ThursdayThu, March 19th Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- Commemoration of the Victory over Gaddafi is being celebrated in Libya
- Feast of St Joseph is being celebrated in Malta
- Oil Nationalization Day is being celebrated in Iran
- San Jose (Many Regions) is being celebrated in Spain
- St Joseph's Day is being celebrated in Liechtenstein, Vatican City
- People born on this day are Pisces as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
On this day in 2023
- TV SERIES
- Lucky Hank: Season 1 is released. William Henry Devereaux, Jr. (Bob Odenkirk) who is in charge of the English department at a small Pennsylvania college is suffering from a midlife crisis in the dramedy adaption of Richard Russo's book Straight Man.
- Marie Antoinette (2022): Season 1 is released. 14-year-old Marie Antoinette (Emilia Schüle) is married to future Louis XVI (Louis Cunningham) and must learn to navigate the French court and produce a male child in this drama series written by Deborah Davis.[Premiered originally in France on Canal+ on 31 Oct 2022; in the UK on BBC Two in 29 Dec 2022 and in the US on PBS on 19 Mar 2023]
- POLITICS
- UBS, Switzerland's largest bank agrees to buy its rival Credit Suisse (established 1856) for about $3.2 billion to help ease global financial panic, in deal brokered by Swiss government.
- SPORTS
- Petar Nadoveza, Croatian soccer striker (1 cap; Yugoslavia; Hajduk Split217 games) and manager (Hajduk Split 1982-84,1988-89,2000,2004), who died at 80.
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- LeBron James moves past Karl Malone (36,909) into second on NBA's all-time scoring list with 38 points in LA Lakers'127-119 loss to Washington Wizards; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads (38,387).
- DEATHS
- Shahabuddin Ahmed, Politician.
- Dave Sims, English rugby union lock (3 Tests; Gloucester RFC; Barbarians RFC 1995,96,99), who died at 52.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- Icelandic volcano Fagradalsfjall erupts for the first time in 800 years and after more than 50,000 earthquakes.
- DEATHS
- Ludwig Heimrath, Race Car Driver.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Rose Plays Julie is released. Rose (Ann Skelly) is at university studying veterinary science. An only child, she has enjoyed a loving relationship with her adoptive parents. However, for as long as Rose can remember she has wanted to know who her biological parents are and the facts of her true identity. After years trying to trace her birth mother, Rose now has a name and a number. All she has to do is pick up the phone and call. When she does it quickly becomes clear that her birth mother has no wish to have any contact. Rose is shattered. A renewed and deepened sense of rejection compels her to keep going. Rose travels from Dublin to London in an effort to confront her birth mother, Ellen (Orla Brady). Ellen is deeply disturbed when Rose turns up unannounced. The very existence of this young woman threatens the stability of the new life Ellen has painstakingly put together. But Rose proves very tenacious and Ellen is forced to reveal a secret she has kept hidden for over 20 years. This shocking revelation forces Rose to accept the violent nature of how she came into existence. Rose believes she has little to lose but much to gain when she sets out to confront her biological father, Peter (Aidan Gillen). What Rose cannot possibly foresee is that she is on a collision course that will prove both violent and unsettling – dark forces gather and threaten to destroy her already fragile sense of her own identity. [Film Movement]
- The Courier is released. The Courier is the true story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- The Fever is released. Manaus is an industrial city surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. Justino, a 45 years old Desana native, works as a security guard at the cargo port. Since the death of his wife, his main company is his youngest daughter with whom he lives in a modest house on the outskirts of town. Nurse at a health clinic, Vanessa is accepted to study medicine in Brasilia and will need to be leaving soon. As the days go by, Justino is overcome by a strong fever. During the night, a mysterious creature follows his footsteps. During the day, he fights to stay awake at work. But soon the tedious routine of the harbor is broken by the arrival of a new guard. Meanwhile, his brother’s visit makes Justino remember the life in the forest, from where he left twenty years ago. Between the oppression of the city and the distance of his native village, Justino can no longer endure an existence without place. [KimStim]
- Enforcement is released. Jens and Mike, two police officers on routine patrol, find themselves trapped in a maze of buildings when unrest spreads.
