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Music title: Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise: Christian Alicea Talks Puerto Rican Heritage | Billboard Signer: Christian Release date: 11/12/2024 Official YouTube link:

Nick Movie: Latino Time: 2024 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: None Duration of the movie: 1h27m Trailer:

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday said he has confidence in Pete Hegseth, even as he acknowledged “people were a little bit concerned” about his pick to lead the Pentagon amid a series of allegations related to drinking and sexual misconduct. “Looks like Pete is doing well now. I mean, people were a little bit concerned,” Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker in an interview at Trump Tower. “He’s a young guy with a tremendous track record. Actually, went to Princeton and went to Harvard. He was a good student at both, but he loves the military, and I think people are starting to see it. So, we’ll be working on his nomination, along with a lot of others.” Asked whether he thinks Hegseth can earn Senate confirmation, Trump said, “I think he will, yeah. I’ve had a lot of senators call me up saying he’s fantastic.” But Trump said he has not gotten any assurances from senators that he’ll be confirmed. The comments from the president-elect marked the latest public praise for his embattled choice for secretary of defense after days of support behind the scenes. Earlier in the day, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the military veteran and former television anchor “is doing very well” and that “his support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe.” Asked by Welker whether he had concerns over reports of excessive drinking, Trump, who does not drink, said he’s “spoken to people that know [Hegseth] very well and they say he does not have a drinking problem.” Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing and forcefully pushed back on what he has described as unfounded attacks against him. On Thursday, he concluded his first week of meetings on Capitol Hill as he seeks to shore up support with key senators who will vote on his confirmation. Trump had told Hegseth he wants to see him fight for votes in the Senate, sources close to both men told CNN, and the continued backing is part of the reason Hegseth has appeared more bullish this week while he’s held critical meetings with Republican senators. On Friday, he thanked the president-elect for his support, saying on X, “Like you, we will never back down.” Vice President-elect JD Vance, a current Ohio senator who has been talking to his colleagues in support of Hegseth, also emphasized his backing for the defense secretary pick, saying that he’s “fighting” for Hegseth because he will “fight for our troops.” “For too long, the Pentagon has been led by people who lose wars. Pete Hegseth is a man who fought in those wars. We’ve got his back,” Vance posted Friday. The public support is the latest sign of Trump allies’ attempts to save Hegseth’s prospects as he faces a tough confirmation process, amid mounting allegations related to Hegseth’s workplace behavior and treatment of women, including a surfaced sexual assault allegation from 2017, which he has denied. Amid calls for more vetting, Hegseth’s name was submitted to the FBI for a background check, and his attorney, Timothy Parlatore, said Thursday that his client had “received the forms yesterday from the FBI, and we’re working on them right now.” https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/06/politics/trump-hegseth-support-vance/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 is a plug-in hybrid that takes the stage at the top of the new E-class range. https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g63135103/2025-mercedes-amg-e53-drive-exterior-gallery/

Several years have passed since Cristina and her team, an elite unit of Spanish police detectives, rescued "Victoria" from a sex trafficking ring. When they found her, Victoria's life was hanging by a thread - for three years, she had suffered such an extreme level of physical and emotional abuse that she barely felt human. It was the hope of seeing her children again that helped her survive. The police investigation has now ended, but the relationship with Cristina and the rest of the team hasn't. They have continued to play a substantive role in her life - from something as powerful as reuniting her with her children after years apart, to something smaller but no less meaningful: surprising her with a cake on her birthday. It is an autumn afternoon and Victoria [not her real name] gets emotional as soon as she sees Cristina and her colleagues arrive with their present in her local park. She is smiling and glad to celebrate another year with them, but Victoria, in her 40s, says the past was "tough". Her childhood in her native Colombia was brutal. Her father disappeared on his way to work one morning in 1986, leaving no trace. Her mother remarried another man who Victoria says raped her younger sister. As the eldest child, she was keen to get a job in order to rescue her