NoneEvery president makes their mark on the White House in some way. They extend, rebuild or renew. First Ladies order new China sets or redesign the grounds. And when Joe Biden checks out on Jan. 20, the staff have to begin a rapid makeover. Unusually, however, the new White House residents have been there before–and the staff will be bringing back their creature comforts. Which is why, the Daily Mail reports, President-elect Donald Trump ’s Resolute Desk will have a vital feature re-installed: the Diet Coke button. The small red button, mounted in a wooden box with the presidential seal, sits in front of the Resolute Desk’s array of phones and was a frequent power flex for the 45th president when he conducted interviews in the Oval Office. One press and a butler brings in a chilled glass of his favorite drink. The White House staff will also rearrange furniture and the Oval Office’s collection of art, particularly presidential portraits. Biden removed Trump’s portrait of the populist Andrew Jackson and replaced it with Benjamin Franklin and also added a bust of the labor organizer César Chávez. The director of the first Ryan Reynolds ‘Deadpool’ movie has revealed that he made just $225,000 for his work on the 2016 blockbuster, which grossed $782 million worldwide on a $58 million budget. “I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that’s not a ton of money,” Tim Miller told an audience at a recent entertainment conference, according to Collider. Miller, 60, who did not direct either of the two subsequent films in the franchise, added that he wished his deal for the flick had included part of the merchandising, so that he could have profited from of its massive success. “Not that I’m not grateful,” Miller said. “I’m f---ing grateful. That’s the way it is... when you’re a first-time director. My agent said: ‘Dude, you make more on an episode of The Walking Dead !’" Reynolds, who plays the titular wise-cracking super-antihero, previously told People that he “let go of getting paid” by accepting a $2 million salary for the film. His share of the merchandising, though, ended up being worth $22 million—and he is believed to have earned as much as $40 million from the sequel, Cosmopolitan reported . Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Martin Scorsese. Bill and Hillary. Martha Steward. These are just some of the people we are unlikely to meet in person, but at least we can get up close and personal with them by taking their MasterClass online courses —and at a major discount for a limited time. The expert-led platform has a robust library of educational classes on far-ranging topics: science , music, arts , personal empowerment, and more. The classes are taught by industry experts and household names, including Gordon Ramsey, Mariah Carey, David Lynch, Jeff Koons, and many more. Right now, you can score up to 50 percent off on MasterClass subscriptions just in time for last-minute holiday gifting. You do have to take a short quiz to get to the deal, but honestly, it’s worth the 60 seconds. Honestly, whether you waited until the last minute or not, you’ll be gifting the dad in your life with intelligent, cultured content and giving them the opportunity to learn something new from someone famous. An Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed in a fireball in Kazakhastan was “likely shot down by a Russian military air defense system,” an aviation security firm has said. The plane was en route to Grozny, in Chechnya, when it was diverted almost 300 miles to the east after the pilot declared an emergency. Instead of landing at Aktau in Kazakhstan, it came down almost two miles short of the runway and exploded in flames, killing 38 passengers and crew. Twenty nine people survived. Although the airline said it was diverted because of fog, UK-based Osprey , said there appeared to have been Ukrainian drones attacking Grozny at the time. A second security firm boss, Justin Crump of UK-based Sibylline, told the BBC that the damage to the plane was consistent with an air defense missile strike. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are both allies of Putin, while Chechnya is a Russian autonomous republic run by a bloodthirsty warlord who is one of Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin’s closest associates. The Kremlin has declined to speculate on the cause of the crash. The up-and-coming actor Hudson Meeks has died aged 16, days after falling from a moving vehicle in his Alabama hometown, according to his official Instagram page. The teenager, famous for his Baby Driver role as the child version of the hit film’s title character, was first injured on Dec. 19 in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead two days later from “blunt force injuries.” News of the accident didn’t emerge until Wednesday after a since-edited statement was posted to his Instagram page. “His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met,” the statement read, according to The Hollywood Reporter . It remains unclear how Meeks fell from the vehicle, but the case is being probed by police. In addition to his 2017 role on Baby Driver , Meeks also notched credits on the network series MacGyver and Found , and also featured in the 2024 film The School Duel . An obituary said he was a sophomore member of his high school football team and was a superfan of The Simpsons , having binged all 36 seasons. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 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 . 