- Wojnarowicz is released. Wojnarowicz: F**k You F*ggot F**ker is a fiery and urgent documentary portrait of downtown New York City artist, writer, photographer, and activist David Wojnarowicz. As New York City became the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Wojnarowicz weaponized his work and waged war against the establishment’s indifference to the plague until his death from it in 1992 at the age of 37. Exclusive access to his breathtaking body of work – including paintings, journals, and films – reveals how Wojnarowicz emptied his life into his art and activism. Rediscovered answering machine tape recordings and intimate recollections from Fran Lebowitz, Gracie Mansion, Peter Hujar, and other friends and family help present a stirring portrait of this fiercely political, unapologetically queer artist. [Kino Lorber]
- MOVIES: R
- City of Lies is released. Based on the true story of one of the most notorious and unsolved cases in recent time, City of Lies is a provocative thriller revealing a never-before-seen look at the infamous murder of The Notorious B.I.G. shortly following the death of Tupac. L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole (Johnny Depp) has spent years trying to solve his biggest case, but after two decades, the investigation remains open. "Jack"Jackson (Forest Whitaker), a reporter desperate to save his reputation and career, is determined to find out why. In search of the truth, the two team up and unravel a growing web of institutional corruption and lies. Relentless in their hunt, these two determined men threaten to uncover the conspiracy and crack the foundation of the L.A.P.D. and an entire city.
- Happily is released. A happily married couple (Joel McHale and Kerry Bishé) discover their friends are resentful of their lustful relationship. When a visit from a mysterious stranger leads to a dead body, they begin to question the loyalty of their so-called friends.
- TV SERIES
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Season 1 is released. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) face new and old enemies.
- ALBUMS
- The Plugs I Met 2 was released by Benny the Butcher. The nine-track release from the New York hip-hop artist and producer Harry Fraud features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Chinx, Fat Joe, French Montana, Rick Hyde, and Jim Jones.
- Still Woman Enough was released by Loretta Lynn. The 50th full-length studio release for the country artist features guest appearances from Reba McEntire, Margo Price, Tanya Tucker, and Carrie Underwood.
- Great Spans of Muddy Time was released by William Doyle. The latest full-length release for the British artist previously known under the name East India Youth was completed from cassette recordings after a hard-drive failure.
- Chemtrails Over the Country Club was released by Lana Del Rey. The latest full-length studio release for the pop singer-songwriter artist was produced by Jack Antonoff and features guest appearances from Zella Day and Weyes Blood.
- Today We're the Greatest was released by Middle Kids. The second full-length release for the Australian trio was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Lars Stalfors.
- World's Most Stressed Out Gardener was released by Chad VanGaalen. The latest full-length release for the Canadian singer-songwriter includes instruments like a homemade lithophone and pipes from his basement.
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Root Film for Switch is released. Unravel a 10-year-old mystery lost in 35mm film. Root Film is a thrilling adventure game with visual novel elements. Follow Rintaro Yagumo as he is selected to be the director for the rebooted "Shimane Mystery Drama Project”, a TV series which was cancelled for an unknown reason 10 years ago. His excitement for this amazing opportunity is quickly curbed when a horrible murder interrupts their location scouting process. Follow him and a cast of unique and memorable characters as they are drawn deeper into a thrilling mystery. Become your own detective as you unravel the truth through investigative gameplay mechanics, adding a new layer onto the visual novel formula.
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville - Complete Edition for Switch is released. Time to shake up the neighborhood block party.Welcome to Neighborville, where all is well. Except that a crazy new coniferous conflict between brain-less and botanicals is brewing! What are you gonna do call the crops? Soil your plants? Prepare to kick some grass in a plant-on-zombie conflict that will take you to the outer edges of Neighborville and back again.KEY FEATURES* Customize Every Character for Battle - Join the newest bloom in the age-old battle between plants and zombies with 20 fully customizable classes at launch, including a Team Play class for each faction. Bring the unique abilities of each character class to 6 PvP modes including the new Battle Arena and experience the unbeleafable thrills of combat.* Venture to the Outer Edges of Neighborville - The tension across the terra has expanded with 3 free-roam regions and one PvE mode that extend beyond the town of Neighborville. Squad up with up to 3 friends in the Giddy Park social region and take back Weirding Woods, Mount Steep and Neighborville Town Centre. It's grow time!* Play with Your Favorite People in Every Mode - Connect with up to 3 players and battle through flourishing free-roam regions, or jump into the fray with up to 24 players in online multiplayer across a gigantic suburban skirmish.
On this day in 2020
- EVENTS
- Italian death toll from COVID-19 pandemic at 3,405 surpasses China's official total (3,245) making it then the worst-affected country in the world.
- State of California with 910 cases of COVID-19 pandemic locks down and orders people to "stay at home".
- Entire US state of California with 910 cases of COVID-19 pandemic ordered to 'stay at home'.
- BIRTHS
- Bella Mikula, TikTok Star, born in United States.
- TV SERIES
- Feel Good (2020): Season 1 is released. Canadian comedian Mae (Mae Martin) juggles living in London, dealing with her parents (Adrian Lukis and Lisa Kudrow), her recovery from addiction and falling for heterosexual girl named George (Charlotte Ritchie) in this dramedy co-created by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson.
- GAMING: PC
- Panzer Corps 2 for PC is released. Panzer Corps 2 is the ultimate Second World War strategy game! Enjoy the time-proven gameplay formula which has been appreciated by millions of players over the years, brought to a whole new level of refinement up to the latest technical standards.
- Total War: Three Kingdoms - A World Betrayed for PC is released. A World Betrayed portrays a seminal moment in the history of the Three Kingdoms. Many of the iconic warlords of Total War: THREE KINGDOMS have now passed on, a catalyst that has spurred a new generation of warlords into making a play for their own dynasties.
- TT Isle of Man: Ride On The Edge 2 for PC is released. Racing across an over 60 km long ultra-technical track at breakneck speed requiring realistic riding skills... that is the challenge that awaits in TT2!
- GAMING: XBOX ONE
- DOOM Eternal for Xbox One is released. DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to 2016's DOOM. Developed by id Software, DOOM Eternal delivers the ultimate combination of speed and power, along with the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. As the DOOM Slayer, you’ll return to take your vengeance against the forces of Hell. Set to an all-new pulse-pounding soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, you fight across dimensions as you slay new and classic demons with powerful new weapons and abilities. [Bethesda]
- SPORTS
- Professional football in England is further postponed until 'no earlier than 30 April'due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- " Superbloom" of poppies in Walker Canyon, southern California visible from space, after high rainfall.
- Singer Sam Smith comes out as non-binary in interview on Jameela Jamil’s Instagram show.
- American Karen Uhlenbeck becomes the 1st woman to win mathematics Abel Prize.
- TV SERIES
- The Village (2019): Season 1 is released. Nurse Sarah is a single mom raising a teenager, law student Gabe has an older roommate, Ava only wants a good future for her American-born son, war veteran Nick, and Ron and Patricia are some of the residents at the Village, a Brooklyn apartment building in this Mike Daniels drama.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- The Messenger for PlayStation 4 is released. As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.
- SNK 40th Anniversary Collection for PlayStation 4 is released. 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of legendary studio SNK! To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, a variety of classic arcade games from SNK's golden age are coming back together in one anthology on Nintendo Switch. SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is packed full of retro games and a treasure trove of features!FEATURES:* Collection of classics in your hands! Take a piece of SNK history with you wherever you go on Nintendo Switch. Choose from over a dozen titles and experience an intense blast from the past!* Modern Meets Retro! Rewind and save at any time while you're playing, enjoy updated graphics at 1080p resolution, and experience redesigned control schemes for a modern feel!* Enter the SNK Museum: A history of SNK and its games await in the Museum Mode. Explore the legacy of one of Japan's leading developers with high definition artwork and original promotional assets!
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Fate/Extella Link for Switch is released. Picking up right where the 2017 smash hit Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star left off, Fate/EXTELLA LINK adds 10 Servants to the original roster of 16. The high-speed action gameplay has been refined, and players will battle their way through massive invading armies to wrest back control of SE.RA.PH. from an invading force. Players on the PlayStation®4 can now engage in massive 4-on-4 online battles with up to 7 other players. Choose your favorite Servant and make your foes quiver at the true name of their Noble Phantasm.
- POLITICS
- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announces his resignation after nearly 30 years in office, the last soviet-era head of state.
- SPORTS
- Image of Australian rules footballer Tayla Harris attacked by internet trolls and controversially removed before being reinstated.
- Houston Rockets guard James Harden becomes first player in NBA history to score at least 30 points against all 29 opponents in a single season with 31 in a 121-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- Drake was at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘God’s Plan’. The lead single from his fifth studio album, Scorpion, topped the Hot 100 for 11 weeks and spent 26 weeks in the top ten. The song broke first-day streaming records on both Apple Music and Spotify and topped the charts in fourteen countries..
- Mississippi signs into law the US's strictest abortion laws, no termination after 15 weeks.
- World's last male northern white rhino,45 year old Sudan, who died in Kenya.
- DEATHS
- Bernard Boyer, Race Car Driver.
