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lucki x WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he's tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he's daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s choices for other positions. “One at a time,” he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . Although some of his personnel choices have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News host, is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. ____ Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed. Chris Megerian And Colleen Long, The Associated PressNorth Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has a practice of starting meetings by first sharing why he’s grateful, and he invites others to do the same. It’s a simple but important reminder to everyone assembled that serving the public is a privilege. Sharing gratitude is also another way to share values and vision. As Burgum leaves his two terms as governor on Saturday, we’re reminded of how he entered the arena of public service more than eight years ago. Facing a formidable and long-established inter-party opponent, the longshot Burgum created a vision for what North Dakota could be like if voters would “send a business leader to Bismarck.” He passionately shared his story of growing up in a small town, betting the farm on the future growth industry of technology and hiring hard-working kids from Class B schools to compete with the world’s best and brightest minds. Burgum painted a bright future for the state despite some of the challenges it faced at the time, and voters put their faith in his vision. He entered office while North Dakota was in the news for all the wrong reasons. Thousands of protesters concerned for water safety and tribal rights had assembled on the Standing Rock Reservation to try to stop the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. It was a tense time and required steady leadership. Burgum reached out to tribal leaders in the state and opened lines of communication that hadn’t been cultivated for years. He made it clear the state government and tribes would work together for the betterment of all. That rebuilt relationship will be one of his strongest legacies. But Burgum also encouraged the state’s 16,000 taxpayer-supported employees to find ways to better serve the public by becoming more technologically advanced while also reducing busy work. As a result, eight years later, citizens have more opportunities to interact with government services when it’s convenient for them rather than state employees. Burgum also encouraged state employees and the public to submit ideas for reducing government red tape, and some of those ideas have begun saving the public time and money. And let’s not forget about first lady Kathryn Burgum, whom the governor credits with creating greater change nationally than anything he’s done. By openly sharing her story of addiction, Kathryn has helped shape how people everywhere see and treat the disease that underpins so many other societal challenges. Those conversations have also helped North Dakota modernize its approach to incarceration, trying to heal and prepare inmates for a productive life after leaving prison. As the Burgums routinely note, a small state like North Dakota can’t afford to leave anyone on the sidelines. In the late 1980s, when young people were leaving North Dakota in droves and the state’s future was bleak, Doug Burgum was the youngest member of a bold group of leaders who crafted a plan called Vision 2000. It envisioned what the state could be if its leaders worked together on certain priorities and projected an optimistic point of view. Gov. Burgum took that mission to heart, used his large platform to be the state’s top cheerleader, and it has thrived under his leadership. In his farewell address to state lawmakers earlier this month, he said North Dakota is in the best financial shape in its history, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. Burgum says he’s proud to say “the woodpile is higher than when we arrived.” We couldn’t agree more. Today we share our gratitude for Gov. Burgum’s leadership of North Dakota the past eight years, and we wish him continued success in his next four years as our nation’s Interior secretary.The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Story continues below video Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.By LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Related Articles Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

Trump’s Tariffs and DOGE Reform Pose Serious Risks to InvestorsJude Bellingham admitted that Real Madrid lost to "the best team in Europe" as Liverpool downed the European champions. The Reds have been in sensational form this term and comfortably sit top of the Premier League . In the Champions League they remain the only team to have a perfect record from five games, producing a statement performance to see off the Spanish giants. Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and co headed to Anfield but were second best for long periods as Liverpool secured a 2-0 win. Alexis Mac Allister scored the opener before Cody Gakpo made the game safe late on. That came after Mbappe had seen a penalty saved, while Mohamed Salah also missed from the spot. Real have won lost three of their five Champions League outings but Bellingham confessed, on his return to England, that being turned over by Liverpool was "no disgrace" as he labelled the Reds as Europe's premier outfit at present. He told TNT Sports : "I think to be fair from the first minute they just took control, we never maximised the spells we had in possession. We tried to force the counter too many times, turned the ball over so much that they just kept control. I just think they were more up for it than us, which is really disappointing to say. "It's probably a bad result against the best performing team in Europe so its no disgrace