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When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys “that dreaming, longing feeling we all love.” She’s not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: “Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds.” “Intrigued?” @Jaguar posted on social media. “Weird and unsettled” is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. “Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian,” the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, “a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles.” Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell’s, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast’s corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with “NBC” in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump’s first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it’s a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from “brandr,” an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. “It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it’s turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology,” said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what he said is known as a “polycrisis”: the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. “People are understandably freaked out by that,” he said. “So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face.” Trump’s “Make America Great Again” qualifies. So did President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” slogan. Campbell’s soup itself — “Mmm Mmm Good” — isn’t going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company’s new name, Campbell’s Co., will reflect “the full breadth of our portfolio,” which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar’s. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to “copy nothing.” What it’s calling “the new Jaguar” will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of its famous “leaper” cat. “Exuberant modernism” will “define all aspects of the new Jaguar world,” according to the company. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to “woke” culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against WM Technology, Inc. ("WM" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MAPS ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether WM and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until December 16, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired WM securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained a t www.pomerantzlaw.com . . [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 9, 2022 , WM disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that its board of directors had received an internal complaint relating to "the calculation, definition, and reporting of [its] MAUs [monthly active users]", a self-described key operating metric for the Company. Specifically, WM reported that "growth of our monthly active users, reported as MAUs, has been driven by the purchase of pop-under advertisements," but that "internal data suggests that the vast majority of users who are directed . . . via pop-under advertisements close the site without clicking on any links." On this news, WM's stock price fell $0.87 per share, or 25.14%, to close at $2.59 per share on August 10 , 2022. Then, on September 24, 2024 , the SEC issued a litigation release (the "Release") in which it announced that it had "charged [WM], its former CEO, Christopher Beals , and its former CFO, Arden Lee , for making negligent representations in WM Technology's public reporting of [MAUs] for WM Technology's online cannabis marketplace." The Release also noted that the SEC had instituted a related settled administrative proceeding against WM Technology" and that the Company had "agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,500,00 ." On this news, WM's stock price fell $0.012 per share, or 1.29%, to close at $0.92 per share on September 25, 2024 . The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , London , and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz , known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud , breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLPEdesa Biotech Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Results
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Imran backs Bushra as govt blasts bid to ‘wreck Pak-Saudi friendship’ Former PM says Saudi Crown Prince Salman was "the first to call when I was attacked in Waziriabad" ISLAMABAD/DG KHAN/LAHORE: PTI founder Imran Khan Friday clarified that his spouse Bushra Bibi’s statement was deliberately taken out of context to draw ‘our brotherly country KSA’ into a needless controversy, as she didn’t mention Saudi Arabia at all. In a statement on his social media account, Imran said Bushra had no connection with politics and that she only conveyed his message to the nation on November 24 protest. “I have excellent relations with Saudi Arabia. When I was attacked in Wazirabad, one of the first calls I received was, through the embassy, from HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; Saudi Arabia always stood by us in difficult times,” he wrote. He continued that ‘only two weeks prior to our government being toppled, we held a very successful OIC foreign ministers conference in Islamabad, which would have been impossible to do had Saudi Arab not supported and stood with us’. Imran charged that his government was toppled through conspiracies – all orchestrated by General Bajwa — and that he tried to have these investigated through the chief justice and General Tariq Khan, but General Bajwa did not allow it. “The nation should focus on November 24 protest. God willing, you will emerge victorious,” he said in his message to the nation from Adiala Jail, where he is incarcerated. Imran made it clear that