7/27/2023: Shark Attacks! 🦈
PLUS: Olympic Torch Goes Green; Custody of Bubbles; and Harry & Meg Want Names!
Today is Thursday, July 27, 2023.
It is the 208th day of the year.
157 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED no longer faces a set of charges and an iconic piece of Olympic culture gets a revamp. More in HIT LIST.
ALAN CUMMING bares its all for PETA and TRAVIS KELCE got shut out by TAYLOR SWIFT. More in SHOWBIZ.
Netflix takes a deeper look into JOHNNY DEPP and AMBER HEARD’s defamation trial. More in CASTING CALL.
KYLIE JENNER finally admits to having plastic surgery. More in KARDASH.
The Sussexes want to know who’s out to get them. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Just a day after prosecutors petitioned the judge overseeing SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s case to send him to jail as he awaits trial, the Department of Justice dropped a set of charges against the former crypto billionaire, specifically those related to Federal Elections Commission violations.
Prosecutors cited a lack of standing, specifically related to how the extradition from The Bahamas was conducted.
EDITORIAL NOTE: We’re certainly not lawyers and we’re weary of getting too thick into the weeds of how this happened and what it means, but it does sound like it was a technicality. It could also suggest that they know they have him dead to rights on the fraud and conspiracy charges and the FEC violations aren’t worth the headache.
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A new sleek, shiny and energy-conscious Olympic torch will be used to open the 2024 Paris Games.
Organizers told the Associated Press that only 2,000 have been made, which is five times fewer than previous years, in an effort to lessen the carbon footprint. Made from recycled steel, each torch weighs about 3.3 pounds and stands 27.5 inches tall.
The torch will be lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece on May 8. From there it will be carried by over 10,000 torchbearers before ending at the Opening Ceremony on July 26. [via AP News]
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In the midst of Discovery Channel’s 35th official Shark Week, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) details locations around the world with the highest rates of shark attacks.
According to ISAF, which serves as the world’s most comprehensive database of all known shark attacks, there were 761 unprovoked shark attacks recorded worldwide between 2012 and 2021, 60 of which were fatal. In the US alone there were 471 attacks, 8 fatal, with Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, North Carolina and California leading the pack.
Topping the worldwide list is Florida with 259 bites, followed by Australia with 143. Rounding out the top five are, Hawaii (76), South Carolina (45), and North Carolina (31 bites). [via ISAF]
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ANHEUSER-BUSCH is laying off about 380 employees as it bleeds market share in a very competitive beer market.
The restructuring will kill corporate and marketing jobs in New York, St. Louis, and Los Angeles. In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, the company’s CEO says, “While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success.”
He added, “These corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do best—brewing great beer for everyone." [via ZeroHedge]
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Researchers studying the 2,000-plus-year-old grave of an ancient British warrior have concluded the person was very likely female. The burial site includes not only a shield, but also a mirror, which typically accompanied women to their final resting place. It’s the only known grave from the Iron Age to contain both items.
One researcher says the find suggests the deceased “had high status within her community and may have played a commanding role in local warfare, organizing or leading raids on rival groups.”
WORTH NOTING: The certainty of the warrior’s gender comes from a new biomolecular analysis technique pioneered by the University of California, which was able to extract and study proteins in the remains of a tooth.
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BREAKUPS
ETHAN SLATER has filed for divorce from his wife, LILLY JAY.
While the official cause is being kept under wraps, it’s safe to say his relationship with “Wicked” costar ARIANA GRANDE is the reason.
Slater and Jay were high school sweethearts who tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed their first child last year.
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TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON has filed for divorce from her husband RICHARD LAWSON after eight years of marriage.
According to court documents, Knowles-Lawson cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.
This is Knowles-Lawson’s second marriage, she was previously married to MATHEW KNOWLES from 1980 to 2011. They share two daughters, BEYONCE and SOLANGE.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 237 points (0.67%) to close at 35,282 on Thursday. The S&P lost 29 points (0.64%) to close at 4,537 and the NASDAQ lost 77 points (0.55%) to close at 14,050.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.71 on Thursday.
