Today is Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
It is the 247th day of the year.
119 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
ELON MUSK continues his fight against Brazil’s crackdown on X and a pioneering Houston woman reveals garbage corruption. Details in HIT LIST.
The hits keep coming for BEN and JEN. Find out more in SHOWBIZ.
A “One Tree Hill” sequel is in the works. Details in CASTING CALL.
KIM is “In Vogue” and YE embarks on a new venture. More on that in KARDASH.
PRINCE HARRY makes some moves to return to England (maybe). Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
After ELON MUSK publicly announced his refusal to censor posts made on X at the request of Brazil’s corrupt Supreme Court minister ALEXANDRE DE MORAES, Brazil’s government shutdown access to the entire platform over the weekend.
At first, the government announced a fine worth about $8,800 a day for people who used Virtual Private Networks to work around the ban, but by Monday eased up and clarified it would only pursue legal action against those using VPNs to post what it deems to be hate speech or misinformation. Over the weekend, Musk and his allies openly encouraged X users across the globe to use VPNs through Brazil to overload their systems and make it next to impossible to track internet use among the people of Brazil.
X remains inaccessible in Brazil through regular internet access, however.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Brazil shut down the entire platform because Musk, through X, refused to shut down the account of a sitting Senator critical of Brazil’s government.
BUT WAIT: Don’t forget that Musk also owns a constellation of satellites that provide direct internet access to customers called STARLINK, a subsidiary of SPACEX. A rep for Starlink confirmed to Reuters on Monday that Starlink would not be complying with Brazil’s demand to shut down X entirely in the country. [via CNBC]
SPEAKING OF SOUTH AMERICAN DICTATORSHIPS: The Department of Homeland Security confiscated the jet of Venezuelan president NICOLAS MADURO on Sunday. The Dassault Falcon 900-EX had made a stop in the Dominican Republic when DHS agents seized it; they say it was purchased in violation of sanctions levied against Venezuela in 2019 by then-President DONALD TRUMP. At face value, the seizure is not a response to Maduro’s refusal to concede his election loss, though tensions continue to rise as the strongman digs in his heels. [via Bill Melugin, Morning Martini]
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The STARLINER crew over the weekend reported hearing strange sounds coming from the spaceship as it remains docked to the International Space Station.
TURNS OUT: An onboard microphone was just capturing some speaker noise, creating a feedback loop. The minor snafu will not change NASA and Boeing’s plan to bring Starliner back to Earth. That mission could happen as soon as late Friday night. [via USA Today]
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A Houston woman who put Apple AirTags in her recycling bin discovered that her carefully-curated items ended up with all her other garbage.
Brandy Deason says she was skeptical of Houston’s new program that widely expanded the items it allowed in the recycling bin. She tells local media that at least three trackers ended up at the dump with everything else. Public records show that facility is not even approved to store plastic waste; worse, it’s failed three recent fire safety inspections. Drone footage from local media shows recycling items stacked ten feet high within the facility.
The city’s bureaucrat tasked with managing solid waste disposal tells Houston’s CBS affiliate that none of the 250 TONS of plastic collected since the end of 2022 has actually been recycled. “We’re gonna stockpile it for now. We’re gonna see what happens,” he said. [via KHOU]
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A North Carolina school district issued students laptops this year – complete with their very own bed bug infestation.
Following multiple complaints from parents, the principal of Riverside High School in Durham sent an email acknowledging that the infestation started while the laptops were stored over the summer.
For now, the school is having the devices returned and encouraging families to have their homes inspected for creepy-crawlies.
ROUGH START: Unrelated, Riverside High School also apparently sent out incorrect first paychecks to more than 50 employees. [via WRAL]
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Complaints from air travelers increased 12% last year, with over 96,850 “submissions” from flyers -- up from just over 86,000 the year prior.
Of those, 70% were issues with US airlines, while 26% were related to foreign airlines.
The top complaint had to do with disability-related concerns -- a 28% surge from 2022 -- while discrimination-relation complaints saw a 27% increase.
The report did not break down the complaints per airline or airport. [via DOT]
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DEATHS
Actor OBI NDEFO has died.
He passed away Saturday, according to a social media post from his sister. No other details were shared.
Ndefo, who was also a yoga teacher, is best known for his role as Bodie on “Dawson’s Creek.”
He was only 51.
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NHL star JOHNNY GAUDREAU and his brother, hockey coach MATTHEW have died.
