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KILLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — American skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she suffered an abrasion on her left hip and that something “stabbed” her when she crashed during her second run of a World Cup giant slalom race Saturday, doing a flip and sliding into the protective fencing. Shiffrin stayed down on the edge of the course for quite some time as the ski patrol attended to her. She was taken off the hill on a sled and waved to the cheering crowd before going to a clinic for evaluation. “Not really too much cause for concern at this point, I just can’t move,” she said later in a video posted on social media . “I have a pretty good abrasion and something stabbed me. ... I’m so sorry to scare everybody. It looks like all scans so far are clear.” She plans to skip the slalom race Sunday, writing on Instagram she will be “cheering from the sideline.” The 29-year-old was leading after the first run of the GS and charging for her 100th World Cup win. She was within sight of the finish line, five gates onto Killington’s steep finish pitch, when she an outside edge. She hit a gate and did a somersault before sliding into another gate. The fencing slowed her momentum as she came to an abrupt stop. Reigning Olympic GS champion Sara Hector of Sweden won in a combined time of 1 minute, 53.08 seconds. Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia was second and Swiss racer Camille Rast took third. The Americans saw Paula Moltzan and Nina O’Brien finish fifth and sixth. “It’s just so sad, of course, to see Mikaela crash like that and skiing so well,” Hector said on the broadcast after her win. “It breaks my heart and everybody else here.” The crash was a surprise for everyone. Shiffrin rarely DNFs — ski racing parlance for “did not finish.” In 274 World Cup starts, she DNF'd only 18 times. The last time she DNF'd in GS was January 2018. Shiffrin also has not suffered any devastating injuries. In her 14-year career, she has rehabbed only two on-hill injuries: a torn medial collateral ligament and bone bruising in her right knee in December 2015 and a sprained MCL and tibiofibular ligament in her left knee after a downhill crash in January 2024. Neither knee injury required surgery, and both times, Shiffrin was back to racing within two months. Saturday was shaping up to be a banner day for Shiffrin, who skied flawlessly in the first run and held a 0.32-second lead as she chased after her 100th World Cup win. Shiffrin, who grew up in both New Hampshire and Colorado and sharpened her skills at nearby Burke Mountain Academy, has long been a fan favorite. Shiffrin is driven not so much by wins but by arcing the perfect run. She has shattered so many records along the way. She passed Lindsey Vonn’s women’s mark of 82 World Cup victories on Jan. 24, 2023, during a giant slalom in Kronplatz, Italy. That March, Shiffrin broke Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark’s Alpine mark for most World Cup wins when she captured her 87th career race. To date, she has earned five overall World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals — along with a silver — and seven world championships. In other FIS Alpine World Cup news, the Tremblant World Cup — two women’s giant slaloms at Quebec’s Mont-Tremblant scheduled for next weekend — were canceled. Killington got 21 inches of snow on Thanksgiving Day, but Tremblant — five hours north of Killington — had to cancel its races because of a lack of snow. AP Sports Writer Pat Graham in Denver contributed to this report. More AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
1. A hanging garbage bag holder that'll make you say, "Well, why didn't I think of that?" Just sweep any food scraps right in as you're cooking, and it won't crowd your counter space. Promising review: "I love the convenience of this product. It fits perfectly over my kitchen counter drawer and holds my vegetable waste. I was moving my large trash can over to my prep area each time I cooked. Now I just put this trash holder up and a recycle bag. So easy, so clean. I just bought a second one for a friend! " — Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 2. A splatter guard aptly named "Frywall" to keep the grease contained when you're grilling a burger or piece of salmon. It's got you covered — literally. It's made of BPA-free silicone that's heat-resistant up to 450 degrees. You can throw it in the dishwasher for cleaning and roll it up for compact storage. This size is designed to fit any 10-inch pan, but it also comes in a larger size and a smaller size . Promising review: "I bought the 10-inch to use with my cast iron skillet. It fit perfectly, was easy to wash and dry, and folded flat for easy storage in the rack with my pot lids. What a dream not to have to clean up those splatters, especially on the cooking grates which are, in my case, heavy and awkward to wash. No more avoiding recipes that call for a sear because I don’t want to deal with a mess. I bought one for my sister...we both don’t like having extra gadgets in the kitchen, but this is worth having. Also great for placing in the salad bowl before tossing...again, no mess. For me, the cooking screens are not worth it because as soon as you lift them to turn your food you get splattering. Getting some for X-mas stocking stuffers." — R. Feinberg Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in four colors). 3. A handy gadget for slicing a bunch of cherry tomatoes (or grapes or olives) at once. No more painstakingly slicing them one by one! Promising review: "Great product, I love cherry tomatoes in salad but it always takes time to cut them. Now it’s solved and I liked the slicer so much that I bought five for all my friends and relatives! Thanks to the people who designed it! So simple but so thoughtful." — alena Get it from Amazon for $15.95 . 