It’s D-Day for legislators in Canberra as the government tries to ram through 36 major bills before the end of term, including a controversial social media ban for under-16s, new migration laws and reforms to the Reserve Bank of Australia. “If people want to sit through the night, we are prepared to do that,” Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC’s Radio National breakfast. “It’s going to be a bit of a ride.” Ms Gallagher defended the last-minute rush as a natural build-up towards the end of the year, but also blamed opposition leader Peter Dutton’s Coalition for a sustained strategy of “blocking and frustrating” key legislation. The government may resort to the so-called “guillotine” technique to fast-track their priorities – a term used to describe closing the floor for debate in order to go straight to a vote. The move allows for votes on amendments but without prior debate. Ms Gallagher confirmed a law to block teens from accessing social media platforms and a sweep of new migration bills – which include powers to pay third countries to receive non-citizens – are among Thursday’s top priorities. Max Corstorphan Although controversial, the bills are likely to succeed with strong backing from the Coalition. However, Ms Gallagher confirmed the government had abandoned hopes of passing its electoral reforms bill today after negotiations broke down with the Coalition at the last gasp. The proposal, which would have changed how political campaigns are funded, with limits on what can be donated and what can be spent, will be reintroduced during the February parliamentary sitting, she said. “We were not able to land it,” Ms Gallagher admitted, adding that her colleague, Special Minister of State Don Farrell, would spend the summer trying to reach a deal on the bill, which Independent MPs have criticised as unduly favouring major parties. New legislation on production tax cuts, and the stalled Nature Positive laws were among other “important bills” that will also be punted to February, she revealed, despite ongoing speculation that this could be the last parliamentary session before the Federal election. Jessica Wang Government plans to reform the Reserve Bank still hang in the balance today, pending delicate negotiations with the Greens, who have demanded an interest rate cut in exchange for their support. The Coalition has indicated it will vote against the bill, which would create a specialist monetary policy board at the Reserve Bank. The bill aims to update and improve Australia’s central bank in its efforts to use monetary policy, including its control of interest rates, to fight inflation and support employment. Asked about the shock suspension of independent senator Lidia Thorpe, Ms Gallagher said the rare move was in response to her “aggressive behaviour” in the chamber. “Nobody enjoyed what happened yesterday. Senator Hanson, whether you agree with her or not, should not be aggressively approached in the chamber with paper thrown in her face,” she said.CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what's behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey's new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they're looking into what's happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she's glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn't buy what the governor said, that the drones aren't a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there's the notion that people could misunderstand what they're seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they're looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin's view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That's not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Golden reported form Seattle.Audrey Decker , Defense One EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—The U.S. military is many years away from letting robots take over the role of human pilots, according to the Air Force official who oversees development of AI piloting technology. “There may be someday we can completely rely on robotized warfare” but “it is centuries away,” said Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing here. The base is the hub for testing a host of new planes and technology, including software that enables AI to drive fighter jets. The test wing has been experimenting with autonomous pilots through its X-62A VISTA platform, a modified F-16 jet loaded with AI software. What AI pilots can do today is remarkable, Wickert said, but there’s still a gap between the digital world and the real deal—and robot pilots still make “unexpected” choices during flight tests. Wickert’s comments come as the U.S. military faces scrutiny—and mockery—from President-elect Donald Trump’s key advisers Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for buying expensive manned fighter jets instead of prioritizing drones and other lower-cost platforms. Beyond concerns about technology readiness, warfare is extremely complicated and incorporating AI raises a number of ethics questions—includingwhether the chance of war increases if humans aren’t in the equation, Wickert told a group of reporters visiting the base. Edwards, a sprawling complex in the western portion of the Mojave Desert, has tested every generation of fighter jet since America’s very first—the Bell P-59 in 1942. Now, the base is preparing to test the next generation of fighter technology, including the Air Force’s new robot fighter jets, called collaborative combat aircraft. The CCAs will cost about $30 million per drone, which is roughly a third of the cost of one F-35 jet. The base will house the Air Force’s CCA drones for testing—likely next year—once the two contractors, General Atomics and Anduril, finish their prototypes. The AI software being developed through the VISTA program won’t go straight into the CCAs, but will “inform” the AI-enabled drones, Wickert said. Loading AI onto the drones will be an incremental effort, and CCAs will have “varying levels of autonomy” as the service builds trust in AI, Wickert said. Base officials have already started preparing for the Air Force’s 6th-generation stealth fighter jet, called Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD. But the program’s fate is up in the air after service secretary Frank Kendall paused the program in July due to high-cost projections and emerging technology, and the service announced Thursday that it would further delay the program, punting a decision to the next administration. But the ongoing pause doesn’t have a significant impact on Edwards, Wickert said, because there’s still planning to do to prepare for NGAD testing. The base has already hired more people so it can prepare for when the Air Force eventually makes a source selection on NGAD, he said. ___ ©2024 Government Executive Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Ripple (XRP) Gains Over 300% Following Trump's Victory, But Another Altcoin Could Soon Take Its Place as Top Performer

