Wall Street launches new ways to bet on bitcoinNoneThe U.S. Navy is transforming a costly flub into a potent weapon with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, which is being retrofitted aboard the first of its three stealthy destroyers. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the U.S. military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon previously acknowledged the weapon's development, it had not recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the “Conventional Prompt Strike." It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a $7.5 billion warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an Advanced Gun System with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, an independent forum focusing on national security issues, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities,” said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said. Image Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock The financial challenges facing U.S. military households are a significant concern throughout the year. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, or Veterans Day highlight the ongoing struggles that service members face, particularly amid rising costs for everyday essentials. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows a troubling trend: Military personnel and their families are finding it more difficult to cover basic household expenses such as food, housing, and transportation than the average American. Our analysis examines how service members are faring in today’s economy compared to civilian households, highlighting the states where military families report the greatest challenges in managing their finances. As we enter Giving Season, we’ve also highlighted meaningful ways to support service members and their families through charitable contributions, offering an opportunity to make a direct impact on those who serve our nation. Service members are struggling more financially than the average American. Image Credit: Upgraded Points According to recent Household Pulse Survey data, members of the armed services are experiencing financial strain at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Over 40% of service members report difficulty covering their usual household expenses, compared to 36.6% of all U.S. adults. The data also shows heightened anxiety among service members regarding rising prices. Nearly 80% of military personnel express stress about recent price increases, significantly higher than the 71.8% of all U.S. adults who share similar feelings. Furthermore, 81.8% of service members are concerned about future price hikes, reflecting widespread uncertainty about inflation’s long-term impact on household budgets. More than half of service members in certain states have difficulty covering basic household expenses. Image Credit: Upgraded Points Across the U.S., the financial burden on service members varies significantly from state to state, primarily influenced by local economic conditions. According to the most recent data, Utah leads with 53.7% of service members reporting difficulty covering basic household expenses, closely followed by Louisiana (52.9%) and Alaska (52.8%). Other states where over half of service members are struggling include Indiana (52.0%), Tennessee (51.2%), New York (50.8%), and Florida (50.3%). A key issue service members frequently raise is that their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has not kept pace with the rapidly rising cost of housing. In states where service members face the greatest financial difficulties, such as Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, home price increases have far exceeded the national average, exacerbating the strain on household budgets. Another critical factor affecting military families is the employment challenges military spouses face. According to the Department of Defense, the military spouse unemployment rate was 21% in 2023, compared to a national rate of 3.6% that year. Many military bases are located in rural or remote areas, limiting job opportunities for spouses, particularly in specialized fields. Additionally, frequent relocations make it difficult for spouses to sustain long-term careers, especially for those in professions requiring state-specific occupational licenses that can be difficult to transfer. Service members are also more likely to report financial struggles in states with higher-than-average unemployment rates, such as Louisiana, Alaska, and New York. Conversely, the state unemployment rate is below average in 9 of the 10 states where service members report the least financial difficulty. This suggests that strong local employment opportunities, particularly for spouses, significantly ease the financial burden on military households. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock One of the most impactful ways to support service members, veterans, and their families who are facing financial hardships is through donations to reputable charities. These organizations are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by military families and veterans, providing vital assistance in areas like housing, medical expenses, scholarships, and career training. To help guide your generosity, we’ve compiled a list of top-rated charities based on scores from Charity Navigator , CharityWatch , and GuideStar , which assess organizations on criteria such as impact, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Here are some of the best charities supporting military families and veterans in need: 1. USO For over 80 years, the USO has provided crucial support to active-duty service members and their families. From financial assistance programs to community-building initiatives, the USO helps service members stay connected to loved ones while addressing their most pressing needs during deployments and transitions. 