(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Wednesday, Dec. 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 1:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Loyola of Chicago vs. Murray St., Seventh-Place Game, Honolulu 3:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Charleston vs. Charlotte, Fifth-Place Game, Honolulu 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oakland vs. Hawaii, Third-Place Game, Honolulu 8:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oregon St. vs. Nebraska, Championship, Honolulu NBA BASKETBALL Noon ABC — San Antonio at New York ESPN — San Antonio at New York 2:30 p.m. ABC — Minnesota at Dallas ESPN — Minnesota at Dallas 5 p.m. ABC — Philadelphia at Boston ESPN — Philadelphia at Boston 8 p.m. ABC — L.A. Lakers at Golden State ESPN — L.A. Lakers at Golden State 10:30 p.m. ABC — Denver at Phoenix ESPN — Denver at Phoenix NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. NETFLIX — Kansas City at Pittsburgh 4:30 p.m. NETFLIX — Baltimore at Houston The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .Mumbai: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence report to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned of critical shortage of combat jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron to replace phasing out of ageing MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 jets. The report 'Demands for Grants (2024-25)' noted that the IAF active squadron strength had fallen to 31 against the authorised 42 with an ageing fleet and delayed inductions of new fighter jets. The aging fleet of the Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar jets in IAF has depleted the active combat jets amid the growing air power of China and Pakistan acquiring new generation fighter jets. “Pakistan will get fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from China early next year and outpace India in deploying advanced jets. While Pakistan has opted for external procurement, India has focused on developing its own indigenous solutions which is very slow leading to severe shortage of combat jets,” lamented senior IAF official adding that Bangladesh Air Force will also get new fighter jets from China adding to Indian woes on both Western and Eastern theatre. While the new generation J35 fighter jets will soon join the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) arsenal which already includes J-10CE medium multi-role combat aircraft delivered by China earlier will give strategic advantage over India for the next 12 to 14 years. The IAF has been able to induct only 36 new Rafale aircraft under the 4.5-plus generation of fighter aircraft to tackle the threat posed by China supplying arms and equipment to the PAF. “IAF is relying mainly on the indigenous projects for its future capability development, but the LCA Mark 1A project has been hit by delays due to supply chain issues faced by the supplier GE of the US. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) should be urged to enhance Tejas combat aircraft production and fighter jet procurement should be expedited to ensure the IAF operational role is not compromised by declining squadron strength,” notes the Parliamentary Standing Committee report. IAF has demanded long-term solutions including Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A induction and projects like LCA Mk-II and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) facing delays to be fast tracked to address the critical shortfall. The committee, in its recommendations, stated: "The Committee at this stage would like to impress upon the MoD to sensitise HAL to augment production of Tejas so that the operational role of the Air Force is not affected due to depletion in squadron strength. They would also like to urge the MoD to expedite the procurement of contracted fighter aircraft. The Committee may be informed of the outcome of the effort made in this regard." An IAF official stated that the issue of declining squadron strength would be addressed in the long term through the timely induction of MRFA and LCA Mk-II, emphasising that, along with increasing combat aircraft numbers, critical enablers like airborne early warning systems, advanced electronic intelligence and surveillance capabilities were vital for maintaining the IAF’s strength and readiness in modern warfare The HAL Tejas, an indigenous single-engine, fourth-generation multirole light fighter aircraft, has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by HAL. It traces its origins to the LCA programme initiated in the 1980s to replace the IAF's ageing MiG-21 fighters — a goal now being pursued through the operational Tejas Mk-I and the planned induction of the advanced Tejas Mk-1A. The report noted that the IAF has operationalised two squadrons of Tejas Mk-I, comprising 32 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers, with four additional twin-seaters expected soon. The report further highlighted that the Tejas Mk-1A programme is delayed due to design and development issues and challenges with aero engine availability in maintaining the required production rate. The report, citing a written MoD reply, highlighted that the IAF has contracted 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft at a cost of Rs 36,468.63 crore with deliveries initially planned to commence from February 2024 been delayed by another few years. The IAF has advanced a case for procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1A aircraft, for which an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued. The Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) process is underway for the additional aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 65,848 crore. While a total of 220 Tejas aircraft encompassing both Mk-I and Mk-1A variants will join IAF in next few years, deliveries of the LCA Mk-2 and fifth-generation AMCA is expected only in the next decade to replace the Mirage 2000, MiG-29and Jaguar jets. The LCA Mk-2 will feature advanced self-defence capabilities, a higher-thrust engine, and improved maintainability, providing more contemporary technology compared to the LCA Mk-1/1A.
