ThursdayThu, July 16th Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- Ashura is being celebrated in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Gambia, Iraq, Senegal
- First Day of Ashura is being celebrated in Pakistan
- Lady of Mount Carmel is being celebrated in Chile
- Memory of Ashura is being celebrated in Lebanon, Lebanon
- President's Day Holiday is being celebrated in Botswana
- People born on this day are Cancer as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
On this day in 2023
- EVENTS
- English actress, singer, and songwriter Jane Birkin was found dead at her home in Paris age 76. She had the 1969 UK No.1 single with Serge Gainsbourg 'Je t'aime...Moi non plus', the only French language UK chart-topper. She is also known as being the namesake of the popular Hermès Birkin bag. Birkin.
- Highest temperature ever recorded in China of 52.2 C (126 F) at Sanbao township in Xinjiang's Turpan Depression.
- Taylor Swift’s re-recorded "Speak Now"album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, her 12th No. 1 album, surpassing Barbra Streisand's record for #1 albums by a female artist.
- BIRTHS
- Jalila, Instagram Star, born in Morocco.
- DEATHS
- Jane Birkin, British-French pop singer (" Je t'aime... moi non plus"), actress (Dust; Death On The Nile), and fashion icon, who died at 76.
- TV SERIES
- Goliath (2023): Season 1 is released. The three-part documentary series about the life and career basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain features narration from an AI generated voice of Chamberlain.
On this day in 2022
- WEDDINGS
- American singer and actress Jennifer Lopez at the age of 52 weds American actor and film director Ben Affleck at the age of 49 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- DEATHS
- Claes Oldenburg, Sculptor.
- Hobie Billingsley, American ISHOF diving coach (Indiana University 1959-89; 6 x NCAA team championships; US Olympic team 1968,72,76), who died from myasthenia gravis at 95.
On this day in 2021
- DEATHS
- Biz Markie [Marcel Hall], American rapper, DJ and record producer (" Just A Friend"), who died at 57.
- Thomas Rajna, British-Hungarian pianist, and composer (Amarantha; Stop All The Clocks), who died at 92.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters is released. Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters is a feature documentary that traces the history and legacy of one of the most important works of art to come out of the age of AIDS - Bill T. Jones' tour de force ballet "D-Man in the Waters". In 1989, "D-Man in the Waters"gave physical manifestation to the fear, anger, grief, and hope for salvation that the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company felt as they were embattled by the AIDS pandemic. As a group of young dancers reconstructs the dance, they learn about this oft forgotten history and deepen their understanding of the power of art in a time of plague. Bill T. Jones is arguably the most socially, politically and emotionally compelling choreographer alive today. Thirty years ago, he embedded motifs of risk and sacrifice, love, loss and resurrection in the choreography for "D-Man in the Waters". Through an extraordinary series of interviews, archival material, and uniquely powerful cinematography of movement, this 90-minute, lyrical documentary uses the story of this dance to illustrate the triumph of the human spirit in art and in the community. Today, by learning the dance, a new generation reinvigorates the spirit of a community fighting to survive.
- Fear Street Part Three: 1666 is released. The origins of Sarah Fier’s curse are finally revealed as history comes full circle on a night that changes the lives of Shadysiders forever.
- Mama Weed is released. A French-Arabic translator for the Paris police anti-narcotics unit, Patience Portefeux (Isabelle Huppert) interprets the daily calls and conversations between the city’s biggest drug dealers. In the evenings, she looks in on her aging mother at the long-term care facility where she is months behind in paying the bills. When she overhears the son of one of her mother’s nurses on the wiretap at work, Patience is moved to protect him. But her involvement in his business quickly escalates and she finds herself in possession of a huge store of hash and the insider knowledge required to move it. With her newly adopted retired police dog at her side, Patience transforms into Mama Weed, a savvy saleswoman capitalizing on her field experience to earn the extra income she so desperately needs while doing her best to stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the precinct.
- No Ordinary Man is released. American jazz musician Billy Tipton developed a reputable touring and recording career in the mid-twentieth century, along with his band The Billy Tipton Trio. After his death in the late 80s, it was revealed that Tipton was assigned female at birth, and his life was swiftly reframed as the story of an ambitious woman passing as a man in pursuit of a music career. The genre-defying documentary No Ordinary Man seeks to correct that misrepresentation by collaborating with trans artists. As they collectively celebrate Tipton’s story as a musician living his life according to his own terms, they paint a portrait of a trans culture icon.
- Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is released. It’s not where you go. It’s what you leave behind... Chef, writer, adventurer, provocateur: Anthony Bourdain lived his life unabashedly. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at how an anonymous chef became a world-renowned cultural icon.
- MOVIES: PG
- Space Jam: A New Legacy is released. When LeBron James and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way.
- MOVIES: PG13
- Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is released. Six people unwittingly find themselves locked in another series of escape rooms, slowly uncovering what they have in common to survive…and discovering they’ve all played the game before.
- MOVIES: R
- Pig is released. A truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.
- TV SERIES
- Schmigadoon!: Season 1 is released. Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) go on a backpacking trip to help their relationship only to end up trapped in a town where everyone appears to be in a 1940s movie musical, and they can only leave if they find their true love in this comedy inspired by Brigadoon.
- McCartney 3,2,1: Season 1 is released. The six-part documentary series features Paul McCartney talking with producer Rick Rubin about music as well as his career with the Beatles, Wings and as a solo artist.
- Naomi Osaka: Season 1 is released. The documentary series directed by Garrett Bradley follows champion tennis player Naomi Osaka as juggles the pressures of competing as she trains for the Tokyo Olympics and reflects on her heritage.
- ALBUMS
- Hideaway was released by Wavves. The seventh full-length studio release for the San Diego rock band led by Nathan Williams was produced by Dave Sitek.
- Lately I Feel Everything was released by Willow. The fourth full-length release for daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith features guest appearances from Travis Barker, Cherry Glazerr, Ayla Tesler-Mabe, and Tierra Whack.
- Sling was released by Clairo. The second full-length release for the pop singer-songwriter was was co-produced with Jack Antonoff.
- Sob Rock was released by John Mayer. The eighth full-length studio release for the pop singer-songwriter was co-produced with Don Was.
- Faith was released by Pop Smoke. The second posthumous release for the rapper features guest appearances from 21 Savage & 42 Dugg, Beam, Bizzy Banks, Chris Brown, Future, Kid Cudi, Kodak Black. Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Pusha T, Quavo, Rah Swish, Rick Ross, Takeoff, The-Dream, TRAVI, and Kanye West.
- GAMING: PC
- F1 2021 for PC is released. Every story has a beginning in F1® 2021, the official videogame of the 2021 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Enjoy the stunning new features of F1® 2021, including the thrilling story experience ‘Braking Point’, two-player Career, and get even closer to the grid with ‘Real-Season Start’.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for Switch is released. Take to the skies, draw your sword, and experience the earliest story in the Legend of Zelda series. Join Link in his high-flying quest to save Zelda, a childhood friend who must confront her destiny. Soar between floating islands and descend to the treacherous surface world in this updated HD version of the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Master realistic swordplay that matches your movements. Swing your sword and angle your slashes to uncover and break through opponents’ defenses using intuitive motion controls. Link will match the angle of each strike you make with the Joy-Con controller, creating immersive swordplay that relies on strategy and accuracy. Movements feel smoother and more immediate thanks to the Nintendo Switch system’s increased processing power and HD graphics. Take advantage of the newly-added button only control scheme—perfect for playing in handheld mode or on the Nintendo Switch Lite system.
- Within the Blade for Switch is released. WTB has many distinguishing and unique features with its simplistic presentation offering detailed pixel art animations, ninjas galore fighting to their death, crafting of weapons and a whole lot more to present an ongoing challenge that will please and entice even the best of players. Importantly elements such as random level generation, crafting, skill trees are all part of a great mixture of ideas and interesting implementation. A Japanese Daime named Mamoru Imai summons demons to join his army, but darkness takes over his body and demons wreak havoc in the country. The player starts in the village “Black Lotus” and sensei sends him on the next mission. After each mission, the player returns to the village (Hub location) and here the player can take a break, craft, trade, inventory management, Sensei can learn new skills and get a new task.
On this day in 2020
- EVENTS
- Drummer Jamie Oldaker, whose career included stints alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Frampton, died of cancer at the age of 68. In 1974, Oldaker played on Clapton’s 461 Ocean Boulevard, the first of 11 Clapton albums to feature Oldaker on drums. Oldaker also played alongside Leon Russell and Bob Seger, with Ace Frehley and Peter Frampton, and appeared on recordings with artists as diverse as the Bee Gees, Stephen Stills and the Bellamy Brothers..
- DEATHS
- Jamie Oldaker, American session and touring drummer (Bob Seger; Leon Russell; Eric Clapton; Peter Frampton), who died at 68.
- Brigid Berlin, American actress (Andy Warhol films), who died at 80.
- MOVIES: JULY 16 2020
- Fatal Affair is released. Ellie tries to mend her marriage with her husband Marcus after a brief encounter with an old friend, David, only to find that David is more dangerous and unstable than she'd realized.
- TV SERIES
- 30 Rock: A One-Time Special is released. The 30 Rock reunion is part of an Upfront special that will introduce some of the upcoming series on the various NBCUniversal networks. Some local NBC affiliates will preempt it due to fear it is little more than an infomercial for Peacock (who will stream the special the next day).
- GAMING: PC
- Beyond A Steel Sky for PC is released. A 3D adventure thriller, set in an AI-driven future. Subvert the world, hack the systems and solve the conspiracy to uncover the devastating truths.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Radical Rabbit Stew for PlayStation 4 is released. Radical Rabbit Stew is an action-packed title that combines puzzle-solving with fast-paced whack-a-rabbit gameplay, delivering bite-sized pick-up-and-play action, juicy pixel graphics and a sizzling soundtrack in one mouth-watering package.
- SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE for PlayStation 4 is released. ONE OF US. ONE OF US. Still outnumbered, still outgunned. Enemies swirl around you in a storm of slow motion violence. Battle after battle, each fallen foe pushes you closer to the secrets hiding in the game and each secret gives you more powers to fight the System’s unending opposition.
- SPORTS
- Tony Taylor, Cuban baseball second baseman (MLB All Star 1960²; Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers), who died from stroke complications at 84.
- Vladimir Obukhov, Russian basketball coach (Soviet Union & Malta men's national teams; MBC Dynamo Moscow), who died at 84.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Metallica brought their WorldWired tour to Finland drawing almost one per cent of the country’s population in a record-breaking concert. The show at Kantola Event Park in the city of Hämeenlinna was attended by over 55,000 people. That’s about one per cent of Finland’s entire population of more than 5.5 million people..
- DEATHS
- John Paul Stevens, American lawyer and 103rd Supreme Court Justice (1975-2010), who died from complications of a stroke at 99.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Darksiders III: Keepers of the Void for PlayStation 4 is released. On a quest from Vulgrim, Fury must travel into the Serpent Holes to remove an ancient threat that resides there. All new locations, puzzles, and enemies await the chance to test Fury's abilities. As a reward, she can unlock all new weapon forms for the Hollows as well as the biggest prize of them all: The Abyssal Armor.
- 198X for PlayStation 4 is released. Over-the-top arcade action meets coming-of-age drama, blurring the lines between game and reality...Welcome to Suburbia, just outside the City, sometime in 198X. This is the journey of Kid, a teenager stuck between the limitations of innocent youth and the obligations of inevitable adulthood. The story unfolds when Kid discovers the local arcade – finding new worlds, and new meaning, in video games…
- SPORTS
- Pat Bowlen, American Pro Football Hall of Fame team owner (Denver Broncos), who died of complications of Alzheimer's disease at 75.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- Musical film sequel "Mamma Mia! - Here We Go Again"premieres at Hammersmith-Apollo, London; worldwide box office receipts total over $400 million.
- 12 new moons discovered orbiting Jupiter bringing planet's moon total to 79, by scientists at Carnegie Institution for Science.
- Historic cemetery (1878-1911) announced discovered near Houston, Texas, containing 95 remains though to be African Americans forced into labour.
- DEATHS
- Manuel Ycaza, Panamanian jockey (Belmont Stakes 1964; Racing Hall of Fame), who died of pneumonia at 80.
- TV SERIES
- Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind is released. This intimate portrait examines one of the world's most beloved and inventive comedians. Told largely through Robin's own voice and using a wealth of never-before-seen archive, the film takes us through his extraordinary life and career and reveals the spark of madness that drove him.
- POLITICS
- US President Donald Trump appears to accept the word of Russian President Vladimir Putin over US intelligence services about Russian meddling in the 2016 US election, in an interview after the two leader's Helsinki Summit.
On this day in 2017
- EVENTS
- Senior Players Championship Men's Golf, Caves Valley GC: Scott McCarron wins his lone career major title by 1 stroke from Brandt Jobe and Germany's Bernhard Langer.
- Kawhi Leonard re-signs with the San Antonio Spurs to a five-year, $90 million contract.
- DMX was charged with tax fraud in the US after allegedly hiding millions of dollars in earnings. The rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested in New York. Law enforcement officers claimed he owed millions of dollars in taxes from songs and said he "went out of his way"to break the law. He faced up to 44 years in prison if he was found guilty on all 14 counts..
- BBC announces first ever female Doctor Who will be played by Jodie Whittaker.
- BIRTHS
- Cora Atwood, Family Member, born in Columbus, OH.
- TV SERIES
- Game of Thrones: Season 7 is released. The seventh season returns with just seven episodes.
On this day in 2016
- WEDDINGS
- Survivor winner and cancer survivor Ethan Zohn at the age of 42 weds interior designer Lisa Heywood in North Bennington, Vermont.
- DEATHS
- Bonnie Brown, American country singer (The Browns), who died at 77.
- Alan Vega [Bermowitz] American punk rock vocalist (Suicide - "Ghost Rider" ; "Dream Baby Dream" ; Cubist Blues), and visual artist, who died at 78.
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- Tumblestone for Xbox One is released. A new competitive indie puzzler from The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild. Inspired by beloved classics like Tetris and Puyo Puyo, and adding a story mode, arcade modes, and exciting multiplayer game modes. [Xbox.com]
- SPORTS
- Nate Thurmond, American Basketball Hall of Fame forward (7-time NBA All Star), who died of leukemia at 74.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- Shootings in Chattanooga at a US military recruitment centre and a naval reserve training center kill 5 and injure others.
- Scientists reveal 1st close-up pictures of Pluto, sent by the New Horizons probe.
- American vocalist, punk icon and visual artist Alan Vega died aged 78. Primarily known for his work with the electronic protopunk duo Suicide. The duo released their influential self-titled debut in 1977, one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time..
- TV SERIES
- Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll: Season 1 is released. 25 years after New York rock band The Heathens broke up due to sex and drugs, lead singer Johnny Rock (Denis Leary) wants to stage a comeback with the help of lead guitarist Flash (John Corbett) and a 22-year singer named Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) in this comedy created by Leary.
- ALBUMS
- Star Wars was released by Wilco. Produced by Jeff Tweedy and Tom Schick, the ninth release was a surprise free release on the Chicago band's website for a limited time.
- GAMING: PC
- Sorcerer King for PC is released. Your Kingdom is the final hope against the malevolent Sorcerer King's quest to become a god and destroy the world in this asymmetrical 4X fantasy strategy title.
- Legions of Steel for PC is released. The Empire of the Machines is threatening the entire universe. The other factions have banded together to defend the galaxy from the invader. Battles are raging in the corridors of the Machines underground production facilities.
- Luckslinger for PC is released. A hip-hop infused spaghetti western action platformer where luck affects the world around you.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- A sports car belonging to US hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash which contained valuable vintage records was mistakenly given away by a parking attendant. The incident happened in a Manhattan garage where the musician returned to pick up the vehicle after nearly two hours, the attendant said he had given it to someone else thinking he was the owner..
- Death toll within Gaza surpasses 200 people following air strikes by Israel.
- Hamas and Islamic Jihad offer Israel a 10-year truce with 10 conditions, which include lifting the blockade and the release of prisoners; it is rejected.
- Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza.
- DEATHS
- Johnny Winter, American Hall of Fame blues musician, who died at 70.
- TV SERIES
- The Divide: Season 1 is released. A caseworker with The Innocence Initiative, Christine Rosa (Marin Ireland) clashes with district attorney, Adam Page (Damon Gupton) over a 11-year-old murder case in this legal drama created by Tony Goldwyn and Richard LaGravenese.
- GAMING: PC
- Magic: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2015 for PC is released. Track down bigger game on a bold new adventure with Magic 2015—Duels of the Planeswalkers. Command powerful creatures and wield devastating spells to defeat your opponents in this game of strategy. Hone your skills as you battle your way across the planes of the Multiverse. Beware though, Planeswalker. Your biggest danger lies ahead. Garruk Wildspeaker, the greatest hunter known, has fallen under the curse of the Chain Veil. He now mercilessly stalks his own kind. Find him and stop him... before he finds you.
- GAMING: XBOX 360
- Abyss Odyssey for Xbox 360 is released. From indie Chilean developer ACE Team comes a new side-scrolling action adventure game featuring a complex fighting engine in procedurally generated levels that destines its three warriors to battle a different abyss each time!
- POLITICS
- Bashar al-Assad is sworn in for a third term as President of Syria.