
President-elect Donald Trump ’s pick to oversee the entire U.S. military, former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth , was confronted Thursday by a reporter who asked point-blank whether he raped a woman in 2017, as described in a police report . “As far as the media is concerned, it’s very simple,” said Hegseth, who was on Capitol Hill to meet with senators tasked with weighing whether to approve him as the next U.S. defense secretary. “The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m going to leave it,” he said. The police report does not state that Hegseth was cleared; rather, it recommended that the case be forwarded to local prosecutors for review, The Associated Press reported. Prosecutors may choose not to pursue a case for an assortment of reasons, including the limited availability of witnesses, whether a jury might deem those witnesses credible and whether alleged victims want to participate in the process. REPORTER: Did you sexually assault a woman in Monterey, California? PETE HEGSETH: I have -- ah -- as far as the media is concerned, it's very simple. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that's where I'm gonna leave it. pic.twitter.com/JovTk3kLyB The incident allegedly occurred at a Republican women’s conference hosted at a hotel in Monterey, California, where Hegseth had been invited to give a speech in October 2017. A woman, whose name has not been made public, sought a sexual assault exam at a medical facility a few days after she said she woke up with a hazy memory of being assaulted by the Fox host. She had reportedly confronted him earlier, in a social setting, because she felt he was behaving inappropriately with other women. The woman texted a friend that Hegseth had a “creeper” vibe about him, the AP noted. She said “things got fuzzy” in the evening. Hegseth allegedly brought her to a room in the hotel, took her phone and blocked her from leaving. She said she had a memory of a shirtless Hegseth bending over her, with his dog tags dangling above her. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. The nurse who treated her contacted police about the allegation, the AP said. Hegseth, a Trump loyalist, has faced other pushback to his bid to lead the world’s largest military. He never achieved a rank higher than major while serving in the Army and has a dearth of leadership experience. Need help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website . Related From Our Partner"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
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'They have to be favourites' - Liverpool 'perfect' in Champions LeagueHouston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins scored a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in his most recent home game and tossed the ball to a child in the stands pleading for it. On Thursday, Collins told reporters the NFL did not approve and assessed him a fine of about $5,000. "It's for the kids," Collins said. "I seen he was screaming and was thinking, ‘Here you go, big dog. Here's the ball.'" Collins said he was not penalized last season on the handful of occasions he threw a ball into the stands, so he wasn't expecting a fine. But making a child's day was "definitely worth it." The 25-year-old said he plans to appeal the fine, but if it isn't overturned, he'll pay up. "The only thing that matters was making that kid happy," he said. "He ain't never going to forget that moment. So that's all that matters to me." Collins followed up a 92-yard, one-touchdown performance that day against Tennessee with eight receptions for 119 yards last week at Jacksonville. The fourth-year wideout is Houston's leading receiver despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury. He has caught 49 passes for 832 yards and four touchdowns in just eight appearances. --Field Level MediaCorner takes momentum, confidence into matchup with Leeds
Women more likely to need walking aids but less likely to use them – study
Colman Domingo Details Why ‘The Madness’ Is a Drama for Today’s Era of Media Feeding FrenziesBy JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Democrats and business groups warn of risks from Trump’s tariff threats Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump’s first term tariffs had a modest impact on economy Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. Trump wants much more far-reaching tariffs going forward The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.The crypto world has seen some amazing success stories, like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE), where early investors made significant profits. Now, Lightchain AI (LCAI is stepping up as the next big opportunity, offering something fresh with its blend of blockchain and artificial intelligence technology. It’s definitely catching the eye of investors looking for the next game-changer. With its presale priced at just $0.003, Lightchain AI presents an intriguing opportunity for investors wondering if a $200 investment today could lead to $20,000 or more in returns, much