Cheat Sheet
Top 10 Right Now
1
Netflix Boss Ted Sarandos Bends the Knee to Trump With Mar-a-Lago Visit
STREAMING IN
Published 12.23.24 10:34AM EST 
Ted Sarandos
Mario Anzuoni/REUTERS

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last week, according to reports, just the latest in a procession of business elites suddenly seeking face-time with the president-elect. The 60-year-old has previously donated to Democrats including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to Reuters. Sarandos is also married to Nicole Avant, who was Obama’s United States Ambassador to the Bahamas between 2009 and 2011. A dizzying array of high-powered business moguls have tried to curry favor with Trump since his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos joined Trump for a dinner at Mar-a-Lago that was also attended by Trump’s outspoken cheerleader and Twitter owner, Elon Musk. Fellow social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg also paid a visit to the president-elect’s Palm Beach club last month, while Apple CEO Tim Cook made his visit earlier in December. Zuckerberg’s Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund after his house call, a move that Amazon is also reportedly considering. Trump seems to be thrilled with his newfound popularity, posting last week: “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND.”

Read it at Axios

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2
Trump Hands Stephen Miller’s Wife a White House Gig
BACK IN BUSINESS
Updated 12.23.24 3:26AM EST 
Published 12.22.24 11:07PM EST 
White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller (L) and Katie Waldman arrive in the Booksellers area of the White House to attend an Official Visit with a State Dinner honoring Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2019.
ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images

Katie Miller, a former Mike Pence press secretary who married the controversial aide Stephen Miller during Donald Trump’s first term, has been announced as the latest addition to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Trump revealed the move in a post to Truth Social on Sunday night, but stopped short of saying what exact role the 33-year-old will have in DOGE. “She has been a loyal supporter of mine for many years, and will bring her professional experience to Government Efficiency,” he wrote. “Katie is a deeply experienced communications professional respected by all.” The pick keeps Trump’s trend of appointing Floridians to roles in his administration going, as Miller is a native of Fort Lauderdale. She married Stephen, Trump’s soon-to-be deputy chief of policy, in 2020—with Trump in attendance. Like her husband, she’s considered to be far-right—even by MAGA standards—and has been at the center of controversy over the years, like the time she allegedly trashed hundreds of copies of a student newspaper at the University of Florida after it ran an article about the school’s football coach endorsing an opposing student government candidate.

Read it at The Hill

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The AI-Powered Bike Is Engineered to Give You the Most Effective Workout in the Shortest Time Possible
RIDE ON
Published 10.21.24 4:21PM EDT 
CAROL Bike.
CAROL Bike.

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If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike. The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.”

Carol Bike
Buy At

Free Returns | Free Shipping

Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S.

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3
Unruly Passenger Forces U.S.-Bound Flight to Divert to Tokyo
MIDAIR MELTDOWN
Published 12.23.24 9:45AM EST 
Three Cathay Pacific airplanes.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters

A Cathay Pacific flight destined for Boston diverted to Japan because of an unruly passenger who allegedly assaulted people during a midair meltdown. Passengers endured a 15-hour delay and a forced stopover at Tokyo Haneda after flight CX812, which originated in Hong Kong, descended into chaos. The disruptive individual was banned from future flights with the airline, Hong Kong’s flag carrier. Reports suggest the person, who was arrested upon touchdown, assaulted others onboard. Passengers initially departed Hong Kong International Airport 7:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, but after the incident, the were loaded onto a new plane, which departed at 10:45 a.m. and reached Boston at 12:26 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday. They were compensated with meal vouchers and lounge access, while the airline also apologized. Hong Kong’s Aviation Security Ordinance has strict penalties for unruly behavior, including fines of up to around $6,500 and imprisonment for up to five years.

Read it at South China Morning Post

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4

Nebraska Gov Faces Christmas in Hospital After Horse-Riding Accident

NOT SO MERRY
Updated 12.23.24 6:32AM EST 
Published 12.23.24 6:30AM EST 
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

The governor of Nebraska, Jim Pillen, is facing Christmas in hospital after he was bucked off a horse. The Republican state leader, who turns 69 next week, was out riding with family members when the horse, which was described as new, sent him flying. His office said he “is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” after the incident Sunday. However, it added that he was expected to remain in hospital “for several days.” This means Pillen could spend Christmas Day in the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was transported “out of an abundance of caution” after initial treatment at Columbus Community Hospital, according to his office. “Gov. Pillen and his family are very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers given to them by Nebraskans and they wish all Nebraskans a very merry Christmas,” his office added in the statement.

Read it at ABC

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Make Incredible Espresso Martinis on New Year’s Eve With This Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
ESPRESSO YOURSELF
Updated 12.13.24 7:42PM EST 
Published 12.13.24 7:39PM EST 
A table with four cocktails and a black bottle of Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur on it. Two of the drinks are being held by hands.
Mr Black

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2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black, vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini.

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5
Ski Lift Crack Leaves 170+ Stranded for Hours in Nightmare Scenario
ALL DOWNHILL
Updated 12.23.24 9:09AM EST 
Published 12.23.24 8:16AM EST 
Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post

More than 170 skiers and snowboarders experienced the stuff of nightmares over the weekend when they were left stranded for several hours on a ski lift whose structure had cracked, the Colorado Sun reported. A gondola lift at Winter Park Resort—located about 70 miles west of Denver, Colorado—was halted on Saturday just after noon after technicians discovered the crack. Over the course of about five hours, ski patrollers climbed into each gondola and lowered the riders’ equipment to the ground. They then used swinging ropes with seats attached to them to lower the 174 riders. No injuries were reported during the evacuation, which wrapped up around 6 p.m. Videos posted to social media showed the surreal rescues, which apparently used a belay system similar to the kind used in rock climbing. Officials were still investigating on Sunday to try to determine what had caused the structure to crack. The ski lift’s system detected the malfunction and automatically stopped, according to the resort. In the meantime, the resort’s other 21 lifts remained open.

Read it at The Colorado Sun

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6
Bill Belichick to Hire His Own Son for Key Coaching Role at UNC
FAMILIAR FACE
Updated 12.22.24 7:35PM EST 
Published 12.22.24 7:32PM EST 
Steve and Bill Belichick
Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick is expected to soon poach his son from the University of Washington to be his defensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina. The bombshell hiring, which reports say will become official after Steve Belichick’s $1.2 million buyout at Washington expires on Dec. 31, is perhaps the biggest hire Belichick has made since he was announced as UNC’s head coach earlier this month. The younger Belichick, 37, was a defensive assistant under his father in New England for 12 years. He’s the third hire in Belichick’s Tar Heel era, coming after Freddie Kitchens was announced as an offensive assistant and Michael Lombardi as its general manager. The elder Belichick, who boasts an impressive eight Super Bowl wins as a head and assistant coach, worked in the NFL between 1975 and this January. The 72-year-old is now risking his legacy to take on college football, where he’s carrying big expectations—and a fat paycheck of $10 million annually, doubling that of his predecessor—to turn around UNC’s middling football program and have it competing for a national championship as early as next season.

Read it at ESPN

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7
Elon Musk’s British Cousin: ‘I Think He’s Stupid’
FAMILY FEUD
Updated 12.23.24 3:37AM EST 
Published 12.22.24 6:42PM EST 
BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 05: Elon Musk leaves the stage after addressing a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is the first time that Trump has returned to Butler since he was injured during an attempted assassination on July 13.  (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 05: Elon Musk leaves the stage after addressing a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is the first time that Trump has returned to Butler since he was injured during an attempted assassination on July 13. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The British branch of Elon Musk’s family is unhappy with the South African-born billionaire, according to an interview with his cousin. Musk’s grandmother was from the U.K. before she moved to South Africa, where she married his grandfather. Their son, Errol, had three children—one of which was Elon. But his British relatives seem to have been shunned by the SpaceX founder, with his cousin Marshall Robinson, 86, going so far as to call him “stupid” in an interview with The Daily Mail. “I think he’s stupid with all the things he comes out with,” Robinson said, citing his connection with Donald Trump. “It’s pretty shocking with what he has become and how he’s linked to the President-elect Trump.” The cousin, living in Fleetwood, said that although he’s never met Musk, another family member reached out to the billionaire and received a cold shoulder response. “I have never been in touch but one of the family did send him a social media message and he just said: ‘What do you want?’ That was it.”

Read it at The Daily Mail

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8
Denzel Washington Gets Baptized and Becomes a Minister on the Same Day
NEW GIG
Updated 12.23.24 3:39AM EST 
Published 12.22.24 6:12PM EST 
Denzel Washington attends the "Gladiator II" Paris Special Screening at Pathe Palace on November 10, 2024, in Paris, France.
Denzel Washington attends the "Gladiator II" Paris Special Screening at Pathe Palace on November 10, 2024, in Paris, France. Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington is now a minister. On Saturday, the Gladiator II star was baptized at the Kelly Temple in New York City, where he also received a minister’s license. “It took a while, but I’m finally here,” Washington said of his journey with faith during the service’s livestream. “If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you. The sky literally is the limit.” The soon-to-be 70-year-old penned an essay for Esquire in November where he discussed his relationship with God and said that he was “unafraid” of the public’s reaction to his faith. “It’s my job to lift God up, to give Him praise, to make sure that anyone and everyone I speak to the rest of my life understands that He is responsible for me,” Washington wrote at the time. The actor’s wife, Pauletta Washington, was also in attendance Saturday and disclosed how proud she was of her husband. “You are the head of our house and you have set a great example for our children, who are now adult children who know the difference because we have shown them the difference,” she gushed.

