Today is Monday, July 29, 2024.
It is the 211th day of the year.
155 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
More bureaucratic incompetence behind the July 13 assassination attempt and a bizarre start to the Olympics. Details in HIT LIST.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’s DWI hearing gets moved and BEN AFFLECK finds some new digs. More in SHOWBIZ
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and some “Real Housewives” try reality dating. Details in CASTING CALL
CAITLYN JENNER slams the Olympics. More in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY explains why his wife won’t return to Britain. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Just two weeks after the attempted assassination of DONALD TRUMP and murder of COREY COMPERATORE, the FBI has issued a statement confirming that Trump was, indeed, struck by a bullet, despite weird corners of the internet suggesting he staged the whole fiasco.
“What struck former President Trump in the ear was a bullet, whether whole or fragmented into smaller pieces, fired from the deceased subject’s rifle,” the FBI wrote in a statement not attributable to any specific leader or spokesman. Leading the accusations that Trump faked the injury are disgraced media dork KEITH OLBERMANN and former Obama photographer PETE SOUZA, who deactivated his X account after suggesting Trump never sustained an actual injury to his head.
But for the rest of the sane citizenry, here’s the latest on the fallout:
– ABC News reports that local law enforcement assisting with security at the July 13 event had no contact with the Secret Service before the shooting. The lead sharpshooter on the SWAT team tells the network, “We were supposed to get a face-to-face briefing with the Secret Service members whenever they arrived, and that never happened.”
– Trump posted that he is planning a return to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a rally celebrating the life of Corey Comperatore.
– If you search for some combination of the words “trump assassination” on Google, the search engine does not return any suggested search terms. This is the same platform that delisted sites asking questions about the efficacy of widespread lockdowns and forced vaccinations, to give you an idea of their integrity.
For their part, Google says this is not intentional. “Our systems have protections against Autocomplete predictions associated with political violence, which were working as intended prior to this horrific event. We’re working on improvements to ensure our systems are more up to date,” a statement on X said in part.
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While the dust continues to settle from the CROWDSTRIKE outage that began just over a week ago, the tech company has begun offering a pretty limp initial apology for companies affected: a $10 Uber Eats credit.
TechCrunch confirmed the gesture. In emails sent to customers by Crowdstrike, the company apologized for “the additional work that the July 19 incident has caused,” adding, “To express our gratitude, your next cup of coffee or late night snack is on us!”
IT GETS WORSE: Because so many customers claimed the credit, Uber shut down the redemption code over fraud concerns.
As of Thursday, the company estimated about 97% of systems were back online. [via TechCrunch]
WORTH NOTING: Though Crowdstrike is likely protected by extensive terms and conditions of its user agreements, the damages caused by the outage is likely well into the billions of dollars.
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A bizarre start to the Olympics pulled focus away from the competition and onto the blasphemous opening ceremonies, which depicted drag queens and LGBT activists recreating da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting.
At a Saturday media briefing, the games’ artistic director said, “When we wanted to include everyone and not exclude anyone, questions are raised,” adding that he never wanted the imagery to be subversive but instead to “talk about diversity.”
Just as long as that diversity doesn’t include Christians, apparently.
The International Olympic Committee issued a statement saying it “has taken note of and welcomes the clarification given by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee regarding the Opening Ceremony.” [via @IOCMedia, NBC News]
Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. Other times, he signs his name in light. On Saturday evening, Paris experienced widespread blackouts, but the one major source of light surrounded the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, visible for miles.
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The hits keep coming for BOEING, whose Starliner crew capsule remains indefinitely attached to the International Space Station. The two astronauts who piloted the ship into space were due to spend about a week on board; it’s since been more than 50 days, with no return flight scheduled.
Engineers on the ground are trying to solve problems with the ship’s thrusters and an ongoing helium leak issue. So far there’s no confirmation if the issues are related. In a Thursday briefing, mission control said their plan still hinges on returning the astronauts to Earth in the Starliner capsule. [via Ars Technica]
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The $6 million Titanic exhibit located inside Chicago’s Volo Museum was temporarily closed last month after water mysteriously seeped in.
Museum director Brian Grams said the building was thoroughly inspected, and “there were no broken pipes, roof leaks or any other obvious points of entry for such large amounts of water. The flood is a total mystery.”
A clip of the water shows it coming up from underneath a 1912 Renault French concept car, of which there were only two ever made; the one that currently sits at the museum and the other, which sank on the Titanic in April 1912.
The museum has a history of being known as a “hotspot for paranormal activity,” even appearing on Discovery’s “Ghost Hunters.” [via NBC Chicago]
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DEATHS
Author EDNA O’BRIEN has died.
She passed away Saturday after battling a long illness. No other details were shared.
O’Brien is best known for her novel “The Country Girls.”
