At first glance, an 8 per cent savings rate seems like the answer to many savers’ dreams, and something that was unimaginable just one year ago.

The flashiest rate on the market at the moment is the 8 per cent on offer from Nationwide’s latest regular saver, which was announced last week.

But there is something curious about the sudden rise of the regular saver, as well as the interest in promoting the deals by big banks.

This is especially odd when you look at the facts about how little-used regular saver deals really are.

Tempting prospect: Regular saver rates look unbeatable, but all is not what it seems 

In fact, despite all the grabby rates there is actually less cash held in regular savers now than there was a year ago, according to analysis of Caci data by Paragon Bank –  £20.7billion now compared to £21.1billion in 2022.

Meanwhile, there is a massive £528.1billion in easy access accounts, £258billion in fixed-term accounts, and £118billion in National Savings and Investments Premium Bonds.

But to look at the way banks are promoting regular savers, you’d think they were the most popular savings product in the UK. So what’s going on?

Not only can regular savers pay less interest than consumers think, I believe the deals are being used cynically by big banks to encourage customers to open current accounts – and to deflect criticism of low savings rates elsewhere.

Regular savers have deep roots 

You could be forgiven for being unfamiliar with regular savers, which historically have not been a very popular option.

Regular savers let you pay in a limited amount every month, normally no more than £500 but sometimes as little as £150. In exchange, after a year you will get all the money back, plus interest.

There is often an interest penalty if you withdraw any of that money before the term is up.  

For years, regular savers were the domain of smaller building societies, with the deals normally taken out by people on lower incomes.

Many were a direct replacement for the ‘savings clubs’ of years gone by, where Britons would chip in a small amount every month in order to be able to afford something in a year’s time – often the expensive Christmas period.

Some building societies still brand their regular savers as ‘Christmas’ or ‘festive’ for precisely this reason.

Sudden boom 

Then something happened, and the number of regular savers exploded. The catalyst was the start of successive hikes to the Bank of England base rate.

In response, savings interest levels rose out of the doldrums where they remained for many years. And none have risen higher than regular savers, which now outgun all other savings deals when it comes to rates.

There are now 71 regular savers on the market, up 25 per cent from 57 in November 2021, the month before base rate started to rise, according to financial experts Moneyfacts. 

Nationwide’s newest regular saver pays 8 per cent. Even the second-best regular saver, from First Direct, pays 7 per cent, with Lloyds Bank in hot pursuit with 6.25 per cent.

All three deals have interest rates far higher than savers can get elsewhere.

By contrast, the best easy access deal, from Leeds Building Society, pays 5.1 per cent, and the best one-year bond pays 6.2 per cent, from National Savings & Investments.

Now, I think regular savers are a great choice for many savers – and I have one myself. 

But what I question is big banks’ sudden interest in launching flashy regular savers when for years they were mostly the domain of smaller building societies.

Assuming you took out the Nationwide deal above, then paid in the maximum of £200 every month and never took any money out, at the end of the year you would have earned £104 in interest, on £2,400 saved.

Playing politics: Banks have successfully used high regular saver rates to stave off political criticism of low easy access rates

You can see where I’m going with this – £104 is not 8 per cent of £2,400, it is 4.33 per cent.

Of course, 4.33 per cent is still a very decent interest rate. But savers could get far more putting the same amount into the top easy access deal, from Leeds Building Society, which pays 5.1 per cent. 

That deal would earn the same saver £122 in interest – 17 per cent more than Nationwide – and with greater flexibility too, as you are not punished for taking money out.

Easy access deals are, by and large, also much easier to set up and run than regular savers, as there are fewer strings attached and you are not required to get a current account with the bank in order to take one out.

The reason regular savers effectively pay less than the headline interest rate is that you only earn a fraction of that rate every month, when you top the regular saver up.  

There is only one month of the year in which you get the full interest on your savings.

Of course, all of this is explained in the fine print of savings deals. But I am unconvinced that many savers read this literature, and are then sorely disappointed when they realise they have committed to a year-long deal that pays less than they expect.

And that year-long commitment is important, as if you take any money out of a regular saver you will normally lose that headline interest rate – or the deal will close, as is the case with First Direct’s, for example.

The banks’ case 

Banks will defend the sudden boom in regular savers by saying Britons have a bad track record of putting money away, and they want to help.

A regular saver account, banks argue, helps by encouraging a habit of saving.

I couldn’t agree more. But, let’s be honest, getting more people to save isn’t really why large banks are now offering seemingly decent rates on these deals.

If banks really cared about encouraging a savings habit, why has the current boom in regular saver deals only happened when interest rates started to rise? Where were big bank regular saver deals when interest rates were low and Britons were crying out for decent savings products?

Until the Bank of England started making base rate hikes, regular saver deals were some of the least-requested and least-promoted savings deals on the market.

But, by offering seemingly high regular saver rates, banks have successfully deflected criticism of their poor easy access rates by MPs earlier this year.

Big bank easy access rates tend to hover around 1.5 to 3 per cent, with Nationwide having an unusually high 4.25 per cent rate on one of its deals.

The advantage of a regular saver to banks is that customers are unlikely to take their money out during the term.

That rigidity is a blessing for banks, as it gives certainty that the cash deposited in regular savers will stay there for a set time. In that time, the banks can leverage the cash to invest elsewhere, which is harder to do with more flexible deals, like easy access accounts. 

Let’s also not forget that to take out a regular saver, you need to take out a current account with that bank – with one or two exceptions.

That then gives banks access to another valuable resource – your data. From your spending habits, a bank can work out an incredible amount about you and use it to sell you loans and other financial deals.

So if you are tempted by the high rates on regular savers, I don’t blame you – and the deals have their place. 

But seemingly high rates on big bank regular saver deals cannot, and should not, take the place of rates on the savings products that consumers use in far greater numbers – easy access accounts. 