Goldman Sachs analyst spells out ‘significant consequences’ of Trump’s huge tariff plansPresident Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday insisted at a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump that any settlement with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine had to be "just", as fears grow in Kyiv on the position of the incoming administration. President Emmanuel Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the Elysee Palace, discussing what the incoming American president had termed a world that was a "little crazy". Hours after their meeting, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Zelensky's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face encounter with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. It also offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will look when he takes office in January. The trip to Paris is Trump's first international visit since his November 5 election win. "We all want peace. But it is very important for us... that the peace is just for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning," Zelensky said according to the presidential website. "And this is the most important thing -- a just peace and security guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine," he added. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. But Zelensky also thanked Trump for his "unwavering resolve" describing the talks as "good and productive". Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. More from this section "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot." Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria, where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus. The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine and levy tariffs on trading partners. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security." European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel. In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk, who was also on the line during a phone call between the incoming president and Zelensky last month, also flew into the French capital was present at the Notre Dame ceremony. sjw/adp/jjBad Axe: Wisconsin wary of rival Minnesota with bowl bid in peril

The World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever global status report on drowning prevention on Friday, December 13, 2024. The report, released at an event in Geneva, reveals that three lakh people died by drowning in 2021 around the world (an estimated 30 every hour). Close to 92% of such deaths took place in low- and middle-income countries, disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalised. The WHO’s South-East Asia Region (which includes India) saw 83,000 deaths, or 28% of the global burden. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, via video conference, said the report provided a snapshot of the global burden of drowning. Countries could use the report to raise awareness, guide implementation strategies and track progress on drowning prevention, he said. Compiled with the participation of 139 countries – including India – the report found that while drowning deaths declined 38% since 2000, the progress had been uneven and the pace slow. The WHO’s European Region, for instance, saw a 68% drop, while the South-East Asia Region saw a decline of 48%. Children most vulnerable Primarily at risk are children and young people. Children aged under five accounted for the single largest share of drowning deaths (24%), with a further 19% of deaths among children aged five to 14, and 14% among young people aged 15 to 29. The report notes that globally, drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for children in the age group of one-four and the third leading cause of death for children aged five to 14. Even these staggering numbers however, are an underestimate, notes Caroline Lukaszyk, technical officer, WHO, as the report does not capture deaths by drowning owing to natural disasters such as flooding, and those that occur on water transport, primarily due to a lack of accurate data. With vulnerability to flooding increasing due to climate change – and 75% of flooding deaths known to be due to drowning – this is a priority on the drowning prevention agenda, she says. Training crucial The report also states that while encouragingly, the WHO’s evidence-based drowning prevention interventions are being implemented in many countries, the implementation is to varying degrees. For instance, only 33% of countries offer national programmes to train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation, and just 22% integrate swimming and water safety training into their school curriculum. Quality data collection also remains a challenge. More than 7.2 million people, mainly children, could die due to this “silent killer” by the year 2050 if current trends continue. Yet almost all drowning deaths are preventable, the report states, highlighting that political will and investment in drowning prevention are critical to save lives. Investing in drowning prevention efforts would not only save lives, it could help prevent economic losses of about $4 trillion that could occur by 2050 if efforts are not taken to stem the crisis. Providing day care for pre-school children and teaching school students basic swimming skills could help protect millions of lives in countries with high rates of drowning, the report states. Developed in response to a member-state request made through a World Health Assembly Resolution 76.18 (2023) and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the report underscores the fact that drowning is a complex health issue that requires the involvement of multiple sectors to address the broad range of risk factors. Legislation, even when it exists, is often out of step with the scale of the challenge, it says. Published - December 14, 2024 03:26 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditA 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

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World News | Developing Economies Surpass $1 Trillion Mark in Digitally Deliverable Services ExportsSloppy Jack Crowley error costs Munster last-gasp chance to snatch victory from jaws of defeat in CastresSaudi Arabia will host 2034 World Cup. But when exactly?

