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Barack Obama surprised a group of veterans on an honor flight from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C. The trip was organized by the Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization that provides travel for veterans and their families to visit monuments in and around D.C. The war heroes who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars were surprised to hear the former president on the plane’s intercom. “Hello, everybody,” he said as the passengers gasped from the former president’s recognizable voice. “What!” one person yelled in disbelief. “I just wanted to say thank you,” he said to the seventy-nine veterans and their families. A video uploaded to Obama’s Instagram showed him shaking their hands as they exited the plane. He presented them with a presidential challenge coin, as a gift of gratitude. Army veteran Joe Parr said, “I had tears in my eyes... I just couldn’t believe that there were that many people around that remembered us,” The former president shared in a statement: “The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day.” Mynie Steffens, a chef, author and co-host of a South African cooking show, has died in a helicopter crash at age 43. Steffens, a licensed pilot, died when the aircraft she was flying crashed on a farm close to Patensie, South Africa—in the Eastern Cape—on Nov. 10, according to local outlets. She had reportedly been spraying pesticides over a citrus farm’s orange crops when her “helicopter struck power lines and crashed,” the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division explained in a statement to the George Herald. “The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force.” Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, but the South African Police Service has yet to release a comment. Steffens was a co-host of the cooking show Speel met Vuur (Play With Fire) and later released a cookbook called Mynie Plays with Fire. Her co-host and friend from childhood, Aldi Van der Walt, told IOL that Steffens death was a “massive shock” and a “tragic loss.” She explained that Steffens was someone who lived life “to the full” and “could make time for people from every walk of life.” It’s that time of year again. Gifting season is here, which means it’s time to start hunting for that perfect present. To assist with the search, Groupon has curated discounts on jewelry pieces that have a variety of customization options. Whether you’re celebrating a spouse, child, or furry friend—these necklace and bracelet options from Becca Prado can be personalized to make a truly unique gift. You can choose gold, silver, or rose gold finishes and add a birthstone or monogram that’s specific to your loved one. Groupon’s key period for gifting deals is in November, and that carries through for last-minute gifting in December. Right now, you can get up to 49% off on three styles with over six unique base options each. Custom Monogram Jewelry Up to 46% off Monogram jewelry offers a personalized experience with unique name, initial, and monogram necklaces or bracelets crafted from premium gold or silver. Custom Pet Jewelry Up to 47% off Pet jewelry features unique paw-print necklaces and pet-name pieces that capture the love felt for four-legged family members. Custom Birthstone Jewelry Up to 49% off Birthstone jewelry tells a unique story about the wearer, with personalized stones to celebrate their special day. Knock out a special gift early and take advantage of the great discounts you’ll only find on Groupon. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Sir Elton John reportedly threw a fit backstage at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday. The “Tiny Dancer” singer, 78, was upset at the ceremony’s organizers for taking too long, and yelled things like “What the hell is wrong with you? Nobody knows what they’re doing!” sources told Page Six. While waiting to perform a tribute rendition of “God Only Knows” to honor the late Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson, Page Six said that John shouted “My plane is waiting!” It’s not the first time John has melted down over a performance. In 2000, Tina Turner revealed during an interview on 60 Minutes that the “Bennie and the Jets” singer had “went into a rage” when Turner tried to teach him to play “Proud Mary” during a rehearsal for VH1’s Divas Live ‘99. “The mistake is you don’t show Elton John how to play his piano,” Turner explained during the interview. The Daily Beast has reached out to John’s team for comment. James Van Der Beek is selling memorabilia from his hit series Dawson Creek to pay for his cancer treatments. The actor, 48, starred in the drama Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003 alongside Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. The father of six was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year and this past September he was absent from the show’s reunion in New York City due to his illness. He told Today.com that his life with cancer feels like a “full-time job.” The actor is selling memorabilia from the show at the Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction to fund his cancer treatments. The necklace that Dawson gifts to Joey for prom is estimated to be sold for $26,400 to $52,800. Dawson’s outfit from the show’s pilot episode is valued at around $4,000. Van Der Beek is also selling his cleats and West Carolina Coyotes Hat from his 1999 film Variety Blues. The actor tells People that this is the right time to give up “these treasures,” though he has “some nostalgia” about letting them go. He explains that “unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now.” Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, you can’t go wrong with a wardrobe refresh this holiday season. Princess Polly has all the on-trend and quality styles anyone will want to wear on repeat. As a special treat, Princess Polly is starting Black Friday early with a Buy One, Get One 60% off deal. Just use the code BFVIP60 at checkout to snag the savings. Harmony Balloon Sleeve Knit Sweater Beige Stay warm and stylish at the office or a night out on the town with this oversized balloon-sleeve sweater. It features cuffed drop shoulders and a classic crew neckline. Try pairing it with black boots, your favorite rings, and a sleek black bag for an effortless chic look. Nellie Mini Dress Brown Polka Dot Polka dots are making a comeback! Step into the trend with this tie-back mini dress that flatters every curve with its v-neck and sleeveless design. Add chunky jewelry and western boots for a cool western vibe. Sawyer Knee High Boots Black Comfy and cute? Yes, it’s possible. These knee-high faux leather boots have reviewers raving about their comfort, all while serving a striking silhouette with their square toe and block heel. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Pop superstar Adele is set to make her acting debut in a new movie directed by Tom Ford. The 21 mastermind joins the cast of Cry to Heaven, an adaptation of the 1982 Anne Rice novel set in an opera in 18th-Century Italy. She will appear alongside Nicholas Hoult, Thandiwe Newton, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Ciarán Hinds, Mark Strong, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Adolescence star Owen Cooper, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The new movie was unveiled at the American Film Market with filming due to start in January. It is due for release in fall 2026. Rice sold over 135 million copies of her 40 novels with a number of them being adapted into movies and TV shows including Interview with the Vampire in 1994. She died at the age of 80 in 2021. Adele had been touted as a potential candidate to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl. Ultimately, it was decided that the Half Time Show would be headlined instead by Puerto Rican mega star Bad Bunny, sparking outrage among conservative circles and elements of Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters. The U.S. Mint is halting production of the one-cent coin following a February directive from President Donald Trump. The decision comes after the cost to make each penny soared above 3.6 cents, with the Treasury Department now projecting annual savings of around $56 million. The phase-out caught many businesses by surprise, with coin shortages forcing cash-handling retailers to adjust pricing strategies and some regional distribution centers to suspend penny orders. In the absence of nationwide guidance on rounding cash transactions, trade groups warn of potential lawsuits and operational confusion. Banks are worried about what the implication may be for cashing checks. “We want to make sure banks don’t suffer any inadvertent regulatory mishaps, because we’re trying to do the right thing and round in favor of the customer,” Steve Keneally, senior VP of payments at the American Bankers Association. “We would like to have something, whether it’s from a regulator or legislation, that gives us guidance.” Although routine minting is now at an end, the coin remains legal tender, with hundreds of billions remaining in circulation for the time being. Russia’s ambitions of having world-beating AI humanoid robots have suffered an embarrassing setback after its pride and joy fell over on stage. Developers rolled out Aidol to showcase it in Moscow, demonstrating Russia’s artificial intelligence prowess. But what was meant to be the announcement of its first AI-incorporated humanoid soon turned into an embarrassing calamity. The bot, created by Idol, tottered as it waved to the crowd, taking tiny, jittery steps. The Rocky theme tune, “Gonna Fly Now,” provided the backdrop for the underwhelming spectacle. It took a few awkward steps, and it face-planted. A part went flying, disappearing out of view. Aidol’s minders rushed to mitigate the crisis, dragging their creation away like an injured soldier on the battlefield. More team members rushed on to cover the chaos. Their black sheet got twisted. Rocky continued to play. “I hope that this mistake will turn into an experience,” Idol CEO Vladimir Vitukhin said. He previously said the machine, made of 77 percent Russian parts, was able to “smile, think, and be surprised, like a person.” He claimed the issue stemmed from calibration, saying it needed light for its sensors, but the room was dark, Meduza reports. The Sun reports it was later brought back onto stage to a round of applause. Three paintings by beloved TV artist Bob