Issued on: 02/10/2023 – 06:04

3 min

In Monday’s case, Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Trump and his sons Eric and Don Jr. committed fraud by inflating the value of the real estate and financial assets of the Trump Organization for years.

Trump said late Sunday night he planned to be present for the start of the trial Monday morning.

“I’m going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation,” the 77-year-old wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“This whole case is a sham!!!” he added.

In addition to this civil case, Trump also faces several major criminal proceedings in the months ahead.

He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Washington on March 4, on charges of trying to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden.

After that, Trump will be back in New York state court, this time on criminal hush money charges, and later in a Florida federal court, where he is accused of mishandling classified documents after leaving office.

Finally, he will also have to answer to state charges in Georgia, where prosecutors say Trump illegally tried to get the southern state’s 2020 election results changed in his favor.

In the New York civil case, Engoron ruled that Trump, his two eldest sons and other Trump Organization executives lied to tax collectors, lenders and insurers for years in a scheme that exaggerated the value of their properties by $812 million to $2.2 billion between 2014 and 2021.

‘Major blow’

As a result, the judge revoked the business licenses that allowed the Trump Organization to operate some of its New York properties.

Actually enforcing such penalties would be “a major blow to Donald Trump’s ability to do business in the State of New York going forward,” Will Thomas, a professor of business law at the University of Michigan, told AFP.

Under that kind of pressure, Trump — who made his reputation and fortune as a real estate mogul in the 1980s and had promised to bring his cut-throat industry tactics to the Oval Office — could eventually lose control over many of his company’s flagship properties, such as his 5th Avenue Trump Tower in Manhattan.

According to New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, Trump’s own apartment in that building is among the spaces that were fraudulently overvalued — it was listed as three times bigger than its true size.

Another Manhattan building, at 40 Wall Street, was overvalued between $200-$300 million in financial disclosures, James alleges.

Trump’s luxury Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida — the site of the classified documents drama — and several other Trump Organization golf clubs also appear in James’s complaint.

All told, she is seeking $250 million in penalties and the removal of Trump and his sons from management of the family empire.

High-profile witnesses

Trump has repeatedly dismissed the New York civil allegations, calling James, who is Black, “racist,” and labeling Engoron “deranged.”

On his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed there was no “wrongdoing” in his actions of “fully paying back sophisticated Wall Street Banks in full, with interest, with no defaults, and with no victims.”

There are likely to be dozens of witnesses called to testify at the trial, including Trump himself, and former financial director of the Trump Organization Allen Weisselberg, who served time in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud in a separate case brought against the business.

Trump’s children Eric, Don Jr. and his oldest daughter Ivanka — who was initially also targeted by James’s complaint but ultimately not prosecuted — are also likely to present their own testimony.

Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen — now an outspoken critic of the former president — and officials from certain Trump-linked financial institutions are also expected to appear.

(AFP)

Often, travellers will only glance at their boarding pass to see which seat they’re in – but it’s worth knowing the meaning behind the other codes these passes contain.

Look closely and you’ll find a boarding pass can hold key information about your trip – from whether you’ve been selected for extra security screening to whether you’ll be among the last passengers to board the plane. 

Whether you opt for a printed or digital version, here we reveal the meaning behind the codes on your boarding pass…

BOOKING NUMBER

This is a six-digit code, made up of numbers and letters, that serves as a digital certificate, allowing you to complete your online check-in and manage your booking. 

Your booking number, known as the PNR or Passenger Name Reference, identifies your reservation and is used by airline staff to access your booking information  

Known as the PNR, or Passenger Name Reference, it’s used by airline staff to access your booking information, Turkish airline Pegasus explains. It also contains information about whether you have requested meal preferences and special assistance.

‘SSSS’

You might see ‘SSSS’ printed on your boarding pass if you’re travelling within the U.S. This stands for ‘secondary security screening selection’ and means that you’ve been chosen for extra security screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security. 

Frequent flyer site The Points Guy reveals: ‘Your carry-on bag with be thoroughly examined — and we do mean “thoroughly”, as every item contained within will likely be handled, removed, inspected, poked and prodded, along with the lining of the bag and exterior pockets.’ 

You’ll only ever see ‘SSSS’ printed on your boarding pass if you’re travelling within the U.S

It adds that electronic devices will also be required to be ‘turned on and presented for inspection’. 

The Points Guy continues: ‘The enhanced screening also typically involves a full-body pat-down, an additional metal-detecting wand wave and explosive-detecting swabs rubbed on your baggage and at least your hands.’ 

On top of that, prepare to also be questioned by the TSA agent about whether you packed your own bag and your reasons for flying. 

‘SEE AGENT’

If ‘See Agent’ appears on your boarding pass, it could mean that you have not yet been assigned a seat on the flight 

If you see this message appear on your boarding pass, it can mean several things, Conde Nast Traveller reveals.

The publication notes that it might mean that you have not yet been assigned a seat on the flight, and you need to speak with a gate agent to sort it out. Or it could mean that you’re going to be travelling on a codeshare flight – meaning it’s being operated by a different airline than the one you booked through.

Frequent flyer site Points With A Crew says it could also mean that you need to present the gate agent with extra documents, such as travel visas. And if the flight has been oversold, it might mean that the gate agent will ask you to volunteer to take a later flight.

THE ‘SEQ’ NUMBER

There’s one special code that’s highly sought-after by frequent flyers. 

Rhys Jones, of frequent flyer website headforpoints.com, tells MailOnline Travel: ‘One of the most interesting of the marks on a boarding pass is the “SEQ XXX” number. This denotes the order in which the passenger checks in for the flight. Many frequent flyers go out of their way to gain the coveted SEQ 001. 

‘With British Airways, for example, where check-in opens 24 hours before the flight, the “fastest finger on the trigger” when check-in opens will usually get pole position!

