Today is Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
It is the 171st day of the year.
195 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
VLAD does North Korea and NETFLIX comes full circle. Details in HIT LIST.
Prosecutors have a slew of new evidence against ALEC BALDWIN and STEVE-O gets a new NSFW face tattoo. More in SHOWBIZ.
BEN AFFLECK and MATT DAMON reunite for a new project. Details in CASTING CALL.
Two worlds collide in KARDASH.
A princess flies economy in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Even after a private company’s shareholders agreed to authorize ELON MUSK’s multi-billion-dollar, incentives-based compensation package, TESLA still must get approval from a judge to pay out the stock-based reward.
Attorneys for Tesla and lawyers for shareholders who filed the successful nuisance suit that previously overturned Musk’s compensation plan have until Friday to file briefs arguing for and against instating the package.
One shareholder lawyer that was part of the team that brought the original suit tells Reuters the recent vote had “no legal effect.”
Tesla’s team says there is very limited, if any, case law that sets a precedent for this situation, calling the subsequent ratification process by its own shareholders a “novel” outcome. [via Reuters]
SPEAKING OF SHAREHOLDERS: Chipmaker NVIDIA surged on Tuesday to become the nation’s most valuable company by market cap, surpassing Microsoft and Apple for the first time. [via Morning Martini]
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VLADIMIR PUTIN arrived in North Korea on Tuesday, marking his first visit to the Hermit Kingdom in 24 years.
KIM JONG JUNIOR and Putin last met publicly in September in Russia. Junior has been a close ally of Russia to support its war aggression in Ukraine in return for humanitarian aid.
On Wednesday, the pair will meet again and are expected to sign a formal agreement of mutual support. They’re also expected to attend a concert and formal state reception. [via The Guardian]
MEANWHILE, IN THE CARIBBEAN: A small Russian armada that cruised to Havana, Cuba, last week has departed. Photos show Cubans waving Russian flags to celebrate the send-off. [via AFP]
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Convicted killer ALEX MURDAUGH captured the nation’s attention last year with a high-profile trial and a handful of documentaries about his family’s influence in South Carolina and the subsequent murder of his wife and younger son.
Now, Murdaugh’s surviving son BUSTER MURDAUGH is seeking damages from a variety of media companies who implicated him and his father in the 2015 killing of Stephen Smith.
Defendants include NETFLIX, WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY and local media outlets in South Carolina for publishing information linking Buster to Smith’s death, which was originally ruled a hit-and-run but later reopened following journalistic investigations.
The Netflix version loudly whispers the suggestion that Buster and Smith had a relationship and that Smith was killed to avoid disgracing the Murdaugh family name. [via New York Post]
SPEAKING OF NETFLIX: The streamer is opening two “experiential” locations that will showcase merchandise, memorabilia, and souvenirs connected to some of its biggest original shows, one in Dallas and another in Pennsylvania. Both “Netflix House” locations will be built in empty retail locations and span at least 100,000 square feet. They’re set to open in 2025. [via Netflix]
WORTH NOTING: Let’s just acknowledge the irony of Netflix, which put Blockbuster out of business, now expanding its footprint to physical retail locations.
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The Los Angeles Unified School District on Tuesday voted for a district-wide ban on student cell phone use starting in January, making it the largest school system in the nation to implement such a policy.
Individual schools will have authority on how to implement the ban and rules could vary by grade level.
NOT YOUR MAMA’S SCHOOLYARD: As the Wall Street Journal so succinctly notes, “Teachers nationwide are grappling with pervasive cellphone use, which students use during the day for everything from texting with parents and friends to filming fights and bullying classmates on social media.”
Two of the five district’s board members voted against the measure; one tells the Journal that having a cellphone is a “civil right.”
But the rest of the board says they’re going to encourage similar bans at the state and federal level. [via WSJ]
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A “polite bear” strolled the streets of a neighborhood in Sierra Madre, California for a couple of hours last week.
According to homeowner Laurie Devault, she didn’t see the bear cause any damage when it snuck into her garage, opened up the freezer and stole a frozen chicken.
