December 13 Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- National Day is being celebrated in Saint Lucia
- Republic Day is being celebrated in Malta
Today in Astrology
- People born on this day are Sagittarius as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- First nuclear fusion reaction in a laboratory setting, replicating the same energy that powers the sun - announced by scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California.
- US President Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act into law, mandating federal recognition of same-sex marriages in ceremony at the White House.
- Washington Capitals center Alex Ovechkin scores a hat trick in 7-3 away win over Chicago Blackhawks to join Wayne Gretzky & Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to score 800 goals.
- DEATHS
- Stephen Boss, Dancer.
- Curt Simmons, American baseball pitcher (3 x MLB All-Star; World Series 1964 St. Louis Cardinals; Philadelphia Phillies), who died at 93.
- TV SERIES
- Kindred: Season 1 is released.
Young Black aspiring writer Dana (Mallori Johnson) has just moved to Los Angeles when she is suddenly pulled back into 1800s and a planation that has ties to her family in this adaptation of Octavia E. Butler's novel of the same name.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- Marvel superhero film "Spider-Man: No Way Home" starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Benedict Cumberbatch, directed by Jon Watts, premieres in Los Angeles.
- 1 in a 100 Americans aged over 65 has now died of COVID-19 pandemic, or 75% of total deaths, according to the CDC.
- First COVID-19 pandemic Omicron death in the UK reported by PM Boris Johnson.
- Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, named Time's Person of the Year.
- American soul and R&B musician Joe Simon died age 85. He charted 51 U.S. Pop and R&B chart hits between 1964 and 1981. His biggest hits included three number one entries on the US Billboard R&B chart: ‘The Chokin' Kind’ (1969), ‘Power of Love’ (1972), and ‘Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)’ (1975)..
- DEATHS
- Joe Simon, American soul and R& B singer (" Power of Love"), who died at 85.
- TV SERIES
- American Auto: Season 1 is released.
A new CEO (Ana Gasteyer) takes the helm of Payne Motors as the company seeks to revive its fortunes in this workplace comedy created by Justin Spitzer.
On this day in 2020
- EVENTS
- British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finishes 3rd in season-ending Abu Dhabi GP to claim record equalling 7th F1 World Drivers C'ship by 124 points from teammate Valtteri Bottas; Mercedes'7th straight Constructors title.
- Germany announces a strict lockdown till Jan 10 after looser restrictions failed to prevent COVID-19 pandemic numbers surging.
- DEATHS
- Otto Baric, Croatian soccer manager (Croatia, Austria, Wacker Innsbruck, SK Rapid, SV Salzburg), who died from COVID-19 pandemic at 87.
- Pierre Lacroix, Canadian NHL executive (Quebec Nordiques; Stanley Cup 1996,2001 Colorado Avalanche), who died from COVID-19 pandemic complications at 72.
- Jimmy Collins, American basketball shooting guard (Chicago Bulls) and coach (University of Illinois, Chicago 1996-2010), who died from heart surgery complications at 74.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Roy Loney, the founding lead singer of the influential San Francisco power pop band the Flamin' Groovies, died age 73. The Flamin' Groovies came together in San Francisco in 1965 when guitarists Loney and childhood friend Tim Lynch began working with guitarist Cyril Jordan, bassist George Alexander and drummer Danny Mihm. Three years later, they released the self-financed Sneakers EP, which helped them get signed to Epic..
- A settlement was reached in the Tom Petty estate battle between the rock legend’s widow and his two daughters from a previous marriage. Petty’s daughters Adria Petty and Annakim Violette sued Dana York Petty for $5 million after claiming that the widow superseded the daughters’ rights to "equal participation"over decisions involving the singer’s estate and catalog..
- DEATHS
- Emil Richards [Radocchia], American session and touring vibraphonist and percussionist [George Shearing; Frank Sinatra; Lalo Schifrin; Frank Zappa; George Harrison; Harry Partch; Shadowfax), who died at 87.
- Carl Scheer, American basketball executive (general manager Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets; inventor NBA Slam Dunk Contest), who died from complications of dementia at 82.
