SaturdaySat, January 4th Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- Independence Day is being celebrated in Myanmar
- Martyrs' Day is being celebrated in Dr Congo
- New Year Holiday is being celebrated in Armenia
- New Year's Day Holiday is being celebrated in Russia
- World Braille Day is being celebrated in International
- People born on this day are Capricorn as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
Happening Today
- DEATHS
- Fay Weldon [Franklin Birkinshaw], British feminist, novelist (Praxis; The Lives and Loves of a She-Devil), playwright, and screenwriter, who died at 91.
- TV SERIES
- The Lying Life of Adults: Season 1 is released. The Italian-language series adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel of the same name is centered on the coming-of-age of Giovanna (Giordana Marengo) in 1990s Naples.
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- Toyota becomes the first foreign automaker to top US sales, beating GM in 2021, partly due to supply issues.
- DEATHS
- Rolf-Dieter Amend, German canoeist (Olympic gold GDR C-2 slalom 1972), who died at 72.
- Javier Astúa, Costa Rican soccer forward (13 caps; Puntarenas FC), and manager (Puntarenas FC), who died at 53.
- Kevin Kalkhoven, Australian auto racing team owner (KV Racing Technology, Indy 500 2013), co-owner Champ Car World Series, investor Cosworth Group Holdings Ltd, who died at 77.
- POLITICS
- Canadian government announces US$31.5 billion settlement to fix and compensate for Indigenous child welfare system, largest in its history.
- SPORTS
- Anatoliy Kuksov, Ukrainian soccer midfielder (8 caps USSR; FC Zorya Luhansk 489 games) and manager (Hirnyk Rovenky), who died at 72.
- Ross Browner, American College Football HOF defensive end (Notre Dame; Maxwell Award 1977; Cincinnati Bengals), who died from COVID-19 pandemic at 67.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- South Korea, already the country with world's lowest birth rate, records more deaths than births for the first time.
- 1st Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 pandemic vaccines given to the general public with 82 year old Brian Pinker in the UK first to be jabbed.
- First Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 pandemic vaccinations given in the UK.
- DEATHS
- Albert Roux, French chef and restaurateur (Le Gavroche,1st Michelin three-starred restaurant in Britain), who died at 85.
- John Muckler, Canadian ice hockey coach (Stanley Cup Edmonton Oilers 1990; Buffalo Sabres, NY Rangers) and executive (GM Ottawa Senators), who died at 86.
- Gregory Sierra, American stage and screen actor (Barney Miller - "Chano"), who died of cancer at 83.
- Tanya Roberts, American actress (Charlie's Angels, A View to a Kill), who died at 65.
- [Victoria] Tanya Roberts, American actress (Charlie's Angels,1980-81; A View To A Kill; That 70's Show), who died of sepsis at 65.
- ALBUMS
- J.T. was released by Steve Earle & the Dukes. The latest full-length release for the singer-songwriter features one original written by Steve Earle and 10 songs written by his late son, Justin Townes Earle, who passed away in August 2020.
On this day in 2020
- EVENTS
- Miley Cyrus reached a settlement in the $300 million copyright infringement lawsuit that accused the singer of stealing her 2013 hit 'We Can’t Stop.' The lawsuit, filed in 2018, was made by Jamaican songwriter Michael May, who alleged that 'We Can’t Stop' replicated his 1988 track 'We Run Things.'.
- Floods and landslides caused by torrential rain in Jakarta, Indonesia, kill at least 53.
- Australian bushfires death toll reaches 23 as PM Scott Morrison announces national defense force will be employed to help fight the more than 200 fires, amid criticism of his leadership.
- DEATHS
- Herbert Binkert, German soccer striker (12 caps Saarland; FC Saarbrücken), who died at 96.
- Lina Jubaedah, Family Member.
- Walter Ormeño, Peruvian soccer goalkeeper (Peru 1949-57; Boca Juniors, Rosario Central), who died at 93.
- TV SERIES
- Dracula (2020): Season 1 is released. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's version of Dracula (Claes Bang) is set in 1897 as the count sets out for new victims in Victorian London.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Thailand's worst storm in 30 years, Tropical Storm Pabuk makes landfall on country's east coast.
