CHEAT SHEET

01

LAST WORLD KICK

International Soccer Star, 41, Retires

His longtime rival for Argentina confirmed a similar retirement at the end of August.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is retiring from international duty with Portugal after wearing his No. 7 jersey for 23 years. The soccer star announced it in a lengthy social media post on Thursday, expressing his love and gratitude for his country and team. “The day has come,” Ronaldo wrote. “It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.” Ronaldo’s 234th appearance for his country in the UEFA Nations League came in a 1-0 win against Wales in September. But he later left the Portugal training camp early without permission following an alleged dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time and what Ronaldo said were broken promises. He was then suspended and fined about $286. Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to become men’s international soccer’s all-time leading scorer. He remains the record holder for most international appearances and goals for Portugal, with 146 goals in 234 appearances. Ronaldo is retiring only from international soccer and will continue playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

02

FINAL EDITION

Pioneering Digital Publication Shuts Down After 31 Years

The outlet cited changing business realities as the reason for its closure.

The digital news site Salon has published its last story after 31 years of operation. Known for its political and cultural commentary, the website, founded in 1995, was an early adopter of digital media. The outlet was created by a group of former San Francisco Examiner journalists led by David Talbot, who served as its editor-in-chief until 2005 and as CEO across three separate terms. “It’s difficult to find the right words for the end of something that has meant so much to so many people,” a letter posted Thursday on its website reads. “Salon was never just a website. It was an idea about what journalism could be, born at a moment when the internet was still a largely unexplored frontier.” The letter chalks the closure up to the financial challenges of running an online site. “The business realities of independent digital journalism have changed profoundly over the years. After careful consideration, we have reached the difficult decision that our publishing model is no longer sustainable.” The outlet helped launch the careers of many writers and journalists, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, who was Salon’s Washington Bureau Chief from 1999 to 2003, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald (2007-2012), MS NOW’s data guru Steve Kornacki (2010-2013), and Dave Eggers (1995-1997). The move comes amid chronic revenue loss in the journalism industry.

03

GONE TOO SOON

‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Actress Dead at 50

Kimmarie Johnson also appeared in the 2000 stoner-comedy “Dude, Where’s My Car?”

Actress and model Kimmarie Johnson, known for her roles in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Dude, Where’s My Car?, died Wednesday afternoon after being diagnosed with a heart condition, her niece, Rhonda Scott, told TMZ. She was 50. Born in Pittsburgh in 1976, Johnson worked as a flight attendant until a modeling agency signed her. She began competing in beauty pageants and was named Miss Pennsylvania in 1992. Johnson went on to represent the state in the 1993 Miss USA pageant. She later moved to Los Angeles and landed a role as Jane in a Season 9 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. She also appeared alongside Pamela Anderson in the action-comedy series V.I.P. In 2000, Johnson played a “Jumpsuit Chick” in Dude, Where’s My Car?, starring Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott. Her filmography also includes credits in Gang Warz, Shadow Fury, and Break a Leg.

04

BREAKING UP

‘Breaking Bad’ Star’s Wife Files for Divorce Amid Bankruptcy

The couple filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for their Temecula barbecue restaurant in September.

Dean Norris, known for playing DEA agent Hank Schrader on the AMC crime drama Breaking Bad, and his wife, Bridget, are divorcing after 25 years of marriage. Court documents obtained by TMZ show that Bridget Norris filed for divorce in 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple married in 2001 and share five children, two of whom are minors. TMZ reports that Bridget Norris asked for joint legal and physical custody, along with spousal support, in her filing. The outlet says the case has not been finalized yet. The couple is also currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for their barbecue and breakfast restaurant, Swing Inn Cafe, in Temecula, California. According to TMZ, the eatery saw a dramatic $1 million revenue decline from 2024 to 2025. Norris has also appeared in shows including Scandal, The Big Bang Theory, and Under the Dome.

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05

TRAGEDY

Soccer Star’s Cause of Death Revealed After On-Pitch Collision

“Jesus leaves a void that is impossible to fill,” his family said in a statement.

Spanish soccer striker Jesús de Miguel died from “accidental chest trauma” after an on-pitch clash with another player, according to a post-mortem report obtained by The Sun. The 30-year-old CD Tenerife player collided with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during stoppage time on Monday. He collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he died overnight. CD Tenerife confirmed his death the following morning. According to The Sun, the match referee’s report concluded that Owono used “excessive force” while fighting for the ball. In a statement released Wednesday, Owono said he is experiencing “the most difficult days of my life” following the accident. “I feel an immense amount of pain over the loss of Jesús,” he wrote. “My thoughts are with him, his family, and everyone who loved him.” De Miguel’s funeral was held Thursday in his parents’ hometown in Toledo, Spain. His Tenerife teammates carried the coffin. De Miguel is survived by his girlfriend, María Fernández, and their one-year-old daughter, Carla. “Feeling such affection for Jesús and seeing the mark he has left on so many people is something we will always carry with us,” his family said in a statement.

06

FOUND TREASURE

Lost $3 Million Georgia O’Keeffe Painting Found in Closet

The missing landscape spent four decades sitting under a row of fur coats.

