Today is Monday, August 12, 2024.
It is the 225th day of the year.
141 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The FDA kicks the can on a psychedelic drug and South America braces for unrest in Venezuela. Details in HIT LIST
Security beefs up ahead of TAYLOR SWIFT’s London concerts and it’s a miracle PHIL VASSAR is alive. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” makes history. Details in CASTING CALL.
ED KELCE blasts YE. More in KARDASH.
MEGHAN MARKLE squares off with the US Patent Office. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
A twin engine turboprop airplane mysteriously appeared to fall out of the sky over Brazil on Friday, killing 62 people.
Frightening videos showing the plane rapidly descending to the ground went viral just hours after the incident. Despite impacting in a residential area, no one else was killed or injured on the ground and only one building incurred damage.
Investigators say they’ve recovered the plane’s black box and will release an initial report within 30 days. So far no other word on what caused the crash. [via Reuters]
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American gymnast JORDAN CHILES will have to give back her bronze medal – for now.
Chiles earned the award for her performance in the floor exercise last week after her coach appealed the initial score, arguing the tallies for her “difficulty” score had not been properly entered. Upon review, the judges boosted Chiles’ score, placing her third and qualifying for bronze -- edging out Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu by fractions of a point.
The Romanian Gymnastics Federation appealed in turn; the Court of Arbitration for Sport then ruled that Chiles’ coach didn’t appeal the initial score quickly enough – she only had a minute to contest it and was four seconds late. That Court sided with the Romanians and ordered the bronze go to Barbosu. Chiles’ original score placed her in fifth. On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee agreed with the Court and stripped Chiles of her medal.
Late Sunday, USA Gymnastics said they have time stamped video evidence that Chiles’ coach had indeed submitted the original inquiry within the minute deadline. Sorting this out will take some time to work through the Court of Arbitration for Sport and depend on the IOC’s willingness to comply with yet another ruling. [via NPR, Morning Martini]
MEANWHILE: An unidentified man scaled the side of the Eiffel Tower Sunday, just hours before the closing ceremonies for the Olympics. Police evacuated the surrounding area out of an abundance of caution.
The climber, who wasn’t wearing a shirt, was first spotted near the Olympic rings affixed to the side of the tower for the games. No word yet what he was hoping to achieve with the stunt. [via Associated Press]
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Venezuelan dictator NICOLÁS MADURO refuses to concede his election loss as neighboring countries and the United States recognize his opponents as the rightful winners.
On Friday, the president of Panama, JOSÉ RAÚL MULINO, publicly offered Maduro asylum if he steps aside for a peaceful transfer of power. In the meantime, Brazil is spearheading efforts to negotiate a resolution to the crisis.
Mulino carefully clarified that any asylum would be temporary for Maduro, however, telling CNN, “That would cost me a lot to sell it to the public.”
In the days since the election and Maduro’s refusal to step aside, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have protested in the streets. Maduro’s regime has arrested an estimated 2,000 dissidents; at least 24 more have died in clashes with military and police. [via Miami Herald]
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The Food and Drug Administration has punted approval on a new drug that contains MDMA for mental health therapy, so you won’t be able to legally take E for a mood boost – for now. Lykos Therapeutics will have the opportunity to refile for approval after further testing.
During trials, the unnamed drug was used to treat PTSD symptoms in veterans and survivors of assault. After a course of treatment, a significant number of patients reportedly saw an improvement in condition.
BUT WAIT: A Wall Street Journal investigation also suggests that therapists and psychologists studying these patients exerted undue influence to cook the results of the study.
Lykos Therapeutics says it will take steps to refile and ultimately get the FDA’s approval with the data it has already collected. [via WSJ]
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Florida’s annual Python Challenge kicked off Friday.
Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the goal of the 10-hunt is to help curb the population of invasive Burmese pythons in the state.
Through August 18, hunters will try to kill as many pythons as possible and take home a portion of the $30,000 in prizes. The total amount gets split between three groups: professional hunters who work for the state, active military or veterans in the hunt and novice hunters.
Last year over 209 pythons were removed during the hunt. [via NBC]
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DEATHS
Legendary golfer JUAN “Chi Chi” RODRIGUEZ has died.