‘There can however, be a fly in the ointment. When someone has a connecting flight, they can have their boarding pass issued in advance of check-in opening for their subsequent flight. If this is the case, no matter how fast you are when online check-in opens, you’ll find the special number has already gone!’

FLIGHT NUMBER

Above is a Ryanair boarding pass with the flight number ‘FR5260’

This code represents the specific flight you will be taking and usually appears as two capital letters followed by four numbers.

Passengers can check their flight number against the airport departures board to see when their flight is boarding. The first part of the number indicates the airline while the second part refers to the specific flight. For example, the flight number ‘FR964’ contains ‘FR’ for Ryanair and ‘964’ for the route.

AIRPORT CODES 

These three-letter codes refer to your departure and arrival airports. Examples include JFK, which refers to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, and LHR, which refers to London Heathrow Airport.

SEAT ASSIGNMENT 

The seat assignment is in the top right corner of this Eurowings boarding pass. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons 

Your seat is usually indicated by a letter and number combination, such as ’12A’.

STOPOVER 

If you are travelling with a stopover or a layover, your boarding pass will likely contain the code ‘S/O’. If your stopover is longer than a few hours, this may appear as ‘SPTC’ instead. 

GROUP NUMBER

Some airlines such as British Airways have introduced a group boarding system which aims to ‘simplify boarding’ and ‘reduce congestion’.

If you have a group number on your boarding pass, this indicates when you will be invited to board the aircraft. Group one is typically for first-class and club members, boarding first, while groups four and five tend to indicate economy, boarding last.

BARCODE

The barcode often appears on the bottom, right side of your boarding pass. The magnetic strip, known as BCBP, is often scanned at various points throughout the airport, including at the gate, and helps speed up the boarding process.

Issued on: 02/10/2023 – 05:31

3 min

The awards, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will to celebrate those who have “conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.”

The Medicine Prize is first out, and will be announced in Stockholm on Monday around 11:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by the awards for physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday.

The Peace Prize, the most highly-anticipated Nobel and the only one announced in Oslo, will follow on Friday, before the Economics Prize rounds things off on October 9.

The Medicine Prize has over the years crowned groundbreaking discoveries like the X-ray, penicillin, insulin and DNA — as well as now-disgraced awards for the lobotomy and the insecticide DDT.

Several Nobel watchers have suggested this year’s prize could go to research into narcolepsy and the discovery of orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate sleep.

It could also go to Hungarian-born Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States for research that led directly to the first mRNA vaccines to fight Covid-19, made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Their discovery has already won a slew of major medicine prizes, but the Nobel committee nowadays often waits decades to bestow its laurels to ensure the research stands the test of time.

“Maybe the Academy thinks it needs to look into it more, but someday they should win,” predicted Annika Ostman, science reporter at Swedish public radio SR.

Gene engineering and IceCube telescope

But Ostman said her guess for this year was on Kevan Shokat, an American biologist who figured out how to block the KRAS cancer gene behind a third of cancers, including challenging-to-treat lung, colon, and pancreatic tumours.

T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and work on the human microbiome could also be contenders, said David Pendlebury, head of the Clarivate analytics group which identifies Nobel-worthy research.

“There are more people deserving of a Nobel Prize than there are Nobels to go around,” he told AFP.

Lars Brostrom, Ostman’s colleague at SR, singled out two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler and Michael Elowitz, for their work on synthetic gene circuits which established the field of synthetic biology.

It enables scientists to redesign organisms by engineering them to have new abilities.

But Brostrom noted the field could be seen as controversial, raising “ethical questions about where to draw the line in creating life”.

For the Physics Prize, twisted graphene or the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica were seen as possible winners, as well as the development of high-density data storage in the field of spintronics.

Peace Prize to Iranian women?

For Wednesday’s Chemistry Prize, Pendlebury suggested next-generation DNA sequencing could get the nod, or research into how to target and deliver drugs to genes.

Brostrom said he would love to see it go to US-based chemist Omar Yaghi for his work into porous materials known as MOFs, which can absorb poisonous gases or harvest water from desert air, and is an “important field for the future” with enormous potential for the environment.

Criticism over a lack of gender and geographical diversity has plagued the Nobels over the years.

US-based men have dominated the science fields, while women account for just six percent of overall laureates — something the various award committees insist they are addressing.

Among the names making the rounds for Thursday’s Literature Prize are Russian author and outspoken Putin critic Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Chinese avant-garde writer Can Xue, British author Salman Rushdie, Caribbean-American writer Jamaica Kincaid and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse.

But for the Peace Prize, experts have been scratching their heads over possible winners, as conflicts rage around the globe.

Some have pointed to the Iranian women protesting since the death in custody a year ago of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran’s strict dress code imposed on women.

Others suggest organisations documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or the International Criminal Court, which could one day be called upon to judge them.

“I think that climate change is a really good focus for the Peace Prize this year,” Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP after a year of extreme weather around the world.

For the Economics Prize, research on income and wealth inequality could be honoured.

(AFP)

Patients now speak to their GP online, or using a video chat, for a record one in 50 appointments.

Out of around 28 million GP appointments in England in August, nearly 600,000 were done online or over a video call.

That represents 2.1 per cent of appointments, which is about one in 50 consultations.

It is up from 1.8 per cent in July, according to the analysis of NHS data by the PA news agency – and the highest proportion of appointments seen since current records began in November 2017.

The figures are for online appointments only, and do not include the high proportion of GP appointments – about a quarter – held over the telephone.

Out of around 28 million GP appointments in England in August, nearly 600,000 were done online or over a video call (Stock image)

But they help to explain the fall in face-to-face appointments still being seen even after the pandemic – during which, in-person consultations fell to a record low.

Patient campaigners worry symptoms may be missed when people are not seen in-person by their doctor, and say some older people can struggle with online and video technology, raising concerns about a rise in these types of consultations.

Dennis Reed, from Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly patients, said: ‘We are getting more and more reports of people basically being pushed to use online virtual appointments, and not even being able to get a phone call with their doctor.

‘That’s extremely worrying, because many older people find this technology very difficult to use, when they did not grow up with the internet and didn’t use it in their jobs.

‘People shouldn’t need to be technical experts to speak to their GP.

‘Vast tranches of the population risk being left behind, and their health may suffer.

‘Face-to-face appointments are best, and online is always going to be a second-tier appointment, where symptoms might be missed when they are described over the internet.’

The rise in appointments online or using a video call has accompanied a drop in those carried out face-to-face, which fell from 70 per cent of appointments in April to 67.9 per cent in August – the lowest figure for 12 months.

Some 26.5 per cent of appointments in August took place over the telephone while one per cent were home visits, with little change in these figures over recent months.

Patients now speak to their GP online, or using a video chat, for a record one in 50 appointments (Stock image)

Speaking on behalf of the Rebuild General Practice campaign, Oxfordshire GP Dr Rachel Ward said: ‘Video appointments are best for many patients who tell us they like the flexibility and efficiency, while other patients prefer coming into see us.’

She added: ‘We want to be able to see our patients and provide the care they need – but the system is broken.

‘Decades of neglect across the whole of the health service and especially in general practice has put patient safety at risk.

‘That’s why we’re asking for a proper plan to invest in general practice and help us to deliver the service patients deserve.’

Dr Victoria Tzortziou Brown, vice-chairwoman of the Royal College Of General Practitioners, said: ‘We know some patients prefer seeing their GP in person, and many GPs prefer this way of consulting, but some patients find remote care a convenient and effective way of accessing GP services.’

NHS England guidance says GP surgeries must respect patients’ preferences for a face-to-face appointment, unless there are good clinical reasons not to do so.

An NHS spokesman said: ‘General practice teams have experienced record demand for their services, with half a million more appointments delivered every week compared to before the pandemic, and almost seven in 10 appointments taking place face-to-face in August.

‘The NHS is committed to improving access for patients, which is why we published our primary care access recovery plan in May, which included landmark support for patients and GP surgeries.’

By Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com

Published: 18:45 EDT, 1 October 2023 | Updated: 22:23 EDT, 1 October 2023

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Follow DailyMail.com’s live blog from the game that everyone has been waiting for, as Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs take on the New York Jets – with Taylor Swift watching on from the stands. 

The Chiefs don’t make good use of possession, return the pigskin to the Jets

Mahomes and Co. can’t execute anything offensively at the moment and are on the verge of seeing this game flipping over its head, in favor of the Jets. New York gets the football back after four snaps of essentially nothing from Kansas City.

Taylor, are you still there, by the way?

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Now what for the Chiefs? Do they have what it takes to respond?

Yes, they are the reigning Super Bowl champions but with this crowd at full voice and momentum going for the Jets, it’s hard to see them claw back into this game.

But as Patrick Mahomes says repeatedly: ‘This is what I do!’

Touchdown Jets! It’s a tied game!!! 20-20

What a game we have tonight, ladies and gentlemen! Zach Wilson gets to the endzone for the two-point conversion but goes through a lot of traffic to get there. Prior to that, he threw his second touchdown pass to Allen Lazard from approximately the Chiefs’ 20-yard line.

MetLife is suddenly rocking once again! It’s about time!!!

And we’re back underway for the third quarter!

The Jets start the second-half strongly, with Wilson three of three for 60 yards, after yet another interception on Mahomes

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. They’re on the Chiefs’ 20-yard line…can they claw back into this game? These are important possessions coming up, to say the least…

Snaps of Taylor Swift at tonight’s game in New Jersey

The pop star was seen raising a glass right when kick off was underway, as she also posed for pics with fans and chatted with Mahomes’ wife, Brittany. She was also snapped standing next to Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman throughout the first two quarters of tonight’s game.

Half Time: 20-12 for the Chiefs

How on earth is this game still even close…better yet, did we just see Zach Wilson play the best football of his career so far this half? He’s 18 of 26 for 141 yards and a touchdown. He got sacked twice but has yet to be intercepted. QB rating: 95.2

On the other hand, Mahomes is 8/16 for 135 yards and a touchdown as well as two interceptions and 0 sacks. QB rating: 60.2

Now…will there be a surprise during the 15-minute break? Will Taylor Swift suit up and perform at MetLife tonight? Only one way to find out… stay tuned!

Jets fail to convert 40-yard field goal

Zach Wilson is improving but needs his teammates to catch the ball more often, especially when they’re open on a third down, deep into Chiefs territory…*cough cough* not you, Michael Carter.

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What’s more, is that Greg Zuerlein comes in to try and convert a 40-yard field goal but the football hits the post! Doink!!

So, it’s 20-12 still for the Chiefs with 00:26 left in the quarter. Not what Robert Saleh was expecting going into the break, I think…

First & 10 for the Jets. 20-12 still for the Chiefs.

Gang Green’s so close to turning this contest into a one-point affair before halftime. There are now less than two minutes left on the clock before the quarter ends…

Harrison Butker completes 37-yard field goal! 20-12 for the Chiefs!

Can Zach Wilson and the Jets offense get near the Kansas City field goal? Three points before the half would certainly boost morale…better yet, a touchdown..2:07 left in this quarter, 2nd & 6 for New York.

First down for the Chiefs

Kadarius Toney catches a pass at the 37-yard line to keep Kansas’ offense going but passes on all other downs are incomplete after that. Harrison Butker to come and kick a field goal to give the Chiefs a bit more breathing space before halftime.

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Jets with a near-interception

C.J. Mosley almost catches a pass intended for Kelce from Mahomes. Chiefs were let off the hook there..3rd & 6 now for Kansas City on the Jets’ 40-yard line.

