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https www milyon88 net download Caitlin Clark told she is 'close to being blocked' by former Iowa teammateWASHINGTON — 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, Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump 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 . 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 . 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, 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 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 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. to serve as his pick to lead the . 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 , “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. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a 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 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.” 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. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” 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 , 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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While many people will receive legitimate emails and messages from delivery companies and businesses this holiday shopping season, sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between real and fake solicitations. UScellular wants to help ensure you stay diligent and prevent getting scammed. Identity thieves know that shoppers may be particularly vulnerable during the holiday season. If the message conveys urgency and asks you to do something immediately, consider that a red flag. Also never click on a link in a text message unless you are 100 percent certain who sent it to you. Be especially vigilant about fake promotions, pop-up ads, package tracking emails, e-cards, charity donation links, and purchase confirmation emails. When in doubt, call the organization directly. “Now that the holiday shopping season is here, we want to provide Maine consumers with tips to stay safe while buying gifts for family and friends,” said Kyle Burbine, interim director of sales and operations for UScellular in New England. “UScellular wants to help customers find everything on their list, without the threat of fraud and scammers ruining their holiday spirit.” If you suspect a message is a scam, you can report it using the free SpamResponse app that empowers customers to easily report potential text message spam. In response to reported spam, UScellular can investigate fraudulent websites – and can get them shut down, creating a safer and better customer experience. UScellular is sharing the following tips to help you prevent scams around the holidays or anytime: Do not respond to unwanted texts from questionable sources. Don’t click on links in texts from any unknown numbers. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer such a call, hang up immediately. If you miss a call from an unknown number, don’t call it back. You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Caller ID showing a “local” number does not necessarily mean it is a local caller. Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords or other identifying information if you are at all suspicious. Additionally, UScellular’s free Call Guardian app provides spam call identification based on known offenders. Users can also report suspect numbers quickly within the app or by going to reportarobocall.com . Call Guardian Premium ($3.99 per month) provides enhanced call details, including “Potential Spam”, “Potential Fraud” or “Robocall” with a risk level of “High”, “Medium” or “Low” to better inform you on who is truly calling. UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project , the company has donated more than $23 million in hotspots and services to help youth connect to reliable internet. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com . To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com . More articles from the BDN

To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read article for precise information. In Brief Sonic Labs has launched its native bridge, Sonic Gateway, enabling users to securely transfer USDC, EURC, WETH, and FTM from Ethereum to Sonic. Decentralized smart contract platform, has launched its native bridge, Sonic Gateway, enabling users to securely transfer assets from Ethereum to Sonic. Initially, Sonic Gateway will support only four tokens—USDC, EURC, WETH, and FTM—for bridging from Ethereum. However, Sonic Labs plans to expand this by adding more tokens and introducing a permissionless mechanism, allowing anyone to add new tokens for bridging. The solution has undergone audits by leading security firms such as OpenZeppelin, Quantstamp, and Certora. Furthermore, the solution features a fail-safe mechanism designed to protect user assets. In the event of an extended failure, 14 consecutive days, users can recover their bridged funds on Ethereum. The bridging process is optimized for gas efficiency, with “heartbeats” scheduled every 10 minutes for transfers from Ethereum to Sonic and every hour for reverse transfers. The Sonic Gateway is here. Bridge USDC, EURC, WETH, and FTM from Ethereum to Sonic securely now. ⚡ The bridging process involves three steps: first, users deposit their assets into the bridge, which takes approximately 15 minutes on Ethereum for finalization and just around 1 second on Sonic. After confirmation, the assets are bridged at the next heartbeat interval, which happens every 10 minutes from Ethereum to Sonic and every hour in the reverse direction. Users can pay an additional Fast Lane fee to trigger an immediate heartbeat. Finally, users claim their bridged assets on the destination chain, allowing them to explore the Sonic ecosystem. The project is also collaborating with the global developer community to enhance the Gateway’s security. Through a bug bounty program on Immunefi, the firm is set to offer $2 million in bounties, divided between the Gateway and the Sonic chain, with further details to be revealed. is a blockchain development initiative backed by the Fantom Foundation. Its flagship product, Sonic, is a Layer 1 blockchain that incorporates a native Layer 2 bridge to Ethereum. It has recently announced the launch of the , which offers enhanced capabilities of processing up to 10,000 transactions per second, providing sub-second finality. With its built-in decentralized gateway to Ethereum, Sonic aims to enable developers to build the next generation of applications, while delivering an efficient and seamless blockchain experience for users. In line with the , please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance. Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.