- Richard G Hatcher, American attorney and politician (Mayor of Gary, Indiana,1968-88), who died at 88.
- Yasuhiro Takai, Japanese baseball first baseman, designated hitter and broadcaster (NPB record 27 career pinch-hit home runs; Hankyu Braves), who died of kidney failure at 74.
- ALBUMS
- Free Nationals was released by Free Nationals.
The debut full-length release for the backing band for Anderson.Paak features guest appearances from.Paak, Kadhja Bonet, Daniel Caesar, Callum Connor, Chronixx, Conway, Jid, Miknna, Mac Miller, T. Nava, Benny Sings, Syd, T.I., Kali Uchis, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Westside Gunn, and Joyce Wrice. - Heavy is the Head was released by Stormzy.
The second full-length studio release for the British grime artist features guest appearances from Aitch, Burna Boy, H.E.R., Headie One, Ed Sheeran, Tiana Major9, and YEBBA. - Fine Line was released by Harry Styles.
The second full-length solo release for the One Direction member features production from Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon, and Sammy Witte. - Bubba was released by Kaytranada.
The second full-length release for the Montreal artist features guest appearancesa from Durand Bernarr, Eight9fly, Estelle, GoldLink, Mick Jenkins, Masego, Teedra Moses, Iman Omari, Ari PenSmith, SiR, Tinashe, Kali Uchis, VanJess, Pharrell Williams, and Charlotte Day Wilson. - MOVIES
- Black Christmas - PG-13 is released.
Hawthorne College is quieting down for the holidays. But as Riley Stone (Imogen Poots) and her Mu Kappa Epsilon sisters-athlete Marty (Lily Donoghue), rebel Kris (Aleyse Shannon), and foodie Jesse (Brittany O'Grady)-prepare to deck the halls with a series of seasonal parties, a black-masked stalker begins killing sorority women one by one. As the body count rises, Riley and her squad start to question whether they can trust any man, including Marty's beta-male boyfriend, Nate (Simon Mead), Riley's new crush Landon (Caleb Eberhardt) or even esteemed classics instructor Professor Gelson (Cary Elwes). Whoever the killer is, he's about to discover that this generation's young women aren't about to be anybody's victims. - Bombshell - R is released.
A group of women decide to take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over the network. - A Hidden Life - Not Rated is released.
Based on real events, A Hidden Life is the story of Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is faced with the threat of execution for treason, it is his unwavering faith and his love for his wife, Fani, and children that keeps his spirit alive. - Chinese Portrait - Not Rated is released.
From acclaimed director Wang Xiaoshuai (Beijing Bicycle; So Long, My Son) comes a personal snapshot of contemporary China in all its diversity. Shot over the course of ten years on both film and video, the film consists of a series of carefully composed tableaus of people and environments. pedestrains shuffle across a bustling Beijing street, steelworkers linger outside a deserted factory, tourists laugh and scamper across a crowded beach, worshippers kneel to pray in a remote village. With a painterly eye for composition, Wang captures China as he sees it, calling to a temporary halt a land in a constant state of change. [Cinema Guild] - Cunningham - Not Rated is released.
Cunningham traces Merce Cunningham’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery (1944–1972), from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world’s most visionary choreographers. The 3D technology weaves together Merce's philosophies and stories, creating a visceral journey into his innovative work. - Jumanji: The Next Level - PG-13 is released.
In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, in order to escape the world's most dangerous game. - Richard Jewell - R is released.
The world is first introduced to Richard Jewell as the security guard who reports finding the device at the 1996 Atlanta bombing—his report making him a hero whose swift actions save countless lives. But within days, the law enforcement wannabe becomes the FBI’s number one suspect, vilified by press and public alike, his life ripped apart. Reaching out to independent, anti-establishment attorney Watson Bryant, Jewell staunchly professes his innocence. But Bryant finds he is out of his depth as he fights the combined powers of the FBI, GBI and APD to clear his client’s name, while keeping Richard from trusting the very people trying to destroy him. - Rabid - Not Rated is released.