November 24 was the day to break free from slavery for the rule of law and the Constitution. He said the human rights were suspended, forcing the nation to come out to protest and make sacrifices. The nation, he emphasized, must decide whether to wear the yoke of slavery like Bahadur Shah Zafar or adorn the crown of freedom like Tipu Sultan. APP reports: Meanwhile, taking up the cudgels on behalf of Saudi Arabia for its unconditional financial and diplomatic support to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday warned that spitting venom against such a brotherly country was an unforgivable crime and called for national unity to counter such anti-state elements. Addressing the inauguration of restoration of Kachhi Canal in Taunsa damaged by 2022 floods, he said whether it was the Kashmir issue, the United Nations or the UN Security Council, Saudi Arabia always acted as Pakistan’s advocate and benefactor and bailed out Pakistan recently to seek IMF program. “Despite this, such venom-spitting is an unforgivable crime. I as the prime minister of Pakistan want to announce that the nation will break any hand trying to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi friendship. This is not a joke. The allegation is beyond understanding. “The largest national interest is being “slaughtered” to serve short-term political interest,” he remarked after inaugurating the project. Commenting on Bushra Bibi’s statement, he said: “There can be no animosity towards Pakistan bigger than this. Such people are naive to the magnitude of the damage through their “venomous” words.” Shehbaz recalled the Kingdom’s support to Pakistan after it carried out nuclear tests in 1998 in the form of a free-of-charge oil facility as well as financial support. Azaz Syed reports: Former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa Friday praised Saudi Arabia saying it always stood by Pakistan and provided generous support during all times. He made these comments in an exclusive conversation during which this correspondent sought his views on the controversy sparked by Bushra Bibi’s statement. Bajwa dismissed Bushra’s assertions as baseless, irresponsible and unfounded stating that neither Saudi Arabia nor any foreign nation intervened in Pakistan’s domestic affairs. He emphasised that Saudi Arabia had played a significant role in assisting Pakistan through various administrations. Bajwa highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support to Pakistan, noting that it had been a steadfast ally in challenging times. He also pointed out the Kingdom’s backing of former prime minister Imran Khan’s government, underscoring its commitment to Pakistan’s well-being. He stressed the importance of prioritizing national interests over political agendas, warning against the potential damage that baseless allegations might cause to the country. Bajwa’s remarks about the generous Saudi support to Pakistan during the most challenging periods reflect the deep-rooted diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two nations, reinforcing the notion that Saudi Arabia remains a pivotal partner for Pakistan on the global stage. M. Anis reports: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Friday said Bushra Bibi demonstrated her “moral, religious and political bankruptcy by giving a mean and vulgar statement” against Saudi Arabia. “Our politics has never witnessed such a low [...] she (Bushra) has declared herself as Sharia, how much lower can they stoop,” he said while addressing a press conference here. They are giving out such statements to save their sinking ship of politics, he added. Continuing his salvos, Asif said such a mean and vulgar statement was given against a Muslim country which helped Pakistan in difficult times and where 2.8 million Pakistanis are working. “They are giving statements against a country from where they got a wrist watch as gift and sold it out,” he said. A video message shared on the PTI’s official X handle alleged that when the former prime minister went to Madina “barefoot”, the then army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa started receiving “their calls”, implying that the Saudi officials had a role in his ouster. He advised General (retd) Bajwa to come up with denial of Bushra Bibi’s statement. Asif claimed there was also infighting between Bushra Bibi and her sisters-in-law to inherit politics from the PTI founder. “Not only that she is calling herself as Shariat but also she has launched herself as political heir to the party’s founder,” he said. “The country’s politics has not gone so low that one starts exploiting religion; they also consider themselves pious and religious. They claim being religious but the PTI founder’s sons are being brought up by Jews,” he said. The minister pointed out that the PTI leaded blamed the others of doing politics of inheritance but what they were doing now was the ugly face of politics. “There is a Qabza Group in Lahore and the other Qabza Group is from Pakpattan,” he said. Criticising the PTI’s repeated calls for protests and sit-ins, he said instead of focusing on crushing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they were attacking the federal capital. Hasnain Qaisrani reports: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Friday said people will no longer heed anti-state activities like sit-ins and long marches. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Kachhi Canal Rehabilitation Project in Taunsa, she asked why these people were interfering when Pakistan had started marching on the path of progress. “One who loves his dear homeland cannot think of indulging in such nefarious practices. Their agenda is anti-state and totally incomprehensible. We need to think over whether to defend ourselves from our enemies or these anti-state elements. The police officers and sepoys are not terrorists but unfortunately their uniforms are humiliated. The provinces should stay united, as the PMLN has always tried to closely link them.” The chief minister said shadows of uncertainty once loomed over Pakistan but now it was treading smoothly on the path of progress and prosperity. “The KP government attacks the federation and Punjab, and now it is ready to launch another assault,” she added. Sher Ali Khalti reports: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said Bushra Bibi made a disgraceful statement about brotherly Islamic countries on the directions of the PTI founder. Speaking at Lahore, she said the mention of this lie in the planning of May 24 chaos was undoubtedly a conspiracy against the country. “The agenda of the PTI founder and Bushra Pinky is the same as that of Israel,” she said. She further said the PTI founder and Bushra Pinky had gone to extreme lengths in their animosity towards Pakistan. “As prime minister, the PTI founder took Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia, China, and the United States to a delicate point. He used every tactic to isolate Pakistan internationally. Now, Bushra Pinky, following in her husband’s footsteps, is putting the country’s foreign policy at risk.” She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had worked tirelessly over the past two years to restore friendly relations with China and Saudi Arabia. She said a statement from an uneducated and ignorant woman against friendly countries indicated that she was working on the agenda of hostile elements. The people of Pakistan have now seen the ugly faces of these two deceivers. “Fitna Party” is now unacceptable to Pakistan and its people.” Asim Yasin reports: PMLN parliamentary leader in the Senate and Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Irfan Siddiqui Friday said those chanting “No Pakistan without Khan” slogan did not even spare the sacred land of Saudi Arabia from their vicious and anti-Pakistan campaign. “After the cipher saga, they have now raised baseless allegations against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said in a statement on ‘X’. Siddiqui said what Bushra Bibi said was part of a well-thought-out and planned strategy. Such an incident has no parallel even in the history of PTI, which is filled with mischief and chaos, he added. Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, under the Telegraph Act of 1885. The FIR was lodged in Dera Ghazi Khan, accusing her of inciting hatred through her video statement. According to the police, legal proceedings are underway under Section 126 of the Telegraph Act and other relevant laws. The sources indicate that a case under cybercrime offence is under consideration, adding that FIA Cybercrime Wing could take up the case within 24 hours.Does Kendrick Lamar Have Bad Blood With Father John Misty? - Vulture
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How the FIRE early retirement movement survives - and thrives - despite stock market volatilityTwo of the league’s young quarterbacks looking to prove themselves meet Sunday afternoon in Foxborough as Anthony Richardson and the Colts (5-7) take on Drake Maye and the Patriots (3-9). The 2nd-year pro out of Florida, Richardson was benched earlier this season for a couple games before returning in impressive fashion completing 20 of 30 passes, throwing for 272 yards, and most importantly, leading the Colts to a 28-27 win over the Jets. However, Richardson was less than good last weekend against the Lions completing just 11 of 28 passes for 172 yards in a 24-6 loss to Detroit. Like Richardson in Indy, Drake Maye has had his ups and downs this season. The rookie out of North Carolina was also good two weeks ago in a 28-22 loss to the Rams completing 75% of his passes and throwing for 282 yards. However, the rookie out of North Carolina struggled last weekend. Like Richardson, accuracy has been a recurring issue for the young signal-caller. He completed just 22 of 37 passes at Miami in a loss to the Dolphins. Both Indianapolis and New England have much invested in these two young quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see if either show progress this weekend in the Northeast. NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from DraftKings, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts. Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge. Game details and how to watch Colts at Patriots · Date : December 1, 2024 · Time : 1 PM ET · Site : Gillette Stadium · City : Foxborough, MA · TV/Streaming : CBS Latest Game Odds for Colts at Patriots The latest odds courtesy of DraftKings: · Moneyline : Indianapolis Colts (-142), New England Patriots (+120) · Spread : Colts -2.5 · Total : 42.5 This line currently sits where it opened but the Total has dropped 0.5 points. Is that the result of a lack of confidence in either young quarterback to be able to finish drives with touchdowns? NBC Sports Bet Best Bets Expert picks & predictions for Colts at Patriots Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, betting trends, and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Sunday’s game between Indianapolis and New England: · Moneyline : NBC Sports is leaning towards a play on the Patriots on the Moneyline · Spread : NBC Sports is staying away from a play ATS. · Total : NBC Sports is leaning slightly towards a play on the Total UNDER 42.5. Colts at Patriots Stats, Betting Trends · The Colts are 8-4 against the spread this season. · The Colts are 5-7 to the OVER this season. · The Patriots are 4-7-1 against the spread this season. · The Patriots are 7-5 to the OVER this season. · The Colts have covered the spread in 8 of their last 10 away games against teams with worse records. · The Patriots’ last 3 home games have gone OVER the Total. · 4 of 5 games at home for New England have been decided by 1 score Quarterback