C.J. Uzomah scores!!! 17-12 for the Chiefs!

The Jets finally have their first touchdown on the board with 6:26 left before the half. A crafty pass from Wilson to Uzomah, who was lurking on the right side of the gridiron.

Can Mahomes and the Chiefs offense? Will their lead stay the same or increase before going back into the tunnel?

1st down on the Chiefs’ 20-yard line! Can the Jets get their first TD of the night?!

Can they cook something here…maybe, just maybe, it’s not too late to get back into this game after all!

Third down and five…

Jets are on the Chiefs’ 25-yard line…

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Jets interception!! Ashytn Davis!

With a little less than 10 minutes to go in the second, Mahomes throws his first interception of the night and suddenly we have a football game back on! Can Zach Wilson and the Jets offense come back to life by seizing this opportunity? If they score, they’ll only trail by points down

Zach Wilson with a 50-yard pass on 1st and 10! 17-5 for Kansas City after a field goal from Zuerlein

The first long and completed pass from the Jets’ makeshift starter tonight! I can’t believe I’m actually asking this…but is it too late to get back into this game, already? Three quarters left but that might be the case…

We’re barely two minutes into the second quarter and Chiefs are in trouble! 17-2.

Patrick Mahomes is stuck inside his own red zone with 13:20 left in this quarter. Looks like a flag has been raised on DT Jawaan Taylor on third down. The Jets get on the board with a safety cause of a facemask. They will now be allowed to bring it back into Chiefs territory.

End of the first quarter!

It’s not looking pretty out there in New York…Jets fans are already frustrated with their team and it seems like they are not the only ones who are finding it tough to keep on watching tonight’s game…

17-0 for the Chiefs!

Patrick Mahomes’ double pump is what turned the play into a fantastic one! From his own 35-yard line, the quarterback finds Noah Grey for a touchdown. It’s the second of the first quarter with 7 minutes left…oh boy…

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Chiefs are back on the horse

Andy Redi’s players are on their own 35-yard line after a flag was raised after the Jets returned the football.

Can the Jets come up with a response?

Bryce Hall finally rushes enough yards to get a first down for New York. Offensive coordinator Nathan Hackett is going to have to cook something up for this team to get back into tonight’s game…

The Jets are on their own 40-yard line but Wilson misses a four-yard check-down pass on fourth down…ball back to the Chiefs once again…

It has to be said that ahead of tonight’s game there were reports that Wilson was missing ‘wide-open guys’ while warming up.

9-0 for Kansas City! 48-yard touchdown rush from Isiah Pacheco!

Many fans are wondering why Swift celebrated there as it wasn’t Kelce who scored…awkward…but maybe she’s been a Chiefs fan all this time and we just don’t know about it! Hope you’re watching, Jason…Travis’ older brother claimed the popstar’s Philly roots are the reason why she didn’t accept an initial offer from the tight end to go on a date…

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Jets already giving the ball back…

Oh boy, Zach…three snaps and five yards later, and the football is back in possession of the Chiefs.

3-0 for Kansas City!

And it looks like the game has its first points on the board, with 11:35 left in the first quarter. Harrison Butker converts with ease after the Chiefs couldn’t find a way to penetrate further into Jets territory following two receptions from the man of the hour – Kelce. Field goal was taken 37 yards out.

Kelce catches a pass from Mahomes on 2nd and eight for a first down!

First highlight of the night for Swift’s new beau! Chiefs are on the Jets’ 25-yard line already…could this be a long night for fans of Gang Green…

Kick-off is underway!!

And it looks like Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein will send the ball deep into Chiefs territory to get this show underway!

But first…let me take a selfie

All three actors are ready for some NFL action after making their way into the crowd! Reynolds is already a sports team owner as a majority shareholder of fourth-tier Welsh soccer club, Wrexham.

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Looks like more Chiefs fans are at MetLife than expected!

A good chunk of red can be seen among the crowd at tonight’s game in New Jersey!

It’s time to squad up!

The Chiefs made their way onto the gridiron not too long ago either, as ‘Patty Mahomes’ posed for a snap with one of his idols – Rodgers – from the sidelines. That’s three Super Bowls in a pic…

Jets take the field!

Can Zach Wilson get the Jets back on track? He’s 1-2 since Rodgers went down with an Achilles tear…fans will be desperate to see a productive performance from the third-year quarterback, who has been told by his head coach to ‘step up’ ahead of tonight’s showdown.

Another celeb is in the house!

Turn away if you’re watching this game or reading this live blogger, Rupert Murdoch…as it appears that Jeremy Strong is at MetLife to cheer on the Jets. Strong plays Kendall Roy in the HBO series ‘Succession’, which is presumably based on Murdoch’s life and his line of…succession!

A little over 20 minutes to go until game time!

Ok, Swifties, chill…this is first and foremost a football game…so back to some NFL-related content…here are the Chiefs in the huddle getting hyped before kickoff. You can see Mr. Kelce standing behind a certain Patrick Mahomes as they both rallied the troops in the tunnel.

What’s your prediction? Will New York snap its two-game losing streak against the Super Bowl champs’? Or, are we in for a drubbing…

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TAYLOR SWIFT IS IN THE BUILDING, FOLKS!

The ‘You Belong with Me’ singer made her way through security at MetLife with six-to-seven friends, including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hugh Jackman. She was spotted wearing jean shorts with a black, tucked-in t-shirt and a jacket.

Taylor even said ‘Hi’ to the cameras!

Mama Kelce and Jake from State Farm attend Eagles game earlier today!

The NFL mom sat next to Kevin Miles – the insurance commercial actor – to cheer on her other son, Jason, as his team beat the Washington Commanders in Philadelphia on Sunday.

According to a press release, Jake’s presence and seating arrangement at the game was all thanks to Ryan Reynolds’ production and marketing company Maximum Effort.

Step aside Taylor…Paul Rudd is in the building!