siblings from hardship. When a friend introduced her to a woman who offered her a cleaning job in Spain, Victoria thought she had finally struck lucky. But what awaited her in Europe was another kind of misery. She was immediately forced into prostitution. "I worked 24 hours a day," she says. "I had to sleep with my make-up on and you always had to be [only] in your underwear, ready for any customer who would arrive." We can't give details of her rescue, because as a protected witness we need to conceal her identity, but Victoria says she will never forget that sunny morning when she first saw the detectives and ran towards them. "I looked at them, hugged them and cried," she recalls. "They offered to take me to a safe place, where I could be free without fear." Victoria says she was so traumatised by the gang's continual surveillance that she was even asking for permission to sleep. Since then, in partnership with other organisations, Cristina and her team have helped Victoria access psychological support, as well as advice on how to find a job and progress her studies. More significantly, they also worked for months to help ensure the safety of her children. The gang that lured Victoria to Spain had threatened to hurt them back home in Colombia if she ever dared to escape or alert the authorities. They were highly organised and unlikely to be bluffing - the traffickers had texted her children directly in the past and knew where they lived and which school they went to. Cristina and others in the Central Operative Unit - a specialised division of Spain's Guardia Civil that prosecutes the most serious forms of organised crime - worked alongside women's organisations and human rights lawyers for months to legalise Victoria's situation in Spain so that they could bring her family over to join her. The team follows a victim-focused approach, through which women are offered long-term support to help them settle into a stable and safe environment after they have been rescued. The team says it sometimes get teased by other units for sounding more like a "charity" than an elite team of criminal investigators, but Cristina is a passionate advocate for what they do. "We believe in a social and humanitarian process that can restore hope in victims' lives, so they can truly recover and live passionately again." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7kdn7767jo

The eastern wolf (Canis lupus lycaon or Canis lycaon or Canis rufus lycaon ) also known as the timber wolf, Algonquin wolf or eastern timber wolf, is a canine of debated taxonomy native to the Great Lakes region and southeastern Canada. It is considered to be either a unique subspecies of grey wolf or red wolf or a separate species from both. Many studies have found the eastern wolf to be the product of ancient and recent genetic admixture between the gray wolf and the coyote, while other studies have found some or all po[CENSORED]tions of the eastern wolf, as well as coyotes, originally separated from a common ancestor with the wolf over 1 million years ago and that these po[CENSORED]tions of the eastern wolf may be the same species as or a closely related species to the red wolf (Canis lupus rufus or Canis rufus ) of the Southeastern United States. Regardless of its status, it is regarded as unique and therefore worthy of conservation with Canada citing the po[CENSORED]tion in eastern Canada (also known as the "Algonquin wolf") as being the eastern wolf po[CENSORED]tion subject to protection. The wolf is prominently portrayed in Algonquin mythology, where it is referred to as ma-hei-gan or nah-poo-tee in the Algonquian languages. It is the spirit brother of the Algonquian folk hero Nanabozho, and assisted him in several of his adventures, including thwarting the plots of the malicious anamakqui spirits and assisting him in recreating the world after a worldwide flood.Charles Darwin was told that there were two types of wolf living in the Catskill Mountains, one being a lightly-built, greyhound-like animal that pursued deer, and the other being a bulkier, shorter-legged wolf. The eastern wolf's fur is typically of a grizzled grayish-brown coloration, mixed with cinnamon. The flanks and chest are rufous or creamy, while the nape, shoulder and tail region are a mix of black and gray. Unlike gray wolves, eastern wolves rarely produce melanistic individuals. The first documented all-black eastern wolf was found to have been an eastern wolf–gray wolf hybrid. Like the red wolf, the eastern wolf is intermediate in size between the coyote and gray wolf, with females weighing 23.9 kilograms (53 lb) on average and males 30.3 kilograms (67 lb). Like the gray wolf, its average lifespan is 3–4 years, with a maximum of 15 years. Their physical sizes that sets them intermediate between gray wolves and coyotes are actually believed to be more related to their adaptations to an environment with predominately medium-sized prey (similar to the case with the Mexican wolf in the southwestern US) rather than their close relationship to red wolves and coyotes.The past range of the eastern wolf included southern Quebec, most of Ontario, the Great Lakes