Today is Friday, August 30, 2024.
It is the 243rd day of the year.
123 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The KIM REGIME orders students abroad home for reeducation and archeologists make a playful find in Iceland. Details in HIT LIST.
The CHICAGO CUBS are crediting TAYLOR SWIFT with their winning streak and TOM BRADY shows off his bench press skills. More in SHOWBIZ.
TYRA BANKS returns to the runway and SNOOKI says her beach day arrest was staged. Details in CASTING CALL.
YE documents his South Korean performance on Insta. Find out more in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY and PRINCE WILLIAM cross paths at a family funeral in England. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
SPACEX flights have been temporarily grounded by the FAA after a mishap early Wednesday morning, when a booster misfired and caused it to tip over.
The accident occurred during the first stage’s landing process, in which it typically lands upright on a floating recovery platform off the coast of Cape Canaveral. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s an incredible procedure (when it goes to plan), and has given SpaceX a tremendous advantage in rapidly developing new rocket technology. Watch >).
But internet troll and author STEPHEN KING took to his X account to mock the mishap, writing, “Oops. SpaceX launches are on hold after a booster rocket toppled over in flames while landing Wednesday.” The fantasy writer, who’s worth half a billion dollars, has openly mocked ELON MUSK and conservatives on the platform in recent years.
In response, Musk replied with an A.I.-generated image of King, leaned up against a tree, surrounded by stacks of cash, with a creepy clown in the background, with a giant eggplant in his mouth, captioned simply, “Dick.” [via Morning Martini]
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North Korea’s government ordered the select few students it allows to study abroad to return home this summer, one escapee tells Radio Free Asia.
The KIM JONG JUNIOR regime issued the directive over concerns the students were exposed to too much freedom – even though they likely didn’t travel much farther than allied countries China and Russia.
The news comes from one defector’s source, who himself had been studying in Russia, and managed to escape to South Korea. Many of these students have been abroad since before the pandemic. In normal times, it was common for them to return for “loyalty classes,” but North Korea has largely kept its borders even more sealed than usual since March 2020. [via Radio Free Asia]
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Americans love dining out and ordering in, and it may be more a matter of exhaustion than mere convenience or laziness.
A recent survey from Kevin’s Natural Foods shows 77% of Americans say they’re just too tired to put a meal together at home when they get done with work for the day.
IT GETS WORSE: One in five say they’ve fallen asleep while preparing a meal.
Getting back into the swing of things after the weekend is the hardest day to cook; 35% say Monday was the most difficult to prepare a meal. Another 29% each said Wednesday and Friday were the most difficult.
A very well-organized and well-put-together 12% of respondents said their schedules are never too busy to cook a meal at home. [via Talker]
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Archeologists excavating a Viking Age farm site in Iceland discovered a small animal carving in volcanic rock believed to be a child’s toy.
The two-by-one-inch item depicts a four-legged animal that researchers believe is either a pig or a bear, though some on social media have weighed in thinking it could be a dog. The head of the excavation project says that toys at such sites are especially rare.
Over the last five years, archeologists have found items and structures spanning ten centuries of history at the site. Other finds include remnants of an ancient mill and a more recent sheep shed from the 18th century. Four graves from an 11th century landslide were also found. [via Archeology Mag]
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Weeks after a vehicle was pulled from the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, another one had to be removed due to some backseat lovemaking.
Unlike the first incident, of which the circumstances remain a mystery, officers believe the second submerging occurred as a couple were going at it in the backseat and one of their limbs bumped into the gear shift, causing it to roll backward into the water. The unidentified couple were able to exit the vehicle before it sank, without injury.
Local authorities say there are no charges pending against the couple. [via NBC10]
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DEATHS
Actor JULIAN ORTEGA has died.
He passed away Sunday afternoon after suffering cardiac arrest on a beach in Spain.
Ortega is best known for starring in Netflix’s “Elite.”
He was only 41.
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RELATIONSHIPS
Actor JUSTIN THEROUX is engaged to actress NICOLE BRYDON BLOOM.
He’s 53 and she’s 30.