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. Chinese student s in the United States are being advised not to return home for the holidays amid uncertainty over whether it could become more difficult for them to get back into the country once Donald Trump moves into the White House. China ’s Consulate General in Chicago wrote on its website that students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington is also reminding students about security concerns coming into the U.S. During the president-elect’s first term, Chinese students faced tougher restrictions with 1,000 having visas revoked in 2020 over concerns that their scientific study posed security risks, according to the Wall Street Journal . Several colleges, including UPenn and Cornell University, have also highlighted the issue of holiday travel with their foreign students. Meanwhile, the number of Americans studying in China has dropped dramatically since the pandemic, from 11,000 pre-COVID to just 469 in academic-credit courses in China in the 2022-23 year, wrote the Journal. Netflix is celebrating the holidays with the release of the first teaser trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 . Starring Adam Sandler, the highly-anticipated flick is a sequel to the ‘90s golf comedy, Happy Gilmore , that followed Sandler’s character as he tried to win a golf tournament to raise enough money for his grandmother’s house. For its second round on the golf course, Happy Gilmore 2 packs on a star-studded ensemble including artists Eminem and Bad Bunny, as well as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce who opens the teaser with a cheeky, “It’s good to have you back, Mr. Gilmore.” Elsewhere in the teaser, Christopher McDonald returns as Sandler’s nemesis in the film, Shooter McGavin, much to the delight of fans. While Netflix hasn’t announced the exact date for the sequel’s release, it’s so far slated to premiere sometime in 2025. Have a HAPPY New Year with HAPPY GILMORE 2. Coming to Netflix in 2025. pic.twitter.com/aY7JVz2r5X Luigi Mangione ’s first Christmas behind bars likely involves a festive meal. In an interview with People magazine, prison consultant Sam Mangel disclosed that Mangione will be given a meal of Cornish hen and green beans. Although the consultant isn’t working with Mangione, he previously worked for other clients like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Along with his Christmas meal, Mangel also said that Mangione is sleeping on a mattress that’s “2-inches thick at best” with a “little bump in the end for a pillow.” If Mangione is in protective custody, he’ll spend Christmas day alone in his cell, however if he’s been moved to a different unit with other inmates, he’ll be allowed an hour-long visit from family. It’s unclear what unit Mangione is in while he’s in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center. The 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 in Pennsylvania for his alleged involvement in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. He faces charges in both states, as well as federal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to his murder charges in New York. Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed off a slimmer build in a Christmas day tweet in which he declared himself, “Ozempic Santa.” In the photo shared with the tweet, Musk strikes a modelesque pose in front of a Christmas tree while dressed as Santa Claus. In follow up tweets, Musk suggested that his smaller frame was the result of a weight loss drug. Musk added, “Like Cocaine Bear, but Santa and Ozempic!” In another tweet, he added, “Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.” His post was quickly retweeted and co-signed in the dark corners of #DarkMAGA, with unhinged MAGA politico wannabe Valentina Gomez commenting, “African Santa*” under his post. Musk is only the latest political player who has been pawing for the public’s attention during the holidays. Musk’s bff President-elect Donald Trump also posted his way through the afternoon with troll worthy claims against China, Canada, and “the Radical Left Lunatics.” Ozempic Santa pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz Managing your period shouldn’t feel like a full-time job—you already have one of those. That’s why Knix’s leakproof period underwear is an incredibly thoughtful holiday gift for yourself or someone special. What makes Knix underwear special is the unique gusset. Built into the underwear’s crotch section, the gusset is a liner that—depending on the style chosen—absorbs up to five tampons worth of liquid. Knix offers more than just underwear, too. You’ll also find supportive wireless bras, silhouette-accentuating bodysuits, and ultra-comfy PJs (perfect for those tough, crampy days). Right now, you can score up to 60 percent off sitewide, including shapewear, leakproof underwear, loungewear, activewear, and more during its epic end-of-the-year sale . This is one of Knix’s biggest sales of the year, so if you’ve been wanting to try the brand or restock some of your favorite items, now’s the time to get shopping. The Kardashian-Jenner clan opted for a more “low-key” Christmas eve party this year. Although the family is known for their annual star-studded bash, this year they rang in Christmas by celebrating at home with some card games and Legos. Kim also posted a video to her Instagram Stories of their guests' parting gift—a tequila bottle from her sister Kendall’s brand 818. “We’re doing a really low-key Christmas Eve party this year,” Kim told Vogue at the opening of her SKIMS flagship store in New York. “Just because we have a lot of construction going on, so we’re doing a really family intimate one that I’m really excited about.” She added they were still planning on “dressing up to the nines” because that’s “what we do.” A “stressed” Amazon driver in Massachusetts has fessed up after they ditched dozens of undelivered packages in the woods just days before Christmas, police said. The employee, who has not been identified, came clean after police stumbled across 80 discarded packages in a wooded area of Lakeville around 2 a.m. Sunday, USA Today reported . The driver told cops that they had left the packages “because they were stressed.” No charges will be filed against the driver, who said they plan to report the incident to their supervisor. “I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon,” Police Chief Matthew Perkins said.
