By DAVID SHARP, The Associated Press The U.S. Navy is transforming a costly flub into a potent weapon with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, which is being retrofitted aboard the first of its three stealthy destroyers. 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 them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. 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 U.S. military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense 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 recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is “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 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 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 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, a think tank, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. 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 defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.8th Pay Commission: Central employees will get good news on 8th Pay Commission? government made it clearnew casino games free 。

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Farsley Celtic's FA Trophy tie with Gateshead was abandoned after a player suffered a 'serious injury'. Farsley's captain Lewis Turner was rushed to hospital in an ambulance following an on-field medical emergency. The 32-year-old had to receive attention 28 minutes into the game, with Gateshead 1-0 up at the time. Farsley confirmed the postponement, writing on X: "Tonight’s FA Trophy fixture at Gateshead has been abandoned following a serious injury to Celts’ player Lewis Turner. "Lewis has now been taken away via ambulance following an on-field medical emergency. "We will update supporters on Lewis’ condition when possible." Meanwhile, Gateshead posted: "Following discussions between both clubs, the decision has been taken to abandon tonight's game. "Our thoughts go out to Lewis Turner & all involved with @FarsleyCelticFC at this time." Fans present sent their prayers to Turner on social media. "Thoughts and best wishes Lewis. Praying for a speedy recovery for you," one wrote on X. A second said: "Was so scary to watch. Hope and pray he recovers well. "Hope all of the rest of the team are OK too as that must be terrifying to see happen to a team mate and captain. Take care." A number of football clubs also sent their best wishes, including Farsley's neighbours Leeds United. Luke Hannant had put the home side ahead 20 minutes into the game. But less than 15 minutes later, the players were in the dressing room. The referee sent both sets of players into their respective dressing rooms as Turner was treated and later taken to hospital. National League North side Farsley had travelled to Gateshead for the third round of the FA Trophy. Gateshead are currently fourth in the National League, while Farsley sit 20th in the league below.Usher makes it a point to give back to the community and he’s investing in the youth once again with the launch of a Content Studio at the Whitehead Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta. The R&B legend made the initiative official with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Usher Raymond IV Spark Lap at the Boys & Girls Club of ATL on Monday (Dec. 9). Usher launched an Entertainment Industry Club (officially starting in 2025) and state-of-the-art Content Studio arming emerging creatives with the tools and resources necessary to thrive. “Returning to the Boys & Girls Clubs, where I discovered my passion, and launching this program in Atlanta is a full-circle moment for me,” Usher said. “The Spark Lab and Entertainment Industry Club is about providing our youth with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to turn their dreams into reality. It’s an honor to help inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators through After School programs.” While Usher’s been on the road performing, he made time to launch the Social Impact Tour in collaboration with his New Look foundation. Usher’s been able to help 4,800 kids along the trek across North America including stops in Brooklyn, Philly, Detroit, Oakland, Houston and more. “We are invested in our future. We’re invested in youth and I’m an example. I represent an amazing alumni,” Usher continued during a presser on Monday regarding his experience at the Boys & Girls Club. Kids with the Boys & Girls Club are excited about Usher’s involvement. “Usher’s a great guy, man. He’s giving a lot of these youth chances to help their community,” one member told Atlanta Now. Usher is getting ready to wrap up the North American leg of his Past Present Future tour with a handful of U.S. dates left this month with shows on tap for Atlanta and Miami before heading out to the U.K. in March.

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By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”Aboriginal digital ID offers Indigenous Australians pathway to essential servicesIsraeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say