Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS
Pete Hegseth flunked a pop quiz from a Senate Democrat during his confirmation hearing. The U.S. Army vet and former Fox News commentator was quizzed by Tammy Duckworth, herself a veteran, about how many countries are in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and “what type of agreement we have with at least one of those nations?” Hegseth immediately conceded he did not know how many countries were in the association. More shockingly, however, was what he said next: “I know we have allies in South Korea, in Japan, and…in Australia.” Duckworth immediately cut off Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick to point out that none of the countries he mentioned are actually in ASEAN. “I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations,” she added. The brutal correction came in the latter half of Hegseth’s four-hour confirmation hearing, which wrapped with a slew of softball questions from the newly-elected Sen. Tim Sheehy that included the Montana Republican asking how many pushups he can do (Hegseth answered he did five sets of 47 that morning).
Man Almost Killed by Runaway Plane While Taking Selfies
Youtube/Metropoles
A tourist said he was taking selfies when a plane skidded off a runway and almost hit him. Rogério Prado was strolling down a beach last week in Ubatuba, in São Paulo, Brazil, when he clocked the aircraft coming into shot as he worked on his selfie game. The holiday-maker then inadvertently captured the moment the Cessna jet spun off the runway at Gastão Madeira State Airport and careered through a fence, killing the pilot. Four other people, a couple and two children, managed to escape the fireball alive. Rogério told G1 of his lucky escape: “I was taking selfies right in front of the airport runway… [then the plane] was heading in my direction. I could only hear the noise and see it leaving the runway on my phone.” He added that the plane whizzed past just four meters from him. “I didn’t even have time to run, just to turn my back, and he had already crossed the fence, made the first impact, then crossed the track and passed exactly where I was before,” he recalled, adding that he sustained burns to his arm and back. He and other tourists on the beach broke into the plane using rocks, to save the passengers.
Crush Dry January With These Alcohol-Free THC Seltzers That Give You a Buzz Without the Hangover
Happi
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
A new year offers a clean slate to make positive changes. For many, that change is re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol and taking part in the Dry January movement, which is no easy task. From work events to gatherings with friends, alcohol is a constant. The relaxation and social buzz a glass of wine or cocktail provides is hard to beat, but comes with consequences like headaches, anxiety, and upset stomach the next day. If you’re looking for a zero-proof alternative, you can have the best of both worlds with Happi.
This collection of THC seltzers provides a light buzz without the hangover. Happi’s beverages are all-natural, organic, non-GMO, alcohol-free, and only 20-50 calories a can. The THC used in Happi is Delta-9. Delta 9 is naturally derived from hemp and is known for its soothing and uplifting buzz.
Happi designed its drinks to mimic the onset of a glass of wine or a beer, so you feel the effects right away—around 15 minutes and last about two hours.
There are many drinks to choose from, but the Raspberry Honeysuckle is a clear fan favorite. It’s bursting with a sweet-tart berry flavor and a hint of honeysuckle. With over 140 reviews, Raspberry Honeysuckle holds a 4.9 rating on Happi’s website. Plus, in 2024, it won Gold at the L.A. Spirits Awards. If you’re ready to enjoy a new type of Happi hour this season, look no further than these THC-powered seltzers.
WATCH: Hegseth Confirmation Interrupted by Parade of Screaming Demonstrators
Security personnel remove a protester as Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 14, 2025. Reuters
Several different protestors shouted over Pete Hegseth’s opening statement at his confirmation hearing for defense secretary and had to be removed by security. “You are a misogynist,” one protestor yelled, calling Hegseth “a Christian Zionist” and screaming about the war in Gaza, according to CNN. But seconds after Hegseth, Donald Trump’s highly controversial pick to oversee the military, continued his speech, more shouting erupted, and another protestor was removed. Hegseth showed little reaction, sipping his water until the outburst was quelled. Even then, it wasn’t long before another demonstrator interrupted and was carried out on his back by several Capitol Police officers. Roger Wicker, the senator who chairs the Armed Services Committee, assured that any further protestors would be removed. “I see a pattern—attempted to be inflicted on the committee, and we’re simply not going to tolerate that,” he said. When he could speak during his opening statement, Hegseth vowed to return a “warrior culture” to the Department of Defense. Since Trump announced Hegseth as his pick, the former Fox News host has faced a slew of concerns about his character and fitness—including allegations of infidelity, sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement as a non-profit executive.
