The United States Army has ordered three additional Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinooks to recapitalize the US Army’s heavy-lift helicopter fleet. The US Army wants 465 CH-47 Chinook Block IIs , but Boeing is under contract for only nine, with these three costing USD 135 million. Keeping Chinooks flying for another 40+ years In a Boeing December 4 statement, Boeing shared that the US Army had a “desired goal” to flying Chinooks for, “at least another 40 years”. The H-47 Chinook has a rich history going back 63 years. Already CH-47F Block IIs are in production: As Heather McBryan, vice president and program manager of Boeing Cargo Helicopters, shared in Boeing's statement, “It is critical soldiers get to their destinations and have the equipment they need to accomplish the mission. The CH-47F Block II’s increased payload capacity and expanded range enables the U.S. Army to meet evolving heavy-lift mission requirements around the world.” Indeed, the CH-47F Block II is the future of heavy lift. One can watch a Boeing explainer below: The US Army has already accepted two production model Chinook Block IIs after significant flight testing, receiving one in June and the second in September. The Chinook Block IIs have an improved structure, uprated engines, and new fiberglass blades to add 4,000 pounds of payload capacity. There are also improvements to the fuel capacity to allow the CH-47F Block II Chinook to fly further. What makes the Block II Ch-47F unique? Good question. Below is a quick list from a US Department of Defense’s Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation pamphlet made in 2020 plus a Honeywell webpage: Reduced weight ballistic protection system Redesigned flight control system with Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS) to help make the CH-47F Block II Chinook easier to fly by making the Chinook more responsive. New rotor blade design Redesigned fuel system Updated Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) New Honeywell T55-GA-714C turboshaft engines In a previous Simple Flying article about the British getting their upgraded Chinook helicopters, the Collins Aerospace CAAS was discussed : The Royal Air Force's new Chinooks will come with state-of-the-art avionics by Collins Aerospace. But one of the key elements of the Block II upgrade is the new engines. So, let’s take a look at the Honeywell T55-GA-714C turboshaft engines. New Honeywell T55-GA-714C engines add 22% more power Honeywell, which manufactures the two jet turboshaft engines that power each Chinook, has created several infographics on the capabilities of their T55-GA-714Cs. Honeywell’s new engines, which have more horsepower, are more maintainer-friendly and have 28% decreased repair time, but they also consume 8% less fuel while providing 20% more power. Below is a Honeywell overview of this project: Honeywell also created an infographic about the upgrade worth sharing here: T55-GA-714Cs can easily replace previous Chinook engines, not just because they are from the same manufacturer but also because the Honeywell T55-GA-714C engines use the same connection points to the intake, the exhaust and the airframe.. They are very cost-effective as the latest variant of T55 with 6,000 shaft horsepower. Keep up with the latest Simple Flying coverage of military aviation here . Since the first Chinook flew on September 21, 1961, every Chinook has relied on T55 turboshaft engines. Even the special forces MH-47 variants. A use case shows the T55 legacy For 63 years, the T55 engines have been tested in tough combat and in domestic emergencies. As to domestic emergencies, for example, Honeywell did an interview with the California National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joe Rosamond about how Rosamond flew the Chinook to conduct a rescue mission during a September 2020 wildfire that Rosamand called, “The most dangerous and risky thing I’ve ever gotten myself into.” One can watch a YouTube of the interview below. However, to Rosamand, the pick-up area was covered by smoke and required night-vision goggles to find a safe landing zone. The safe landing zone to pick up on the first lift 65 souls – some of which injured – happened to be a boat ramp. On the second lift however, the Chinook powered by the current T55 variant in T55-714A was able to pick up on the second flight 102 souls. Far exceeding the Chinook’s limits, but the desire to not separate families was strong. But for the Chinook with T55 engines, as Rosamond explained, “With that many people onboard, we found ourselves heavier than we expected to be. The conditions were hot, heavy, dark and, in this case, smoky. I knew we were operating the aircraft near its limits or just a little higher than recommended. ... The temperature ranges of these engines are pretty enormous, and as long as you stay within those limits, I’ve never had an engine fail or even hiccup. They’re super-reliable engines, which breeds a lot of confidence.” With even more capability from the new T55-GA-714C turboshaft engines, the new CH-47F Chinook Block II will be able to continue providing these in extremis rescues in National Guard service. Among other duties the US Army an d other Chinook customers need to provide for America’s well-being. Bottom line: Chinook Block II with new engines key to Chinook persistence Ultimately, the Chinook Block II with new Honeywell T55-GA-714C turboshaft engines is key to continuing the Chinook’s track record of persistence. As Dave Marinick, President of Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, shared in a February 26 Honeywell statement when Germany contracted with Honeywell for 105 T55-GA-714Cs; “Chinooks have proved to be one of the most versatile vehicles in military history, and perform missions that include troop transport, search and rescue, and special operations, among others.” We’ll let President Marinick have the last word.Trump's free speech push means a revival of religious libertytop 5 online casino 。