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Austin, Dec. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SNS Insider, the Fertilizers Market size was USD 274.6 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 389.6 Billion by 2032, growing with a significant compound annual growth rate of 4.0% during the forecast period of 2024-2032. Fertilizers market is an important aspect of food production activity that provides essential nutrients for plant growth. As more and more farms are required to meet the needs of a growing global population, the global landscape of agriculture is changing and the need for fertilizers is still at an all-time high. Increasing the global food population will create 70% more food by the year 2050, this process will bind even more the need for fertilization according to FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization). Agriculture, especially in developing markets, is projected to continue as the key source of fertilizer usage. More farmers are using precision agriculture, which applies fertilizer only as needed to maximize crop production with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, the trends of sustainable farming worldwide are pushing the development of controlled-release fertilizers and organic fertilizers. The market is additionally consolidated by the governmental guidelines and approaches that are advancing practical farming as well as advancing the reception of green composts. Various governments of crucial growing regions have declared goals to minimize their ecological footprints and safeguard food security. Initiatives, e.g., the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy and India's National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, for instance, will lay a foundation for higher penetration of advanced fertilizers. Download PDF Sample of Fertilizers Market @ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3507 Key Players: Nutrien Ltd. (ESN Smart Nitrogen, Hydro Agri) Yara International ASA (YaraMila Complex, YaraVita) The Mosaic Company (MicroEssentials, K-Mag) CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NitroPhos, Urea-Ammonium Nitrate) Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL) (Polyphosphate Fertilizers, PKpluS) EuroChem Group AG (UAN, Nitrophoska) Coromandel International Ltd. (Gromor, Paramfos) OCI Nitrogen (NUTRAMON, Urea Fertilizer) K+S Aktiengesellschaft (KALISOP, ESTA Kieserit) Haifa Group (Haifa MAP, Multi-K Magnesium Nitrate) Fertilizers Market Report Scope: If You Need Any Customization on Fertilizers Market Report, I nquire Now @ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3507 Market Segmentation By Form In 2023, dry fertilizers dominated the global market, accounting for a significant share of 81%. Dry fertilizers are commonly used for large-scale agricultural applications due to their convenience, long shelf life, and ease of storage and transportation. Granules and powdered fertilizers in dry form provide flexibility in application, making them particularly popular for large-scale farming operations in regions with high agricultural demands, such as North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The growing demand for dry fertilizers is also being driven by the increasing need for fertilizers that can be directly applied to fields using conventional farming equipment. The large-scale farming operations in countries like the United States, Brazil, and India contribute significantly to the demand for dry fertilizers. By Product In 2023, organic fertilizers led the market, accounting for a substantial 71% of the total market share. Organic fertilizers, derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources, have gained traction as farmers seek environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. These fertilizers are increasingly popular in organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices due to their minimal environmental impact and their ability to improve soil health over time. The rise in consumer demand for organic food products is driving the shift toward organic fertilizers, particularly in regions such as North America and Europe, where organic farming is flourishing. The use of organic fertilizers not only helps improve soil fertility but also enhances the sustainability of farming practices, making it a preferred option for many farmers aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. By Application In 2023, the agriculture segment dominated the market with the highest revenue share of the fertilizers market. Agriculture remains the dominant application of fertilizers, with crop cultivation representing a significant