4. A spill stopper so starchy foods (like pasta and potatoes — the best foods) don't boil over and create a giant mess you have to clean up after dinner...or the next day. This 11-inch spill stopper is made of silicone that's heat-resistant up to 400 degrees. It's also microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "This little gadget is amazing — it really works! I've used it with boiling potatoes and pasta. It's so much nicer to be able to just wash this off instead of scraping the burned-on, starchy residue off the top of the stove. After I used it a few times, I bought a few more as gifts for family members, and they're all delighted with them, too. " — Busy Crafter Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in three colors). 5. A clip-on strainer to prevent your food from falling into the sink — and without needing to haul out the full-size colander. This is especially handy if you're cooking for just one or two people. It's made of flexible silicone and designed to fit most pots and pans. Promising review: "Finally, a product that does what it's actually advertised to do. We were skeptical, but the first time out, it easily fit on the pot we were using. The clips are sturdy and we didn't lose one potato when we drained the pot. In fact, it worked so well, I bought four more and gave them to friends! " — Charla P. Get it from Amazon for $16.50 + (available in four colors). 6. A cutting board with a bottom tray for catching chopped veggies, run-off juices, or scraps. Bonus for BBQ season: you can also use the tray to marinate meats. It's also dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "I have had mine for eight years now and it still is in excellent shape. It is like an extra pair of hands when cooking. I just ordered five more for Christmas gifts. This thing will not disappoint, so buy with confidence!!" — Jason C. Get it from Amazon for $21.99 . 7. A set of stackable refrigerator storage bins so you can actually see all your snacks and ingredients at a glance. It's satisfying, space-saving, and waste-reducing (because you'll end up reaching for more of the food when it's not hidden). Promising review: "I have recently bought a fridge over freezer refrigerator and received the fridge bins as a Christmas gift. After organizing the new appliance with the bins, everything is in 'standup' eyesight. Best of all, it stays organized! I have since bought a set to gift to someone else. I promise it has brought delight to my life!" — M. Malpass Get a set of six from Amazon for $34.99 . 8. A collapsible multipurpose stand that's primarily a bottle drying rack — but can also serve as a plastic bag holder. It's made of solid steel so it's actually very sturdy and stable. Read our review of this multipurpose rack (#1 on the list). Promising review: "This is my second one for myself. I bought a total of four — two I gave as gifts. I have several water bottles and most times I wash more than one at a time. I also reuse silicone bags and sometimes plastic bags and dry those on this item. I dry drinking glasses, too. I have no complaints about this bottle dryer and highly recommend it. I read some reviews on Amazon that said theirs were not sturdy. This one is very sturdy. If you place your heavier bottles or glassware properly and opposite from each other, there should be no problem. I keep it on the counter near my kitchen sink, ready to use." — baby game Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (available in two colors). 9. A set of stove counter gap covers to keep crumbs (and liquids) from falling into the unreachable abyss. These are heat-resistant up to 446 degrees so you don't have to worry about them melting while you cook. They're easy to wipe clean but you can also toss them into the dishwasher. Promising review: "Ugh, I hated cleaning in between the oven and counters. Crumbs everywhere! I saw my friend had these nifty covers, and I had to have them! Mine are four years strong and still look great. I've ordered a few more for friends and family and they love them! " — H.Kim21 Get a set of two from Amazon for $24.95 (available in two lengths and colors). 10. A brush and squeegee combo for swiping spills and scraps from the counter into the sink. And it'll easily rinse clean after, unlike a rag or paper towel. Full disclosure: I own this nifty gadget and love it. Promising review: "We have had several people ask us where we got this! We have gifted it several times as well. It’s perfect for the gunk in your sink and is easy to use!" — Brynn Leavitt Get it from Amazon for $11.02 . 11. A cold brew maker so you can make delicious, cafe-quality iced joe at home instead of spending $$$ at a coffee shop. Plus, this will actually look cute sitting in your fridge. Promising review: "I have several, both large and small sizes. I always have two in the fridge, one for iced tea and one for cold brew coffee. I have given them as gifts, and everyone loves them. They are super durable, easy to clean and so useful. Worth every penny." — cdunn Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes). 12. A slotted fish turner that's definitely not just for fish — reviewers say it'll effortlessly slide under anything like burger patties, warm cookies, fried eggs, and more. It's flippin' awesome. Promising review: " This was a gift for our daughter-in-law because she came here and was envious of ours. If you want to flip anything, get this." — Beth L. Get it from Amazon for $15.95 . 