states, New York State and New England. Today, the Great Lakes wolf is generally found in the northern halves of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, southeastern Manitoba and northern Ontario, and the Algonquin wolf inhabits central and eastern Ontario as well as southwestern Quebec north of the St. Lawrence River. Algonquin wolves are particularly concentrated in Algonquin Provincial Park and other nearby protected areas, such as Killarney, Kawartha Highlands and Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Parks and recent surveys also reveal small numbers of Algonquin wolves in the southern areas of northeastern Ontario and northwestern Ontario as far west as the Lake of the Woods near the border with Manitoba, where there is some mixing with Great Lakes wolves, and into southcentral Ontario, where there is some mixing with eastern coyotes. There are some reports of eastern wolf sightings and of wolves being shot by hunters in Quebec south of the St. Lawrence River, New Brunswick, New York State, northern Vermont and Maine. https://animalia.bio/great-lakes-wolf

"We don't sell dreams," insists AS Monaco's academy director Sebastien Muet, but the Principality club's prestigious academy is certainly in the business of making them. Gazing out from the La Diagonale Academy Centre, the iconic arches of the Stade Louis II dominate the skyline - an almost ominous daily reminder for the young players of the objective, to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe. More recently, they have present-day stars Eliesse ben Seghir, Maghnes Akliouche, and Soungoutou Magassa to look up to. "Monaco is one of the best academies in France, in the world, in terms of producing young players. It comes from the DNA of the club," says former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore, now manager of Les Monegasques' academy side. The academy withdrew from the lower tiers of French football back in 2022, instead choosing to enrol in the Premier League International Cup. It is a decision that now-Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell attributed to the rise of Ben Seghir, a nominee for this year's Golden Boy award. This year, they are also competing in the Uefa Youth League, already beating Barcelona and Benfica, two of the most renowned academies in world football, as well as the newly-founded Challenge Espoir, a league for France's most prestigious academy sides. Monaco's calendar is designed to act as the final stepping stone between youth and professional football. For Muet, however, the groundwork for success is laid years in advance, in recruitment. At his former club FC Metz, he was involved in the renowned Generation Foot project, noting that he was "one of the educators that welcomed" Sadio Mane to the club. At Monaco, the project is somewhat different, more local. The specific geographical context of Monaco, with Italy to the east and Nice 20km down the road west, has been perceived as a hindrance in Les Monegasques' attempts to recruit locally. "There is no local pool of young players," stated former Arsenal and Monaco manager Arsene Wenger earlier this year. The truth is somewhat more nuanced. Ben Seghir hails from the town of Frejus, less than 90km down the coast, while Euro 1984 winner Bruno Bellone made the short journey from Cannes. "We are attentive to potential be it at 3km, 5km, 300km or 600km, there isn't a big difference. We have associations with clubs in the region and across France, which allows us to be attentive everywhere. Monaco isn't a club that recruits from far away, just a club that recruits well," says Muet. "I would say that it is easy to convince players to come to this club," adds Monaco's CEO Thiago Scuro, formerly part of Red Bull's network of clubs with RB Bragantino in Brazil. Ben Seghir rejected the chance to join Marseille in favour of joining Les Monegasques - given Monaco's track record of developing youth, it is clear to see why. Casting a wide net across the whole of France, Monaco attract the creme de la creme. Mbappe is the poster boy in Monaco's glowing recruitment process, and one of many from the Ile-de-France's rich talent pool to make the move down to the Principality. Mbappe's path is traced by Akliouche and Magassa in more recent years. However, the Real Madrid forward in many ways represents an exception. Monaco's current crop, Ben Seghir, Akliouche, and Magassa have all netted in this season's Champions League campaign and all have succeeded in establishing themselves in the first-team set-up, just as Mbappe did. But unlike with the France captain, there have been dips in the road and patience has been required. Akliouche, for example, showcased his technical ability early on, especially in his first professional start: a Coupe de France fixture in February 2022. However, like many young players, consistency was an issue. "Maghnes has developed well over the past weeks and months, but for now he's showing it more in training than in matches," said Philippe Clement, Monaco manager at the time, in late 2022. Patience is a cornerstone of Monaco's success in initiating academy players. "Eighteen-year-olds aren't ready to play top-level football, but today the industry wants them to be," notes Scuro. Troare compares it to when he was breaking into the professional game in the 1990s. "Back then, there was an opportunity but sometimes it was a one-shot. You had to be good straight away to get another chance," he recalls. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c24n7qg4077o

