaine while at one of their facilities.
Kimberly Hopson claims she received a call that her son was sick, and when she picked him up she noticed bruising on his body and one in his mouth. After taking him to the hospital, Hopson says she was shocked when tests came up positive for cocaine.
From there officers conducted a search at the facility and found cocaine in one of the employee’s bags. That employee was arrested on drug and child neglect charges.
KinderCare issued an apology and said they would cover some out-of-pocket expenses, but Hopson says that’s not enough. She plans to sue for negligence, negligent supervision, premises liability, and assault and battery. [via ShadeRoom]
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 411 points (1.06%) to close at 39,441 on Wednesday. The S&P lost 39 points (0.74%) to close at 5,267 and the NASDAQ lost 99 points (0.58%) to close at 16,920.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.58 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid on Wednesday, down about 1.16% and trading around $67,529.
🛩 There were more than 4,440 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 420 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $522 million jackpot or a $241.4 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
All of the criminal charges against pro golfer SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER have been dropped, after prosecutors filed a motion on Wednesday to dismiss the case.
Scheffler was facing one felony count of assault of a police officer, and three misdemeanors, after he allegedly dragged a cop with his vehicle while trying to enter the PGA Championship grounds on May 17. At the time, Scheffler said he didn’t know that he was speaking with a police officer, and had he known then the situation would have been different.
In response to the case being dropped, Scheffler chalked it up to “severe miscommunication” and said that he has no ill will against the officers involved, in fact, he holds all police officers “in high regard.” [via TMZ]
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Things appear to be moving forward against SEAN COMBS as several reports surfaced Wednesday saying a grand jury has been empaneled and witnesses are being interviewed.
Some of the potential witnesses include the eight accusers who have filed lawsuits against Combs, accusing him of sexual assault, human trafficking and more.
While this seems to be moving along quickly, insiders tell CNN that Homeland Security Investigations agents want to make sure the case is “bulletproof” before an indictment drops. [via CNN]
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A self-proclaimed “Nigerian scammer” has allegedly taken credit for the drama surrounding Graceland.
“We figure out how to steal,” the person wrote in an email to the New York Times. The email came from a Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC-associated email address, which was the mysterious company behind the foreclosure.
“I had fun figuring this one out and it didn’t succeed very well,” the email continued.
Remember, Naussany claimed to have loaned over $3 million to LISA MARIE PRESLEY, and she had offered Graceland as collateral. When news of the foreclosure broke, Lisa’ daughter RILEY KEOUGH quickly filed a motion to stop the sale, claiming the company was a “false entity.”
A judge ruled in favor of Keough and the sale was halted. The case did catch the attention of the FBI, though it is unknown what is happening on that front. [via NYT]
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A belligerent fan went toe-to-toe with KYLIE KELCE in Margate City, New Jersey over Memorial Day weekend after she refused to take a photo while on a date with husband JASON KELCE.
In response to the “no,” the woman yelled, “I don't care who you are, you will never be allowed in this town,” to which Kylie then said, “I can smell the alcohol on your breath. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
As for where Jason was during the shouting match, he stood a few feet away in case Kylie needed some backup; which she did not. [via Page Six]
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EMINEM revealed the first single from his forthcoming 12th studio album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace)” will be a track called “Houdini.”
In an Instagram post for the announcement, Em Facetimes with magician DAVID BLAINE, asking for “help with something.” Just before the camera clicks off the rapper is heard saying, “Well for my last trick, I’m going to make my career disappear.”
“Houdini” drops tomorrow. [via Variety]
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BRITNEY SPEARS posted a clip of her hanging out with her brother BRYAN SPEARS at a Vegas spa, calling the facility “Disneyland for adults.”
The clip comes amid reconciliation rumors between Spears and her family. [via Page Six]
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SNOOP DOGG’s wife SHANTE BROADUS is opening a new strip club in Los Angeles called The Player’s Club.
A grand opening filled with some of their closest friends, including TIFFANY HADDISH, BIG BOY and CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, is set to go down this week.
Insiders told TMZ that Shante’s vision is a place for “like-minded entrepreneurs and beautiful people to convene and party.” [via TMZ]
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CASTING CALL
Disney released the first trailer for the “Moana” sequel.
According to the official description, the film “reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.”
There is also a live-action version of the movie in the works, with DWAYNE JOHNSON returning as Maui.
“Moana 2” will hit theaters this November. [via Variety]
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ELLEN DEGENERES will embark on her final standup tour this summer.
The 27-show tour, titled “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up,” kicks off in June.
Her final Netflix special will be taped during the final two shows in August. [via People]
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GLENN CLOSE will star alongside DANIEL CRAIG in the third installment in the “Knives Out” mystery franchise, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”
No word on what role Close will play -- suspect or victim -- but she will be in good company, with fellow castmates JOSH O’CONNOR, CAILEE SPAENY, ANDREW SCOTT and KERRY WASHINGTON.
A release date has not yet been announced. [via THR]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN recently opened up about the journey it took for her to conceive son Rocky.
While answering fans’ questions on Instagram, Kourt revealed that she underwent five rounds of IVF and three egg retrievals before giving up all hope. It was then that she and TRAVIS BARKER conceived naturally.