to come here and lose, but we are disappointed in how we performed. We need to use it in the right way, we've got three games left and it's important we win those." Real have also been beaten by Lille and AC Milan in Europe this term and are in desperate need of results to ensure they make the next stage of the competition. The signing of Mbappe, in the eyes of many, was going to take Los Blancos up another level. The Frenchman has struggled for form since swapping Paris for Madrid and could produce when called upon by his team. Mbappe stepped up from 12 yards with the score at 1-0, only to see Caoimhin Kelleher deny him, but Bellingham has absolved him from any blame. "Obviously it's a big moment in the game, but it can happen, he's a wonderful player but the pressure he holds is huge," he said. "The penalty is not the reason we lost the game, as a collective we weren't good enough on the night. Kylian can keep his head high, I know for sure, that he will produce many more moments that are huge for this club." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

12 projects funded with $5.67-B loan

Change is never easy, but it is often necessary. In 2024, Nigeria witnessed a series of reforms that underscored the power of determined and purposeful leadership. Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has redefined the tax sector in Nigeria. His efforts were not merely about adjusting policies; they were about reconstructing a fractured system, ensuring its efficiency, and promoting trust between the government and its people. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was a clear mandate for action and progress. Leadership under the Renewed Hope Agenda has been about assembling people who are not just capable but also willing to work tirelessly toward Nigeria’s development. Dr. Zacch exemplified this character. From the get-go, he took on the challenge of transforming Nigeria’s tax system. He understood the assignment that leadership is not about holding a position; it’s about making an impact, and he wasted no time in doing so. The Tax Boss focused on leveraging technology and data to enhance tax collection, achieving a huge reduction in inefficiencies. One of his key projects was the complete modernization of the TaxProMax system, introducing new modules that have automated over 80% of the previously manual processes, improving transparency and service delivery for taxpayers. This has allowed for smoother interactions between the FIRS and various stakeholders, making the tax process more accessible and user-friendly, especially for small business owners. Alongside this technology, Dr. Zacch has made an effort to expand Nigeria’s tax base. Traditionally, the country’s revenue has disproportionately relied on the oil sector. Still, with global oil prices being volatile and unpredictable, he understood that Nigeria’s financial stability would require a much more pool of tax revenue. He worked to bring more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the tax system by offering them support and incentives. This helped businesses that might have otherwise been left out to join the system and contribute to the country’s revenue. His approach made it easier for SMEs to pay taxes, ensuring they could be part of the system and grow within it. This 2024, FIRS exceeded its N19.4 trillion revenue targets by a long margin, far surpassing the N12.3 trillion revenue collection for 2023. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of Dr. Zacch’s reforms. His leadership has turned FIRS into a high-performing agency, one that is now regarded as a major player in driving Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth. The Tax Boss has developed policies that cater to Nigeria’s economic realities. For instance, his insistence on a fair tax system that does not burden the poor while ensuring that wealthier people and corporations contribute fairly has helped redefine tax equity in Nigeria. His approach, which prioritizes fairness, has made the system more inclusive, encouraging more people to pay taxes without feeling overburdened. This strategy is necessary for ensuring that the government has the resources it needs to invest in infrastructure, social services, and other projects that will drive Nigeria’s long-term growth. One of Dr. Zacch’s legacies for 2024 is his push for transparency and accountability. He introduced the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). This was designed to eliminate corrupt practices within FIRS, ensuring that the tax administration process is conducted with the highest standards of integrity. This step aligns with his broader vision for an equitable tax system that emphasizes prosperity rather than burdening the disadvantaged. His philosophy “We tax the fruit, not the seed” has shaped the direction of tax reforms, making the system fairer and more accessible. To enhance Nigeria’s global trade standing, he introduces the National Single Window Project (NSWP) to simplify trade and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business. This initiative aims to integrate Nigeria’s tax and trade systems, ensuring that businesses can interact with the government through a single, streamlined portal. The benefits of the NSWP are extensive, as it helps reduce red tape, improve efficiency, and make Nigeria more competitive in the global marketplace. His role as the President of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) has had an impact on Nigeria’s tax administration. Under the Tax Boss, CATA has become a platform for tax administrations across the Commonwealth to exchange ideas and best practices. Beyond operational reforms, the Tax Boss has focused on improving the welfare of FIRS employees, understanding that a motivated workforce is necessary for the success of any organization. He has supported and eased staffs’ leveling up processes, and other welfare programs, resulting in a more committed and