share of global fertilizer consumption. The growth of the agricultural sector in developing economies, coupled with the rising global population and changing dietary habits, is expected to drive the demand for fertilizers in the coming years. As the demand for high-quality crops and yields rises, especially in developing nations, farmers are increasingly turning to advanced fertilizers to optimize production. In particular, fertilizers used for essential crops like wheat, maize, rice, and oilseeds are expected to see significant growth, especially in countries with large agricultural sectors such as India, China, and Brazil. The Asia-Pacific region dominated the global fertilizers market in 2023 and held a 45% market share. The region's large agricultural footprint, coupled with the growing population and rapid urbanization, has resulted in a continuous need for fertilizers to ensure food security. Countries like India and China are leading the way in fertilizer consumption, with both nations investing heavily in agricultural modernization to meet the nutritional needs of their growing populations. India, in particular, is a major consumer of fertilizers due to its reliance on agriculture as a key sector of the economy. Government programs aimed at improving agricultural output and achieving food security have driven the demand for fertilizers in the country. Additionally, China is seeing a shift toward more sustainable farming practices, leading to an increased adoption of organic and controlled-release fertilizers. North America region growing with a significant growth rate over the forecast period. where the U.S. and Canada are key contributors to the global fertilizer market. With significant agricultural activities, particularly in crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans, North America remains a vital market for fertilizer consumption. The shift towards precision agriculture, driven by technological advancements such as soil sensors and GPS tracking, is fostering more efficient use of fertilizers, thereby sustaining demand. Europe is another strong market for fertilizers, with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming. The European Union's regulations surrounding environmental sustainability and food production are encouraging the use of eco-friendly fertilizers, which is contributing to market growth in the region. Speak with O ur E xpert A nalyst T oday to G ain D eeper I nsights @ https://www.snsinsider.com/request-analyst/3507 Recent Developments In June 2024, Nutrien Ltd. announced the launch of a new line of slow-release fertilizers designed to minimize nutrient loss and improve crop yield, catering to the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions. In March 2024, Yara International unveiled a partnership with global technology companies to incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning in fertilizer application systems, optimizing the precision of fertilizer use in large-scale agriculture. Table of Contents – Major Key Points 1. Introduction Market Definition Scope (Inclusion and Exclusions) Research Assumptions 2. Executive Summary Market Overview Regional Synopsis Competitive Summary 3. Research Methodology Top-Down Approach Bottom-up Approach Data Validation Primary Interviews 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis Market Driving Factors Analysis PESTLE Analysis Porter’s Five Forces Model 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting Production Capacity and Utilization, by Country, by Type, 2023 Feedstock Prices, by Country, by Type, 2023 Regulatory Impact, by Country, by Type, 2023 Environmental Metrics: Emissions Data, Waste Management Practices, and Sustainability Initiatives, by Region Innovation and R&D, by Type, 2023 6. Competitive Landscape List of Major Companies, By Region Market Share Analysis, By Region Product Benchmarking Strategic Initiatives Technological Advancements Market Positioning and Branding 7. Fertilizers Market Segmentation, By Form 8. Fertilizers Market Segmentation, By Application 9. Fertilizers Market Segmentation, By Crop Type 10. Fertilizers Market Segmentation, By Product 11. Regional Analysis 12. Company Profiles 13. Use Cases and Best Practices 14. Conclusion Buy Full Research Report on Fertilizers Market 2024-2032 @ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3507 Buying Options 5 Reports Pack (USD 7500) 10 Report Pack (USD 12000) Vertical Subscription (150 Reports Pack Valid for 1 Year) Use this link to Purchase above packs @ https://www.snsinsider.com/subscription [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com ] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.