Police in Ghana have arrested more than 100 people - mostly opposition supporters of President-elect John Mahama - over acts of lawlessness. Supporters of the newly elected president who want jobs have allegedly attacked some state institutions, looted properties, and engaged in disturbances that have left some police and military personnel injured. The irate supporters also torched two electoral commission offices due to a delay in announcing the outcome of Saturday's elections and disagreements over some parliamentary results. Mahama has condemned the vandalism and called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and security agencies to "act decisively" in addressing the violence. Vice-President Bawumia, the defeated presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has publicly called on the president-elect to reign in his supporters. More jobs and no 'nuisance taxes' - Ghanaians' great expectations Victorious John Mahama promises new beginning for Ghana Mahama won with 56.6% of the vote against Bawumia's 41.6%, the biggest margin of victory in the country for 24 years. Mahama's National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also won a huge majority in parliament, with 186 seats against 76 for the NPP and four for independents, with 10 seats still to be declared. In Ghana, it is common for supporters of the winning party to take over state institutions, demanding that the incumbent government's appointees vacate their offices before the president-elect is sworn in. This phenomenon is rooted in the country's winner-take-all politics, where the party in power gets to control everything, including jobs and contracts. There have been similar attacks during previous transitions - a development which civil society has condemned. The police have warned all individuals and groups engaging in violence, saying they will not tolerate any form of lawlessness. So far 106 people have been arrested, including nine who were arrested on Tuesday over the burning of an electoral commission office in the Eastern Region. The Ghanaian army has also cautioned the public against attempts to disarm soldiers, following incidents of groups targeting those deployed to support the police to maintain order in the country. "The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to caution that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life," said a statement signed by Brig Gen E Aggrey-Quarshie. Catholic bishops have condemned the violence as "unacceptable and go against the core values of peace, unity, and respect for life that we, as a nation, hold dear". They have urged political leaders to take responsibility for the actions of their followers. In a live broadcast on Tuesday night, Mahama condemned the acts of vandalism and urged his supporters to exercise restraint, while also calling on the outgoing administration and security agencies to take immediate action. "Because state power is still in the hands of the present administration, I call on the president and security agencies to act decisively to curb the ongoing acts of lawlessness immediately," he said. Mahama is due to be sworn in on 7 January 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8972n10jgo

It’s time to step into a winter wonderland as RuneScape’s Christmas Village makes its annual return, bringing new seasonal activities, rewards, and a festive quest for everyone. Whether you’re crafting toys or chopping down fir trees, this event is full of fresh ways to celebrate the holiday season. RuneScape’s Christmas Village kicks off with a brand-new limited-time quest, A Christmas Reunion, which takes you to Diango’s Workshop. Santa has tasked Diango with spreading Christmas cheer, but he needs your help to get the workshop running. You’ll gather pixie helpers, craft uniforms, and even stock up on treats for the breakroom. Completing the quest unlocks the title Diango’s Little Helper, two Treasure Hunter keys, and entry to Diango's Workshop Skilling Activities. The village also introduces seasonal tasks that let you use familiar skills in festive ways. Brew hot chocolate with Cooking, paint toys using Crafting and chop down snowy fir trees with Woodcutting. They’re all tasks you're already accustomed to, but this time with some holiday cheer and more rewards. Another highlight this year is the return of the Black Partyhat, a sought-after reward for those who deliver letters to Santa and climb the Nice List. Along the way, you can pick up cosy clothing items perfect for the season, including winter hats and scarves, or new items like the Holly Guard and Snowglobe Lantern from the Christmas Spirit Shop. Check out this list of the top MMOs to play on Android! The event also features an in-game Advent Calendar to count down to Christmas. Log in daily to claim festive rewards, with a special surprise waiting on December 25th. All these festivities will run throughout the month, before leaving the MMORPG on January 6th, 2025. RuneScape’s Christmas Village celebration is available on all platforms. You can download the game now by clicking on your preferred link below. Visit the official website for more information. https://www.pocketgamer.com/runescape-mobile/christmas-village-2024/

