OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The biggest question facing the Baltimore Ravens right now has little to do with Lamar Jackson or even a defense that started the season poorly. It’s about a kicking conundrum that has turned into a crisis. Can the Ravens make it to the Super Bowl with Justin Tucker? One of the more surprising subplots of this NFL season has been Tucker’s decline from one of the greatest of all time to a week-in, week-out liability. Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia might have been the nadir — he missed two field goals and an extra point in a game the Ravens ultimately . “Points were at a premium in the game. They have been in a few of these games. Sometimes we haven’t made the most of our opportunity to score points,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “We’re racking our brains, talking to Justin, looking at what we’re doing. I’m very confident that it’s going to get fixed. I believe it will. It has to. “And he’s the guy to get it fixed.” Harbaugh has given every indication that he’s standing by Tucker, who is in his 13th season and is under contract through 2027. When he’s at his best, he’s the type of kicker that gives his team a clear advantage in close games, but this season he has missed eight field goals. Sunday showed that against a good defensive team, the Ravens (8-5) can’t simply assume their excellent offense will pile up points. There almost certainly will be close games in the weeks to come. Tucker’s ability to come through will be tested again, and for Baltimore to feel too confident at the moment. “When he was hitting, three or four years ago, hitting bombs, we were going 57, 58, 56 pretty regularly,” Harbaugh said. “That’s tightened up a little bit.” What’s working The Ravens continue to do a good job stopping the run. Although Saquon Barkley did eventually surpass the 100-yard mark late in the game, Baltimore held the Eagles to 140 yards on the ground, well below their usual output. What needs help Even beyond Tucker’s problems, Sunday wasn’t a great showing by Baltimore’s special teams. Tylan Wallace was shaky returning punts, and the Ravens had to start four drives inside their own 20 and two inside their own 10. “They had great bounces, and they downed right down in there,” Wallace said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll come back and talk about those and see what we can do to avoid those.” Stock up The Ravens’ defense continued to show signs of improvement, holding Philadelphia to 252 total yards. “I think we’ve just locked in on some things, and we’re playing our deep coverages better, bottom line,” Harbaugh said. “You watch the coverage, you watch the guys’ spacing, positioning, eyes, the communication, the checks that get made, and you just keep chasing doing the right things. It’s not (that we) changed the defense. We’re just playing it a lot better.” Stock down Harbaugh was vague on receiver Diontae Johnson’s situation. He was active Sunday but didn’t play, and he has only one catch in four games since the Ravens acquired him in a trade from Carolina. “I’m going to have to wait just to clarify it,” Harbaugh said. “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.” Injuries The Ravens were missing pass-rushing ace Kyle Van Noy (hamstring/neck) on Sunday, and WR Rashod Bateman was dealing with knee soreness. Key stats Through his first 12 seasons, Tucker made field goals at a 90% clip. That’s dropped to 70% this season. He had a 95% success rate from under 50 yards, and that’s dipped to 83%. Next steps The Ravens have this week off before a Dec. 15 road game against the New York Giants. Then comes a home matchup with Pittsburgh that may determine whether Baltimore has any shot to win the AFC North. ___ AP NFL:12 best extended Coach Outlet Black Friday deals — you can still shop the lowest prices we've seen on 100s of popular bags, wallets and more (up to 77% off!)Elon Musk ‘s whopping $56bn compensation package for serving as Tesla’s CEO has been rejected again by a US judge, despite shareholders of the electric vehicle company voting to reinstate it. The ruling by the judge, Delaware Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, follows her decision in January which called the pay package “unfathomable” and rescinded it. At the time she said because Musk was a controlling shareholder with a potential conflict of interest, the pay package must be subject to a more rigorous standard. The pay package was 33 times larger than the next biggest executive compensation package, which was Musk’s 2012 pay plan. Musk has not yet commented on the latest ruling. Tesla has said in court filings that the judge should recognise a subsequent June vote by its shareholders in favor of the pay package for Musk, the company’s driving force who is responsible for many of its advances, and reinstate his compensation. McCormick said Tesla’s board was not entitled to hit “reset” to restore Musk’s pay package. “Were the court to condone the practice of allowing defeated parties to create new facts for the purpose of revising judgments, lawsuits would become interminable,” she said in her 101-page opinion. She also said Tesla made multiple material misstatements in its proxy statement regarding the vote, and could not claim the vote was a “cure-all” to justify restoring Musk’s pay. “Taken together,” the problems with Tesla’s arguments “pack a powerful punch,” she wrote. Tesla shares fell 1.4% in after hours trade, after the ruling. McCormick also ordered Tesla to pay the attorneys who brought the case $345m, well short of the $6bn they initially requested. She said the fee could be paid in cash or Tesla stock. “We are pleased with Chancellor McCormick’s ruling, which declined Tesla’s invitation to inject continued uncertainty into Court proceedings,” said a statement from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, one of the three law firms for the plaintiff. The law firm also said it looked forward to defending the court’s opinion if Musk and Tesla appealed. Musk and Tesla can appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court as soon as McCormick enters a final order, which could come as soon as this week. The appeal could take a year to play