She was 93.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Raayan: $453k (new)
9. Fly Me to the Moon: $750k (down from 6)
8. The Fabulous Four: $1 million (new)
7. Bad Boys: Ride or Die: $1.2 million (stayed at 7)
6. A Quiet Place: Day One: $3 million (down from 5)
5. Longlegs: $6.7 million (down from 4)
4. Inside Out 2: $8.3 million (down from 3)
3. Despicable Me 4: $14.2 million (down from 2)
2. Twisters: $35.3 million (down from 1)
1. Deadpool & Wolverine: $205 million (new)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 654 points (1.64%) to close at 40,589 on Friday. The S&P increased 59 points (1.1%) to close at 5,459 and the NASDAQ increased 176 points (1.03%) to close at 17,357.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $77; BRENT CRUDE at $79.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.50 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked up Sunday, trading just over $68,000.
🛩 There were more than 4,941 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 85 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $331 million jackpot or a $156.2 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $144 million jackpot or a $68.6 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE did not appear at Friday’s hearing for his DWI case, where his lawyer asserted that he “was not intoxicated” when he was arrested on June 18.
A new hearing has been scheduled for August 2, at which JT will appear virtually.
He is currently on the European leg of his world tour. [via The Sun]
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BRITNEY SPEARS blasted HALSEY’s new single, which pays homage to her 2000 song “Lucky,” saying she felt “harassed, violated and bullied.”
Spears swiftly replaced the post with a new one writing, “Fake news !!! That was not me on my phone !!! I love Halsey and that’s why I deleted it !!!”
Halsey retweeted the second post, writing “and I love Britney!!!! I always have and always will 💕 you were the first person who ever made me realize what it means to feel inspired. And you continue to inspire me everyday.”
In the weeks leading up to the single’s release, Halsey assured fans that she had gotten approval from Spears to interpolate the song. [via X]
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Reality star JULIE CHRISLEY will be resentenced on September 25 in her fraud case.
A federal judge set the new date after an appeals court vacated her original sentence last month. The same court upheld her husband TODD CHRISLEY’s 12-year sentence, however.
Julie was originally sentenced to seven years behind bars. [via WSB-TV2]
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Collaborators on POST MALONE’s upcoming country album, “F-1 Trillion” have been leaked.
A promo sticker for pre-orders lists DOLLY PARTON, LAINEY WILSON, and TIM MCGRAW. They join previously announced collaborators, BLAKE SHELTON, MORGAN WALLEN, JELLY ROLL, LUKE COMBS and more.
“F-1 Trillion” is set to be released on August 16. [via Us Weekly]
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BEN AFFLECK recently bought a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom, $20.5 dollar home in Los Angeles.
The abode features separate breakfast and dining areas, a family room, den, media room, powder room, guest house, etc.
The purchase all but confirms that a divorce is imminent.
MEANWHILE: Affleck and JENNIFER LOPEZ’s $68 million marital home is still on the market. [via TMZ]
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LOVE ERA: Green Bay Packers QB JORDAN LOVE recently signed a four-year $220 million contract extension -- putting him in a tie for the highest-paid player in NFL history alongside JOE BURROW and TREVOR LAWRENCE.
The deal, which includes a record-setting $75 million signing bonus, also signals the end of Love’s training camp boycott. [via PackersNews]
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CASTING CALL
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. is returning to the Marvel Universe, but not as Iron Man.
Fans were shocked over the weekend when the actor revealed that he will play Doctor Doom in the forthcoming film, “Avengers: Doomsday.”
For those unfamiliar with the villain, Doctor Doom is an enemy of the Fantastic Four. He is known as a scientific genius with a huge ego and lust for power. The silver mask he wears is to cover up scars that impacted his once good looks. [via EW]
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Some “Real Housewives” are set to appear in “Love Hotel,” a new reality dating show from Peacock.
The show will star LUANN DE LESSEPS (NYC), SHANNON STORMS BEADOR (O.C.) and Potomac’s GIZELLE BRYANT and ASHLEY DARBY.
Filming is set to begin in September in Cabo San Lucas. [via People]
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“Dexter” star MICHAEL C. HALL will narrate the forthcoming prequel series “Dexter: Original Sin.”
PATRICK GIBSON plays the younger version of Hall’s character in the new series, set to premiere in December.
Hall will also star in “Dexter: Resurrection,” a follow-up to “Dexter: New Blood,” which will be released next summer. [via Deadline]
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“Doctor Who” spinoff, “The War Between the Land and Sea,” is heading to Disney+.
The five-part series will star RUSSELL TOVEY and GUGU MBATHA-RAW, who join returning “Doctor Who” cast members JEMMA REDGRAVE and ALEXANDER DEVRIETN.
Filming starts next month. [via THR]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
CAITLYN JENNER slammed the Olympic’s opening ceremony theatrics on X, calling the colorful group’s pose at the table a “disgusting display of mockery,” using drag queens and LGBT activists to recreate da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting.
Comments on the post ranged from agreement to those calling Jenner out for starting the movement, referencing her transition from male to female.