Pope Reveals He Inherited Big White Box of Corruption and Abuse Scandals
Osservatore Romano Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
When Pope Francis was elected pope, he inherited a box full of abuse and corruption scandals, according to his new autobiography. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign, giving Francis the rare opportunity to sit down with his predecessor during the papal transition. “He gave me a large white box,” Francis wrote of Benedict in his autobiography Spera (Hope), out Tuesday. “‘Everything is in here,’ he told me. ‘Documents relating to the most difficult and painful situations. Cases of abuse, corruption, dark dealings, wrongdoings.’” Benedict then told him the box contained documents about the actions he had taken and the people he had “removed,” and now it was Francis’ turn. The book doesn’t detail which scandals were in the box or how Benedict dealt with them—or what Francis did to continue the cleanup efforts. Benedict’s eight-year papacy was marred by a number of sex-abuse scandals, including allegations that Benedict allowed priests to climbs the ranks despite accusations of abuse. For years, rumors persisted about a box of scandals, after Francis and Benedict, who died in 2022, were photographed sitting across from a white box at the pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. Spera marks the first time Pope Francis has addressed it on the record.
This First-Of-Its-Kind Marketplace Makes It Easier to Buy (and Sell) Luxury Watches
Bezel
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
Few items exude elegance like a luxury watch; the right timepiece can elevate your style and transform a simple outfit into a statement of sophistication. The process of acquiring such a watch, however, is often catered exclusively to connoisseurs with deep knowledge—and even deeper pockets. Fortunately, Bezel is revolutionizing the world of watch-buying by making it easier for everyday buyers to shop for sought-after watches without needing to worry about fakes or unreasonable prices.
Bezel is the first fully-authenticated marketplace for luxury watches, offering a seamless and trustworthy experience for buyers and sellers of all backgrounds and knowledge levels. With Bezel, you can explore thousands of the world’s most desirable timepieces to find the perfect watch for you, using the app’s curated browsing to guide your search.
Once you make your selection, Bezel’s in-house team of watchmakers and authentication specialists will meticulously examine and certify the watch you buy to guarantee it is genuine and exactly as described, helping ensure peace of mind and confidence in your purchase. Plus, if you already have watches that you’re looking to sell, Bezel can also help you stand out to prospective buyers and get paid as soon as your items are bought.
With over half a billion dollars’ worth in inventory and thousands of glowing reviews, it’s easy to see why Bezel has quickly caught buzz within the watch world. There’s no need to let the clock tick any further—download the Bezel app, and start browsing today.
WATCH: Cop Pulls Coyote Out of Aldi Refrigerator by the Tail
EddieBarstool/X
Aldi shoppers got more than they bargained for when a cop yanked a coyote from a fridge by the tail. The strange scene played out in the supermarket chain’s Kedzie Avenue store in Chicago, Illinois, Monday morning and comes amid mating season. “I was prepared to see him pull out a opossum or a raccoon. Did NOT expect that,” a man who posted the video to X said on the social media site. Two Harrison District police officers, one armed with a broom and the other a dust pan, were caught on camera reaching into the coolers in the store—before one of them pulls the animal by the tail. “Watch out, watch out, watch out!” one of the officers shouts, before the intruder darts back into the cooler. “Nobody was bitten,” said Harrison District Lt. Terence Teahan. Animal Care and Control arrived to whisk the male animal away safely, and officials said authorities will give the coyote a once over with a view to releasing it back into the wild. Aldi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump Bans Senators From Reading Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth’s FBI Background Check
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Andrew Harnik/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Donald Trump’s transition team is insisting that the FBI’s background check on Pete Hegseth, his nominee for Defense Secretary, is not shared more widely. Trump’s team insist that those documents are not made available to rank-and-file senators, following a precedent which they say was set by Biden’s transition after the last election. So far, only senior members of the Senate Armed Services, including chair Roger Wicker and ranking member Jack Reed have been briefed on the FBI’s report about Hegseth, along with some members of the Trump transition team. Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argue that the seriousness of allegations against Hegseth, including sexual misconduct (which Hegseth has denied), means there should at least be a conversation about sharing the files more widely, Axios reports. “We should all be able to see the report and draw our own conclusions,” said Elizabeth Warren.