13. A microwave pasta cooker for making dinner in minutes, because some days you're so hungry that the regular way just takes too darn long and requires too many pots and pans. Promising review: " I love my Fasta Pasta so much that I bought a bunch more to gift to family and friends. Making pasta meals with this microwave product is a breeze... much easier and more convenient that the traditional way of cooking spaghetti, penne, macaroni, etc. and the pasta is perfect every time!" — Laura Burnham Get it from Amazon for $16.99 . 14. A perforated washing bowl so rinsing rice and produce won't be a draining process. This colander bowl is made of BPA-free, food-grade plastic and is top-rack dishwasher–safe. It comes in two sizes — both have drainage holes on the side, but the smaller bowl has a solid bottom whereas the larger bowl has a perforated bottom. Promising review: "Love this item. I purchased one over 10 years ago at a store and haven’t been able to find it again until now. Got three because my mom wanted one and another for a family member." — JO Get it from Amazon for $8.15+ (available in two sizes). 15. A two-stage knife sharpener that'll restore dull blades to a razor sharp state. And when you're done, it'll fit nicely in the drawers. Read our full review of the KitchenIQ knife sharpener ! Promising review: "I never thought I'd be writing a review on a knife sharpener, but I love this damn thing. I'm woefully terrible at sharpening my blades with a traditional knife sharpener. I'm better off just buying a new knife set. I had a set of dull KitchenAid knives, and I used this on all of them, and it's completely renewed my set. I can finally chop and slice cleanly. It's such a simple gadget, but it really improved my knives and it is EASY. I gave one to my mom as a gift because I liked it so much. " — Victoria O. Get it from Amazon for $8.45+ (available in three colors). 16. A silicone freezing tray to get perfect individual portions of homemade broth, chili, smoothies, or pasta sauce. It's simply ideal for your weekly meal prep. It comes with a lid to help maintain freshness and keep out odors. It's made of food-safe silicone that's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "Obsessed with these. As a soup lover, this is the perfect way to freeze some soup for a 'rainy day.' They are very sturdy and can be stacked in the freezer to save space. Easy to pop out frozen soup cubes. Loved them so much, I’ve bought more to give to fellow soup lovers for gifts. " — Hood Family Farms Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four colors). 17. A manual food chopper for breaking up ground meats, mashing potatoes, or cutting up hard-boiled eggs. This food chopper is made of food-safe nylon and has no sharp edges. It's safe to use with nonstick cookware. Promising review: "I purchased this and liked it so much I purchased and gave away as Christmas gifts. Breaking up meat with a spatula or spoon is SO much harder than using the ChopStir. With ChopStir, you don't get wrist fatigue, and the meat is broken up into consistent sizes throughout the pan. I had a party guest ask me how I managed to break up the sausage in my stuffed mushrooms so well, and I showed her the ChopStir. She was one of the people I got this for for Christmas, and she's been loving it ever since!" — Sarah Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors). 18. A space-saving under-cabinet jar opener reviewers say actually works — on bottles and jars of all sizes — and isn't gimmicky. Promising review: " I got this as a gift and have since gifted to several others. It's easy to install and is completely out of sight. It makes any lid simple to unscrew, even the tiny ones on nail polish! Seemed like one of those useless as-sold-on-TV gadgets, but it's not. I've had the same one for years, and it's never let me down." — S. Spiry Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 19. A pack of scrubby dishcloths that won't get soggy and stinky or fall apart like sponges. Reviewers say these are durable and last for a long time. They stay odor-free without washing or microwaving and are safe to use on non-stick cookware. Promising review: " I love these so much, I keep gifting them. I had to buy more in fear of missing getting more. Note...my first has not needed replacement. I have one at home and one in my camp gear. I use them very, very, very often. Used on cast iron, blackened with soot, and soap rinsed to clean again. Cannot be better. Caution, it does snag, but who cares?" — Nora Allen Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8+ (available in three colors). 20. A 4-in-1 chopper to make slicing, dicing, and spiralizing 👏 so 👏 much 👏 easier. Reviewers say it's game-changing for prep and has even encouraged them to eat more veggies. Promising review: "I don't usually write reviews but this is awesome! I never knew I needed this in my life so bad!! My hands start to hurt pretty bad after a few minutes of chopping veggies, not to mention it's time-consuming. This dicer has fixed all that!!!!! I love it and have sent one to a couple of family members. Highly recommend if you do any cooking that involves chopping!!" — Leah Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ . 21. A silicone spoon rest for catching dripping sauce while also keeping your utensils separate and secure. It'll be one less thing to worry about in a chaotic kitchen. You know, like the time you offered to make a three-course meal for your in-laws. Promising review: "I like this drip pad (spoon rest) very much. I bought several as gifts for family and friends. I am always using more than one utensil when I cook, so this size is just great." — Caliartist Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and 24 colors). 