Good morning, all. It’s National Bagel Day. Here’s why some people are putting theirs in … an air fryer? Now, on to the news.
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NEED TO KNOW
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Hegseth survives tense hearing
Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees kicked off yesterday. Here’s what you might have missed and what to expect today.
Hegseth’s hearing: Trump’s defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, appeared before the Armed Services Committee yesterday, where Republicans defended him against Democrats’ questions about allegations of sexual abuse and heavy drinking. [The Hill]
A key vote: Despite initial skepticism, GOP Sen. Joni Ernst said after the hearing that she’d vote to confirm Hegseth. With a 53-47 GOP majority in the Senate, Republicans can afford only three defections if all Democrats vote against Hegseth. [ABC News]
Today’s hearings: Six nominees will sit for hearings, including Pam Bondi, Trump’s second choice for attorney general after former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew, and Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state. Here’s what to watch for. [CNN]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
➡️ Princess Kate in remission
Kate Middleton announced that her cancer is in remission about 10 months after first revealing her diagnosis. On Instagram, she thanked her doctors and supporters, saying “it is a relief” and “there is much to look forward to.” [CBS News]
🩺 Obesity redefined
A team of global health experts has proposed using other measures of health beyond body mass index, such as the presence of existing health issues and body fat measurements, to define obesity, adding nuance to the diagnosis. [ABC News]
🏛️ SEC sues Musk
The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Elon Musk for allegedly failing to properly disclose that he’d bought Twitter shares before acquiring the company, saying he underpaid by at least $150 million. Musk has denied wrongdoing. [Business Insider]
📺 A ‘Severance’ stunt
Adam Scott, Britt Lower and other cast members from the Apple TV+ series Severance appeared in character in a makeshift office in New York City’s Grand Central Station ahead of Friday’s Season 2 premiere. Take a peek. [People]
✈️ World’s busiest airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was named the world’s busiest airport for the second year in a row after handling 62.7 million seats last year. Three other U.S. airports made the list. [USA Today]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
🏒 In the rink, the Oilers face the Wild in the first stop on their road trip at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT. [Hockey News]
📺 A new bombshell has entered the villa: Love Island All Stars Season 2 premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock. Meet the cast. [RealityTea]
🏀 On the court: It’s East Coast vs. West Coast when the Nets take on the Clippers at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. [AP]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Illustration: Yahoo News: photo: Tony Russell/Redferns via Getty Images
In 1972, Don McLean’s single “American Pie” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts, catapulting the struggling folk singer to stardom. The song has become a karaoke classic, which doesn’t bother McLean. “Even sung badly, people are really happy with it,” he said in 2022. [AP]
3 QUESTIONS
…about Senate confirmation hearings
I asked Andrew Romano, who covers politics for Yahoo News, to break down the Senate confirmation process.
Jessica: Remind me: What happens during the Senate confirmation process?
Andrew: It’s the Senate’s job to scrutinize the president’s nominees for Cabinet-level positions. These days that means the relevant committee summons the nominee for public hearings, then votes on whether or not to recommend them for confirmation by the full chamber.
Jessica: How common is it for nominees to be confirmed?
Andrew: Occasionally, controversial figures — like former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz — withdraw before the process actually starts. But over the last 60 years, the Senate has rejected only one Cabinet nominee after holding confirmation hearings.
Jessica: How long does the process take?
Andrew: Since 1981, it’s taken an average of 25 days to confirm Cabinet secretaries. Hegseth’s hearing was one of the first. About a dozen other nominees are scheduled to follow through Jan. 21, and some of Trump’s picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aren’t even on the calendar yet.
Go deeper: Here’s what to expect from the hearings for Trump’s other Cabinet picks.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Jim Victor and Marie Pelton
For this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show, professional food sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton crafted a giant cow made entirely of 1,000 pounds of butter — enough to make 96,000 pancakes. “It’s very unique what we do,” Pelton said. [USA Today]
Have a great day! See you tomorrow.
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Turns out, nighttime showers might have more cons than morning ones. [HuffPost]
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