Read it at Page Six

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Cleaning Is Fun and Chemical-Free With This Steam-Powered Device
DREAM STEAM
Updated 12.17.24 9:18PM EST 
Published 12.17.24 9:16PM EST 
Woman using the BISSELL Steam Shot OmniReach handheld steam cleaner to clean bathroom tiles, showcasing its powerful steam cleaning capabilities.
BISSELL

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Bissell is known for its grime-busting devices, and the Steam Shot OmniReach delivers more unbelievable portable cleaning power just in time for holiday hosting. This handheld device blasts steam to break down even tough stains. Think stovetops, bathroom soap scum, outdoor furniture: wherever your toughest stains live, your Bissell will ensure cleaning is the easiest thing to check off your holiday list.

The 16-foot cord means you’ll have maneuverability without worrying about battery life. The tank holds over six ounces of water, minimizing the number of times you’ll need to refill. The ten included specialty cleaning tools–multiple included brush heads and scrapers–will help you bust stains of any size, depth, and (nearly any) surface. And that’s everything you need! The steam-powered cleaning doesn’t require any additional soaps or solvents to sanitize–perfect for households with pets or infants. With just the 100-watt steam power, up to 99.9 percent* of germs are killed.

Steam Shot™ OmniReach™

If you’re the type of person who loves watching grout deep-cleaning videos on Instagram, but hasn’t touched your own on tiles in a decade, this product will bring out your inner cleanfluencer. The fabric steamer, window cleaner tool, and extension wand will have you looking around your home thinking, “What else can I steam?”

*Kills 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Aspergillus niger when used as directed. Testing conducted in a third-party laboratory under controlled conditions. Results may vary.

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9
‘Sonic’ Flies Past ‘Mufasa’ In Box Office Debut
NEED FOR SPEED
Published 12.22.24 5:15PM EST 
Signage on display at the premiere of "Sonic The Hedgehog 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on December 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Signage on display at the premiere of "Sonic The Hedgehog 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on December 16, 2024. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images) MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has taken the lead over Mufasa this weekend in box office sales. Ahead of Christmas on Wednesday, Paramount’s $122 million video-game inspired movie had a $62 million opening in North America. The film easily surpassed Disney’s $200 million prequel Mufasa, which had a $35 million start in the U.S. According to Variety, Paramount’s third movie about the famous video game character beat the first of the trilogy, which released in February 2020 at $58 million. It just came below the sequel, which was released in March 2022 with a $72 million start. “We saw a window in the marketplace in December where we thought we could stand out,” Paramount domestic distribution president Chris Aronson said. “Sonic is going to dominate through the holidays.” The movie received an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score with high audience reviews. Mufasa, on the other hand, is trailing far behind. The Disney movie that was a prequel to The Lion King landed $35 million. Variety reported that an above $200 million production had a $100 million promotion budget worldwide, and fell far behind expectations of a $50 million start. The film also had relatively high reviews from audiences, with a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Read it at Variety

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10
AOC Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors After Being Approached by GOP Colleague
NO BABY ON BOARD
Published 12.22.24 12:12PM EST 
UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attends a news conference on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuadorians residing in the U.S., outside the Capitol on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is clearing up the pregnancy rumors after a Republican member asked her whether she was expecting on the House floor this week. In an Instagram story video, Ocasio-Cortez responded to a user asking if she was pregnant because she was “glowing.” “Everyone keeps asking me if I’m pregnant,” she said. “Actually, a member, a Republican, came to me on the floor this week and asked me if I was pregnant.” She then went on to dispel the rumors, giving a reason to why people may be asking. “I’m not pregnant guys,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I had a lot of food at Thanksgiving, OK? It happens.” The congresswoman from New York made headlines this week after running to be a top Democrat for the House Oversight Committee, and losing. Reports circulated that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was working against Ocasio-Cortez. Rep. Gerry Connolly, who Pelosi was reportedly making calls for, won by a margin of 131 to 84. Even President-elect Donald Trump sent his sarcastic condolences to her. “Really too bad that AOC lost the Battle for the Leadership Seat in the Democrat Party,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “She should keep trying. Someday, she will be successful!”

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