out. After the January ruling, Tesla shareholders flooded the court with thousands of letters arguing that rescinding Musk’s pay increased the possibility he would leave Tesla or develop some products like artificial intelligence at ventures other than Tesla. Attorneys for shareholder Richard Tornetta, who sued in 2018 to challenge Musk’s compensation package, had argued that Delaware law does not permit a company to use a ratification vote to essentially overturn the ruling from a trial. McCormick in January found that Musk improperly controlled the 2018 board process to negotiate the pay package. The board had said that Musk deserved the package because he hit all the ambitious targets on market value, revenue and profitability. But the judge criticised Tesla’s board as “beholden” to Musk, saying the compensation plan was proposed by a board whose members had conflicts of interest due to close personal and financial ties to him. After the January ruling, Musk criticised the judge on his social media platform X and encouraged other companies to follow the lead of Tesla and reincorporate in Texas from Delaware, although it is unclear if any companies did so. Musk’s 2018 pay package gave him stock grants worth around 1% of Tesla’s equity each time the company achieved one of 12 tranches of escalating operational and financial goals. Musk did not receive any guaranteed salary. Tornetta argued that shareholders were not told how easily the goals would be achieved when they voted on the package. With agencies
Rumble Sues California; Says State's "War Against Political Speech Is Censorship"Akins Ford is proud to announce valuable research pages for the upcoming 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor, including specs, features, and powertrain options. ATLANTA , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akins Ford, a trusted name in the automotive industry near Atlanta , is proud to announce the release of new, extensive 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor specs on its website. This detailed research offers truck enthusiasts all the information they need to explore the thrilling power, design, and technology of the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor. "We're incredibly excited to release our in-depth research pages detailing the all-new 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor! With its powerful engine options, including a twin-turbocharged V6 and a V8, and a starting price of $80,900 , this truck is poised to be a game-changer. We're confident that these detailed specs and features will help our customers make informed decisions and find the perfect Raptor for their needs," said Tanner Maloof . - Powertrain and Performance : Built for Speed, and Built Ford Tough The 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor continues to set the standard for off-road trucks with impressive performance capabilities. This model offers two robust engine options: a twin-turbocharged V6 and the powerful V8 in the Raptor R variant. With the V6 achieving a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds and the V8 reaching 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, this truck is built for speed and excitement. For more details on the Raptor's engine performance, Akins Ford provides a dedicated powertrain overview on its website. This research includes insights into how the Raptor balances power with advanced off-road features like the truck's revolutionary Terrain Management SystemTM . -Technology and Interior Designed for Comfort Inside, the Ford F-150 Raptor for sale offers a rugged yet refined interior designed for both adventure and daily driving. The SuperCrew body style ensures spacious seating for passengers, while the latest tech upgrades enhance connectivity. Features like a large infotainment screen, smartphone compatibility, and advanced safety tools make this truck as comfortable as it is capable. With new graphics , paint, and wheel options for 2025, the Raptor's design stands out both on and off the road. Customers can explore these features in greater depth by visiting Akins Ford's Raptor research page . -Visit Akins Ford for the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor Expected to arrive in late 2024, the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor offers a starting price of $80,900 and can exceed $112,725 depending on options. Truck shoppers can view the latest Raptor inventory at Akins Ford. Our team is excited to help drivers near Atlanta explore what makes the F-150 Raptor one of the most capable trucks on the market today. For more information on the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor specs , contact Akins Ford or visit our website. Discover why the Raptor is the go-to truck for performance enthusiasts everywhere. -About Akins Ford Akins Ford is a leading automotive dealership located in Winder, Georgia . With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a wide selection of new and pre-owned Ford vehicles, Akins Ford has established itself as a trusted name in the automotive industry. Find out why Akins Ford is the leading Ford dealership in the greater Atlanta area and nationwide by visiting 220 West May Street, Winder, GA 30680, or by calling 770-867-9136. Find the dealership on the web at www.akinsford.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atlantas-akins-ford-2025-raptor-details-released-302338595.html SOURCE Akins Ford
Gautam Adani breaks silence on US allegations
Quick Links The aircraft's development process began in 1963 Additional elements of the aircraft's systems have been reproduced for other aircraft The E-3 Sentry has an extensive operational history The Boeing E-3 Sentry, an aircraft used for Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS), is a competent aircraft used by the United States Air Force and other allies. Boeing developed it and its design was based on that of the Boeing 707. With a distinctive and easily identifiable radar dome, the aircraft is capable of offering all-weather surveillance, command, control, and communication capabilities. Get all the latest aviation news from Simple Flying! The plane is currently in service with the United States Air Force, the French Air and Space Force, the Royal Saudi Air Force, and the Chilean Air Force, and a total of 68 aircraft rolled out of Boeing factories during a 15-year production run from 1977 to 1992. The E-3 Sentry was originally designed to replace the Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star, an earlier AWACS platform that was still powered by piston engines. After a competitive development process, Boeing was chosen by the Air Force for the project, and its prototype was fitted with radar systems designed by Westinghouse and Hughes. The former, a pulse-Doppler radar , was ultimately selected for testing and eventual application. The first production E-3 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1977, and deliveries continued throughout the next ten years. Over the years, E-3 Sentry aircraft were delivered as follows: Customer: Number of E-3 Sentry aircraft purchased: United States Air Force 34 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 18 Royal Air Force 7 Royal Saudi Air Force 5 French Air and Space Force 4 A capable aircraft that has served an important role over time Throughout the years, the E-3 Sentry has been upgraded multiple times for it to remain capable and relevant in the world of modern aerial combat. Northrop Grumman would eventually be given the task of managing the aircraft's control systems. The E-3 Sentry would ultimately be the last aircraft produced based on the Boeing 707, and it is set to be retired by 2027, which will mark the end of the aircraft family's extensive operational history . While fighter jets and stealth bombers often get the majority of attention, the importance of the operational role played by airborne early warning and control aircraft is difficult to fully quantify. These aircraft are critical elements of the Air Force's inventory and provide crucial support and intelligence-gathering capabilities that support any military initiative. Unlike JSTARS, AWACS is showing no signs of being ready for retirement. As a result, the E-3 Sentry has been a crucial piece of the Air Force's operational capabilities since it first entered service. Let's take a deeper look at the development, operational history, and specifications of the Boeing E-3 Sentry. The aircraft's development process began in 1963 The E-3 Sentry was designed to leverage advancements in radar technology with computer-managed real-time data capabilities, which would allow it to detect low-flying aircraft and distinguish enemy targets from radar clutter. The aircraft's development began in the early 1960s, and Boeing's 707 was eventually chosen to be the platform for the new radar technologies that the Air Force was developing. The earliest prototypes, which were designated as EC-137Ds, first took to the skies in 1972, and would later be equipped with the Westinghouse radar that the Air Force had approved. This radar offers next-generation digital processing capabilities and Doppler frequency resolution. Mission systems for the aircraft would be designed by IBM and Hazeltine, and the first production variant took to the skies in 1975 for the first time and would later be delivered in 1977. The E-8 Joint STARS tracks targets on the ground with high accuracy while the E-3 Sentry flies high above, watching everything in the skies. Additional elements of the aircraft's systems have been reproduced for other aircraft Over time, the Boeing 707 would go out of production, but NATO allies would remain interested in the E-3 Sentry's capabilities. As a result, Japan operates modified 767 aircraft equipped with E-3 Sentry systems. The Air Force has also already begun to retire its E-3 Sentry fleet. According to the organization , the first E-3 Sentry aircraft retirement took place back in March 2023, demonstrating the beginning of a transition towards newer AWACS platforms. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the E-3 Sentry is set to be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail, an AWACS platform derived from the Boeing 737, according to Airforce Technology . Here are some specifications for the E-3 Sentry: Category: E-3 Sentry Specification: Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): 347,000 pounds Range: 4,000 miles Service ceiling: 29,000 feet The E-3 Sentry has an extensive operational history The E-3 Sentry has played a critical role in airborne surveillance and control missions since it first entered service in the late 1970s . The United States Air Force's E-3 Sentry fleet is primarily based out of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, with some additional units based in the Pacific. The aircraft has proven its worth over the years, first entering combat during Operation Desert Storm, where it flew nearly 400 missions and assisted in 38 of 41 air-to-air kills made during the conflict. The aircraft also played a critical role in the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia and Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State in 2015. The Royal Air Force used the aircraft extensively to assist in airstrikes against the Islamic State until the aircraft was retired in 2021. The French Air and Space Force is currently evaluating potential successors to its fleet. In addition, NATO used its fleet extensively during Operation Eagle Assist in the years following the September 11th terrorist attacks and during the conflict in Afghanistan .Emboldened ‘Manosphere’ Accelerates Threats and Demeaning Language Toward Women After US Election
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Workers pushing for an end to smoking in Atlantic City casinos say the main employee union has been won over by tobacco companies seeking allies in the fight against smoking restrictions. An official of a union involved in the anti-smoking push on Monday called for the head of the Atlantic City casino workers' union, Donna DeCaprio, to resign for failing to protect her members from the dangers of secondhand smoke. DeCaprio is president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union, which opposes a smoking ban on the grounds that so much business would be lost by smokers taking their money elsewhere that it could cause one or more casinos to shut down, costing thousands of workers their jobs. “She should be ashamed of herself,” said Ray Jensen, assistant director of United Auto Workers Region 9, which represents dealers at three Atlantic City casinos and is part of a lawsuit seeking to have the courts force an end to smoking in the gambling halls. “She should hand in her union card.” DeCaprio said her union supports the health and safety of its members, adding improvements to the workplace environment need to be made. “A balance needs to be reached that will both protect worker health and preserve good jobs,” she said. “We are protecting our members against multiple casino closures and job losses. The UAW is eager to sacrifice the entire casino industry and put 25,000 good jobs with benefits at risk.” DeCaprio said between 50% and 72% of all in-person casino revenue in Atlantic City comes from smoking sections, which occupy only 25% of the casino floor. She said her union “and the vast majority of the labor movement” support a proposal that would improve ventilation in casinos and prevent any employee from being assigned to work in a smoking section against their will. Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke. They are waging similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia. Workers have been pushing for four years to end an exemption in New Jersey’s clean air law that allows smoking inside the nine casinos. They say they or their co-workers are becoming ill with cancer, heart disease and other conditions related to exposure to second-hand smoke. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has said he will sign a bill to end casino smoking if it reaches his desk. The casinos, joined by Local 54, oppose that effort, saying it will cost Atlantic City thousands of jobs and lead to decreased tax revenue for state programs for senior citizens and the disabled. On Monday, the workers group that calls itself CEASE (Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Effects) filed an appeal of a court ruling in August that allowed smoking to continue in the nine casinos. The Casino Association of New Jersey declined to comment Monday. Attorney Nancy Erika Smith said as far back as 1993, tobacco companies targeted labor unions in the hospitality industry as potential allies to work against smoking bans in the restaurant and hospitality industries. That effort included the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, a precursor of the Unite Here union. “HERE and the related AFL-CIO affiliates are critical allies which should be cultivated as supporters of the effort to prevent smoking bans,” a public relations firm wrote in a memo to Philip Morris Companies that was made public during several states' litigation against tobacco companies. The memo said having HERE “as an ally in this effort would be a very powerful voice.” As far back as 2001, HERE was part of a 12-member coalition including labor unions advocating for improved indoor ventilation instead of government-imposed smoking bans, according to another document cited in Monday's appeal. The anti-smoking campaigners cite a 2022 report by Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming, a consulting firm, showing that casinos that went smoke-free "appear to be performing better than their counterparts that continue to allow smoking.” Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
YOURSAY | ‘What do the politicians do Anwar?’ PM calls for private sector to help with flood aid Vijay47: I certainly agree that those of us who are better off and not afflicted by the ongoing circumstances have a call of civil duty to help the more unfortunate ones if possible. Regarding the person from Bukit Mertajam who sent 10 lorry-loads of food to the flood-stricken areas , I note, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, that you referred to him by race, Chinese. Coming from you, I can understand this. You seem surprised, shocked even, that Malaysian charity crosses racial lines, and we help when we can, unmindful of who the victims are. Your surprise must stem from the fact that you practise a radically different kind of philosophy – almost the entire beneficiaries of your Madani largesse have been Malays and Muslims, with token assistance to others. Certainly, a politician of your breed would be surprised. Should you really want help from others, Anwar, perhaps you should approach your fat cat Arab friends – you have been struggling desperately enough to ingratiate yourself as their kin. I am sure that they will answer your plea for help. In the meantime, don’t introduce race into disaster assistance. Malaysians - whether Indians, Ibans, Chinese, Kadazans, or Malays - are willing to help each other. Cogito Ergo Sum: Malaysians, in general, have no qualms about helping one another without coloured lenses. There is no need to mention the race of the man who organised the food aid to Kelantan. Was he not a Malaysian? Your Madani administration and immediate previous ones have emphasised race and religion as important criteria for getting “extra” aid and special treatment . Now you ask the private sector for help in alleviating the flood problem. They have been doing it for years before you were even in power! Like your core supporters, you will ignore and discard them after you have achieved your objectives. But they are now used to it. Suggest you ask your friend in Türkiye for help. BOBBYO: Many private companies and individuals come forward every year, not only during the flood season to help Malaysians of all races. What do the politicians do Anwar? Clean up the treasury, create rifts between the races, and protect their own positions and interests year in and year out. After over 60 years of independence, floods occur not only on the east coast of the peninsula but in other states as well. Is it due to the politicians approving projects that should not have been approved? Is it politicians who spend more time concentrating on their own projects? Is it due to politicians spending their energy and resources fighting amongst themselves? Is it because they do not know anything about running this nation? Is it because politicians create friction between the races so that they can hide their own mistakes? Stop this hypocrisy. Malaysians have always been there for their fellow citizens. They don’t care about race. It is people like you, PAS and Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh that do the most damage. Knucklehead: Anwar, the people are struggling, and key issues remain unaddressed: 1. Why does the government keep approving projects that involve deforestation and disrupt natural water flow to rivers? 2. What proactive measures is the government taking to combat climate change and its impact on Malaysia? 3. Flooding occurs year after year. What tangible actions have been implemented to mitigate this? Look at Holland as a model if expertise is lacking! 4. Our contractors and engineers seem incompetent, focusing on short-term gains rather than implementing long-term solutions to recurring problems like flooding. As prime minister, your focus seems skewed toward international matters, with frequent travel and rhetoric. Where is your commitment to addressing critical domestic issues like flooding? Before calling for external assistance, what concrete steps is your government taking? Where is the focus, prime minister? MarioT: We are Malaysians irrespective of race or religion. The way the past and present governments carry on is as though the non-Malays do not exist. We have given help in the past and will continue to do so because we have feelings for our fellow citizens faced with calamities without giving a thought to who he or she is or what race or religion they belong to. Similarly, we ask you to treat everyone with equality and not divide and rule. Spend more time in your domestic affairs. Rastaman: Enough of all this storytelling. Go revisit the Auditor-General’s report and find out what happened to the billions of funds allocated for flood mitigation. The answer lies there. For more than 30 years billions of ringgit were set aside, and now you are begging for the private sector’s help. The Oracle: The government is directly responsible for the welfare and security of the nation and the people within. All forms of emergency funding fall within the responsibility of the federal or state governments. Pushing the buck onto the private sector is irresponsible and an indication of a failing economic and political system. Mueller: That’s a pretty arrogant way to ask for help with the government’s failure to prevent disasters like this. No wonder foreign investments are low. We have a prime minister who only knows how to shame the private sector, stealing credit for other people’s work, the “ goyang kaki .” (shaking legs) KK Voter: Private companies and citizens have always helped and contributed generously, doing so colour-blind. Just ask organisations like Kembara Kitchen and other disaster relief NGOs. Is the prime minister really that ignorant, or does he want to take credit for that too? The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact. Please join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news and views that matter.Vikings withstand Bears' furious rally, win on field goal in OT
After witnessing Australian service personnel and veterans suffering years of mismanagement, trust in the government's promises doesn't come easy to Julie-Ann Finney. or signup to continue reading Her son, Royal Australian Navy petty officer David Finney, died by suicide in 2019. After successfully lobbying for a royal commission Ms Finney urged families to keep fighting for reforms to prevent more deaths. The Albanese government on Monday released its response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, agreeing to the overwhelming majority of the 122 recommendations. Reacting to the government's inquiry response, Ms Finney said she felt a small sense of comfort but was still on edge. "I have never seen a headline that has truly given veterans and serving members what they need and what they want," she said. "The headlines are one thing, but then the actions behind it are not the same." Ms Finney said the system had to start saving lives before she would stop telling people not to enlist. "Don't just trust yet, but don't give up yet," she said in a message to veterans and their families. "You have fought so hard for this, you have fought for what we are getting. "We may have to keep fighting for some other parts, but let's take the good parts for now. Let's take them as a win and keep fighting." The royal commission found 1677 serving and former serving defence personnel had died by suicide between 1997 and 2021 - more than 20 times the number killed in active duty over the same period. One of the key recommendations was for an independent body to oversee progress on reforms being made, with the government to set one up immediately. Ms Finney is among those who believe the body should scrutinise the government's plan to streamline compensation legislation before it becomes law. Frequent travel from Adelaide to Canberra to attend Senate estimates hearings and meetings with politicians has left Ms Finney "financially devastated". "The emotional toll is just all over the place," she added. "So many times, I've had to fight for what's right for veterans, and the next minute, I find myself fighting for myself, because I have all these trolls who think I have an ulterior motive. "I don't. I am not eligible for any compensation or any sort of reward. All I want is to be able to say to you, 'if my son was alive, he would live'. I am not yet able to say that." The royal commission found sexual misconduct was a systemic issue in the defence force, with the government agreeing to conduct a separate inquiry into sexual violence. Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston said he was prepared to boot out members after the report recommended a "presumption" of discharge for sexual offence convictions. "There is no place for sexual misconduct in the force," he told ABC radio. "We do have processes that can lead to a discharge but the current legal basis for them provides administrative fairness and other measures that we have to take into account. "So this will change the framework around that mandatory outcome but we are prepared to implement it." Admiral Johnston said an oversight body would hold the force to account and make sure it implemented the changes quickly. "This needs to be done promptly and thoroughly, and I'm confident that it will be." Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh expects legislation enabling some of the reforms to be introduced to parliament in its next sitting in February. It was important the person overseeing the implementation of the reforms was independent of the Defence Force but would have an understanding of the impact of service life on veterans and their families, he said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
By The Associated Press LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) — Jahari Williamson knocked down a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left to tie the game and Jaeden Marshall hit the first of two free throws with eight seconds remaining to lift Niagara to a 69-68 win over Siena in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Friday night. Justice Smith had 17 points and added seven rebounds for the Purple Eagles (4-5, 1-0). Olumide Adelodun shot 6 for 12, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc to add 13 points. Marshall had 13 points and shot 3 of 5 from the field and 6 for 7 from the line. The Saints (4-5, 0-1) were led by Major Freeman, who recorded 17 points, five assists and two steals. Myles Wilmoth added 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals for Siena. Justice Shoats also had 13 points and six assists. NEXT UP Both teams next play Sunday. Niagara hosts Merrimack and Siena plays Canisius on the road. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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President-elect Donald Trump embarked on his first foreign trip since his November 2024 electoral victory, joining Saturday’s reopening ceremonies for Paris’s famous Notre Dame Cathedral. The weekend’s celebration , which drew an estimated 50 world leaders and high security , kicks off an octave of events marking the restoration of the famous twelfth-century Gothic church to its place in Catholic liturgical life and French tourism following a devastating April 15, 2019 fire . Firefighters stood helpless as the blaze — believed to have been accidentally ignited by an electrical failure or a lit cigarette — consumed the roof and spire of the UNESCO World Heritage Site . Thwarting their efforts to douse the flames with water was a centuries’ old waterproofing technique involving covering the roof with a lead sheet. NEW: Donald Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron meet up in France with multiple very intense handshakes. The two men were seen handshaking before returning for another intense handshake. The meeting comes during Trump’s visit to France for the reopening ceremony for the... pic.twitter.com/XBa9LOZvlX — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 7, 2024 Nearly $1 billion in pledges from 150 countries was raised within days of the devastation to launch the ambitious five-year rebuilding effort, itself a point of national pride . Approximately $148 million of the funds remained unspent as of November 2024, The Associated Press (AP) reported . (RELATED: These Photos Show The Damage Done To The Notre Dame Cathedral) Notre Dame’s resurrection: Its chief architect on rebuilding France’s ‘heart’ in 5 years https://t.co/5JWh17VbIi — The Associated Press (@AP) December 5, 2024 Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace prior to departing for the events at Notre Dame. President Zelenskyy arrives at Élysée Palace to meet with President Trump and President Macron 🇺🇸🇫🇷🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/pOypNfYAFY — Margo Martin (@margomartin) December 7, 2024 The reopening service was presided over by the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, and observed by French government officials, world leaders, donors and representatives of Parisian clergy and laity, according to Notre Dame’s announcement of the ceremonies. During the rite of the opening of the cathedral’s doors, the archbishop struck the closed door with his liturgical staff — the crosier — crafted from charred remains of the roof, prompting attendees to respond with the thrice singing of Psalm 121 : How joyful it was when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem, built as a city, that is bound firmly together. After the doors’ opening, the archbishop blessed the 8,000-pipe Great Organ of Notre Dame to symbolically end the silence imposed upon the cathedral. In addition to the singing of hymns, a series of prayers was offered for the world and in thanksgiving to God for the successful rebuilding effort. A star-studded concert is scheduled for Saturday evening. 8 Little-Known Facts About Notre Dame Cathedral This medieval Gothic jewel is inextricably linked to the grand and epic history of France and to the soul of its people.⤵️ via @Solena_Tad https://t.co/mMf4MOO0sN — National Catholic Register (@NCRegister) December 5, 2024 The inaugural Mass will occur Sunday with the consecration of the cathedral’s high altar. A “fraternal buffet” will then be offered “to welcome the most disadvantaged and those who support them daily.” Notre Dame expects to welcome 15 million visitors annually following the reopening, three million more than before the disaster, according to AP. Trump announced his intention to join Notre Dame’s reopening celebration in a Truth Social post Monday. “It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” the president-elect wrote. “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!” Trump was invited to attend by President Macron, whose government collapsed Wednesday, sources told Fox News. First lady Jill Biden attended as part of her final solo foreign trip which included stops in Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. President Joe Biden was also invited but did not attend due to a “scheduling conflict,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday. PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 7: French President Emmanuel Macron meets with President-Elect Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace on December 7, 2024 in Paris, France. Donald Trump was among the wave of foreign dignitaries descending on Paris this weekend to attend a reopening ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral, more