The meat was later returned to her after the bear dropped it while scurrying back into the woods.
In total the bear wandered into four homes in addition to Devault’s garage. [via Breitbart]
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DEATHS
Hall of Fame baseball player WILLIE MAYS has died.
He passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement from his former team, the San Francisco Giants. No further details were shared.
Mays was a two-time league MVP and 24-time All-Star.
He was 93.
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SICK BAY
Actor IAN MCKELLEN was hospitalized after falling off a stage during a performance in London.
The 85-year-old reportedly lost his footing during a fight scene, fell and “cried out in pain.” He was taken to a local hospital where all scans and tests determined he will “make a speedy and full recovery.” So speedy that he is expected to be back on stage Wednesday for a matinee performance of the play, “Player Kings.”
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 56 points (0.15%) to close at 38,834 on Tuesday. The S&P increased 13 points (0.25%) to close at 5,487 and the NASDAQ increased 5 points (0.02%) to close at 17,862.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $80; BRENT CRUDE at $82.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.44 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid on Tuesday, down 3% and trading around $64,400.
🛩 There were more than 2,700 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 90 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $56 million jackpot or a $27 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE was arrested in the Hamptons early Tuesday after blowing through a stop sign and swerving all over the road.
After pulling him over, officers said they could smell the alcohol on him, even though he claimed to only have had one drink. They also noted that his speech was slurred and his eyes were glassy.
JT was arranged on Tuesday on one count of driving while intoxicated and released without bail. A future court date has been set for July 26, which is also when he is set to be performing in Krakow, Poland.
FANS FEAR NOT: His drunken shenanigans should not affect his tour stop at the United Center in Chicago on Friday. [via NY Times]
WHAT TOUR?: Several outlets reported that the arresting officer had no idea who he was dealing with, and when JT made a comment about how the incident could ruin the tour, he asked, “What tour?”
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Prosecutors have a slew of new evidence they plan to present to the jury, showing that ALEC BALDWIN was negligent with a firearm on the set of “Rust” -- even before the fatal shooting of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
According to new legal docs, the prosecution claims Baldwin “recklessly” pointed and fired a blank round at a crew member, would use the gun to as a pointer while talking to crew members, once fired the revolver after “cut” was called and filmed several scenes with his finger on the trigger, even though no gunfire was to occur.
Lastly, there is also evidence showing Baldwin rushed the armorer to reload and was inattentive during firearm training sessions.
BACK TO BASICS: Every good gun owner/user should know the six basic rules of gun safety: Treat all guns as if they are loaded; Keep the gun pointed in the safest possible direction; Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; Know your target, its surroundings and beyond; Know how to properly operate your gun; Store your gun safely and securely.
Based on the evidence to be presented, Baldwin seems to have broken 5 of the 6 rules. [via TMZ]
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For his 50th birthday, STEVE-O got a penis tattooed on his face, just over his eyebrow.
A clip of the inking made the rounds on social media, showing none other than POST MALONE working the tattoo gun.
After the ink was dried, Steve-O revealed that he plans to keep it for his new comedy tour, saying he wants to see how long he lasts before getting “it lasered off.” [via Hollywood Life]
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Former Patriots coach BILL BELICHICK first met his current, and much younger, girlfriend JORDON HUDSON on a flight from Boston to Florida in 2021.
During the flight, the two chatted it up and he allegedly signed her “Deductive Logic” textbook, writing “Thanks for giving me a course in logic! Safe travels!”
The pair also allegedly exchanged numbers at the time, which is odd as he was still dating his longtime love Linda Holliday.
News of their relationship broke this week, though neither have commented publicly on it.
LET US NOT FORGET: He’s 72 and she’s 24. [via TMZ]
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HOWIE MANDEL found his wife Terry in a pool of her own blood after she got up in the middle of the night and fell in their Vegas hotel room.
“I don’t know where she was headed, but she headed into the wall. And she fell and hit the wainscoting. She slipped, went down, hit that on her eye, then fell on the floor, and broke her cheek,” he explained during a recent appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark.”