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Liverpool 3-1 Leicester: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Arne Slot's side take another stride towards title
This was tossing away a victory like someone carelessly discarding the match that sparks a wildfire and who knows what the extent of the damage will be for and his players. It was a return to form that went up in flames, a comfortable evening that ended in anger, frustration and boos from some incensed City supporters. Whether it was complacency, arrogance or a fatal mixture of both, this was the sort of humiliating and painful capitulation from City that will fuel more talk of a once formidable team unravelling. It was the type of implosion; the sort of self-inflicted destruction we are not used to seeing from a Guardiola side. It was shocking, embarrassing and totally avoidable. City were cruising towards a much-needed win when they contrived to in the space of 14 calamitous minutes. Guardiola clearly thought the game was won and the danger had passed. He has done this sort of thing many times before, sending on youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, along with James McAtee and captain Kevin De Bruyne with just over 20 minutes left to play. There were loud cheers to welcome all three. Like everyone else, City’s supporters believed the game was won and it was time to sit back and have some fun. This was not a moment for Josko Gvardiol to start playing with his slippers on though. Feyenoord had barely threatened a goal in the second half, but the Croatia international, as he had done in the defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, gave the ball away in a terrible area. Done and dusted for Man City? It's not over yet! Feyenoord have one goal back as Hadj Moussa rounds Ederson! 👀 — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) This time, it was an under-hit back-pass, which was pounced on by Anis Hadj Moussa. There was little Ederson could do other than let him knock the ball around him and Moussa scored from a tight angle. Feyenoord, from nowhere, were back in the game. People were talking about Gvardiol being one of Europe’s best and most reliable centre-backs not so long ago, but he has suffered a complete loss of form. He is playing with panic rather than composure. A loose pass out of defence, when under no pressure, went straight to the feet of a Feyenoord player, who moved the ball out wide to the dangerous Igor Paixao. This game is NOT OVER YET! After being 3-0 down, Feyenoord now have two goals! It's 3-2 🫨 How does this finish? — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) City should still have had the numbers back to clear the danger, but they appeared to misjudge the weight on the deep cross that sailed over the heads of both centre-backs. Jordan Lotomba refused to give up on it and, with City’s players, including goalkeeper Ederson, heavy-footed and static, he hooked a volley goalwards. Ederson’s hands were not in the right position and, surprised to see the ball come back at him, he could only divert it on to a post with his thigh, sending it spinning perfectly into the path of Santiago Gimenez to chest home from a few inches out. Even at 3-2, time was running out for Feyenoord, but rather than drop back and deprive their opponents of space to operate in, City pushed up, played a high defensive line and made it simple for the Dutch side’s rapid attacking players to get in behind. Jack Grealish, who really should know how to manage a game in the final minutes, even tried to play a quick free-kick, rather than kill time, which gave the ball back to the opposition. It made no sense to set up that way given the match situation, but City’s brains were scrambled. It was atrocious defending that was further harmed by a split-second of hesitation from Ederson. With Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji missing in action, City were in trouble. If the goalkeeper had remained in his goal, there would have been little Paixao could have done with the lofted ball over the top. But Ederson came, stopped and then ran forward again outside of the penalty box. Unable to use his hands, Ederson tried to head clear, but was beaten by the speed of the forward. INCREDIBLE SCENES AT THE ETIHAD! 😳 From 3-0 down, Feyenoord are now DRAWING 3-3 with Man City! — Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) From there City were exposed, with defenders dashing back to try to defend the unguarded net. Paixao was able to chip a cross towards the far post for the onrushing David Hancko to head past Rico Lewis, sparking delirium in the away end.Buying a house in 2025: your how-to guide