They were killed by a suspected drunk driver last Thursday evening, while riding bikes in New Jersey. Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew were in town for their sister’s wedding.
Johnny was only 31 and Matthew was only 29.
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Rapper FATMAN SCOOP, born Issac Freeman III, has died.
He passed away Friday after suffering a medical emergency while performing at a summer concert in Connecticut.
Scoop worked with several big names in the music biz, including MISSY ELLIOTT and MARIAH CAREY.
He was only 53.
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AUDI executive FABRIZIO LONGO has died.
He passed away Sunday after falling 10,000 feet while climbing Cima Payer in the Adamello mountains in northern Italy.
Longo, an expert mountaineer, was reportedly climbing along a route equipped with fixed steel cables, ladders and other aids. Local authorities are investigating the tragedy.
He was only 62.
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BABY NEWS
Steelers linebacker TJ WATT and his wife, DANI WATT, are expecting their first child.
He’s 29 and she’s 26.
The couple announced the news on Instagram with photos highlighting Dani’s baby bump.
Baby is due in February 2025 -- perhaps after the Steelers win the Super Bowl.
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BREAKUPS
Actress LEAH REMINI filed for divorce from her husband, actor ANGELO PAGAN last week, after 21 years of marriage.
She cited irreconcilable differences as the reason, August 1 as their official date of separation, and waived her right to spousal support. Pagan also waived his right to spousal support in a response submitted on Friday.
There is no child support or custody to figure out as their daughter Sofia is 20. Pagan also has three sons from a previous relationship.
In a joint Instagram post, the former couple said they are “approaching [the divorce] with a positive outlook” and ask for time as they “move forward in [their] new normal.” They also explained that the split is simply due to “playing roles that didn’t fit [them] anymore.”
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RELATIONSHIPS
JASON DUGGAR is engaged to MADDIE GRACE.
He’s 24-years-old and the 12th of 19 Duggar kids. No word on her age.
The wedding will take place next spring.
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SICK BAY
Rookie 49ers RICKY PEARSALL was hospitalized Saturday for a gunshot wound to the chest he suffered during an attempted robbery.
According to authorities, a teen gunman attempted to steal Pearsall’s Rolex. During a struggle, the gun went off, hitting both Pearsall and the teenager.
The teen was arrested and taken to the hospital in stable condition, while Pearsall was listed as “serious but stable.” He has since been released.
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WEDDINGS
PRINCESS MARTHA LOUISE of Norway tied the knot with self-proclaimed shaman, DUREK VERRETT of California in a multi-day celebration last week.
She’s 52 and he’s 49.
Martha, the eldest child of KING HARALD, claims she communicates with angels, while her new husband says he can communicate with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion that wards off spells and can cure diseases.
Verrett will not receive a royal title or official duties, as Martha previously declared she would no longer represent the Norwegian royal house.
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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE - HOLIDAY WEEKEND
10: Inside Out 2: $4 million (stayed at 10)
9. Afraid: $4.4 million (new)
8. Despicable Me 4: $5.6 million (up from 9)
7. Blink Twice: $5.9 million (down from 4)
6. The Forge: $6.3 million (down from 5)
5. Twisters: $8.7 million (up from 6)
4. Reagan: $9.2 million (new)
3. It Ends With Us: $9.5 million (stayed at 3)
2. Alien: Romulus: $11.5 million (stayed at 2)
1. Deadpool & Wolverine: $19.4 million (stayed at 1)
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 228 points (0.55%) to close at 41,563 on Friday. The S&P increased 56 points (1.01%) to close at 5,648 and the NASDAQ increased 197 points (1.13%) to close at 17,713.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $74; BRENT CRUDE at $77.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.33 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN gained on Monday after a weekend lull, up over 2% and trading around $59,100.
🛩 There were more than 3,480 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 90 such cancellations.
💰Tonight's MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $681 million jackpot or a $336.1 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
More details have emerged following “DWTS” pro ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV’s domestic violence arrest last week.
According to multiple sources, Artem is the one who made the 911 call, accusing his wife, NIKKI GARCIA (formerly Nikki Bella) of throwing shoes at him. Moments later, he canceled the request, saying there was no longer any need for medical assistance.
Officers still reported to the scene, likely because of the nature of the call and the fact that the couple’s young son was in the home. Once there, Artem was arrested because there were reportedly visible injuries on Nikki. He was released later that same day after posting a $25,000 bond.
The following day, Nikki addressed the incident on social media, asking for privacy for her and her family.