Dungeon crawling action and classic arcade fun collide in Dungeon Clawler, a new deck builder from Stray Fawn Studio. You play as an adorable yet spunky rabbit, Sir Bunalot, who must fight tooth and claw to reclaim his paw after a night of gambling goes wrong. Battle baddies in turn-based claw machine-inspired combat as you build and upgrade your deck and explore the Dungeon Lord's lair. As you progress, you'll unlock new playable characters, such as Squiddy, a green squid in a fishbowl, and the overall-wearing Bennie Beaver. Each character has a distinct starter deck and perk. For instance, Squiddy’s second claw is a tentacle that objects stick to while Count Clawcula heals himself for 10% of all damage dealt to enemies. Further, the first time you beat all 20 stages as a new character, you’ll earn the character paw back. Unlocked paws will be available as items to add to your deck to allow one character to use another’s perk. You'll start each battle weaponless. Luckily, you can nab shields, weapons, and other items from the mighty claw machine. You get two claws to use each turn. Simply slide your finger across the screen to move the claw, and then tap the arrow to release it. Any items you snag in the claw will come to you through the prize shoot and be used automatically. After using both claws, your enemies will get a turn to attack. There's not much you can do to avoid incoming attacks. Therefore, it's best to try to up your shield level by grabbing a few shields from the machine during your turn. Luckily, the claw can pick up multiple items, so as long as you angle it right, you won't have to choose between attacking, shielding yourself, or healing up. You can view your deck by tapping the backpack on the right side of the screen. Objects you can grab from the machine include weapons, buff items, shields, potions, and bits of fluff that cushion your gear. To start, your deck will only include a few essentials, like daggers and small shields. However, you’ll be rewarded with new items for your deck by beating enemies and using prize wheels. The Syringe, which deals 10 damage to an enemy adding five damage each time it's used, and the Double-Bladed Sword, which costs five health but deals 20 damage, are just some of the cool items you can add to your deck. https://www.pocketgamer.com/dungeon-clawler/review/

Poco a poco, la mayoría ya los aficionados a la tecnología, y los que no lo son tanto, vamos viendo cómo la Inteligencia Artificial se va introduciendo en nuestras vidas. Son varias las empresas tecnológicas que apuestan por todo ello, y como no podía ser de otro modo, Google es una de las más representativas. De hecho cuenta con una de las alternativas de este tipo más interesantes e importantes y que empieza a hacer frente a ChatGPT, nos referimos a Gemini. Este es un modelo que al pertenecer al gigante de las búsquedas, con el paso del tiempo se va introduciendo en multitud de aplicaciones y servicios que la firma. Como no podía ser de otro modo, Google quiere que este modelo de lenguaje mejore la experiencia de uso de buena parte de sus plataformas, como ahora sucede con Gmail, que casi todos usáis. Hablamos del servicio de correo electrónico más po[CENSORED]r que hay en estos instantes y que poco a poco va introduciendo funciones IA. Y es que algunas funciones inteligentes de Gemini ahora han llegado al gestor de correos de la empresa para beneficio de sus millones de usuarios. Si bien es cierto que esta llegada ya se produjo inicialmente hace unas semanas, poco a poco se van introduciendo nuevas funciones de este tipo. En concreto, nos referimos a nuevas funciones que llegan al gestor de correo en nuestros dispositivos móviles basados en Android. Hasta la fecha y con esta herramienta teníamos la posibilidad de resumir correos electrónicos de nuestra bandeja, o permitir que la IA los resumiese o nos sugiriese respuestas. Pero ahora quiere ir un paso más allá en este mismo sentido. Todo ello con el fin de mejorar nuestra experiencia de uso del correo de Google. https://www.softzone.es/noticias/metabits/ia-gmail-funciones-correo-gemini/