22. A set of magnetic stainless-steel measuring spoons (with a leveler!) so you never again have to deal with that annoying ring holder. These come apart as easily as they can be stored together in your drawers — without individual spoons getting lost. The narrow side is designed to reach into smaller spice jars. Promising review: "I love these measuring spoons! They are magnetic so I'm not digging through my drawer for the size I want. Love having the two sizes also. Several people in our family got these for Christmas. Now some are getting them for birthdays. " — Tina Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 23 colors). 23. A handheld milk frother that probably attended barista school because it'll help you whip up a cappuccino that looks and tastes incredibly ~profesh.~ Because it's small and battery-powered, you can use it for camping as well. It comes with a stainless steel stand so you don't have to worry about setting it down on the counter. Promising review: "Love it! It works a long time before the battery needs to be replaced. I use it every day, and it lasts 2+ months. Froths and mixes really well. Is portable and cleans easily! ( I always give them as gifts now — people don't know what they're missing. )" — Patricia Get it from Amazon for $7.58+ (available in 22 colors). 24. An adjustable baggy rack to hold storage bags open while you scoop food into them (which means less spillage on the counter and the floor). It folds down flat so it can fit into any kitchen gadget drawer. Promising review: "This kitchen 'tool' is the BEST thing ever! I have a large family and we use a lot of baggies for meal prep and leftovers. These bag racks have changed the game for me in the kitchen! I buy them now to use as gifts for showers and Mother's Day , etc... EVERYONE needs one of these in their kitchen drawer." — A. Roland Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 . 25. A 5-in-1 unitool you can use as a slotted spoon, a solid spoon, a spatula, a turner, and a cutting tool. It's truly doing the most. This tool is made from nylon and heat-resistant up to 480 degrees. It's also dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "I love this kitchen tool so much that I have bought it for all my friends and neighbors. It is truly an all-in-one tool. I also love how little space it requires." — Pete Whiley Get it from Amazon for $10 . When the person you gifted your fave kitchen gadget to loves it as much as you do: The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Macquarie lowered shares of NIO ( NYSE:NIO – Free Report ) from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report released on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have $4.80 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $6.60. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on NIO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised NIO from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $5.30 to $8.00 in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Bank of America boosted their price target on NIO from $5.00 to $5.30 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on NIO in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Daiwa America raised NIO to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 30th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target on NIO from $8.50 to $7.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $5.91. Get Our Latest Analysis on NIO NIO Price Performance NIO ( NYSE:NIO – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 5th. The company reported ($2.21) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of ($2.21). NIO had a negative return on equity of 113.83% and a negative net margin of 33.41%. The company had revenue of $17.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.49 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($0.51) EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 98.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that NIO will post -1.39 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 3rd quarter worth $76,000. Apollon Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 3rd quarter worth $78,000. Finally, Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft purchased a new position in shares of NIO during the 2nd quarter worth $53,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 48.55% of the company’s stock. About NIO ( Get Free Report ) NIO Inc designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles in the People's Republic of China. The company is also involved in the manufacture of e-powertrain, battery packs, and components; and racing management, technology development, and sales and after-sales management activities. In addition, it offers power solutions for battery charging needs; and other value-added services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NIO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NIO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
MPs who backed assisted dying Bill suggest concerns could see them change stance