Looks like Travis knows other celebs than just Swift. Rudd is a huge Chiefs fan and grew up in Kansas City after moving there when he was 10. The actor also majored in theatre at the University of Kansas.

What’s all that chatter about?

If you didn’t think there was enough hype around tonight’s game then think again… as Rodgers and Kelce were spotted talking on the sidelines during warm-ups. What do you think was said? Is Rodgers trying to recruit the two-time Super Bowl champ’ on the Jets?

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Kelce signed a 4 year, $57.25million contract extension with Kansas City in 2020, so good luck ‘AR8’…

Where to watch tonight’s game?

If you’re in America, then NBC will be in charge of broadcasting tonight’s contest. If you’re in the U.K. or elsewhere then DAZN is your best bet.

Kelce lookin’ dapper ahead of tonight’s matchup

The 32-year-old, who shares the same age as Swift, turned up in a grey suit, black boots, and a Louis Vuitton suitcase at MetLife Stadium on Sunday evening. He was all smiles when he took the field to warm up, as he was greeted by fans with loud cheers.

The ‘Swift Effect’ that Taylor has had on the NFL

– Kelce now has more Instagram followers than the league’s top 100 players combined.

– Kelce’s No. 87 jersey sales skyrocketed last weekend, spiking 400 percent, after Swift was seen at Arrowhead, cheering on her new beau against the Bears.

– Television ratings for the Bears-Chiefs game soared despite the lopsided score. A total of 24.3million viewers.

– Chiefs-Bears was the second-most watched game this season behind the Lions’ 21-20 upset over Kansas City on opening day.

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Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife for the first time since tearing his Achilles in Week 1!

The 39-year-old QB, who was supposed to be the Jets’ savior by ending their 12-year postseason drought, was pictured rolling through the stadium’s corridors in a golf cart!

Rodgers has been rehabbing in his native California. Not a bad place to shack up by any means…

SPOTTED: Travis Kelce exits Taylor Swift’s Range Rover to make his way back into the team’s hotel with just hours to go before tonight’s game!

The Chiefs tight end rejoined his teammates through a small sid entrance after presumably spending the night at the Eras megastar’s apartment on Saturday.

Hello and welcome to tonight’s Sunday Night Football action between the Chiefs and Jets!

We’re live ahead of tonight’s 8.20 p.m. (E.T.) kickoff in New Jersey, as we fully expect Taylor Swift to be among the crowd, Travis Kelce to score in front of his biggest fan, and the Chiefs to walk away with a win.

Stay tuned as we’ll cover tonight’s game extensively from MetLife Stadium!

Issued on: 02/10/2023 – 00:50

3 min

The fire appears to have broken out in a building housing the “Teatre” and “Fonda Milagros” clubs in the city of Murcia in southeastern Spain.

“The fire spread from the upper parts of the two clubs, the Teatre disco and the Fonda Milagros disco… which originally were in the same building,” said Diego Seral, spokesman for the national police.

Authorities do not yet know where exactly the fire started.

Police have established a list of 15 people missing after the blaze, but Seral said that it was not yet final and could contain names of some of the victims already found.

“The Murcia fire brigade… will continue to secure the building for the next few hours. It cannot be ruled out that another body may be located”, the emergency service said shortly after 10:00 pm (2000 GMT).

They warned that there would be “no definitive toll until they have completed their work” scouring the rubble.

Search for more victims

A man named Jairo who said he was the father of one of the victims told reporters that his 28-year-old daughter had been inside one of the clubs. He had had no news of her since she left a desperate voice mail at 6:06 am, he added.

“Mum, I love you, we’re going to die, I love you mum,” a young woman’s voice could be heard crying on the recording while in the background people shout to turn the lights on.

Emergency services said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that firefighters were continuing to work at the scene and had not ruled out “the possibility of finding more victims.”

Jose Ballesta, mayor of Murcia, said the fire had broken out at around 6:00 am local time (0400 GMT) and had been “extremely serious”.

Emergency workers had so far pulled out 13 bodies from the ruins, a task complicated by the risk of the building collapsing, he told journalists.

Three of the victims had been identified by their fingerprints. “The rest of the bodies will have to be identified by DNA.”

Firefighters dispatched to the scene at 7:00 am were able to extinguish the fire by 8:00 am, he added.

Officials said four people, two women aged 22 and 25 years old and two men in their forties, were treated for smoke inhalation.

Birthday party

A police spokesperson said that a birthday party was being held at the club on Saturday night. Officers and firefighters were trying to find some of those who attended who were still unaccounted for.

“According to initial information, the fire broke out on the first floor of the nightclub, which has a ground floor and a first floor,” Diego Seral, the national police spokesman told Radio Onda Regional de Murcia.

Video footage released by the city’s firefighting brigade shows the firefighters holding a long hose approaching bright orange flames inside the venue, passing bar tables that still have drinks placed on top of them.

More than 40 firefighters and 12 emergency vehicles were attending the scene, authorities said.

Spain’s king said he felt “pain and dismay” following “this tragic day in Murcia”, and thanked rescue workers for their “exemplary work”.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez voiced “solidarity with the victims and relatives of the tragic fire in a Murcia nightclub”.

Three days of mourning

Spain’s tennis superstar and this year’s Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who comes from Murcia, wrote on X that he was “very affected by the terrible news”.

The city’s mayor announced three days of mourning and set up a reception base for relatives of victims. The city’s bars and restaurants will remain closed Sunday as a mark of respect to the victims, said Hoytu, the local hotel-restaurant association.

In 2017, 40 people were injured in a packed nightclub on Spain’s holiday island of Tenerife when a floor collapsed.

The injured included people from countries including France, Britain, Romania and Belgium.

And in 1990, 43 people died in a fire at a nightclub in Spain’s northeastern city of Zaragoza.

(AFP)

Taylor Swift was spotted at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to cheer on her new lover and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, ahead of the anticipated battle against the New York Jets in New Jersey. 

The Bad Blood hitmaker, 33 – who was spotted on a girls night out ahead of the big game – brought along her A-list entourage to help support her new beau, also 33, including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Sophie Turner. 

The Grammy winner sent the internet into a frenzy earlier last week when she was seen supporting the professional NFL star during the team’s game against the Chicago Bears in Kansas City. 

The pair were later seen exiting the Chiefs locker room side-by-side, and got to know each other during a private dinner date at Prime Social Rooftop located in Kansas City.

Most recently, Kelce was spotted arriving back to his New Jersey hotel on Sunday in Taylor’s Range Rover after reportedly spending the night at her Manhattan apartment – further fueling their romance speculation.  

Big supporter! Taylor Swift 33, was spotted at MetLife Stadium on Sunday to cheer on her new lover and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce , ahead of the anticipated battle against the New York Jets in New Jersey; Swift with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman (from left to right)

A hug! The singer and Gossip Girl alum were seen sharing an embrace shortly after the Chiefs scored a touchdown 

Mingling: Sophie Turner – who also recently announced her divorce from husband Joe Jonas – was also seen standing next to Swift shortly after the game kicked off on Sunday

Swift was seen sporting a pair of denim bottoms that contained sparkling, rhinestone embellishments and tucked in a long-sleeved, plain black shirt into the waist of the shorts. 

She layered the look with a black, leather jacket for an edgy flare and to stay warm in the cooler temperatures. 

The Cruel Summer songstress was seen making her way through the stadium ahead of the game and was joined by Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. 

Sabrina Carpenter – who is slated to open for Taylor in upcoming international Eras Tour dates – was also seen joining in on the fun, while Hugh Jackman was also spotted amongst the star-studded entourage following his shock split from Deborra-Lee Furness. 

Sophie Turner – who also recently announced her divorce from husband Joe Jonas – was also seen standing next to Swift shortly after the game kicked off on Sunday. 

The group was seen holding animated conversations with each other, and at one point, Taylor held up a cup high in the air as she excitedly got into the game. 

The performer was previously seen supporting Kelce at the Chiefs vs. Bears game last weekend – which resulted in a win for the Kansas City-based team. 

She sent not just Swifties into a frenzy, but also NFL fans when the hitmaker stood closely next to Travis’ mother, Donna, in a VIP suite at Arrowhead Stadium. 

Supporting! Swift was seen sporting a pair of denim bottoms that contained sparkling, rhinestone embellishments and tucked in a long-sleeved, plain black shirt into the waist of the shorts

Romance rumors: The performer was previously seen supporting Kelce at the Chiefs vs. Bears game last weekend – which resulted in a win for the Kansas City-based team

Excited: She layered the look with a black, leather jacket for an edgy flare and to stay warm in the cooler temperatures

Small smile: Her blonde locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders as the singer also opted for her signature red lipstick 

Applauding: Taylor as well as Blake and Ryan were seen expressing their excitement and cheering on the Chiefs from a VIP box in MetLife Stadium 

Game day: The Kansas City Chiefs tight end seen at MetLife Stadium for the game against the New York Jets on Sunday 

A brief visit: Shortly before last week’s game, in a video obtained by DailyMail.com , Taylor was seen joining Kelce’s friends and family at his $1 million Kansas City home

After the game, the singer and sports star were spotted leaving the Chiefs locker room together, and enjoyed a private dinner date at Prime Social Rooftop located in Kansas City. 

The NFL pro reportedly ‘bought out the restaurant for his family and team,’ per Entertainment Tonight, and the group stayed out until 2am. Both Taylor and Travis were also spotted driving in his vintage convertible in the city.

While at the eatery, Taylor was seen affectionately wrapping her arm around Kelce as they had the chance to spend time together. 

Shortly before last week’s game, in a video obtained by DailyMail.com, Taylor was seen joining Kelce’s friends and family at his $1 million Kansas City home before heading to the stadium together in a party bus. 

A source told DailyMail.com, ‘Travis wasn’t at his house, but it was filled with his friends and family. He has a personal chef and several friends from high school and college who use his place as a crash pad whenever they are in town.’

For extra security for Swift, two police cars were positioned on the street before she headed out with his family and friends. 

Since then, both the Blank Space singer and the NFL star have remained in the headlines as their romance continues to heart up. 

On Saturday, Swift was seen enjoying a girls night out with her A-list pals Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, with Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, also joining the fun ahead of the big Chiefs vs. Jets game.  

Happy: The Grammy winner held a big smile on her face as she lightly grabbed Ryan’s arm while watching a play during the game 

Fueling: Since then, both the Blank Space singer and the NFL star have remained in the headlines as their romance continues to heart up

Latest girls night: On Saturday, Swift was seen enjoying a girls night out with her A-list pals Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, with Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, also joining the fun

Back at his hotel: And on Sunday, Travis was seen returning to the the Envue Hotel in Weehawken, New Jersey ahead of the game on Sunday in the early afternoon hours

Time together: The NFL star was spotted arriving in Swift’s Range Rover after it is believed he spent the night at the singer’s apartment located in the Big Apple

And on Sunday, Travis was seen returning to the the Envue Hotel in Weehawken, New Jersey ahead of the game on Sunday in the early afternoon hours. 

The NFL star was spotted arriving in Swift’s Range Rover after it is believed he spent the night at the singer’s apartment located in the Big Apple. 

He could be seen keeping it casual as she sported a black T-shirt as well as a black cap placed on top his head as he entered a small side entrance. 

Back in July, the Chiefs star first expressed his interest for Swift on his podcast that he hosts with brother, Jason, called New Heights With Jason and Travis Kelce.

He opened up about attending her Eras Tour concert in Kansas City and stated, ‘If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it.’

However, he wasn’t able to do so, admitting, ‘I was a little butthurt that I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her. She doesn’t meet anybody — or at least she didn’t want to meet me. So, I took it personal.’

Issued on: 02/10/2023 – 02:05

1 min

For the past year, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have called for such a force to address the country’s spiraling security crisis.

But given the challenges faced by past peacekeeping efforts in Haiti and the risks of sending an outside force into today’s quagmire, finding a country willing to lead the effort has been difficult.

However, Kenya announced in late July that it was ready to take on the lead-nation role and deploy a 1,000-strong force to the impoverished Caribbean country.

The United States, which has expressed willingness to provide logistical support but no boots on the ground, indicated last month that several other countries were prepared to contribute to a multinational security force.

Those countries include Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda.

Following weeks of internal debate over an appropriate mandate, Security Council members on Monday will decide whether to give their blessing to such a mission — which would not be under UN control.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly in mid-September, Prime Minister Henry again implored the international community to provide “urgent” aid to his nation.

A recent UN report from the secretary-general’s office said Haiti’s multiple crises had grown worse over the past year.

The report said violence by the gangs who control much of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and some areas beyond, had become more intense and more brutal.

It described gangs using rape as a weapon; snipers on rooftops terrorizing local residents; and even people being burned alive — but also said ordinary Haitians had begun forming self-defense units to fight back.

The report said nearly 2,800 murders had been tallied between October 2022 and June 2023, including 80 killings of minors.

The violence has been aggravated by an illicit arms trade, largely coming from the United States.

China, which holds a Security Council veto, has previously expressed skepticism about an international security mission. It has instead emphasized a need to crack down on the arms flow from Florida.

(AFP)

If you’ve noticed a swarm of daddy long legs in your home in recent weeks, you’re not alone. 

Famous for clumsily bumping around our walls and ceilings, the bizarre-looking winged creature is found in abundance this time of year. 

This is because the amorous insect – described as a ‘sex machine’ by one expert – is on a frantic hunt for a mate before it dies.  

However, scientists stress that the daddy long legs is harmless and does not bite – and reassure that the claim that it has powerful venom is just a myth. 

Daddy long legs are often confused with the spider of the same name, which will bounce and vibrate rapidly in its web to try and frighten away threats. 

Daddy long legs have just a few days to breed before they die – and they accidentally enter our homes around this time of year during the search for mates 

According to Professor Jim Hardie at the Royal Entomological Society, there are 327 species of daddy long legs (also known as crane flies) in the UK.

But the most common – and the one we’re all likely finding bumping around the walls of our homes – is called Tipula paludosa. 

‘Adults emerge from pupae during late summer, August, September, October and can do so in large numbers,’ Professor Hardie told MailOnline. 

‘This is why they are entering homes at this time of the year but it is accidental – their main preoccupation is seeking mates.’ 

Adults only have about two weeks or less to live, during which time they only have one purpose. 

Paul Hetherington, an expert at nature conservation charity BugLife, called the species a ‘sex machine’ because the adult’s role is ‘purely to mate, lay eggs, and thus reproduce’. 

‘This short lifespan means that the vast majority of crane flies emerge at roughly the same time – it makes finding a mate easier,’ he told MailOnline. 

The most common UK species of crane fly is – and the one we’re all likely finding bumping around the walls of our homes – is called Tipula paludosa (pictured) 

After mating, the females deposit up to 300 eggs in moist soil near plants, which hatch around two weeks later and become larva, referred to as ‘leatherjackets’. 

The larva feed through the rest of the autumn, hibernate in winter, feed again in spring and summer, and then become adults in autumn – and the lifecycle happens again. 

Adults rarely feed on anything because their objective is concentrating on mating and, for the females, laying their eggs among the grass. 

Although the dangly legs of the inset look freaky, they add stability during flight, confuse predators and act like ‘whiskers’ to sense hazards. 

Shutting doors and windows is the best tip for keeping daddy long legs out of homes, but if they do get inside it’s no great issue. 

Dr Duncan Sivell, a fly expert and curator at the National History Museum in London, said daddy long legs are ‘completely harmless’. 

‘I understand people may not like such a large insect flying about in their house but there is nothing to worry about,’ he told MailOnline.

‘If you want to get rid of one quickly you could try a jam jar and a piece of card, and release them outside.

‘You can take a more direct approach and pick them up by a wing, and carry them outside. 

Close up of a female crane fly (Tipula paludosa) on common stinkhorn fungus among the grass

The larva, known as a ‘leatherjacket’, is a greyish grub that lives underground, feeding on plants stems and roots. The adults rarely feed

‘Don’t try to catch them by the legs as these are designed to fall off and the crane fly will escape.

‘If you want rid of them but are not in a hurry then you could leave the windows open and switch the lights off, and in the morning the light from outside should attract the crane flies out again.’ 

Daddy long legs will be the most concerning to proud gardeners because the larva feed on roots in the soil including grass roots, damaging lawns. 

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, a popular method for killing larva is using nematodes – little roundworms that can be sprayed onto the soil.

However, Natalie Bungay, expert at the British Pest Control Association, said: ‘During their time as larvae, crane flies are important for recycling and decomposition.

Daddy long legs (crane flies) are harmless and are even seen affectionately by members of the public 

‘They eat leaves, plants and small bits of organic material in the soil or water bodies where they live, so leave them alone if you can.’ 

According to Dr Sivell at the National History Museum, tracking the abundance of crane flies in Britain has been difficult, so there’s not much data on whether populations are increasing or decreasing from year to year.

‘Recording schemes are run by volunteers and most of the data we have on British insects has been collected voluntarily,’ he said. 

‘People who study these flies will say anecdotally that there’s been a general decrease over the years. 

‘Hard data is more difficult to come by but as the general insect trend is downwards in Britain there is no reason to disbelieve experts when they say there are fewer crane flies around than there used to be.’