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By Lauren Beavis An adorable little donkey named Wonder has received a new prosthetic leg to help her stand and walk - just in time for Christmas. Wonder was born with two deformed hooves leaving her unable to stand or walk. But since being fitted with a specialist prosthesis, the young mule is now able to walk "better than ever before". At a young age, she was admitted to Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire in the Netherlands - a center for neglected, abused, confiscated, sick or old donkeys . When veterinarians at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University heard about Wonder's condition, they got in touch with Wesley Michiels from Pet Orthopedics - a company that makes prostheses and braces for animals. Wesley Michiels, head of Pet Orthopedics , said: "The vets contacted us and explained that they wanted to amputate the leg - asking us how they could best go about it to ensure that the donkey would be able to walk again with a view to a prosthesis. "We were on site for about three weeks to carry out the measurements on Wonder." As the vets amputated her little hooves - the orthopedics were able to fit a prosthetic leg that grows as Wonder does. Wesley said: "The cooperation results in a perfect amputation stump so that the prosthetic device also fits perfectly. "Wonder is still a little donkey who still has to grow in the future, so the prosthesis is adaptive so we can adjust it when she grows. "In the beginning, she has to learn how to use the leg more - but with the prosthetic device she is now already walking better than before." Wesley says he has worked with donkeys before - but a full prosthesis for the species was a new task for him. He added the new technology has helped many species - from alpacas to dogs and now donkeys . Wesley said: "In the past, the legs of animals were completely amputated up to the shoulder or up to the hip for a problem with toes for example - then sometimes you couldn't do anything with one leg. "But now many vets first call us to ask for advice about the amputation, so that we can put a prosthesis afterwards."
Lewiston-Porter has the same goal as most teams in Western New York — make it to Buffalo State. Just about everybody wants to take home some hardware and hang banners, but it takes an all-around effort and balanced attack on both fronts for teams to put some tallies in the left column and earn a spot at sectionals. Although lacking in size, Lew-Port has the ability to make up for it with their shooting talents. The Green Machine has the green light from behind the arc, netting 60 3-pointers in the first four games to jump out to 3-1 before being squashed by the Grand Island Vikings in the Niagara-Frontier League for their second loss in five games. Greydan Barnwell, Devan Barnwell and Michael Wylke led the way for the Lancers, splashing 50 of the 60 made 3s. “It’s just the offense we run and they have the greenlight to shoot it because as you can see, they're some pretty good shooters,’ head coach Patrick Krawczyk said. “We’re kind of small so we’re gonna have to rely on our shooting more than getting inside.” Devan Barnwell was responsible for 23 of the 3s, while Wylke netted 16 and Greydan Barnwell added 11. Wylke led all scorers in the first four games averaging 19 points, including 22 points versus the Lewis J. Bennett Tigers and a season-high 29 points in the following game, also against Newfane. Lewiston-Porter's Devan Barnwell (3) dribbles past CSAT's Jayden Adams at a game on Friday in Youngstown. Now, through six games, the team is 4-2 after losing to Grand Island and a win against the CSAT, upping their totals to 69 triples made and 57 field goals. Lew-Port knows it needs to tighten up in other areas of play to keep winning and keep morale up, especially before and during games. They’re utilizing a more fast-paced play style, shooting within 5-10 seconds of the shot clock and focusing on aggressive defense. Defense can win any game, but the shot won’t always be there — hence Krawczyk’s emphasis on defense. He also stressed the importance of the boys getting to the basket and getting some foul shots, but they are still a jump shooting team with the trio above in charge. The Lancers have three athletes listed 6–foot or taller, four listed at 5-foot-11, and another four athletes between 5-7 and 5-9. Devan Barnwell is 5-7, Wylke is 5-9, and Greydan Barnwell is 5-foot-11. Brian Detwiller is the tallest on the roster, standing at 6-3. “I think it's benefiting us cause we're a lot smaller of a team so shooting out from deep is a lot better for us because we get more options from it,” said Barnwell. The Barnwell’s and Wylke are dedicated to the game, opting to spend their summer mornings putting shots up rather than sleeping in, like many high schoolers do. “Those three are basketball players. That’s all they want to do is play basketball,” Krawczyk said. “We don’t get a lot of basketball players, we get people that play basketball.”Ford and GM to donate $1 million, vehicles to Trump’s inauguration