A Rhode Island woman unearthed a long-lost Georgia O’Keeffe painting in her aunt’s closet in New York City. The artwork, titled “Near Abiquiu, New Mexico,” was created in 1930 and is valued at $3 million. “I wondered, ‘Is there any way I can keep this?,’” the woman, identified only as Betsy, told the New York Post. “But once we started exploring what the value of the piece was, I realized that it’s worth more than my house.” Betsy said her late aunt, an “incredibly accomplished” former Foreign Service worker, received the painting from her mother as a graduation gift in the 1960s. The 10-by-24-inch painting sat in her closet, in its original box, under a row of fur coats, for four decades. According to the Post, the landscape will go on view in a free, public exhibition at Christie’s New York auction house before going to auction this month.

07

SAVE THE HIPPOS

Dozens of Hippos Killed in Anthrax Outbreak

Officials hope there will be no more deaths.

Dozens of hippopotamuses have been killed by anthrax in Africa’s oldest national park. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 3,000-square-mile, 101-year-old Virunga National Park has seen more than 30 of the enormous mammals die since the outbreak was first reported in September. The park’s conservation chief, Laura Parker, said laboratory analysis had confirmed the deaths. “Park authorities are attributing this to the arrival of significant rainfall, and are cautiously optimistic that there won’t be any further cases, but monitoring protocols continue,” Parker told ABC News. “Anthrax does not exclusively affect hippos, but they are more susceptible due to a combination of their biology and feeding habits,” she added. The World Health Organization reports that anthrax is caused by spore-forming bacteria found in soils around the world. It forms naturally and can remain dormant in soil for extended periods. “Virunga’s response is focused on surveillance, safe carcass management and reducing risks to both wildlife and people,” she said. “Teams have been monitoring the affected area, documenting new mortalities and coordinating the safe handling and disposal of carcasses.”

08

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Political Leader Mysteriously Found Dead in Hotel

The politician was faced with a national scandal shortly before Bavaria’s 2023 election.

A prominent German politician embroiled in controversy has been found dead in a Berlin hotel room on Wednesday. Hubert Aiwanger, 55, led the conservative Free Voters party, which is influential in Bavaria. Aiwanger, Bavaria’s deputy governor, was slated to speak at the opening of a Free Voters office in Berlin on Wednesday afternoon, but backed out, citing stomach and intestinal problems. Police say they have opened a probe to determine the specific cause of death but don’t believe it to be foul play or suicide. Aiwanger was faced with scandal shortly before Bavaria’s 2023 election, after reports emerged that he authored an antisemitic flyer as a high school student. The conservative politician denied the accusations, and the Free Voters party maintained their position in government. Bavarian Gov. Markus Söder described Aiwanger’s passing as an “absolute tragedy”. “We are all deeply shocked. Our thoughts are now first and foremost with his family and his children,” he wrote. Aiwanger is survived by his partner, fellow Free Voters politician Tanja Schweiger, and their two children.

09

MORNING SHAKE-UP

Carson Daly Gets Big ‘Today’ Show Promotion

The 53-year-old will be working six days a week.

Carson Daly, 53, is adding a new role to his resume on NBC’s Today Show. The broadcaster will continue to appear on Today during the weekdays, but he’s joining Saturday Today as co-anchor alongside Laura Jarrett, Joe Fryer, and meteorologist Angie Lassman. The Today group celebrated his new six-day workweek with a round of Guinness on Thursday’s Morning Boost segment—a nod to his Irish heritage. “At my age and my stage in my career—to have an opportunity to sit next to Laura and learn and… be the best broadcaster I can… It’s not something I take lightly,” Daly said. His past broadcast credits include MTV’s Total Request Live and NBC’s late-night series Last Call with Carson Daly before joining Today in 2013. Daly is booked and busy as he also hosts The Voice, and will act as executive producer on The Voice: Celebrity starting next year. He said in a statement that his kids asked if he’s still making pancakes. “I told them yes, but I’ll be making them for Laura, Joe and Angie instead,” Daly wrote.

10

PIZZED OFF

Italian Chef Fired for Refusing to Put Pineapple on Pizza

One employee’s pizza principles sparked a workplace clash in Australia’s pineapple-loving heartland.

An Italian chef who refused to put pineapple on pizza because he considered it an insult to his heritage has been fired from an Australian restaurant. Davide Tamburella was given the boot from the now-closed La Costa in Brisbane, Queensland, in May after repeatedly refusing to make ham and pineapple pizzas, including for a function. Tamburella claimed he had been unfairly dismissed, arguing that management directives “need not be followed when they are offensive to his culture.” Australia’s Fair Work Commission rejected his claim, saying he filed it too late. The ruling, released Tuesday, said he had previously asked his boss to respect Italians’ aversion to pineapple on pizza, despite Queensland being Australia’s pineapple heartland. But La Costa managing director Elliot Ingram told the Daily Mail there was “more to this story than a pizza topping.” According to Tamburella’s LinkedIn profile, he now works at another Brisbane restaurant that does not have pineapple on the menu.