energized workforce. His leadership style, which combines compassion with insight, has created a positive work environment at FIRS. The 2024 Tax Reform Bill 2024 is one of the most anticipated legislative pieces. It has successfully passed the second reading in the Senate. This bill aims to overhaul the country’s fragmented tax laws by consolidating them into a more unified and transparent framework. One of the objectives of this reform is to simplify the tax compliance process, which has long been seen as overly complex and discouraging for businesses. By streamlining tax laws, the bill is designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, thereby making it easier for businesses, particularly SMEs, to navigate tax and invest in growth. Additionally, the bill is set to introduce measures that will promote tax compliance and fairness, ensuring that all sectors of society contribute fairly to the national revenue. Another component of the proposed reforms is the establishment of tax tribunals and a tax ombudsman. These entities will provide a formal, transparent mechanism for resolving tax disputes, which have often been a source of frustration for taxpayers. Moreover, the proposed Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill aims to replace the outdated FIRS Act, ushering in a more contemporary framework that can better address the challenges of the modern economy. Once the Tax Reform Bill is passed and implemented, it will simplify Nigeria’s tax system by reducing taxes. People earning up to the minimum wage will no longer pay income tax, and small businesses with annual turnover under ₦50 million will be tax-exempt. The corporate tax rate will gradually decrease, and there will be a new system to ensure that double taxation is eliminated. VAT on essentials like food, healthcare, and education will remain exempt, while states will get a larger share of VAT revenue to support their development. This year has been about far more than just increasing revenue, it has been about setting Nigeria on a path toward fiscal independence and resilience. For the Tax Boss, the journey is far from over. While progress has been made in transforming Nigeria’s tax system, there are still challenges to overcome. He is committed to ensuring that all the reforms are fully implemented across the country, and this will require the government to keep pushing forward and maintain the momentum already built. The Tax Boss has laid a solid foundation for a tax system that will benefit Nigeria and its people, and we are all here for it, eagerly watching as the impact continues to unfold. Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue ServiceAlbion goalkeeper faces lay-off as he is booked in for knee surgeryHDPE Containers Market to Generate New Growth Opportunities Based on Forecast for 2024-2031 | Veritiv Corporation, Berry Global Inc., Thermofisher Scientific Inc

The Apple AirTag is arguably among the company’s most useful product releases in recent years. Once you set up an AirTag, it gives you powerful options for locating it (and whatever you attach it to). Put one of Apple’s tracking tags on an item like a keychain or luggage, and you can easily track its location from your iPhone, Mac or iPad. Since AirTag’s launch, numerous reports have detailed how the tracking tag helped owners find lost items. If you recently acquired an AirTag, here’s how you can set it up the right way and use it properly. Like any other Apple device, setting up an is straightforward. Bring the tracking tag near your iPhone. If it is a new AirTag, remove the battery pull tab. A dialog box prompting you to the AirTag to your iPhone should automatically appear. Proceed to assign a name to the AirTag. You can select one from the list or enter one yourself. Despite its small size, AirTag is a marvel of engineering. It sends out a secure Bluetooth signal containing location data that can be detected by other devices on . The data is then shared with iCloud, allowing you to see the tracker’s location in the Find My app. Apple’s Find My network consists of hundreds of millions of devices across the world, each of which can help pinpoint an AirTag’s location. Still, all this happens anonymously, so you never need to worry about anyone else (or even Apple itself) knowing where your item is. Apple says an AirTag will last for more than a year. The good thing is that the battery is user replaceable — the tags use a standard CR2032 3V coin battery. Just , which can keep it from working with AirTag. There’s no way to check AirTag’s battery life, though. Apple initially provided this functionality in the Find My app but . Tracking your AirTag and the item attached to it requires using the Find My app. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Navigate to the tab. All available AirTags linked to your account will be displayed here with the names you assigned to them. Tap on the AirTag to view its location. To get navigation directions to the AirTag and the item it is attached to, tap on . You can use the option to make the AirTag emit a sound. This will be useful if you are near the AirTag’s location but cannot find it. On iPhone 11 and newer models featuring Ultra Wideband support, you can take advantage of Precision Finding to easily locate your AirTag. You need to use the option, though it will only show up when your iPhone is within range of the AirTag. Once you tap the button, follow the on-screen instructions to get the precise location of the tracking tag. You can also set up . This will ensure that you automatically get a notification on your iPhone if you leave the tagged item behind. If you share a household with someone else, you’ll probably want to share your AirTag. Otherwise, if your roommate borrows your keys or your partner takes your luggage, they’ll be inundated with warnings that you might be tracking them. . After you set it up, go to , tap on the new AirTag and tap . You can tap on a recent contact or search for someone. If you don’t see this option, you need to update your phone to iOS 17. An AirTag can be shared with up to four other people. In case you cannot track your AirTag, or its location is temporarily unavailable, you can put it in Enabling this mode will prompt you to enter a phone number or email address and a short message. You also can automatically receive a notification when the AirTag’s location becomes available. If someone else finds your AirTag and the item tagged to it, they will see a notification on their iPhone or NFC-enabled Android phone with your message and the contact details you provided earlier. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Head to the tab. Tap the AirTag you want to mark as lost. Scroll down and select the option under . Tap on the dialog box that pops up explaining Lost Mode. Proceed to enter the phone number for contacting you when someone else finds your AirTag. Alternatively, select the option and enter an email if that’s what you prefer. Tap . Enable the option if you want your iPhone to automatically inform you when the AirTag’s location is again known. Tap in the top-right corner. AirTag range AirTag has a limited range, but in the real world, Apple’s Find My network cleverly compensates for this. Because AirTag uses Bluetooth to connect to nearby Apple devices, the range is limited. Indoors, the range is about 30 feet (10 meters) and outdoors the range is about 100 feet (30 meters). However, because AirTag uses Apple’s Find My Network, it can connect to potentially millions of other iPhones, iPads and other compatible devices, greatly extended the range. To help conserve battery life, the AirTag’s Bluetooth beacon sends out a signal approximately every three to five minutes. When an iPhone participating in the Find My network comes within Bluetooth range of the AirTag (roughly 30-40 feet), it picks up the signal and anonymously relays the phone’s location to Apple servers via the Internet. For this to work, the phone must have an active Internet connection, either through Wi-Fi or cellular. The Apple servers then receive the location data, along with your AirTag’s ID, and forward it to the Find My app on your iPhone. So even if you misplaced your AirTag in Sydney, Australia, and took a flight to New York, it would still be detectable using the Find My network. No — at least not legally. AirTags are meant for tracking your items and pets. Laws strictly prohibit using an AirTag for monitoring a person without explicit permission. When you set up a new AirTag, Apple warns that, “Using this item to track people without their consent is a crime in many regions around the world.” Apple makes it clear that, at the request of law enforcement agencies, it will share the details of the Apple ID paired with an AirTag used for tracking a person without their consent. iPhone 11 and newer owners also can take advantage of Apple’s U1 chip with Ultra Wideband technology to find unwanted AirTags near them using Precision Finding. Your iPhone will automatically detect if an unwanted AirTag is moving with you. A notification will appear in the Find My app, and tapping on it will display the tag’s location. A map will show when the AirTag first appeared, and a red dashed line indicates the path you’ve taken with the AirTag nearby. You also can play a sound to help find the AirTag. Android users can download the from the Google Play Store. It scans for Find My-compatible item trackers using Bluetooth. The app will warn you when it finds an AirTag near you for at least 10 minutes. Besides, AirTags will automatically play a sound at a random time after being away from their owners for more than eight hours within a 24-hour window. You can scan an unwanted AirTag near you to determine if its owner has marked it as lost. Additionally, you should see the AirTag’s serial number and the last four digits of the phone number it is registered to. This can help you identify who the owner is. If not, you can share this detail with a law enforcement agency to help track down the culprit. How to reset AirTag For safety, an AirTag can only be linked to one Apple ID at a time. If you want to use an AirTag that someone else has already set up, they must first remove it from their Apple ID. If the previous owner removed the AirTag but was out of Bluetooth range, you’ll need to reset it before you can pair it with your device. To reset your AirTag, you need to remove the battery and reinsert it five times. Here’s how to do it: : Press down on the steel battery cover and rotate it counterclockwise. Remove the cover and take out the battery. : Put the battery back into the AirTag. : Press on the battery until you hear a sound, indication the battery is properly connected. : Repeat removing the battery and reinserting it four more times. Don’t forget to press on the battery until you hear a sound. You should hear a total of five sounds. The fifth sound will be different, signaling that the AirTag has been reset and is now ready to pair. : Align the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on the AirTag. Press down on the cover and rotate it clockwise until it stops. AirTags prove handy in daily use If you tend to lose things, forget stuff or carry precious items with you, I strongly recommend you buy some AirTags. Once you set up the AirTag properly, it will definitely come in handy. AirTags are far better than other tracking tags on the market, all thanks to Apple’s excellent Find My network. This post about publised this post Dec 24, 2024

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Pauline Hanson runs past Lidia Thorpe in the Senate chamber (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas) THORPE SUSPENDED Lidia Thorpe’s suspension from Parliament got significant coverage overnight, with AAP reporting the independent senator received the punishment after she threw pieces of paper at One Nation’s Pauline Hanson as a row over racism erupted. On Wednesday Hanson had attempted to refer Senator Fatima Payman to a parliamentary committee over her dual Afghan citizenship, questioning her eligibility to sit in the upper house. Payman said in response to Hanson’s actions yesterday morning: “You’re not just vindictive, mean, nasty, you bring disgrace to the human race. No dignity whatsoever as a senator,” the ABC reports. Thorpe, in supporting Payman, shouted “convicted racist” at Hanson and threw torn-up documents at her, AAP said. Labor Senate leader Penny Wong later moved a motion to suspend Thorpe due to “the gravity of the conduct”. The government, Coalition, Hanson, David Pocock and Ralph Babet voted in favour of the motion while the Greens voted against it. Coalition Senate leader Simon Birmingham called the motion a “line in the sand” and accused the Greens of a “shameful double standard”. While that was going on, WA Premier Roger Cook was saying in a press conference he was confident the government’s “nature positive” legislation would not be progressed in its current form. Turns out he wasn’t wrong, with Guardian Australia among others flagging how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepped in to kill it at the 11th hour even though negotiations between Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Greens’ environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young “were progressing this week towards a compromise”. Elsewhere, the site flags Jacqui Lambie and Tammy Tyrrell are involved in an administrative spat over the typography and map of Tasmania they both use in their respective logos. Finally, the AAP highlights that up to half of the country’s adult population is “lining up for a share of $100 million in the sixth largest lottery jackpot in the nation”. The draw closes at 7.30pm AEST. FINAL MAD SCRAMBLE Another calm and sensible day awaits us in Canberra with the government attempting to ram almost 40 bills through the Senate in the last scheduled sitting day of the year. Guardian Australian reports the Albanese government hopes to pass key legislation on migration, electoral reform, privacy, the social media ban for under 16s, and to implement a new Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) structure. The site reckons at least 37 bills will be attempted to be pushed through the Senate on Thursday. Yesterday’s scenes in the chamber, which saw independent senator Lidia Thorpe suspended for the remainder of the parliamentary sitting week, could have an impact on the government’s plans. Guardian Australia flags Thorpe’s suspension leaves the government “short of the numbers required for the guillotine motion which would truncate the usual debate time and bring on rapid-fire votes”. Apparently independent Senator David Pocock has offered his support “but at a high price”, the site says and reports crossbenchers are considering voting as a bloc to oppose all of the government’s legislative wishlist in protest at the frantic end to the sitting week. The ABC had led overnight on the suggestion the government’s election finance reforms are potentially in trouble after a breakdown in negotiations with the Coalition at the last minute. The broadcaster said sources claim the opposition has concerns over the proposal to limit election donations and spending. The apparent concerns are regarded by some as a tactic to drag talks beyond the end of the week and therefore potentially the end of the parliamentary term, if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the election for early next year. If unable to come to an agreement with the opposition, the government will try to pass parts of the legislation with the help of the crossbench, the ABC adds. With that said, the Nine papers reckon that the reforms actually look set to pass the Senate “after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton held informal talks with Labor powerbroker Don Farrell to negotiate the deal”. The papers add Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court has held last-minute talks with Farrell to warn against the plans, while mining billionaire Clive Palmer raced to Canberra to try and intervene. In another example of mixed messaging, the ABC reckons the government is still negotiating over its earnings tax on super funds with balances over $3 million. At the same time, Guardian Australia has led overnight with the reform being “all but abandoned” while (as flagged in Tuesday’s Worm ) the AFR said at the weekend it looks unlikely to pass before the next election, even if this Parliament does return on February. So who knows, everything is changing all the time. For example, the AFR flags the plans to reform the Reserve Bank of Australia’s board were declared “effectively dead” back in September but are now back in contention after the government reopened discussions with the Greens yesterday as part of the plans to push through as much legislation as possible today using the guillotine motion. Brace for endless twists and turns with plenty of blatant tactics playing out in Parliament House over the next 24 hours. ON A LIGHTER NOTE... A cat that got lost in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park has made it back to its home in California after an epic 900-mile journey. The Associated Press reports Benny and Susanne Anguiano took their two pet cats to Yellowstone’s Fishing Bridge RV Park on June 4. Not long after arriving one of the felines, Rayne Beau, got startled and ran into the trees. After a fruitless four-day search Benny and Susanne had to return home to Salinas, California, without him. A whole two months later in August, the couple were informed by a microchip that Rayne Beau was at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Roseville, California, almost 900 miles from Yellowstone, the newswire said. A woman had spotted the cat wandering the streets of the northern California city and taken him to the local SPCA after feeding and watering him. The