Rocky is Kourt’s fourth child, she is also mom to sons Mason and Reign and daughter Penelope with ex SCOTT DISICK. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
There’s one major annual event the Royal Family will not scale back ahead of July’s parliamentary elections: the British Army has confirmed that the Trooping of the Colour ceremony will proceed as planned on June 15.
The annual event has celebrated the monarch’s birthday since the 18th century, even when the actual birthday doesn’t fall anywhere close to June. The spectacle includes hundreds of soldiers and more than 200 horses who ceremoniously march under the monarch’s review to ensure they’re up to military standards.
KING CHARLES and QUEEN CAMILLA are confirmed to attend. It’s assumed PRINCESS ANNE will be on hand and likely PRINCE WILLIAM. [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National E-Bike Day
International Day of the Potato
National Hole In My Bucket Day
National Mint Julep Day
National Creativity Day
National Water a Flower Day
Loomis Day
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ON THIS DATE
1381 - The Peasants’ Revolt begins in England, after serfs and laborers grew tired of increased tax collection efforts to fund the Hundred Years’ War and general exhaustion set in from the destruction of the Black Death a few decades prior.
The rebellion first began in Essex, England, when locals burned court documents and released political prisoners. They demanded an end to serfdom and total reformation of the courts.
Within a few weeks, 14-year-old King Richard II agreed to end serfdom in England, but the rebellion continued to spread. Eventually, the king sent 4,000 troops to quash the rebellion; an estimated 1,500 rebels were killed and serfdom continued.
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1539 - Explorer Hernando de Soto lands in present-day Florida, near the south part of Tampa Bay.
de Soto and his crew of more than 600 men and 200 horses laid waste to native tribes, enslaving those who survived various skirmishes. The expedition explored Florida’s west coast for months before eventually moving north toward modern-day Georgia before heading west and eventually crossing the Mississippi River.
de Soto would die in 1542 from a fever.
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1806 - Future President Andrew Jackson kills a man named Charles Dickinson in a duel.
Dickinson was the son-in-law of Captain Joseph Erwin. Erwin and Jackson owned horses that were to race, with the winner taking home the proceeds of their bet. But Erwin’s horse had to drop out – which meant according to their agreement, Erwin would pay Jackson $800. A fight broke out between Jackson, Dickinson, and Erwin, and Erwin eventually paid up, but plenty of animosity remained between the men.
Later, word got around that Dickinson had insulted Jackson’s wife. When Jackson confronted Dickinson, he apologized and said he was drunk. The back-and-forth escalated to a public exchange of insults published in local newspapers – the early 19th century equivalent of having social media beef.
Eventually, the two agreed to settle the quarrel with a duel. Dickinson landed a shot on Jackson first, square in the chest, which he miraculously survived, enough to return a similar shot that killed Dickinson.
Jackson would carry the bullet for the rest of his life, lodged near his heart.
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1911 - Driver Ray Harroun wins the first Indy 500 in the Marmon Wasp, clocking an average speed of 74.6 miles per hour.
The whole race took six hours, 42 minutes, eight seconds for Harroun to win. One of the major innovations on this car was the rearview mirror for the driver, which eliminated the need for a spotter facing backward, as was customary. Without the extra weight, the whole car was able to move faster.
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1922 - Dignitaries gather in Washington, DC for the dedication of the Lincoln Monument.
The project began in 1914 after Congress approved $300,000 for the project. The original design called for a 10-foot-tall statue of Lincoln, but that was eventually nearly doubled in height so that the statue’s size more appropriately fit the scope of the building itself.
Former president and sitting Chief Justice William Howard Taft oversaw the project. On the day of the dedication, President Warren Harding and Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, then 78-years-old, joined for the ceremony.
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1971 - NASA launches the Mariner 9 spacecraft to study the atmosphere of Mars and its moons.
The probe made it to Mars six months later, narrowly beating two Soviet probes with similar missions by a matter of weeks. It remained in orbit indefinitely. Projections estimated it would burn up in the atmosphere after fifty-or-so years; it’s likely it has done exactly that – otherwise it’s still orbiting somewhere above the Red Planet.
49 YEARS LATER in 2020
The Crew Dragon Demo-2 spacecraft blasts off for the International Space Station.
The mission marked the first time a privately-funded space craft left for the ISS, and the first time in nearly a decade that a crew-capable ship left Earth, following the end of the Space Shuttle program.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jared Gilmore - actor, “Once Upon a Time” - 24
Sean Giambrone - actor, “The Goldbergs” - 25
Jake Short - actor, “Mighty Med” - 27
Remy Ma - rapper - 44
Steven Gerrard - soccer player - 44
CeeLo Green - R&B singer - 49
Idina Menzel - actress, “Rent” & “Wicked” - 53
Wynonna Judd - country singer - 60
Mark Sheppard - actor, “Supernatural” - 60
Ted Mcginley - actor, “Love Boat” & “Dynasty” - 66
Jake “The Snake” Roberts - wrestler - 69
Born On This Date
Mel Blanc - voice of Bugs Bunny - 1908 (d. 1989)
Jane Seymour - third wife of King Henry VIII - 1508 (d. 1537)
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