Matchup for Colts at Patriots · Indianapolis: Anthony Richardson – the rookie is completing 47.7% of his passes this season. He has thrown just 5 TD passes while being intercepted 7 times. · New England: Drake Maye – like many young QBs, Maye has been sacked plenty this season. The rookie has appeared in 8 games and been sacked at least once in each of those 8 appearances and a total of 21 times. Colts and Patriots Injury Report Indianapolis WR Josh Downs (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Indianapolis WR Ashton Dulin (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Indianapolis WR Alec Pierce (foot) is questionable and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a full participant Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Indianapolis LT Bernhard Raimann has been cleared to play Sunday. Indianapolis RT Braden Smith (personal matter) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Indianapolis G Tanor Bortolini (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. New England G Cole Strange (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. New England WR DeMario Douglas (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. New England T Vederian Lowe (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. New England S Kyle Dugger (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. New England S Jabrill Peppers (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest and tools for the NFL, including game predictions, player props, futures, and trends! Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: · Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) · Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) · Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) · Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
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LOS ANGELES — The locker room after the Rams’ 37-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was as quiet as any this season. Players shouldered blame in quiet, shorts responses to reporters’ questions before filing out and into the night. As they dissected what had just happened, the Rams (5-6) also looked ahead and stated they could not afford for this game to spiral into the next game, which is Sunday’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints (4-7). “Just make sure you turn the page. Obviously, there are things that we want to correct from the game and find ways to be better moving forward, but make sure that we come out with great energy today. It starts today,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said before Wednesday’s practice. “There are going to be things we want to clean up from practice, make sure we do that and move on day-to-day with the right attitude and the right spirit.” As the Rams have gone about making those corrections, a consistent word has come to mind: Consistency. Asked what he’s looking for from the defense Sunday after its worst performance since the early weeks of the season, head coach Sean McVay used that word. He spoke about playing as a unit, sticking to assignments, coverage and pass rush complementing each other. Then he added with a smile, “Same things I’m looking for on the defense would be exactly how I would answer your offensive question as well.” Even 11 games into the season, we still haven’t seen the Rams offense perform with the type of consistency you would expect from a group with this much talent. Against the Eagles, the Rams moved the ball well in the first quarter, reaching the red zone twice without needing a third down. But any momentum was quickly lost with a 10-play second quarter that resulted in a loss of six yards. It was the same story a week before, with the offense blazing in the second and third quarters against the Patriots while going nowhere in the first and fourth quarters. “It’s kind of the word ‘consistency’ right now,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “There are times where it feels like we go right down the field and put it in, and there are other times where it just feels a little bit harder than it should. I think that’s the biggest key right now.” The defense is facing a similar obstacle. The Rams are among the best in the NFL at holding teams without a touchdown in the red zone, limiting opponents to a 48.8% success rate. That ranks eighth in the league, but the flip side is that the Rams allow teams 3.7 trips into the red zone per game, which is tied for 28th. Defensive tackle and captain Kobie Turner raised the issue of allowing too many long drives following the Eagles loss, and defensive coordinator Chris Shula agreed with the assessment. “Some of that, especially the other night, they were in third downs a decent amount of time and it was a third and favorable,” Shula said. “Then, finding a way to get stops, finding a way to play, get them off track, get them into 2nd-and-longs where you get those 3rd-longs, and you can earn the right to rush the passer.” Related Articles Entering Week 13, it’s not encouraging that the Rams are still struggling to find consistency in their execution. But to this point, it hasn’t upended their season. The wild card might be out of reach, but the NFC West title is still up for grabs. But that starts with a road win against a Saints team playing with nothing to lose. “We know that it’s going to be a great challenge, especially at their place. It’ll be rocking atmosphere and environment with the holidays and the momentum they have,” McVay said. “We’ve a lot of guys that are experiencing things for the first time. I have seen the resolve of this group show itself. Now, we’ve to do it.” When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday Where: Superdome, New Orleans TV/radio: FOX (Ch. 11)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 382, 226The 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.