- DEATHS
- John Burningham, English author and illustrator of children's books (Mr Grumpy's Outing), who died at 82.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- State Like Sleep is released. One year after the untimely death of her husband (Michiel Huisman), a young woman (Katherine Waterston) receives a phone call that pulls her back to Brussels and the life there that she's tried to forget. She is forced to finally confront her grief but is swept up in unraveling the mysteries surrounding her husband's last days alive.
- MOVIES: PG13
- Escape Room is released. Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control and must use their wits to find the clues or die.
- MOVIES: R
- Rust Creek is released. An ordinary woman must summon extraordinary courage to survive a nightmare odyssey in this harrowing survival thriller. Sawyer (Hermione Corfield) is an ambitious, overachieving college senior with a seemingly bright future. While on her way to a job interview, a wrong turn leaves her stranded deep in the frozen Kentucky woods. Suddenly, the young woman with everything to live for finds herself facing her own mortality as she’s punished by the elements and pursued by a band of ruthless outlaws. With nowhere left to run, she is forced into an uneasy alliance with Lowell (Jay Paulson), an enigmatic loner with shadowy intentions. Though she’s not sure she can trust him, Sawyer must take a chance if she hopes to escape Rust Creek alive. [IFC Midnight]
- The Vanishing is released. After three lighthouse keepers arrive for work on a remote Scottish isle, they make a fateful discovery: a wrecked rowboat—with a chest full of gold. As a mysterious boat heads toward the island, the three men make a choice that will change their lives forever, ensnaring them in a web of greed, paranoia, and murder.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Fitness Boxing for Switch is released. Get off the couch and get moving with fun, boxing-based rhythmic exercises set to the instrumental beats of songs by popular artists, including Lady Gaga, Pitbull and Kesha. You can personalize your workouts by selecting from different fitness goals. Train your way, whether you're on your own, with a friend, at home, or on the go! Now you can work out anytime, anywhere on the Nintendo Switch system!Get down your boxing basics while getting down to instrumental versions of 20 unlockable hit songs, including "Party Rock Anthem"by LMFAO, "Call Me Maybe"by Carly Rae Jepson, and "Sugar"by Maroon 5. Punch and squat while gripping the Joy-Con controllers to get your whole body moving -- no additional gym equipment required!Daily training ranges from 10-40 minutes and offers both Normal and Fast mode. The game software estimates your approximate BMI and daily calories burned so you can track your progress. Choose from a diverse group of trainers and customize their look with unlockable trainer outfits. As you progress, you can earn more songs and more challenging training circuits. If you prefer to work out with a buddy, you can use two sets of Joy-Con controllers or share a pair to enjoy working out cooperatively or test your skills by facing off against each other in a virtual ring!
- SPORTS
- Indian cricket batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara scores 193 and Rishabh Pant 159no as the tourists declare at 622/7 on Day 2 of 4th Test against Australia in Sydney; Pant, first Indian wicketkeeper to hit a century in Australia.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- 'Bomb Cyclone'hits US Northeast prompting flooding and snow in New York subway system.
- Truck hits a train near Kroonstad city, South Africa killing 19 passengers.
- DEATHS
- Ray Thomas, English rock vocalist and flautist (Moody Blues - "Legend Of A Mind"), who died at 76.
- Aharon Appelfeld, Novelist.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- The Green Fog is released. Director Guy Maddin's interpretation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo, pieced together using footage from old films and television shows shot in and around the San Francisco area.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Stikbold! Dodgeball Adventure! Deluxe for Switch is released. Stikbold! is a groovy 70s-themed single and local multiplayer fantasy dodgeball game with intense, quirky arenas and chaos-inducing random events which change the outcome of each round. Stikbold! is a single and local multiplayer dodgeball game heavily inspired by the 70's, back when tacky was cool and there was no such thing as bad style.Follow the story of world famous Stikbold atheletes Bjoern and Jerome, team up with a dodgeball buddy in co-op team battles or charge head first into a manic free-for-all battles with up to five others.- An epic story mode that can be played solo or with a friend in co-op - Local multiplayer mayhem across a variety of unique and chaotic dodgeball arenas- Get knocked out? Stay in the game by attacking players from the sidelines to affect the tournament outcome- Loads of playable dodgeball combatants to unlock- A funky 70s disco soundtrack- Lots of Moustaches
- SPORTS
- Liverpool and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is named African Football Player of the Year.
