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The US Navy is to transform three, white elephant, stealth destroyers by fitting them with first-of-their-kind shipborne hypersonic weapons. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.
A train is due to arrive at the nation's busiest railway station five years late. or signup to continue reading After years of delays and disputes, the first service using a new fleet of intercity trains is due to pull in to Sydney's Central station shortly before 11am. The train left Newcastle at 8.21am on Tuesday - about five years after the first sets were originally due to enter service in NSW. The Korean-built trains were too wide to fit through some tunnels, too long for some platforms and faced opposition from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union due to plans for drivers to monitor platforms using CCTV, reducing staffing requirements. An agreement was eventually reached with the union after a long dispute with the former coalition government and modifications were made locally beginning in August 2023. Transport Minister Jo Haylen said it should not have taken so long for the trains to enter service, but they were finally taking passengers along the Newcastle and Central Coast lines. Passengers along the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and South Coast lines will have to wait a while longer, but Ms Haylen said it would be worth it. "These state-of-the-art trains will make travel between Sydney and our regional cities safer and more comfortable," she said. The trains are due to replace rolling stock that entered service almost five decades earlier. Early renders of the trains featured "NSW TrainLink" branding, which is being abolished as its operations merge with Sydney Trains. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said getting the trains on the tracks was an incredibly complex project. "But we are pleased we have been able to work with the unions to locally modify these trains and get them into service," he said. "The Mariyung trains are quieter and roomier and will provide our passengers with a much improved and more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come." The electric trains, also known as the "D Set", have been given the name Mariyung after the Darug language word for emu. They will feature artwork from Indigenous artist Leanne Mulgo Watson. 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 AdvertisementJohn Elway: remorse over bypassing Josh Allen in draft mitigated by watching Broncos rookie Bo Nix
Bears reach property tax deal in Arlington Heights — but stadium sights still set on Chicago, team says
CME Group Inc. Cl A stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the dayWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction” amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees’ pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump’s nominees, it became clear after Gaetz’s withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” RELATED COVERAGE Georgia’s Brian Kemp picked to lead Republican Governors Association North Carolina Republicans push through bill weakening incoming governor and attorney general Republicans on House Ethics reject for now releasing report on Matt Gaetz After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators’ careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump’s picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won’t face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he “shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It’s one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.”
Gracie Sines led all scorers in her varsity debut, pacing Cumberland Valley to a season-opening win at Susquehanna Township. A look across the Mid-Penn Conference with things to know about each Sentinel-area team. Coach: Kelsey Stasyszyn (5th season) Last year: 8-14 Key returners: Nylajah Hairston, jr., guard; Skyla Hancock, sr., guard/forward; Megan Posey, sr., forward. Key losses: Olivia Baldwin, Kayla Spencer, Ava Kerr, Caroline Sonfield, Karrine Beamer. Top newcomers: Sadie McMeekin, fr., guard; Tatiannah Chandler, fr., guard/forward; Synclaire Ewell, so., guard; Isla Heckman, so., forward; Delaney Schmick, so., forward. Outlook: Stasyszyn is excited about the incoming freshmen and sophomores who will have a chance to contribute for the next three to four years. The first step is laying the groundwork and building a culture that could raise the ceiling for the group as a whole. Hairston returns as the starting point guard Coach: Bill Wolf (15th season) Last year: 7-15 Key returners: Payton Basehore, jr., guard/forward; Sanai Hill, sr., forward; Sienna Manns, sr., guard; Bella McIntire, sr., forward; Sophie Warren, so., guard; Lily Moul, jr., guard. Key losses: Ria Shah, Charlie Burns, Greta Dwyer. Top newcomers: Casey New, fr., guard; Gracie Sines, fr., guard. Outlook: Last winter, the Eagles failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2018. With a determined senior class, younger players with experience and some new players with the potential to make an immediate impact, the