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VANCOUVER - British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store's video camera system for around $5,000 more. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * VANCOUVER - British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store's video camera system for around $5,000 more. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VANCOUVER – British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store’s video camera system for around $5,000 more. He’s not selling luxury brands or expensive jewels. Chaput sells cheese, and at Christmas, cheese is a hot commodity. He is the co-owner of specialty cheese store les amis du Fromage, with two locations in Vancouver. While cheeselifting is rare in their Kitsilano store, the outlet in East Vancouver is hit in waves, with nothing happening for a month, then three of four people trying to steal their inventory within a week. “Sometimes, you miss it. Sometimes, you catch it. The way shoplifters behave ... they tend to gravitate toward expensive things,” said Chaput. Expensive cheese is on shoplifters’ Christmas list, he said. “They tend to do the classic examples of staying away from customer service and trying to go to a different part of the store so they can be left alone to steal.” Chaput isn’t alone. Police say food-related crimes on are the rise in Canada and as prices climb for items such as cheese and butter, they become lucrative on the black market for organized crime groups, not to mention theft for local resale. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-food Analytics Lab, said a black market tends to emerge as soon as food prices surge. “Organized crime will steal anything (if) they know they can sell it and so, they probably would have known who their clients are before even stealing anything at all, and that’s how a black market is organized,” said Charlebois. He said he believes there are two categories of people shoplifting — those who do so out of desperation because they can’t afford the food, or organized criminals, profiting from sales on the black market. Mounties in North Vancouver made cheesy headlines when they ran into a man with a cart of stolen cheese in the middle of the night in September. The cheese, valued at $12,800, was from a nearby Whole Foods Store. While the cheese was recovered, it had to be disposed of because it hadn’t been refrigerated. Const. Mansoor Sahak, with the North Vancouver RCMP, said officers believe cheese is targeted because it’s “profitable to resell.” “If they are drug addicts, they will commit further crimes with that or feed their drug habits. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Sahak. Sahak said meat is also a top target for grocery thieves, with store losses sometimes in the thousands. “So, we’re not surprised that this happened,” said Sahak. Police in Ontario have been chasing down slippery shoplifters going after butter. Scott Tracey, a spokesman with Guelph Police Service, said there have been eight or nine butter thefts over the last year, including one theft last December worth $1,000. In October, two men walked into a local grocer and filled their carts with cases of butter valued at $936, and four days later a Guelph grocer lost four cases valued at $958. Tracey said he has looked at online marketplaces and found listings by people selling 20 or 30 pounds of butter at a time. “Clearly, somebody didn’t accidentally buy 30 extra pounds of butter. So, they must have come from somewhere,” said Tracey, “I think at this point it appears to be the black market is where it’s headed.” He said the thefts seem to be organized, with two or three people working together in each case. Police in Brantford, Ont., are also investigating the theft of about $1,200 worth of butter from a store on Nov. 4. Charlebois said retailers could invest in prevention technologies like electronic tags, but putting them on butter or cheese is rare. He said up until recently grocery store theft has been a “taboo subject for many years.” Stores didn’t wanted to talk about thefts because they didn’t want to alarm people but now they feel they need to build awareness about what is “becoming a huge problem,” said Charlebois. Chaput, the cheese store owner, said he had been running the East Vancouver store for 15 years while managing the store in Kitsilano for 30 years, and he loves his customers. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “It’s really one of the best parts of our businesses, seeing familiar faces and making new customers. It’s why we come to work, really. Partly it’s the cheese, and partly it’s the people,” said Chaput. He said his strategy to combat would-be thieves is to give them extra customer service to make it harder for them to steal. He admits, however, that the shoplifting causes him stress. “It’s challenging. You’re busy trying to run your business day to day and take care of customers and take care of employees. Having to deal with criminals, just kind of scratches away. It can be a bit exhausting,” said Chaput. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementRobin Miller, a fixture in the Vacaville community for years, is back home with the Reporter. Miller has rejoined the team at The Reporter as News Editor, bringing a wealth of experience in communications to the position. “We have hoped for years to have Robin back home with us,” said Reporter Executive Editor Jack F.K. Bungart. “Robin knows this community and Solano County like the back of her hand. Her return is great news for us, and even better news for the residents of this city.” Miller completed a double major in Government and Journalism, earning her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento. For the past nine years, she worked in Marketing and Communications as a social media/online specialist with a local nonprofit healthcare organization. Prior to that she worked 30 years in newspapers, including a six-year stint as Managing Editor of The Reporter. Through those years she never lost her passion for community journalism. “It’s important work and my passion for community journalism drives me to enthusiastically cover local stories, give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard, and strengthen the bonds in our community through truthful, fair and balanced reporting,” said Miller. On a personal note, Miller and her husband, Matt, raised both of their sons in Vacaville and are thrilled to be brand new grandparents.

