8/16/2023: Where’s Your Beach? 🌴
PLUS: Amazon Spies; Bey’s Personal Potty; and No Midnight Calls?
Today is Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
It is the 228th day of the year.
137 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
An ancient artifact washes ashore in Italy and a TikToker ruins a classic nursery rhyme. More in HIT LIST.
The circumstances of ANGUS CLOUD’s death are still unknown and MADONNA is ready to get back to work. More in SHOWBIZ.
ALEC BALDWIN may be charged again in connection to the “Rust” shooting and a longtime ESPN anchor has left the network in an effort to preserve her First Amendment right. More in CASTING CALL.
There is one degree of separation between YE and DONALD TRUMP’s latest indictment. More in KARDASH.
PRINCESS KATE likely isn’t secretly chatting with her brother-in-law after all. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
AMAZON has become one of the most valuable companies in the world thanks to its embrace of technology and mastery of logistics. Now it’s using those powers to spy on its own workforce.
Office employees for the company – so not the floor workers in warehouses, who have never had “work from home” privileges – received an email this week explaining that the company is tracking whether they’re logging in from the office or from home.
Current rules require at least three days a week in the office. [via The Guardian]
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A new survey from YMT Vacations reveals the top travel plans for 2024.
Of the 2,000 Americans surveyed, 51% say they plan to go on relaxed vacations, 43% seek cultural exploration, 38% want to visit historical sites, 25% want to explore new and unfamiliar places and 23% plan to return to familiar places.
The top destinations include Mexico, Canada and France, (42% each), followed by Spain (40%), Italy (32%), and Greece (21%). [via YMT Vacations]
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An Italian beachgoer dug up a nearly-perfectly-preserved clay pot from the second century out of the sand over the weekend.
The jar, called an amphora, was typically used to carry oil and wine, and are actually still common finds, especially around ancient shipping routes. Archeologists say this jar likely washed up from the ocean just a night before it was spotted.
It’s now likely headed for display in a nearby museum. [via ARTNews]
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If you don’t want one of your childhood memories ruined forever stop reading now…
The wholesome nursery rhyme that goes, “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring…” is not about some sweet and clumsy grandfatherly figure. In fact it is very much the opposite of that.
A TikToker named Jane revealed that the nursery rhyme is actually a cautionary tale about excessive drinking.
In the video, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times, Jane says that “‘raining and pouring’ refers to alcoholic drinks being poured very liberally like it’s raining cocktails and shots.” Then, after getting hammered the “old man” thought he could sleep it off which is when he “drunkenly bumped his head.” That bump must have been a doozy as “he couldn’t get up in the morning because…well, he was dead,” she continued.
Followers shared their shock over the revelation, with one writing their “childhood [is] now ruined,” while another added, this isn’t the first nursery rhyme they discovered had a dark past, noting the muffin man was a pedophile. [via TikTok]
LESSON NOT LEARNED: French officials at the Eiffel Tower had to awaken a group of American tourists who got so drunk they passed out within the structure late Monday night.
The boozers blacked out between the second and third levels in an area normally closed off to the public. They’re being processed by police and potentially facing criminal charges. [via AFP]
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DEATHS
Hockey player BOBBY BRAUN has died.
He passed away Tuesday, according to a statement from his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. No cause of death was shared.
Braun spent 14 seasons with the Maple Leafs, where he played in 739 games.
He was 86.
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Football player ALEX COLLINS has died.
He passed away Monday when his motorcycle crashed into an SUV.
Collins spent five seasons playing in the NFL.
He was only 28.
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Actor DARREN KENT has died.
He passed away Friday after a long battle with osteoporosis, arthritis and an extremely rare skin disorder.
Kent is best known for his role as a goat herder from Slaver's Bay in “Game of Thrones.” He also appeared in “EastEnders” and “Shameless.”
He was 36.
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BABY NEWS
ASHLEY OLSEN and her husband, artist LOUIS EISNER, secretly welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Otto, a few months ago.
Olsen and Eisner, who tied the knot last year, have kept their personal lives as private as possible, so the delayed news of the birth comes as no surprise.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 361 points (1.02%) to close at 34,946 on Tuesday. The S&P lost 51 points (1.16%) to close at 4,437 and the NASDAQ lost 157 points (1.14%) to close at 13,631.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $81; BRENT CRUDE at $85.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.86 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN fell nearly 0.8% to trade below $29,200.
🛩 There were more than 3,870 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 130 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $236 million jackpot or a $116 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
A lack of suicide note has lead investigators to believe ANGUS CLOUD’s death was not suicide, but rather an accidental drug overdose.
Those close to the case told TMZ that while the family initially believed he had taken his own life, possibly due to the extreme grief he felt over the loss of his father, that does not appear to be the case.
A pending autopsy and toxicology report will give a better insight into his death. [via TMZ]
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Despite still recovering from a serious bacterial infection, MADONNA is ready to get back to work.
