It’s Friday. A hostile takeover that started with a cold shoulder just reshaped Hollywood's entire streaming landscape.
We also share what AI bosses tell their kids about jobs, Hilary Clinton’s demand, and French Toast shaken espresso (forwarded this email? Join 523K readers).
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TOP STORY TODAY
Paramount Wins Warner
Paramount Skydance won the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix declined to match Paramount's $31-per-share ($81 billion) offer. Netflix stated the price was no longer financially attractive, ending its previously announced $72 billion deal for Warner's studios and HBO Max.
Warner had originally chosen Netflix as its buyer after rejecting multiple Paramount bids. Paramount then launched a hostile takeover, going directly to shareholders with a higher offer that included a $7 billion termination fee and a $2.8 billion breakup fee to cover Warner's Netflix exit costs.
The combined company would include HBO, CNN, CBS, and major cable networks. Both deals face federal regulatory review, with the Justice Department already having scrutinized the Netflix bid over antitrust concerns.
Pentagon's Kamikaze Drones
The Pentagon's first kamikaze drone unit, Task Force Scorpion, is operational and ready to participate in potential strikes on Iran, according to US Central Command. The unit is part of the largest US military buildup in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion, ordered to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.
The unit operates LUCAS drones, built by Arizona-based SpektreWorks at roughly $35,000 each. The lightweight, autonomous drones were reverse-engineered from Iran's own Shahed-136 and can execute one-way attacks, reconnaissance, and maritime strikes.
US-Iran nuclear talks continued Thursday in Geneva, with Iranian officials describing progress and suggesting another round could occur within a week (see video).
Baywatch Reboot Casting
Fox's "Baywatch" reboot drew 2,000 hopefuls to a Marina del Rey open casting call, selected from 14,000 applicants. The wide-net audition doubled as a promotional event, with candidates getting 45 seconds to read dialogue before casting directors.
The straight-to-series reboot stars Stephen Amell (Arrow) and begins filming in March on Venice Beach, backed by a $21.1 million California tax credit. Previous revival attempts were set for South Africa or Australia before the incentive brought production back to Los Angeles.
The original "Baywatch" reached an estimated 1 billion viewers per episode. Producers are casting lifeguards, extras, and series regulars, with some roles still being written. The original series is streaming on Prime.
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TODAY’S LIFE ADVICE
The Viral 5-4-3-2-1 Grocery Hack
Stop overcomplicating your grocery list. The 5-4-3-2-1 method gives you a simple framework for every shopping trip:
5 veggies
4 fruits
3 lean proteins
2 starches
1 treat
One cart. Endless combinations. A sample haul of chicken thighs, ground turkey, shrimp, sweet potatoes, and seasonal produce can cover lunches and dinners all week through wraps, bowls, and sheet pan meals. The goal isn't a rigid meal plan. It's having the right categories on hand so meals practically build themselves.
What AI Bosses Tell Their Own Kids
Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei and other AI leaders say they worry about their children's futures but aren't panicking. Their common advice: skip chasing specific technical skills, which become outdated fast.
Instead, they point to adaptability, critical thinking, and ethics as durable assets. Promising fields include nuclear energy, healthcare, and environmental work. One exec's takeaway: find something you enjoy, you're good at, and that's useful to someone else.
TRENDING
7 Stories
▲ Shia LaBeouf ordered to rehab or jail after posting $100k bond following Mardi Gras bar fight and battery charges
▲ Pentagon removes Joint Staff director after 90 days, returning Vice Adm. Fred Kacher to Navy amid unexplained shake-up
▲ Columbia student detained by ICE without warrant released after NYC Mayor Mamdani secured assurances from President Trump
▲ Mortgage rates drop below 6% for first time since 2022, hitting 5.98% ahead of critical spring home-buying season
▲ Jack Dorsey cuts 40% of Block's workforce, over 4,000 jobs, citing AI tools reshaping company operations
▲ Hillary Clinton demands Trump testify under oath on Epstein files, citing DOJ allegations of withheld FBI interviews
▲ Nvidia beats Wall Street expectations with $43B profit and $68B revenue, yet Nasdaq falls on broader AI sector fears
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Fun Links
T-Rex walked on tip toes [Blog]
French Toast shaken espresso [Recipe]
Dr. Pepper’s new flavor lineup [Blog]
Best cycling neighborhoods [List]
1950s KGB cigarette pack camera [Photos]
Famous movie scenes from your state [List]
Low Calorie KFC Popcorn Chicken [Recipe]