Anguianos then went and picked him up. The couple say they have no idea how Rayne Beau travelled the 900 miles and are hoping people will come forward and provide details if they saw him on his odyssey. Say What? LinkedIn simply does not have content interesting and appealing to minors. LinkedIn The career networking site told the Senate inquiry it is too boring to be included in the government’s plans to ban under-16s from certain social media. CRIKEY RECAP Marles the mediocre floats free of media scrutiny BERNARD KEANE Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas) Two scandals continue to bubble away that reflect poorly on Richard Marles , the deputy prime minister and, as head of the Defence portfolio, both the biggest spending minister and most important manufacturing figure in the government. Neither, however, looks set to damage him. Marles has led a charmed life over the past two parliamentary terms. He is only Labor’s deputy leader because, due to Anthony Albanese’s ascendancy, the deputy leader couldn’t be from the Left faction or from NSW. He has sailed through numerous problems in his portfolio that would have bogged down other ministers. Renewables are exceeding expectations — but so are emissions. Why? KETAN JOSHI It is bad enough that 2024 was a record high for global greenhouse gas emissions. It is extra bad because the number we’ve ended up at is higher than all of the old projections of what this year would end up at. That is to say: we are overestimating our ability to stop using fossil fuels. There have been incredible advances in renewables and climate policies, but also, “fossil fuel subsidies remain at an all-time high and funding for fossil fuel-prolonging projects quadrupled between 2021 and 2022”. Why? What is justifying this weird refusal to back away from the fossil fuel economy? It’s many things, but a big one is the false promise of a machine that cleans up fossil fuels, rather than us needing to find a replacement for them. Back in 2022, I contributed an essay to Greta Thunberg’s Climate Book . It was about the weaponised false promise of carbon capture and storage (CCS). I wanted to talk about it not as a technological phenomenon but a rhetorical one. A tactically deployed promise that is never meant to come true . Failure as a feature, not a bug. The secret to a million-dollar newsletter in a feeble news market? Admitting when you mess up CHARLIE LEWIS The subject line of the November 25 edition of US politics newsletter Tangle , which came out a few hours before I spoke to founder Isaac Saul , was “A trans bathroom controversy in Congress”. But that was not the subject of the lead item. The first thing a subscriber would read that day were two corrections to the publication’s recent coverage, featuring not just the facts that had been printed erroneously, but a candid explanation as to how those errors came about. The correction ends by noting that these represent the “120th and 121st corrections in Tangle’s 277-week history”. This is as good an introduction to Tangle — which calls itself “an independent, nonpartisan, subscriber-supported politics newsletter” — as one is likely to get. “It all comes to the question, ‘how do we improve trust in media?’” Saul told Crikey . “We show our work. If we screw something up, putting it as a footnote and ghost-editing the piece is not a way to build trust.” READ ALL ABOUT IT As Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes hold, Biden heralds new push for truce with Hamas in Gaza (CBS News) Two presidents, two policies, one superpower: America in transition ( The New York Times ) ($) China’s CO2 emissions have peaked or will in 2025, say 44% of experts in survey ( The Guardian ) Laos detains foreign hostel staff over backpacker methanol poisonings as families and travellers demand answers (CNN) The rest is not even close: Inside Gary Lineker’s goalhanger revolution ( Esquire ) Drake takes legal action over song’s ‘sex offender’ claim (BBC) THE COMMENTARIAT Why I’ve changed my mind about the social media bill — Andrew Wilkie ( Guardian Australia ): There is also the fact that, despite all the histrionics about protecting children from harm, the government has dropped plans to ban gambling advertising, shelved their Environmental Protection Agency, kicked environmental law reform into the long grass and continues to cheer on fossil fuels. Surely our kids deserve protection from predatory gambling companies and the climate emergency too. If we truly want to get serious about protecting our kids online we could better regulate social media companies and their algorithms. We could put the onus on them to implement safety by design. And we could steer kids towards more respectful behaviour. This proposed ban is a blunt instrument being rushed through before an election. It ignores the nuances and restricts young people rather than focusing on those responsible for the harm. There are any number of things the government could be doing if they were serious about preventing harm, but I reckon in this case they are just playing pre-election games and the opposition is more than happy to go along for the ride. Karen Webb’s response to Clare Nowland verdict shows some lessons have been learned — Lia Harris (ABC): “Hindsight is a wonderful thing.” That was the response from NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb when asked if she wished she had handled things differently after 95-year-old Clare Nowland was tasered by a police officer last year. And based on the speed with which she fronted the media on Wednesday afternoon, less than four hours after senior constable Kristian White was convicted of Mrs Nowland’s manslaughter, it certainly seems some lessons have been learned. It was a pivotal moment in a case that has plagued the last 18 months of commissioner Webb’s leadership.In the fast-evolving landscape of gaming, technological advancements and investment opportunities often go hand in hand. SQ Stock, a digital trend gaining traction, is stepping squarely into this intersection and reshaping how the gaming industry operates. This innovative model represents a shift towards integrating stock market concepts with virtual in-game assets, providing gamers and investors a brand new way to engage. With the growing popularity of games where players can buy, sell, and trade virtual items, such as skins or weapons, the notion of SQ Stock envisions these transactions taking on a more structured, market-like approach. This allows players to invest in or divest from certain items or characters just like stocks, based on in-game performance or updates – similar to how investors react to quarterly financials of a company. The potential of SQ Stock lies not just within enhancing user engagement, but also in creating a paradigm shift in how game developers approach asset management and monetization. By introducing an official stock-like trading system within a game, developers can harvest sustained interest and encourage financially anchored investments in game ecosystems. This model looks towards a future where in-game economies mirror real-world economic systems, setting a precedent for a new model of virtual asset management that could redefine gaming finance. While still largely theoretical, SQ Stock represents a fascinating convergence of gaming and financial markets, offering insights into the future of digital economies in the gaming sphere. The Game-Changing Potential of SQ Stock in Virtual Economies In the dynamic gaming industry, innovation is a constant driver of growth, and SQ Stock emerges as a revolutionary concept that blurs the lines between gaming and financial markets. This innovative approach could transform how gamers and investors interact with in-game assets, ushering in a new era of virtual economies. Key Features of SQ Stock 1. Integration with In-Game Economies: SQ Stock leverages the existing in-game trading systems by offering a structured, market-like platform where virtual assets can be bought, sold, and traded. Players can engage with these assets much like stocks, responding to in-game developments and updates. 2. Enhanced User Engagement: By adopting a stock market model, developers can increase player involvement, as users might invest more time into games to manage their virtual portfolios. This also boosts player retention and fosters community building around asset trading. Use Cases and Innovations Development of Sophisticated Asset Management: Game developers can implement SQ Stock to better manage virtual economies. By mirroring real-world financial concepts, these virtual markets can become more dynamic, creating opportunities for long-term monetization and investment. Educational Applications: SQ Stock can serve educational purposes, offering players insights into stock market operations and investment strategies within a risk-free environment. This introduces younger players to financial literacy through interactive gaming experiences. Pros and Cons Pros: – Encourages sustained player interaction – Provides a new source of revenue for game developers – Introduces real-world economic principles into gaming Cons: – Risk of gambling elements influencing younger players – Regulatory challenges concerning virtual asset trading – Requires robust systems to prevent fraud and ensure security Predictions and Market Trends 1. Increased Adoption in Multiplayer Games: As multiplayer online games continue to dominate, SQ Stock is likely to find a natural fit in these environments where player interactions and economies are already vibrant. 2. Growth of Virtual Reality and Metaverse Applications: With the rise of the metaverse, SQ Stock could further integrate with virtual worlds, enhancing the realism and complexity of these emerging platforms. Security and Sustainability Security Aspects: Ensuring transactional security is paramount, as virtual markets need protection against hacks and fraud. Implementing blockchain technologies could enhance transparency and trust in these virtual markets. Sustainability: As gaming economies grow, sustainability becomes crucial. SQ Stock has the potential to encourage responsible spending and investment within game ecosystems, promoting a balanced economic environment. Conclusion SQ Stock is more than just a trend; it represents a paradigm shift in gaming finance. By merging the thrill of gaming with investment opportunities, it offers a unique proposition that could redefine player experiences and pave the way for more sophisticated virtual economies. Embracing this model could propel games into a new frontier of digital finance, aligning with broader technological advancements and market demands.Caoimhín Kelleher’s reaction as he saves Kylian Mbappe’s penalty and Liverpool beat Real Madrid

By LOLITA C. BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump’s proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

Modern fighter jets require a great deal of training and talent to fly, often requiring years before a pilot is certified. For example, it takes an average of 192 hours of training before a pilot can take off in a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II , and that's only the beginning. What follows are years of training to bring pilots up to the standards they need to operate the aircraft. Because of this, many militaries don't throw new pilots into $100 million pieces of equipment. For that, they use training aircraft, which are often very different from more advanced fighters. Still, most people would likely assume that the U.S. Air Force uses jets for training , but that's not always the case. Instead, prospective pilots must learn the basics of flight in a far less advanced aircraft. For some air forces, including the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the plane that's used to train its pilots is a propeller-driven single-engine aircraft that was first introduced as a military