Former Trail Blazers star announces retirementTrump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to FranceAmerica's newest strategic bomber The B-21 bomber is set to be the future of America's strategic bombing fleet with the US Air Force set to significantly invest in this aircraft for a sizable fleet. The B-21 is the answer to a new and increasingly complex operating environment, consisting of interconnecting sensors, sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles, and fifth-generation interceptors. The B-21 also has mysterious engines about which little is known. However, there are clues that point to what the engine could be. We will explore some of the known details about the B-21's engine(s). Background on the B-21 bomber The B-21 Raider, named after the Doolittle Raiders which gained notoriety for their participation in the first retaliatory strike against Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, on April 18, 1942. The B-21 was initially going to be named the B-3, however, then-Air Force (USAF) Secretary Deborah Lee James renamed it the B-21. This was done to signify that it is America’s first 21st century bomber. The type entered service in 1997. The B-21 program has its roots in the early termination of the B-2 fleet. The USAF planned to build 132 B-2s. However, Congress terminated funding for this program after 21 were built by 1997. The USAF made this move in light of the receding Russian threat and the rising price of the aircraft. An aspect of the price or the projected future price was the fact that Northrop was contracted to build a high-capacity factory in order to rapidly build the fleet of B-2s. ...it is clear that the USAF is committed to this stealth global strike platform, that can penetrate the A2/AD zones of states that are hostile to the United States. On October 27, 2015, the Department of Defense announced its intention to award the contract to build the new “Long Range Strike-Bomber" to Northrop Grumman, which beat the Boeing-Lockheed Martin team. Northrop Grumman’s winning bid put the production cost at $511 million per plane. The USAF has plans to buy a minimum of 100 B-21s. Some key highlights regarding the B-21 program Funding is a great place to start; it displays an organization's commitment to an important product or program. With regard to military equipment, releasing funding estimates could also be seen as messaging to competitors about intentions. With a strategic weapon system like the B-21, it is clear that the USAF is committed to this stealth global strike platform that can penetrate the A2/AD zones of states that are hostile to the United States. In 2021, the USAF announced that Ellsworth AFB would be the first B-21 main operating base and location for its Formal Training Unit. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine (2023): The USAF stated that “...it will spend $19.536 billion on B-21 production through 2027. The funding profile calls for $108 million in fiscal 2022 (enacted by Congress), $1.8 billion in FY23; $3.5 billion in FY24; $4.4 billion in FY25; $4.6 billion in FY26, and $5 billion in FY27. A production ramp has not been disclosed.” The B-21 Raider and China's H-20 reveal distinct advances in stealth and range, shaping each nation’s future strategic airpower. In 2018, the B-21 program successfully conducted its weapon systems Critical Design Review. This review evaluates the B-21's design maturity, stability, and risk program-wide. In 2019, the USAF completed the Strategic Basing Process. This announcement stated that Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), South Dakota; Whiteman AFB, Missouri; and Dyess AFB, Texas, are the preferred locations for B-21's main operating bases. Two years later, in 2021, the USAF announced that Ellsworth AFB would be the first B-21 main operating base and location for its Formal Training Unit. The B-21's first flight took place at dawn on November 10, 2023. The stealth aircraft took off from USAF Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. It ascended to 500 feet, accompanied by an F-16 chase plane. The flight lasted for approximately 90 minutes and was followed by an uneventful landing. Would readers like to speculate in the comments section as to why the B-21 was towing what appeared to be a lengthy cable from the upper surface of its tail on the port side, near the exhausts on its maiden flight. The B-21 and the F-35...a common engine? As is well known, Pratt & Whitney is the engine manufacturer for the B-21, which also makes the engine for the F-35. To save time and money on development, the B-21 used mature technologies, and it is expected that it will have excellent speed. Both of these details could point to the use of a jet fighter power module. Therefore, it would make sense that the B-21 could use the power module of the F-35 engine, the F135, which is itself based on the F119 power module, to power the F-22. Some of the biggest news of 2024 for the B-21 is that the aircraft entered Low-Rate Initial Production. As stated by Pratt & Whitney : “The F135 was intentionally designed as a derivative to have a high degree of commonality with the F119 in order to improve performance by increasing durability, reliability and supportability while also reducing overall program cost, schedule, and risk.” The Air Force has shown one of its three B-21 bombers in test flights in California for the first time. Another interesting and tantalizing detail was stated by Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan , head of the F-35 program. He stated: “There are some things we learned from the F135 engine that will greatly benefit the Long Range Strike airplane. At the same time, I think Pratt and Whitney ought to be looking to drive the cost of the F135 engine down and I would be expecting them to.” This could be a clue as to the B-21 using the power module from the F-35 or a derivative of it. If this were the case it would point to the B-21 having very adequate speed, particularly if it has two engines, both having the core of the F-35 powerplant. The B-21 Raider represents a stunning leap in stealth air power but the question remains as to the true cost of such technology. Regardless, while Pratt & Whittney are keeping the details about the B-21 engine tightly under wraps, if this bomber is using two F135 engines, it could have a combined thrust of approximately 80,000 lbs. The B-21 program today Some of the biggest news of 2024 for the B-21, is the fact that Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, announced that the aircraft entered into Low-Rate Initial Production at the beginning of this year. While the details of this contract were not disclosed some reports stated that it could cover up to 21 units. Additionally, at the time of the aircraft's first flight in November 2023, Northrop Grumman stated that six units were in various stages of production. B-21 Raider: The future of America's bomber fleet The US is the only country in the world to have and maintain a sizable fleet of dedicated long range, deep strike, heavy bombing aircraft. The B-21 is set to replace the B-1B Lancer and the B-2 Spirit in terms of stealth bombing capability, and thus forging the future of US strategic bombing. The B-21 is the answer to an increasingly complex operating environment, which consists of hostile states possessing advanced radar, sensing and anti-aircraft missile networks. In the event of a conflict, the B-21 will be able to easily enter contested airspace, destroy high-value targets and anti-aircraft systems, paving the way for follow-on strikes by fourth and fifth generation strike aircraft. The question remains, will Northrop Grumman be able to produce enough B-21s before the next large conflict? Hopefully there isn’t one, but a good question to ponder none-the-less. The performance and mission capabilities of the B-21 Raider are yet to be revealed.Federal government signing 1st-ever modern treaty with Métis in Winnipeg
STEALTHGAS INC. Heading for Record YearVictory Capital Management Inc. Acquires 59,526 Shares of Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:UPBD)NoneIf you’re sitting on a pile of travel or credit card rewards with no immediate travel plans, donating them to a charity is an easy way to have a positive impact. And it's a popular way to give: In 2021, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members donated around 94 million miles to charities at an approximate cash value of $2.6 million, according to the airline. Beyond the social benefits, miles donations also qualify as activity on your loyalty account and can prevent the rest of your rewards from expiring . But if you’re in the habit of maximizing points and miles, you might also want to stretch the value of your charitable donations as far as possible. And by that measure, some methods of donating points and miles fall short. Here’s what to consider before donating your miles and points . Many loyalty programs make it easy to redeem your points and miles for a donation directly through their rewards portals. But some portals — especially those from airline and hotel programs — don’t publish the cash value a charity will receive for your miles or points. That means the charity may receive less value for your donation than you’d think, while also making it hard to compare the value of a donation with the value of other options for redeeming your points. Best Western Rewards is one of the few loyalty programs that publishes a cash value for charitable points donations. The charity will receive $2 for every 500 points you donate, for a point a value of 0.4 cent each. NerdWallet values Best Western points at 0.6 cent apiece, so you would receive 33% less value for your donation relative to using them for a hotel stay. Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t count points and miles as a source of income, so if you donate them, you can't deduct the cash value of your gift. This lack of favorable tax treatment for the consumer combined with the uncertain value you’ll often receive for miles and points donations should have you at least consider other avenues for your philanthropic endeavors. Keep in mind that this drawback only matters for taxpayers who itemize deductions on their income tax returns. If you're like most people and take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, you wouldn't be able to get a charitable tax deduction from any donation. Some rewards programs have a minimum donation amount for select charities. For example, you’d have to donate at least 2,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. That minimum amount makes it tougher to donate points that may be collecting dust in your loyalty account. To maximize the value of your donation, consider a charity that books travel directly with your miles or points rather than donating directly through your loyalty program's portal. For example, Miles4Migrants uses donated airline miles and credit card points to directly book award travel for refugees and asylum seekers. “Instead of maximizing points and miles to book a dream trip, we do it to help refugees reach safe new beginnings,” said Patrick Stouffer, partnerships manager at Miles4Migrants, in an email. Miles4Migrants has redeemed over 775 million donated miles in pursuit of their mission, with a cash value of over $17 million. That expertise allows them to get more value out of every donation. “Our team has the specialized knowledge necessary to stretch the value of every point or mile, ensuring donations go as far as possible,” Stouffer said. “Even if you aren’t able to reap any tax advantages of donating your points, at least you’ll know they made the largest possible impact.” Direct cash donations help avoid the downsides of donating miles and points. If you have a credit card that earns cash back , or if you earn cash rewards through a shopping portal like TopCashBack or Rakuten , consider cashing out and donating those rewards instead of your miles and points. With a cash donation, you’ll know the exact value a charity will receive from your donation and likely qualify for a potential itemized deduction on your taxes. Some rewards programs