WORTH NOTING: Insiders claim that the couple, who celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary last week, have always been volatile, though note that things never got physical before. [via SFGATE]
ALSO: Artem was not returning for the upcoming season of “DWTS” prior to this incident.
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DIDDY UPDATE: Federal prosecutors issued a grand jury subpoena to an unidentified high-end hotel in Miami, requesting documents pertaining to SEAN COMBS, his ex DAPHNE JOY, and other associates who stayed there anytime from January 2008 to present day.
More specifically, the doc requests check-in and check-out dates, room numbers, guest preferences, billing information, email and mailing addresses, phone numbers, forms of payment and copies of vehicle information for said guests.
Prosecutors also asked for the hotel to hand over surveillance footage.
The subpoena is all related to the raid conducted by Homeland Security agents at Combs’ homes earlier this year. [via TMZ]
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During the final show of her 10-show run in Munich, ADELE told fans she is “taking a break for an incredibly long time” from music.
No reason why was shared.
She still does have to wrap up her Vegas residency which will take her through November 23, however. [via TMZ]
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JENNIFER LOPEZ and BEN AFFLECK are struggling to sell their $68 million Beverly Hills mansion because it is “overpriced, in a bad location and too big,” according to a West Coast real estate investor.
“The house is ugly. It was built in 2001 by a mediocre developer with just bad taste in architecture … it’s a mish-mosh of styles with a faux French roof,” the expert added.
The exes bought the 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom home in 2023 for just over $60.8 million. They also put millions into renovating it. [via NewsNation]
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DJ DAVID GUETTA sold his 2,521-square-foot Miami apartment for $16 million.
That breaks down to about $6,300-per-square-feet, setting a new record for Miami Beach, and marking the second-highest price paid-per-square-foot in Miami-Dade County.
Guetta bought the pad in 2018 for $9.5 million.
FOR THE RECORD: Apartments in the building rent for anywhere from $16,000 to $84,000-per-month. [via NY Post]
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On the heels of his wife, LINDA REESE, filing for divorce, Judge GREG MATHIS says he intends to do anything and everything he can to win her back.
He also admits to not making her a “top priority” during the height of his career, which he says led to their downfall.
Linda filed last month, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason. They have been married since 1985. [via TMZ]
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A BOYZ II MEN reunion could be in the works.
On Friday, MICHAEL MCCARY, the fourth member of the group, was onstage alongside his bandmates -- WANYA MORRIS, NATHAN MORRIS and SHAWN STOCKMAN -- during their show in Las Vegas. The sight was notable as McCray left the group 21 years ago due to health issues.
“There will be another day that we’ll all be onstage together, trust me,” he told the crowd. “It’s coming, and I love these guys.” [via People]
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CASTING CALL
A “One Tree Hill” sequel series is in the works at Netflix.
Original stars SOPHIA BUSH, HILARIE BURTON and DANEEL ACKLES will serve as executive producers, alongside Ackles’ husband, actor JENSEN ACKLES.
Bush and Burton also plan to reprise their roles as Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively. No word yet on if other original stars also plan to return, including Daneel who played Rachel Gatina.
“One Tree Hill” ran for nine seasons on The WB and later The CW. [via Forbes]
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REESE WITHERSPOON and RYAN PHILLIPPE’s son, DEACON PHILLIPPE, is in talks to star alongside LIAM NEESON in a bread-new heist film, titled “4 Kids Walk into a Bank.”
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the movie follows ex-bank robber Danny (Neeson), whose teenage granddaughter Paige (TALIA RYDER) enlists three of her friends to rob a bank so her grandfather doesn’t have to.
The role would be Deacon’s first feature-length film. [via Deadline]
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“Lost” star DANIEL DAE KIM wanted a memento from the show when it ended, but didn’t want anything that would take up “a lot of space, so he settled on an “ashtray from the crashed airplane.”
Dae Kim played Jin-Soo Kwon in all six seasons of the hit ABC series, which ended in 2010.
Next up, he will star in “Yellow Face” on Broadway. [via People]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
One insider shed some light on why KIM KARDASHIAN appears in Hulu’s documentary, “In Vogue: The 90s,” after many questioned what insight she could possibly offer.
“Kim’s very solid, hard-won relationship with Vogue boss Anna Wintour” is the “number one reason” she appears in the series, the source explained. “Kim is very loyal to Anna.”
“She was invited, and she talked to the filmmakers for free,” another insider added.
