Today is Friday, July 26, 2024.
It is the 208th day of the year.
158 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
New bodycam footage corroborates details about the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania and corporate intrigue hits home. Details in HIT LIST.
DIDDY gets name dropped and KRISTIN CAVALLARI wants to ban all slime. More in SHOWBIZ.
SAG-AFTRA is on strike. Details in CASTING CALL.
40 is the new 28 for this Kardashian sister. Find out who in KARDASH.
The Royal Family is having a profitable year, including PRINCE WILLIAM. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Here’s the latest on the investigation of the attempted assassination of DONALD TRUMP and murder of COREY COMPERATORE:
– Iowa Senator CHUCK GRASSLEY acquired and released new bodycam footage from some of the first law enforcement officers to discover the body of the shooter. The footage shows firsthand the breakdown in communication between Secret Service and local law enforcement struggling to get on the same page in the moments after the shooting. It also confirms the shooter had an inactive remote detonation device on his body.
– Local law enforcement deny allegations that they were not protecting the roof because the weather was too hot. These allegations were first published by Senator JOSH HAWLEY, who conveyed the concern in a whistleblower report. But now, sources tell the Beaver Countian, a local news site for Butler, Pennsylvania, that the Secret Service never assigned any of their officers to the roof. They were in fact assigned to the interior of the building, the source says.
– One of the surviving victims of the attack. DAVID DUTCH, has been released from the hospital.
– The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously voted to form a task force to investigate the assassination attempt and murder.
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A Forbes study shows that California drivers are the most confrontational and likely to exhibit road rage. Drivers in the state were most likely to report incidents of being cut off, cursed at, and being tailgated, at 1 in 2 respondents. Just last year, California drivers ranked 13th.
Well-distanced from California’s coast, only 1% of Hawaiian drivers said they experienced similar incidents, making the island state’s drivers the chillest.
Here’s the rest of the states with the angriest drivers: Missouri, Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia & Indiana (tied), New York, and Maryland.
The study also revealed the kind of traffic interactions most likely to make drivers commit acts of road rage: Bad driving (40%), aggressive driving (38%), getting cut off (31%), already being stressed out (29%), being tailgated (27%). [via Sacramento Bee]
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A real-life plot straight from the popular HBO series “Succession” has been playing out in secret, as RUPERT MURDOCH battles his kids over who will take control of his massive global news empire.
Late last year, Murdoch began the process to amend the family trust that only his eldest son, LACHLAN MURDOCH, would inherit control of the media companies. Three of Rupert’s other children were originally part of the trust. They’re now suing to block the changes.
Rupert Murdoch now must demonstrate that changing the terms of the trust is in the best interest of his heirs. A trial on the matter is expected to begin in September. [via New York Times (which Rupert desperately wanted to own but had to settle for the Wall Street Journal instead]
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A North Korean hacker has been charged with executing a ransomware attack on computer systems used by American hospitals and health care providers. In particular, Rim Jong Hyok has been charged with orchestrating the May 2021 attack on an unidentified hospital in Kansas. That hospital eventually paid $100,000 in Bitcoin to regain access to their files.
According to the indictment, he also led a successful effort to pull 17 gigabytes of data from NASA.
Hyok allegedly used the ransom money – from this attack and others – to create further chaos for defense systems and governments around the world, including China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
The Justice Department has created a $10 MILLION reward for information to obtain Hyok’s whereabouts or those of his colleagues. [via Associated Press]
BY THE WAY: There’s an excellent, in-depth podcast exploring North Korea’s support of international hacking groups produced by the BBC that’s worth a listen called “The Lazarus Heist.” Check it out >
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Hammerhead flatworms are taking over Houston.
With the onslaught of heavy rain in the area, the invasive and toxic flatworms have been popping up all over the place, including on driveways, patios and sidewalks.
Not only are the worms poisonous to humans and pets, they can grow up to a foot long and multiply when cut in half. Also, they reproduce asexually -- multiple times a month.
Should you stumble across a hammerhead flatworm, the Texas Invasive Species Institute says to put on a pair of gloves before touching it (to avoid the toxic slime) and put it in a plastic bag with salt and vinegar, then put it in the freezer. Once dead, toss it in the trash; though be cautious not to touch it as the slime can still cause skin irritation. [via KHOU]
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BABY NEWS
MMA stars RONDA ROUSEY and TRAVIS BROWNE are expecting baby #2.
She’s 37 and he’s 42.
Rousey announced the news Thursday during a Comic-Con panel.
The couple are already parents to 2-year-old daughter La’akea Makalapuaokalanipō.
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WEDDINGS
Actor JOHN SCHNEIDER and DEE DEE SORVINO are married.
He’s 64 and she’s 57.
The couple, who both lost their respective spouses in the past two years, tied the knot Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Schneider’s wife, Alicia Allain, passed away in February 2023, while Sorvino’s husband, actor PAUL SORVINO, died in July 2022.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 81 points (0.2%) to close at 39,935 on Thursday. The S&P lost 29 points (0.5%) to close at 5,399 and the NASDAQ lost 160 points (0.9%) to close at 17,181.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $78; BRENT CRUDE at $81.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.52 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN slid down more than 1 point Thursday, trading around $64,600.
🛩 There were more than 4,505 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 160 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $306 million jackpot or a $143.8 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $131 million jackpot or a $62.8 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
New Music Friday
Bill Callahan, “Resuscitate!”
Fancy Gap, “Fancy Gap”
Ice Spice, “Y2K!”
Joshua Bassett, “The Golden Years”
Mr. Big, “Ten”
Porter Robinson, “Smile!”
Wand, “Vertigo”
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SEAN COMBS’ name appears 77 times in newly released legal documenting statements from alleged TUPAC murderer DUANE “Keefe D” DAVIS.
According to the docs, Davis accuses the music mogul of being the mastermind behind the murder -- offering $1 million for Tupac’s assassination.
Combs has previously denied any involvement in the murder. No word yet on whether or not he will be subpoenaed in the ongoing case. [via The Sun]
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MELANIA TRUMP’s memoir is due out this Fall.
“Melania” is described as a “powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has carved her own path, overcome adversity and defined personal excellence.”
No word on whether or not she worked with a co-author on the book.
Pre-orders are available now at MelaniaTrump.com. [via NY Post]
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CELEBS, THEY’RE JUST LIKE US: Former reality star KRISTIN CAVALLARI thinks there should be a universal ban on slime.
“This is why all parents hate slime. Wish we could legally ban it,” she captioned a photo of the gooey mess stuck to her cabinets and carpet.
Cavallari is a mom of three young kids, whom she shares with ex-husband JAY CUTLER; 11-year-old Camden, 10-year-old Jaxon and 8-year-old Saylor. [via People]
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A new children’s book centers on the close bond TRAVIS and JASON KELCE share.
“The Kelce Brothers” dives into their life with vivid illustrations, showcasing their sibling rivalry and how it felt to play against each other in the 2023 Super Bowl.
It is due out this October.
FOR THE RECORD: The book has already topped the Amazon charts as a No. 1 new release for children siblings books. [via Billboard]
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OPRAH WINFREY and GAYLE KING addressed the longstanding rumor that they are more than just friends.
In an interview on MELINDA GATES’ podcast “Moments That Make Us,” the two joked about their close relationship, saying they’d be more than happy to share the news if they were in fact romantically together. [via TMZ]
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*NSYNC’s JOEY FATONE says his two daughters, 23-year-old Briahna and 13-year-old Kloey, want to follow in his musical footsteps.
Speaking to The Mirror, Fatone said that while he has tried not to “push” either of his girls into the limelight, he thinks the “performing bug” has bit Kloey, saying she has fallen in love with the stage.
As for Briahna, Fatone says she is on a different path -- one that might lead her to be a “doctor at some point.” [via The Mirror]
MEANWHILE: Still no word on a potential reunion.
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CASTING CALL
As of midnight, SAG-AFTRA is on strike.
The union called a work stoppage against major video game companies after two years of trying to renegotiate its Interactive Media Agreement.
The 10 companies facing the strike are: Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games, Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.
The demand is that those who create, design and voice video games “deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music,” including “informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices and bodies.” [via Variety]
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KIT HARRINGTON is returning to the “Game of Thrones” franchise, with an appearance in the new mobile game, “Legends.”
Per the official description, players build and lead their own Westeros house, honing their tactics and skill as they strategically assemble a team of champions, equip weapons, and gear, and face formidable foes from the ‘GoT’ universe.”