make this process simple and transparent. Travel rewards programs sometimes incentivize charitable giving by offering bonus points for your cash donations. For example, American Airlines offers 10 AAdvantage miles for every dollar members contribute to the charity Stand Up To Cancer. That extra incentive can be an individual boon for your charitable donation. Just be aware that any points or miles you receive from such promotions will reduce the tax deductibility of your contribution. American Airlines values those bonus miles you receive through donations at 3 cents each. So if you donate $100 and receive 1,000 AAdvantage miles, American values those miles at $30. You’ll receive a tax form declaring those rewards as $30 in income, giving you a qualifying tax deduction of $70. When you donate cash and receive bonus points, the charity still receives your full donation and you get a slug of points. While you'll have to pay taxes on those points, it can still be a big win for your future travel plans. More From NerdWallet Craig Joseph writes for NerdWallet. Email: cjoseph@nerdwallet.com . The article Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
With 50 seconds left in the first half of the OU-Alabama game, the Sooners faced a second-and-10 from the Crimson Tide 30-yard line. Offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley dialed up an option play. Sure, the Sooners were running the ball reasonably well. Sure, an OU pass play never is the optimal call. But still. Running the ball on 2nd-and-10 with 50 seconds left in a half is field-goal strategy 101. Quarterback Jackson Arnold kept the ball, swept to the left and gained 12 yards. The Sooners hurried to the line, ran an option play right, tailback Xavier Robinson busted it clear and scored on an 18-yard touchdown via pylon dive, with 37 seconds left in the half. Welcome to the new-look OU offense. All-in on the running game. Pass only under threat of Chinese water torture. People are also reading... 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A look at possible TU coaching candidates Bill Haisten: ‘Hungrier than ever’ Mike Gundy says, ‘I ain’t going out this way’ McAlester football coach Forrest Mazey faces criminal misdemeanor charges Police, sheriff talk about what Trump's mass deportation plan could mean for Tulsa Video: Stephen Colbert counts Ryan Walters among 'far-right weirdos' Trump could hire OU beat Alabama 24-3, and Arnold threw only 11 times, completing nine for 68 yards. Closer to Air Force than an air force. The Sooners rushed for 257 yards — against Alabama! — and dominated the game. The run-game wrinkles, including misdirection and counters and Arnold running more than throwing, kept the Crimson Tide off balance. But is that sustainable? Going forward, the element of surprise is gone. Alabama was not prepared. Louisiana State on Saturday night will be ready for such an attack. I chatted with a former Sooner the other day. He was elated with the victory. But he also pointed out that Finley’s strategy was a “one-game gameplan.” Not that OU has to shirk the run in Baton Rouge. But that the Sooners will have to tweak this run-heavy offense. Heck, Alabama was adjusting quickly to the Sooner ground game. OU first-half rushing yards: 205, on 29 carries. OU second-half rushing yards: 52, on 21 carries. The Sooners won the second half 14-0. They scored on a 14-yard drive, set up by Eli Bowen’s interception, and a 49-yard interception return by Kip Lewis. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again. And LSU has been susceptible to running quarterbacks. But the pressure is on Finley to produce another run-heavy gameplan that can keep the Tigers off balance. I’m guessing he does. Let’s get to the predictions. Oklahoma at Louisiana State: Sooners 19-17. OU has played 11 games. Seven of those opponents are in The Associated Press top 25 this week. Oklahoma State at Colorado: Buffaloes 45-25. To reach the Big 12 Championship Game, CU needs a win and at least two losses by Iowa State, Arizona State or Brigham Young. Florida Atlantic at Tulsa: Golden Hurricane 31-24. American Athletic Conference teams are 3-2 this season in their first game after firing the head coach. East Carolina, Charlotte and Rice won; Temple and FAU lost. Texas at Texas A&M: Aggies 24-20. When the complete history of the world is written, and we’re in a New Heaven and a New Earth, and all that’s left from the old days are Lee Corso and cockroaches, scholars will ask a solitary question. Why did A&M and UT go a dozen years without playing football? Tennessee at Vanderbilt: Volunteers 22-10. If the Commodores pull the upset and knock Tennessee out of the playoff, the Southeastern Conference offices will declare war and fire cannonballs across the Mason-Dixon Line. Mississippi State at Ole Miss: Rebels 38-14. I wish the Egg Bowl still was on Thanksgiving night. Georgia Tech at Georgia: Bulldogs 37-17. I guess I’m the only one still picking Georgia to win the Big Bowl in late January. I’ve seen too much National Football League to write off great teams who play a rugged schedule. South Carolina at Clemson: Gamecocks 24-21. Underrated game alert! Underrated game alert! This winner still has a reasonable shot at the playoff. Auburn at Alabama: Crimson Tide 34-7. In my unofficial role as Life Coach to college football coaches, my recommendation to Kalen DeBoer is this. Beat Auburn. Arkansas at Missouri: Razorbacks 24-17. I’ve seen both teams play live, and let me say, I’ll take Arkansas’ team, Mizzou’s uniforms and Arkansas’ coach. Florida at Florida State: Gators 41-17. If Florida wins and gets to 7-5, I need a compelling argument why Billy Napier shouldn’t be SEC coach of the year, and yes, I know Clark Lea of