What happens when you realize that to achieve your dreams you have to live a nightmare? Rose is a quiet, demure, unassuming woman in her looks and actions. Her dream is to become a famous designer in the fashion world, but a terrible accident leaves Rose scarred beyond recognition. She seeks out a radical untested stem cell treatment. The treatment is nothing short of a miracle and wallflower Rose turns into the belle of the ball. It all seems to good to be true. She is now everything she wanted to be. But everything in life comes at a price and this new found perfect life is no exception. - The Death and Life of John F. Donovan - R is released.
A decade after the death of an American TV star, a young actor reminisces about the written correspondence he once shared with the former, as well as the impact those letters had on both their lives. - Seberg - Not Rated is released.
Seberg is inspired by true events about the French New Wave darling and Breathless star, Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart), who in the late 1960s was targeted by the FBI because of her support of the civil rights moCvement and romantic involvement with Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie), among others. In Benedict Andrews’ noir-ish thriller, Seberg’s life and career are destroyed by Hoover’s overreaching surveillance and harassment in an effort to suppress and discredit Seberg’s activism. - Uncut Gems - R is released.
Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic New York City jeweler, is always on the lookout for the next big score. When he makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime, Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides, in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win. - What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael - Not Rated is released.
Pauline Kael was likely the most powerful, and influential, movie critic of the 20th century. Her love of movies was revealed in her ruthless pursuit of what made a movie or an actor's performance work, or not, and why -- which made her a lightning rod amongst colleagues and readers. The latter golden age of movies of the 1960s and 1970s are the focus of this film that pursues the question of what made Pauline Kael's work so individual, so personal -- and so damned good.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- US Senate passes non-binding "war powers resolution" against long-term ally Saudi Arabia.
- Passenger train collides with maintenance locomotive in Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 9 and injuring 47.
- German basketball forward Dirk Nowitzki takes the court for his record 21st NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks, surpassing Kobe Bryant's 20 seasons with the LA Lakers.
- Cease-fire in port city of Hudaydah, Yemen, by Houthi rebels and Saudi-led coalition announced by the UN.
- Actress Eliza Dushku revealed received $9.5 million settlement from CBS after sexual harassment on set of "Bull" from actor Michael Weatherley.
- Apple announces new $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas and expansion in other US cities.
- DEATHS
- Alann Steen, American journalist and educator, and political hostage (Beirut,1987-91), who died of cancer at 79.
- Nancy Wilson, American jazz vocalist (Feel Like Making Love), who died at 81.
- MOVIES
- Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki - Not Rated is released.
In 2013, film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki suddenly announced his retirement at the age of 72. But he couldn't shake his burning desire to create. After an encounter with young CGI animators, Miyazaki embarked on a new endeavor, his first project ever to utilize CGI. But the artist, who had been adamant about hand-drawn animation, confronted many challenges. The film even faces the danger of being cancelled. Can an old master who thinks he's past his prime shine once again? This program goes behind the scenes over two years as Miyazaki overcomes struggles to create his short film using CGI.
On this day in 2017
- EVENTS
- Online dictionary Merriam-Webster's most searched word of the year is Feminism.
- Online dictionery Merriam-Webster's most searched word of the year is Feminism.
- Prehistoric bones of a penguin as tall as a human (1.77m) found on Otago beach, New Zealand, reported in "Nature Communications".
- Prime Minister Theresa May's UK Conservative government loses key vote in Parliament for an amendment to allow MPs to vote on Brexit.
- Salma Hayek accuses Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment and threatening to kill her.
- Scientists begin checking interstellar asteroid Oumuamua for signs of alien technology through radio signals.
- Scientists begin checking interstellar asteroid Oumuamua for signs of alien technology through radio signals (later studies conclude it a piece of sliced off planet).
- Democratic Republic of Congo jails for life 11 militiamen for raping 40 children, including a local MP.
- DEATHS
- Bette Howland [Lee Sotonoff], American writer and literary critic (Blue in Chicago, The iron year), who died from multiple sclerosis and dementia at 80.