He passed away last Thursday. No cause of death is known.
In addition to his golf skills, Rodriguez is remembered for his fun-loving antics on the green and his passion for charity.
He was 88.
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RELATIONSHIPS
ADELE is engaged to boyfriend RICH PAUL.
She’s 36 and he’s 42.
She seemingly confirmed the news during a recent concert in Munich, telling a fan that she can’t marry them because she’s “already getting married,” while showing off her engagement ring.
Adele and Paul have been dating since 2021.
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SICK BAY
“Catfish” host NEV SHULMAN broke his neck in a brutal biking accident.
He showed off his injuries on Instagram, telling fans he ran into a truck while riding his bike to go pick up his son from school. Luckily, he is not paralyzed from the break.
No word on how long of a recovery he has to undergo.
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ROD STEWART has covid.
The illness forced the 79-year-old to cancel a handful of shows, which have been rescheduled for next weekend.
In a message to fans, Stewart shared his regret over the missed shows while admitting that he needs to rest so he can continue touring.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Longlegs: $2 million (down from 7)
9. Cuckoo: $3 million (new)
8. Harold and the Purple Crayon: $3.1 million (down from 6)
7. Inside Out 2: $4.9 million (down from 5)
6. Trap: $6.7 million (down from 3)
5. Despicable Me 4: $8 million (down from 4)
4. Borderlands: $8.8 million (new)
3. Twisters: $15 million (down from 2)
2. It Ends With Us: $50 million (new)
1. Deadpool & Wolverine: $54 million (stayed at 1)
WORTH NOTING: Married actors BLAKE LIVELY and RYAN REYNOLDS battled at the box office this weekend with the release of her flick “It Ends With Us” and his previously released “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Reynolds gets the bragging rights…for this week.
ALSO: More on the “Deadpool & Wolverine” success in Casting Call.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 51 points (0.13%) to close at 39,497 on Friday. The S&P gained 24 points (0.47%) to close at 5,344 and the NASDAQ ticked up 85 points (0.5%) to close at 16,745.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $76 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $79.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.44 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN slid Sunday, down more than 3.5% and trading around $58,700.
🛩 There were more than 4,460 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 105 such cancellations.
💰Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $435 million jackpot or a $212.4 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $212 million jackpot or a $105.5 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
There will be extra security present at TAYLOR SWIFT’s upcoming shows at London’s Wembley Stadium after threats led to cancellations in Austria last week.
According to TMZ, additional private security specializing in counterterrorism will be on the ground and in the air ahead of and during her shows.
Officially The Met says, “There is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London.” [via TMZ]
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A couple of G.O.A.T.s joined MORGAN WALLEN for his customary walkout at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas over the weekend.
Wallen was flanked on either side by boxing legend MIKE TYSON and NFL great TOM BRADY as he took the stage Saturday night in Vegas. He wore a No. 98 Raiders jersey, the number worn by the team’s star defensive end MAXX CROSBY.
FUN FACT: Brady and his partners are close to buying a 10% stake in the team with a proposed $175 million investment. [via Instagram]
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ELLE KING opened up about her strained relationship with her father, actor ROB SCHNEIDER on an episode of BUNNIE XO’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast.
In a preview clip of the sit down, King recalled how her dad once sent her to “fat camp” for a summer.
“My dad sent me to fat camp. And then I got in trouble one year because I sprained my ankle and I didn’t lose any weight. Very toxic and very silly,” she explained.
Later in the conversation, King said she goes “four or five years without talking to her dad” and disagrees “with a lot of the things he says,” especially when it comes to LGBTQ issues. [via TikTok]
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Several insiders spoke to Page Six about how JENNIFER LOPEZ’s inner circle really feels about BEN AFFLECK.
“No one, except [her] mother, likes Ben Affleck. He’s a triple-A a-hole,” one insider said, while another spoke about how the marriage led to a fracture in JLo’s friendship with gal pal LEAH REMINI.
According to the second source, Remini said Affleck “is selfish and not fully committed as a partner,” which led JLo to “cut off all ties.” Since then, the two have patched things up, however, with Remini being a big support during the ongoing divorce rumors.