Vandy remains an SEC coach. Louisville at Kentucky: Cardinals 24-6. Dud game, except for the spectre that this could be Mark Stoops’ final game in Wildcat blue. Kansas State at Iowa State: Cyclones 28-27. Among the four teams tied atop the Big 12, ISU is the only one that controls its destiny. Win, and the ‘Clones are Arlington-bound. Arizona State at Arizona: Sun Devils 38-20. With a win, ASU makes it to the Big 12 Championship Game UNLESS Houston beats Brigham Young, Texas Tech beats West Virginia, Baylor beats Kansas and Cincinnati beats Texas Christian. Got that. Houston at Brigham Young: Cougars 21-16. BYU needs either Iowa State or Arizona State to lose. Kansas at Baylor: Jayhawks 38-34. Nine teams remain alive for a berth in Arlington; KU is not one of them but might be the most feared team in the league. Texas Christian at Cincinnati: Horned Frogs 30-27. Bearcats need the victory to be bowl eligible. West Virginia at Texas Tech: Red Raiders 48-44. Combined overall record: 13-11. And both teams remain alive for the Big 12 Championship Game. Utah at Central Florida: Utes 18-16. The only Big 12 game this weekend without potential Arlington ramifications. Michigan at Ohio State: Buckeyes 26-17. Can first-year Michigan coach Sherrone Moore get the jump on Ohio State and extend the Wolverines’ series winning streak to four? Washington at Oregon: Ducks 35-15. UW beat Oregon twice last season in classics and went on to the national championship game, but the Ducks are the star-kissed team of 2024. Purdue at Indiana: Hoosiers 44-7. IU likely sews up a playoff berth with a victory over its hapless arch-rival. Maryland at Penn State: Nittany Lions 32-14. Penn State has lost star offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh to a knee injury. Not good for the Nittanys’ playoff hopes. Notre Dame at Southern Cal: Fighting Irish 27-20. Notre Dame secures a playoff berth with a win, but the Trojans might be playing loose. They got bowl eligible last week. Minnesota at Wisconsin: Golden Gophers 26-14. 134th series meeting. They first met in 1890. Laura Ingalls Wilder might have been in attendance. She was a 23-year-old teacher in Minnesota in 1890. Nebraska at Iowa: Hawkeyes 31-21. The Cornhuskers are bowl eligible, and yes, their fans stormed the field after the win over Wisconsin last week. Northwestern at Illinois: Illini 34-16. Bret Bielema’s team is 8-3; Illinois’ fine coach has a chance at his first 10-win season since leading Wisconsin to an 11-3 season in 2011. Rutgers at Michigan State: Spartans 25-24. State needs a victory, else it’s assured of a third straight losing season. Fresno State at UCLA: Bruins 22-21. UCLA offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s career continues to slide. The Bruins have scored more than 20 points only twice in 11 games; 35 at Rutgers, 27 at Nebraska. California at Southern Methodist: Mustangs 29-21. SMU already has secured a berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game. Miami at Syracuse: Hurricanes 42-31. With a win, Miami joins SMU in the ACC title game, beating out Clemson via tiebreaker. Pittsburgh at Boston College: Eagles 27-17. Pitt might be without redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, whose leg injury forced him out of the Louisville game last week. Duke at Wake Forest: Blue Devils 35-31. With a win, Duke secures a tie for fourth in the 17-team ACC. North Carolina State at North Carolina: Wolfpack 37-31. So long, Mack Brown. Great guy; great career. Virginia at Virginia Tech: Hokies 24-16. Ultimate pressure game. Both teams are 5-6. The winner gets a bowl. Stanford at San Jose State: Cardinal 27-20. This will be Stanford’s third game against a Pacific Time Zone opponent. The Cardinal has played six teams from the Eastern Time Zone. Texas-San Antonio at Army: Black Knights 24-10. Potential letdown game. Over four consecutive Saturdays, Army had/has Notre Dame, the AAC title game and Navy. This is the only routine game. Memphis at Tulane: Green Wave 33-24. The only Thanksgiving Day college game, and it’s a good one. Navy at East Carolina: Pirates 31-26. ECU gave its permanent head coaching job to interim Blake Harrell, who is 4-0 since replacing the fired Mike Houston. North Texas at Temple: Mean Green 44-14. A five-game losing streak has UNT needing to beat Temple to get bowl eligible. South Florida at Rice: Bulls 38-18. USF’s first-ever visit to Rice Stadium, home of Super Bowl 8. Alabama-Birmingham at Charlotte: 49ers 28-26. Charlotte had zero penalties last week against Florida Atlantic. Oregon State at Boise State: Broncos 35-16. Beavers not an easy out for Boise State. Oregon State upset Washington State last week. Nevada at Nevada-Las Vegas: Rebels 41-14. Barry Odom’s UNLV team is back in the driver’s seat for a berth in the Mountain West title game. Wyoming at Washington State: Cougars 52-10. Another chance for OU fans to check out quarterback John Mateer, whom some have mentioned as a package deal with WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Utah State at Colorado State: Rams 28-16. Jay Norvell’s CSU team lost at Fresno State last week, likely costing the Rams a berth in the Mountain West championship game. Air Force at San Diego State: Falcons 26-7. The Academy beat Nevada last week without throwing a pass. New Mexico at Hawaii: Lobos 38-28. New Mexico, coming off its first victory over a top-25 team (Washington State) since beating Utah in 2003, needs the victory for bowl eligibility. Last week: 35-10. Season: 440-165.'It's become uncomfortable for me': Jordan Peterson, the controversial psychologist, moves from Toronto to the U.S.Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Purchases 33,585 Shares of Legend Biotech Co. (NASDAQ:LEGN)