Others appearing in the doc include GWYNETH PALTROW, VICTORIA BECKHAM, ELIZABETH HURLEY and KATE MOSS.
“In Vogue: The 90s” premieres on September 13. [via The Sun]
MEANWHILE: Kim’s ex-husband YE registered a new trademark for a brand called Droam, covering everything from umbrellas and whips to shoulder and tote bags. The filing also covers a possible future gym-wear line. [via The Express]
IT PAYS TO BE YE: News of the filing comes after the rapper and his entourage were able to “skip the bill” on a $600 dinner of Korean Hanwoo beef because the restaurant owner is a fan. [via The Express]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
PRINCE HARRY wants to rebuild his life in Britain and climb back into the fold among other Senior Royals.
Harry and wife MEGHAN MARKLE have cut ties with a public relations firm in the U.S. and Harry’s turning to his old staff and contacts in Britain to consider ways to rehab his image among subjects of the Crown. Harry’s old friends have reportedly gathered in a group chat with the Duke to discuss ways to get him back in the peoples’ good graces, calling their project “Operation Bring Harry In From the The Cold.”
One insider tells the Daily Mail about Harry, “He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working.’ In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.” [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Telephone Tuesday
National Another Look Unlimited Day
US Bowling League Day
Merchant Navy Day
National Skyscraper Day
National Welsh Rarebit Day
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ON THIS DATE
1783 - John Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay sign the Treaty of Paris, ending the war between the new American nation and Britain.
Signing for the Crown was David Hartley, a member of Parliament.
As part of the agreement, Britain would acknowledge the sovereignty of the 13 American states and Americans would return any land to British loyalists that had been confiscated.
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1812 - Shawnee Indians slaughter settlers at Pigeon Roost in Indiana.
24 are killed, including women and children. Buildings are burned to the ground.
The leader of the attack admitted he had been outfitted with weapons by British soldiers. It was the first of such attacks during the War of 1812, in which Indians were being supplied by England.
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1878 - The party barge Princess Alice strikes the SS Bywell Castle in the River Thames.
A maneuver by the Castle confused the captain of the Princess Alice, which ran right into the much larger, industrial ship. The smaller Princess Alice sank in under four minutes.
Most of the passengers were trapped inside and drowned. Those who jumped overboard were poisoned by the sewage that had recently been released into that section of the river.
In total, 620 were recorded to have died.
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1939 - Poland’s allies rally behind the country, which 2 days prior was invaded by Nazis.
France, the UK, New Zealand, and Austria declare war on Germany.
They form the core Allied forces, joined in 1941 by the United States
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1970 - Vince Lombardi dies after a bout with cancer. He was 57 years old.
Lombardi is the namesake of the NFL championship trophy. He has two Super Bowl victories to his name, and finished his career with 105 wins, 35 losses, and 6 ties.
Lombardi would be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975.
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1976 - NASA’s Viking II probe lands on the surface of Mars.
Its predecessor Viking I landed on July 20 of the same year, but the Viking II was the first to take pictures of Mars' geography.
Viking II would roll around for almost two more years, and send nearly 16,000 images of the Red Planet back to Earth.
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2008 - The Oklahoma City NBA franchise announces the team will be named the “Thunder,” making reference to the state’s location in Tornado Alley.
Also, Oklahoma City is home of the US Army’s 45th Infantry Division -- The Thunderbirds.
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2020 - MacKenzie Scott becomes the world’s richest woman.
The ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is worth $68 billion.
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BIRTHDAYS
Jack Dylan Grazer - actor, “It” & “Shazam!” - 21
Adam Jones - guitarist, SM6 - 22
Kaia Gerber - model - 23
Christian Anthony - guitarist, Chase Atlantic - 27
August Alsina - R&B singer - 32
OMI - pop singer - 38
Shaun White - Olympic snowboarder - 38
Garrett Hedlund - actor, “Tron: Legacy” - 40
Jenny Finch - Olympic softball player - 44
Jenny Han - author, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” - 45
Redfoo - rapper, LMFAO - 49
Gareth Southgate - soccer player - 54
Charlie Sheen - actor, “Two and a Half Men” & “Platoon” - 59
Steve Jones - rock guitarist, Sex Pistols - 69
Born On This Date
Whitey Bulger - organized crime boss - 1929 (d. 2018)
Ferdinand Porsche - founder of Porsche car company - 1875 (d. 1951)
Louis Sullivan - architect, Father of Skyscrapers - 1856 (d. 1924)
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