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Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams keep doing just enough to win, and a team that appeared to be rebuilding this season has climbed all the way to the brink of another playoff berth. The Rams improved to 9-6 and took control of the NFC West on Sunday with their fourth straight victory since Thanksgiving. Their 19-9 win over the New York Jets in sub-freezing temperatures was not dominant — they trailed 9-6 entering the fourth quarter, and they were outgained by nearly 100 yards — but Los Angeles still matched its largest margin of victory this season and continued to look like a looming nightmare for any postseason opponent. The Rams have now won eight of 10 since their bye week, when they were 1-4 and the NFL world wondered whether they would trade Super Bowl MVP receiver Cooper Kupp or even quarterback Matthew Stafford to spur their roster reboot. Los Angeles decided not to punt its season, and Sean McVay's team has driven from last to first. “You don’t want to ride the emotional roller coaster that these games can take you on,” McVay said Monday. “You do have the ability to stay steady, to stay the course and try to right the ship. Certainly that’s not complete by any stretch, but our guys have done an excellent job of not allowing the way that we started, especially in those first five games, to affect what we did coming off that bye.” The Rams also have clinched their seventh winning record in eight regular seasons under McVay — an achievement that shouldn’t get lost in the recent successes of a franchise that had 13 consecutive non-winning seasons before it rolled the dice and hired a 30-year-old head coach back in 2017. After winning it all in February 2022 and then having the worst season by a defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history, the Rams have made the most of their time in between true powerhouse status and a major rebuild. They also started slowly last year, entering their bye at 3-6 before a 7-1 finish. The Rams can become the first team in NFL history to make back-to-back postseason appearances after being three games under .500 each year. These Rams don't stand out on either side of the ball, although their talent level appears to be higher on offense than defense. Instead, they've mastered a delicate balance of complementary football — the offense and defense covering each other's weaknesses and setting up their teammates for success. The Rams have scored more than 30 points just once all season, and they managed only 31 points in their last two games combined. Their defense has allowed only one touchdown in the past two games — but right before that, Josh Allen and the Bills racked up 42 points and 445 yards in the most recent of a few defensive stinkers from LA this season. The Rams keep winning anyway, and now they can clinch McVay's fourth NFC West title by beating Seattle in two weeks. “Fortunately, we’re in a position where you don’t necessarily have to rely on other things to happen if you just handle your business,” McVay said. What's working Kyren Williams and the offensive line are driving the Rams' offense. After a slow start caused partly by McVay being forced to abandon the running game when the Rams repeatedly fell behind early, the 2023 Pro Bowler has surged to career highs of 1,243 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns with his 122-yard performance in New York. What needs help Stafford's 110 yards passing were his fewest with the Rams and the second-fewest in his 16-year career from a full game. Sunday's weather was a major factor, but the Rams must throw the ball effectively to somebody other than Puka Nacua. Kupp has just 193 yards receiving in his past five games combined. Stock up Defensive back Jaylen McCollough made a career-high nine tackles in only 31 snaps. The undrafted rookie continues to be a remarkable find, earning playing time alongside veteran safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl and fellow rookie Kam Kinchens. Stock down CB Cobie Durant didn't play for the second straight week despite being cleared to return from his bruised lung. Veteran Ahkello Witherspoon got every snap in place of Durant, who started LA's first 13 games. McVay praised Witherspoon's recent play when asked why Durant didn't get on the field in New Jersey. Injuries The Rams' improved health, particularly on both lines, is the key to their surge. McVay reported no new injuries out of the road trip following Tyler Higbee's successful season debut. Key number 12-1 — The Rams’ record in December with Stafford as their starter over his four years in LA. Next steps The Rams need to win at least one of their final two games to wrap up their first NFC West crown since 2021. They host eliminated Arizona on Saturday night, but can't clinch the division unless the Seahawks lose to moribund Chicago. The Rams are currently the NFC's third seed, but that doesn't matter a whole lot because both the third and fourth seeds will have to play one of the NFC North's two powerful wild-card teams in the opening round. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated Press
Rams don’t dominate, but they’re rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football
The morning of 26 December 2004 began quietly on Thailand’s west coast. But at 7:59am local time, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off northern Sumatra triggered a tsunami that would devastate 14 countries and claim more than 225,000 lives. Jirawan ‘Wan’ Chaisri, from northern Thailand, now living in Sydney, can distinctly recall the events of that day. At the time, she was a massage therapist preparing to open a shop in Ao Nang, Krabi, when she noticed something unusual. Credit: Supplied/Jirawan Chaisri “The water was so low. You could see the ocean floor and fish swimming around. I had never witnessed anything like this,” she told SBS Thai. “Then, about 10 minutes later, everything went dark and still. No wind, no sound. It felt like the sky had swallowed the earth. And that’s when I heard people shouting, ‘Run, run! A giant wave is coming!’” Credit: David Longstreath/AP Photo/AAP Image Wan’s boss, the shop owner, quickly jumped in a ute, gathering workers, and sped to a nearby hill. “We raced to the foothills as the wave chased us,” Wan recalled. They sheltered overnight at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple). When they returned the next day, the beach was “unrecognisable”. “No restaurants, no shops. Everything was gone,” she said. 'It was complete chaos' As the waves subsided, chaos engulfed the towns. With no power or phone signals, communication was nearly impossible. Titiwarada ‘Kim’ Kemp, a former radio presenter in Phuket and now a Sunshine Coast mum, recalled how the community struggled to comprehend the scale of the disaster. “There was no mobile signal. We could only use landlines to get information from hospitals and authorities,” Kim said. “It was complete chaos, no one knew what had happened. Everyone was in shock.” The Thai Navy and emergency services mobilised quickly, racing to affected areas to search for survivors, tend to the injured and recover bodies. Credit: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA/AAP Image Pawat ‘Chicha’ Plongkham, now a tattooist in Melbourne, reflected on his experience as a young volunteer with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. On the day of the tsunami, he drove from Bangkok to Phang Nga to assist with the relief efforts. “What we saw ... nothing could have prepared me for it,” he said. “The water had washed inland for kilometres. Debris buried so many bodies. We could only search the surface, knowing thousands remained trapped beneath. It was overwhelming.” Credit: Supplied/Pawat Plongkham Peter Baines is the founder of Hands Across the Water, an organisation established to care for 32 Thai orphans who lost their parents in the 2004 tsunami. He was part of the Australian forensic team deployed to Thailand in the aftermath of the disaster. A recipient of the Order of Australia Medal in 2014, Baines spoke to SBS Thai about the immense challenge of identifying victims. Credit: Hands Across the Water “Within days, it became clear that the death toll was going to be enormous, and many of the victims were foreign nationals. Our job was to lead the identification process, so those who had died could be returned home to their families and buried according to their beliefs,” he said. “We recovered 5,395 bodies in Thailand, which remains the world’s largest-ever disaster victim identification operation." Of the 14 affected countries, Indonesia recorded 170,000 fatalities, Sri Lanka 35,000 and India 16,000. Rebuilding and preparedness In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, Thailand recognised its lack of preparedness in the form of technology and warning systems to protect its citizens. Since then, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Ministry of Interior reported that the country has invested in a multi-hazard warning system, regularly conducted tsunami drills, and developed a national disaster management plan. Credit: Barbara Walton/EPA/AAPImages A spokesperson from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology told SBS Thai that the tragedy strengthened international collaboration. “Before 2004, our tsunami warning system was basic and mainly focused on threats from the Pacific, using information from the Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii,” the spokesperson said in an email. “After the 2004 tsunami, we partnered internationally to create a unified tsunami monitoring and warning system for the Indian Ocean. Warnings can now be issued within 30 minutes of a large earthquake.” As Australia combats mass coral bleaching, this country issues a warning Australia, in contrast, has not faced land-threatening tsunamis on the scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster. However, its coastline has recorded 50 incidents since European settlement, with most causing dangerous rips and currents rather than widespread land inundation. The most recent significant event occurred on 11 March 2011, when a tsunami reached Norfolk Island, damaging multiple houses, and sweeping one away entirely. ‘A day that never