Characters featured are from both “GoT” and “House of the Dragon.” [via THR]
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Actor GEORGE LAZENBY is retiring.
“I won't be doing any more acting or making public appearances, doing any more interviews, or signing any more autographs as of today,” the 84-year-old wrote on X.
Lazenby is best known for portraying James Bond in the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” He also appeared in the Bond flick “Diamonds Are Forever.” [via X]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KHLOE KARDASHIAN is aging backwards.
After taking a blood test to determine her body’s biological age versus calendar age, genomics doctors found that her “pace of aging is .72” meaning her body is that of a 28-year-old.
Khloe is No. 7 when it comes to the world’s slowest agers.
KIM KARDASHIAN also took the test, though her results showed she has a 34-year-old’s body, which is only nine years less than her chronological age.
The other KarJenner sisters did not take the test. [via E!]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
On the heels of news that KING CHARLES earned more than $100 MILLION in income from the Crown Estate, a report shows his heir PRINCE WILLIAM isn’t doing too bad, either.
As the Prince of Wales, William oversees the Duchy of Cornwall, a portfolio of properties that generate income from leases and agriculture. That portfolio earned him about $30 MILLION last year. Those funds go to cover all of his and his family’s costs, including official duties and private expenses.
The Duchy of Cornwall includes 130,000 acres in 23 counties in England and Wales. [via People]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Talk in an Elevator Day
Holistic Therapy Day
National BagelFest Day
National Disability Independence Day
National Dog Photography Day
National System Administrator Appreciation Day
National Coffee Milkshake Day
National Aunt and Uncle Day
One Voice Day
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ON THIS DATE
1579 - Francis Drake leaves San Francisco to cross the Pacific Ocean.
He had landed in New Albion (today’s California), claiming the land for Great Britain the month prior.
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1775 - The Second Continental Congress establishes the US Postal System.
Ben Franklin is put in charge as he had been the postmaster for the colonies under British rule, and thrived in the position.
With the declared split from Britain, he worked on behalf of the Continentals, and set up routes that covered the entire East Coast.
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1788 - New York becomes the 11th state to ratify the US Constitution.
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1945 - Winston Churchill resigns the office of Prime Minister.
His Labour Party was defeated in the first election in ten years. He led the opposition party six years later and once again became Prime Minister.
He would serve for four more years as PM, then return to parliament for nine more years.
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1947 - President Truman signs the National Security Act into law.
The law reorganized the military, putting the Department of War and Department of the Navy under the control of the Secretary of Defense. It also split the Air Force into its own organization separate from the US Army.
The National Security Council was also established to advise the executive and the CIA to unify all intelligence gathering efforts.
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2005 - Shuttle Discovery launches from Cape Canaveral.
It was the first shuttle mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster.
The mission took supplies to the International Space Station, and tested new safety procedures.
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2020 - Congressman John Lewis’ body is carried over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma with a military honor guard as part of a remembrance ceremony.
He had previously crossed the bridge 1965 as part of a march for freedom for African Americans. During that march, he and many others were beaten by state troopers.
Lewis passed away on July 17 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
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BIRTHDAYS
Elizabeth Gillies - actress, “13” & “Dynasty” - 31
Taylor Momsen - actress & rock singer, The Pretty Reckless - 31
Francia Raisa - actress, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” - 36
Monica Raymund - actress, “Chicago Fire” - 38
Delonte West - basketball player - 41
Gary Owen - actor, “Ride Along” & “Think Like a Man” - 50
Kate Beckinsale - actress, “Pearl Harbor” & “Van Helsing” - 51
Jason Statham - actor, “The Transporter” & “Death Race” - 57
Sandra Bullock - actress, “Practical Magic” & “The Blind Side” - 60
Kevin Spacey - actor, “American Beauty” & “House of Cards” - 65
Roger Taylor - drummer, Queen - 75
Helen Mirren - actress, “The Queen” & “Phil Spector” - 79
Mick Jagger - rock singer, Rolling Stones - 81
Born On This Date
Joe Jackson - talent manager & dad of Michael & co. - 1928 (d. 2018)
Stanley Kubrick - director, “The Shining” & “A Clockwork Orange” - 1928 (d. 1999)
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