Coldplay kick England out of Wembley: FA are left searching for new venue with British band playing sold out shows during September fixtures... with viral video showing huge toll of transforming arena into football pitch England discovered their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents on Friday Three Lions will have to make arrangements for home fixture against Andorra LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Mason Mount? Marcus Rashford? Joshua Zirkzee? Who should Manchester United sell to raise funds? By TUM BALOGUN Published: 23:04 GMT, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 23:26 GMT, 13 December 2024 e-mail View comments Thomas Tuchel 's England will have to make alternative arrangements for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra next September. The German's first opponents as Three Lions boss were revealed on Friday as the draw for the qualification stage of the 2026 World Cup was conducted in Zurich. Tuchel, who officially begins duties on January 1, will get his first taste of action during the March international break with games against Albania and Latvia. Those games will also see the former Chelsea manager lead his side out at Wembley, a privilege that is set to be denied for England's September international against Andorra because of clash with Coldplay . The British band were only due to play at the home of football for six nights in August but, due to unprecedented demand, they added four more dates in September, which fall on either side of England's fixture. Although the Viva La Vida group are not due to perform on September 6 when Tuchel's troops will be lining up against the European minnows, the extraordinary retrofit undertaken to turn a football stadium into the perfect space for a concert would make staging the game there impossible. As a result, Harry Kane and Co will be playing a little further away from home than first planned. Coldplay have scheduled a series of sold out shows at Wembley stadium in August and September The British ban will play at the home of football on 10 nights and they will transform the famous old ground to suit their performance @superconstructions #coldplay #concert #setup #installation #construction #civilengineering #constructiontips #constructionlife #building #timelapse #replacement #reconstruction #coldplay ♬ House - ruanoliivas Thomas Tuchel will begin duties as England manager on January 1, while his first match as boss will be against Albania in March The news is sure to delight many fans across the country who will now find it easier to watch their England heroes up close. The FA has made strides in recent years to stage Three Lions fixtures outside of London. The likes of Old Trafford, The Stadium of Light and St James' Park have all hosted home games in recent seasons. In addition to Albania, Latvia and Andorra, Tuchel's side were also drawn against Serbian in Group K. Following the draw, Tuchel admitted that he was aware of the mixed reaction to his appointment but he insisted he is ready prove his doubters wrong. ‘I read much less than you would expect,’ Tuchel said. ‘Maybe you can tell me how it was received. But no hard feelings for that. Of course, it will always be mixed. ‘So now I have to prove myself. And to the people who are maybe a bit concerned - to prove to them how much it means to me and that it's a dream job for me that I will give my everything, and I'm the man for the job.’ Serbia are the highest ranked of England’s opponents at number 32 on the FIFA list. England have only played them once, winning 1-0 through a Jude Bellingham goal in the opening game of last summer’s Euros. That apart England will not have reason to particularly fear Albania – who they have beaten four times from four games – or Latvia – who they have never played – and Andorra, against whom they have accumulated a 26-0 aggregate score over six matches. Latvia Share or comment on this article: Coldplay kick England out of Wembley: FA are left searching for new venue with British band playing sold out shows during September fixtures... with viral video showing huge toll of transforming arena into football pitch e-mail Add comment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.Shoppers have given more than 240 five star ratings to a Marks & Spencer coat they say is 'perfect in every way'. The ThermowarmthTM Diamond Quilted Padded Coat comes in four different colours - black, mocha, beige or navy. Available in sizes six to 24, it is lined and has a zip fastening up the front. The StormwearTM fabric features a water repellent finish to protect from light rain showers and it boasts M&S's own ThermowarmthTM technology for 'superior warmth and insulation'. The neck to hem length for a size 12 is 102cm and you can machine wash the coat at 40°C delicate, which makes it great for dog walking . But it's one significant detail