- Goldie Parsons, Race Car Driver.
- Irwin Hoffman, American conductor, who died at 93.
- Keith O'Brien, Religious Leader.
- GAMING: PC
- Exorder for PC is released. Exorder is one of those not overly-complicated tactical turn-based games with simple rules and dangerous depths. It features a single-player fantasy campaign and a multiplayer skirmishes, both online and offline.
On this day in 2017
- BIRTHS
- Taylin Gaulden, Family Member, born in Louisiana.
- DEATHS
- Nestor Peles, Race Car Driver.
- Roger Pingeon, French cylist (Tour de France 1967 champion), who died at 76.
- Jimmy Breslin, American author and columnist (NY Post, News, Newsday), who died at 88.
- Ken Still, American golfer (3 PGA Tour titles), who died of kidney failure at 82.
- Ian Stewart, Race Car Driver.
- POLITICS
- Mary Maples Dunn, American college president (Smith College), who died at 85.
On this day in 2016
- EVENTS
- I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It the second studio album by The 1975 went to No.1 on the US chart becoming the album with the longest title of a Billboard No.1 album with 71 characters..
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zack Synder and starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, first premieres in Mexico City.
- DEATHS
- Kuzie Kuzmanich, Race Car Driver.
- SPORTS
- England beats France 31-21 at Stade de France, Paris to claim Six Nations Rugby Championship; secure their first Grand Slam since 2003; Owen Farrell with 7 goals, England's 2nd-highest points scorer behind Jonny Wilkinson.
On this day in 2015
- EVENTS
- Ed Sheeran sold the two millionth copy of his second album, X, (pronounced multiply), in the UK, nine months after it was released. He became only the fifth artist to achieve the feat this decade, following in the footsteps of Adele, Emeli Sande, Take That and Michael Buble..
- DEATHS
- Leandra Becerra Lumbreras, Supercentenarian.
- Michael Brown, American musician and songwriter (Don't Walk Away Renee), who died at 65.
- Peter Katin, British concert pianist, who died at 84.
- Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Historian.
- GAMING: WII U
- Elliot Quest for Wii U is released. Elliot can't die—but he's still running out of time. In Elliot Quest, the victim of a rare curse must find a cure before he's transformed into a demon.After Elliot's wife disappears, he falls sick and attempts to take his own life--only to discovers that he can't die. Plagued by nightmares and growing weaker by the day, Elliot seeks out a local Sage, who tells him that he's the victim of a rare curse. A demon called a Satar is slowly consuming Elliot's vitality. If Elliot can't find a cure to the curse before it's too late, he will become a Satar. His only hope is to ask for the help of one of the island's Guardians, who have kept the Satar from taking over Urele.Explore a vibrant open-world filled with hidden secrets and mysterious Guardians that can help cure Elliot's curse of immortality. Throughout this adventure you'll collect countless abilities and spells, quest through 5 dungeons and defeat 16 unique bosses along your way to unlocking multiple endings.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- Israel sends airforce against Syrian military units involved in an attack yesterday on an Israeli patrol in the Golan Heights.
- Russia captures the Ukrainian naval base in Sevastopol.
- BIRTHS
- Maneli Azizi, Instagram Star, born in Iran.
- DEATHS
- Fausto Merello, Race Car Driver.
- Fred Phelps. American pastor.
- TV SERIES
- Doll & Em: Season 1 is released. The semi-improvised comedy drama series created by Emily Mortimer is about Em (Mortimer), a British actress living in Los Angeles who hires her childhood friend Doll (Dolly Wells) to be her personal assistant.
- The 100: Season 1 is released. Based on the Alloy books by Kass Morgan,97 years after a nuclear war destroyed Earth and forced survivors to flee to space stations, a secret project by leaders of the group sends 100 juvenile prisoners back to Earth to see if it is viable once again.
- GAMING: PC
- Lichdom: Battlemage for PC is released. Lichdom: Battlemage is a first-person caster that gives the Mage the spotlight in a way never before seen in games. With limitless magical power at your disposal and brutal enemies around every corner, victory hinges on a combination of skill and strategy. You must carefully craft a vast array of spells and learn to cast them in the heat of combat. You are your spells! The Lichdom: Battlemage spell crafting system offers an enormous range of customization. Every Mage is the product of crafted magic that reflects the individual's play style. Whether you prefer to target your foes from a safe distance, wade into combat and unleash your power at point-blank range, or pit your enemies against each other, endless spell customization lets you become the Mage you want to be.