As for where things stand with the couple, JLo was spotted out and about with her wedding ring this weekend. Neither have publicly addressed the breakup speculation. [via Page Six]
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PHIL VASSAR says he “died twice” last year after suffering a heart attack and stroke.
“I dropped dead. I was dead for 30 minutes a couple of times. No heartbeat. No heartbeat at all,” he told Taste of Country. “I don’t remember any of it.”
Vassar explained that the first incident happened at home and someone was with him to call 911. He said that first responders had to shock him “11 times” and in doing so “cracked some ribs,” but did “a heck of a job” bringing him back.” Then, three days later, while hospitalized, he suffered a stroke and was once again brought back to life.
Today the 62-year-old, who is currently on tour, says he feels “great” and “appreciates being alive.” [via Taste of Country]
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Country singer NATE SMITH took a tumble while performing in Vegas over the weekend.
He fell while singing his hit “World on Fire” and walking between the barricade and the stage. Landing on his back, he laughed it off and got back on his feet.
Smith shared a clip of the fall on his Instagram, captioning it, “Oh crap.” [via The Mirror]
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CASTING CALL
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the second R-rated movie ever to hit $1 BILLION at the global box office.
With this past weekend’s numbers, the movie sits at $1.029 BILLION globally, and $494.3 million domestically.
It is the first superhero film to reach the milestone since 2021’s “Spider-Man No Way Home” and the first Marvel/Disney MCU movie to cross the $1 BILLION threshold since 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
WORTH NOTING: Give it another week and “Deadpool & Wolverine” will likely pass the top-grossing R-rated film, “Joker,” which earned $1.079 BILLION. [via Forbes]
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JOAQUIN PHOENIX left the cast and crew confused after he dropped out of the lead role in a gay romance flick just a week before filming was to start.
Deadline reports that Phoenix called it quits after getting “cold feet” over some of the “dicey intimacy scenes,” which makes no sense as he was reportedly part of the writing process, according to director Todd Haynes.
The project is now said to be in “peril” as Phoenix’s role can’t be recast because it was pitched to distributors with him as the star. [via Deadline]
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To celebrate the 20th anniversary release of their album “American Idiot,” GREEN DAY is releasing a deluxe edition of the record, including never-been-heard before demos and live performances.
The release also comes with a new documentary, titled “20 Years of American Idiot,” featuring new interviews and archival footage.
Green Day is currently on a North American/European tour promoting their 14th studio album, “Savior,” which dropped in January.
The deluxe edition is due out October 25. [via Instagram]
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“Vanderpump Rules” alum STASSI SCHROEDER is heading back to reality TV.
She will join Hulu’s “Vanderpump Villa,” reuniting with Bravo Queen LISA VANDERPUMP. The show follows Vanderpump and her staffers who aim to provide the ultimate luxe experience at a French chateau. Filming on Season 2 is currently underway.
Schroeder was fired from “Vanderpump Rules” along with KRISTEN DOUTE in 2020 over past racist allegations against former castmate FAITH STOWERS. Apologies have since been issued. [via TMZ]
MEANWHILE: Schroeder is also starring in her own docu-comedy series on Hulu, titled “Stassi Says,” and will continue her “Stassi” podcast.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
TRAVIS KELCE’s dad has some bad blood with YE.
ED KELCE shared a Daily Mail article discussing a song from Ye’s “Vultures 2” album that mentions Travis and TAYLOR SWIFT on Instagram. He captioned the post, “Mental illness on full display.”
While the lyric -- “I twist my Taylor spliffs tight at the end like Travis Kelce -- may not seem offensive, the bad blood between Ye and Taylor is likely playing a part in why Ed is upset. [via TMZ]
MEANWHILE: It was a family affair at Ye’s “Vultures 2” album release party in Salt Lake City on Friday. Ye’s wife BIANCA CENSORI was spotted sitting in the front row at the Delta Center alongside her two sisters, Angelina and Alyssia. While not confirmed, another woman sitting with the sisters is believed to be their mom, Alexandra Censori. Ye’s two daughters, 11-year-old North and 6-year-old Chicago were also in attendance. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The DailyMail has discovered some more details about MEGHAN MARKLE’s new company, American Riviera Orchard – through some applications it filed through the US Patents and Trademarks Office.
The government agency has notified Meg’s lawyers that some of the paperwork was filed incorrectly, particularly for how it classified yoga blankets, picnic baskets, and recipe books. Insiders say the classification errors aren’t so much incompetence on Meg’s side as much as navigating this dense bureaucracy is complicated and complex.
Regardless, the application shows Meg isn’t doing anything innovative or new; she’s slapping her name on ritzy, upscale items, charging a fortune, and cashing in – in theory. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
World Elephant Day
Baseball Fans Day
National Gooey Butter Cake Day
National Middle Child Day
International Youth Day
National Vinyl Record Day
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ON THIS DATE
1492 - Christopher Columbus arrives in the Canary Islands, on his first voyage to the New World.
He stopped to restock provisions and make repairs. He would depart the islands at the beginning of September.
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1953 - The Soviets match America’s nuclear weapon development efforts with the detonation of the “Layer-Cake” bomb.
The 400-kiloton weapon was tested in Kazakhstan, providing 30 times the force of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima to end World War II.
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1974 - Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford become the first teammates to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the same day.
Mantle appeared in 12 World Series, including seven championships and holds the World Series record for most home runs (18), RBIs (40), extra-base hits (26), runs (42), walks (43) and total bases (123). He was an All-Star for 16 seasons, crowned MVP multiple times and was awarded the Hutch Award for “exemplifying the fighting spirit and competitive desire.”
Ford is a ten-time MLB All-Star and six-time World Series champion. In 1961 he was awarded the Cy Young Award and World Series MVP.
Both men spent their entire careers with the Yankees.
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1990 - The bones of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex ever found are discovered.
They are estimated to be more than 65-million-years-old, belonging to a dinosaur who paleontologists would later name Sue.
The whole dig revealed a 90-percent complete skeleton that remained remarkably well preserved. Once assembled, the skeleton stood 42 feet tall from head to toe with 58 teeth.
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2000 - A Russian nuclear submarine with 118 crew members sinks.
The “Kursk” was playing part in war games with other ships. A series of two explosions were recorded, causing it to sink, though the exact cause is unknown.
While some countries offered to assist in the rescue, the Russians refused.
An investigation the following year raised the submarine, though the front hull, where the explosions reportedly happened, had to be cut off to get it to the surface.
This, with the Russians’ typical cloud of mystery, raises questions about the reason for and lack of inquest into the ultimate cause of the ship’s sinking.
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2013 - James “Whitey” Bulger is found guilty on 31 of 32 racketeering and firearms charges.
The mob boss is also found to have been involved in 11 murders.
His sentencing would take place in November.
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2016 - Katie Ledecky sets a world record with her time of 8:04.79 in the women’s 800-meter swim at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
In the end, Ledecky would take home 4 golds and 1 silver for Team USA.
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2021 - Britney Spears’ father Jamie Spears says he will step down as her conservator, after controlling her life and income for more than 13 years.
The Free Britney movement is credited with getting the ball rolling on this major win for the pop princess.
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BIRTHDAYS
Rudy Pankow - actor, “Outer Banks” - 26
Ilona Maher - Olympic Rugby player - 28
Cara Delevingne - model - 32
Khris Middleton - basketball player - 33
Tyson Fury - boxer - 36
Casey Affleck - actor, “Manchester by the Sea” - 49
Yvette Nicole Brown - actress, “Community” - 53
Pete Sampras - tennis player - 53
Peter Krause - actor, “Parenthood” & “9-1-1” - 59
Sir Mix-a-Lot - rapper - 61
Pat Metheny - guitarist - 70
George Soros - political activist & philanthropist, Open Society Foundation - 94
Born On This Date
Jane Wyatt - actress, “Father Knows Best” & “Star Trek” - 1910 (d. 2006)
Cecil B. DeMille - filmmaker, “The Ten Commandments” - 1881 (d. 1959)
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