like the historic growth of Shiba Inu and Dogecoin. Shiba Inu and Dogecoin Pinnacle of Meme Coin Success Both Shiba Inu and Dogecoin shot up in worth, driven by group excitement and viral fame. Dogecoin, first made as a prank, turned into a cultural event due to its low price and support from people like Elon Musk. It reached gains of more than 10,000% at its highest point turning small buys into huge profits! In the sam͏e way, Shiba Inu came into the market as a Dogecoin slayer and used its meme fame to grab investor attention. By mixing smart ads and guesswork charm, SHIB gave huge profits, even beating Dogecoin at some times of rising prices. But, these projects mainly rely on market feelings and do not have strong real-world uses which makes them weak to changes. Lightchain AI New Contender With Real-World Utility Lightchain A I emerges as a groundbreaking contender in the blockchain space, offering real-world utility through its innovative approach to decentralized technology. Unlike many projects that remain speculative, Lightchain AI integrates practical applications across industries such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and education. Its decentralized framework ensures scalability and transparency, making it adaptable to diverse use cases. The platform’s emphasis on secure, privacy-preserving computations fosters trust while addressing critical issues like data sovereignty and accessibility. Its community-focused model drives innovation, supported by a roadmap that prioritizes partnerships and ecosystem growth. Lightchain AI is making waves by combining smart tokenomics with a focus on solving real-world problems. It’s a project that’s all about making a difference, with an exciting future ahead! With its practical applications and strong potential, it’s a great chance for anyone looking to invest in something meaningful. Could Lightchain AI Rival Shiba Inu and Dogecoin’s Returns? To evaluate if Lightchain AI could replicate or surpass the growth of Shiba Inu and Dogecoin, it’s important to consider its market positioning and unique value propositions. Shiba Inu and Dogecoin rose to prominence on the strength of their communities and meme culture. Lightchain AI, on the other hand, introduces deflationary tokenomics, a focus on innovation, and real-world applications, making it appealing to a broader range of investors. At only $0.003 in its presale , a $200 investment in Lightchain AI would give you about 66,667 LCAI tokens. If the price increases to $0.30—a reasonable goal with its exciting potential—that investment could soar to $20,000, offering a possible 100x return. With the potential for real-world applications and industry adoption, the upside could be even bigger, making Lightchain AI a high-reward opportunity, though with some risks to consider. Why Lightchain AI’s Model Is Built for Growth Innovative Consensus Mechanism : Lightchain AI uses a cool new Proof of Intelligence (PoI) system, where nodes earn rewards for doing AI tasks, making the network safer and faster. It’s different from the usual ways other blockchains work. Clear Roadmap: Lightchain AI has a solid plan with big goals, like launching its testnet in January 2025 and the mainnet in March 2025, showing that it’s set for steady growth. Strong Tokenomics: There are 10 billion LCAI tokens in total. Here’s how they’re spread out: 40% for the presale, 28.5% for staking rewards, 15% for liquidity, 5% for marketing, 6.5% for the treasury, and 5% for the team. This helps keep things balanced and fair. Strategic Vision: By mixing AI with blockchain, Lightchain AI aims to solve big problems like scalability and privacy. It’s focused on real-world use in areas like healthcare and finance, making it ready to grow and be widely used. These factors, coupled with LCAI's low presale price and strong development team, make it a compelling investment opportunity in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency space. Next Big Opportunity? Shiba Inu and Dogecoin proved that small investments can lead to massive gains in the cryptocurrency world. Lightchain AI , with its focus on real-world utility and innovative technology, offers a fresh narrative that could appeal to both speculative investors and those seeking meaningful blockchain applications. With a presale price of $0.003, a $200 investment in Lightchain AI could potentially rival or exceed the returns seen by Shiba Inu and Dogecoin investors during their peak growth periods. For those willing to embrace the risks of an early-stage project, Lightchain AI presents an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative ecosystem that blends blockchain and artificial intelligence. The question now is will you take the leap? Yes, Lightchain AI may not have the same viral appeal as its meme-based counterparts, but it offers a solid foundation for long-term growth and impact. As the blockchain industry continues to evolve, Lightchain AI represents a potential game-changer with real-world applications and tangible returns. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.