Today is Thursday, August 3, 2023.
It is the 214th day of the year.
151 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
Slim details have emerged about the Army defector who ran into North Korea last month and card game “Uno” gets a refresh. More in HIT LIST.
BEYONCE appears to stand behind LIZZO’s accusers and ROBERT DOWNEY JR. is giving away some cars. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Barbie” fans can take their hot-pink obsession to the grave. More in CASTING CALL.
KYLIE JENNER gets “Bratzified.” More in KARDASH.
While the Windsors holiday in Scotland, Harry’s leading a PR blitz of his own. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
The Department of Defense has indicated that the North Korean government has begun a conversation about the Army Private who appears to have defected last month – sort of.
One official says that the Pentagon has received an acknowledgment from North Koreans that they got a request for more information, but not much else.
It’s anyone’s guess how the apparent defector, Travis King, is being treated while in custody and what other intelligence operations are unfolding out of the public eye. [via CBS News]
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A survey conducted by wealth management company CHARLES SCHWAB shows the average American anticipates needing $1.8 MILLION in assets for retirement. That’s up about $100,000 year over year.
Last year, 47% of people said they would reach this goal; now it’s just 37%. Respondents cited inflation as a major factor for their discouragement.
BY THE WAY: Using the power of compounding interest, a $1.8 MILLION nest egg would give you a $100,000 annual draw for over 18 years. [via USAToday]
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Toy and game company MATTEL is putting a new spin on the classic card game Uno, called “Uno Quatro” – and is paying some serious cash to find someone to help promote it.
The Chief Uno Player will earn $4,444 a week to play the game for four hours a day, four days a week – but the gig only runs for, you guessed it, four weeks. The winning applicant will have to work out of offices in New York.
Applications must be submitted through TikTok.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Mattel also has an Uno-based movie in the works, too. [via BBC]
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It’s manatee breeding season, people!
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (that’s in Florida) is sick of getting calls about manatees in distress near the shore. “They are more than fine,” the department notes on Facebook, explaining that the animals “mate in herds [...] and often near the shore.”
The department also shared a post featuring a group of manatees in action, with Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” playing over it. They captioned it, “If you see this, no you didn’t.”
Manatees mate all year long, though things tend to get more hot and heavy during the summer months, according to the Manatee Swim Center. [via Patch]
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A frustrated Lufthansa pilot shared his annoyance over being forced to divert his flight by creating a phallic-shaped flight path.
According to La Repubblica, a flight from Frankfurt, Germany was rerouted mid-flight. In response, the unidentified pilot spent about 16 minutes flying over the open water in the shape of male genitalia.
Lufthansa officials claim the pattern was “created by coincidence” as the pilot had to circle over Catania before diverting the flight. A sudden change in wind patterns was also blamed. [via NY Post]
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BREAKUPS
Canadian Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and his wife SOPHIE TRUDEAU are separating after 18 years of marriage.
The now estranged couple issued a joint statement with the news on Wednesday, saying they will “remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other.”
The pair have three kids together, 15-year-old Xavier, 14-year-old Ella, and 9-year-old Hadrien.
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Actress REESE WITHERSPOON and producer JIM TOTH are one step closer to being officially divorced.
According to new docs, both signed a dissolution agreement and parenting plan -- for their 10-year-old son -- this week. After a judge signs off on the agreement all will be settled.
The process has been swift and without the dramatics of some divorces. It was just this past March when Witherspoon filed for divorce, ending 12 years of marriage to Toth.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 347 points (0.98%) to close at 35,282 on Wednesday. The S&P lost 63 points (1.38%) to close at 4,513 and the NASDAQ lost 310 points (2.17%) to close at 13,973.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $79; BRENT CRUDE at $83.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.80 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN fell after a rebound Wednesday, trading around $29,100.
🛩 There were more than 2,785 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 95 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $1.25 BILLION jackpot or a $625.3 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Swifties think they have figured out what TAYLOR SWIFT will announce as her next re-recorded album.
Social media sleuths believe that a photo collage shared on SoFi Stadium’s Instagram page is hinting that Swift might announce a release date for “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” at her upcoming shows.
If fans are right with their speculation, the album would be her fourth re-recording.
Swift’s shows at SoFi run today through August 9. [via Forbes]
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BEYONCE has shown where she stands when it comes to the accusations made against LIZZO.
While performing her hit “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” at a show in Boston this week, Bey didn’t say Lizzo’s name in the lyrics, which she usually does.
Fans are convinced the edit was intentional and some are questioning whether or not Bey had already known about Lizzo’s behind-the-scenes antics. [via Daily Mail]
BUT WAIT: On Wednesday, Bey’s mom TINA KNOWLES shut down all speculation that her daughter skipped Lizzo’s name on purpose, saying “She also didn’t say her own sisters [sic] name yal [sic] should really stop.” [via Page Six]
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The microphone CARDI B hurled at a fan in Vegas last weekend has hit the auction block.
The mic belongs to audio production company The Wave, which has made the decision to sell it with all proceeds going to two charities: the Wounded Warrior Project and Friendship Circle Las Vegas.
As of Wednesday the highest bid was over $25,000. There is a week left until bidding closes. [via TMZ]
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Actor BILLY DEE WILLIAMS is releasing a memoir about his lengthy acting career.
“What Have We Here?” will cover everything from his personal life to his time playing Lando Calrissian in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and two other films in the “Star Wars” series.
The book is due out in February 2024. [via People]
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JOE MANGANIELLO will get custody of Bubbles in his split from actress SOFIA VERGARA.
As the two work on dividing up assets, many were curious who would get custody of their 10-year-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix. Now, insiders say Vergara has “amicably” agreed to let Manganiello keep the pup, because she knows that is what would make Bubbles the happiest.
As previously reported, the pair recently called it quits after seven years of marriage. [via Daily Mail]
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Outspoken former-Scientologist LEAH REMINI is suing the Church of Scientology and its leader DAVID MISCAVIGE for stalking and harassment.
According to the documents, Remini says she has suffered “intimidation, harassment, emotional distress and defamation” since she left the church in 2006. That is also the year that well-known Scientologist TOM CRUISE tied the knot with actress KATIE HOLMES.
Remini is seeking to “recover compensatory and punitive damages for the enormous economic and psychological harm” she has endured from the church. [via NY Post]
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ROBERT DOWNEY JR. is giving away six of his personal cars. These include a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1966 Buick Riviera, a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE, a 1972 Chevrolet K10 Pickup, a 1972 VW Bus and a 1985 Chevrolet El Camino.
Promoting the give away on his Instagram, RDJ told fans that each vehicle has been “converted to drive to a pollution-free future.”
To enter the RDJ Dream Car drawing click here. No purchase necessary. [via People]
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CASTING CALL
As far as GAL GADOT is concerned, her time as Wonder Woman is not over.
The 38-year-old told Comicbook.com that she believes she will be working with DC Universe’s JAMES GUNN and PETER SAFRAN on a “Wonder Woman 3” movie in the future.
Gadot first appeared as the superhero in 2016’s “Batman v. Superman.” She later played the role in two “Wonder Woman” films in 2017 and 2020, and in 2017’s “Justice League.” [via Comic Book]
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The “Barbie” obsession continues…
Fans of the iconic doll and newly-released movie can now select a hot pink Barbie-themed coffin to be buried in.
One funeral home is promoting the “Barbie House” coffin with the slogan: “So you can rest like Barbie.” [via NY Post]
WORTH ASKING: At what point does the world run out of Barbie pink paint?
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GEORGE CLOONEY, MATT DAMON, LEONARDO DICAPRIO, HUGH JACKMAN and NICOLE KIDMAN have all donated $1 million or more to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
As previously reported, the foundation helps support striking actors.
In total, the foundation has raised over $15 million in donations from several big-named actors, including JENNIFER LOPEZ, BEN AFFLECK, MERYL STREEP and DWAYNE JOHNSON. [via Hollywood Reporter]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KYLIE JENNER is getting “Bratzified.”
The reality star has been transformed into a series of mini Bratz dolls for a limited-edition collection. The first-ever celebrity collaboration features six versions of Jenner wearing some of her more iconic outfits.
“I’ve always wanted my own Bratz doll,” Jenner told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent press release. [via Hollywood Reporter]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY’s upcoming tour of Asia to promote his causes and events has been strategically timed to make a splash while the rest of his family holes up at Balmoral for a summer holiday, Express reports.
Starting next week, Harry’s off to Tokyo then Singapore, looking to grab headlines for his sports involvement and philanthropic efforts. Then he’s a bit closer to home in Germany in September for the Invictus games.
One PR expert tells Express, "At best, [Harry and Meghan will] work to evolve their perception from armchair critic to leaders who are actually in the game, working to build something with meaningful impact.” [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
India Pale Ale Day
National Watermelon Day
Cloves Syndrome Awareness Day
Clean Your Floors Day
National Grab Some Nuts Day
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ON THIS DATE
1492 – Explorer Christopher Columbus departs Palos, Spain, en route to Eastern Asia.
On board the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he and his crew were on a quest to find a water route that would connect Europe with the natural resources of the Far East.
Of course, he instead discovered the Caribbean -- and never stepped foot on present-day America.
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1846 – The Donner party encounters a note on a forked stick along a path, warning that the path ahead would be tremendously difficult.
It was signed by Lansford Hastings, a pioneer a few days ahead of them, who in the note promised to return shortly to aid them.
The Donner expedition was ultimately waylaid across a treacherous mountain route to California.
Only 45 of the 89 survived -- cannibalizing those who died.
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1922 – Calvin Coolidge is sworn in as President, two days after Warren Harding dies of what could have been pneumonia, heart failure, or apoplexy. Mrs. Harding never allowed an autopsy.
Harding had been inspecting the West Coast naval fleet when he fell ill. He was administered caffeine and digitalis, an herbal remedy, which helped, but not much.
He seemed to be recovering, then died suddenly mid-conversation with his wife.
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1948 – Reformed Communist Whittaker Chambers declares that Alger Hiss is a communist and a spy for the Soviet Union.
Hiss was a State Department bureaucrat.
While Hiss denied the accusations, he eventually was convicted of perjury during the investigation and served 44 months.
Chambers would go on to write eloquently on freedom and capitalism, most notably in the pages of William F. Buckley's National Review.
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1958 – The first submersible passes underneath the North Pole.
The Nautilus traveled under 1,000 miles of Arctic ice before reaching the proverbial top of the world. When it passed the North Pole, it was 500 feet underwater, and the ice ranged from 10 to 50 feet thick.
The voyage helped clear the way for shorter routes from the Pacific to the Atlantic for European nations as well as the United States.
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2008 – People magazine publishes pictures of Pitt-Jolie spawns Vivienne and Knox, the twins, which were bought for an unprecedented $14 million.
Brad and Ange gave the money to charity.
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2019 - A suspected domestic terrorist shoots and kills 22 and injures another 24 at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.
Patrick Wood Crusius, 21, is arrested for the massacre and charged with capital murder.
The attack is described as the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern American history.
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BIRTHDAYS
Chandler Kinney - actress, “Haunted Hathaways” - 23
Cozi Zuehlsdorff - actress, “Dolphin Tale” & “Mighty Med” - 25
Todd Gurley - football player - 29
Karlie Kloss - model - 31
D.R.A.M. - rapper - 35
Ryan Lochte - Olympic swimmer - 39
Evangeline Lilly - actress, “Lost” & “Ant-Man” - 44
Tom Brady - football player - 46
Michael Ealy - actor, “Barbershop” & “Seven Pounds” - 50
Isaiah Washington - actor, “Grey’s Anatomy” - 60
James Hetfield - metal singer, Metallica - 60
Martha Stewart - entrepreneur & domestic diva - 82
Martin Sheen - actor, “The West Wing” & “Apocalypse Now” - 83
Born On This Date
Tony Bennett - pop singer - 1926 (d. 2023)
John T. Scopes - teacher convicted for teaching evolution - 1900 (d. 1970)
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