Eagles have a chance to re-establish themselves in the Commonwealth Division and the Class 6A playoff picture. Coach: Scott Weyant (11th season, 24th overall) Last year: 15-7 Key returners: Lyla Kaercher, jr., forward; Jillian MacIntire, jr., guard; Eloise Billus, sr., guard; Rees Hall, so., guard; Maddy Cavalier, so., guard; Laila Brown, sr., forward. Key losses: Natalie Hofman. Top newcomers: Addison Baughman, jr., guard; Samantha Beaver, jr., guard; Olivia Walley, jr., guard; Paige Wehnert, so., forward; Hannah Gay, jr., forward. Outlook: Despite turning over their entire lineup after reaching the 2023 state final, the Colts forged a formidable campaign in 2023-24 and put themselves on the edge of the District 3 Class 6A playoffs. The younger players who were thrust into key roles are back with a year of experience and room to grow, which should get the attention of the rest of the teams in the Keystone Division. Coach: Clay McAllister (22nd season) Last year: 19-9 Key returners: Alaina Sweet, jr., guard; Maycee Yanoski, jr., guard; Lauren Lebo, jr., forward; Bridget Edwards, jr., guard; Dani Klinger, sr., guard; Asha Pratt, so., guard; Veronica Vogt, sr., guard. Key losses: Avery McAllister, Anna Magnelli. Top newcomers: Mia Masser, so., guard; Reaghan Condon, fr., guard; Emmie Kuhn, fr., guard; Natalie Barbagello, jr., guard; Audrey Klemick, so., guard/forward. Outlook: The Wildcats have been perennial district contenders and state qualifiers in Class 5A. Despite moving into the large-school 6A classification, they have the experience, and some incoming depth, that will allow for a smooth transition for the defending Keystone Division champions, who have the top six players from their 2023-24 rotation back. Coach: Michael Graybill (2nd season) Last year: 12-14 Key returners: Karli Dacosta, sr., guard; Zuri Crumpton, sr., forward; Lily Strawser, sr., forward; Kayla Kirkpatrick, sr., guard. Key losses: Carlee Collier, Summer Emlet. Top newcomers: Lindsey Furfari, sr., guard; Mikayla Teates, sr., guard. Outlook: The Patriots picked up steam as their 2023-24 season went on. With a full offseason under Graybill and some reinforcements in the backcourt, they look to build on last year’s trip to the district playoffs, their second in a row after a seven-year drought. Coach: Puala Shermeyer (2nd season) Last year: 5-17 Key returners: Irys Kline, sr., guard/forward; Sofia Morrill, sr., guard; Lily Estright, sr., guard; Liz Wilson, sr., center; Macie Hammaker, sr., forward. Key losses: Rian Hammaker, Jessa Welsh, Ella Harter. Top newcomers: TBD. Outlook: The Panthers’ five seniors are tasked with setting the tone for the next generation and building the culture in Shermeyer’s second season at the helm. A lack of depth might wear on East Pennsboro, but the experience will help the team’s transition to the Colonial Division and the 5A classification. Coach: Luke Zampelli (3rd season) Last year: 25-2 Key returners: Anna Lehman, sr., guard; Taelyn Townsend, jr., guard; Jordis Lieb, sr., guard; Delaney Moyer, sr., guard; Liz Montgomery, jr., guard. Key losses: Cassidy Sadler, Hannah Freese, Addi Place, Siena Ondecko. Top newcomers: Ava Ondecko, fr., forward; Abby Freese, sr., forward; Madison Barnett, jr., forward. Outlook: After retaining their entire starting lineup for two seasons, the Polar Bears lost four of their five first-teamers to graduation. However, other returning players in their rotation gained valuable experience in the team’s run to a second straight Colonial crown, an appearance in the Mid-Penn title game, the program’s first District 3 championship game berth and its first state-playoff victory. That experience, and the program’s new standard, should still make Northern a tough out in conference play and the Class 5A playoffs. Coach: Eric Minor (3rd season) Last year: 7-15 Key returners: Ajlia Dzananovic, jr., guard. Key losses: Victoria Kalp, Alyssa Trn. Top newcomers: Peyton Coy, so., forward. Outlook: Graduation hit the Greyhounds hard, but they’ll have reinforcements with players returning from injuries that kept them off the court last season. A healthy lineup will give Minor a chance to lay the foundation for the program as it looks to move forward. Coach: Shannon Dyer (1st season) Last year: 9-13 Key returners: Shay Dyer, sr., guard; Taylor Lupfer, sr., guard. Key losses: Susie Gleason, Madelyn Weibley, Julie Loy. Top newcomers: TBD. Outlook: Dyer brings a new voice to the Mustangs after longtime skipper Mike Urich stepped down in the offseason, but the former assistant will carry a similar tone. West Perry lost some key players in the offseason but hopes to lean on its athleticism and the momentum from the multisport participants who landed a state field hockey title in the fall. Coach: Amy Davidson (2nd season) Last year: 12-9 Key returners: Maria Tandle, jr., guard; Izzy Fry, jr., guard/forward; Abby Dyson, so., forward. Key losses: Maylei Noreika, Megan Zimmerman. Top newcomers: Ophelia Radabaugh, fr., guard; Braelyn Lebo, fr., guard/forward. Outlook: The Bulldogs added five wins to their 2022-23 total in Davidson’s first season at the helm. With a full year under Davidson’s