Supply chain problems that plagued the PlayStation 5 for three years have now been resolved, its maker Sony has said.

The global chip shortage which began in 2020 impacted industries from car manufacturing to credit cards.

Customers were frustrated at month-long waits for the PS5, with some queueing outside shops overnight, and others paying resellers sky-high prices.

The shortages steadily resolved through 2023, and Sony said its supply chain is now completely fixed worldwide.

That means the console is now not only readily available - but a surplus may lead to retailers competing for the sale.

It comes as Sony boss Eric Lempel also said it had redesigned its PlayStation Plus subscription service, this week adding cloud gaming for PS5 games.

The gaming firm's head of business said players could also cloud stream many of the games they already own digitally.

Microsoft's own subscription service, Game Pass, also allows players to stream some of the latest games.

Sony's announcement comes as Microsoft announced an aggressively cut-price deal for its Xbox console with three months of its subscription service bundled in, while Sony is focusing on hardware with a smaller PS5 coming soon.

In the video game sector all the major companies were affected by the chip shortage, and in 2022 scalpers were selling the PS5 at twice its retail price - despite this, the console increased in price by £30 in stores.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuvTqrxvZYw

Aberdeen surrendered the opportunity to seal a first European group-stage win in nearly 16 years as PAOK Salonika came from two goals down to snatch an astonishing Europa Conference League win at a shell-shocked Pittodrie.

Quickfire second-half goals from Bojan Miovski and Dante Polvara had a raucous crowd dreaming of a rare victory in continental competition.

However, that exuberance was extinguished as Kiril Despodov pulled one back after a Richard Jensen slip, before more poor defending allowed Vieirinha to slam home an equaliser.

And, after being denied a penalty of their own at 2-1 when Jack MacKenzie went down in the box, Aberdeen were punished at the death.

Slobodan Rubezic's challenge on Magomed Ozdoev was subject to a VAR review and, after a spot-kick was awarded, Stefan Schwab rolled in with the final kick in the 96th minute to seal a remarkable comeback for the Greeks.

The defeat leaves Barry Robson's side third in Group G, ahead on goal difference of a HJK Helsinki side who were battered by Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.

A Premier League match will be played on Christmas Eve for the first time in 28 years when Wolves host Chelsea.

Originally scheduled for 23 December, the fixture will now take place on Sunday, 24 December at 13:00 GMT.

The only previous Christmas Eve match since the Premier League was formed in 1992 took place in 1995, when Leeds United beat Manchester United 3-1.

Three rounds of festive fixtures were provisionally set for 23, 26 and 30 December.

The Crystal Palace v Brighton game from the first round has been brought forward to Thursday, 21 December (20:00), while Aston Villa v Sheffield United will take place on Friday, 22 December (20:00 GMT).

Six matches remain on Saturday, 23 December before Chelsea visit Wolves on Christmas Eve.

The second round of festive fixtures begins with five matches on Tuesday, 26 December and three on Wednesday, 27 December.

Then on Thursday, 28 December, Brighton host current Premier League leaders Tottenham and West Ham travel to Arsenal.

Because those matches take place on a later date, after six matches are held on Saturday, 30 December, Arsenal's trip to Fulham and Tottenham's home match against Bournemouth are scheduled for Sunday, 31 December.

Liverpool versus Newcastle (20:00) on Monday, 1 January and West Ham against Brighton on Tuesday, 2 January (20:00) complete the fixtures.

The owner of a blind black Labrador who was missing for three days has revealed how he feared for the dog's life - before being reunited with her with the help of a drone.

The 11-year-old pooch, named Molly, disappeared on Friday October 20 and owner Mike Herridge, 58, feared he would never see the beloved family dog again.

But after his oldest daughter Natalie, 23, called UK charity Drone to Home, the pooch was located in just two hours and brought home safely.

Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Herridge said: 'To be honest, I didn't think we were going to find her alive. I started looking in ditches or holes she could've fallen into. She's completely blind and isn't particularly mobile.'

But, revealing his relief at finding her, he added: 'I was standing near the drone operator who said ''I think I might've found your dog'', so I looked on his screen and said, ''Yep that's her!'''

Footage captured by the drone shows Molly roaming around a paddock in Tissington, Derbyshire, before Mr Herridge pulls up and the two are finally reunited.

'I was so happy we found her, it was a really emotional moment,' Mr Herridge said, adding: 'It was a big relief for the family, but I have no idea where she went.

'When she heard my voice she started jumping around like a puppy. I held her and thought, "I can't believe I'm picking you up right now."'

Australia overcame a spirited New Zealand to extend their World Cup winning streak to four games in a high-scoring thriller in Dharamsala.

The Black Caps needed 19 to win from the final over to complete a World Cup record chase of 389.

But James Neesham was agonisingly run out for 58 off the penultimate ball and last man Lockie Ferguson could not hit the six needed from the final delivery.

They finished five runs short on 383-9, led by Rachin Ravindra's stunning 116.

The combined tally of 771 runs made it the highest-scoring World Cup game of all time.

Earlier, Travis Head's brutal 109 from 67 balls, in an opening stand of 175 in 19.1 overs with David Warner, helped Australia to their imposing total of 388.

An uncharacteristically sloppy performance in the field saw New Zealand spill four catches, including Head on 70 and 75, amid a chaotic opening bowling display.

The usually consistent seamers Matt Henry and Trent Boult struggled in the face of Warner and Head's aggressive start, with the pair smashing 118-0 in the 10-over powerplay - an Australian ODI record.

Part-time spinner Glenn Phillips took 3-37 to record the only respectable figures in Australia's imposing total, which included 20 sixes.

Australia have recovered from two successive defeats to start the tournament and are well-placed for a semi-final spot, while New Zealand's hopes are not too severely dented after their strong start of four wins.

Third-placed Leeds returned to winning ways by walloping Huddersfield in the Yorkshire derby.

Dan James and Crysencio Summerville scored two goals apiece in the first half as the hosts ensured a fourth straight home win, before Michal Helik's consolation.

The Terriers had lost only two of their previous 14 Yorkshire derbies and had not conceded in their last three.

But Darren Moore's side were disappointing and remain one place above the drop zone.

Eddie Nketiah scored his first Premier League hat-trick as Arsenal extended their unbeaten start to the season with victory over Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium.

He opened the scoring with a deft touch and swivelled finish after Declan Rice's threaded ball caught out the United defence.

Nketiah's thumping effort into the roof of the net increased Arsenal's lead against Paul Heckingbottom's struggling side.

A sensational strike from 25 yards completed a perfect afternoon for the England forward, who has five league goals this season.

Fabio Vieira scored a late penalty after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged Oliver Norwood to have fouled him inside the area.

Takehiro Tomiyasu got on the end of a flick from Mohamed Elneny and poked home from a corner in stoppage time.

Victory lifted Arsenal up to second in the table, two points behind north London rivals Tottenham.

1912

Cmon ABs

Queens Park Rangers have sacked head coach Gareth Ainsworth after a run of nine Championship games without a win left them six points from safety.

The 50-year-old was appointed in February following 11 years at Wycombe.

Ainsworth won only five of his 28 games in charge, and the R's have now lost six consecutive matches including Saturday's defeat by Leicester.

Assistant boss Richard Dobson also leaves Rangers, with the club 22nd and with just eight points from 14 games.

"Making a call such as this is never easy, and it is even more difficult when you have such respect on both a personal and professional level for the individuals concerned - which we all do for Gareth and Richard," chief executive Lee Hoos said.

"Many supporters have told me in recent months that they have never wanted someone to succeed more than Gareth, which is an indication of the fondness everyone associated with QPR has for him.

"Unfortunately, results this season haven't gone the way we all wanted and we feel a change is necessary."

The appointment of a new head coach will follow "in the coming days", Hoos added in his statement.

Mike Pence: Former US Vice President withdraws from 2024 presidential race

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67252297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0iga1eNgvA

8bit

11 - 12

South Africa clinched a record fourth Rugby World Cup title by doing just enough to deny 14-man New Zealand and retain their crown in a helter-skelter final in Paris.

The Springboks seemed to have control when, with Handre Pollard's dead-eyed goalkicking having already given them a 9-3 lead, Sam Cane caught Jesse Kriel high in the 27th minute.

The New Zealand captain was shown a red card on review and another Pollard penalty left the All Blacks a man down, nine points behind and in deep trouble.

But New Zealand rallied, rode their luck and dragged themselves back into the game. Richie Mo'unga kicked a penalty before the break and Beauden Barrett scooped up a loose ball and slid in after the interval to cut South Africa's lead to 12-11.

Both teams pushed for a decisive score in an enthralling, lactic-drenched final quarter, but neither found one, with Jordie Barrett missing a long-range 73rd-minute penalty and the Springboks clinging on for a third successive one-point victory in the knockout stages.

4 World Cups, South Africa out there on their own now.

ABs go again in 2027

England's miserable World Cup campaign slumped further as they collapsed to a 100-run defeat by hosts India in Lucknow.

Chasing 230 on a tricky pitch, the defending champions were bowled out for 129 amid raucous home support in their latest batting capitulation.

It is their fourth defeat in succession in India and their fifth overall - the first time they have lost five times at a World Cup.

The results sends the unbeaten hosts back to the top of the table. They have also all but secured a semi-final spot.

England, meanwhile, are bottom and while they are still not mathematically out of the competition, it is a matter of when not if they are eliminated.

Only the top seven teams at this tournament will join hosts Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in 2025, so England have work to do to make that.

1998 – Space Shuttle Discovery blasts off on STS-95 with 77-year-old John Glenn on board, making him the oldest person to go into space at that time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9olaIio3l8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aticTvrf3VA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmq5-wcLHE