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Braiden Koran, a former Dynamiter born and raised in Kimberley, has been excelling on and off the ice, most recently being recognized for the second time with the USPORTS All-Academic Canadian, OUA Academic Achievment Award and Ontario Tech Varsity Athletics Academic Award. After playing minor hockey in Kimberley, Cranbrook and the U18 AA East Kootenay Avalanche program, Koran joined the ranks of the Kimberley Dynamiters. In his second season with the team, from 2018 to 2019, the Dynamiters won 42 of their 48 games played. "Braiden developed immensely during his season with us," said Dynamiters head coach Derek Stuart. "He ended up becoming a big impact player for us as a rookie and helping us to the best regular season ever by a Dynamiter team. He was perhaps the hardest hitter in the league as a 17-year-old rookie and finished with almost a point per game." Koran had nine goals and 22 assists in 39 games played that season. In 2019 he was the recipient of the Jerry Bancks Award from the Selkirk Sports School hockey program, which is given to the student athlete that best embodies the statement, "living with purpose." He then played three years with the Humboldt Broncos. That stretch of his hockey career was impacted, like so many others, by the COVID pandemic. In a previous interview with The Bulletin Koran said while COVID was a low point for his hockey career, his time disconnected from the community and the ice turned into a learning experience, where he channelled his energy into training for the following season. His persistent work ethic he's developed over the years continues to serve him well with the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks, who he signed to in 2022. Koran is currently studying criminology and justice and is on track to graduate next year. He said if his academic pursuits continue to go well and he continues enjoying it, he will pursue law school to become a lawyer. "That said, if I decide to pursue professional hockey after university, I’d likely fall back into policing later and work my way up to detective," Koran said in an interview with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). His schooling has been going exceptionally well so far. In addition to the aforementioned awards, Koran was also recently bestowed with the Bob and Sallie Baun Varsity Scholarship, a prestigious honour awarded to the eight varsity athletes with the highest grade point average. Koran also made the President's List for maintaining a GPA of at least 3.8 for two straight semesters, with an 80 per cent course load. He also received the Social Science and Humanities Oustanding Academic Achievement Award for 2023/24. "It's always nice to see alumni succeed in any aspect of life," Stuart said. "What I find most impressive with Braiden is he is succeeding at the most important part of his life and the hardest part of his life right now: in the classroom. He's worked hard and earned all the accolades he has received and our entire Dynamiter family is very proud of him." Koran said he learned to balance school and hockey while with the Dynamiters, as he was on the team while still in high school. "It was hard to learn that balance, so it’s helping me in university as I only did two university courses during my 18- and 19-year-old season in Humboldt," he said. "I didn’t take any during my 20-year-old season. It was a big adjustment to get back into school. " ... Stuart was great for me in my year that I was there and he helped develop me as a player and a person. The success we had as a team taught me what it takes to win. We’re translating that to our team this year in Ontario Tech. We’re third place in the division and we were nationally ranked for the first time in program history a couple weeks ago." Heading into his time in university, Koran said his goal was first and foremost to maintain his schooling, but said he's "a hockey player at heart." These mounting awards and scholarships very clearly illustrate he's been able to do both. "It’s really just a reflection of my hard work," he said. "I wasn’t necessarily the smartest guy in high school, but once I got to university, I realized that if I put my head down and worked hard, I could achieve great results. I’ve been able to learn, grow, and expand my knowledge, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far."
Lions rush for 3 scores and use stingy defense to beat Colts 24-6 for 9th straight winHoliday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote