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spin time casino ph WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump offered a public show of support Friday for Pete Hegseth, his choice to lead the Defense Department, whose confirmation by the Senate is in doubt as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat roles. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, Army National Guard major and combat veteran, spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and privately reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead Trump's Pentagon. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump posted on his social media site. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense." The president added that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" The nomination battle is emerging not only as a debate about the best person to lead the Pentagon, but an inflection point for a MAGA movement that appears to be relishing a public fight over its hard-line push for a more masculine military and an end to the "woke-ism" of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, responds to reporters during a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Military leaders are rattled by a list of “woke” senior officers that a conservative group urged Hegseth to dismiss for promoting diversity in the ranks if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. The list compiled by the American Accountability Foundation includes 20 general officers or senior admirals and a disproportionate number of female officers. It has had a chilling effect on the Pentagon’s often frank discussions as leaders try to figure out how to address the potential firings and diversity issues under Trump. Those on the list in many cases seem to be targeted for public comments they made either in interviews or at events on diversity, and in some cases for retweeting posts that promote diversity. Tom Jones, a former aide to Republican senators who leads the foundation, said Friday those on the list are “pretty egregious” advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies, which he called problematic. “The nominee has been pretty clear that that has no place in the military,” Jones said of Hegseth. Hegseth embraced Trump’s effort to end programs that promote diversity in the ranks and fire those who reflect those values. Other Trump picks, like Kash Patel for FBI director, have suggested targeting those in government who are not aligned with Trump. Trump's allies forcefully rallied around Hegseth — the Heritage Foundation's political arm promised to spend $1 million to shore up his nomination — as he vows to stay in the fight, as long as the president-elect wants him to. Vice President-elect JD Vance offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, the embattled choice to lead the Defense Department. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vance told reporters during a tour of western North Carolina. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vice-President-elect JD Vance said as he toured post-hurricane North Carolina. He said he spoke with GOP senators and believes Hegseth will be confirmed. The effort became a test of Trump's clout and of how far loyalty for the president-elect goes with Republican senators who have concerns about his nominees. Two of Trump's other choices stepped aside as they faced intense scrutiny: former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., his first choice for attorney general, and Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff who was Trump's first choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. Thanking the president-elect for the support, Hegseth posted on social media, "Like you, we will never back down." Hegseth faces resistance from senators as reports emerged about his past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. He promised not to drink on the job and told lawmakers he never engaged in sexual misconduct, even as his professional views on female troops came under intensifying scrutiny. He said as recently as last month that women "straight up" should not serve in combat. He picked up one important endorsement from Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, whose support was seen as a potentially powerful counterweight to the cooler reception Hegseth received from Sen. Joni Ernst, a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. Ernst, who is also a sexual assault survivor, stopped short of an endorsement after meeting with Hegseth this week. On Friday, Ernst posted on X that she would meet with him again next week. “At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” she wrote. On Friday, Trump put out the statement in response to coverage saying he lost faith in Hegseth, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The president-elect and his team were pleased to see Hegseth putting up a fight and his performance this week reiterates why he was chosen, the person said. They believe he can still be confirmed. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, left, joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet, attends a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) If Hegseth goes down, Trump's team believes the defeat would empower others to spread what they cast as "vicious lies" against every candidate Trump chooses. Still, Trump's transition team is looking at potential replacements, including former presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis plans to attend the Dec. 14 Army-Navy football game with Trump, according to a person familiar with the Florida governor's plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. DeSantis and Trump spoke about the defense secretary post Tuesday at a memorial service for sheriff deputies in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to people familiar with the matter who said Trump was interested in DeSantis for the post, and the governor was receptive. DeSantis is poised to select a replacement for the expected Senate vacancy to be created by Marco Rubio becoming secretary of state, and Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump is seen as the preferred choice by those in Trump's orbit. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”Business Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News. There are two clear groups of Australians right now – those with the cash and those without it, and the cash holders are laughing all the way to the bank. The latest figures from financial regulator APRA show households stashed an extra $19.5bn into cash deposits in October, taking their total holdings to a record $1.54 trillion. Research group Canstar says household deposits have risen more than $272bn since the Reserve Bank began raising interest rates in 2022. Meanwhile, the victims of those rate rises – people with home loans – continue to struggle with repayments costing them 62 per cent more than they were paying in 2022, while the relief of potential RBA rate cuts keeps getting pushed further back into 2025. They are losing because others are winning, and the fact that a large chunk of the population continues to hoard cash suggests there is still plenty of money to be spent in the economy to fuel inflation – and that’s not good news for borrowers. Canstar insights director Sally Tindall says most people would not have predicted that deposits would surge at the same time the RBA cash rate remained at 4.35 per cent. “The recent tax cuts and savings from the energy bill rebates could have easily been spent at the shops, but it appears many Australians are far more focused on saving this extra cash than spending it,” Tindall says. The benefits of holding cash are clear, with interest rates near 5 per cent providing a decent income return that was not available for many years, plus your savings are government guaranteed. It’s a brilliant buffer to hold in uncertain times, and economic and political uncertainty may be a reason why people are stashing more cash. However, anyone with a home loan should avoid holding any cash because the numbers don’t stack up. It makes little sense to have money in a bank account paying you 5 per cent, which is then taxed at your marginal rate, when you can instead divert that to your mortgage through offset accounts or redraw facilities, which deliver an instant 7 per cent after-tax saving in interest. If people are following this golden rule of finance, it suggests that the vast majority of Australians’ $1.54 trillion in cash deposits belongs to households that don’t have home loans. That’s a lot of spending power, and could continue to keep Australia’s inflation higher for longer, which will keep the RBA sitting on the sidelines for longer. Bank deposits continue to climb as home loan customers struggle. Picture: iStock The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics monthly Consumer Price Index indicator showed headline inflation steady at an annual rate of 2.1 per cent, which is will within the 2-3 per cent target band the RBA seeks to achieve with its rate movements, as it was pushed lower by temporary government energy bill rebates. However, underlying annual inflation, which strips out the volatile stuff and is the preferred measure for the RBA when watching CPI, rose from 3.2 per cent in September to 3.5 per cent in October. That’s way above the 2-3 per cent target and heading in the wrong direction for borrowers seeking rate relief. Canstar’s Tindall says the latest inflation date points to a May 2025 RBA rate cut at the earliest, and bank forecasters are tipping at least three cuts next year. Borrowers have learned in the past year or two that these forecasts are rubbery at best. As savers continue cheering these ongoing high interest rates, the wealth gap grows. More Coverage CBA backs down on bank fees David Ross, Cliona O’Dowd Inflation and interest rates: how to stay financially afloat Anthony Keane Originally published as Bank deposits boom as mortgage borrowers battle – the gap widens Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Business Social licence the missing piece in green dream The head of renewables giant Enel’s Australian business says the absence of a social licence framework for developers is holding back the energy transition. Read more Business Costings cast cloud over Dutton’s nuclear dream The CSIRO has stepped up its attack on the price of Peter Dutton’s nuclear ambition, claiming the cost of large-scale power plants far exceeds firmed renewables over the long term. Read more

Carolina Hurricanes (16-6-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (14-9-1, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -123, Hurricanes +103; over/under is 6.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice in Eastern Conference action. Florida has gone 7-5-1 at home and 14-9-1 overall. The Panthers have a 3-0-1 record in one-goal games. Carolina has a 7-4-1 record on the road and a 16-6-1 record overall. The Hurricanes are 7-2-0 when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent. Saturday's game is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Panthers won the previous matchup 6-3. TOP PERFORMERS: Sam Bennett has 11 goals and 11 assists for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart has seven goals and four assists over the last 10 games. Story continues below video Jack Roslovic has 12 goals and three assists for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis has four goals and six assists over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 4-6-0, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.1 penalties and 10.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Hurricanes: 6-3-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.3 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game. INJURIES: Panthers: None listed. Hurricanes: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .I’m A Celebrity’s Jane Moore bravely faces first Bushtucker Trial as her panicked campmates scream in terror