I n the words of Alfred Wainwright, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. When you live in boggy Britain, where it rains more than 150 days a year, waterproofing is a serious business – and a great waterproof jacket is a year-round wardrobe staple. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Whether you’re climbing a mountain or heading out on the commute, it’s worth investing in a decent jacket that’s fully waterproof, breathable and fits you properly. I’ve put nine through their paces in rainy hike conditions to find the very best women’s waterproof jackets. Best overall waterproof jacket: Montane Torren £300 at Montane Best waterproof jacket for hiking: Rab Kangri £199 at Ultimate Outdoors Best casual waterproof jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell £180 at Cotswold Outdoor Best waterproof jacket for skiers: The North Face Summit Tsirku Gore-Tex Pro £503.30 at Ellis Brigham Best waterproof jacket for the mountains: Tierra Nevado £222 at Trekitt I’m a seasoned adventure travel writer and gear tester who’s been putting outdoor kit through its paces across the globe for more than a decade. I’ve hiked many a mile in the name of testing waterproof jackets. I reckon I’ve tried well over 100 different raincoats on for size, wearing them everywhere from the summit of Mount Kenya to my favourite local pathways in Cornwall and the Cotswolds. I’ve also just finished working on two UK walking guides for Lonely Planet – a great excuse to hit the trails in any weather. Handily for me, we’ve just had one of the wettest summers on record in the UK, so I had plenty of time to figure out which waterproofs could tackle long rainy days in the great outdoors. I took each jacket I’ve recommended on hikes around everywhere from the top of Scafell Pike in the Lake District to the seriously sodden Yorkshire Moors and down to the sea-sprayed Cornish coast. As the weather was mild, I could test out the other key performance factor in a good waterproof – breathability – on muddy trails and city streets. The jackets called in to test for this article will be donated to the Julian Trust Night Shelter in Bristol, which gives outdoor kit to homeless people. Montane’s Torren is an award-winning jacket, and for good reason. There’s lots of great stuff here, and the design is pleasingly lightweight and comfortable to wear. It’s technical enough for adventures at altitude yet doesn’t feel like overkill if you’re walking the dog. The Torren’s recycled nylon shell is also highly waterproof without the use of damaging chemicals, something all outdoor clothing manufacturers should be working to achieve. Why we love it The Torren is indeed highly waterproof and kept the rain off all day long when I was out in this October’s wet and windy Storm Ashley. Montane uses its own-brand Petrichor technology to waterproof this coat, but it seems to stand up when compared with Gore-Tex, plus it doesn’t use environmentally harmful PFAS. The Torren is ready for high-stakes days outdoors, thanks to a helmet-compatible hood, harness-compatible pockets and articulated arms, which give a good range of movement. But it’s also simple enough to use for relaxed hiking days and, although it fits on the slim side, you can stick a thinner insulated jacket underneath. It’s hard to pick holes in the design, but if pushed, my niggle would be that, besides plain black, the only colours available are pastels. It’s a shame that ... there are limited neutral colours available. Material: recycled nylon Waterproof ing: Petrichor (20,000mm) Colours: blue, green, black Sizes available: 8-16 £300 at Montane £274.95 at Outdoor Action British climbing and mountaineering brand Rab designed the Kangri with “the avid all-weather adventurer in mind” – if that’s you, and you love to hike hill and dale in any weather, read on. This jacket marries comfort and a female-specific fit with rain-repelling Gore-Tex in a smart, sleek design that’s ready to trek. Why we love it I did lots of happy hiking in Rab’s Kangri. Gore-Tex is ever reliable for waterproofing, and the Kangri has a massive hydrostatic head rating of 28,000mm – nary a drop of rain seeped through as I hiked through sustained wet weather. The hood was also my favourite in testing – it stays put in high winds and the stiffened peak keeps rain off your face. I did find the sizing was off – this jacket does feel like it’s designed with women in mind (unlike some brands, which simply shrink men’s jackets), but the size 12 was on the small side when wearing more than a thin base layer underneath. The sleeves were a shade too long, too, although they are adjustable. While the colour of your waterproof isn’t the most important feature, it doesn’t hurt to have a good range, and I really liked the five smart hues available. It’s a shame that ... you’ll have to play