Theroux popped the question in Italy this week, where the couple are for the Venice Film Festival.
He was previously married to actress JENNIFER ANISTON from 2015 to 2018.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 243 points (0.59%) to close at 41,335 on Thursday. The S&P was flat to close at 5,591 and the NASDAQ lost 39 points (0.23%) to close at 17,516.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $76; BRENT CRUDE at $78.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.36.
₿ BITCOIN was mostly flat on the day, trading around $59,500.
🛩 There were more than 4,590 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday and more than 115 such cancellation.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $627 million jackpot or a $309.1 million cash payout. Saturday night’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $69 million jackpot or a $34.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
New Music Friday
A$AP Rocky, “Don’t Be Dumb”
Becca Stevens, “Maple to Paper”
David Kushner, “The Dichotomy”
Lia Kohl, “Normal Sounds”
Muni Long, “Revenge”
Steve Wynn, “Make It Right”
Wunderhorse, “Midas”
Valley, “Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden”
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“DWTS” alum ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV was arrested Thursday morning on a felony domestic violence charge.
He is married to former WWE star NIKKI GARCIA (formerly Nikki Bella).
Few details were released about the incident, though as of the afternoon he was still reported to be behind bars with bail set at $25,000.
This is a developing story… [via NY Post]
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CRAIG COUNSELL, manager of the Chicago Cubs, is crediting TAYLOR SWIFT with his team's recent winning streak.
“I was gifted a Taylor Swift candle, and we’ve been lighting that before games in my office,” Counsell said in an interview with Marquee Sports Network. [via Marquee Sports Network]
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After starring in 1988’s “Beetlejuice,” WINONA RYDER says her classmates called her a witch.
“I remember thinking that it was going to, like change my status, and it made it worse. They were like, ‘You’re a witch! You’re a freak!,’” she told Esquire UK.
Ryder, who was 16 at the time the film came out, says she was “very much” like her character Lydia Deetz, which didn’t help her popularity.
Fans can see Ryder reprise her role as Deetz in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” hitting theaters September 6. [via Esquire]
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TOM BRADY can bench 245 lbs.
He showed off his strength in a new YouTube clip titled “My First Max Bench Press in 18 Years.”
Starting out at 225-lbs, Brady added two more 10s to his reps. At first he needed an assist from his spotter, but on the second go he got it down and all the way back up.
Many viewers said the weight was less than what they expected from the G.O.A.T. -- who is 47, people! [via YouTube]
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Now that BRONNY JAMES will be playing alongside his dad, LEBRON JAMES, many are wondering how the dynamic will be out on the court, specifically how the younger James will address the elder James.
“He can’t [call me dad],” LeBron said. “We cannot be running down the cout and he’d be like, ‘Dad, I’m open! Dad, come on!’ No you cannot do that.”
Bronny and LeBron are the first father-son duo in the NBA. [via TMZ]
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Author MELANIE HAMRICK and her rockstar husband MICK JAGGER have matching tooth gems with their 7-year-old son DEVERAUX.
Hamrick spoke about the bling during a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” saying Jagger’s is a “real diamond,” her’s and Devi’s are “Swarovski.”
Also, Devi’s is “on a baby tooth,” to which Fallon said he wants to “be there when he loses it.” [via People]
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CASTING CALL
TYRA BANKS is returning to the runway.
The former Victoria’s Secret Angel will walk in the lingerie brand’s reinstated fashion show in NYC on October 15.
The 50-year-old announced the news on Instagram alongside fellow Angel GIGI HADID. [via Instagram]
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NICOLE “Snooki” POLIZZI says “Jersey Shore” producers urged the cops to arrest her in the show’s infamous 2010 “where’s the beach” scene.
The arresting officers didn’t work for the New Jersey town, but were instead hired by the show to protect the castmates from fans, Polizzi revealed on the newest episode of “Therapuss with Jake Shane” podcast.
“I watched the video back and one of the producers said, ‘Just arrest her,’” she added.
After spending a few hours in the drunk tank, all charges were eventually dropped against Polizzi, but she was fined $500 and ordered to serve two days of community service. [via Page Six]
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BARRY KEOGHAN has joined the cast of the forthcoming “Peaky Blinders” movie.