Canada’s border services agency has no infrastructure in place to search trains for drugs, people and other goods crossing illegally into the country by rail, the head of the border agents’ union says — a security gap that adds to concerns about an overall lack of enforcement at the border. Mark Weber, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, says a shortage of personnel and equipment at official points of entry means less than one per cent of containers moving through Canadian seaports are being searched for illicit goods. That rate is even smaller for cross-border rail traffic, he said. “We don’t do it at all,” he told Mercedes Stephenson in an interview that aired Sunday on The West Block . “We don’t know what comes in via train. “Could be products, people (coming in, but) we don’t have the infrastructure to do those searches. ... That’s really something Canada should be investing in.” In 2019, Ontario Provincial Police discovered nearly 200 kilograms of methamphetamine stashed in the spare tires of new vehicles shipped from Mexico to the province by rail. The drugs were first discovered by auto dealership employees in four Ontario communities, and police later said cars from the shipment also made their way to Quebec and New Brunswick. The Canadian Press reported in 2009 that an internal CBSA report obtained via access to information laws found just two officers were checking some 400,000 rail cars and containers crossing into Canada annually, after a screening program that began in 2000 fell into disrepair. British Columbia’s premier and lawmakers have called for enhanced policing and resources for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to search shipping containers at the ports, a key entry point for fentanyl products and equipment from China. A report last year said Canada’s port security was similar to the lax enforcement and corruption seen in the Marlon Brando movie On the Waterfront . Canada’s border security is under increased scrutiny as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has called for crackdowns on irregular immigration and drug trafficking in North America. Trump has threatened to put 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico unless those countries address his concerns, which are focused on illegal entry into the U.S. But Weber said persistent staff shortages and an increasing reliance on new technology like self-declaring kiosks at airports means Canada is not able to properly screen what’s coming into the country, either. He said people with ill intent can simply lie in a self-declaration, whereas a CBSA agent could determine whether that person is honest with just a few questions. “Any time you remove a human interaction with the traveller, you’re lessening your security,” he said. “So we find that there’s a lot happening that we’re really unaware of right now. ... We speak to almost no one anymore.” The union has said it is short between 2,000 and 3,000 CBSA personnel to fulfil its basic mandate, which in addition to enforcing official points of entry also includes intelligence gathering, searching cross-border vehicles and shipping containers, and finding and removing people who are in the country illegally. The previous Conservative government cut 1,100 CBSA positions in 2012, and Weber said those jobs have not returned since the Liberals took over in 2015. He said the situation is similar for inland enforcement, with only “a couple hundred officers” tasked with finding and removing people across the country. “Given the volumes that have to be found and removed, it’s really an uphill battle,” he said. “You’re relying, again, largely on people to self-report. And again, if someone doesn’t want to leave and they don’t want to be found, that’s a human being who has to do that work.” The CBSA told Global News that 2,774 deportation orders have been issued this year as of Nov. 18, a number already higher than those for previous full years going back to 2016. So far this year, there have been 1,290 enforced removals by CBSA. Since 2016, the number of enforced removals per year has been about half the number of deportation orders issued. Last year, a total of 15,179 people were removed by Canada either through enforcement or voluntarily following a removal order, with 12,401 removed so far this year. Immigration Minister Marc Miller told reporters last month those numbers were record highs. Weber said CBSA regularly gathers intelligence to both determine where fentanyl seizures in Canada comes from and whether organized crime groups like Mexican cartels are trying to enter the country. But he said that knowledge only goes so far. “When you’re not having the interactions with most travellers that come through, you don’t know what you’re not looking for,” he said. Weber said the staffing shortages at CBSA means the agency “simply doesn’t have the staffing levels to deal with” a potential flood of people fleeing the U.S. for Canada when Trump follows through with his promise of mass deportations next year. He noted many of those potential arrivals will be between official entryways — portions of the border that are policed by the RCMP. Brian Sauvé, president of the National Police Federation union that represents over 20,000 RCMP members, told Stephenson the force is “uniquely positioned” to surge additional resources from across the country to the border. He said newly graduated cadets can be drafted to compliment existing border security teams on a rotating basis, a strategy deployed in the aftermath of the 2014 Parliament shooting to boost security in Ottawa. The RCMP Academy is seeing record levels of applicants and is on track to be almost at capacity next year after achieving similar levels this year, Sauvé added, meaning there will be plenty of those cadets to utilize if necessary. The NPF has asked Ottawa for $300 million over four years to hire 1,000 more RCMP officers and bolster overall resources. “Longer-term solutions, stronger investments into the RCMP for manpower directly toward those federal policing roles, will definitely be able to keep the border more secure,” Sauvé said. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told MPs last week that Canada will commit more personnel and equipment for border security before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. He said both the RCMP and CBSA have been consulted. Sauvé said RCMP members “are definitely making apprehensions on a regular basis coming up north” from the U.S., “but are also noticing a flow to the south.” “It’s obviously a concern because you do have guns that are coming up from the states, guns that are used in crimes in Canada,” he said. The U.S. is the largest source of illegal firearms in Canada, according to Justice Canada, but gun tracing data is limited. An RCMP spokesperson told Global News last week the force has “no evidence, nor intelligence, to suggest that an increase of asylum seekers crossing the border from the U.S. to Canada has occurred” and its border posture is unchanged. “The more that we can enforce that border, the more that we can make Canada a more secure country, I think it’s good for Canadians,” Sauvé said. —with files from the Canadian Press and Global’s David AkinCollege Football Playoff betting guide: First-round odds, title favorites

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for Bucks after missing 1 game with knee swellingTEMPLEGATE tackles a cracking afternoon's racing confident of banging in some winners before Christmas. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure. Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get... Four free racing tickets, four times a year - worth £300 Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else Exclusive access to Templegate's daily NAP Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month New customer offer with Coral Become a member today for just £1* *For the first month then £3 per month thereafter. SIGN UP NOW 18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk CHIANTI CLASSICO (1.50 Cheltenham, nap) He has enough class to give weight away after his barnstorming comeback win at Ascot last month. He showed his quality when taking the Ultima at this year’s Festival before holding his own in an Aintree Grade 1. His main asset is his brilliant jumping and trainer Kim Bailey has made a flying start to the season. SHAN BLUE (2.25 Cheltenham, nb) He put in a couple of good runs late on last season and was a promising fourth on comeback at Bangor last time. He travelled well for a long way in the testing ground and enjoys these likely better conditions too. He is hit and miss but this is his first crack at a veterans’ race and it could be the making of him from a falling mark. DOYEN QUEST (3.35 Cheltenham, treble) He managed to win here comfortably last time out despite crashing through the second-last flight. Harry Skelton barely had to squeeze him before he hit top gear in the final furlong to draw nicely away. The handicapper has been a trifle harsh with a 10lb rise but there’s more to come and we know he stays strongly. Templegate's TV verdicts CHELTENHAM 12.10 Most read in Horse Racing THAT’S NICE can make the most of the 7lb allowance she gets from the boys and looked a hot prospect when winning on debut at Warwick last month. Nico De Boinville barely moved as she landed a cheeky win and she can build on that promising debut. Country Mile ran well in a Haydock Grade 2 last month when a final-flight blunder proved costly. This better ground should suit the Skelton runner who has a lot more to come. Wingmen went from the front to win on hurdles debut at Navan 27 days ago. He had lots left in the tank and is another with more to come. Palacio nicked his debut from the front at Chepstow but this is much tougher. 12.40 CALDWELL POTTER paid back a small slice of his massive purchase price when winning impressively on chase debut at Carlisle 12 days ago. He jumped well and should improve plenty for that comeback. He was Grade 1 standard over hurdles and looks hard to beat. Jango Baie was also high-class over timber and was an unlucky second when last seen at Aintree. Nicky Henderson has been making positive noises about his schooling. Springwell Bay didn’t get home over three miles here last time after winning a Listed contest at this trip. He sets the standard for the others to improve past. Deafening Silence wasn’t asked too many questions on chase debut and needs to improve. 1.15 VALGRAND will be much happier back over this trip which saw him kick off the season with a Grade 2 win on the Old course. He tanked home by 17 lengths there but was no match for potential superstar Potters Charm over 2m5f here last time. He has top weight but his opening mark could be lenient and decent ground suits. Willmount looked a hot prospect when winning on hurdles debut at Newbury last year before picking up an injury in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle. He’s back from 349 days off so may need the run but he’s another who could be well ahead of the handicapper. To Chase A Dream has done nothing wrong with back-to-back wins at Carlisle. He comes here with every chance under a penalty and the booking of Harry Cobden takes the eye. Tintintin ran a cracker when fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle here last month. He is back from the same mark with solid place claims again. Bo Zenith is an interesting Nicky Henderson runner after 610 days off. His last run was a short-head second in an Aintree Grade 1 so he’s worth watching even if he needs this return. Mirabad lost his chance at Ascot last time when clattering the final flight and has place prospects. 