around with sizing. Material: nylon Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Colours available: 5 Sizes available: 6-18 £199 at Ultimate Outdoors £330 at Ellis Brigham I always rate Patagonia’s effective and eco-friendly women’s outdoor range, and the Torrentshell jacket, the mid-priced all-rounder of its waterproof offerings, is no different. It’s made from 100% recycled materials; is lightweight, waterproof and comfortable; and there’s a wider fit to the torso and sleeves that’s perfect if you find slim jackets restrictive. Why we love it The Torrentshell ticked many boxes for me, from the cosy fleece-lined collar that feels nice against the skin to the stowable, adjustable hood. The Torrentshell repelled water effectively out in the Cumbrian hills, with water beading on the jacket’s surface, and was breathable enough for hiking, thanks to good pit zips. I don’t think this design would be breathable enough for sweatier endeavours such as climbing or mountaineering, however. I also like that this lightweight coat stuffs into its own pocket if the sun comes out. If you want to squeeze a thicker puffer jacket underneath, I’d consider a size up. As well as a high-quality jacket, Patagonia is an ethical pick – this jacket is Fairtrade and made using recycled materials and without PFAS (chemicals harmful to the environment). It’s a shame that ... breathability is limited. Material: recycled nylon Waterproofing: H2No standard Colours available: 5 Sizes available: XS-XXL £180 at Cotswold Outdoor £180 at Ellis Brigham A “hardshell” jacket (one without insulation built-in) is ideal for hiking but skiers and mountaineers often also choose to swap their heavy padded waterproofs for them, wearing insulated layers underneath to trap in heat. I’ve been testing out a range of shells aimed at skiers and The North Face’s Summit Tsirku is brilliant for snow – perhaps unsurprisingly, since the brand is all about adventures in mountain terrain. Why we love it The North Face Summit Tsirku, named for a river in Alaska, has a hefty price tag, but it’s worth the spend if you’re a seasoned skier, an athlete or an outdoors professional. This bright jacket is totally waterproof, with a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric that even torrential rain can’t touch. The Summit Tsirku was also the most breathable jacket I tested – the airy fabric and good ventilation zips should keep you comfortable on sweaty, stop-start sporting adventures. The fit is great, with just the right amount of room to layer up underneath, and I love the longer length of this coat (short jackets that ride up around the waist are my bugbear). This design is overkill for casual walks, but it comes into its own in the backcountry. It’s a shame that ... it’s too technical – and pricey – for mere mortals. Material: recycled nylon Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Colours available: one (orange) Sizes available: S-L £503.30 at Ellis Brigham Climbers, mountaineers and hikers unite – the Nevado is a technical shell that Tierra created using feedback from professional mountain guides. While this jacket packs the punch of Gore-Tex waterproofing, it’s not too bulky or heavy to move fast, so it’s perfect for venturing high into the hills. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Why we love it Ever-reliable Gore-Tex renders the Nevado fully waterproof, and rain rolls off its surface like water off the proverbial duck’s back. Unlike some shell jackets, which can feel plasticky against the skin, the Nevado’s soft liner makes it a cosy pleasure to wear, even if the only warmth the liner adds is psychological. This jacket has Alpine adventures in mind – the hood is adjustable and fits over a helmet, and the two-way zip is designed to be used while wearing a climbing harness. The Nevado was my top pick for pockets, too, with a chest pocket for easy access and handy inside pockets to hold your phone and gloves. There’s even a ski pass pocket, and you could use this jacket for ski holidays, so it’s a real quiver-of-one hardshell. It’s a shame that ... it’s a bit too pricey for casual country walkers. Material: polyamide Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Colours available: two (deep sea/black) Sizes available: XS-XL £222 at Trekitt Best for: a warm parka Meet my pick of the warm parkas. If you like a bit more coverage than a hip-skimming waterproof jacket, you’ll love Seasalt’s popular, longer-cut Janelle waterproof coat. It comes in eight nature-inspired muted shades, it fits beautifully and it’s fully waterproof, even in pelting rain. There’s enough insulation to trap in warmth on winter dog walks, plus nicely placed hip pockets, a reinforced wide hood and a cosy soft lining. The Janelle coat is made with fully recycled materials, and you can also choose from petite, regular and tall