After responding paramedics determined her injuries were sustained from an accidental fall -- and not at the hands of her husband -- they took Terry to the hospital.
Mandel later clarified that Terry was not drunk, but high, when the accident occurred. [via NY Post]
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The first single from KATY PERRY’s forthcoming sixth studio album will be “Woman’s World.”
The new track will be released on July 11, followed by the music video on the 12.
Perry’s last musical release was her 2020 album “Smile.” [via People]
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USHER opened up about his daily routine in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Starting his day out, he prefers to drink a glass of celery juice over a cup of coffee. Then he likes to walk, do some yoga or sit in the sun before consuming a breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese.
But if it’s Wednesday then he forgoes the whole routine and opts for nothing but water, saying, “I fast, not for religious purposes, but it’s something my grandmother practiced.” [via WSJ]
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JAMES JANNARD, the founder of Oakley, just sold his Malibu mansion for a record-breaking $210 million.
The 9.5-acre oceanfront estate is now the most expensive home sold in California history -- taking the title from JAY-Z and BEYONCE, who sold their Malibu pad last year for $200 million.
As for who bought the place, according to public docs it went to a Delaware LLC.
BY THE WAY: Jannard bought the home in 2002 for $31 million. That’s a YUGE profit! [via TMZ]
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CASTING CALL
Besties MATT DAMON and BEN AFFLECK are set to co-star in a forthcoming movie, titled “RIP.”
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but insiders tell Deadline the movie is being pitched as a “crime thriller.”
No word on whether the movie will head the theater or land on a streaming site as both are rumored to be interested in it. [via Deadline]
FOR THE RECORD: The pair last starred opposite one another in 2021’s “The Last Duel.” Before that the two appeared in 1997’s “Good Will Hunting,” alongside the late ROBIN WILLIAMS.
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BRAD PITT’s new flick about Formula 1 racing will hit theaters June 27, 2025.
The not-yet-titled movie will compete with “M3GAN 2.0,” a sequel to 2023’s horror flick “M3GAN.” The following weekend will see the release of “Jurassic World 4,” starring JONATHAN BAILEY, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, and MAHERSHALA ALI. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
NICOLA COUGHLAN, the actress who stars as Penelope Featherington in “Bridgerton,” is the latest celeb to model for KIM KARDASHIAN’s SKIMS line.
“Everybody’s wearing @SKIMS,” Coughlan captioned a series of snaps of her lounging in one of the Soft Lounge maxi dresses.
WORTH NOTING: Kim is a YUGE fan of the Netflix series, specifically Coughlan’s character; viewers of the show will understand why. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
ROYALS, THEY’RE JUST LIKE US: PRINCESS BEATRICE -- the eldest daughter of PRINCE ANDREW and SARAH FERGUSON -- was spotted flying to the Cannes Lions Festival on EasyJet, a notoriously low-cost and no-frill airline popular in Europe.
She even hoofed her own bag onto the plane and waited in line to climb the stairs like everyone else, then sat in Economy. Bea later participated in a panel discussion at the festival about “Emotional Intelligence in the AI Age.” [via Page Six]
MEANWHILE, IN LONDON: PRINCESS KATE dealt with everyday mom issues during the Trooping of the Colour parade over the weekend.
The Mirror asked a lip-reader to interpret what 6-year-old PRINCE LOUIS was saying to his mom and siblings during the event.
Despite sitting in the middle of all the pomp and circumstance, he asked his mother at one point if he could play with the beaded cord of the window blinds inside their carriage, to which Catherine replied, “No. I need you to concentrate on the parade.”
Later, older sister CHARLOTTE reprimanded him for fidgeting during the proceedings, telling him, “You have to stop doing that. Watch the parade!”
Louis replied, “I won’t!” [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Thank a Teacher Day
Real Food Day
National Garfield the Cat Day
World Sickle Cell Day
National Watch Day
International Box Day
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ON THIS DATE
1846 - Alexander Cartwright umpires the first game of baseball played by organized teams under organized rules similar to modern regulations.
Cartwright is considered the first to formally establish the diamond-shaped field. He applied it to the common stick-and-ball game played by kids called the "town game."