1.50 CHIANTI CLASSICO has enough class to give weight away after his barnstorming comeback win at Ascot last month. He showed his quality when taking the Ultima at this year’s Festival before holding his own in an Aintree Grade 1. His main asset is his brilliant jumping and trainer Kim Bailey has made a flying start to the season. King Turgeon was impressive when winning the Grand Sefton Chase over the National fences at Aintree early last month. He would have liked last week’s Becher Chase to have beaten the weather but his comeback win at Chepstow shows his liking for conventional fences too. He’ll go close again. Java Point had a couple of these behind him when second in an amateur riders’ contest here four weeks ago. He was just nabbed up the hill but doesn’t lack for stamina. He has every chance of hitting the frame again. The Newest One was fourth in that amateurs’ race after going from the front. He’s creeping up the weights but is consistent. Ballygrifincottage took a heavy tumble here last time and is not guaranteed to get up the hill. 2.25 SHAN BLUE put in a couple of good runs late on last season and was a promising fourth on comeback at Bangor last time. He travelled well for a long way in the testing ground and enjoys these likely better conditions too. He is hit and miss but this is his first crack at a veterans’ race and it could be the making of him from a falling mark. Dashel Drasher hasn’t won over fences since the 2021 Ascot Chase but he ran well at Grade 2 level on comeback and will be fitter for the experience. His battling qualities are well known and his last handicap win came off this mark. Shakem Up’Arry goes well fresh and won the Festival Plate on his last trip to Cheltenham. He’s a fair 6lb higher today and looks dangerous. Eldorado Allen wasn’t disgraced on comeback at Warwick. He still has plenty of weight but has run well here before and could hit the frame for in-form trainer Joe Tizzard. 3.00 MISTER COFFEY gets one last chance from me to get off the mark over fences. He returned from nine months off to run a big race on this cross-country course last time. He finished like a train into second but the winner had flown. Now Nico De Boinville knows he stays, he can try to have the Nicky Henderson chaser a bit nearer to the pace and he’s come nicely down the weights. Delta Work has a good record here and is the obvious threat. He was rusty on return at Down Royal last month and will show his true colours. With Rob James taking off 7lb, he’s not even carrying top weight. Stumptown has been in flying form over the Punchestown cross-country course and has plenty of staying power. Arizona Cardinal needed his comeback at Chepstow and will like the track. He can run well if his stamina holds, while Iceo Madrik comes from France with every chance of a cross-country hat-trick from way down the weights. 3.35 DOYEN QUEST managed to win here comfortably last time out despite crashing through the second-last flight. Harry Skelton barely had to squeeze him before he hit top gear in the final furlong to draw nicely away. The handicapper has been a trifle harsh with a 10lb rise but there’s more to come and we know he stays strongly. Gowel Road was second to the tip last time and has every chance of making the frame again. He’s 8lb better off at the weights but he will struggle to turn the form around. Long Draw has been knocking on the door and made it four seconds in a row when beaten two lengths here last month. In-form trainer Olly Murphy steps him up in distance today which may bring improvement. He’s only five so there should be more to come. Might I got his act together when winning at Bangor on comeback last month. Soft ground is his favourite so more rain would help his chances. It’s interesting to see Nicky Henderson send Bhaloo back over hurdles after his chase debut win at Ascot. His sole handicap run in this sphere saw him finish a decent second at Warwick in May and he could be very well handicapped for each-way players. High Game Royal was just collared on the line after leading for a long way at Lingfield last time and looks capable of making the frame if improving for his in-form training team. BANGOR 2.05 SKUNA BAY showed nice promise when third on debut at Carlisle last month. He wasn’t asked too many questions by Brian Hughes before coming home with something left in the tank. He should improve plenty for that experience and is bred for stamina. Kevin’s Pride was beaten just a neck on his hurdling debut at Carlisle. He powered on up the hill at the Cumbrian track and should have no problems getting home in these testing conditions. Theatre Tom was a fairly distant third here on debut but showed some promise and has place claims. Edmond comes from the Venetia Williams winner factory. She won a bumper way back in May 2023 and needed the run on her first outing since at Ffos Las last month. There’s more to come from her. 2.40 THANKSFORTHEHELP is entered in Cheltenham’s lucky last too but this is his first preference and he’s good enough to win it. He was a good fourth at Prestbury Park last month when he saw out the three-mile trip strongly. David Pipe’s hopeful has come right down the weights and anything close to his best would be good enough. Plaisir Des Flos is a regular winner who ran a cracker when third after being hampered at Cheltenham four weeks ago. This is his first crack at three miles and he’ll go close if lasting home. READ MORE SUN STORIES Schalke ran his best race for a long time when third over course and distance on comeback. He likes it heavy and can hit the frame again. Strackan and Mahland both won last time and will enjoy these conditions. Templegate's tips Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here .