2. Homes For Our Troops This charity is focused on providing specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. It helps veterans regain independence. Homes For Our Troops also provides financial planning and household budgeting to ensure long-term stability for the recipients. 3. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Dedicated to advocating for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, IAVA works to improve government policies and programs that support military families. Its advocacy ensures veterans have access to financial resources, healthcare, and education opportunities. 4. Fisher House Foundation This foundation builds “comfort homes” near military and VA medical centers, allowing families to stay free of charge while a loved one is hospitalized. By reducing travel and lodging expenses, Fisher House eases financial stress during difficult times. 5. Hope For The Warriors Offering a range of programs focused on financial stability, wellness, social support, and education, Hope For The Warriors provides critical support to service members, veterans, and their families. Its services include direct financial assistance for transitioning service members and veterans in need, career training and job placement, and scholarships for spouses. 6. Semper Fi & America’s Fund Semper Fi & America’s Fund assists wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families through direct financial assistance and case management during hospitalization and recovery. The organization also provides educational support, career assistance, and health and wellness services. 7. Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) WWFS supports families of those wounded or killed in combat through programs like medical travel grants, meal and housekeeping assistance, in-home care services, and family retreats. By addressing these families' immediate and ongoing needs, WWFS alleviates the financial burdens of those suffering from recent tragic events. For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points . Photo Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock Upgraded Points conducted the analysis using the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Phase 4.0–4.2 , covering the period from January 9, 2024, to September 16, 2024. Service members were defined as adults currently serving in the U.S. armed forces (Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard) and their spouses. This analysis focuses on 3 key questions from the survey: Statistics with fewer than 50 survey responses were omitted from the analysis. Additional statistics on home prices were sourced from Zillow’s Home Value Index , and unemployment rates were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates . For complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points. Be the first to know
By Jon Bitner on November 25, 2024 at 3:18PM PST GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. Walmart is discounting a bit of everything for Black Friday this year, with big savings on everything from video games and controllers to Lego sets and laptops. Walmart+ members were given early access to all the deals, but now the offers are available to everyone--and while some of the best discounts are already sold out, you’ll still find a wealth of great products listed at the lowest prices of the year. Walmart Black Friday deals at a glance Video Game Deals Nintendo Deals PlayStation Deals Xbox Deals PC Gaming Deals Lego Deals Keep in mind that you no longer need to be a Walmart+ member to cash in on these offers, but consider signing up anyway if you’re a frequent Walmart shopper to gain additional benefits throughout the year. And if one of your favorite deals is sold out, check back in the coming days--Walmart is known to restock hot products frequently. The event ends on December 1, so be sure to cash in while you can. For more savings, be sure to check GameSpot's Black Friday deals hub. A few Nintendo Switch console bundles are on sale at Walmart. These bundles were available at other retailers but sold out, so Walmart is your last chance to grab them. You’ll also find $20 price cuts on both the Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Con (Neon Red/Neon Blue), bringing them to some of their best prices of the year. Nintendo Switch + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle -- $249 ($ 299 ) Nintendo Switch OLED + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle -- $299 ($ 349 ) Switch Pro Controller -- $49 ($ 70 ) Joy-Con (Neon Red/Neon Blue) -- $59 ($ 80 ) Tons of retailers are discounting Switch games for Black Friday, but Walmart is beating most offers by $5 to $10. So before you pull the trigger on a great deal at Amazon or Best Buy, be sure to check out this long list of Switch price cuts at Walmart. Notable price cuts include The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $30 (was $70), Animal Crossing: New Horizons for $30 (was $60), and Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for $30 (was $60). Animal Crossing: New Horizons -- $30 ($ 60 ) Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed -- $30 ($ 60 ) Hogwarts Legacy -- $30 ($ 60 ) Kirby and the Forgotten Land -- $30 ($ 60 ) The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom -- $45 ($ 60 ) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom -- $30 ($ 70 ) Nintendo Switch Sports -- $30 ($ 50 ) Nintendo World Championships -- $25 ($ 30 ) Pikmin 4 -- $30 ($ 60 ) Pokemon Legends Arceus -- $45 ($ 60 ) Sonic X Shadow Generations -- $30 ($ 50 ) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury -- $30 ($ 60 ) Super Mario Maker 2 -- $30 ($ 60 ) Super Mario: Odyssey -- $30 ($ 60 ) Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble -- $25 ($ 50 ) DualSense controllers are discounted for Black Friday, including the Midnight Black version for $54 (was $75) and Volcanic Red for $59 (was $80). Most other models are also seeing a $20 price cut. And if you’re in the market for a great headset, check out the Pulse Elite Wireless. On sale for $129 (was $150), it provides you with support for PS5, and PC with the included Link adapter, plus 30 hours of battery life and AI-enhanced noise cancelling for impressive audio. Prepare for the winter by stocking up on affordable PS5 games. Everything from Astro Bot to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is on sale, giving you a chance to load up on titles you may have missed over the past few years. While some of these games are also on sale at other retailers, in some cases Walmart has the best prices. Astro Bot -- $50 ($ 70 ) Days Gone -- $31 ($ 40 ) Demon’s Souls -- $37 ($ 70 ) EA Sports College Football 25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) EA Sports FC 25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth -- $40 ($ 70 ) God of War Ragnarok -- $30 ($ 70 ) Gran Turismo 7 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Helldivers 2 -- $30 ($ 40 ) Horizon Forbidden West -- $30 ($ 40 ) Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition -- $45 ($ 70 ) The Last of Us Part 1 -- $30 ($ 70 ) The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered -- $40 ($ 70 ) Madden NFL 25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales -- $20 ($ 50 ) Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition -- $30 ($ 70 ) Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 -- $30 ($ 70 ) NBA 2K25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart -- $37 ($ 70 ) Returnal -- $30 ($ 70 ) Rise of the Ronin -- $30 ($ 60 ) Sackboy: A Big Adventure -- $38 ($ 60 ) Silent Hill 2 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Stellar Blade -- $50 ($ 70 ) Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection -- $31 ($ 50 ) Now is the time to pick up a new Xbox Controller, as just about all colors and patterns are just $45. These typically costs between $60-$70, making Walmart’s Black Friday sale one of the best places to pick up an official Xbox controller. You’ll also find the Elite Series 2 for $141 (was $180) and the Elite Series 2 Core for $107 (was $130). Xbox Wireless Controllers Arctic Camo -- $45 ($ 65 ) Astral Purple -- $45 ($ 65 ) Carbon Black -- $45 ($ 60 ) Daystrike Camo -- $45 ($ 70 ) Deep Pink -- $45 ($ 60 ) Electric Volt -- $45 ($ 65 ) Ghost Cypher -- $45 ($ 65 ) Mineral Camo -- $45 ($ 65 ) Nocturnal Vapor (Green) -- $45 ($ 70 ) Pulse Red -- $45 ($ 65 ) Robot White -- $45 ($ 50 ) Shock Blue -- $45 ($ 65 ) Sky Cypher -- $45 ($ 70 ) Velocity Green -- $45 ($ 60 ) Elite Series 2 Elite Series 2 -- $141 ($ 180 ) Elite Series 2 (Blue) -- $116 ($ 140 ) Elite Series 2 (White) -- $107 ($ 130 ) Three sports games are on sale for $30 each. Consider picking them up for yourself or as a holiday gift, as these are among the best prices of the year. EA Sports College Football -- $30 ($ 70 ) Madden NFL 25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) NBA 2K25 -- $30 ($ 70 ) Fan of The Office? Then don’t miss out on the fantastic Dunder Mifflin Scranton Model, which includes 15 minifigures and is a faithful replica of the iconic floorplan. Now on sale for just $70 (was $120), it’s an easy recommendation for longtime viewers. There’s also a Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle set that clocks in at over 2,600 pieces--snap together all its bricks to create a massive replica of the school and its grounds. Lego Marvel Infinity Gauntlet (590 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Lego Ideas: The Office (1,164 pieces) -- $70 ($ 120 ) Lego Harry Potter - The Battle of Hogwarts (730 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Lego Harry Potter - Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade (1,074 pieces) -- $70 ($ 130 ) Lego Harry Potter - Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (2,660 pieces) -- $136 ($ 170 ) Lego Star Wars - Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle (599 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Amazon is matching Lego Marvel Infinity Gauntlet (590 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Lego Harry Potter - Chamber of Secrets (1,176 pieces) -- $96 ($ 150 ) with coupon Lego Harry Potter - The Battle of Hogwarts (730 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Lego Harry Potter - Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade (1,074 pieces) -- $70 ($ 130 ) Lego Harry Potter - Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (2,660 pieces) -- $136 ($ 170 ) Lego Star Wars - Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle (599 pieces) -- $45 ($ 80 ) Empoleon V Collector’s Tin -- $15 Gallade V Collector’s Tin -- $15 ($ 26 ) Giratina V Collector’s Tin -- $15 ($ 26 ) Rotom V Collector’s Tin -- $15 ($ 33 ) Tyranitar V Collector's Tin -- $15 Charizard ex Super Premium Collection -- $57 ($ 100 ) Scarlet & Violet: Paldea Evolved Elite Trainer Box -- $36 ($ 50 ) Scarlet & Violet: Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box -- $33 ($ 39 ) $699 ($ 1,200 ) CPU: Intel Core i5-13600KF GPU: GeForce RTX 4060 RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD $109 ($ 150 ) Size: 27 inches Resolution: 1080p Refresh rate: 180Hz Response time: 1ms $1,199 ($ 1,599 ) CPU: Ryzen 9-7845HX GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD $880 ($ 1,200 ) Free copy of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle CPU: Ryzen 7 7435HS GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD $178 ($ 278 ) Size: 55 inches Resolution: 4K Display: LCD Refresh rate: 60Hz $228 ($ 378 ) Size: 65 inches Resolution: 4K Display: LED Refresh rate: 60Hz $129 ($ 249 ) CPU: Intel Processor N4120 RAM: 4GB RAM Storage: 64GB eMMC $89 ($ 159 ) Connection: Bluetooth ANC: Yes Battery life: Up to 40 hours $89 ($ 180 ) Connection: Bluetooth ANC: Yes Battery life: Up to 30 hours $299 ($ 499 ) Dolby Atmos: Yes Bluetooth: Yes Length: 27 inches $699 ($ 899 ) Dolby Atmos: Yes Bluetooth: No Length: 45 inches $89 Dolby Atmos: No Bluetooth: Yes Length: 35 inches $130 ($ 346 ) Slide Hockey Foosball Billiards Shuffleboard Table Tennis Chess Cards Checkers Bowling Backgammon Upvote Leave BlankConor McGregor has maintained his innocence in a new public statement after being ordered to pay Nikita Hand £200,000 after a civil court case. The former UFC champion was found liable of assaulting Hand, who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel six years ago . A jury awarded her £200,000 in damages on Friday. McGregor, 36, claims that he engaged in consensual sex with Hand, and has vowed to appeal the case. He broke his silence on social media with a post to X on Monday, and stated he is keen to move forward with his life and return to the UFC. "People want to hear from me, I needed time," McGregor wrote. "I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. "I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world . That’s all on me. "As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision. "I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!" Hand believes that justice has been served, and is attempting to move on with her life while being supported by her family. Speaking outside the court after McGregor had been ordered to pay her damages, Ms. Hand said; "I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody. I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish. "I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew. "I want to thank the men and women who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, I really appreciate it so much. "I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice. "I want to show her and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served. To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice. "I know this has impacted my life, my daughter's, my family and friends' tremendously and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends and daughter."
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Avior Wealth Management LLC Has $401,000 Stock Holdings in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Austin Peay 62, Georgia St. 50Manchester's Christmas Parade returns this weekend - with the promise of the biggest festive event yet. The free parade has become an annual fixture in the city centre in December, now in its third year. Storm Darragh is not expected to impact the event. This year will see over 400 participants taking part in a fun-filled promenade through the city, sprinkling pure festive magic along the way. It starts at 1pm on Sunday, December 8, although there's a number of free festive events taking place in the build up on Sunday morning as well this year. The parade will set off from Manchester Cathedral at 1 pm, following a route that takes in Deansgate, John Dalton Street, Cross Street, Market Street and St Mary's Gate before turning back onto Deansgate and ending at the cathedral. Visitors are free to watch the parade along any part of the route. READ MORE: We tried Christmas dinners at four supermarket cafes and there were highs and lows With live music bringing the sounds of the season and colourful dancers at every turn, the centre-piece of this year's parade is sure to be Manchester's very own Elf Express - a spectacular train with carriages full of elves that will be making a special stop in Santa's favourite city on its way to Santa's workshop in the North Pole. Expect festive sights and sounds on the parade (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News) Look out too for the Mistletoe dancing mice, Christmas horse-riding Elves on stilts, an oversized Polar Bear with playful giant paws and Christmas Robins, or the Aurora Borealis Stilt Walkers, Robot Drummers and toe-tapping Hip Hop Elf. Ski Sunday will see one-of-a-kind segway skiers swoop and slide along the parade route, donned in vibrant retro ski gear, complete with cheeky personalities and blasting out 80s tunes and festive Christmas classics, creating an illusion of downhill fun in a flurry of entertainment. Expect spellbinding and beautiful airborne puppetry of Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus who from their illuminated clouds cast magical raindrops from the tips of their fingers, and enjoy a singalong with Elton Wrong piano man as he rides along on his portable stadium stage whilst playing the piano and crooning his way through his top ten of pop hits and show tunes. And of course it wouldn't be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the return of everyone's favourite, the enchanting Snow Queen mesmerising all as she sits in her giant snow globe gliding through the city streets. Watch out also on the day for plenty of pop-up festive fun around the parade route - including a Christmas crafting marquee for children outside Marks and Spencer on Market Street that will see children invited to get crafting and be in with a special chance of joining Father Christmas' band of mischievous elves and walk with them in the parade. Another extra-special treat is also in store this year to help celebrate the return of the magical Manchester Christmas Parade with over a thousand free festive hot drinks on offer to help spread a little more Christmas cheer. For on Manchester's very own 'Santa Sunday', the first 1500 people to pay a visit ahead of the parade to the Christmas Grotto in the Royal Exchange Arcade, dressed head-to-toe as Santa or at least sporting a Santa hat, will be given a voucher for a hot chocolate winter-warmer from the Christmas Markets. The free parade will head around the city centre streets (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News) To be in with a chance of a free hot choc - while stocks last - Santa wannabes must present themselves between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm on Sunday with a ho-ho-ho to the Santa's team of mischievous cheeky elves at the Grotto, who will be playing around getting everyone in the festive spirit. Adding to the seasonal cheer will be The Royal Exchange Manchester Christmas Choir who will be performing at various times throughout the morning in the Arcade, which runs between Cross Street and St Ann's Square. Arrive early for the Manchester Christmas Parade and from 12:30 pm the same cheeky elves will also be making mischief along the parade route to get everyone smiling as they help spread a little extra Christmas fun, with goodies and giveaways galore ahead of the parade at 1 pm. The city council has worked with a range of partners including outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade, and Fools Paradise to help make sure this year's Manchester Christmas Parade is the best yet. The Snow Queen will make her return (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd) Councillor Pat Karney said: "We just can't wait to welcome everyone back again for our fabulous family festive favourite Manchester Christmas Parade. It's Manchester at its magical best and sure to get everyone smiling and in the Christmas spirit. "Putting the parade together really is a big team effort and we couldn't do any of this without all our amazing magic-making event partners and others across the city who work with us to help us put on a spectacular show. A big thank you to them for this and also to transport bosses and GMP who work hard with us to help keep everyone moving and everyone safe. "This year's parade is going to be amazing. Grab your Christmas hats and some tinsel and come and join us!" What time is the Parade? This year's Manchester Christmas Parade will start at 1 pm on Sunday, December 8. It will follow a route that starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral. It is expected to last approximately an hour from start to finish. What is the full route of the parade? The parade will set off from Manchester Cathedral at 1 pm, following a route that takes in Deansgate up to John Dalton Street where it will turn left up to Cross Street. The parade will then make its way along Cross Street to St Mary's Gate (by M&S) before turning back right onto Deansgate and ending back at the cathedral. Where are accessible viewing points? Accessible viewing points will be available in two locations this year. Accessible viewing area 1 is at the extended lay-by outside Roxy Ball Room and Be At One venues on Deansgate. Accessible viewing area 2 is at the benches outside Boots on Cross Street. Expect a festive extravaganza (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd) Which roads will be closed on Sunday? Details of the road closures, changes to Metrolink timetable and on-street parking which are necessary in order for the parade to safely go ahead are listed below: Road closures Sunday 8 December from 8am to 5pm Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach) Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street) St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate) Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square) Sunday 8 December 11.00am to 3pm Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate) Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street) John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence Street) Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street) Metrolink Suspension From 12pm to 2.30pm Sunday 8 December 2CC (St Peter's Square to Exchange Square) suspended Parking Suspensions and Exemptions From 6pm on Friday 6 December to 5pm on Sunday 8 December Market Street (outside Marks and Spencers) - One Bay Only From 6pm on Saturday 7 December to 5pm on Sunday 8 December Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach) Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square) St Ann Street (Southgate to Cross Street) Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street) John Dalton Street (King Street West to Clarence Street) Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street) Market Street (Cross Street to St Mary’s Gate) St Mary’s Gate (Market Street to Deansgate) St James's Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street) King Street West (Deansgate to Bridge Street)
