U.S. Air Force says - Laser-armed fighter jets by 2020

The invention of guns took warfare to a whole new level. Later, airplanes radically changed it again. Now, experts say another big shift is coming, led by energy weapons, including lasers.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, said it's on track to demonstrate a working laser weapon on a fighter jet by 2020.

"It really is a national tipping point," said Kelly Hammett, chief engineer for the AFRL's directed energy directorate. "We see the technology evolving and maturing to the stage where it really can be used."

Arming larger planes with laser weapons has been possible for years. 

But the more difficult challenge is to create lasers small, accurate and powerful enough for fighter jets, Hammett said. The g-forces and vibrations of near supersonic speeds make that tough. Hammett said he thinks those hurdles can be overcome within five years.

The AFRL is also working on another idea that sounds like something from "Star Trek":

You might call it a defensive laser shield — as in, "Shields up, Mr. Sulu."

Here's how it would work: A 360-degree laser bubble would surround a U.S. warplane. That bubble would disable or destroy anything that comes inside, like a missile or another aircraft. 

Suarez is world's best striker - No Messi and no Neymar

No Lionel Messi, no Neymar, no matter. Luis Suarez stole the show for Barcelona as the Catalans eased past Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on Thursday. In the absence of the game's two finest footballers in 2015, the Uruguayan showed he is the best centre-forward around.

Suarez struggled for goals at the beginning of his Camp Nou career, but really got going after Christmas and ended the campaign with 25 in 43 games en route to the club's treble triumph. It was an impressive return and aside from scoring, he does so much more for the team.

"Suarez gives us a lot," Luis Enrique said in October. "What he gives us is priceless, non-negotiable. He gives us power inside the box, he's irreplaceable. And he does a lot of good defensive work as well."

And he scores goals, of course. The Uruguayan now has 22 in just 23 games in 2015-16 (and 15 in his last 10 appearances) to close in on his mark from last season with over half of the campaign still ahead. At his current rate, he is on target to net 50 goals or more this term.

Guus Hiddink in two minds over succeeding Mourinho - "Chelsea are in a bad situation"

The former Real Madrid manager, who is heavy favourite to take over as the Portuguese's replacement at Stamford Bridge, admits he is unsure whether he wants the job

Guus Hiddink has admitted he is in two minds over taking the vacant manager's role at Chelsea given their "bad situation".

The former Real Madrid and PSV boss has been strongly linked with taking over at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Thursday.

N Korea Sentences Canadian Pastor To Hard Labour

North Korea has sentenced a Canadian pastor to hard labour for life for subversion, according to state media.

South Korean-born Hyeon Soo Lim, from a Toronto church, is also reported to have confessed to helping people escape from the authoritarian communist country.

The North's official news agency KCNA said during his trial Mr Lim admitted to "not only viciously defaming the highest dignity of Korea and its system but also possessing the wicked intention of trying to topple the Republic by staging an anti-state conspiracy".

North Korea's Supreme Court claimed Mr Lim, the head pastor of one of Canada's largest churches, had attempted to overthrow the regime and undermine its social system with "religious activities" for the past 18 years, reported China's official Xinhua news agency.

Palestinian health ministry:Two Palestinians killed, four wounded by Israel soldiers

QALANDIYA: Clashes erupted Wednesday after Israeli soldiers raided a refugee camp near Ramallah and shot dead two Palestinians who allegedly sought to ram their cars into troops.

The Israeli military said three soldiers were wounded, including one seriously, but said it was investigating whether the injuries were due to stray bullets fired by other troops.
Four Palestinians were wounded in addition to the two who were killed at the Qalandiya refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, located near a checkpoint at the entrance to Jerusalem, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The ministry confirmed the deaths of Ahmad Jahajha, 21, and Hekmat Hamdan, whose age was not disclosed.
"Tonight, during an operation to make arrests of wanted Palestinians and to seize arms in Qalandiya refugee camp, two attempted car-ramming attacks were made against security forces in two different parts of the camp," the Israeli army said in a statement.

Garcia Quilon: Benitez HAS NOT been given Real Madrid ultimatum-say agent

Rafael Benitez has not been given an ultimatum by the Real Madrid board, according to his agent Garcia Quilon.
Pressure has been mounting on Benitez, with reports suggesting the Madrid coach has lost the support of his players just six months into his time in the Spanish capital.

That pressure was compounded after Madrid's 1-0 loss to Villarreal on Sunday which cost them the chance to close the gap on La Liga leaderrs Barcelona after Luis Enrique's side drew 2-2 at home to Deportivo La Coruna.

But Benitez's agent has assured there is no ultimatum in place for the 55-year-old.  "Ultimatum? We don't know anything about that, no-one has formally communicated anything," Quilon told Mediaset. "Everything is speculation."

On Benitez's relationship with the Madrid players, Quilon said: "He has a correct relationship, both on a sport and human level."

PSG vs Chelsea, Barcelona vs Arsenal; See the UEFA Champions League last 16 draw in full

Chelsea has been given a massive task in the champions league after they were drawn against PSG in the draw which took place in Nyon this morning. See the full draw after the cut...