On this day in 2017
- DEATHS
- Douglas Wass, British civil servant (Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury,1974-83), who died at 93.
- Milt Schmidt, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame center (Stanley Cup 1939,41; Boston Bruins) and coach/GM (Stanley Cup 1970,72; Boston Bruins), who died from a stroke at 98.
- Georges Prêtre, classical and opera conductor known for interpretation of Poulenc,, who died at 92.
- Vlastimir Trajkovic, Serbian avant-garde composer, and educator, who died at 79.
- GAMING: PC
- Milkmaid of the Milky Way for PC is released. Milkmaid of the Milky Way is a classic point-and-click adventure game in rhyme that combines an exciting story with puzzles and exploration. What happens when a young milkmaid sees an alien craft in a fjord in 1920's Norway?
On this day in 2016
- EVENTS
- Colombo's Gemology Institute certifies world's largest ever blue star sapphire at 1404.49 carats, found in a Sri Lankan mine in August 2015.
- DEATHS
- A.J. Cox, Race Car Driver.
- Michel Galabru, French actor (Judge & the Assassin), who died at 93.
- Robert Stigwood, Australian-born British-resident music entrepreneur and film producer (Saturday Night Fever, Grease), who died at 81.
- GAMING: PC
- Pony Island for PC is released. Pony Island is a suspense puzzle game in disguise. You are in limbo, trapped in a malevolent and malfunctioning arcade machine devised by the devil himself.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- Gary Anderson of Scotland beats 16-time world champion Phil Taylor,7-6 to win his first PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace, London.
- DEATHS
- Barbara Tizard, British educator and author, who died at 88.
- Stuart Scott, American sports journalist (ESPN), who died of cancer at 49.
- Sharon La Hechicera, World Music Singer.
- TV SERIES
- Galavant: Season 1 is released. Galavant (Joshua Sasse) seeks to take his true love Madalena (Mallory Jansen) back from evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson) in this Dan Fogelman musical fairy-tale comedy with music from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
- SPORTS
- Stu Miller, American MLB baseball pitcher,1952-68 (St. Louis Cardinals; New York/San Francisco Giants, and 3 other teams, who died at 87.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- 14 people are killed after a three-story building construction site collapses in Goa, India.
- WEDDINGS
- Actor Justin Bartha at the age of 35 weds personal trainer Lia Smith in Oahu, Hawaii.
- Actress and singer Alexa Vega at the age of 25 weds Big Time Rush singer Carlos Pena Jr at the age of 24 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
On this day in 2013
- EVENTS
- 6 people are killed a 2 are seriously injured after a snowmobile veers off a ski slope on Mt Cermis, Italy.
- WEDDINGS
- Former World Middleweight champ Jake LaMotta at the age of 90 weds his longtime fiancée Denise Baker at the age of 62 in Bisbee, Arizona.
- DEATHS
- Sammy Johns, American country artist, who died at 66.
- Yevgeny Pepelyaev, Soviet fighter pilot, who died at 94.
- Tony Lip [Frank Anthony Vallelonga], American author and actor (Sopranos, Donnie Brasco, Good Fellas), who died at 82.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- 56 Up is released. Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults he has been chronicling in documentaries every seven years since they were each 7 years old. The original concept, starting in 1964's "Seven Up, "was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives. From cab driver Tony to schoolmates Jackie, Lynn and Susan and the heart-breaking Neil, as they turn 56 more life-changing decisions and surprising developments are revealed. (First Run Features)
- A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (Une bouteille à la mer) is released. Tai is 17 years old. Naim is 20. She's Israeli. He's Palestinian. She lives in Jerusalem. He lives in Gaza. They were born in a land of scorched earth, where fathers bury their children. They must endure an explosive situation that is not of their choosing at an age where young people are falling in love and taking their place in adult life. A bottle thrown in the sea and a correspondence by email nurture the slender hope that their relationship might give them the strength to confront this harsh reality to grapple with it, and thereby ever so slightly change it. Only 60 miles separate them but how many bombings, check-points, sleepless nights and bloodstained days stand between them?
- MOVIES: R
- Texas Chainsaw 3D is released. A chainsaw-yielding killer known as Leatherface terrorizes a group of young teens.
- SPORTS
- Derek Kevan, English footballer, who died at 77.