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President-elect Donald Trump namedhedge fund mogul Scott Bessentas the next Treasury secretary on Friday, ending a rough-and-tumble race that saw fierce jockeying among power players across Wall Street.

I am most pleased to nominate Scott Bessent to serve as the 79th Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, Trump wrote in his announcement, posted on Truth Social.

Scott is widely respected as one of the World’s foremost International Investors and Geopolitical and Economic Strategists, the president-elect said of this Treasury pick.

Bessent “got the thumbs up” late Thursday during a meeting with Trump, 78, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., one source close to the situation told The Post.

A flurry of last-minute media reports had floated several candidates for the job. Late Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported that financier Kevin Warsh had met with Trump on Wednesday about the Treasury post — and possibly replacing Jerome Powell as Fed chairman when his term expires in 2026.

Trump also met about the Treasury role with Marc Rowan, the billionaire boss of buyout firm Apollo Global Management, at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week.

Bessent, the 62-year-old founder of Key Square Group, has repeatedly backed the president-elects pro-tariff stance in a series of op-eds and media appearances over the past year.

Scott’s story is that of the American Dream, Trump said Friday, noting that Bessent has long been a strong advocate of the America First Agenda.

On the eve of our Great Country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States, as we fortify our position as the World’s leading Economy, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurialism, Destination for Capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the U.S. Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World, he added.

Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and Greatest Economic Boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me, and the Great People of the United States of America.

A source close to the Trump transition team told the Post earlier on Friday that the hedge fund executive was “being vetted” for the role ahead of a formal announcement.

“If you want to bring a genius into that job who is loyal to the president, Scott is the right guy,” one source close to the situation said.

One faction of Trump World had been pushing for Bessent for weeks, trying to outmaneuver Howard Lutnick — the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition team — in what had reportedly escalated into a bitter “knife fight” for the coveted role.

One insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lutnick, a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, was eventually handed the post of Commerce Secretary “to calm things down.”

After Lutnick exited the Treasury race, sources said Trump continued to do interviews to hash out his options. Bessent and Rowan were both spotted at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday.

“All the top investors and hedge funds said Scott Bessent is their number one pick because of his understanding of macroeconomics,” said one veteran Wall Street insider.

A source briefed on Rowan’s interview, meanwhile, said the 62-year-old was “an anti-tariff guy and that was a non-starter for the president.”

Another staunch Trump loyalist and major donor, billionaire hedge fund boss John Paulson, ruled himself out of an administration post just one week after the Nov. 5 election.

A native of South Carolina, Bessent previously served as chief investment officer for George Soros and was instrumental in the Hungarian-born money man’s “Black Wednesday” trade in 1992.

The bet against the British pound “broke the Bank of England”, raking in an eye-watering $1 billion payday for Soros that cemented his reputation as a titan of global finance.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, Bessent said Trump’s second presidential term would usher in “a revitalized economy for all Americans.”

Bessent also lashed out at the Biden-Harris administration for presiding over four years of “reckless spending” that has seen Uncle Sam’s debt pile hit an eye-watering $35 trillion this year.

“The Biden administrations mismanagement has created serious challenges that Mr. Trump will need to overcome,” Bessent stated in the Nov. 10 op-ed, adding that Trump “has a mandate to re-privatize the US economy through deregulation and tax reform to spur the supply-side growth that he delivered in his first term.”

Large parts of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts expire next year, giving Bessent the chance to help shape fiscal policy under the incoming commander-in-chief.

My Administration will restore Freedom, Strength, Resilience, and Efficiency to our Capital Markets, Trumps announcement continued. We will reinvigorate the Private Sector, and help curb the unsustainable path of Federal Debt.

As a lifelong Champion of Main Street America and American Industry, Scott will support my Policies that will drive U.S. Competitiveness, and stop unfair Trade imbalances, work to create an Economy that places Growth at the forefront, especially through our coming World Energy Dominance, he added. Together, we will Make America Rich Again, Prosperous Again, Affordable Again, and, most importantly, Great Again!

The president-elect has already tapped Tesla titan Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency and tighten up the federal government’s purse strings.

Diana Glebova contributed reporting.

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NHL Power Rankings: Summer storylines for all 32 teams

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NHL Power Rankings: Summer storylines for all 32 teams

The compressed NHL schedule for the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs, draft and free agency means that the majority of July and August is … a bit slower.

But it’s also the perfect time to refresh our Power Rankings of all 32 teams heading into 2025-26!

In addition to the latest 1-32 poll, this edition includes the top storyline for each team during the summer break.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on how strong each team will be in the 2025-26 season, which generates our master list.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the final 2024-25 edition, published April 11. Stanley Cup odds are per ESPN BET as of July 24.

Pre-playoff ranking: 11
Stanley Cup odds: +600

The Panthers had another epic celebration with the Stanley Cup, then proceeded to re-sign their big three pending free agents: Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. Is a three-peat possible?


Pre-playoff ranking: 10
Stanley Cup odds: +850

A second straight loss in the Stanley Cup Final resulted in no small amount of self-reflection — all while the proverbial sword of Damocles hangs over the franchise in Connor McDavid‘s potential free agency in 2026. One item that remains unchecked? Finding a better solution in goal.


Pre-playoff ranking: 3
Stanley Cup odds: +1000

Another trip to the Western Conference finals wasn’t enough for Peter DeBoer to save his job, who was replaced by former Stars coach Glen Gulutzan in July. How will the first full season of the Mikko Rantanen Era go?


Pre-playoff ranking: 7
Stanley Cup odds: +800

Given all the re-signings this offseason, there weren’t a bevy of high-impact free agents available. However, one of the top ones signed with the Hurricanes. How will Nikolaj Ehlers be deployed in Rod Brind’Amour’s system? And can he be the difference-maker next postseason?


Pre-playoff ranking: 4
Stanley Cup odds: +850

Same old Knights. The biggest fish in the free agency pond this offseason was Mitch Marner, and sure enough, Vegas’ front office found a way to land him. It presents a salary cap situation for the club, though that’s also nothing new. Marner visits Toronto on Jan. 23, for those in a calendar-circling mood.


Pre-playoff ranking: 1
Stanley Cup odds: +2500

The reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners as regular-season champs lost a key player in Nikolaj Ehlers this offseason, but gained perhaps the sport’s biggest X factor in Jonathan Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup winner who hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season because of health concerns.


Pre-playoff ranking: 5
Stanley Cup odds: +750

A first-round playoff loss is a bit misleading, as it was to fellow juggernaut Dallas Stars. The Avs believe they’ve solved their second-line center dilemma with a contract for 2024-25 trade addition Brock Nelson, but do they have enough depth to make another Cup run?


Pre-playoff ranking: 6
Stanley Cup odds: +2000

Toronto’s seemingly Quixotic quest to win another Stanley Cup continues. It has been an offseason of ups and downs so far. The Leafs lost Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with Vegas but inked one of the summer’s best deals with the new pact for Matthew Knies. As always, it’s high drama in the “centre of the hockey universe.”


Pre-playoff ranking: 2
Stanley Cup odds: +3000

Alex Ovechkin begins the 2025-26 season as the NHL’s all-time goals leader — and three away from 900. But the Caps won’t simply be feeding him pucks all season. This team will hope to get further than the second round, perhaps giving Ovi another Cup for his Hall of Fame résumé.


Pre-playoff ranking: 9
Stanley Cup odds: +1400

The Lightning continue to expertly massage their roster within the bounds of the salary cap. That continued this offseason, as they extended Yanni Gourde and Gage Goncalves for scoring depth. Another long playoff run is possible, though they’ll likely have to defeat their rivals from South Florida at some point on that road.

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Bettman shares 4 Nations tournament success with McAfee

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and details the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.


Pre-playoff ranking: 8
Stanley Cup odds: +2000

After signing a bevy of veteran depth to the roster in free agency, the Kings created the NHL’s best schedule release video. It has been an exciting summer already!


Pre-playoff ranking: 13
Stanley Cup odds: +4000

At one point there was some thought that the Wild would sign Minnesota natives Brock Nelson or Brock Boeser (or both). Instead, each re-signed with his 2024-25 team. Bringing in Vladimir Tarasenko could be one of the offseason’s deftest moves, if the veteran forward can find his former scoring touch that mostly eluded him this past season.


Pre-playoff ranking: 15
Stanley Cup odds: +1600

Aside from some depth tweaks, the Devils didn’t do a ton thus far this offseason — though re-signing Jake Allen may prove to be one of the wiser roster moves. How will Luke Hughes‘ next contract impact the rest of their decisions?


Pre-playoff ranking: 12
Stanley Cup odds: +5000

After a playoff appearance this past season, it has been a relatively quiet offseason so far for St. Louis. And as of right now, the club doesn’t have the cap space to sign anyone to a bold offer sheet.


Pre-playoff ranking: 14
Stanley Cup odds: +3500

Senators GM Steve Staios has indicated that he likes what he has on the roster and expects growth from within. That was evident this offseason, as the club’s most noteworthy move was re-signing veteran forward Claude Giroux to a one-year deal.


Pre-playoff ranking: 17
Stanley Cup odds: +6000

Fresh off a somewhat surprising Stanley Cup playoff appearance, the Canadiens made one of the offseason’s boldest moves by trading two first-round picks for 25-year-old defenseman Noah Dobson, then inking him to an eight-year deal. Are the playoffs now an every-year thing for the Habs?


Pre-playoff ranking: 20
Stanley Cup odds: +3000

The Rangers switched coaches — from Cup winner Peter Laviolette to Cup winner Mike Sullivan — and found a trade destination for K’Andre Miller after the decision was made not to re-sign the restricted free agent. In between they landed one of the top available free agents, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Is it enough to get them back in the postseason mix?


Pre-playoff ranking: 16
Stanley Cup odds: +15000

Another GM who believes — apparently — that growth will come from within, GM Craig Conroy told reporters that the players his front office had targeted in free agency signed elsewhere, and he didn’t feel any great need to spend $15 million-plus in cap space just to spend it. He could be onto something, as the team’s youth movement isn’t all Calder Trophy finalist Dustin Wolf — though having a great young goaltender certainly doesn’t hurt.


Pre-playoff ranking: 19
Stanley Cup odds: +4000

There was no playoff hockey in Utah this past spring, but GM Bill Armstrong pulled many different levers this offseason to put his team in the best spot to bring it there in 2026. The team traded for a potential superstar in JJ Peterka, signed proven veteran depth in Nate Schmidt and Brandon Tanev, and drafted Caleb Desnoyers with the No. 4 pick, a 200-foot center who will play a key role for the team sooner than later.


Pre-playoff ranking: 21
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

Little Caesars Arena has yet to host a playoff game. Is this the season that the drought ends? Detroit was knocking on the door this past season, and GM Steve Yzerman filled perhaps the org’s biggest need by trading for veteran goaltender John Gibson this summer.


Pre-playoff ranking: 18
Stanley Cup odds: +6000

Based on how the Canucks finished the 2024-25 season, continuity didn’t seem like the best option this summer. But aside from making a coaching change (from Rick Tocchet to Adam Foote) and trading for Evander Kane, it’s mostly status quo. That said, re-signing Brock Boeser was probably an easier option than trying to replace a player who scored 65 goals combined the past two seasons.


Pre-playoff ranking: 22
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

To the surprise of many the Blue Jackets remained in the playoff race until the final week of the season, thanks in large part to a Norris Trophy finalist campaign by Zach Werenski. The club made some depth additions this offseason — Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood will be particularly useful if they do make the 2026 playoffs. But are there some additional moves up GM Don Waddell’s sleeve before October?


Pre-playoff ranking: 23
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

New GM Mathieu Darche was not bashful in his first weeks on the job. Following the Noah Dobson trade, he and his associates drafted an A+ class, per ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie, and added an X factor forward in Jonathan Drouin. This is a team on the rise.


Pre-playoff ranking: 24
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

At some point, the Ducks’ rebuild will be over, and that day might be coming sooner than many suspect. GM Pat Verbeek was quite busy this summer, adding Chris Kreider in a trade and sending Trevor Zegras to Philly in another swap. The Ducks also added Mikael Granlund in free agency; he will be critical to their playoff chances. And if all of that wasn’t enough, they got a top-five talent in the draft class with the No. 10 pick in Roger McQueen, and then sent him to Disneyland to celebrate.

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Ducks draft pick Roger McQueen celebrates at Disneyland

Roger McQueen arrives at Disneyland to celebrate being drafted No. 10 by the Ducks.


Pre-playoff ranking: 29
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

Boston’s offseason business has primarily involved adding depth around the edges — and drafting future franchise center James Hagens, who will play another season at Boston College. Is there a big trade in store?


Pre-playoff ranking: 25
Stanley Cup odds: +20000

At some point, the longest playoff drought in the big four North American professional sports leagues will end. Will that be this season? The Sabres don’t appear better on paper than they were at the end of 2024-25, and they might even be worse, given that JJ Peterka was traded to Utah.


Pre-playoff ranking: 28
Stanley Cup odds: +7500

The Flyers began the offseason by hiring franchise legend Rick Tocchet to take over behind the bench. Then, they drafted a class of nine players who all play like him (or are built like he was in his playing days). In between, they traded for Trevor Zegras, who could wind up as the biggest steal of the offseason.


Pre-playoff ranking: 27
Stanley Cup odds: +30000

The Kraken have been patiently building a balanced roster with long-term success in mind. Can they finally turn a corner in 2025-26 after an offseason in which the big additions were Mason Marchment and Ryan Lindgren?


Pre-playoff ranking: 30
Stanley Cup odds: +10000

The Predators were the no-doubt winners of free agency in 2024 — and then missed the playoffs by a country mile in 2024-25. By contrast, the 2025 offseason included some low-key moves that should help get them back on track, including a trade for Nicolas Hague and the signings of Erik Haula and Nick Perbix.


Pre-playoff ranking: 26
Stanley Cup odds: +20000

It’s uncertain how long the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang will remain on the ice, and the rumors have picked up that one, two or all three could finish their NHL careers elsewhere. GM Kyle Dubas has been busy stocking the prospect cupboards, a process that will continue leading up to opening night, with Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust frequently mentioned in trade rumors.


Pre-playoff ranking: 32
Stanley Cup odds: +50000

The Sharks are still probably a year away from a serious run at a playoff spot, but GM Mike Grier added a ton of talent to his roster this summer. No. 2 pick Michael Misa has the talent to hit the ice this season. The Sharks also signed veterans Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg to add some experience to a defense that was lacking in that regard.


Pre-playoff ranking: 31
Stanley Cup odds: +50000

Perhaps the biggest move yet to be made by Chicago this summer is a contract extension for franchise center Connor Bedard, who will be a restricted free agent next summer. Other than that, GM Kyle Davidson appeared mostly content with letting his young roster develop, making no major additions.

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Men accused in New York crypto torture case out on bail

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Men accused in New York crypto torture case out on bail

Men accused in New York crypto torture case out on bail

The suspects allegedly held an Italian man hostage for weeks in a Manhattan townhouse, beating him and demanding access to his Bitcoin wallet.

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Two children and mother who died in Northern Ireland shooting named

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Two children and mother who died in Northern Ireland shooting named

Two children and a woman who died in a shooting in County Fermanagh have been named.

Vanessa Whyte, 45, and her two children, Sara Rutledge, aged 13, and 14-year-old James Rutledge, died in the shooting on Wednesday morning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

A man, who is a member of the same household, was seriously injured in the shooting in the village of Maguiresbridge, about 75 miles (120km) southwest of Belfast.

Police launched a murder investigation, and Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness asked people with information about the shooting incident to contact police.

The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, after two people died and two people been seriously injured in a shooting incident. Picture date: Wednesday July 23, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Oliver McVeigh /PA Wire
Image:
The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, after three people died in a shooting. Pic: Oliver McVeigh /PA Wire

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had spoken to Vanessa, Sara or James over the last few weeks. If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us,” he said.

“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.”

Police don’t anticipate any arrests being made at this stage, Superintendent Robert McGowan, district commander for Fermanagh and Omagh, said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Emergency services were called to the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge at around 8am on Wednesday following a report raised from the property.

Two people were found dead at the scene, and two others were seriously injured.

One patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, by air ambulance and the other to South West Acute Hospital by ambulance. Supt McGowan said the third person died at the South West Acute Hospital.

Maguiresbridge
Image:
Maguiresbridge

A local Gaelic football club said the victims were all “active and beloved” members of their club.

Sara and James Rutledge also used to be part of a local cricket club, which said in a statement that it was “extremely saddened by the tragic events”.

“Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely-natured children,” the statement read.

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Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: “The news from Maguiresbridge is tragic and deeply distressing.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and the local community in Fermanagh.”

The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, after two people died and two people been seriously injured in a shooting incident. Picture date: Wednesday July 23, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Oliver McVeigh /PA Wire
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The scene was cordoned off by police following the shooting on Wednesday morning. Pic: Oliver McVeigh /PA Wire

Sinn Fein MP Pat Cullen has expressed her deep shock over the shooting.

“I’m also thinking of all the wee school friends of those two wee children and what that must feel like for all of them and how the next few days and weeks will be for everyone, particularly just at the beginning of the school holidays,” she said.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, who represents Co Fermanagh in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said that the community was “stunned” by the shooting in “a rural, quiet area”.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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