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President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools — some of them powered by AI — help make life-altering decisions for immigrants, including whether they should be detained or surveilled. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency's supervision. The letter, sent by DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen to the immigrant rights group Just Futures Law, revealed that the score calculates the potential risk that an immigrant — with a pending case — will fail to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The algorithm relies on several factors, he said, including an immigrant’s number of violations and length of time in the program, and whether the person has a travel document. Hysen wrote that ICE officers consider the score, among other information, when making decisions about an immigrant’s case. “The Hurricane Score does not make decisions on detention, deportation, or surveillance; instead, it is used to inform human decision-making,” Hysen wrote. Also included in the government’s tool kit is a mobile app called SmartLINK that uses facial matching and can track an immigrant’s specific location. Nearly 200,000 people without legal status who are in removal proceedings are enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, under which certain immigrants can live in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending. In exchange, SmartLINK and GPS trackers used by ICE rigorously surveil them and their movements. The phone application draws on facial matching technology and geolocation data, which has been used before to find and arrest those using the app. Just Futures Law wrote to Hysen earlier this year, questioning the fairness of using an algorithm to assess whether someone is a flight risk and raising concerns over how much data SmartLINK collects. Such AI systems, which score or screen people, are used widely but remain largely unregulated even though some have been found to discriminate on race, gender or other protected traits. DHS said in an email that it is committed to ensuring that its use of AI is transparent and safeguards privacy and civil rights while avoiding biases. The agency said it is working to implement the Biden administration’s requirements on using AI , but Hysen said in his letter that security officials may waive those requirements for certain uses. Trump has publicly vowed to repeal Biden's AI policy when he returns to the White House in January. “DHS uses AI to assist our personnel in their work, but DHS does not use the outputs of AI systems as the sole basis for any law enforcement action or denial of benefits,” a spokesperson for DHS told the AP. Trump has not revealed how he plans to carry out his promised deportation of an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally. Although he has proposed invoking wartime powers, as well as military involvement, the plan would face major logistical challenges — such as where to keep those who have been detained and how to find people spread across the country — that AI-powered surveillance tools could potentially address. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, did not answer questions about how they plan to use DHS’ tech, but said in a statement that “President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation” in American history. Over 100 civil society groups sent a letter on Friday urging the Office of Management and Budget to require DHS to comply with the Biden administration’s guidelines. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Just Futures Law’s executive director, Paromita Shah, said if immigrants are scored as flight risks, they are more likely to remain in detention, "limiting their ability to prepare a defense in their case in immigration court, which is already difficult enough as it is.” SmartLINK, part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, is run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of the private prison company The GEO Group. The GEO Group also contracts with ICE to run detention centers. ICE is tight-lipped about how it uses SmartLINK’s location feature to find and arrest immigrants. Still, public records show that during Trump’s first term in 2018, Manassas, Virginia-based employees of BI Inc. relayed immigrants’ GPS locations to federal authorities, who then arrested over 40 people. In a report last year to address privacy issues and concerns, DHS said that the mobile app includes security features that “prohibit access to information on the participant’s mobile device, with the exception of location data points when the app is open.” But the report notes that there remains a risk that data collected from people "may be misused for unauthorized persistent monitoring.” Such information could also be stored in other ICE and DHS databases and used for other DHS mission purposes, the report said. On investor calls earlier this month, private prison companies were clear-eyed about the opportunities ahead. The GEO Group’s executive chairman George Christopher Zoley said that he expects the incoming Trump administration to “take a much more aggressive approach regarding border security as well as interior enforcement and to request additional funding from Congress to achieve these goals.” “In GEO’s ISAP program, we can scale up from the present 182,500 participants to several hundreds of thousands, or even millions of participants,” Zoley said. That same day, the head of another private prison company told investors he would be watching closely to see how the new administration may change immigrant monitoring programs. “It’s an opportunity for multiple vendors to engage ICE about the program going forward and think about creative and innovative solutions to not only get better outcomes, but also scale up the program as necessary,” Damon Hininger, CEO of the private prison company CoreCivic Inc. said on an earnings call. GEO did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, CoreCivic said that it has played “a valued but limited role in America’s immigration system” for both Democrats and Republicans for over 40 years.The expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Topa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadline