Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro-athlete home invasion
Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year
WASHINGTON — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump’s defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host’s personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill and conducted a radio interview to deny allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, insisting he was “not backing down one bit” and that Trump was still backing him. But the president-elect’s team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Trump’s defense pick Pete Hegseth faces deepening scrutiny in Senate Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. The Trump transition team was increasingly concerned about Hegseth’s path to Senate confirmation and actively looking at potential replacements, a person familiar with the matter said. Three other people said DeSantis, who competed against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, was being discussed as an option if Hegseth’s nomination does not move forward. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations. Beyond DeSantis, there have also been discussions about shifting Michael Waltz, who was chosen by Trump for national security adviser, to the Defense Department, according to another person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Florida congressman is a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran. Trump aides do not want to be caught flat-footed in case Trump’s initial picks fall through. Police report reveals assault allegations against Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary As he made the rounds on Capitol Hill, Hegseth told reporters that he had received a fresh message of support from Trump. “I spoke to the president this morning. He supports me fully. We’re not going anywhere,” Hegseth said. He ignored questions about the allegations he has faced. Hegseth, accompanied by his wife, held talks in private with GOP senators before shifting to the House to meet with legislators there. While House members have no direct role in the confirmation process, conservatives can hold outsize influence on the debate. The Trump transition team didn’t immediately comment. The Wall Street Journal, on Tuesday night, first reported that Trump was considering DeSantis. In an interview taped Wednesday for Megyn Kelly’s SiriusXM satellite radio show, Hegseth said Trump told him he wanted a “warfighter” who would clean out the “woke crap.” Citing his Capitol Hill meeting, Hegseth said, “No one has looked me in the eye and said, ‘I have concerns.’” He added: “We’re not backing down one bit.” Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a California hotel in 2017 after Hegseth had given a speech at a Republican event. His lawyer said the payment was to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Asked by Kelly if he sexually assaulted the woman, Hegseth said “absolutely not.” He called it a “really unfortunate situation” and said he paid her because he “had to,” contending that her lawyers said they would “out him.” He declined to reveal the amount paid, but said it was done to protect his wife, himself and his job. He said it is a “fair characterization” to call him a serial cheater, who cheated on all three of his wives. “Was I a perfect man, absolutely not,” he said. Hegseth flatly denied having a drinking problem and said he wouldn’t drink while defense secretary, vowing, “I’m not going to have a drink at all.” He likened it to following the Pentagon’s general order #1, which prohibits troops from drinking while deployed. GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who joined Hegseth in a meeting with House Republicans, defended the nominee and said, “All of us, at least all of us, have a time to grow up. We’re nominating Pete for who he is today not for what he did seven years ago or five years ago or whatever it was.” Earlier, Hegseth’s mother appeared on Fox News to address some of the allegations. Penelope Hegseth, on “Fox & Friends,” discussed her son and a 2018 email she wrote him that was obtained by The New York Times, in which she confronted him about mistreating women after he impregnated his current wife while he was married to his second wife. That letter followed multiple allegations, reported by the New Yorker this week, of questionable conduct around female staffers, in addition to the 2017 allegation. On Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said some of the reports were “disturbing,” telling CBS News that he wants to “make sure that every young woman that joins the military feels respected and welcomed.” Penelope Hegseth implored the lawmakers to listen to her son and give him a chance. “I think it can be overcome,” Penelope Hegseth said. Hegseth is a former Fox News host and a former Army National Guard major and combat veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. If confirmed by the Senate, he would lead a 2 million member strong military — more than 17% of whom are female. The revelations have concerned some members of Congress. Hegseth said in his interivew that he doesn’t know how all this will turn out but is comfortable that he “took on the haters and the liars” and fought for it, adding, “the future’s in God’s hands.” Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York, Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Lisa Mascaro and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: A Closer Look at Symptoms, Diagnosis and Clinical Research Underway
A plurality of Americans believe President-elect Donald Trump will bring down the cost of food and groceries, a recently released CBS/YouGov survey found. The survey revealed that 44 percent believe Trump will make food and grocery prices “go down.” Another 35 percent believe they will go up, and 21 percent said they will “not change”: In other words, as CBS News puts it, there is “net optimism” about the effect Trump and his incoming administration will have on the price of groceries. This comes as the economy emerged as a top issue time and time again ahead of the presidential election. The survey also revealed that registered voters already have a more positive view of the economy post-election. In October, just 36 percent rated the economy as “good.” Now, that figure has risen to 42 percent. As CBS News reported: The percentage of Republicans who call the U.S. economy good, while still low, has gone up, as the percentage who call it very bad has dropped. That pushes voters’ overall evaluation of the economy slightly higher than it’s been this year — and further spotlights how much partisanship , along with optimism, always plays into these evaluations. The entire survey was taken November 19-22, 2024, among 2,232 U.S. adults. It has a +/- 2.3 percent margin of error. It coincides with a recent survey from the Economist /YouGov, which found a plurality, 37 percent, admitting that their Thanksgiving plans are affected by price increases. As Breitbart News detailed : A plurality of Republicans, 47 percent, said their plans are affected by price increases, and a plurality of independents, 35 percent, said the same. Three in ten Democrats, 29 percent, also admitted that their Thanksgiving plans have been affected by price increases. However, 47 percent of Democrats said their plans have not been affected — a sentiment shared by 32 percent of independents and 30 percent of Republicans. Notably, one quarter of voters for Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that price increases are affecting their holiday plans. Forty-eight percent of Trump voters said the same. All of these realities coincide with a Pew Research survey showing that 53 percent approve of Trump’s plans for the country. RELATED — Trump: MAGA Saving, Not Threatening DemocracyDubai, UAE, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The WikiEXPO Dubai 2024, hosted by WikiGlobal , successfully concluded on November 27, attracting wide attention from the global financial technology sector. The event was co-organized by WikiFX and the Australian Computer and Law Association (AUSCL), with strong support from the Mauritius Financial Services Institute (FSI) and the government of Liberland. Through an innovative hybrid model of online and offline participation, WikiEXPO Dubai 2024 achieved an impressive 1,267,886 online views and gathered 3500+ on-site participants, bringing together 550+ industry leaders and attracting close coverage from over 1300+ global media outlets. Focusing on Fintech Frontiers, Discussing Safe Trading Practices This expo centered around the theme "Seeing Diversity, Trading Safely,” attracting 3500+ industry decision-makers, innovators, and investors from around the globe. Key discussions included new forms of financial crime and cutting-edge practices in anti-money laundering, the financial derivatives market in the UAE, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the financial technology landscape in the UAE. 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These respected guests shared their insights on hot topics such as financial regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, and blockchain trends. Guests expressed that WikiEXPO Dubai 2024 provided them with a rare platform for exchange. Mr. Naushad Khadun noted that he learned about the perspectives of experts and investors from around the world regarding future investments and expectations for forex investment regulation. Dr. Mohamed Damak believed that the expo built a bridge for global financial investors, contributing to maintaining safety in financial trading and promoting robust development in financial technology. Mr. Braden Perry emphasized that the expo not only connected global financial investors but also established a safety barrier for forex trading. 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The successful conclusion of WikiEXPO Dubai 2024 is not the end; the community will continue to host a variety of enriching online and offline activities, providing participants with more business opportunities and channels, creating a more open industry ecosystem, and jointly building a healthier and more trustworthy financial market environment. WikiEXPO: A Communication Platform in the Fintech Field WikiEXPO Dubai 2024 not only provided industry participants with a platform to gain deeper insights into future trends in financial technology but also facilitated exchanges and collaborations on cutting-edge technologies. Through this event, attendees could delve into the latest developments in financial technology and explore new opportunities for win-win cooperation. The successful hosting of this expo marks a significant milestone in the financial technology sector. In the future, WikiEXPO will continue to leverage its leading role in the Fintech field, providing more opportunities for exchange and cooperation for global industry participants, jointly promoting the robust development of the Fintech industry and enhancing the safety of the trading environment. About WikiEXPO WikiEXPO , established in 2019, is a fintech expo focused on trading environment safety. By creating a leading global fintech expo and integrating various industry resources, it promotes healthy competition and orderly development. It is a grand event that combines authoritative information, industry wisdom, networking, and business opportunities. To date, WikiEXPO has successfully hosted dozens of expos across more than ten countries. CONTACT: Evelyn Wu WikiEXPO evelyn-at-wikiglobal.com
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingPresident-elect Donald Trump said he had picked former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins to head the agency, according to a posting he made on Truth Social on Wednesday. Atkins served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008. He’s now the CEO of consulting firm Patomak Global Partners which has clients across the financial and cryptocurrency industries. Atkins is known as a strong backer of cryptocurrencies, and could be in place to help shape key regulations for an industry Trump has avidly courted should he be confirmed by the Senate. “Paul is a proven leader for common sense regulations,” Trump said in his Truth Social posting. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Current SEC Chair Gary Gensler has announced he would step down on Jan. 20, when Trump is due to be inaugurated. Gensler had widely antagonized the crypto industry by going after key players with aggressive enforcement actions. New dawn for crypto? Atkins had been seen recently as one of the leading contenders to replace Gensler, sparking excitement across the crypto industry. Prices of cryptocurrencies have surged since Trump’s election, with bitcoin almost surpassing $100,000 for the first time ever before pulling back. Just a few years ago, Trump had called cryptocurrencies a “scam” and told Fox Business they were “potentially a disaster waiting to happen.” But he has had a conversion. During this year’s election, Trump promised to make to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” by bringing in friendly regulators and ending the types of tough enforcement actions taken against the sector under President Biden. His family also has financial interests in a crypto-related company called World Liberty Financial. Gary Gensler, the current SEC Chair, speaks during a meeting of financial regulators at the Treasury Department in Washington, DC on May 10, 2024. Gensler, who said he’ll step down on Jan. 20, had antagonized the crypto industry with aggressive enforcement actions. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images/AFP) His selection of Atkins, a well known crypto backer, could now help propel the industry further. Atkins has expressed reservations before about the enforcement actions taken by the SEC against the domestic crypto industry, saying it could drive the industry abroad instead of developing it in the U.S. Trump falls just below 50% in popular vote, but gets more than in past elections This year's popular-vote margin is the second-closest since 1968 and still tightening. It shows just how closely divided the country is politically. 1 day ago But crypto critics are alarmed However, Trump’s support of the crypto industry has alarmed critics of the sector. Cryptocurrencies have a history of intense volatility and have been racked by frauds and scams. They are also believed to be widely used for illegal activities such as the drug trade as well as terrorism. The industry has also seen spectacular implosions. FTX, once the world’s biggest crypto exchange, collapsed in 2022 and its founder and CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud for stealing billions in customer money. Bankman-Fried was later sentenced to 25 years in prison . Nonetheless, Trump had been widely expected to appoint crypto-friendly regulators. The crypto industry could also benefit from a Republican Congress, with the GOP set to control both the House and the Senate with narrow majorities. The makeup of Congress was shaped in part by the millions of dollars the industry spent to help defeat lawmakers seen as crypto skeptics, like Democratic Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, the current Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, who lost his reelection bid in November. Never miss a moment with the WHYY Listen App! Play, pause, and rewind the live radio stream, access on-demand audio features, and dive into podcasts from both local and national sources. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.Why we’re against the power lines | GUEST COMMENTARY