6/7/2023: They’re Coming for Crypto
PLUS: The Elusive Orange Lobster; Pete vs. PETA; and Harry Goes to Court
Today is Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
It is the 158th day of the year.
207 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A daily pill has shown promising effects for lung cancer patients in a new study and Baba Vanga has some major predictions. More in HIT LIST.
CHRIS MARTIN takes eco-friendly transportation and DAMAR HAMLIN returns to the football field. More in SHOWBIZ.
KATHY HILTON is trading her spot on one reality show for another and the cast of “Cheers” gave KRISTIE ALLEY an odd welcome gift. More in CASTING CALL.
YE is facing another lawsuit. This time from a photog whose phone he snatched and threw in the street earlier this year. More in KARDASH.
MEGHAN MARKLE cashes checks on the backs of middle class creatives. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Federal regulators appear to be coming hard and fast for the relatively unregulated world of cryptocurrency.
ON MONDAY: The SEC sued crypto exchange BINANCE for mismanaging customer funds.
ON TUESDAY: The SEC sued COINBASE for operating as an unlicensed crypto exchange platform.
Both of these cases will have historic impacts on crypto trading and regulation, which the government has kept at arm’s length as it figures out what to do and how to manage the alternative currency.
WORTH NOTING: The catastrophic implosion of FTX last year likely accelerated the oversight that the government now expects to have on cryptocurrency. [via CNN, CNBC]
MEANWHILE: Following the charges against Binance, the company saw more than $700 MILLION of outflows in a single day, as spooked traders likely wanted to avoid the same fate as FTX customers whose assets remain tied up in a lengthy bankruptcy suit. [via CNBC]
GET THIS: Despite the back-to-back major SEC actions, Bitcoin was up more than 5% on Tuesday as long-term investors remained bullish on its prospects.
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A fishing crew working in Casco Bay, Maine, say they snagged a rare orange lobster – which are a reported 1-in-30 million find.
The captain of the crew says they’ll donate it to a nearby university for further study.
BY THE WAY: It’s not the first time this crew has caught a rare find – they previously donated a rare Calico lobster to the same school. [via WMTW]
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A daily pill has shown promising effects for lung cancer patients in a new study.
The AstraZeneca drug Tagrisso reduced death in early-stage cancer patients by nearly 50%. Researchers say the outcome was twice as effective as hoped.
WORTH NOTING: The drug has already been approved for use in 100 countries, but this is a new application for treating early-stage lung cancer. [via NBC News]
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Just a week after a baby bison had to be euthanized at Yellowstone National Park due to human interference, an elk calf has now gone missing.
According to park rangers, over Memorial Day weekend visitors put a newborn elk calf in their car and brought it to the West Yellowstone Police Department. When they tried to get it out of the vehicle it got loose and ran into the forest.
Despite several lengthy attempts, the animal was not found.
Also during the holiday weekend, two adult black bears, an elk and bison were hit and killed in separate collisions with vehicles in the park. [via CNN]
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Baba Vanga, a blind mystic from Bulgaria, predicted several tragedies that will allegedly take place in 2023.
Before her death in 1996, Vanga stated that a major nuclear power plant explosion would take place in Asia. She also claimed that the Earth’s orbit would change, a powerful solar storm would occur, a biological weapon would be used by a superpower, and 2023 would see the end of natural pregnancies.
Experts who have studied her predictions say only about 68% are accurate. These include, the COVID-19 pandemic, the September 11 attacks, the death of PRINCESS DIANA and the Chernobyl disaster.
Venga also claimed that the 45th President of the United States would be faced with a crisis that would “bring the country down.” (This one could be interpreted differently depending on who is reporting on it). [via NY Post]
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SICK BAY
POPE FRANCIS underwent some tests at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said the pontiff was examined “and returned to the Vatican before noon.”
Many may recall, the 86-year-old spent three days at the hospital in March when he was diagnosed with bronchitis.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW was mostly flat, adding 10 points (0.03%) and closing at 33,573. The S&P added 10 points (0.24%) to close at 4,283 and the NASDAQ added 47 points (0.3%) to close at 13,276.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $71; BRENT CRUDE at $76.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.54 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN rallied despite two major recent SEC suits, up over 5% and trading over $27,000.
🛩 There were more than 3,365 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 75 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $285 million jackpot or a $148.1 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
PETE DAVIDSON left PETA a profanity-laced voicemail after the animal rights organization called him out for choosing to shop, not adopt.
In the message the comedian called the statement “uneducated” and “premature” while noting that he is allergic to dogs so he had to get a hypoallergenic breed, like a cavapoo. Also, he said the pup is for his mom, who was mourning the loss of her dog just a few days before he bought it. He also dropped several F-bombs and concluded the message by telling the PETA spokeswoman, “[F] you and [s] my [d].” .
PETA responded saying Davidson should have done his research as there is “no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog,” while adding that they could have assisted him in adopting the exact breed he selected.
When asked about the matter by TMZ, Davidson said that he does not regret leaving the voicemail and is upset that the pet store filmed him without his permission. He also said that PETA made his family’s grieving worse by trying to make a public example of them. [via TMZ]
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DANNY BONADUCE is recovering after a successful two-hour brain surgery.
His wife updated fans on the “Partridge Family” alum’s condition Tuesday, writing that the “surgery went according to plan and he’s doing well.” He will remain in the hospital for a few days and then spend three to four weeks recovering at home.
As previously reported, Bonaduce revealed in March that he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has affected his ability to speak and walk. [via Page Six]
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CHRIS MARTIN shocked fellow commuters when he arrived in Cardiff, Wales via train. He is in town to perform two shows at Principality Stadium, which is just yards from the train station.
The travel choice likely has to do with COLDPLAY’s efforts to be more green. As previously reported, their current tour is “eco-friendly,” with a dance floor that generates electricity and pedal power at certain venues.
The effort appears to be working too! Just this week, the band announced that they cut their emissions nearly in half, with their carbon footprint falling by 47%. [via Daily Mail]
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BRITNEY SPEARS appears to be extending an olive branch to her sons ahead of their move to Hawaii.
Two days after sharing a photo of her youngest son JAYDEN, Spears shared a throwback picture of her eldest SEAN with the caption, “My first love !!!”
The posts come just days after Spears gave her blessing for the boys to move with their dad KEVIN FEDERLINE and a week after reconciling with her mom, LYNNE SPEARS. [via TMZ]
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NICKI MINAJ announced that she will release a new album on October 10.
The not-yet-titled album will be the first release on Minaj’s own record label, Heavy On It.
Her last album, “Queen,” was released in 2018. [via Billboard]
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JARED LETO drew a crowd as he scaled the outside of the Hotel de Rome in Berlin this week.
Insider told the Daily Mail that a tripod was set up nearby as well as a large reflective sheet for extra light. It appeared to be too small a crew for a film, but perhaps the stunt was for social media or a video for Leto’s band 30 SECONDS TO MARS.
Last week, the 53-year-old actor was spotted at the hotel with rumored girlfriend, 27-year-old model THET THINN. [via Daily Mail]
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DAMAR HAMLIN joined his Buffalo Bills teammates for a full practice on Tuesday -- his first since suffering cardiac arrest.
While Hamlin was spotted on the practice field with his team last month, he did not participate.
As many may recall, the 25-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during a MNF game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January. After being resuscitated several times, he was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. His recovery has been called a miracle. [via TMZ]
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CASTING CALL
Ousted CNN anchor DON LEMON will host content creator and activist EMIL WILBEKIN’s 7th annual Native Son Awards at Barry Diller’s IAC in New York on June 16.
Speaking to Page Six, Wilbekin called Lemon “one of the most visible Black gay men in the media.”
Lemon was one of the first to receive a Native Son Award in 2016 for being a “Black gay” man who was considered a leader in his respective industry. [via Page Six]
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KATHY HILTON will not be in the upcoming Season 13 of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
A source told People Magazine that Hilton left the reality show to have more time for filming daughter PARIS HILTON’s Peacock reality show, “Paris in Love.”
Hilton also confirmed the news herself, telling E! News this week that she is not returning. [via People]
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When KRISTIE ALLEY joined the cast of “Cheers” in 1987, she was welcomed with a peculiar gift…a shotgun.
Stars of the show recently reflected on the gift at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, while remembering the late Alley, who played Rebecca Howe.
As for whose idea it was to give the new girl a gun, the cast said the welcome gift was left in the hands of GEORGE WENDT, who played Norm Peterson and JOHN RATZENBERGER, who played Cliff Clavin.
It’s safe to say the two were never put in charge of gift-giving again.
No word on whether Alley felt welcomed by the gift, or terrified. [via Decider]
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COURT CASES
CUBA GOODING JR. settled a 2020 rape lawsuit just minutes before the trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
The actor was sued by a woman who accused him of raping her in his New York City hotel room in 2013.
The unidentified woman was seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. No word on the settlement. [via People]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE is being sued by a photog whose phone he aggressively grabbed and tossed into the street.
While leaving his kids’ basketball game in January Ye confronted photographer Nichol Lechmanik, reached into her car, took her phone and tossed it across the road, all while berating her for taking photos of his kids.
A passenger in Lechmanik’s car filmed the incident, but despite the footage, Ye was not charged.
Now, the photog says she is so “traumatized” and “humiliated” that she cannot return to her job. With the help of celebrity lawyer GLORIA ALLRED, Lechmanik is suing Ye for assault, battery and negligence. She is also asking for an injunction that blocks Ye from touching, annoying or threatening all photographers.