system, a large group of returning players and a pair of freshmen with promise, the Bulldogs have a chance to continue their rise and make some noise as the newcomers in the Capital Division and the 4A classification. Coach: Elwood Kimmel (2nd season) Last year: 12-10 Key returners: Molly Kimmel, sr., guard/forward; Mia Hemler, sr., forward; Ruthie Tilton, sr., guard; Madyson Brownawell, so., guard; Madalynn Weidner, so., forward. Key losses: Quonna McCarren, Macy Trostle. Top newcomers: Gillian Mandell, fr., center; Evelyn Wiedenmayer, jr., forward; Alyvia Barnett, sr., forward. Outlook: With Hemler working her way back into the lineup after missing her junior season with an injury, the Bubblers are bigger and deeper than last year’s group that found itself one game outside of the District 3 playoffs. They also have experience, especially in a backcourt that includes Molly Kimmel, one of the area’s most effective scorers. Coach: Donny Taylor-Pollins (3rd season) Last year: 4-18 Key returners: Anna Shartle, sr., forward; Kate Bruder, sr., guard; Josie Sarff, so., guard; Lindsay Johnson, jr., center. Key losses: Gabby Giles, Sophie Chapman, Julia Consiglio. Top newcomers: Elle Shover, fr., guard; Brynnley Lesko, so., guard; Kyla Sanderson, fr., forward. Outlook: The Lions have the ingredients to take a step forward in Taylor-Pollins’ third year at the helm. They have size and athleticism, a core group of veteran players and an incoming crop of younger players who have a chance to contribute. After a move into the nine-team 2A classification, they could push for one of the four District playoff spots. Coach: Kristi Britten (18th season) Last year: 15-11 Key returners: KK Stair, sr., guard; Morgan Karli, sr., guard; Abby Stair, sr., forward; Allissa Masci, sr., forward; Bella Dupes, so., guard; Ashley Berkheimer, jr., guard; Emma Kostelac-Lauer, jr., guard. Key losses: Sammi McAuliffe, Natalie Freed, Grace Smalanskas, Liz Davis, Erid Ford, Lucy Broadrick, Morgan Karli, Mikayla Teates. Top newcomers: TBD. Outlook: The Shamrocks, who return to Class 3A after a two-year stint as a 4A program, get a backcourt boost with the return of Kostelac-Lauer, who missed last season with a knee injury. Expectations remain high at Trinity, which hopes to make another run deep into the postseason behind an experienced lineup. Big Spring's Izzy Fry, center, looks for a chance to shoot around Northern Lebanon's Olivia Shutter, right, during the first quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Ophelia Radabaugh, center, dodges Northern Lebanon's Olivia Shutter, right, during the first quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Koya Gutshall looks for a passing lane during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Springs's Victoria Rinaldi, center, reaches for the ball during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Victoria Rinaldi, right, passes around Northern Lebanon's Mackenzie Miller during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High Shcool Monday evening. Big Spring's Maria Tandle lines up a shot during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Maria Tandle, right, dodges Northern Lebanon's Hayley Sheroky during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Abby Dyson, back center, looks for a pass around Northern Lebanon's Selah Martino during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Caitlyn Swintosky, right, holds the ball with Northern Lebanon's Hayley Sheroky defending during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Koya Gutshall, left, holds the ball away from Northern Lebanon's Olivia Shutter during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Izzy Fry preps for a foul shot during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Big Spring's Victoria Rinaldi takes a foul shot during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' season opener at Big Spring High School Monday evening. Tim Gross is the sports editor at The Sentinel and cumberlink.com . Email him at tgross@cumberlink.com and follow him on Twitter at: @ByTimGross Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Pokemon TCG streamer under fire for opening packs while driving on highway
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is out for Monday's game against the Boston Celtics after appearing to injure his right knee late in a loss at home Sunday vs. the Raptors. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said they are considering Butler as day-to-day. Butler was listed as out with knee soreness. "We'll see what happens when we get back to Miami," said Spoelstra. The Heat next host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Butler missed four games last month due to a right ankle sprain. For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown , who missed Sunday's loss to the Cavaliers, is set to return vs. Miami. Butler, 35, is averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 53.8% from the field this season.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Security Cabinet has approved ceasefire deal with HezbollahMan extradited to Victoria over crash that killed paramedic