7/27/2023: Shark Attacks! đŚ
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.
WHATâS 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.Â
Netflix takes a deeper look into JOHNNY DEPP and AMBER HEARDâs defamation trial. More in CASTING CALL. Â
KYLIE JENNER finally admits to having plastic surgery. More in KARDASH.Â
The Sussexes want to know whoâs out to get them. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Just a day after prosecutors petitioned the judge overseeing SAM BANKMAN-FRIEDâs 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.Â
Prosecutors cited a lack of standing, specifically related to how the extradition from The Bahamas was conducted.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Weâre certainly not lawyers and weâre 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 arenât worth the headache.Â
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A new sleek, shiny and energy-conscious Olympic torch will be used to open the 2024 Paris Games.Â
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.Â
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 Channelâs 35th official Shark Week, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) details locations around the world with the highest rates of shark attacks.Â
According to ISAF, which serves as the worldâs 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.Â
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 companyâs CEO says, âWhile we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success.â
He added, âThese corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do bestâbrewing 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. Itâs the only known grave from the Iron Age to contain both items.
One researcher says the find suggests the deceased âhad high status within her community and may have played a commanding role in local warfare, organizing or leading raids on rival groups.â
WORTH NOTING: The certainty of the warriorâs 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.Â
While the official cause is being kept under wraps, itâs safe to say his relationship with âWickedâ costar ARIANA GRANDE is the reason.Â
Slater and Jay were high school sweethearts who tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed their first child last year.Â
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TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON has filed for divorce from her husband RICHARD LAWSON after eight years of marriage.Â
According to court documents, Knowles-Lawson cited âirreconcilable differencesâ as the reason for the split.Â
This is Knowles-Lawsonâs second marriage, she was previously married to MATHEW KNOWLES from 1980 to 2011. They share two daughters, BEYONCE and SOLANGE.Â
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BY THE NUMBERS
đ 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.
đ˘ WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
â˝ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.71 on Thursday.
âż BITCOIN slid 0.75% on Thursday, trading around $29,100.
đŠ There were more than 3,550 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 340 such cancellations.
đ°Tonightâs MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $910 million jackpot or a $464.2 million cash payout. Saturday nightâs POWERBALL drawing will be for a $60 million jackpot or a $31.1 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
These albums drop today:Â
Anne-Marie, âUnhealthyâÂ
Bethany Cosentino, âNatural DisasterâÂ
The Clientele, âI Am Not There Anymoreâ
Echosmith, âEchosmithâ
Post Malone, âAustinâÂ
Stevie Nicks, âComplete Studio Albums & Raritiesâ
SUSTO, âMy Entire Lifeâ
Tori Kelly, âToriâ EP
Various Artists, âRaised By Rap: 50 Years of Hip HopâÂ
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One day after her passing, local authorities stated that SINEAD OâCONNORâs death is not being treated as suspicious.Â
The Irish musician was found dead in her London home on Wednesday. A cause of death is pending an autopsy.Â
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.Â
In light of the verdict, Brand and Culture expert Nick Ede says Spacey could go after Netflix, who axed him from âHouse of Cardsâ as soon as the accusations came to light.Â
âIt is now time for him to build his career back but also make those that doubted him eat their words,â Ede told the Daily Mail. âHe 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.â [via Daily Mail]
BY THE WAY: The verdict came on Spaceyâs 64th birthday.Â
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SOFIA VERGARA and JOE MANGANIELLO are fighting over custody of their 10-year-old Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix, Bubbles.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
âIâm the vegan option. Join me!â 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.Â
âShe doesnât talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,â Travis told his brother, fellow NFL player JASON KELCE on their âNew Heightsâ podcast.Â
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 Swiftâs âEras Tourâ shows.)Â
Fansâ 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.Â
âItâs been a scary few days but I can feel your prayers & canât stop thinking about you,â she wrote on social media.Â
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.Â
Despite her health issues, Kelly told fans that her EP âToriâ is still dropping today. [via People]
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Actor IDRIS ELBA says he was once held at gunpoint.Â
âI nearly lost my [effing] life after attempting to stop a man threatening his girlfriend,â he told the Daily Mail. âA guy [was] whaling on his missus, screaming in her face.â
It was when Elba stepped in, asking the guy why he would âtalk to [a] beautiful princess like that?â that he pulled out the weapon and stuck it in his face.Â
âHe thought I was trying to hit on her,â Elba explained, without saying how the scenario ended up.Â
Elba shared the story while talking about his role in Apple TV+âs âHijack,â in which he plays a corporate negotiator. [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
JOHNNY DEPP and AMBER HEARDâs infamous defamation trial will be the focus of a new Netflix docuseries.Â
âDepp v. Heardâ will explore âthe nature of truth and its significance in modern society,â according to the streamer.Â
It will be released on August 16. [via ET]
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RUMOR ISâŚTINA FEY could take over as executive producer on âSNLâ when current executive producer LORNE MICHAELS decides to step down.Â
Michaels has not yet announced plans to leave the sketch-comedy show, though in 2021 he said that he is âcommitted to doing the show until its 50th anniversary,â during an interview on âCBS Mornings.â 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 itâs basically a for-sure thing, others connected to the show arenât so sure.Â
Fey was âSNLâsâ Head Writer from 1999-2006 and often appeared in other sketches on top of hosting âWeekend Update.â [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.Â
In the season finale of Huluâs âThe Kardashians,â Jenner says she got her âbreasts doneâ shortly before getting pregnant with her daughter Stormi Webster.
Looking back, Jenner says she regrets getting plastic surgery at such a young age and âwould be heartbroken if [Stormi] wanted to get her body done at 19.â [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 donât?Â
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WEâLL 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 âhate campaignâ was orchestrated against them â and they want names. One insider says, âIt makes them sick and they're looking to weed out these people one by one."
BUT WAIT: They did get a âBest Streaming Nonfiction Seriesâ nod from the Hollywood Critics Awards â so thereâs 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 â 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 Robespierreâs 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 didnât 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 wasnât 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 - Disneyâs animated musical film âAlice In Wonderlandâ is released.Â
It would be nominated for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture at the Oscars the following year.Â
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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 â60s, remains committed to their independence, but through democratic and diplomatic channels.
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2019 - Meghan Markle is a guest editor for UK Vogueâs September issue.Â
She is the first guest editor for the magazine in 103 years.
The issue was the magazineâs best-selling edition in its 105-year history.Â
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BIRTHDAYS
Tatum Thompson - son of Khloe Kardashian & Tristan Thompson - 1
Victoria Baldesarra - actress, âThe Next Stepâ - 25
Harry Kane - soccer player - 30
Spencer Boldman - actor, âLab Ratsâ & âIâm in the Bandâ - 31
Soulja Boy - rapper - 33
Hannah Waddingham - actress, âTed Lassoâ & âGame of Thronesâ - 49
Afroman - rapper - 49
Dana White - entrepreneur, President of the UFC - 54
Liz Cheney - politician - 57
Lori Loughlin - actress, âFull Houseâ - 59
Jim Davis - creator of âGarfieldâ - 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, âThe Tale of Peter Rabbitâ - 1866 (d. 1943)