iterations as well as plus sizes. It didn’t make the final cut because ... it’s not short or breathable enough for sports. Material: recycled nylon; waterproofing: Tide Cycle; colours available: eight; sizes available: 8-28 £170 at Seasalt Cornwall £170 at Next Best for: a long raincoat After a good-looker of a long raincoat rather than a more technical sporty shell? Meet the lovely Lilja, designed with city use and commuting in mind. This flattering coat hits the mid-thigh, looking and feeling sleek, simple and stylish to wear. During testing, I found rain beaded off it brilliantly thanks to Helly Hansen’s own-brand water-repellent technology, and the detachable, adjustable hood fits well and protects the face from the elements. This fabric isn’t very breathable, so you could work up a sweat running for a bus, but I still like this rain slicker for city slickers. It didn’t make the final cut because ... it’s too casual and not breathable enough for active types. Material: polyester; waterproofing: Helly Tech Protection; colours: three (yellow/green/khaki); sizes available: XS-XL £190 at Helly Hansen From £258.58 at Amazon Best for: packing light Light and liberating to wear, the Ampli-Dry packs down small, so you can pop it in a rucksack pocket when the sun comes out. I like that it’s made with recycled polyester, and this jacket was one of the most breathable I tested, with wide zips to help with ventilation. It does feel a little plasticky to wear, but the fit is good and there’s room to layer underneath. If lightweight and packable are top of your shopping list, this could be the waterproof for you, and it’s well-priced, too, with some colours currently reduced. It didn’t make the final cut because ... it feels on the flimsy and plasticky side. Material: recycled polyester; waterproofing: Omni-Tech; colours available: six; sizes available: XS-XXL £155 at Columbia Waterproofing Make sure any jacket you buy is labelled as “waterproof” rather than just “water resistant” or “water repellent”, as the latter two labels usually mean a coat can repel only light rain. For full waterproofing, look for a jacket that incorporates tried-and-tested technology such as Gore-Tex or own-brand waterproofing into the outer layer of the jacket (or the hardshell). Some brands also list the amount of waterproofing their jacket offers, which is tested according to its hydrostatic head (this test assesses a fabric’s waterproofing abilities by subjecting it to increasing water pressure). Up to 1,500mm is considered only water resistant. Above 5,000mm is waterproof enough for wearing in steady rain, and a jacket with 10,000mm to 20,000mm is likely to be reliably waterproof and should work in torrential rain or snow. Breathability Cheap and cheerful macs-in-sacs and rain ponchos will keep you dry at a pinch, but they’re not breathable – you’ll quickly get sweaty and hot, which isn’t ideal when you’re out on hikes or cycle trips. Instead, high-quality jackets incorporate a breathable membrane that wicks away moisture, so that you don’t overheat when you sweat. Think about how and where you’ll wear your jacket before you buy – if you want something for casual use, a longer parka-length jacket with some insulation will offer warmth and you won’t need it to be very breathable. If you’re planning fast-paced hikes or cycles, you’ll want something light and breathable, without insulation and with added ventilation zips. Design and fit A good jacket should fit snugly but not too tightly at the waist, cuffs and neck, and should include taped seams, sealed or protected zips, zipped pockets and a well-designed, adjustable hood. If you’re a keen climber, cyclist or mountaineer, look for a jacket with a hood that can be worn over a helmet, and a fit designed to work when worn under a backpack and a harness. A slim-fitting jacket will keep you warmer, but make sure there’s space to wear a down layer or fleece underneath it in cold weather. How much to spend There are rain-ready jackets at price points to suit pretty much every budget on the market. Aim to spend about £150 on a good versatile waterproof. High-end, £200+ jackets are only worth the splurge if you’re heading out in serious conditions on proper hiking trips. If you are, though, they’re likely to be breathable, comfortable and completely waterproof. It’s worth noting that no jacket – unless it’s a purely plastic mac, which won’t be breathable – will be completely waterproof for ever. If your coat begins to lose its waterproofing (rain will sink into the outer fabric rather than bead straight off it), re-waterproof it with a treatment such as Nikwax . Sian Lewis is an award-winning freelance outdoors and travel journalist and author who loves putting adventure kit through its paces while hiking, swimming and wild camping. She also shares her adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.com