No word on what she is seeking in damages. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY took the stand in the Daily Mirror phone hacking case Tuesday, appearing to testify more about his feelings than actual evidence against the news organization.
Harry did not point to any examples of information about him that was published that might have been taken through spying, but said he had experienced hostility from the press his whole life.
He said at one point, "I felt that I couldn't trust anybody, which was an awful feeling for me especially at such a young age."
HOWEVER: He did suggest journalists used some kind of spying to get information on a former girlfriend’s flights to visit him.
Harry’s appearance marked the first time a senior royal took the stand in court in over a century.
BY THE WAY: Turns out he is still considered a senior royal, not a working royal – since he is the son of the king and would still, in theory, take the throne in the case of a tragedy that reorganized the line of succession away from his brother and his kids. [via BBC]
MEANWHILE: Audio streaming service SPOTIFY has announced it is gutting its podcast divisions and laying off 200 employees. These studios collectively produced thousands of hours of content for the platform.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Spotify paid a reported $18 MILLION to MEGHAN MARKLE for her “Archetypes” podcast – for which she has so far delivered about 12 hours of content.
Oops.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Tailors Day
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
Global Running Day
National VCR Day
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ON THIS DATE
1494 - The Treaty of Tordesillas is signed, splitting territories in the New World and beyond between Spain and Portugal.
The border was arbitrary, since much of the land had not been mapped.
The Portuguese took much of South America, while the Spanish pushed on into the North.
Because of the Portuguese exploration of South America, there are more speakers of their language in Brazil than in Portugal.
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1776 - The first draft of what would become the Declaration of Independence is presented to the Second Continental Congress.
Richard Henry Lee was the author, and titled it a "Resolution of Independence." The document asserted that the United Colonies were free and separate from the British Empire.
After discussion and numerous drafts, the final Declaration of Independence would be approved on July 4 that year.
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1939 - The first reigning British monarch visits the United States.
King George VI and his wife Elizabeth cross from Canada into the US at Niagara Falls. This is the same King George depicted in the hit movie "The King's Speech."
While visiting New York and Washington, DC, the royals lobbied for American intervention in the brewing conflict in Europe.
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1942 - After four days of bloody fighting, American troops declare victory in the Battle of Midway.
The US Pacific Fleet was heavily outnumbered by the Japanese, but managed to sink four enemy aircraft carriers while only losing one of its own. 292 aircraft were also gunned down, and 2500 Japanese navy men lost their lives.
The battle is considered a poignant turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Later that summer, Americans began their counteroffensive at Guadalcanal, and remained on the march until the Japanese surrendered in 1945.
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1966 - Ronald Reagan wins his first major political seat, becoming Governor of California.
The momentum of Barry Goldwater in 1964 and the relentless support of conservative heavyweight William F. Buckley helped land him the top spot in one of the nation's most liberal states.
He would fail to win the GOP Presidential nomination twice, each in 1968 and 1976. Finally, he would be nominated and beat Jimmy Carter in 1980.
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1980 - The first American solar power plant begins operations in Utah.
The largest in the world at the time, composed of 250,000 solar cells, it was used to power facilities at the National Bridge National Monument, including the visitor center, staff residences, and maintenance facilities.
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2012 - Remains of the Curtain Theatre, where some of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed are found under a pub in London.
Archeologists unearthed the remains in Shoreditch, an area in northeastern London, during construction for a residential and commercial development project.
The Curtain Theatre, which opened in 1577, was London’s second playhouse. It was the main venue for Shakespeare’s plays between 1597 and 1599.
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2020 - The COVID-19 global death toll passes 400,000 with confirmed cases nearing 7 million, according to Johns Hopkins.
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BIRTHDAYS
Christian McCaffrey - football player - 27
Swae Lee - rapper - 30
Jordan Clarkson - basketball player - 31
Fetty Wap - rapper - 32
Emily Ratajkowski - model - 32
Iggy Azalea - rapper - 33
Mair Mulroney - actress, “Unchained” - 34
Michael Cera - actor, “Juno” & “Superbad” - 35
Bill Hader - actor, “SNL” & “Barry” - 45
Allen Iverson - basketball player - 48
Bear Grylls - reality star, “Man vs. Wild” - 49
Dave Navarro - guitarist, Red Hot Chili Peppers - 56
Mick Foley - wrestler - 58
Mike Pence - Vice President - 64
Liam Neeson - actor, “Taken” & “The Grey” - 71
Tom Jones - pop singer - 83
Born On This Date
Lance Reddick - actor, “The Wire” & “Oz” - 1962 (d. 2022)
Prince - R&B singer - 1958 (d. 2016)
Superstar Billy Graham - wrestler - 1943 (d. 2023)
Dean Martin - pop singer - 1917 (d. 1995)
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