Today is Monday, August 26, 2024.
It is the 239th day of the year.
127 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
An iconic piece of sports history sells big at auction and border officials make a fruity drug bust. Details in HIT LIST.
Fans take bets on who JENNIFER LOPEZ will date next. Find out who is in the running in SHOWBIZ.
“Ted Lasso” Season 4 may be happening and JAMES SPADER reprises an iconic role. Details in CASTING CALL.
“The king has returned” in KARDASH.
THE KING and PRINCE ANDREW’s attempts to resolve a housing dispute are foiled by QUEEN CAMILLA. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
STARLINER UPDATE: The two astronauts who flew the BOEING Starliner capsule to the International Space Station will remain in orbit until February, when a SPACEX flight will return them to Earth, NASA confirmed on Saturday.
The original mission was supposed to last eight days until concerns over Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks extended their stay. Now, Starliner is scheduled to perform an automated return to Earth early next month and, if all goes to plan, touch down somewhere in New Mexico.
Associated Press points out the obvious: Boeing had been hoping its space program could revive the brand, which has struggled amid dangerous aviation disasters in recent months. Needing to be rescued by a primary competitor isn’t a good look.
WORTH NOTING: Four SpaceX crew members already aboard the I.S.S. will return in late September; their mission has already been extended a month as a result of the Starliner fiasco. [via Associated Press]
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The jersey BABE RUTH wore in the 1932 World Series during his “called shot” that turned into a home run sold for more than $24 MILLION at auction on Saturday.
The winning buyer shelled out $24,120,000. A rep for Heritage Auctions, which conducted the sale, calls the item “the greatest sports collectible of all time.”
It last sold for less than $1 MILLION over 20 years ago. [via CBS News]
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Residents of a Houston-area suburb can’t quite figure out why a local thief has been trying to steal small saplings from front yards.
Home camera footage shows at least two incidents of a man in a red shirt and bucket hat making off with the trees. In one, he successfully yanks it up by the roots and carries it away. In the second, he struggles at first, walks away, and returns with a tool to pull it out of the ground.
One homeowner caught the man in the act. He told her, “I’m straightening it up” before taking off.
Another resident chased after the man on foot, where she caught him a few blocks away with the tree in a shopping cart. Once confronted, the man promised to return the tree before running off. The victims aren’t planning to press charges, but when local media reached out to the district attorney’s office, they confirmed that stealing trees is certainly a crime, but couldn’t recall a time they’d charged anyone with it. [ABC 13]
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Customs officials in San Diego have stopped a massive methamphetamine shipment in poorly-disguised watermelons.
The drug traffickers stuffed more than 1200 baggies of meth in large, round packages wrapped in paper to look like the outer rind of a watermelon, mixed in with the real thing. In total, they tried to haul in more than 4,500 pounds of the drug.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, inbound from Mexico, has been transferred to Homeland Security. [via Fox 10]
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Window cleaner Steve Wadlow may be in possession of the first portrait of William Shakespeare -- ever!
The painting was purchased by Wadlow’s dad at an Oxfordshire estate in the 1960s. It dates back to around 1595, when Shakespeare would have been 31, according to several art experts.
Historians have yet to confirm the authenticity of the portrait, though one art dealer valued it over $264 million -- if it’s real.
The only confirmed painting of Shakespeare is known as the Cobbe portrait, and hangs in the Hatchlands Park country house in Surrey. That one dates back to around 1612. [via The Sun]
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BABY NEWS
JUSTIN and HAILEY BIEBER welcomed their first child, a son named JACK BLUES BIEBER.
He announced the news on Instagram, sharing a photo of the newborn’s foot. No word on when Jack arrived.
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BREAKUPS
LINDA MATHIS has filed for divorce from TV personality Judge GREG MATHIS after 39 years of marriage.
He’s 64 and she’s 61.
The date of separation is listed as July 17, and she cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. Their four kids are all adults, so no child support or custody disputes. No word on if they had a prenup.
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SICK BAY
SLIPKNOT keyboardist SID WILSON suffered serious burns to his face and arms after trying to stoke a bonfire on the property he lives at with girlfriend KELLY OSBOURNE.
The 47-year-old posted photos of his injuries, which include charred eyebrows, a blistered lip and burns on his arms.
The band also posted about the incident on their Instagram page, writing that despite the injuries, Wilson will still perform with them at Rocklahoma on September 1.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
10. Inside Out 2: $2.1 million (down from 8)
9. Despicable Me 4: $4.4 million (down from 6)
8. The Crow: $4.6 million (new)
7. Coraline: $5 million (re-release)
6. Twisters: $6.2 million (down from 4)
5. The Forge: $6.6 million (new)
4. Blink Twice: $7.3 million (new)
3. It Ends With Us: $11.8 million (stayed at 3)
2. Alien: Romulus: $16.2 million (down from 1)
1. Deadpool & Wolverine: $18.3 million (up from 2)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 462 points (1.14%) to close at 41,175 on Friday. The S&P increased 63 points (1.15%) to close at 5,634 and the NASDAQ added 258 points (1.47%) to close at 17,877.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $78 on Friday; BRENT CRUDE at $78.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.35 on Sunday.
₿ BITCOIN gained on the weekend, trading around $64,000 Sunday evening.
🛩 There were more than 3,241 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Sunday and more than 115 such cancellations.
💰 Tuesday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $575 million jackpot or a $285.5 million cash payout. Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $44 million jackpot or a $21.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
JENNIFER LOPEZ wants to get back to being Jenny from the block, and has requested her name to be restored to Jennifer Lynn Lopez -- no longer wishing to go by her legal name of Jennifer Lynn Affleck. [via E!]
ELSEWHERE: People are betting on who she will pick next, with EMINEM being the favorite so far. Other contenders include THE WEEKND and her former fiance, ALEX RODRIGUEZ.
MEANWHILE: Oddsmakers think BEN AFFLECK should try getting back together with his ex-wife, JENNIFER GARNER or former co-star EMILY RATAJKOWSKI. All of the KARDASHIAN sisters are also in the running. [via TMZ]
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Actor CHRIS HEMSWORTH surprised the crowd at ED SHEERAN’s recent concert in Romania when he appeared on stage, playing the drums.
The “Thor” actor reportedly reached out to Sheeran last year, after learning how to play the drums, and wanted to put his skills to the test. After the performance, Sheeran presented Hemsworth with “The Participation Award for Drumming Excellence.”
WORTH NOTING: Learning the drums was a part of Hemsworth’s journey to staying healthy and active, which is documented on the show “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.” [via TMZ]
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Despite being estranged from his daughter Suri, TOM CRUISE is reportedly footing the $65,000-per-year bill for her to attend Carnegie Mellon University.
An insider told The Mirror that Cruise has “always paid” for Suri’s schooling, as was agreed upon in his 2012 divorce from actress KATIE HOLMES.
Suri graduated from LaGuardia High School in June -- as Suri Noelle. [via The Mirror]
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Actress TINA LOUISE is re-releasing a memoir.
Known for her iconic role as Ginger Grant on “Gilligan’s Island,” the 90-year-old actress announced she is re-releasing her 1997 memoir, “Sunday: A Memoir.” It is also being released on audio for the first time.
While promoting the re-release, Louise opened up about her time on the set of “Gilligan’s Island,” saying she “thought it was going to just last six months.” It instead aired for three seasons.
Louise is the last remaining member of the cast. [via The Sun]
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LINKIN PARK posted a 100-hour countdown time on X, with a link to their official website as the caption.
Fans speculated that the countdown is to an announcement of a new vocalist, who would replace late frontman CHESTER BENNINGTON, who died by suicide in July 2017.
Earlier this year Billboard reported that the group was toying with the idea of a possible reunion tour in 2025.
The countdown is scheduled to end on Wednesday. [via X, Billboard]
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“Teen Mom” alum FARRAH ABRAHAM bought her teenage daughter a $160,000 CyberTruck.
Sophia, who is only 15 and doesn’t even have her driver’s license yet, was reportedly given free reign when it came to choosing her first vehicle and decided on the Tesla Truck.
The final bill will be significantly higher, however, as Abraham said her daughter will also be allowed to customize the whip once it is delivered. [via The Sun]
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CASTING CALL
“Ted Lasso” may get a fourth season after all.
Deadline reports that three of the original cast members -- HANNAH WADDINGHAM, BRETT GOLDSTEIN, and JEREMY SWIFT -- have had their options picked up, while conversations with other stars, including JASON SUDEIKIS and BRENDAN HUNT, are taking place.
If most of the cast is on board -- specifically Sudeikis -- production on Season 4 will begin early next year.
Season 3 wrapped with a happy ending for all the main characters. [via Deadline]
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JAMES SPADER will reprise his role as the voice of robotic villain Ultron in a forthcoming series from Marvel set in the Vision series.
He last played Ultron in 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
The new series is the third in a trilogy that includes “WandaVision” and “Agatha All Along,” the latter of which debuts in September on Disney+.
ALSO: Actor PAUL BETTANY will reprise his role as Vision in the new installment. [via THR]
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LABOR DAY SHOWDOWN: Hall of Fame wrestler NIKKI GARCIA (formerly Nikki Bella) and comedic actor ROB RIGGLE will host Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef,” featuring a hotdog eating contest between competitive eating legends JOEY CHESTNUT and TAKERU KOBAYASHI. It is their first competition in 15 years.
It will air live on September 2. [via Decider]
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JAMIE LEE CURTIS shut down rumors about how fans will be able to enjoy the “Freaky Friday” sequel posting that it will premiere “in the theaters next year.”
In addition to Curtis, LINDSAY LOHAN is also returning for the sequel, as well as, CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY, who reprises his role as Jake.
“Freakier Friday” is due out next year. [via The Blast]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE returned to Instagram over the weekend, and did so with some new music.
Fans were elated to watch a music video for his single “Slide,” which features scantily clad models and fast cars.
“The king has returned,” one follower commented.
MEANWHILE: Ye and BIANCA CENSORI are playing house with three of his four kids in South Korea. He was spotted shopping with 11-year-old NORTH, while she was spotted out and about with 6-year-old CHICAGO and 5-year-old PSALM.
ELSEWHERE: Eight-year-old SAINT was with KIM KARDASHIAN in Madrid, hanging out with some soccer stars. [via The Mirror]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
With KING CHARLES and PRINCE ANDREW summering together at Balmoral, Andrew has hopes to resolve the ongoing dispute over his lease on the Royal Lodge once and for all – but QUEEN CAMILLA has other ideas.
The Queen is reportedly overseeing schedules – even on vacation – to ensure Andrew doesn’t confront the King, who wants to rest amid his ongoing cancer treatment. One insider tells Express, “I can’t think of anything guaranteed to make [Charles] go off the deep end than to have Royal Lodge brought up.”
Andrew and Charles only cross paths during dinner time, where a public discussion about his housing arrangements, even among other senior members of the Royal Family, would be improper. In the meantime, Charles and Camilla are spending as much time as they can with PRINCE WILLIAM and his family. [via Geo.tv]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Cherry Popsicle Day
Gravy Wrestling Championship
Late Summer Bank Holiday
National Toilet Paper Day
National Webmistress Day
National Dog Day
National Women’s Equality Day
National Heroes’ Day
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ON THIS DATE
1346 - The cannon makes its debut as a battlefield weapon.
Edward III had 22 units at his disposal for battle against France's Philip VI. The weapons didn't inflict much more damage than their contemporary trebuchets -- so essentially they were just more effective when used to intimidate the enemy: the loud noises and explosions rattled the opposition.
Ancient French historian Froissart documented the battle in his "Chroniques du Crecy."
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1843 - Charles Thurber receives a patent for his design of the first fully-functional typewriter.
The patent itself designates a "machine for printing by hand by pressing upon keys which contain the type, called 'Thurber's Patent Printer.’"
Like in recent times, the paper was pulled in on a roller and moved horizontally as the keys inked it.
Thurber would get a British patent for the machine in 1857.
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1883 - An island volcano in the Dutch Indies explodes in the most violent eruption in recorded human history.
Two-thirds of the island was flattened. An ensuing tsunami killed another 36,000 people across Indonesia. Waves traveled through the Indian Ocean and out to Cape Horn.
There were even reports that the initial blast was heard in Australia and barometers in England registered changes. So much ash spewed into the sky that the climate and weather patterns were changed for years.
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1959 - The Mark I Mini hits car lots in Britain, costing $800. It would become one of the best-selling cars in Britain's history.
The marketing campaign featured two models: the Austin 7 and Morris Mini-Minor - the only difference was their radiator grilles. By 1962, they would both just be called "Minis."
The small car's sideways-mounted engine permitted plenty of space in the 10-foot-long car: four adults could fit inside, even with some luggage.
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1968 - Hippies swarm the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in protest of the Vietnam War and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the Dem candidate for president.
Police notoriously beat down the protestors as the violence spread inside the convention hall at the International Amphitheater and innocent bystanders were hurt.
Eight men were eventually arrested for inciting the violence, and they would become known as the "Chicago Eight." Their trial began the following year, causing protests to break out once again.
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1970 - The National Organization for Women kicks off the Women's Strike for Equality.
It coincided with the 50th anniversary of Congress' passing of the 19th amendment.
Over 20,000 women ultimately rallied (and life elsewhere went on), but was nonetheless the largest gathering of its kind in history. The strike was designed to call attention to equal opportunities for men and women workers and general gender social equality.
There was also an emphasis on encouraging pro-choice policies and universally free childcare.
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2016 - San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick kneels during the National Anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the US.
The pose would be emulated by other athletes to show their support for the cause.
Kaepernick however has not thrown a football professionally since the end of that season.
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2020 - Following the police shooting of Kenosha, WI resident Jacob Blake, the Milwaukee Bucks decline to take the floor in their playoff game against the Orlando Magic.
The move was historic, in that it was the first NBA game — playoffs or otherwise — to be postponed after two entire teams refused to take the court.
It also created a domino effect, with subsequent playoff games being called off in support.
IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY NOTED: While the message of unity is great, the fact of the matter is that in this instance, Blake was in the wrong. He was a criminal engaging in criminal activity.
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BIRTHDAYS
Charlie Gillespie - actor, “ - 26
Cordae - rapper - 27
Keke Palmer - actress, “Joyful Noise” & “Scream Queens” - 31
Dylan O’Brien - actor, “Teen Wolf” - 33
James Harden - basketball player - 35
Danielle Savre - actress, “Kaya” & “Station 19” - 36
Evan Ross - son of Diana Ross & actor, “ATL” & “Pride” - 36
Cassie Ventura - R&B singer - 38
Saint Jhn - rapper - 38
Rob Cantor - rock singer, Tally Hall - 41
John Mulaney - comedian - 42
Macaulay Culkin - actor, “Home Alone” films - 44
Chris Pine - actor, “Star Trek” & “This Means War” - 44
Melissa McCarthy - actress, “Gilmore Girls” - 54
Born On This Date
Katherine Johnson - NASA mathematician - 1918 (d. 2020)
Mother Teresa - religious leader - 1910 (d. 1997)
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