GEORGE WASHINGTON 72, ILLINOIS STATE 64

René Bennett | (TNS) Bankrate.com If you’re an iPhone user, you might not realize that you already have access to Apple Cash. It’s a digital cash card that’s built into Apple devices and can be found in the default Wallet app. (Note: You must link an eligible debit card to use this service.) The main function of Apple Cash is to make it easier for Apple device users to send money to one another, including sending money through the iMessage app. But Apple Cash is more than just a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service — it can be used to shop online, in stores or to make in-app purchases. Apple Cash is a convenient way to transfer money between friends and family. Once it’s set up, a user can simply open the iMessage app and send money to a contact through their chat. It’s also useful for those who use Apple Pay, a separate service that allows Apple device users to make contactless payments with any linked card, including an Apple Cash card. Here are some important things to know about setting up and using Apple Cash. How Apple Cash works Apple Cash is a digital cash card that’s stored in the Wallet app of Apple devices, and it can be used for making P2P payments, as well as purchases through Apple Pay. When you receive money from another Apple Cash user, that money appears in your Apple Cash balance. The balance can then be spent or transferred to a linked bank account or debit card. Sending money to peers with Apple Cash can be done either directly from the digital Apple Cash card (in the Wallet app) or through the iMessage app. You can send or receive anywhere between $1 and $10,000 per message. The money shows up on the recipient’s Apple Cash card instantly, but it may take from one to three days for the balance to be transferred to a bank account. Instant transfers to a bank account are possible, but it comes with a 1.5% fee. There’s also an option to set up Apple Cash Family for children who are under 18 years old. This option limits the amount a child can send to $2,000 per message. Those younger than 18 also cannot add money to their Apple Cash card from a bank account; rather, their balance only grows when they receive money from another Apple Cash user. Difference between Apple Cash and Apple Pay Apple Cash is a digital card within your Wallet that allows you to spend your Apple Cash online, in stores and in apps as well send and receive money. Apple Pay, however, allows you to make purchases using any credit card or debit card you have stored in your Wallet — including Apple Cash. With Apple Pay, you add credit and debit cards to your Wallet and then have the ability to pay right with your phone (or other Apple product). How to use Apple Cash 1. Set up Apple Cash with a compatible device To set up Apple Cash, you’ll need three things: —A compatible Apple device. —Two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID (this can be done in Settings). —An eligible debit card to load funds onto the Apple Cash card. In the Settings app, you can turn on Apple Cash in the Wallet and Apple Pay section. Tap on the Apple Cash card icon and follow the instructions on the screen. You’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions, after which your device will set up Apple Cash for you. The Apple Cash card, once set up, can be found in your device’s Wallet app. If you want to set up Apple Cash Family, you’ll first need to have Family Sharing turned on, which can be done in Settings. The family organizer can add children to Apple Cash in the Family Sharing section of Settings. 2. Add money to your card You’ll need to have a debit card linked to your digital Wallet to add money to an Apple Cash card. You can add a debit card to Wallet in the same place where you set up Apple Cash — the Wallet and Apple Pay section of Settings. Once a debit card is linked to your Wallet, open Wallet and tap on the Apple Cash card. Then, tap the More button (an icon with three dots). This will open a page where you can see your Apple Cash balance, add money and transfer funds to a bank account. Tap Add Money and enter the amount you’d like to add (the minimum is $10). You’ll be asked to confirm which debit card you want to use to fund the Apple Cash balance, and then the money is added to the Apple Cash card. 3. Send a payment There are two ways to send a payment to someone using Apple Cash: directly from your Wallet or in the iMessage app. Both the sender and recipient need Apple Cash to send or receive money. From your Apple Wallet To send money from Wallet, simply tap the Apple Cash card in Wallet and then tap Send. Type in the contact name or phone number of the recipient. Enter the amount you’d like to send (between $1 and $10,000), then review the payment and confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Via iMessages In iMessage, open the conversation with who you’d like to send money to, or start a new one. Tap on the app button, which appears next to the type bar, and then tap on the Apple Cash icon. You’ll be prompted to enter an amount (between $1 and $10,000). Once you’ve reviewed the amount, tap Send and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. The first time money is sent to someone, the recipient will need to accept the payment within seven days for it to go through. After the first instance, payments are automatically accepted. If you’re using Apple Cash to make a purchase either online or in a store, you’ll need to pay using Apple Pay. 4. Request money To request money from your iPhone, open the conversation in the Messages app. Tap the plus icon, followed by Apple Cash. Then, tap Request. Tap the send button to send your payment request. Once the request is sent, the person you sent it to can confirm or change the amount they send to you. You can also request money from your Apple watch. Open your messages app, choose a conversation, tap the plus icon and then choose Apple Cash. Once you enter the amount you are requesting, swipe left on the Send button. Tap Request. 5. Transfer your balance to a bank account As you start to accumulate money on the Apple Cash card, you may want to move it to a debit card or a bank account . This can be done by going to the same place where you added funds to the card, by clicking the icon with three dots next to your digital card. Enter an amount to be transferred, then tap Next. You’ll be asked whether you want to do an instant transfer (for a 1.5% fee) or a transfer in one to three business days for free. After making a selection, the screen will instruct you to set up a bank account if you don’t already have one set up. You’ll confirm the payment, and the transfer is initiated. Instant transfers can only be made to an eligible debit card, not a bank account. Money is sent within 30 minutes when you select instant transfer. Alternatives to Apple Cash —Zelle: If your bank is offers Zelle, it might be a good idea to take advantage of the P2P payment service. Zelle can be accessed directly from your bank’s mobile app, and it allows you to send instant transfers at no extra cost. —Venmo: Anyone can use Venmo, as long as they’ve downloaded the app. Unlike Apple Cash or Zelle, it’s a standalone P2P payment app. Venmo comes with a social element — users can follow each other and add fun emojis to their payments, although they can also keep their account activity private. —PayPal: This P2P payment service is a good option if you want to send money internationally. It also offers a PayPal Debit card, which, like the Apple Cash card, can be used to make purchases online or in stores. —Samsung Pay Cash: Samsung device users can use this option instead of Apple Cash. Similar to Apple Cash, it is a digital wallet that you can access from a Samsung mobile device. However, to take full advantage of Samsung Pay Cash, users will need to undergo an extra registration process to upgrade to a Full Card Account. Bottom line Apple Cash makes it easy for Apple device users to send money to each other. Users can simply tap the Apple Cash icon in their text messages to send money through iMessage. It can also be used as an extra repository for spending money and can be used for purchases anywhere Apple Pay is accepted. With that said, only Apple device users can send and receive money using Apple Cash, so those looking for a more universal payment service may want to consider other P2P payment apps . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Woman spends $2k on Hallmark Christmas cruise and says it's 'money well spent'A judge has once again rejected Musk’s multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff

In Brazil intercity vans circulating the state of Rio de Janeiro will be equipped with facial recognition. The first batch of vehicles will be equipped in January 2025, and implemented gradually across the fleet until October. The measure was published by Detro-RJ, an agency linked to the State Secretariat of Transport and Urban Mobility (Setram). “This type of technology brings more efficiency to the transport operation and is essential to combat the irregular use of benefits,” said Transport Secretary Washington Reis. “We want passengers to have peace of mind to board the vans and have greater safety in their travels, enjoying the discount granted by the state government. The process will be carried out over ten months, without any harm to operators,” he added. Facial recognition will be used to verify proper use of discounts afforded to groups such as the elderly, students, and those with disabilities. The technology is intended to combat fraud such as the use of the transport card by someone other than the holder. Those caught in improper use could have their benefits suspended. The technology was tested in some regulated vans following a joint study by Detro-RJ, Setram and the civil police. In 2016 a decree was published by Rio state that outlined implementation of biometric control for electronic ticketing services. Biometrics are primarily facial and stored on Rio state databases. The decree prohibits the transfer of data – collected by the passenger transport service – to third parties or for its commercialization in any capacity “without the consent of the granting authority.” Improper use of user data is also punishable. Facial recognition is a , with activist groups calling for bans on its use. The decree can be read in full (in Brazilian Portuguese). | | | | |

California could offer state EV subsidy if federal credit is axed

The NFC West is still an extremely close race after 12 weeks. The Arizona Cardinals held a slim lead over the division for multiple weeks, but surrendered it with their loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Cardinals and Seahawks are both 6-5 (Seattle holds the tiebreaker) while the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are right behind at 5-6. There's still time for the Cardinals to make a playoff push, but there's a way they can ensure this close of a battle doesn't happen next year. Bleacher Report has the Cardinals going out and signing Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith in the offseason to protect Kyler Murray. Arizona is projected to have $98 million in effective cap space next offseason, which means general manager Monti Ossenfort can splurge. He should take a long look at Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, the second-ranked player on the Bleacher Report 2025 free agent board. Smith has become a strong foundational piece of the Chiefs offense and a catalyst in the ground game. He could do the same for Arizona, which is establishing itself as a run-first team. This would be a solid move that will pay dividends for years to come in Arizona.Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff

Fans of Golden Bachelor are feeling bad about continuously slamming leading man Gerry Turner after he recently announced he has Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, a slow-growing bone marrow cancer that has no cure. The former reality TV star has received a tremendous amount of hate throughout his time as the first-ever Golden Bachelor. After the Hollywood Reporter claimed Gerry lied about his personal and romantic life, fans turned on him and the hate only escalated once he and wife Theresa Nist announced their divorce after only three months of marriage. Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner was diagnosed with cancer weeks before split Golden Bachelorette's Joan and Chock address 'issues' in their relationship Since the divorce, Gerry has been criticized and slammed him for what they call his continued cringiness while sources have painted him black for claiming he agreed to be the lead of the show in hopes of a major reward . Even simply things like celebrating turning 73 , traveling by himself, doing charity work , and going on Golden Bachelorette to give leading lady Joan Vassos advice has earned him hateful comments from fans. Sign up to The Bachelor newsletter HERE for the latest news and updates Viewers who disliked Gerry through all of this called him cringey, a fraud, and selfish. However, some have now taken to a Reddit board called: "Gerry was diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer shortly before splitting with Teresa" to apologize to Gerry for constantly slamming him online. One person wrote in the comments: "Gerry, I was so rude to you under the cloak of the internet, and judged you prematurely with the regards to this breakup. I am so sorry." Another added: "gosh. this gave me a pit in my stomach. friendly reminder us internet folk dont know all thats happening behind the screens. its the holiday season guys, can we be kinder to these people now?" A third pointed out: "God, this makes me sad. He took all the bad comments about him on the chin. I felt bad when people were relentlessly crucifying him months ago." A fourth said: "Yeah people really hate Gerry on this sub and I’ve never understood why, even before this new heartbreaking info." DON'T MISS: Golden Bachelorette Pascal branded 'obnoxious' as he admits he does nothing [LATEST] Golden Bachelorette fans fume over 'dangerous' groupdate-'orthopedic's dream' [UPDATE] Golden Bachelorette viewers fume 'Gerry has ruined everything' after encounter [INSIGHT] A fifth penned: "And everyone on here was destroying him," as a sixth added: "What a shame! The fanbase stays pathetic thinking they know any of these people and what they go through." Others added: "Damn. The internet was cruel to him too," "Well that’s a shame. All the speculation and opinions from everyone was so negative, and they didn’t have any idea what he was going through. Poor guy," and "Damn, so many people speculated on how shitty he was at the time of the divorce." Fans did not look forward to Gerry returning to the franchise during Joan's season of Golden Bachelorette. When they spotted him in an episode trailer, they instantly took to social media to fume about his return. One person said: "Please No Gerry," as another penned: "GERRY NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE GET AWAY FROM JOAN." A third fumed with tons of eye-roll emoijis: "Gerry comes back???? For REAL????" as a fourth vented: "I was actually hoping to never see Gerry again." A fifth simply added: "Nooo not Gerry." Gerry shocked fans by officially announcing he was diagnosed with cancer weeks before he and Theresa Nist split earlier this year. “I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible, and that led me to believing that as normal as possible more meant spending time with my family, my two daughters, my two son-in-laws, my granddaughters,” he told People. “And the importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority,” he added. He also said that he hoped the truth being out there would get those who criticized him and Theresa to change their tune. “I hope that people understand in retrospect now that that had a huge bearing on my decisions and I think probably Theresa’s as well,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll look at things a little bit differently, that maybe it wasn’t quite a rash, fast decision that people thought. That there was something else going on.” He also shared that he still thought fondly of Theresa, and that he wished they had a “different ending,” noting that things might have been different if he hadn’t received te diagnosis he did. Following Gerry’s reveal, Theresa released her own statement, indicating that she didn’t leave him because he was sick, and admitting that she was also very upset by the news.

Jake Paul's victory over Mike Tyson has once again made him the talk of the boxing world. Despite 'The Problem Child' not yet defeating a top-ranked, active boxer, speculation is rife about who he will face next. Paul comfortably defeated 'Iron Mike' in eight two-minute rounds, but fans and critics alike are hoping his next opponent will provide a greater challenge. There are several potential paths for Paul to take in 2025. The Ohio native has been smart in choosing opponents that benefit him most so far, but taking on a riskier fight could pay off next year. In line with Paul's strategy of pursuing lucrative fights, a match against Conor McGregor could be his best move. After all, it wouldn't be his first time defeating a UFC fighter, even if 'Notorious' hasn't fought in more than three-and-a-half years. Among Paul's previous MMA opponents are Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley (twice), Ben Askren and Mike Perry. However, a fight against arguably the most famous UFC fighter of all time would surpass the profile and potential earnings of all those victories combined, reports the Irish Star . It was back in December 2020 when Jake Paul made headlines by publicly calling out Conor McGregor with a whopping $50 million offer (£40m) for a bout. By then, the YouTuber had just a couple of wins under his belt and taunted McGregor about his single pro boxing match – a loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr by TKO. After triumphing over Ben Askren, Paul took to social media challenging the 36 year old McGregor to an MMA fight, stating: "Dear Conor, I know you told my team you would fight me at 170 pounds. That's never happening. But let's run it in MMA. No weight class. Just like how it used to be done. But you won't." Meanwhile, ahead of Paul's matchup with Tyson, McGregor didn't hide his loathing, hoping Mike would "rattle the little dope." Despite their differences - not least their nine-year age gap - it may well be that money will bridge the divide, potentially coaxing McGregor back into the ring. . And who could forget the singular blot on Paul's near-flawless 11-1 record? Tommy Fury edged out Paul with a split decision in their February 2023 showdown. For all the changes since their first fight, the animosity between the two seems as intense as ever. There are doubts whether a second fight with Tyson Fury's half-brother, Tommy, would be a wise move for Jake Paul in terms of its appeal. Nevertheless, Tommy Fury, readying himself for a bout against former UFC welterweight Darren Till in January, feels the rematch with Paul is certain. "In a heartbeat, yeah. I mean at the end of the day I think me and him, we're set in stone," he said during an interview with ESPN. "He's only got one defeat and that's to me, so it's inevitable that we are going to get back in the ring." Paul's ex-trainer BJ Flores had told The Sun that Fury was making "unreasonable" demands about the fight purse for another bout with Paul. However, if the financial aspects can be resolved, the opportunity for Paul to redeem his only loss in boxing could be on the table. As for a world title chance, if Paul decides to pursue a more challenging path than fighting retired athletes and former basketball stars, offers are already on the table. One such offer came from IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, who threw down the gauntlet on Instagram. Paul shared a DM from Dubois saying: "Hi Jake, good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world this is Daniel Dubois calling you out. Let's get it on." Dubois, who recently knocked out Anthony Joshua, was told by his target to "get in line," although Paul did say he'd consider the offer. He seemed more open to this opportunity than the one he received from undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, who also offered Paul a shot at his belts. "@JakePaul what can you do in the ring against the current undisputed champion. Just know I'm always open to any suggestions," Beterbiev wrote on Instagram. Paul responded that he "runs this sport" but has yet to accept or decline the challenge. If he truly wants to establish a lasting legacy in the sport, then defeating McGregor like Mayweather did, avenging his only career loss against Fury, and then taking on a reigning world champion would make 2025 a highly successful year for him.(The Center Square) – A political insider says the nature of Illinois politics has dramatically changed in the past two decades. Although Democrats won a majority of seats statewide, Republicans made some strides. President-elect Donald Trump won a larger percentage of the Illinois vote than he did four years ago. “The voters that were for Trump were concerned about inflation, the economy, immigration, and a judgment on the Biden Administration,” said Kent Redfield, professor of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield during a University of Illinois-Extension webinar. “People were not pleased with the direction of the country.” During a recent news conference, Illinois House Republicans said they believe voters sent Democrats a message at the ballot box, and it’s time to change. “The residents of the state voted with their pocket books in mind. signaling a resounding call for better fiscal accountability and immediate relief,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna. Redfield said Illinois Democrats have created a super majority simply by drawing legislative maps in their favor. “Democrats in drawing the maps have taken what is an advantage in terms of demographics and voting behaviors,” said Redfield. A report card from the Coalition Hub for Advancing Redistricting and Grassroots Engagement gave Illinois an “F” grade due to “egregious racial and partisan gerrymandering, or sorting voters based on race and partisanship.” Redfield said downstate Illinois continues to be mostly Republican, but the political scene is different now. “Dramatically within Illinois, we’ve gone from a party-centered kind of process to one that is much more candidate-centered,” said Redfield.