Trump Attacks Seth Meyers After TV Segment on Bannon-Musk MAGA Civil War
U.S. President Donald President Trump at the White House in 2020. Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
Donald Trump called NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers a “moron” and threatened Comcast, the channel’s corporate owner, in an early morning social media post on Tuesday. Minutes after the release of a special counsel report about the investigation into Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election, the president-elect took to Truth Social at 1:24 a.m. to call Seth Meyers names. “I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers,” he wrote, adding, “these are not shows or entertainment, they are simply political hits… Comcast should pay a BIG price for this!” Trump was reacting to a 10-minute segment on Meyers’ show where he detailed the ongoing “civil war” between MAGA movement figures like Steve Bannon and tech billionaire Elon Musk. “Trump is caught in the middle between the MAGA diehards and the rich oligarchs who helped him get elected,” said Meyers. “And he doesn’t even really know what the hell they’re talking about.”
Kate Returns to Cancer Hospital Where She Was Treated
Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Kate Middleton made an emotional visit Tuesday to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she was treated for cancer last year. She also announced that she and her husband will become joint patrons of the prominent cancer research hospital. A source said that Kate wanted to visit the hospital to show her “gratitude” to its staff for their “exceptional care, support and compassion” and to offer support to those currently going through treatment. Kate met with staff and patients during the visit. Kate’s visit was not pre-announced.
Boost Your Mental Clarity and Serenity with Mushroom-Infused Gummies
Kind Oasis
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
Gummies are a classic treat. They are a quick way to get a hit of flavorful, sugary goodness and, more recently, CBD. However, Kind Oasis—a family-owned apothecary and infusion kitchen—has put a new twist on this much-beloved snack. Instead of infusing them with CBD, these gummies are infused with functional mushroom extracts. It’s a convenient way to seamlessly incorporate the powerful health benefits of mushrooms into your daily routine—especially if you don’t like the taste of mushrooms.
Kind Oasis gummies—like all its products—are handcrafted in small batches to ensure peak freshness and quality. Additionally, each gummy is made with ingredients to support specific wellness needs. For example, the clarity blend uses extracts from the Lion’s Mane mushroom, which may support cognitive health and a balanced mood. It’s great for the day when you need a natural, steady source of mental clarity, like an extra busy work day or intense study session.
If you’re looking for stress support, reach for the serenity blend. With a smooth and enjoyable taste, these gummies combine the extracts of the Reishi and Chaga mushrooms, both of which have calming effects. Use this blend to unwind after a long day and support a restful night of sleep.
Whichever blend you choose, these gummies give you the benefits of mushrooms with a naturally sweet taste.
Harris Snubs Vance by Not Inviting Him to Visit VP Residence
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly snubbed her successor, JD Vance, by not inviting him for a tour of his new digs. Usha Vance, the wife of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming vice president, reached out via intermediaries to Harris’ staff in November to find out what would be required to childproof the Naval Observatory residence in Washington D.C. ahead of her family’s move-in with their three young kids, according to CBS News. The questions were initially unanswered, the report claims, but Navy aides who oversee the residence have since communicated with Vance’s team, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke to Usha Vance on a call for around 40 minutes last week. Arrangements are now being made to accommodate the Vances’ children—Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel—all of whom are younger than eight. Sources close to Harris said she too wasn’t given the chance to visit the residence before she moved in in 2021—though she took office during COVID and the fallout of the Capitol Riots.
Silicon Valley Legend Marc Andreesen Is Vetting Trump Admin Candidates
Getty
Renowned Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen has been vetting candidates for positions across the incoming Trump administration, according to The Washington Post. The venture capitalist, credited as the godfather of the internet browser, has been recruiting staff not just for tech and economics roles but for openings in the Defense Department and intelligence agencies as well. Andreessen previously described himself as as “unpaid volunteer” for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” aimed at cutting government spending. Andreessen is the latest tech mogul to get closely involved with the Trump administration. Other Silicon Valley leaders, including Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, have also made generous donations to Trump’s inaugural fund.