than five years after it was damaged in a major fire. (Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images) US First Lady Jill Biden (CL) listens to US President-elect Donald Trump sits during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. (Photo by THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Trump spoke with Macron as well as Pope Francis in the aftermath of the “horrible and destructive fire” and “offered the help of our great experts on renovation and construction,” according to a pair of April 17, 2019 social media posts. He suggested the utilization of “water tankers” to stop the fire from above, a method a French civil agency which deals with disasters dismissed . Just had a wonderful conversation with @Pontifex Francis offering condolences from the People of the United States for the horrible and destructive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. I offered the help of our great experts on renovation and construction as I did.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2019 So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019 #NotreDame @PompiersParis Le largage d’eau par avion sur ce type d’édifice pourrait en effet entraîner l’effondrement de l’intégralité de la structure. Aux côtés des #sapeurspompiers qui font actuellement le maximum pour sauver #NotreDame . — Sécurité Civile (@SecCivileFrance) April 15, 2019 Macron was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his successful bid to return to the White House, according to CNN. Pope Francis did not attend Saturday’s service — which was attributed to a scheduling conflict — but sent a message acknowledging the occasion. In the weeks following an assassination attempt at a July 13, 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump posted to social media at least three references to significant Catholic figures: one honoring Mary , the mother of Jesus, and another for martyred Polish priest Jerzy Popiełuszko ; a famous prayer to St. Michael the Archangel , as well as an image honoring the Nov. 1 Solemnity of All Saints . Catholics subsequently expressed delight and speculated as to the motivation of the posts. Happy Birthday Mary! pic.twitter.com/d1nwHWTk2b — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2024 Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about... pic.twitter.com/Z3RoeGUslh — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2024 Wishing everyone a Blessed and Happy All Saints’ Day! pic.twitter.com/5VlPkCJ7M5 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2024 Trump, speaking with “The World Over” host and Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo following the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York on Oct. 17, denied he was “telling voters something about [his] spiritual journey.” “No, I don’t think so, it’s just beautiful to me,” Trump said. “I look at the whole thing: the words and the pictures — the pictures are so beautiful. Yeah, I put up some stuff ... it’s really that I think it’s really beautiful.” Catholics, an estimated 22% of the 2024 electorate, broke for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris 58%-40%, according to a CNN exit poll. Among Latino Catholics, Trump secured a seven-point lead, 53%-46%. He performed better among white Catholics, whose support he drew 61%-35%, a 26-point lead. Donald Trump didn’t just win white Catholics. Donald Trump won Hispanic Catholics 53% to 46%. https://t.co/tWbJcTdMRJ — CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) November 7, 2024 The reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, which translates to “Our Lady of Paris,” coincides with the Dec. 8 Catholic feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which honors Mary, the mother of Jesus and serves as the patronal feast day for the United States. While Notre Dame honors Mary’s role in the Christian religion, Catholics do not worship her. France was estimated to have a self-identifying Catholic population of 37.9 million, or 60% of the 2010 national population, 65 million, according to Pew Research. While that figure has significantly decreased with the rise in both secularism and Islam, the country seemingly retains some of its identity as “the eldest daughter of the Church.” The Daily Caller reached out to Notre-Dame de Paris, the Archdiocese of Paris, the Apostolic Nunciature in the United States, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Embassy of France in the United States, and the Office of Melania Trump for comment but received no response before publication.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission earlier this year to tackle gang violence, hopes were high. Coordinated gang attacks on prisons, police stations and the main international airport had crippled the country’s capital and forced the prime minister to resign, plunging Haiti into an unprecedented crisis. But the crisis has only deepened since the international policing contingent arrived. The main international airport closed for the second time this year after gangs opened fire on commercial flights in mid-November, striking a flight attendant. Gunmen also are attacking once-peaceful communities to try and seize control of the entire capital, taking advantage of political infighting that led to the abrupt dismissal of the prime minister earlier this month. Now, a new prime minister is tasked with turning around a nation that sees no escape from its troubles as Haitians wonder: How did the country reach this point? Bloody coups, brutal dictatorships and gangs created by Haiti’s political and economic elite have long defined the country’s history, but experts say the current crisis is the worst they’ve seen. “I’m very bleak about the future,” said Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia. “The whole situation is really collapsing.” The government is anemic, the U.N.-backed mission that supports Haiti’s understaffed police department lacks funding and personnel, and gangs now control 85% of the capital. Then, on Wednesday, another blow. Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending critical care in Port-au-Prince as it accused police of targeting its staff and patients, including threats of rape and death. It’s the first time the aid group has stopped working with new patients since it began operating in Haiti more than 30 years ago. “Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services that have remained open during this extremely difficult year,” said Christophe Garnier, mission director in Haiti. Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, did not return messages for comment. Neither did officials with Kenya’s mission when asked about the surge in gang violence. In a recent statement, the Kenyan-led mission said it was “cognizant of the road ahead that is fraught with challenges.” But it noted that ongoing joint patrols and operations have secured certain communities and forced gangs to change the way they operate. André François Giroux, Canada’s ambassador to Haiti, told The Associated Press on Saturday that his country and others have been trying to bolster the Kenyan-led mission. “They’ve done miracles, I think, considering all the challenges that we’ve been facing,” he said. “What we have to keep in mind is that it’s still very much in deployment mode,” Giroux said. “There are not even 400 on the ground right now.” A spokesman for Haiti’s new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, did not return messages for comment. In a statement Thursday, his administration said authorities were strengthening security along the capital’s main roads and had formed a special security council. “The prime minister renews his commitment to find lasting solutions to current problems,” it said. The statement was issued just days after gangs launched a pre-dawn attack Tuesday around an upper-class community in Haiti’s capital, forcing residents armed with machetes and guns to fight side-by-side with police to repel gunmen. At least 28 gang members were killed, but not before some reached an area near an upscale hotel long considered safe. “It tells you that there is no functioning authority in Haiti,” Fatton said. A main concern in the ongoing crisis is the temporary closure of the main international airport in Port-au-Prince. It means critical aid is not reaching those who need it the most in a country where nearly 6,000 people are starving and nearly half of the more than 11 million inhabitants are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Gang violence also has left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years . “We are deeply concerned about the isolation of Port-au-Prince from the rest of Haiti and the world,” said Laurent Uwumuremyi, Mercy Corps’ country director for Haiti. The aid group helps people including more than 15,000 living in makeshift shelters, but persistent gang violence has prevented workers from reaching a growing number of them in the capital and beyond. Basic goods also are dwindling as the suspension of flights has delayed imports of critical supplies. “Before, there were some neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that we considered safe that the gangs had never reached, but now they are threatening to take over the control of the entire capital,” Uwumuremyi said. At least 150 people were reported killed in the capital and 20,000 forced to flee their homes in the second week of November alone. Overall, more than 4,500 people were reported killed in Haiti so far this year, the U.N. said. Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer who became a gang leader known as Barbecue, warned that a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm will keep attacking as they demand the resignation of a transitional presidential council tasked with leading the country along with the new prime minister. The council also is supposed to organize general elections for the first time in nearly a decade so voters can choose a president, a position left empty since President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his private residence in July 2021. The U.S. and other countries pushed for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti at a U.N. Security Council meeting this week. Only about 400 officers from Kenya have arrived, along with a handful of police and soldiers from other countries — way short of the 2,500 personnel slated for the mission. “This is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating,” Miroslav Jenča, U.N. assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, said Wednesday at the meeting. But Russia and China oppose a U.N. peacekeeping mission , leaving many to wonder what other options are left for Haiti. Giroux, the Canadian ambassador, said his country supports a peacekeeping operation “when the time is right.” “Everybody is looking at a peacekeeping mission as a silver bullet,” he said, adding that even if that were to happen, it wouldn’t be able to deploy for another six to 12 months. “We need to be realistic.” Giroux said he is hopeful that some 600 Kenyans will arrive in Haiti in upcoming weeks, but added that “none of this matters if the political elite doesn’t get its act together.” The nine-member transitional presidential council has been marred by accusations of corruption and infighting and was criticized for firing the previous prime minister. “I’m at a loss for any short-term solution for Haiti, let alone any long-term solutions,” Fatton said. “The gangs have seen that they shouldn’t be afraid of the Kenyan mission.” He said one option may be for the government to negotiate with the gangs. “At the moment, it is perceived as utterly unacceptable,” he said. “But if the situation deteriorates even more, what else are you left with?”LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Michael Gray Jr. had 19 points and Byron Ireland made two free throws with 6 seconds left to rally Nicholls to a 76-75 victory over Louisiana on Saturday night. Gray shot 6 for 11, including 5 for 10 from beyond the arc for the Colonels (4-4). Jamal West added 15 points and nine rebounds. Jaylen Searles hit three 3-pointers and scored 15. Ireland also finished with 15 points. The Ragin' Cajuns (1-7) were led by Kyran Ratliff's 25 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil added 19 points and six rebounds. Christian Wright had 12 points. The loss is the sixth in a row for the Ragin' Cajuns. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .