9/13/2023: Wine Rivers 🍷
Discover more from Morning Martini
9/13/2023: Wine Rivers 🍷
PLUS: New iPhone Chargers; Gwen vs. Reba; and Royal Diplomacy
Today is Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
It is the 255th day of the year.
110 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The author of ELON MUSK’s extensive biography backtracks an explosive claim on the same day the book hits shelves and an art investigator returns an historic painting. More in HIT LIST.
DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER may head to Pennsylvania to help find an escaped murderer and JOHNNY DEPP likes to relax in the Bahamas. More in SHOWBIZ.
See who took home hardware at the MTV VMAs in CASTING CALL.
BIANCA CENSORI’s friends are concerned about her relationship with YE. More in KARDASH.
The King sends well-wishes to the Hermit Kingdom. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
Ahead of the release of an extensive biography of ELON MUSK last week, leaked excerpts suggested that Musk ordered engineers at SpaceX to shut off connectivity of its Starlink internet satellite system over Ukraine that the country’s military was using to navigate drone submarines in its war with Russia.
The biography’s author, WALTER ISAACSON, has now backtracked the bombshell claim.
TURNS OUT: There never was any connectivity over the Crimean coast to begin with.
Musk posted on X that Ukraine’s government had asked for more expansive geographic coverage of the Starlink service that never existed in the first place. He added, “If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.”
Isaacson has already admitted he was mistaken in his reporting. The book’s publisher says it is editing future editions to clarify the egregious error. [via CNN]
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Astronaut Frank Rubio has set a new record for longest time in space, with his 355th day at the International Space Station.
The record was previously held by retired NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei.
What’s more, Rubio is not set to return home until after September 27, meaning he would be the first American to spend more than one calendar year in space. [via CNN]
MEANWHILE, 100 LIGHTYEARS AWAY: NASA’s James Webb Telescope may have spotted a planet whose entire surface might covered in water.
That planet, dubbed “K2-18 b” is more than eight times as massive as Earth and has significant levels of methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere, suggesting a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and expansive oceans below. [via Washington Post]
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Get ready to toss that drawer of old iPhone chargers.
The new iPhone 15 model introduced on Tuesday will have the newer USB-C connection that’s been prominent on Apple iPads and laptops for several years. Apple likely made the move in response to increased European Union regulation that has standardized charging port design for electronic devices. [via NYT]
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An investigator known as the “Indiana Jones of the Art World” has helped Dutch authorities recover a Van Gogh painting that’s been missing for more than three years.
“The Parsonage Garden at Neunen in Spring” – also known as “Spring Garden” – disappeared from the Singer Laren museum in March 2020, when the facility was empty in the early days of covid lockdowns. While a police investigation led to the capture of the culprit last year, the work remained missing.
Since then, a man named Arthur Brand has tracked down leads and worked sources to find the missing treasure – but there’s not yet any public details on what kind of intrigue and exploits went into the investigation.
Museum officials say that “Spring Garden” is a bit beat up but still in good condition. [via CBS News]
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600,000 gallons of red wine flowed through the small Portuguese town of São Lourenço de Bairro after two Levira Distillery tanks spilled during transport.
In addition to wine-flooded streets, several home owners reported basements full of vino.
Levira Distillery issued a statement regarding the spill, taking “full responsibility for the costs associated with cleaning and repairing damage.” [via NY Times]
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DEATHS
Former basketball player BRANDON HUNTER has died.
His unexpected passing was reported on Tuesday by Ohio basketball coach JEFF BOALS. No details were shared.
Hunter was only 42.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW was down 17 points (0.051%) to close at 34,645 on Tuesday. The S&P lost 25 points (0.57%) to close at 4,461 and the NASDAQ lost 144 points (1.04%) to close at 13,773.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $88; BRENT CRUDE at $92.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.86 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was up over 3.5% Tuesday, trading over $26,000.
🛩 There were more than 2,490 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 224 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $550 million jackpot or a $266 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Comedian MARGARET CHO shared her own diarrhea-on-a-plane story.
After the story of the Delta flight that had to turn around because of a passenger’s explosiv-pants situation, Cho confessed her own story on TikTok.
“I kept going up and down and going to the bathroom and sitting back down. And the smell was so bad, but also not human, that other people near me started to think there was something wrong with the plane,” Cho said.
When her fellow passengers alerted flight attendants to the smell Cho says she “dissociated” from the whole ordeal.
Comments on the video were full of others sharing their own plane potty problems. [via TikTok]
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There is an ongoing FBI investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against GUESS co-founder PAUL MARCIANO.