leaves you’ Twenty years later, the memories of that devastating day remain vivid for those who lived through it. Kim, who lived and worked in the affected area, still feels its weight every year. “Every December 26th, I just wish the day would pass quickly. Even though I wasn’t directly affected, it’s a day that never leaves you,” she said. Wan, a survivor who witnessed the destruction firsthand, said the experience carried a profound lesson. “Don’t take anything for granted. Life can change in an instant," she said. Listen to SBS Thai Audio on Monday and Thursday from 2pm on SBS 3. Replays from 10pm on Monday and Thursday and Saturday on SBS2. Listen to past stories from our podcast sbs.com.au/thai Return to paradise? Thailand’s famous beaches improve after tourist bans The love story behind Australia's first 'authentic' Thai restaurant Jam lost her legs to disease. Three years later, she walked the runway for fashion week Why this community is asking how a 14-year-old had access to a gun after deadly mall rampage
Jefferson keeps seeing double as Vikings aim to stay focused on overall offensive productionThe Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has taken a significant step in enhancing electricity supply with the commissioning of a 1×60/75 MVA 132/33KV power transformer at the 330/132/33kV Lekki Transmission Substation in Lagos State. Officially completed on December 19, 2024, this upgrade has expanded the substation’s capacity from 120MVA to an impressive 195MVA, enabling greater power distribution efficiency in the region. The announcement was made in a statement shared via the company’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. Related Stories TCN restores electricity in Bayelsa after 4-month blackout Lagos govt shuts businesses across Lekki, Victoria Island, others over noise, environmental infractions The upgraded capacity allows the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to offtake a larger volume of bulk power, directly benefiting residents and businesses in New Maroko, Cheview Estate, parts of Lekki, and neighboring areas. This development promises more reliable electricity with reduced outages and improved voltage stability for thousands of consumers. Businesses within the Lekki axis, particularly those reliant on stable power supply, have welcomed the upgrade. A local business owner noted, “This initiative will significantly boost our operations, helping us reduce costs associated with alternative power sources.” The commissioning forms a vital part of the World Bank-funded initiative to modernize Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure. The project targets critical challenges in electricity transmission and distribution, aiming to create a more robust system capable of meeting the increasing power demands in urban and peri-urban regions across the country. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, a TCN representative highlighted the importance of the project. “This achievement reflects our commitment to improving the quality and reliability of power supply while contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria,” the representative stated. The new transformer has been met with optimism by residents and businesses in the affected areas. Many believe that the increased power capacity will not only improve living standards but also stimulate economic activities within Lekki and its environs. Local resident Adaobi Chukwu remarked, “Reliable electricity has been a major challenge for us. This development is a much-needed relief, and we hope it is sustained.” The Lekki Transmission Substation project is one of many initiatives under the World Bank partnership with TCN. These efforts include capacity building, technology upgrades, and reinforcement of transmission networks across Nigeria. As the federal government ramps up investments in the energy sector, stakeholders have emphasized the need for sustained funding and strategic policies to overcome persistent challenges. With the completion of this project, TCN reaffirms its role as a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector, steadily advancing toward a stable, efficient, and sustainable electricity grid. This upgrade not only addresses immediate power needs but also lays the groundwork for future expansions to accommodate the rapid growth in Lagos and other parts of the country. TCN Lagos Region Commissions New 1×60/75MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at Lekki 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation. The Lagos Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully commissioned a new 1×60/75 MVA 132/33KV Power Transformer at its 330/132/33kV Lekki Transmission Substation in Lagos State, effective December 19, 2024. The commissioning of the new transformer has increased the substation’s capacity from 120MVA to 195MVA. This upgrade enables Eko Electricity Distribution Company to offtake more bulk power, which will benefit customers in New Maroko, Cheview Estate, parts of Lekki, and surrounding areas. This project is part of the ongoing World Bank-funded initiatives aimed at improving power supply in Nigeria.