₿ BITCOIN slid 0.75% on Thursday, trading around $29,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,550 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 340 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $910 million jackpot or a $464.2 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $60 million jackpot or a $31.1 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:
Anne-Marie, “Unhealthy”
Bethany Cosentino, “Natural Disaster”
The Clientele, “I Am Not There Anymore”
Echosmith, “Echosmith”
Post Malone, “Austin”
Stevie Nicks, “Complete Studio Albums & Rarities”
SUSTO, “My Entire Life”
Tori Kelly, “Tori” EP
Various Artists, “Raised By Rap: 50 Years of Hip Hop”
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One day after her passing, local authorities stated that SINEAD O’CONNOR’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
The Irish musician was found dead in her London home on Wednesday. A cause of death is pending an autopsy.
She was only 56. [via CBS]
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After being found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men, actor KEVIN SPACEY celebrated with friends at the Groucho Club, a private members club in London.
In light of the verdict, Brand and Culture expert Nick Ede says Spacey could go after Netflix, who axed him from “House of Cards” as soon as the accusations came to light.
“It is now time for him to build his career back but also make those that doubted him eat their words,” Ede told the Daily Mail. “He was sensationally sued by Netflix for $31 million dollars and I expect they will be his first port of call for an apology and even a financial settlement.” [via Daily Mail]
BY THE WAY: The verdict came on Spacey’s 64th birthday.
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SOFIA VERGARA and JOE MANGANIELLO are fighting over custody of their 10-year-old Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix, Bubbles.
According to a new report from Us Weekly, the actors, who recently called it quits on seven years of marriage, both want custody of the pooch.
If the two cannot figure out some sort of custody arrangement, a judge can intervene, per a 2019 California law that allows a court to rule in the best interest of the pet. [via Us Weekly]
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Actor ALAN CUMMING bared it all in support of PETA.
In the ad, the 58-year-old is lying on his side on top of a bar, in the nude, with only a leaf of lettuce covering his netherregion.
“I’m the vegan option. Join me!” the slogan states. [via People]
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TRAVIS KELCE says he tried and failed to give TAYLOR SWIFT his number during her recent concert in Kansas City.
“She doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,” Travis told his brother, fellow NFL player JASON KELCE on their “New Heights” podcast.
Travis explained that he put his phone number on a friendship bracelet, which he had hoped to give to Swift, but he never got the chance to meet her. (For those unfamiliar, making and exchanging friendship bracelets has been a theme at all of Swift’s “Eras Tour” shows.)
Fans’ reactions to the news were very much in support of a Travis-Taylor meetup. [via Page Six]
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Singer TORI KELLY updated fans on her condition after collapsing in a restaurant on Sunday due to blood clots.
“It’s been a scary few days but I can feel your prayers & can’t stop thinking about you,” she wrote on social media.
As previously reported, Kelly was rushed to the hospital on Sunday where doctors found blood clots around her lungs and in her legs. She will undergo further testing to find out exactly what is going on.
Despite her health issues, Kelly told fans that her EP “Tori” is still dropping today. [via People]
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Actor IDRIS ELBA says he was once held at gunpoint.
“I nearly lost my [effing] life after attempting to stop a man threatening his girlfriend,” he told the Daily Mail. “A guy [was] whaling on his missus, screaming in her face.”
It was when Elba stepped in, asking the guy why he would “talk to [a] beautiful princess like that?” that he pulled out the weapon and stuck it in his face.
“He thought I was trying to hit on her,” Elba explained, without saying how the scenario ended up.
Elba shared the story while talking about his role in Apple TV+’s “Hijack,” in which he plays a corporate negotiator. [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
JOHNNY DEPP and AMBER HEARD’s infamous defamation trial will be the focus of a new Netflix docuseries.
“Depp v. Heard” will explore “the nature of truth and its significance in modern society,” according to the streamer.
It will be released on August 16. [via ET]
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RUMOR IS…TINA FEY could take over as executive producer on “SNL” when current executive producer LORNE MICHAELS decides to step down.
Michaels has not yet announced plans to leave the sketch-comedy show, though in 2021 he said that he is “committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary,” during an interview on “CBS Mornings.” Season 50 of the show will air in Fall 2024, at which point Michaels will be 80. That is also an election year, which is always a gold mine for the show.
Speculation of Fey taking over the reins has been discussed on social media for years. While some say it’s basically a for-sure thing, others connected to the show aren’t so sure.
Fey was “SNL’s” Head Writer from 1999-2006 and often appeared in other sketches on top of hosting “Weekend Update.” [via NY Post]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KYLIE JENNER has finally admitted to getting a boob job, after years of denying it.
In the season finale of Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” Jenner says she got her “breasts done” shortly before getting pregnant with her daughter Stormi Webster.
Looking back, Jenner says she regrets getting plastic surgery at such a young age and “would be heartbroken if [Stormi] wanted to get her body done at 19.” [via Page Six]
WORTH ASKING: Should celebrities that promote and sell beauty products be forced to share any beauty-enhancing procedures they have had? Could it be considered false advertising if they don’t?
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE are convinced a saboteur interfered with winning them an Emmy nomination for their namesake Netflix miniseries.
The Mirror reports that the Sussexes believe an active “hate campaign” was orchestrated against them – and they want names. One insider says, “It makes them sick and they're looking to weed out these people one by one."
BUT WAIT: They did get a “Best Streaming Nonfiction Series” nod from the Hollywood Critics Awards – so there’s that. [via Mirror]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National System Administrator Appreciation Day
World Hepatitis Day
National Milk Chocolate Day
National Talk in an Elevator Day
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ON THIS DATE
1794 - French revolutionary terrorist Maximilien Robespierre is executed. He had masterminded the policies that had political opponents executed, and was the figurehead behind the overthrow of the monarchy.
Members of the National Assembly wanted to marginalize Robespierre to ebb his influence and control of the government — in the context of the revolution, execution was the swiftest means to that end.
During debate on the floor of the legislature, the majority called for Robespierre’s arrest while he was speaking. In the ensuing kerfuffle, Robespierre escaped, but only briefly. The situation devolved quickly: Opposing military factions began fighting, where Robespierre was shot in the face, but didn’t die. He was guillotined the next day.
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1854 - The USS Constellation is commissioned. It was the last completely sail-powered Navy ship.
During the Civil War, it was the flagship of the African Squadron, which intercepted slave ships and freed its prisoners.
It was later used as a training vessel while in harbor at Newport, Rhode Island.
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1868 - As part of Reconstruction after the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment is certified by Secretary of State William Seward.
Congress had required southern states to ratify the amendment as a condition of being granted representation in Congress.
The law provides for equal protection in its first section, which has turned into one of the most contested parts of the Constitution.
It also prohibits anyone who actively defended the Confederacy and fomenting rebellion against the Union from serving in the federal government.
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1914 - World War I formally commences when Austria-Hungary declares war against Serbia.
The nations had been disputing territory for several years. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip was intended to impel Austria-Hungary to relinquish its claims to Serbian land.
That plan backfired.
Austria-Hungary issues 10 unrealistic ultimatums to Serbia, which would acquiesce to eight of them, but that wasn’t enough. Fighting broke out later that day, and continued for more than four years, involving nations from around the world.
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1951 - Disney’s animated musical film “Alice In Wonderland” is released.
It would be nominated for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture at the Oscars the following year.
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2005 - The Irish Republican Army announces it will end its violent campaign to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and join with the rest of Ireland.
The militant group, organized in the ‘60s, remains committed to their independence, but through democratic and diplomatic channels.
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2019 - Meghan Markle is a guest editor for UK Vogue’s September issue.
She is the first guest editor for the magazine in 103 years.
The issue was the magazine’s best-selling edition in its 105-year history.
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BIRTHDAYS
Tatum Thompson - son of Khloe Kardashian & Tristan Thompson - 1
Victoria Baldesarra - actress, “The Next Step” - 25
Harry Kane - soccer player - 30
Spencer Boldman - actor, “Lab Rats” & “I’m in the Band” - 31
Soulja Boy - rapper - 33
Hannah Waddingham - actress, “Ted Lasso” & “Game of Thrones” - 49
Afroman - rapper - 49
Dana White - entrepreneur, President of the UFC - 54
Liz Cheney - politician - 57
Lori Loughlin - actress, “Full House” - 59
Jim Davis - creator of “Garfield” - 78
Bill Bradley - HOF basketball player & US Senator - 80
Born On This Date
Terry Fox - attempted to run across Canada on a prosthetic leg - 1958 (d. 1981)
Jackie Kennedy Onassis - first lady, wife of JFK - 1929 (d. 1994)
Beatrix Potter - author, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” - 1866 (d. 1943)