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In losing Sunday’s battle with the Buffalo Bills, perhaps the best team in football, Jerod Mayo won the war. Best I can tell, he’s staying put. For 2025, and maybe beyond. To his angry fan base and incredulous pockets of the New England Patriots’ media corps, remember Mayo’s future doesn’t hinge on winning this season. It’s not about what you want, or what I think. It’s about the Krafts, who hand-picked Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick four and a half years before he actually did, believing in him, and finding reasons to maintain that belief. In the eyes of someone who wants to believe, Sunday supplied enough reason. The Patriots led at halftime, then lost by three as 14-point underdogs. They became the first team since mid-October to hold the Bills under 30 points. Drake Maye outplayed the next MVP of the league for most of the game and took another step toward his destiny as a franchise quarterback, If that sounds like a low bar, that’s because it is. Such is life in Year 1 of a rebuild, a multi-year process ownership has committed to seeing through to the end with their organizational pillars now in place: Mayo, Maye and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. As frustrating as this 3-12 campaign has been, there are always nuggets of optimism amid the rubble of a losing season; particularly if you want to find them. The Krafts do, and so does Maye, who loves his head coach, by the way; calling questions about Mayo’s job security “BS.” “We’ve got his back,” Maye said post-game. Maye’s voice matters. Certainly more than any number of fans or media members. Ever since media-fueled speculation that Mayo could get canned at the end of his first season began rising, the caveat has always been the same: if, a Gillette Stadium-sized “if,” the Patriots bomb atomically down the stretch, ownership could pull the plug on Mayo. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport became the latest to join that chorus Sunday with this pregame report: “The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo,” he said. “They believe he is the leader for the organization for the future, and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. Now if things go off the rails, if they really start to struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season, we’ve seen this thing turn. “But as of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is their leader for the future.” Well, Mayo hasn’t lost the locker room. That’s a fact. To a man, both in public and from those I’ve spoken to in private, Patriots players believe in their head coach. Mayo might be a players’ coach, yes, in the best and worst senses. But the Patriots were a few plays away Sunday from pulling off their largest upset since Super Bowl XXXVI. “I think we’re building something good,” Maye said. The Patriots also played their best half of football this season against their toughest opponent yet. Another fact. Now, to the frustrated, I am with you. To the shocked, I understand. But to the trigger-happy, lay down your arms. Mayo, by all accounts, is returning in 2025. Alex Van Pelt, however, is another story. In the same vein that the Krafts could have viewed Sunday’s performance as a reason to save Mayo — despite his pathetic punt at midfield, down 10 with just eight and a half minutes left — they could have convinced themselves their offensive coordinator is the real problem. After all, team president Jonathan Kraft was visibly exasperated over Van Pelt’s play-calling during the Pats’ loss at Arizona a week earlier. Four days later, Van Pelt told reporters he had yet to hear from his boss. Well, that time may be coming. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter Sunday, Van Pelt called a pass that resulted in an unnecessary lateral and game-winning touchdown for Buffalo. His offense later operated like it was taking a Sunday drive with the game on the line, using up 3:16 of the final 4:19 en route to its final touchdown. Van Pelt, finally, weaponized Maye’s legs in critical situations, something that arguably should have been done weeks ago. Not to mention, Van Pelt’s top running back can’t stop fumbling, and the offensive line remains a hot mess. Call him Alex Van Fall Guy. Because Van Pelt’s offense, for the first time in a while, under-performed relative to Mayo’s defense. On merit, he deserves to stay; a case that’s harder to make for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it’s not about merit this season. It’s not about what you want. It’s not about what I think. It’s about the Krafts; what they see, what they want, what they believe. Even in defeat. ____ Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Arne Slot's side take another stride towards title
By: Dawood Sardar “When I came to you with those calculations we thought we might start a chain reaction that would destroy the entire world, I believe we did”. The above mentioned quote is from the multiple Oscar winning film Oppenheimer in which the lead character Dr. Robert J. Oppenheimer is talking to Einstein about the invention of the nuclear bomb. Even though the quote is about nuclear weapons, some might say that it better describes the AI powered lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) more accurately in the modern times. According to the DOD 3000.9 Autonomous Weapons Systems can be defined as “A weapon system that, once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by an operator. This includes, but is not limited to, operator-supervised autonomous weapon systems that are designed to allow operators to override operation of the weapon system, but can select and engage targets without further operator input after activation.’’ The definition can be deemed as accurate but can also be viewed as a broad interpretation of the Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). According to this definition, we can conclude that the first AWS were the pit traps and that land mines are also autonomous weapons systems. It is not the type of weapon systems that come to mind when people think of Autonomous Weapons Systems. In modern times, the AWS are mostly used in order to describe the AI controlled unmanned weapon systems. Rapid digitalization has led to these modern autonomous weapons. Since the inception of warfare, humanity has always strived to be one step ahead of its enemy, whether it’s using some new projectile weapons or utilizing fire in a way the enemy gets startled. Centuries of this cycle has led us to present day where it is no longer hypothetical to fear a hoard of drones aiming at their target and taking the shot with no human operator. There are many benefits of AWS such as precision, flexibility in combat, prevention of loss of lives, the cost-effectiveness that these systems provide. Another aspect of AWS is their uncomplicated nature in opposition to human based weapons. As an AI would theoretically never defy an order if it’s not programmed to do so. If we were to explain the current autonomy of weapons to some general from the 16 th century, he would probably think that humans have made “the perfect soldier”. The disadvantages of AWS include unintended consequences, proliferation to non-state actors and most importantly the ethical considerations of putting the lives of humans in the hands of a machine. LAWS could have long term effects on the strategic cultures of states, we would be looking towards a world where state relations are shaped by AI. There is an ongoing debate on the international level on whether the use of autonomous weapons systems should be continued or discontinued. If continued, what level of human oversight is absolutely necessary. If discontinued, what implications would there be to face. The discussion basically comes down to the concept of “Keeping a Human in the Loop” . There has yet been noconsensus on the status of these weapons and their use in the modern warfare. We see this technology being used in present day in varying capacities, whether it be the Ukrainians intercepting Russian communications, Turkish forces allegedly launching a fully autonomous drone attack on Libya in March, 2020, or even the active use of loitering munitions in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflict. In this ongoing debate, there are some states that are in favour of keeping a human in the loop but others not so much. The advancement in AI based LAWS has led to an arms race once again. There is just too much utility for states to ignore. Therefore, we do not see major powers give a directive against it openly even though UN-Secretary General has tried to find a common ground between them. There is a game of chicken going on between the states which will supposedly determine the victor of this race. The future of LAWS is now at a more critical point than ever, the powers that be need to set their priorities straight whether to live in a world where a simple error in programming could lead to a world war. Where the meanings of sovereignty, morality, ethics and the international landscape are shaped by the decisions made by machines or take calculated actions while we can control the fallout of this technology. There is a serious need for the international community to come to an agreement through formulation of binding treaties that balance innovation with human oversight. Actionable frameworks need to be put in place in order to make sure that the future of policy making is not algorithm driven and before we know it the negotiations are being done by robots with navy blue suits and bright red ties. Only through foresighted dialogue can the states come to a fruitful and acceptable arrangement as the biggest danger of LAWS is that they are likely to make decisions with no flexibility and their potential benefit is all the same. The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at [email protected] . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in ‘Baby Driver,’ dies after falling from moving vehicleHere's How Much $100 Invested In Unum Gr 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today