Ross sold for a combined $600,000 at an auction on Tuesday, as part of an effort to raise funds for public broadcasting following the Trump administration’s funding cuts. The top seller was “Winter’s Peace,” a serene snowscape Ross completed during a 1993 episode of “The Joy of Painting,” which sold for $318,000 to a phone bidder. It was followed by “Home in the Valley,” which sold for $229,100, and “Cliffside,” which went for $114,800. All three pieces soared past their pre-auction estimates, which had topped out at around $50,000. The auctions are the first in what is expected to be the largest release of Ross’ original work, with around 30 paintings set to go under the hammer over the coming months, in an effort to fill a $1.1 billion void left by the elimination of public television funding earlier this year. Ross, known for his distinctive hairstyle and calm, encouraging demeanor, hosted The Joy of Painting on PBS for 11 years until his death from cancer at age 52 in 1995. The artist has only become more popular in the years since his death, with the Joy of Painting experiencing a huge surge in popularity during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As the year winds down, it’s the perfect moment for some well-deserved “me time” or steamy one-on-one moments with someone special. From teasing toys to sultry lingerie, Lovehoney has everything you need to turn your cozy fall nights into a sultry adventure. Right now, you can save up to 70 percent during the brand’s early Black Friday sale. After all, now’s the perfect time to spice things up in the bedroom (or any room) before Thanksgiving and holiday guests begin to trickle in. Check out a few of Lovehoney’s discounted (and top-rated) toys below. Blowmotion Warming Vibrating Male Masturbator 40% off Experience hands-free orgasms with this male masturbator. It envelops the head of the penis to mimic oral sex, sending waves of pleasure through every one of the 4,000 nerve endings in this ultra-sensitive zone. The Blowmotion warms up to 104°F and has six vibration patterns, each with three intensities. Use it for solo play or ask a partner to take control. Peach Toy Rechargeable Clitoral Stimulator This peach-inspired clitoral stimulator is just as sweet as it looks. Designed by Womanizer, it’s ideal for beginners and made with soft, body-safe silicone. Instead of vibration, this toy uses air pulses to stimulate the clitoris without direct contact. We-Vibe Sync O Soft and flexible, the We-Vibe Sync O is designed to be worn during penetrative sex, delivering pleasure to both partners. The internal section thrums against the penis and G-spot, while the external piece caresses the clitoris with irresistible vibrations. For extra fun, the toy can be controlled via a companion app for hands-free foreplay. Lovehoney’s early Black Friday sale won’t last forever, so make sure to stock up while you can and score up to 70 percent off. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have thrown Christmas into chaos, as prices on various decorative essentials look set to soar. Artificial trees are expected to see a price spike of around 10 to 20 percent, while lights could increase by as much as 63 percent, importers have warned. The U.S. makes few decorations domestically, and the cost of internalizing the means of production would be enormous. Artificial tree retailer Balsam Hill CEO Mac Harman stated that if factories were to be relocated to the U.S., the cost of trees would likely increase from around $800 to $3,000. “When we make Christmas trees, some of the equipment is the size of a U.S. football field,” he told NBC News. “There’s a ton of capital that’s invested in these factories, and the equipment’s so big you can’t even pick it up and put it on a container [ship] and transport it.” He added, “There are over 20,000 people in China that manufacture Christmas trees. Many of those people are the ones that are experts in stringing the lights, and they’ve done it for a long time. They’re very fast at it. They’re good at it.” The Trump administration’s tariffs with China have at times risen as high as 145 percent. An unqualified pilot flew passenger jets across Europe for months after forging his qualifications with fake certificates, a Lithuanian airline has revealed. The fraudster, who had only ever worked as a co-pilot for Indonesian airline Garuda, is alleged to have bluffed his way into a captain’s role after fooling his employer with counterfeited credentials, the Aero Telegraph reports. His employer, Lithuanian-based carrier Avion Express, is a “wet-lease” airline that specializes in providing aircraft with full crews to other airlines at short notice, with clients including EasyJet, TUI, and Sun Express, among others. An Axiom spokesperson confirmed an internal investigation into the incident was underway after the airline became aware of “unverified information regarding his personal experience.” The airline also emphasized its hiring practices are compliant with aviation regulations and that safety remains its “highest priority.” German airline Eurowings, which has worked with Axiom, told BILD, “The investigation into the case is the responsibility of Avion Express and is not yet complete – we are currently waiting for the facts to be clarified.”