- Warrel Dane, American singer (Nevermore), who died of a heart attack at 56.
- Tommy Nobis, American football linebacker (Atlanta Falcons), who died at 74.
On this day in 2016
- EVENTS
- UN claims 82 civilians have been summary executed in Aleppo by pro-government forces.
- DEATHS
- Thomas Schelling, American economist, (Nobel Prize 2005 - game-theory analysis), who died at 95.
- Zubaida Tharwat, Movie Actress.
- Alan Thicke, Canadian actor (Growing Pains), host (Thicke of the Night), and theme song composer (Diff'rent Strokes; The Facts of Life), who died of an aortic dissection at 69.
- Alan Thicke, Canadian actor, singer-songwriter (Thicke of the Night, Growing Pains), who died at 69.
- Alan Thicke, TV Actor.
- Er Braithwaite, Novelist.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- 81st Heisman Trophy Award: Derrick Henry, Alabama (RB).
- Irishman Conor McGregor knocks out Brazilian Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win his 1st featherweight title in Las Vegas.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- The British Government announces it will send hundreds of troops to Iraq, to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces in the conflict with Islamic State.
- 80th Heisman Trophy Award: Marcus Mariota, Oregon (QB).
- Fatou Bensouda, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, criticizes UN Security Council for its lack of action over war crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan.
- Divisions emerge between rich and poor nations at the UN climate change talks in Peru.
- A civil rights protest march in Washington, D.C. takes place, against the police killing of unarmed black men.
- Two US soldiers killed in a Taliban bombing of a NATO convoy in Kabul.
- DEATHS
- Raoul Cita, American R& B pianist and songwriter (Harptones), who died at 86.
- Raoul Cita, R& B pianist and songwriter (Harptones), who died at 86.
On this day in 2013
- EVENTS
- " Beyoncé" 5th studio album by Beyoncé is released.
- ALBUMS
- Beyoncé was released by Beyoncé.
The fifth full-length record for the R&B pop singer was a surprise iTunes release, with a short film accompanying each track. - MOVIES
- American Hustle - R is released.
A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting. Caught between the con-artists and Feds is Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator, but it's Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) who could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. [Sony Pictures] - Here Comes the Devil - Not Rated is released.
A married couple lose their children while on a family trip near some caves in Tijuana. The kids eventually reappear without explanation, but it becomes clear that they are not who they used to be, that something terrifying has changed them. - Hours - PG-13 is released.
A father (Paul Walker) struggles to keep his infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. - Saving Mr. Banks - PG-13 is released.
When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney's plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn't budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history. [Walt Disney Pictures] - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - PG-13 is released.
Thorin and company have reached Lake-town and it is time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. If Bilbo and the others are able to gain the treasure, will they be able to keep it? And will they discover what has become of the wizard Gandalf? - The Last of the Unjust - PG-13 is released.
A place: Theresienstadt. A unique place of propaganda which Adolf Eichmann called the "model ghetto", designed to mislead the world and Jewish people regarding its real nature, to be the last step before the gas chamber. A man: Benjamin Murmelstein, last president of the Theresienstadt Jewish Council, a fallen hero condemned to exile, who was forced to negotiate day after day from 1938 until the end of the war with Eichmann, to whose trial Murmelstein wasn't even called to testify. Even though he was without a doubt the one who knew the Nazi executioner best. More than twenty-five years after Shoah, Claude Lanzmann's new film reveals a little-known yet fundamental aspect of the Holocaust, and sheds light on the origins of the "Final Solution"like never before. - Some Velvet Morning - Not Rated is released.
Fred (Stanley Tucci) arrives at the doorstep of his beautiful young mistress Velvet (Alice Eve) after four years apart, claiming to have finally left his wife. But when she rejects his attempts to rekindle their romance, his persistence evolves into obsession, and a dark history between the former lovers comes into focus. [Tribeca Film] - Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas - PG-13 is released.
Madea dispenses her unique form of holiday spirit on a rural town when she's coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit for Christmas.