WEST ENGLEWOOD — When Corie Luckett opened Englewood Branded in 2017, he knew the streetwear clothing shop would help him and his community flourish. Two years earlier, Luckett started selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car, generating a name for himself and his signature Englewood gear. On Nov. 24, 2017, he opened Englewood Branded as a pop-up store at 1546 W. 63rd St. At the time, he hoped the money he’d make from Thanksgiving weekend shoppers would help him build a permanent store, Luckett said. He didn’t even have a sign for the store. “I was only open Black Friday weekend, but that Monday, people were at the door, coming under the gate knocking on the door,” Luckett said. “Everyone was in there buying shirts. The community didn’t let me close.” Greater Englewood helped Luckett’s store go from pop-up to permanent and “stand the test of time” for seven years, he said. After closing for a few weeks this fall for remodeling, Luckett is using his newly redesigned shop to continue giving back to his community. Englewood Branded reopened Friday with space for community members to host meetings, drop-down projectors for presentations and musical performances and a textile print press where local youth can learn to make their own clothing brand. “I’m pushing the same aesthetic I had growing up. Neighbors, community, everyone wanted me to do well, so they pushed me toward it,” Luckett said. “I want every kid that comes by to see the door is open for them to come in and talk. I’m giving them a ladder to step up and gain notoriety and confidence.” Luckett will still sell his signature selection of vibrant clothing decorated with the store’s logo and EDub, the store’s teddy bear mascot, but he’s limiting new drops to once a month, he said. The store will also now offer items that are “closer to a souvenir shop to catch people’s eyes,” he said. “I want to be creative and push the envelope to produce something new and fresh,” Luckett said. “We want to make sure we keep creating new things that are going to help people flourish.” From now until Dec. 18, visitors to the shop can drop off new toys for the second annual Miracle on 63rd Street . This year’s holiday event will have live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities 1-5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Englewood Breakroom , 1532 W. 63rd St. More information, including how to support the event, is available here . “I wanted to create a safe, nice, clean space to operate out of where people could have more meaningful opportunities,” Luckett said. “I’m using my platform to help and support those coming up in fashion. We’re getting ready for the future, which means helping our young people.” Before founding his clothing line, Luckett worked in various fields, including a stint as a retail employee at Foot Locker, “but all those things were helping people that didn’t care where I wanted to go,” Luckett said. Popular streetwear brands would drop new styles, but none resonated with Luckett, he said. The clothes “were the same, with the same brands having the same process.” “I felt like I had to take the opportunity and put my stock in something that I wanted to do,” Luckett said. “I wanted to do something more flavorful and community-based to give our community that’s been looked down on looked at in a positive light. I wasn’t doing it alone because people were doing the work to change the narrative, but I wanted to do my part.” Since 2017, Englewood’s 63rd Street has “evolved” from a corridor with vacant buildings and empty lots to community-led developments spearheaded by local organizers . Englewood Branded and the Englewood Breakroom, a pop-up plaza Luckett co-founded with Teamwork Englewood in 2023, have contributed to that revitalization. “I’ve been here for so long that I got to see the evolution of the street,” Luckett said. “I saw the good and the bad, and now it’s coming back to the good. Growth is necessary. If we put in more work, people will catch on and it’ll spread through the city.” Luckett plans to operate Englewood Branded for another seven years, he said. Local youth “cannot be what they cannot see,” and his store will continue to inspire them to aspire for greatness, he said. “I have two children, and I need them to see me getting up and going hard so they can gain the same work ethic and do what I’m doing,” Luckett said. “When I stop doing this, that means my clock stops ticking because the moment you give up on something is the moment you die, especially if it’s something you believe in.” Englewood Branded, 1546 W. 63rd St., is open noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays. Get a free neighborhood print! Help us reach our goal of 900 subscribers by Dec. 31 to sustain and expand our coverage and you’ll get a free neighborhood print. There are three ways to qualify: Purchase a new subscription , upgrade your current subscription or gift a subscription . Don’t wait — support Block Club and we’ll send you a print of your choice! Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: RelatedLucid ( LCID 4.53% ) stock climbed in Thursday's trading. The electric vehicle ( EV ) company's share price ended the daily session up 4.5% and had been up as much as 7% earlier in the day's trading. Lucid stock gained ground today thanks to strong early reviews for the company's Gravity SUV. The vehicle is the first SUV made by the luxury EV company. Gravity's Grand Touring models start at $94,900, and Lucid plans to roll out a lower-cost model next year. Lucid stock gets a lift from Gravity reviews Lucid announced last week that production on the Gravity SUV had started at its manufacturing plant in Arizona. This Tuesday, the company announced that the environmental protection agency (EPA) had finalized certification that the vehicle has a range of 450 miles on a full charge. Now, the company has gotten its vehicle into the hands of automotive reviewers -- and early results are largely positive. Today, InsideEV published an early recap of its trial of the Gravity last week. While the reviewer noted that his time with the vehicle was relatively short, he said that his first impressions were positive and that the vehicle "is fun to drive, pleasant to spend time in and has extremely impressive specs across the board." Meanwhile, outlets including MotorTrend , Car and Driver , and Edmunds published preliminary reviews of the Gravity on Tuesday. MotorTrend said that the Gravity marked a significant departure from Lucid's Air sedan and delivered the company's hallmarks of range, design, and performance. Meanwhile, Car and Driver indicated that the SUV delivered some significant improvements compared to the company's sedan, and Edmunds said that the vehicle set a new benchmark for electric SUVs. What's next for Lucid? As the company's first foray into the electric SUV space, Gravity is an important release for Lucid. While the company's Air sedans have generally received high marks from drivers and review outlets, adoption for the vehicles has been relatively low. The EV specialist sold 2,781 vehicles in this year's third quarter, which was up roughly 90% year over year. But the sales performance was aided by price cuts and still looks small compared to numbers put up by other players in the EV space. Meanwhile, the business posted a net loss of roughly $992.5 million in the quarter. Lucid's long-term success hinges on ramping up demand and production to the point where manufacturing cost per unit is brought down enough to make vehicle sales profitable. The company has a long way to go on that front, but the Gravity stands a good chance of outselling the Air and helping the business significantly expand its sales base.

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has hailed Ghana’s electoral process, attributing innovations and political stability as key factors in the smooth conduct of the 2024 presidential polls. Former president John Mahama won the country’s presidential election held last Saturday, after his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat. The VP confirmed that he had called his opponent, Mahama — the National Democratic Congress candidate and former president — to congratulate him, saying in a statement, “The people of Ghana have spoken and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility.” According to AFP, the Election Commission said the official results were likely to be announced by Tuesday. Yakubu, who monitored the election and spoke in a short video, observed the political stability inherent in Ghana’s democracy, saying the consistency of its political party structures and voter loyalty contributed to the success of the polls. He said the perseverance of the main opposition candidate, a former vice president and the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who contested multiple elections before achieving success. “Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. So, that is important. “It provides stability. It also provides their supporters (with) stability. So, there are people who have supported political parties for many years. So, whether the party is in power or opposition, they stick to the political party,” he added. The INEC chair noted that Ghana’s approach to managing results at the constituency level, inspired by Nigeria, has improved the efficiency of the electoral process. “Previously, all parliamentary and presidential results were sent to the headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra for announcement. However, Ghana has adopted a decentralised system, allowing constituency-level officers to announce parliamentary results locally while only presidential results are sent to Accra. “The second thing for me is the lesson that Ghana also learnt from Nigeria in the area of managing constituency election results. Until the last election in Ghana, all results come to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra; which is parliamentary and presidential. “Although Ghana is not a federal system, they learnt from Nigeria where you have returning officers who announce results for parliamentary elections in the various constituencies around the country. Only the presidential election results come to Accra. “In Nigeria, this is what we have done and they borrowed a leave from us, and this is the second time they are implementing that. That is why, as you can see, the declaration of the presidential election result was a lot faster than it used to be in the past,” he explained. Expressing satisfaction with the process, Yakubu stated, “We are grateful that the election has gone very well. The process and its outcome so far have been commendable, and we continue to support our colleagues in Ghana’s Electoral Commission.” The defeat in Saturday’s election ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party under Akufo-Addo, marked by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, involving high inflation and a debt default.Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kids