that customers love the most - and that is the fleece-lined pockets to keep your hands super snug. Read more: Debenhams slashes the price of its 'number one bestselling coat' to just £30 Read next: Marks & Spencer's £75 'love at first wear' slouchy boots that are 'shockingly comfortable' One happy shopper said: " Just what I wanted . So pleased with this coat. Perfect for me in every way. Comfortable, warm, lovely length. One happy bunny." Another agreed: "Warm coat just right for the cold weather ahead. The sizing is on the generous side. The pockets have fleece inside so keeps your hands very warm , and there is edging on the sleeves so no wind goes up the sleeve. Very pleased." The M&S ThermowarmthTM Diamond Quilted Padded Coat gets an almost complete five star rating from shoppers (Image: Marks & Spencer) A third added: "Great winter coat. Super coat ! Good cut, warm and the hood is not too bulky but very protective. I love it!" And a fourth posted: "I was looking for a longer coat to keep me warm, and this coat really delivers. It looks good, fits well and does keep me warm. I’ve been out in light rain and it’s also shower proof as described. Good value too so I’m very happy with this purchase." However, one shopper said the zip was too sharp: "Good price wise but zip is very sharp. When put zip all up to the neck it cuts on my neck . I have to return it to the store." The coat is described by M&S as follows : "This diamond-quilted coat is designed to keep you snug when the temperature drops. It's made in a regular fit, with a zip fastening and a high collar for extra cosiness. Our lightweight ThermowarmthTM wadding will keep you warm, while StormwearTM technology provides a water-repellent finish to help you stay dry in light showers. Fleece lining in the two welt pockets and the concealed internal zip deliver extra insulation." Find out more and order the coat via M&S here . Alternatively, Debenhams has slashed the price of its 'number one bestselling coat'. Normally £100, there's currently 70% off the Regatta 'Jaycee II' Quilted Jacket , bringing the price down to just £30 . And Go Outdoors has a Fritha III Insulated Parka Jacket that has an RRP of £100 but is currently on offer for just £35 for members.CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs will be missing a key piece of their starting lineup on Friday night. Sources tell cleveland.com that fourth-year forward Evan Mobley is out because of a minor ankle sprain suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Heat. Listed as questionable going into Friday’s matchup, Mobley did not participate in practice this week, going through individual workouts instead. His status for Monday’s game in Brooklyn is still unknown. Friday is just his second missed game of the season. More Cavs coverage Cavs vs. Wizards: preview, injury report, odds, TV When is Max Strus expected to make his return for the Cavs? Wine and Gold Talk podcast ‘An injection of energy’: League-best Cavs eager to integrate Max Strus into lineup Who are The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports when it comes to fan happiness? See our list and how we ranked them. With Mobley unavailable, versatile forward Dean Wade is expected to slide into the starting lineup. On Sunday evening in Miami, Mobley dropped in a short-range hook shot. As he jumped quickly for a second time to get in position for a possible offensive rebound, the 7-footer landed awkwardly on Heat forward Kevin Love’s foot. Mobley screamed in pain, reached down toward his lower left leg and hobbled back on defense. Spending the next few possessions limping around the court and trying to shake off the pain, Mobley was able to stay in the game and logged 12 minutes during the first half. But he was clearly hampered by the injury and never felt right after. At halftime, the team made a collaborative decision to keep him out for the rest of the night . Mobley told cleveland.com after the game that he was “good” and it wasn’t a serious injury. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson admitted that he typically takes a cautious approach with any injury, no matter how minor. Mobley will join swingman Max Strus on the sidelines Friday night. Isaac Okoro, however, will make his return from a knee contusion. Strus is still waiting to make his regular season debut. Despite returning to practice this week for the first time since a mid-October ankle injury, Strus isn’t quite ready for clearance when it comes to game action — although his comeback date is imminent. “He’s progressing,” Atkinson said of Strus. “I would just say we take our time and I’m a part of that decision-making process. We want to make sure there’s no setbacks. We want to make sure he’s ready. I’m a little bit more conservative. I push for that. But at the end of the day he’s going to feel it. He’s going to know. We should see him soon.”

BOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

BORIS Johnson revealed as PM he used to wander along Downing Street in boxer shorts hunting for takeaways he ordered. The former PM said he lost count of the huge number of food orders he and his wife Carrie never received. Boris , 60, said:”I tell you one thing about living at Number 10 - it’s a nightmare if you want to order a takeaway. “The number of evenings we would order some Chinese, or some Lebanese, or whatever and then the guy would say ‘I’m sorry, they’re not letting me in, they say I can’t come this way’. “He’d say - ‘the police are telling me to go away’.” Boris revealed that he would venture outside to try to rescue the takeaway which armed police were stopping from getting to his flat. READ MORE ON BORIS JOHNSON Speaking to the Rosebud podcast , he said: “”We would have to go round to number 70 Whitehall, which was the only place where they were allowed to make deliveries - a long way away from the Number 11 flat where we lived. “And I would have to pad in my boxer shorts, or whatever I was wearing at the time, all the way through down to 70 Whitehall, and then try to persuade the guards at 70 Whitehall to let the kebabs through - by which time of course they’d have probably gone home again. “I don’t know how many takeaway meals simply disappeared because of the difficulty penetrating the defences of Number 10.” The full interview can be heard on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast . Most read in The Sun

NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNC‘Teachers impact in changing lives of students’ Islamabad : Innovation and quality in higher education in the age of information invasion and artificial intelligence bears a different meaning, Engr Prof Dr Ahmed Shuja Syed, says a press release. Prof Shuja Syed is pride of Pakistan and identity of the nation in the field of advanced electronics and photovoltaic engineering. International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) is privileged to have him as its president. Dr Ahmed Shuja is also founding Executive Director, Centre for Advanced Electronics & Photovoltaic Engineering & Adviser to the Rector & President (Engineering Programs). He said the leaders of higher education must create intellectual space for the teachers to abreast with the requirements of changing times, when the role of classroom teaching is progressively shrinking. He said teacher will not be at the centre stage of the class in few years and there must be a collaboration of technology, information and teaching throughout the process to ensure the desirable outcomes. Teachers, however, can always be inspirational and impactful in changing lives and minds of the students and that is where a lot of quality rubrics are needed to be introduced while framing the advanced quality metrics for academic programs, lifelong learning and graduate attributes. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day conference titled “Quality and Innovation in Higher Education” (CQIHE), Prof. Dr. Shuja, President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), has said that quality and innovation in higher and lower education needs collective and collaborative efforts at all levels. On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja highlighted that this conference reflects IIUI’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence and innovation. The conference is being hosted by the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission Pakistan, Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD), Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), and Admas University, at Allama Iqbal Auditorium Faisal Masjid Campus from 04-05 December, 2024. Researchers are presenting papers in multiple sessions during the conference. More than 300 participants, including distinguished academics, policymakers.