pilot trainer in 2001, the T-6 Texan II. The U.S. Air Force began training with the T-6 Texan II at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB) and later moved its fleet of training planes to other locations around the U.S. Japan's selection of the trainer makes it one of at least 14 nations that employ the T-6 II or one of its variants. Of course, there's a reason modern militaries are using propeller-driven planes to train their pilots, and it comes down to the simple fact that the T-6 II is an outstanding and versatile aircraft. The T-6 Texan II was designed from the ground up to be used as a training aircraft, and that's how the U.S. and other nations primarily employ it. The plane is outfitted with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turbo-prop engine capable of providing 1,100 hp. This enables the T-6 to fly up to 320 mph (Mach 0.41) to a ceiling of 31,000 feet and a range of 1,036 miles. The cockpit houses two personnel: A student pilot and an instructor pilot. The T-6 II is meant to be used as an entry-level trainer, helping to train a pilot on the basics of flight. Beechcraft describes the T-6 II as "The world's premier military flight trainer," and it's not an empty boast. The T-6 II has logged over five million flight hours, helping to train multiple nations' pilots on basic flight. The primary flight display and incorporated head-up display (HUD) can emulate those used on the F-16 and F/A-18, which the pilot can freely choose. There are multiple variants, including the AT-6B Wolverine, which is armed for weapons and light attack training or deployment. Other variants incorporate advances in display technology, upgraded communications and electro-optical sensors, and more. The armed variants are used primarily for training, but they can be used for light attack roles should the need arise. Thailand purchased numerous armed T-6 IIs and can employ them as light attack aircraft or as trainers. The versatility of the T-6 is what makes it such a useful training aircraft, and with more allies purchasing them, that's unlikely to change in the near future. While it's clear that the T-6 Texan II is a capable aircraft that is being used by militaries around the world, what's not apparent is the reason why. The simple answer is one that often comes up when discussing military procurement: Cost. A brand new T-6A costs around $4.27 million to purchase from Beechcraft. While that's not a small sum of money, it's comparatively tiny when looking at the cost of something like a Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-22, or F-35. These fighters cost between $63 million and upward of $177 million, so spending $4.27 million on a trainer makes economic sense. A secondary cost involves maintenance, and it's not cheap to keep a modern fighter jet in operation. The T-6 Texan's operating costs are significantly lower, running about $2,235 per flight hour. While that's not a paltry amount of cash, it's well below the operating costs of fighters, which are much higher. According to Popular Mechanics , the F-22 Raptor runs the U.S. government $85,325 per flight hour, so spending 2.6% of that amount on a trainer is something of a no-brainer. Another benefit of using the T-6 for training is Beechcraft's fast production and delivery times. That's not something people outside of military procurement think of, but it's a significant aspect of defense spending. Beechcraft maintains a highly efficient production capability that benefits from the use of 85% parts commonality with other T-6 variants. All of this comes together to make the T-6 Texan II the premiere Integrated Training System (ITS) in use in the U.S. and around the world.In Marvel Rivals, Captain America’s attacks can be cancelled if you’ve got the right timing. This allows him to attack much faster than intended. And, considering that he requires two melee hits to get ranged attacks, being able to get those punches out fast is essential when it comes to taking out key targets like Hela or Hawkeye . A clip has circulated of someone showing off this strategy in the practice range, with the user claiming they’re going to “gatekeep” how to do it. oh yeah I'm gatekeeping this one pic.twitter.com/a9JQPq61lr But, it this clip real? Is this actually possible? Yes, it is. Although, it’s not as easy as the video would lead you to believe. There are a few things you’ll need to know in order to do this trick properly and start dishing out big damage with Captain America. How to attack cancel with Captain America in Marvel Rivals Before you hop into game and try this out, there’s one critical step you’ll have to do first. In the settings menu for Captain America specifically, there’s an option that lets you toggle sprint. Under his combat settings in the keyboard tab (or controller if you’re using controller), disable the setting titled ‘Hold to Dash’ . If you don’t do this, this Captain America trick will not work. It’s absolutely necessary. There’s a learning curve on this considering most Cap players will hold sprint while they’re attacking to stick to a target. As a result, attempting to attack cancel with him drastically raises the skill floor on the hero and will require some getting used to. Related: However, once you do this, attacking will immediately cancel your sprint and pressing the key will get you right back into sprinting. As a result you can attack > sprint > attack > sprint and repeatedly cancel your hits on a rhythm to boost your attack speed. The timing on this takes some getting used to, but, once you get fast enough with it, you can easily double Captain America’s damage output and burst down backline targets almost as fast as squishy backline assassins can. Captain America isn’t regarded as a very strong pick compared to other tanks in Marvel Rivals, but this trick may well change that. Don’t be surprised if we end up seeing some really, really good Cap players in high ranks abusing this trick soon.