According to court documents, more than 100 former and current models, including KATE UPTON, have accused Marciano of rape and/or sexual harassment.
Upton claims he forcibly groped her while she worked for the brand in 2010.
Marciano, who founded GUESS alongside his brothers in 1981, has denied all allegations. [via Radar Online]
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DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER may soon head to Pennsylvania to aid in the hunt for escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante.
Sources told TMZ that the bounty hunter has been keeping tabs on the fugitive since he broke out of prison two weeks ago.
As previously reported, Cavalcante has been spotted a handful of times on security cameras in Chester County and in some homes.
Yesterday, State Police issued a stay-at-home order for residents after it was revealed that Cavalcante is now believed to be armed. [via TMZ]
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AEROSMITH has been forced to postpone the rest of September’s concerts after frontman STEVEN TYLER suffered vocal cord damage and is now under “strict doctor’s orders not to sing for the next thirty days.”
The six shows have been rescheduled for January and February 2024.
Aerosmith’s farewell tour kicked off in October. [via NY Post]
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When JOHNNY DEPP needs to get away, he heads to the Bahamas, where he says that he feels the most “normal.”
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, the 60-year-old actor called island life a “sanctuary” where he feels “freedom” and like he can “escape scrutiny.”
Depp is currently not enjoying island life, however, as he directs his friend AL PACINO in a movie about the artist Modigliani. [via SCMP]
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ED SHEERAN surprised some newlyweds in Vegas last week when he crashed their ceremony at the iconic Little White Chapel.
He serenaded the couple with a song from his seventh studio album, “Autumn Variations.”
Sheeran shared a video of the wedding crashing on Instagram, calling the moment “magical.” [via Daily Mail]
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CASTING CALL
The 2023 MTV VMAs took place last night, live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center. NICKI MINAJ served as host for the evening, which saw performances by DEMI LOVATO, OLIVIA RODRIGO, LIL WAYNE, FALL OUT BOY and more.
SHAKIRA took home the night’s Vanguard Award and SEAN “Diddy” COMBS was honored with the Global Icon Award.
And the winners are…
Video - Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”
Song - Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”
Artist - Taylor Swift
New Artist - Ice Spice
Push Performance - TOMORROW X TOGETHER, “Sugar Rush Ride”
Collaboration - KAROL G. & Shakira, “TQG”
Pop Video - Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”
Hip-Hop Video - Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl”
R&B Video - SZA, “Shirt”
K-Pop Video - Stray Kids, “S-Class”
Latin Video - Anitta, “Funk Rave”
Rock Video - Maneskin, “The Loneliest”
Alternative Video - Lana Del Rey ft. Jon Batiste, “Candy Necklace”
Afrobeats Video - Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”
Video for Good - Dove Cameron, “Breakfast”
Show of Summer - Taylor Swift
Group - BLACKPINK
Album - Taylor Swift, “Midnights”
Song of Summer - JungKook ft. Latto, “Seven”
###
“The Talk,” “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and “Sherri” are all resuming production.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the shows will follow all labor actions presented by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA as they prepare for their upcoming season premieres.
The news follow’s yesterday’s announcement that DREW BARRYMORE’s daytime talk show is set to return, which resulted in writers showing up at the show in New York on Monday to share their frustrations.
“The Talk” and Hudson’s show will both return on September 18, while a premiere date for “Sherri” is not yet known. [via THR]
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JAMIE LYNN SPEARS, the younger sister of BRITNEY SPEARS, has joined the Season 32 cast of “Dancing With the Stars;” dancing alongside pro-dancer ALAN BERSTEN.
She joins previously announced celeb competitors, ARIANA MADIX from “Vanderpump Rules” and CHARITY LAWSON from “The Bachelorette.”
The full list of competitors will be announced today on “GMA.”
BY THE WAY: Jamie Lynn said she will donate her weekly salary from the show to striking writers and actors. [via Page Six]
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BLAKE SHELTON is in the middle of an alleged feud between his wife, GWEN STEFANI and fellow country singer REBA MCENTIRE, who are both coaches on the new season of “The Voice.”
Rumor is both women are vying to be “queen bee” on the singing competition show and Shelton, whose empty red chair was filled by McEntire, has found himself stuck in the middle.
Insiders say Shelton doesn’t want to “ruffle Gwen’s feathers,” and he “worships the ground Reba walks on,” so he is trying his best to keep the situation civil. [via Radar Online]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Friends of BIANCA CENSORI are “extremely concerned” about her erratic behavior and clothing choices as she vacations with husband YE in Italy.
“Bianca is stuck and her friends are trying to save her, but no one can because of the blockades [Ye] has put up [around her],” a friend told the Daily Mail.
MEANWHILE: An investigation into some risque behavior the couple engaged in while traveling down a Venice canal is ongoing. [via Daily Mail]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES sent a brief, but very diplomatic, message of congratulations to North Korea on its National Day on September 9.
“As the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my good wishes for the future,” the King wrote, as published by North Korean state media.
WORTH NOTING: The timing is awkward as KIM JONG JUNIOR meets with VLADIMIR PUTIN to finalize an arms deal between the countries. Insiders tell The Daily Beast that the King sent the letter at the behest of the UK’s foreign office as a matter of good diplomacy and nothing more, and he likely personally had nothing to do with the verbiage. [via The Daily Beast]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
International Chocolate Day
National Peanut Day
National Defy Superstition Day
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
Programmers Day
National Quiet Day
Supernatural Day
National Hug Your Boss Day
Uncle Sam Day
Roald Dahl Day
Positive Thinking Day
National Fortune Cookie Day
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
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ON THIS DATE
1501 - Michelangelo starts chipping away on the massive block of marble that would become the statue of David.
Church higher-ups in Florence owned a big block of rock, and were consulting sculptors and artists to find the right artisan to carve it into a statue of the biblical hero David.
Other masters had taken a crack at it, including Donatello almost a hundred years earlier. Some shape had been given to the legs, and some form had been given to the body, but not much else.
It would take Michelangelo another three years to finish.
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1788 - With the Constitution for their new country hammered out and approved, the Continental Congress decides to implement their plans.
They pick the first Wednesday of the following January to be the nation's first Election Day. Voters would be selecting electors who would vote for the president the following February.
The new Congress would commence the following March.
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1833 - The first-ever shipment of ice reaches India, creating a lucrative market for American entrepreneur Frederic Tudor.
The ice had been cut from lakes near Massachusetts the previous winter, then stored in an insulated refrigerator. The large chunks were cut in two-to-three cubic foot blocks for shipment.
A special insulated hold was built inside the ship Clipper Tuscany for the voyage, which started with 180 tons of ice.
When the ship arrived in Calcutta, only about 100 tons were left. Indians did not take to the first shipments right away. But soon word spread about ice cooling drinks and sales took off. Tudor dominated the ice export market for more than 20 years.
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1899 - The first American vehicular manslaughter is committed.
Henry Bliss was walking across West 74th Street and Central Park West in New York City when a taxicab ran him over, crushing his head and chest. He would die the following day
The cab driver was charged with manslaughter, but acquitted because it was unintentional.
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1936 - 17-year-old pitcher Bob Feller strikes out 17 batters in a game, setting an American League record.
Feller was also the first pitcher to win at least 20 games in one season before turning 21 and led the American League in strikeouts over seven seasons.
Feller notably left professional baseball to fight in World War II.
He pitched for the Cleveland Indians throughout his entire career.
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1990 - Crime drama “Law & Order” debuts on NBC.
The first episode was called "Prescription for Death."
George Dzundza played Sergeant Max Greevey, accompanied by Chris Noth playing Detective Mike Logan.
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2004 - Oprah Winfrey gives a free car to each member of her studio audience.
The brand-new Pontiac G-6s were worth $28,500 a pop.
Though the Great Woman was lauded for her beneficence, the stunt was actually bankrolled by Pontiac, hoping to build excitement for its new model of cars.
Though the carmaker paid the winners' state sales tax, people still had to pay about $6,000 in state and federal income taxes for the cars.
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2019 - Actress Felicity Huffman is sentenced to 14 days in prison for her role in the college admissions scandal.
She was also ordered to pay a $30,000 fine and complete 250 hours of community service.
Huffman was given until October 25 to report to prison to begin her sentence.
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BIRTHDAYS
Lili Reinhart - actress, “Riverdale” - 27
Playboi Carti - rapper - 27
Robbie Kay - actor, “Once Upon a Time” - 28
Niall Horan - pop singer - 30
Michael Hardy - country singer - 33
Baron Corbin - wrestler - 39
Ben Savage - actor, “Boys Meets World” - 43
Swizz Beatz - music producer - 45
Fiona Apple - rock singer - 46
Stella McCartney - fashion designer - 52
Tyler Perry - actor & producer - 54
Michelle Duggar - reality star & “19 Kids and Counting” - 57
Dave Mustaine - metal singer, Metallica - 62
Chris Hansen - journalist - 64
Born On This Date
Roald Dahl - children’s author, “The Witches” & “The BFG” - 1916 (d. 1990)
Milton S. Hershey - entrepreneur, Hershey Chocolate Company - 1857 (d. 1945)