AMD's recently launched Strix Point lineup of high-end APUs boast truly impressive performance, even when configured with lower TDPs. As time goes on, more and more hardware brands are hitting the market with Strix Point-powered devices, and unsurprisingly, Aoostar does not wish to sit on the sidelines either. The company has teased a yet-to-be announced mini PC, with Strix Point at its heart. Powered by the powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the system will likely offer excellent performance, considering that Aoostar refuses to skimp on its cooling system. Thankfully, that does seem to be case, since Aoostar claims the upcoming mini PC will boast a vapor chamber cooling setup allowing the HX 370 to run at its maximum of 54 watts. For those out of the loop, here is a rundown of the HX 370's specifications: 12-core setup with 8 Zen 5c cores and 4 Zen 5 cores, Radeon 890M iGPU based on RDNA 3+, and a 50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU to justify the "AI" branding.The system will also boast LPDDR5-8000 memory, the maximum capacity of which has not been specified. However, the teaser does include the pricing for the 32 GB + 1 TB variant, which will cost roughly around $730. The storage will, most likely, be user upgradeable, courtesy of the dual "SSD slots", presumably of the M.2 2280 flavor. There is no information regarding the product's ports selection, although Aoostar does mention that the system will boast OCuLink support, which allows for faster eGPU connections compared to USB4. https://www.techpowerup.com/329735/upcoming-mini-pc-from-aoostar-with-ryzen-ai-9-hx-370-strix-point-apu-teased

If Xiaomi is Stan Lee, then the Redmi Note series has to be Jack Kirby. Well, that's how the company's India journey has been. The Note series has been right in the centre, fueling Xiaomi's growth in India over the years. In early 2024, the company introduced the Redmi Note 13 series, and before the year ended, we have the successor already - the Redmi Note 14 series. In the product briefing, Xiaomi executives stressed how Redmi Note 14 is a big leap even for the Note series. The company claims to have sold over 420 million Redmi Note devices globally. Again, this time, we get three units - a base Redmi Note 14, a mid Redmi Note 14 Pro and the top-of-the-line Redmi Note 14 Pro+. Well, I got my hands on the top trim - Redmi Note 14 Pro+. The spec sheet of the device reads as if it's some flagship from a few years back, plus some much-needed additions. At a starting price of Rs. 29,999, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ looks like a great deal, albeit it packs just 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage, which in these times feels on the lower side. Does the Note 14 Pro+ pack it all to be the best sub-Rs. 40,000 smartphone? I answer that in my review. Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Design: Raising the bar Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 at the front and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i at the back Dimensions and weight - 162.53x74.67x8.75mm and 210.9 grams IP68 rating During the press briefings, the company talked about how the company's flagships inspire the Redmi Note 14 Pro+. Well, at least on the design part, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ initially looked like a smaller sibling of the Xiaomi 13 Pro (minus the camera housing). Compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, there are multiple changes in design, so much so that they do not look like from the same series. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ design has refined with time and now offers a premium look and feel. The hand feel is solid, and the curved edges sit comfortably in the palm. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/reviews/redmi-note-14-pro-plus-review-7221235#pfrom=indepth

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Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, was pushed out as the head of two veterans’ advocacy organizations amid internal allegations of mismanagement and personal misconduct, The New Yorker reported Sunday. A whistleblower report obtained by the magazine alleged that, during his time leading one of those nonprofit advocacy groups, Hegseth was repeatedly intoxicated at work events and gatherings with staff. It also alleges that he sexually pursued female staffers, and that the organization ignored another staffer’s alleged sexual misconduct. The report is the latest scrutiny into Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host with no prior government experience, ahead of what’s expected to be a tough Senate confirmation process. It comes on the heels of reports detailing a sexual assault allegation from 2017, which Hegseth has denied and in which no charges were filed. Asked by CNN for comment about the magazine’s reporting, a Hegseth adviser said, “We’re not going to comment on outlandish claims laundered through the New Yorker by a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate of Mr. Hegseth’s. Get back to us when you try your first attempt at actual journalism.” Hegseth’s team had provided The New Yorker with an identical statement. The seven-page whistleblower report was compiled by former employees of Concerned Veterans for America, the advocacy group where Hegseth was president from 2013 to 2016, and sent to its senior management in February 2015, The New Yorker reported. The magazine did not name the employees, and CNN has not independently reviewed the report. The report, according to The New Yorker, alleges that Hegseth had to be restrained from joining the dancers on stage at a Louisiana strip club where he had brought his team — and that the organization