Today is Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
It is the 191st day of the year.
175 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Iconic pistols sell big at auction and BOEING braces for another hit by the FAA. Details in HIT LIST.
ALEC BALDWIN’s “Rust” trial kicks off and SERENA WILLIAMS wasn’t always good with money. More in SHOWBIZ
Find out why MARK WAHLBERG turned down a role in an Oscar-winning film in CASTING CALL.
YE’s wife is the center of the latest Yeezy suit. More in KARDASH.
An update on PRINCESS ANNE in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
A pair of pistols once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte fetched more than $1.7 MILLION at auction over the weekend -- at an auction house next to the palace where the ruler once tried to take his own life with the very same weapons.
Following a blistering military defeat in April 1814, Napoleon planned to shoot himself, but an aide had removed the gunpowder. When that failed, Napoleon reportedly survived the poison he took.
Now, one of those guns could have a new owner, but the French government has to approve the sale first, and, true to French form, they have 30 months to figure it out. The country’s culture ministry previously classified the weapons as national treasures, meaning they cannot leave the country permanently. The buyer has not been identified. [via BBC]
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An estimated 2.5 MILLION Texans were without electricity on Monday as Hurricane Beryl made landfall.
By the afternoon, two deaths had been confirmed as a month’s worth of rain fell in just 12 hours, flooding roadways and stranding motorists.
The storm also brought tornadoes to areas of Louisiana and Arkansas.
Wind speeds topped out around 97 miles per hour. [via AccuWeather]
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On the heels of news that BOEING agreed to pay $487 MILLION in fines and admit to criminal fraud for its role in two fatal 737 Max crashes, the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the airplane manufacturer to inspect the oxygen masks on 2,600 planes.
The mandate comes on the heels of several reports that oxygen generators for passenger cabins can shift out of position in a way that would prevent fresh air in a depressurized cabin. Boeing has about four months to complete the inspections, which individual airline customers cannot complete on their own.
FOR REFERENCE: A typical 737 has 61 such generators and each has two straps to hold it in place. [via Reuters]
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A crew of specially trained rescue personnel, firefighters, and veterinarians joined forces over the weekend to save an old, blind horse that fell into an irrigation canal near Fort Collins, Colorado.
The 20-year-old horse, named Lacy, wandered off and was found collapsed on the bank of a canal, apparently exhausted from trying to climb out.
A swiftwater rescue specialist first approached Lacy and gave her a sedative, enough to keep her calm, but still able to trot. The rescuer slowly led her to an area of the canal that would be easier for her to walk out on her own -- but she was too tired.
The team then placed tow straps around Lacy, supervised by veterinarians from Colorado State University, allowing them to yank her to safety using a winch on a firetruck. She’s now doing well for an old, blind horse.
Lacy’s owner was vague about the circumstances leading to her escape, telling local media that “a series of odd events … led to her corral being compromised.” [via CBS Colorado]
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A group of teenagers camping in Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest were spooked by what they believe was Bigfoot.
The terrified teens called police shortly after setting up camp when they say they heard a “growl and what appeared to be an animal that had glowing eyes and stood about 5-foot tall,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Responding officers combed the area but were unable to locate the mythical creature -- or any other creatures for that matter. They then safely escorted the campers out of the woods.
The incident is not the first reported sighting of Bigfoot in the park. Others have claimed to see footprints and “markings” such as twisted tree limbs. [via NY Post]
Do You Believe?
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 31 points (0.07%) to close at 39,344 on Monday. The S&P ticked up 5 points (0.1%) to close at 5,572 and the NASDAQ gained 50 points (0.28%) to close at 18,403.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $82; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.50 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN ticked up on Monday, trading around $56,300.
🛩 There were more than 4,285 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 1,665 such cancellations.
💰Tonight's MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $181 million jackpot or a $84.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
SIR ELTON JOHN took a pee in a bottle while out shoe shopping with his sons.
Ryan Sukkar, who owns Sugarkikz in Nice, France, told TMZ that the singer came in, asked if there was a restroom, and after being told “no,” proceeded to pee in a bottle in a corner of the store. If that’s not awkward enough, Sukkar says John asked for a towel to wipe up what didn’t make it into the bottle.
John did purchase a couple of pairs of shoes after that, and shook Sukkar’s hand on the way out…which he hopefully washed first. [via TMZ]
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At a pretrial hearing Monday, Judge Mary Marlowe Soomer ruled that ALEC BALDWIN’s role as a co-producer on “Rust” will not be allowed at trial.
The prosecution wanted his job as actor AND producer to be allowed as evidence in the trial, emphasizing their argument that as such, he was “keenly aware of his responsibilities on set.”
Things officially kick off today, with jury selection, which is scheduled to last 10 days. [via AP News]
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FOLLOW UP: Actor DANNY TREJO opened up about his role in last week’s parade incident, saying he is “sad” at how he acted and “sad that grown men gotta throw water balloons to enjoy a day.”
As previously reported, Trejo was riding in a vintage convertible when someone chucked a water balloon at him. He, hearing someone yell “It’s acid,” quickly jumped out of the vehicle to confront the thrower. Punches were thrown, Trejo was knocked down and later was seen tossing a folding chair.
Elsewhere in the interview, Trejo shared that he felt like the incident was racially motivated, saying, “No one else was targeted.” [via ET]
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For SERENA WILLIAMS, tennis has always been about the love of the game, not the fame and fortune that comes with it. This is evident in the fact that she once tried to deposit her first $1 million in winnings at an ATM.
“I got my check and it was a million dollars. Like, OK, I’m gonna go deposit it. I went through the drive-thru…and the guy was like, ‘Uh, I think you need to come inside for this,’” she detailed on a recent episode of “Hot Ones.”
Williams has since learned how such things are supposed to be taken care of, which is good considering her impressive winning streak. [via Page Six]
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JENNIFER LOPEZ’s family is encouraging her to call it quits on her marriage to BEN AFFLECK.
One insider told The Daily Mail that Jen’s mom said, “Cut your losses and move on to avoid getting any deeper in this mess.” Her sisters agree, saying they feel like “Ben does not deserve her.”
This all comes as the two spent the holiday weekend apart. [via Daily Mail]
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WYNONNA JUDD is taking over Las Vegas’ Venetian Theatre this December to celebrate four decades of making music.
For three nights, Judd will perform her all-time greatest hits in honor of her 40th anniversary as a performer.
The return to the Venetian will be bittersweet, as she last performed there nine years ago alongside her mom, NAOMI JUDD, who, as many know, died by suicide in 2022. [via People]
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Voice actor JAY JOHNSTON pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge of civil disorder stemming from his attendance at the January 6 incident in the U.S. Capitol.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 7. [via BBC]
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JUSTIN BIEBER was paid $10 million to perform at billionaire heir Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding ceremony in Mumbai over the weekend.
The Biebs shared a photo backstage, standing alongside Ambani, his soon-to-be bride and some of their friends.
The nuptials are set for July 12.
BY THE WAY: Bieber isn’t the first to perform for the couple leading up to their big day. RIHANNA serenaded them for $6 million in March, and in May the Ambanis hosted a three-day cruise for their relatives, featuring performances by KATY PERRY, PITBULL and DAVID GUETTA. [via Page Six]
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CASTING CALL
MARK WAHLBERG declined an offer to star in “Brokeback Mountain” because he was “creeped out” by the same-sex storyline.
He recently opened up about the role, saying he felt very uncomfortable with the “graphic, descriptive nature of the script,” which centers on two cowboys turned lovers.
Wahlberg wasn’t alone in his hesitancy; others, including LEONARDO DICAPRIO, BRAD PITT, MATT DAMON, and RYAN PHILLIPPE, also passed on the opportunity.
Ultimately, the starring roles would go to HEATH LEDGER and JAKE GYLLENHAAL. The movie won three Oscars. [via Daily Mail]
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“Inside Out 2” continues to cement its reign as the biggest hit of 2024.
It is also now the fifth highest-grossing animated movie of all time, bringing in $1.22 BILLION globally. [via Variety]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
BIANCA CENSORI has been accused of exposing minors to pornographic material.
According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, YE’s wife allegedly sent a “file sharing link of hardcore pornography for the Yeezy Porn App” to a group of developers, which included several minors.