One follower suggested a re-do with Jenner as Jesus and her KarJenner family members as disciples. She responded to the comment, saying that claiming her conservative beliefs and vocal support of DONALD TRUMP means she no longer “fits the mold for NBC.” [via X]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
In an interview as part of a British network’s investigation of tabloid phone hacking, PRINCE HARRY says he will not bring wife MEGHAN MARKLE back to his home country over fears for her safety.
“All it takes is for one lone actor who reads this stuff to act on what they’ve read,” he said, specifically mentioning fears of a knife or acid attack.
Harry also revealed that his late grandmother, QUEEN ELIZABETH, supported his legal efforts to sue the tabloids over privacy invasion. Late last year, a British court ruled that multiple tabloids hacked Harry’s voicemails and private information to gain information about his activities and connections.
Harry also believes his ongoing legal battles with the media is an underlying reason for tension with his family, though he didn’t go into details. It’s likely the public nature of the fight conflicts with the Royal Family’s commitment to “never complain, never explain.” [via ITV]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Chicken Wing Day
National Lipstick Day
Rain Day
International Tiger Day
National Lasagna Day
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ON THIS DATE
1566 - Agnes Waterhouse is convicted of witchcraft and hanged.
She was accused of causing illness to a local, killing livestock, and bringing about the death of her husband. Waterhouse’s daughter was also accused of witchcraft, but ultimately found not guilty. It was her testimony that sealed her mom’s fate, however.
Waterhouse is the second woman to be executed in England under the Witchcraft Act of 1562.
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1907 - A small group of young men gathers at Brownsea Island, just off the southern coast of England. They were organized by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a former lieutenant general in the British Army, who was working to keep young men from growing up without any moral compass or knowledge of the outdoors.
That small gathering laid the foundation for the Scouting movement, which would blossom in the United Kingdom shortly thereafter, and in the United States in 1911.
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1921 - The National Socialist Workers Party elects Adolf Hitler as its political leader.
In the ensuing 24 years, Hitler rose through the ranks of the German government, helped spark a worldwide war, and oversaw the murder of millions.
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1948 - The Olympic Games kick off for the first time in 12 years, previously stalled on account of the war.
London hosted, amid its rebuilding efforts.
Events were relatively limited, including traditional races, a marathon, relays, a 10- and 50-kilometer walk, and other field events. The US cleaned up with 27 medals overall. Sweden took second with 13.
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1958 - Congress establishes NASA.
Following the successful launch of the Soviet's Sputnik satellite the previous October, the US was already behind in the space race.
By the time NASA was created, the Soviets had launched a follow-up satellite, with a dog on board.
In May of 1961, JFK would declare the country's intent to land men on the moon.
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1981 - Prince Charles marries Lady Diana, a layperson and schoolteacher. The televised wedding became one of the most-watched TV events in world history.
Equally public was their separation and divorce more than a decade later.
Diana would later die in a car accident in August 1997.
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2000 - American royalty Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston get married in a million-dollar ceremony.
They had been dating since 1998. The marriage was brief, ending in 2005. Rumor is, Brad wanted kids and Jen didn't want to stall her career, coming off the success of “Friends.”
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2015 - Debris from an aircraft is found off the coast of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
The object, later determined to be part of a wing flaperon, was believed to be part of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. That belief would be confirmed days later.
The location of the debris was about 2,500 miles west of the search area for the missing aircraft, and about 3,500 miles southwest of the plane’s last radar contact.
The search for the missing flight, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, is the most expensive search in aviation history.
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2021 - Gymnast Sunisa Lee becomes the first Hmong-American Olympic champion with her women’s artistic individual all-around win in Tokyo.
Lee’s win came after teammate Simone Biles withdrew from the event, citing medical reasons.
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BIRTHDAYS
Dak Prescott - football player 31
Miki Ishikawa - actress, “Zoey 101” - 33
Ashley McBryde - country singer - 41
Allison Mack - actress, “Smallville” - 42
Fernando Alonso - race car driver - 43
Rachel Miner - actress, “Supernatural” - 44
Josh Radnor - actor, “ - 50
James Otto - country singer - 51
Wil Wheaton - actor, “Star Trek: The Next Generation” - 52
Monica Calhoun - actress, “The Best Man” - 53
Martina McBride - country singer - 58
Geddy Lee - rock singer, Rush - 71
Charles Schwab - investor & entrepreneur, Charles Schwab Corporation - 87
Born On This Date
Peter Jennings - journalist, “ABC Evening News” - 1938 (d. 2005)
Elizabeth Short - Black Dahlia victim - 1924 (d. 1947)
Clara Bow - actress, “Hoopla” & “Call Her Savage” - 1905 (d. 1965)
Benito Mussolini - Italian dictator - 1883 (d. 1945)
Walter Hunt - invented the safety pin & sewing machine - 1796 (d. 1859)
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