ignored a female employee’s allegation that another member of Hegseth’s staff attempted to sexually assault her at that strip club. It claims that his management team “sexually pursued” employees and divided the organization’s female staffers into two groups — “party girls” and “not party girls,” The New Yorker reported. In a separate complaint, which The New Yorker reported was emailed by a different employee to Hegseth’s successor as head of Concerned Veterans for America in late 2015, the employee alleged that while on a work trip to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Hegseth and someone traveling with the group’s Defend Freedom Tour closed down a hotel bar and yelled multiple times, “Kill all Muslims!” In the letter, the staffer criticized Hegseth’s “despicable behavior” and said it “embarrassed the entire organization.” The staffer also wrote about another incident where Hegseth “passed out” in the back of a party bus and then urinated in front of a hotel where the organization’s team was staying, according to the magazine. The New Yorker reported that when reached for comment, the author of the letter, who was not named by the magazine, said: “If you print that, I will deny I wrote it.” Hegseth’s time running Concerned Veterans for America came after an earlier, controversial tenure leading Vets for Freedom, a nonprofit backed by Republican billionaire megadonors. A former associate of the group, the magazine reported, said the group’s donors became concerned about money being wasted on rumored parties that “could politely be called trysts,” and other inappropriate expenses. With the group mired in more than $500,000 in debt by early 2009, donors chose to wind it down and transfer most of its management to another veterans’ group. Hegseth’s role was reduced, and he ultimately departed years later. Margaret Hoover, a CNN political commentator who was an adviser to Vets for Freedom between 2008 and 2010, told CNN’s Erin Burnett last month that Hegseth ran the organization “very poorly” and lost donors’ confidence. She said the organization had less than 10 employees and a budget of less than $10 million. “And he couldn’t do that properly,” Hoover said, raising questions about his ability to lead the Defense Department. “I don’t know how he’s going to run an organization with an $857 billion budget, and 3 million individuals, based on what I saw in those years.” CNN previously reported that a woman accused Hegseth of sexually assaulting her in the early morning hours of October 8, 2017, in Monterey, California, where Hegseth had a speaking engagement the night before. The accuser told police that Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room, took her phone and then sexually assaulted her. The Monterey County district attorney told CNN last month said that her office declined to file charges against Hegseth in January 2018 because “no charges were supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” She declined to comment further. Hegseth insists that the encounter with the unnamed woman was consensual. Years later, Hegseth paid the accuser in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause, his attorney Timothy Parlatore told CNN in a statement last month. Parlatore said Hegseth settled because it was during the “Me Too” movement and he didn’t want to lose his job at Fox News if the accusation became public. The statement did not share how much the accuser was paid as part of the settlement, although Parlatore said it was “a significantly reduced amount.” Hegseth’s alleged conduct toward women came under further scrutiny over the weekend, when The New York Times reported that his mother sent an email to her son in 2018 that sharply criticized his treatment of women. Penelope Hegseth told her son in the email that there are “many” women whom he has “abused in some way” and encouraged him to “get some help,” according to the email published by The Times. According to The Times’ report, Penelope Hegseth wrote, “I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego. You are that man (and have been for years) and as your mother, it pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth.” Penelope Hegseth on Friday told The New York Times that she wrote the email “in anger, with emotion” and that she had immediately apologized in a separate email. She went on to defend her son, saying her own characterization of his treatment of women in the 2018 email “has never been true.” https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/02/politics/pete-hegseth-veterans-advocacy-groups-misconduct-allegations/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS isn't massively more powerful than the GT3—it gains only 16 horsepower, for a total of 518—but its aerodynamic tricks beggar belief. The RS gets a driver-actuated drag-reduction system, and it needs it, generating as much as 1896 pounds of downforce. Still, the RS loses some top-end speed compared to the GT3, with top speed falling from 199 mph to 184 mph. Our prediction: Nobody will care. https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g41463007/2023-porsche-911-gt3-rs-drive-gallery/