Heart of fire

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VANCOUVER — British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store's video camera system for around $5,000 more. He's not selling luxury brands or expensive jewels. Chaput sells cheese, and at Christmas, cheese is a hot commodity. He is the co-owner of specialty cheese store les amis du Fromage, with two locations in Vancouver. While cheeselifting is rare in their Kitsilano store, the outlet in East Vancouver is hit in waves, with nothing happening for a month, then three of four people trying to steal their inventory within a week. "Sometimes, you miss it. Sometimes, you catch it. The way shoplifters behave ... they tend to gravitate toward expensive things," said Chaput. Expensive cheese is on shoplifters' Christmas list, he said. "They tend to do the classic examples of staying away from customer service and trying to go to a different part of the store so they can be left alone to steal." Chaput isn't alone. Police say food-related crimes on are the rise in Canada and as prices climb for items such as cheese and butter, they become lucrative on the black market for organized crime groups, not to mention theft for local resale. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University's Agri-food Analytics Lab, said a black market tends to emerge as soon as food prices surge. "Organized crime will steal anything (if) they know they can sell it and so, they probably would have known who their clients are before even stealing anything at all, and that's how a black market is organized," said Charlebois. He said he believes there are two categories of people shoplifting — those who do so out of desperation because they can't afford the food, or organized criminals, profiting from sales on the black market. Mounties in North Vancouver made cheesy headlines when they ran into a man with a cart of stolen cheese in the middle of the night in September. The cheese, valued at $12,800, was from a nearby Whole Foods Store. While the cheese was recovered, it had to be disposed of because it hadn't been refrigerated. Const. Mansoor Sahak, with the North Vancouver RCMP, said officers believe cheese is targeted because it's "profitable to resell." "If they are drug addicts, they will commit further crimes with that or feed their drug habits. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Sahak. Sahak said meat is also a top target for grocery thieves, with store losses sometimes in the thousands. "So, we're not surprised that this happened,” said Sahak. Police in Ontario have been chasing down slippery shoplifters going after butter. Scott Tracey, a spokesman with Guelph Police Service, said there have been eight or nine butter thefts over the last year, including one theft last December worth $1,000. In October, two men walked into a local grocer and filled their carts with cases of butter valued at $936, and four days later a Guelph grocer lost four cases valued at $958. Tracey said he has looked at online marketplaces and found listings by people selling 20 or 30 pounds of butter at a time. “Clearly, somebody didn't accidentally buy 30 extra pounds of butter. So, they must have come from somewhere,” said Tracey, “I think at this point it appears to be the black market is where it's headed.” He said the thefts seem to be organized, with two or three people working together in each case. Police in Brantford, Ont., are also investigating the theft of about $1,200 worth of butter from a store on Nov. 4. Charlebois said retailers could invest in prevention technologies like electronic tags, but putting them on butter or cheese is rare. He said up until recently grocery store theft has been a "taboo subject for many years." Stores didn't wanted to talk about thefts because they didn't want to alarm people but now they feel they need to build awareness about what is "becoming a huge problem," said Charlebois. Chaput, the cheese store owner, said he had been running the East Vancouver store for 15 years while managing the store in Kitsilano for 30 years, and he loves his customers. "It's really one of the best parts of our businesses, seeing familiar faces and making new customers. It's why we come to work, really. Partly it's the cheese, and partly it's the people," said Chaput. He said his strategy to combat would-be thieves is to give them extra customer service to make it harder for them to steal. He admits, however, that the shoplifting causes him stress. "It's challenging. You're busy trying to run your business day to day and take care of customers and take care of employees. Having to deal with criminals, just kind of scratches away. It can be a bit exhausting," said Chaput. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2024. Nono Shen, The Canadian Press