Elsewhere in the filing, the developers also said they were subjected to “harsh working conditions” and “extreme racism and bullying.”
Neither Ye -- who faces a slew of his own lawsuits -- nor Censori have commented on the accusations. [via Radar Online]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCESS ANNE is recovering at home following a previously unspecified injury suffered two weeks ago.
The Firm has since confirmed she endured a head injury, but still no confirmation how it happened. She ultimately spent five days in the hospital recovering from a concussion. Due to the nature of the injury, Anne has reportedly said she doesn’t remember how it happened.
Anne’s husband and daughter are on hand and helping coordinate her treatment. [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Fashion Day
Cow Appreciation Day
National Dimples Day
National Sugar Cookie Day
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ON THIS DATE
1777 - Brigadier General George Clinton is elected the first governor of New York state.
He had been proactively involved in the American Revolution and earning independence. He was also a vocal proponent of amendments to the Constitution, which would become known as the Bill of Rights
Clinton would later serve as Vice President under both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, from 1805-1812.
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1841 - President Taylor dies in the middle of his presidential term, likely from cholera.
It is thought he contracted some kind of food poisoning from the celebrations at the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument on July 4 that year.
He was succeeded by Millard Fillmore.
Taylor was the second of eight presidents to die in office -- four from natural causes, four from assassinations.
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1877 - Spencer Gore beats Wiliam Marshall at the inaugural Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles tennis tournament, held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London.
Twenty-two players faced off on grass courts, after having paid one guinea to participate.
While the tournament started on this date, it would not conclude for another 10 days due to rain delays. On July 19, Gore would be crowned the champion and take home 12 guineas in prize money and a silver challenge cup.
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1914 - The Boston Red Sox buyout Babe Ruth’s contract from then-minor league squad, the Baltimore Orioles for $25,000.
He would stay with the team until 1919, when owner Harry Frazee would sell him to the New York Yankees for $125,000; thus cementing the long-standing rivalry between the teams.
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1941 - British intelligence officers crack the Enigma code Nazi forces had been using to communicate on the Eastern Front.
Intel had gotten a hold of coded Nazi communications on the Western front by the time Hitler rolled into Poland, but the codebooks were different in the East in the war with the Soviets.
The most chilling information from the intercepted and decoded communications included intel about concentration camps and mass murder of Prisoners of War
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1947 - Princess Elizabeth II’s engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten is announced.
Once crowned Queen in 1953, Elizabeth II would go on to be the longest-reigning monarch.
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1981 - Nintendo releases the arcade game, Donkey Kong.
The goal was to complete a quest to save Princess Pauline from an oversized gorilla -- Donkey Kong.
It would be the start of a franchise that includes some of Nintendo's most iconic characters.
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2018 - Brett Kavanaugh is named as President Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
He was picked to fill the seat of retiring Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, for whom he clerked.
Kavanaugh has previous experience in the White House, working for President George W. Bush as staff secretary.
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2023 - “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling premieres at the Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles.
It would be a hit at the box office, earning over $1.45 billion globally and over $636 million domestically.
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BIRTHDAYS
Georgie Henley - actress, “The Chronicles of Narnia” films - 29
Douglas Booth - actor, “Great Expectations” - 32
Michel Musso - actor, “Hannah Montana” & “Pair of Kings” - 33
Fred Savage - actor, “The Wonder Years” - 48
Dan Estrin - guitarist, Hoobastank - 48
Jack White - rock singer, The White Stripes - 49
Trent Green - football player - 54
Courtney Love - rock singer, Hole & actress, “Empire” - 60
Jim Kerr - rock singer, Simple Minds - 65
Kevin Nash - wrestler - 65
Kelly McGillis - actress, “Top Gun” - 67
Tom Hanks - actor, “Forrest Gump” & “Cast Away” - 68
Born On This Date
OJ Simpson - football player & focus of one of the country’s most infamous murder cases - 1947 (d. 2024)
Bon Scott - rock singer, AC/DC - 1946 (d. 1980)
Richard Roundtree - actor, “Shaft” - 1942 (d. 2023)
Elias Howe - inventor of the sewing machine - 1819 (d. 1867)
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