The Sun reported Tuesday that the Material Girl has resumed rehearsals for her “Celebration Tour,” which was put on hold amid her hospitalization.
Her world tour is set to kick off in London on October 14. [via The Sun]
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KATHERINE MCPHEE and DAVID FOSTER’s nanny was killed after accidentally being run over at a car dealership last week.
An 84-year-old woman fatally struck YADIRA CALITO when she mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake and drove her Toyota RAV4 into the dealership. Calito was “pinned under the SUV and dragged for about 20 feet,” eyewitnesses said.
Two others were injured in the crash. The driver has not yet been charged with anything.
Calito took care of the couple’s two-year-old son, Rennie. [via Page Six]
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VICTORIA BECKHAM and her daughter HARPER were nearly involved in a scuffle at Miami hotspot, Gekko, on Friday.
According to the Daily Mail, another patron was taking a photo of his family when security thought he was trying to sneak a picture of soccer star LIONEL MESSI, who was dining with the Beckhams.
An eyewitness told the outlet that security grabbed the guy, who tried to fight them off before being dragged outside. A woman who was seated with him, which many assumed to be his wife, was heard yelling, “He’s a family man, celebrating his daughter’s 21st birthday!”
Another diner said the man was “heavily intoxicated” and wasn’t manhandled, but became upset after being asked to leave the establishment, which is when the chaos ensued.
No word from the Beckhams or Messi on the kerfuffle. [via Daily Mail]
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WESTLIFE is set to perform in North America for the first time ever.
The Irish boy band will kick off a four-date tour starting next March in Toronto. From there they will head to Boston, NYC and Chicago.
The group, who first appeared on the scene in the late-’90s and early-2000s, has sold more than 55 million records and released 36 No. 1 albums. They also have over one BILLION streams on YouTube. [via AP News]
WHO?: When Westlife first became popular they were forced to compete with the BACKSTREET BOYS and NSYNC, which is why perhaps some are not as familiar with them.
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BEYONCE does not travel with her own personal toilet seats, says her mom, TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON.
Knowles-Lawson laughed off the rumors at LAX when photogs asked her about a large black box that was spotted backstage at Bey’s “Renaissance Tour” concert labeled “Beyonce…toilet seats.”
“That’s so ridiculous,” she chuckled. “Thost are stands you put fans on. They’re called ‘toilet seats.’” [via NY Post]
The rumor started after The Sun reported that Beyonce likes to make sure she has her own “comforts,” which includes “a personal toilet seat.” [via The Sun]
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Actres SOFIA VERGARA appears to have a new furry companion to love on.
After handing over custody of 10-year-old pup Bubbles to her estranged husband, actor JOE MAGANIELLO, Vergara posted a photo with a new little pooch.
No word on whether or not Vergara will get visitation with Bubbles. [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
A new forensic report shows the gun that ALEC BALDWIN claims he did not fire on the set of “Rust” could only go off if the trigger was pulled.
That finding means the actor could once again face manslaughter charges in the death of cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
Remember, Baldwin was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the charge was dropped after his attorneys claimed the gun had been modified, meaning it could have malfunctioned.
In June, prosecutors stated that if it was found that the “gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.” At this time, no charges have been refiled. [via Variety]
Stay tuned…
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SEAN TUOHY calls the allegations made by MICHEAL OHER “insulting,” saying he and his family made “little money” off the success of the 2009 flick “The Blind Side.”
Tuohy, who was played by TIM MCGRAW in the movie, said he and his wife LEIGH ANNE, are “devastated” that Oher believes they exploited him for their own fame.
He continued on explaining that because Oher was over the age of 18 they could not legally adopt him, so to make him an official member of the family a conservatorship was the only option. Also, the NCAA told them that for Oher to attend Ole Miss he needed to be part of the Touhy family due to their status as a “booster” at the school.
As for Oher’s ask to end the conservatorship, Tuohy says he will “of course” respect his wishes. [via Daily Memphian]
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“SportsCenter” anchor SAGE STEELE is leaving ESPN after 16 years to “exercise [her] first amendment rights more freely” after settling a 2021 lawsuit with the network.
Many may recall, Steele sued the network and its parent company, Disney, last April after she was removed from air following comments she made criticizing the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. In her suit, the 50-year-old claimed her right to free speech was violated.
ESPN also addressed Steele’s exit, saying the two have “mutually agreed to part ways,” while thanking her for her “many contributions over the years.”
Details of the settlement were not shared. [via Variety]
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CRIB NOTES
Actors ASHTON KUTCHER and MILA KUNIS have listed their Santa Barbara guest house on Airbnb.
The couple announced the listing on Instagram in a satirical video about a “really dumb idea” to invite “complete strangers” to stay with them. [via People]
WORTH NOTING: Kutcher is an investor in Airbnb.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE’s former publicist, TREVIAN C. KUTTI, is among the names listed in the 41-count indictment against DONALD TRUMP in Georgia.
Kutti is charged with “conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings” and “influencing witnesses.”
The indictment says the alleged incidents took place in January 2021, about two months after Ye ended his run for presidency. [via The Independent]
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KIM KARDASHIAN attended DRAKE’s recent concert in Inglewood, where she shared a clip of her singing his hit “Search & Rescue.”
The 2023 track features her quote: “I didn’t come this far just to come this far and not be happy.”
Kardashian fans may remember she made the statement in a 2021 episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Drake's use of the quote was believed to be a diss to his former enemy YE. Remember, the two rappers had a years-long feud over Kim, with her ex-husband calling out Drake for following her on Instagram. There was also speculation that the two had hooked up.
Kim later addressed the affair rumor saying Ye was the one who publicized it and continued to spread it. [via Hollywood Life]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
Just days after rumors first swirled that PRINCESS KATE had been calling PRINCE HARRY late at night to help patch things up, experts say there’s no way that actually happened.
Royal observer Kinsey Schofield says he has insiders close to Kate and PRINCE WILLIAM who say the story has no truth to it. He added, “A significant amount of William’s unhappiness toward Harry revolves around Harry and Meghan discussing Catherine so openly to Oprah and within [Harry’s memoir] ‘Spare.’ Catherine is very respectful of Prince William’s feelings and wouldn’t go behind his back to execute anything.”
Schofield also said that, as a proper lady, Kate wouldn’t talk to Harry privately without Meghan’s blessing. [via Fox Digital]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Airborne Day
National Finance Brokers Day
National Roller Coaster Day
World Bratwurst Day
National Tell A Joke Day
Surveillance Day
World Calligraphy Day
National Rum Day
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ON THIS DATE
1501 - Michelangelo is awarded the contract to create his statue of David by the Overseers of the Office of Works of the Duomo, Florence’s cathedral church.
The statue would be completed three years later
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1812 - The British Army captures Detroit without having to fire a shot.
American General William Hull, foreseeing a losing battle, surrendered what was then just a fort.
Hull was a veteran of the Revolution, and understood the prowess of the British Army. He also had family with him inside the fort.
He was later court-martialed and sentenced to death for cowardice. President James Madison would commute that sentence for his service in the revolution.
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1841 - Protesters gather outside the White House and burn President John Tyler in effigy.
The protestors, from his own Whig party, were angry that he vetoed an effort to establish a Bank of the United States.
Following the riot, the District of Columbia established its own police force.
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1896 - George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon territory.
He saw the shiny metal in a creek bed after traveling west on intel that there was plenty of gold in Alaska.
The news quickly spread and sparked a mining rush into the Yukon territory.
Some dispute that Carmack was the one who made the discovery, believing that it was actually one of his Native American guides named Skookum Jim.
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1948 - Babe Ruth dies from cancer in New York City.
Following his death, he was laid in state at the entrance of Yankee Stadium. Thousands showed up to pay their respects.
He would finally be laid to rest in Hawthorne, New York.
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1977 - Elvis Presley kicks the bucket in his Graceland mansion.
The King was on the toilet when he suffered a heart attack.
In his later years, his unhealthy diet and drug habit was notorious, contributing to his early death at only 42-years-old.
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2008 - Michael Phelps wins his 7th gold medal at the Beijing Olympics for his time in the 100-meter butterfly.
He also set a new Olympic record of 50.58 — besting Milorad Cavic of Serbia by 0.01.
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2018 - British Columbia, Canada declares a State of Emergency with 566 wildfires scorching the area.
More than 3,000 people were evacuated.
So far, more than 1,800 fires have charred more than 939,000 acres, marking the province’s fourth worst fire season since it began keeping track in 1950.
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BIRTHDAYS
Skylar Dunn - actress, “The Greatest Showman” - 16
Jack Met - pop singer - 26
Cameron Monaghan - actor, “Shameless” - 30
Evanna Lynch - actress, “My Name is Emily” - 32
Young Thug - rapper - 32
Rumer Willis - actress, “The Whole Nine Yards” & “The House Bunny” - 35
Carey Price - hockey player - 36
Arden Cho - actress, “Teen Wolf” & “Pretty Little Liars” - 38
Vanessa Carlton - pop singer - 43
Taika Waititi - director, “Thor: Ragnarok” - 48
Ryan Longwell - football player - 49
Jase Robertson - reality star, “Duck Dynasty” - 54
Steve Carell - actor, “The Office” & “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” - 61
Angela Bassett - actress, “Malcolm X” & “Black Panther” - 65
Madonna - pop singer - 65
Laura Innes - actress, “ER” - 66
James Cameron - director, “Titanic” & “Avatar” films - 69
Lorraine Gary - actress, “Jaws” films - 86
Born On This Date
Billy Joe Shaver - country singer - 1939 (d. 2020)
Stuart Allen Roosa - astronaut, Apollo 14 - 1933 (d. 1994)
Fess Parker - actor, “Old Yeller” - 1925 (d. 2010)
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