In the first matchup, the New York Knickerbockers lost to the New York Nine, 23-1.
The Knickerbockers and Nine had been around for a while, but had each used their own unique, different rules.
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1862 - Congress bans slavery in territories of the United States. The maneuver overturned the Dredd Scott opinion from five years prior, which stipulated Congress was unable to regulate slavery in territories.
This came in the middle of the Civil War, and helped solidify emancipation of slaves as one of the fight's main causes.
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1867 - Maximilian "El Primero" of Mexico is shot dead by firing squad.
He had been installed as emperor of the country by Napoleon III of France. His installment was an attempt to restore the Mexican monarchy.
The United States and other world powers refused to acknowledge the new government.
Revolutionary Benito Juarez led the charge to remove Max from power, bolstered by support of the United States.
Soon rebel forces laid siege on a fortress that contained Maximilian. One of the emperor's leading lieutenants spilled the frijoles to rebels about a plan to smuggle him out through enemy lines. He was swiftly captured.
Though Juarez liked Maximilian personally, his greater love was freedom for his country. Maximilian was court-martialed and sentenced to death.
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1910 - Members of the Spokane YMCA in Washington celebrate the first Father's Day.
It was organized by Sonora Smart Dodd, who felt fathers should have a complement to Mother's Day. In particular, she wanted to honor her father, a Civil War vet.
On this date in 1910, young YMCA members went to church sporting roses: red to honor a living father; white for those deceased.
Sonora Dodd traveled by carriage to share gifts with fathers who could not leave their homes because of illness.
It was not until 1966 that President Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day, recognized as a national holiday.
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1934 - The Federal Communications Commission is established.
It was one element of the Communications Act of 1934, passed by Congress.
The act consolidated the Federal Radio Commission and parts of the Interstate Commerce Commission under the FCC.
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1953 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg get the chair at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York.
He went first, and was killed after the first round of electrocution. It took three rounds to put down Ethel.
The Rosenbergs were accused of squeezing intelligence information from Ethel's brother David Greenglass. Julius then allegedly passed the intel to the Soviets. Much of their espionage had allegedly helped Soviet efforts to develop an atomic bomb.
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1978 - The comic “Garfield” first appears.
The lasagna eating feline is named for illustrator Jim Davis' grandfather.
By 2007, it became the most widely syndicated comic strip, appearing in 2,580 newspapers and journals.
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1999- Stephen King is hit by a car while walking near his home in Maine.
He suffered numerous injuries, including: a collapsed right lung, multiple fractures of his right leg, scalp lacerations and a broken hip.
The driver, Bryan Edwin Smith, claimed he was distracted by an unrestrained dog he had with him.
King would write about the accident at length in his book, “On Writing.”
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2019 - The United Nations reports that over 70 million people in the world are displaced, asylum seekers or refugees.
It is the highest reported number in over 70 years.
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BIRTHDAYS
Millie Gibson - actress, “Coronation Street” - 20
Jordan Poole - basketball player - 25
Attics Shaffer - actor, “The Middle” - 26
Dylan Playfair - actor, “Descendants” - 32
Katelyn Jae Brown - singer & wife of Kane Brown - 32
Giacomo Gianniotti - actor, “Grey’s Anatomy” - 35
Matthew Hussey - self-help author - 37
Katilyn Bristowe - reality star, “The Bachelorette” - 39
Paul Dano - actor, “Little Miss Sunshine” - 40
Aidan Turner - actor, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” - 41
Macklemore - rapper - 41
Lauren Lee Smith - actress, “The L Word” - 44
Zoe Saldana - actress, “Avatar” films - 46
Dirk Nowitzki - basketball player - 46
Hugh Dancy - actor, “Hannibal” - 49
Boris Johnson - UK Prime Minister - 60
Paula Abdul - pop singer - 62
Ann Wilson - rock singer, Heart - 74
Born On This Date
Lou Gehrig - HOF baseball player - 1903 (d. 1941)
Jose Rizal - novelist & Filipino hero - 1861 (d. 1896)
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