The film is described as a continuation of the Netflix series, which centers on Thomas Shelby (CILLIAN MURPHY), a war-hero turned gangster who works his way up in the world of crime in 1990s Birmingham, England.
Murphy will reprise his role as Thomas Shelby in the film. [via THR]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE’s latest post on his recently reactivated Instagram page shows a series of photos from his show in South Korea.
One of the pics seems to be heavily edited to make the rapper appear to be glowing as he is surrounded by a group of extras all dressed in white.
“What’s next,” he captioned the shots, perhaps implying there are more international shows on the docket.
ELSEWHERE: Ye reportedly started an “[F-word] Adidas” chant with the crowd, sharing his ongoing beef with the brand with his fans. [via Instagram]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY secretly jetted to England this week to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, who was PRINCESS DIANA’s brother-in-law. Harry had previously said publicly he wouldn’t attend the service.
REUNITED? Both Harry and PRINCE WILLIAM attended the funeral, and were spotted sitting near each other at the back of St. Mary’s Church, after both arrived quietly and discreetly. No one reportedly saw the estranged brothers exchange any words, though.
The last time William and Harry publicly exchanged words was 2022, when they walked the grounds of Windsor after the death of QUEEN ELIZABETH. [via The Sun]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Toasted Marshmallow day
National College Colors Day
Amagwinya Day
National Holistic Pet Day
International Whale Shark Day
Frankenstein Day
National Grief Awareness Day
National Slinky Day
National Beach Day
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ON THIS DATE
1682 - William Penn leaves England to sail to the New World.
He would later find Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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1890 - President Harrison signs the first law requiring regulated inspection of meat in the U.S.
The US Department of Agriculture would inspect all exports of salted pork and bacon, as well as imported cattle.
The following year, the act would include beef exports.
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1918 - Vladimir Lenin survives an assassination attack in Moscow.
The attacker was Fanya Kaplan, a member of the Social Revolutionary movement, fighting against the Bolshevik takeover.
Lenin recovered at his home in the Kremlin. Kaplan would be shot in the back of the head three days later.
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1945 - Douglas MacArthur arrives in Japan.
The General would oversee the formal end of fighting in the Pacific.
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1963 - The "Red Phone" connecting the United States and Moscow is established, but not as depicted in the movies.
It was a precursor to fax messages, sending strings of text across 10,000 miles of cable with encryption points to keep out snoopers. The first sentence sent from the States to Moscow: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back 1234567890." (It uses all letters and numbers).
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1967 - Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice.
He is the first African American to sit on the bench.
Marshall would serve for 24 years.
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1981 - Bill Shoemaker becomes the first jockey to win a $1 million thoroughbred horse race when John Henry takes the inaugural Arlington Million by a nose over The Bart.
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1993 - The 150,000,000th person visits the Eiffel Tower.
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2017 - Hurricane Irma forms in the Atlantic.
It would eventually make landfall in Florida after demolishing the Caribbean.
The Category 3 storm caused more than $50 billion in damage.
More than 100 people were killed.
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2020 - Global cases of COVID-19 pass 25 million with over 843,000 deaths.
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BIRTHDAYS
Cameron J. Wright - actor, “Family Reunion” - 19
Sean Ryan Fox - actor, “Henry Danger” - 23
Dwayne Bacon - basketball player - 29
Bebe Rexha - pop singer - 35
Boogie - rapper - 35
Ryan Ross - guitarist, Panic! At the Disco - 38
Andy Roddick - tennis player - 42
Cameron Diaz - actress, “The Mask” & “Bad Teacher” - 52
Robert Parish - HOF basketball player - 71
Lewis Black - comedian - 76
Peggy Lipton - actress, “The Mod Squad” - 78
Warren Buffett - investor, The Oracle of Omaha - 94
Born On This Date
Tug McGraw - baseball player & dad of Tim McGraw - 1944 (d. 2004)
Ted Williams - HOF baseball player - 1918 (d. 2002)
Mary Shelley - novelist, “Frankenstein” - 1797 (d. 1851)
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