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Canada's national para hockey team is back on the ice on P.E.I. for the first time in seven years, and that's uplifting news for team members with a connection to the island. Liam Hickey, the team's assistant captain, is from Newfoundland and Labrador, but used to play with the PEI Mustangs wheelchair basketball team. He said it's special to be playing close enough to home that his friends and family can come watch him play. "Anytime I get a chance to have them in the stands definitely [has] a special meaning," he said. Canada falls to U.S. at International Para Hockey Cup to earn silver in Czech Republic Canada roster for International Para Hockey Cup loaded with world champions The 2024 Para Cup started Sunday in Charlottetown, and runs until Dec.14. Teams from Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States will compete for the gold medal. This is the fifth time the city has hosted the sledge hockey tournament. Hickey said it's an exciting opportunity to represent his province and Canada, but also for him and his teammates to show off the sport. The United States beat China 10-1 in the first game of the 2024 Para Cup on Sunday. (Connor Lamont/CBC) "Anytime we get to really perform with the other top three teams in the world is the best opportunity we have to put the sport on display, so I think that's one of the biggest things we look forward to as a group," he said. "Obviously our main focus is to get the gold medal here, but I think that's a big part that comes along with it and ownership that we take as members of the sport." We always feel like we're coming back to a family here in a way. - Liam Hickey, Canada's National Para Hockey Team assistant captain Grant Boswall, who lives in Charlottetown and is one of the equipment managers for Team Canada, said it's "pretty spectacular" to be with the team in his home province. "It's really neat to participate with Hockey Canada any time, but it's kind of a little bit surreal coming back to your home province and living five minutes down the road from the rink that they're actually playing in," he said. "So it's definitely a different feel than being in the Czech Republic or China or wherever." Strong Charlottetown fan base Hickey said there's a strong fan base in Charlottetown and Team Canada loves to play there. "We always feel like we're coming back to a family here in a way," he said. Canada, China, the Czech Republic and the United States are all playing in the 2024 Para Cup in Charlottetown. (Connor Lamont/CBC) Hickey said he was feeling excited heading into Canada's first game, and Boswall said the players are "ready to go." "[These are] the top four teams in the world right now," Hickey said. "So I mean, this is the best opportunity to come out and really see what para hockey is all about."y hand sign 。

Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleJoe Biden's pardon for son Hunter angers both Democrats and Republicans

Trump says U.S. should stay out of fighting in Syria as opposition forces gainFrance celebrated the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze. A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times. "Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. Trump could be seen sitting on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul. In a short speech, Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years. France had "rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible", he said. One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word "Merci" ("Thank you") was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece. Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds outside to witness the renaissance of a monument, which came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. Saturday's service featured classical music, the cathedral's choir as well as the "re-awakening" of the 8,000-pipe organ which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral. A televised public concert planned outside featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. He scored a major coup by attracting Trump along with around 40 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to end the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office on January 20, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia. "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 talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people and weighed into a row about whether the place of worship and tourist attraction should remain free to enter. The "immense" numbers set to visit Notre Dame should be welcomed "generously and free of charge", he said, clearly opposing a proposition from the French culture ministry to charge for entry. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. adp-sjw/jj

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:45 p.m. ESTMuch has been written in recent decades about the growing influence of money on politics and elections in the United States, including titles such as ‘The Best Congress Money Can Buy and The Best Democracy Money Can Buy’. But has Donald Trump’s victory over Vice-President Kamala Harris, whose campaign had a huge funding advantage, undermined that narrative? In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville warned of the threat that big money poses to the US system of governance in his book Democracy in America. Wary of the influence of oligarchs and plutocrats, Tocqueville wrote: “The surface of American society is [...] covered with a layer of democracy, from beneath which the old aristocratic colours sometimes peep.” Today, it is the billionaire class leveraging its financial resources to influence elections and policymaking, consolidating more power at the expense of the vast majority of ordinary citizens, further widening America’s wealth inequality, and weakening Americans’ trust in national institutions. The floodgates were opened by Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (2010), in which the Supreme Court reversed campaign-finance restrictions, enabling corporations and other outside groups to “spend unlimited amounts” on elections. The money being channelled into campaigns has since soared, with super PACs (political action committees) raising nearly $4.3bn this year, up from $89mn in 2010. But the vast amount of money that poured into the 2024 race did not have a decisive effect on the outcome. Trump was re-elected despite being outspent by Harris, and GOP interest groups and donors gained a remarkable return on their investment. In addition to winning the presidency, Republicans also retained their majority in the House of Representatives and won back the Senate, giving the party full control of the legislative and executive branches. Many factors contributed to Trump’s resounding victory, with the GOP nominee sweeping all seven highly-contested battleground states. For starters, as he shuttled between courtrooms and campaign stops, his base of conservative support was seemingly unshakable. Trump set new records for the Republican Party, making inroads into unions, which have historically leaned Democratic and kept him competitive in key swing states, and attracting more Black and Latino voters than any other GOP presidential nominee in recent history. Despite her fundraising prowess, Harris faced strong political headwinds, not least the unpopularity of President Joe Biden. Many voters saw the election as a referendum on “Bidenomics”, which they associated with high inflation, the attendant cost-of-living crisis, and erosion of household purchasing power. Even though the US Federal Reserve brought down inflation without triggering a recession – annual real GDP grew by 2.8% in the third quarter of 2024, above the long-run growth rate, and the unemployment rate remained historically low – the Democrats paid the political price for what Trump called a “Kamala Harris inflation tax”. Voters were nostalgic for the economy under the first Trump administration. Real average hourly earnings rose by 6.4% during Trump’s presidency, compared to only 1.4% during Biden’s. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta show that the share of household income needed for housing costs fell under Trump and increased by nearly 50% under Biden. Of course, many forgot that Trump inherited from Barack Obama a strong economy with the longest employment expansion on record. Trump also entered the race leading on several issues that American voters say they care about most – inflation, immigration, and crime. After months of campaigning, Trump was still ahead on all three in the weeks before the election. According to a YouGov poll conducted at the end of October, 49% of Americans thought that Trump would do a better job on immigration, whereas 35% thought Harris would. In a Gallup poll conducted in September, the former president had a nine-point lead over the vice president on the question of who would be a better steward of the economy. Voters also had more confidence in Trump’s ability to handle the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza war, with 70% believing that he has experience in foreign affairs. But that is not to discount the power of ultra-rich donors. Trump returns to the White House at a time when the US is deeply divided and highly unequal – more so than at any time since the post-Civil War era. The increasing influence of wealthy individuals and groups over the electoral process and policymaking has undoubtedly contributed to this widening gap between rich and poor. The wealth of the top 1% of US households grew from 36 times to 71 times that of those at the 50th percentile over the past 60 years, and now exceeds the wealth of the middle 60% of households. Economic and political inequalities are closely related. The surging power of the extremely wealthy minority has left most Americans poor and voiceless, fuelling class-based discontent. Bridging this divide may require breaking the chains that have kept policymakers beholden to the donor class for decades and undertaking a democratic shift toward broad-based accountability and more inclusive policies that strengthen individual agency, expand economic opportunities, and improve the income distribution. More than increasing the rate of upward mobility, these policies will rekindle the American dream and foster social cohesion. The future of our democracy and shared prosperity depends on steps that upcoming administrations must take to rebuild trust in our institutions and create a fairer distribution of political and economic power. As former US Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis put it: “We must make our choice. We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.” — Project Syndicate •Hippolyte Fofack, a former chief economist and director of research at the African Export-Import Bank, is a fellow with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network at Columbia University, a research associate at Harvard University’s Center for African Studies, and a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. Related Story Qatar establishes WEF's Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution 61 countries to compete in 8th Katara Award for Reciting Holy Qur’an

Kate Middleton reigns supreme when it comes to inspirational messages this holiday season. Ahead of hosting her annual Christmas carol service alongside husband Prince William at London’s Westminster Abbey Dec. 6, the Princess of Wales has embraced the holiday season as a time to show “love, not fear,” and to celebrate what she deems is the true spirit of Christmas. “Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year,” Kate wrote in a letter to those attending her annual celebration, per NBC News . “It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.” “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness,” she continued, “so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.” And even after announcing her cancer diagnosis in March, one month after her father-in-law King Charles III shared his own cancer diagnosis , Kate continued to spread hope and positivity amid a difficult year. “Love is the light that can shine bright,” she wrote, “even in our darkest times.” Indeed, the 42-year-old has never let her own struggles prevent her from being a beacon of light in difficult situations. After recently completing chemotherapy herself, Kate and William honored Liz Hatton —a 17-year-old British photographer who they met in October , fulfilling her bucket-list dream of photographing the Windsor Castle—after she passed away due to her fight with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. "We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away," the pair shared in a message on their social media accounts Nov. 28. "It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman." And just two months after sharing the completion of her own chemotherapy treatment, Kate, who stepped back from the public eye amid her health battle, eased her way back into public engagements by showing her support for their Armed Forces and veterans at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in November, alongside Charles. As for William—with whom Kate shares Prince George , 11, Princess Charlotte , 9, and Prince Louis , 6—he couldn’t help but gush over his wife’s resilience and strength during these difficult times. "I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done," he told reporters Nov. 7, per the BBC . "But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal." As the royals prepare for their holiday celebrations, keep reading for more royal news from around the world. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Queen Camilla Withdraws From Public Engagements Due to Chest Infection "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection , for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest," the Buckingham Palace announced on Nov. 5. "With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend's Remembrance events as normal. She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result." Princess Beatrice is Expecting Baby No. 2 The royal and her husband of four years Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their second child together , the Royal Family announced Oct. 1. “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together early in the new year,” the caption of their Instagram post read. “His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.” Kate Middleton Completes Chemotherapy On Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales shared that she had completed chemotherapy after being diagnose with an unspecified form of cancer earlier this year. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you," she said in a video statement. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything." The royal added, "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can." Kate Middleton's First Formal Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis The Princess of Wales returned to the spotlight on June 15—three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis—for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London. She was joined by her husband Prince William and their three kids: Prince George , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis . Princess Anne Is Released From Hospital The Princess Royal was discharged after a five-day stay at Southmead Hospital. Her husband, Tim Laurence , said in a statement June 28, "I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay." Princess Anne is Hospitalized With Concussion The younger sister of King Charles III sustained minor injuries during an incident at her estate Gatcombe Park, Buckingham Palace has announced. "Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the June 24 statement , shared to X, read. "The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery." Kate Middleton Shares Chemotherapy Update Nearly three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said that she's "making good progress" with chemotherapy , though there are "good days and bad days" amid her health journey . "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting," Kate wrote on Instagram June 14 . "But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well." She added, "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home." New Role for Prince William On May 13, King Charles III bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his oldest son, sparking controversy as many royal watchers believed the title would be more suited for Prince Harry , who trained and served in the military branch. Kin Charles III Returns to Public Duties On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties . Queen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition . Kate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. "It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment." Kate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C." Lady Kitty Spencer Privately Welcomes Baby Princess Diana 's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby. “It’s the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post . "Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate today." Queen Camilla Takes a Break After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule. The Times pointed out March 2 that the 76-year-old didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day. Thomas Kensington Dies at 45 The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton , was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide. King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer . "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible." Sarah Ferguson Is Diagnosed With a Second Type of Cancer The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates the Throne On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th . Kate Middleton Is Hospitalized Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Kate Middleton underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days. "Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter." Prince William Adjusting His Schedule Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children, Prince George , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis . King Charles III Undergoing Treatment Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate." "His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation." Luxembourg Welcomes a New Baby Princess Claire and Prince Felix of Luxembourg welcomed son Balthazar Felix Karl on Jan. 7, the first royal baby of the New Year!

France celebrated the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze. A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times. "Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. Trump could be seen sitting on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul. In a short speech, Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years. France had "rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible", he said. One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word "Merci" ("Thank you") was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece. Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds outside to witness the renaissance of a monument, which came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. Saturday's service featured classical music, the cathedral's choir as well as the "re-awakening" of the 8,000-pipe organ which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral. A televised public concert planned outside featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. He scored a major coup by attracting Trump along with around 40 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to end the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office on January 20, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia. "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 talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people and weighed into a row about whether the place of worship and tourist attraction should remain free to enter. The "immense" numbers set to visit Notre Dame should be welcomed "generously and free of charge", he said, clearly opposing a proposition from the French culture ministry to charge for entry. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. adp-sjw/jj

Your Guide to Navigating an Unpredictable Trump Era

Syrians rejoice as Assad flees, ending brutal reignStorm Darragh leaves woman stranded on ferry for 13 hours with docking impossible in high winds - meaning she might not make it to Christmas party By DAN WOODLAND Published: 14:48 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 15:42 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail 3 View comments A woman has been left stranded on a ferry for 13 hours after strong winds caused by Storm Darragh made docking in Ireland impossible. Eileen Roberts, 52, and her husband were on their way back from London to Belfast last night when their journey was thrown into chaos. The couple were meant to catch a Stena Line from the English capital last night, which was then cancelled, meaning they had to rush all the way to Scotland to board another ferry at 11.30pm instead. But just two hours into their journey, the captain announced they were unable to dock at Belfast Port due to the high winds. Ms Roberts and her husband have been stranded for more than 13 hours, while the ferry has been doing loops off the Belfast coast. To make matters worse, the 52-year-old fears she and her husband may miss a Christmas party they had planned to attend tonight, as they have no idea when they will make land. Ms Roberts told Sky News she has had just one hours sleep after a 'scary' and 'unsettling' night spent onboard. She added they may be forced to spend another evening on the ferry as it is unlikely they will dock 'anytime soon'. A woman has been left stranded on a Stena Line ferry for 13 hours after strong winds caused by Storm Darragh made docking in Ireland impossible (Stock image) The ferry has been doing loops off the Belfast coast since Friday night after the captain announced they were unable to dock at Belfast Port due to the high winds Eileen Roberts and her husband revealed on Facebook that her and her husband are on board the ferry Ms Roberts told Sky News: 'I'm fine we're just waiting to get into Belfast but it doesn't seem like it's going to be anytime soon. The boat is stable but it does look choppy outside. 'During the night, it was pretty black and we couldn't see what was going on and it was more unsettling. 'I've only had one hours sleep, it's just so uncomfortable 'We can see outside now and yes it is rough out there but the ship itself is calm inside.' She continued: 'We've got a family and friends party for tonight but I am not entirely sure if my husband and I will be able to make it. 'We might be spending the evening with the passengers onboard.' Earlier today Eileen posted on Facebook about her gruelling journey. She wrote: 'Currently aboard Stena Superfast VII...coming into Belfast Lough ship turned and captain announced it's too unsafe to come into Belfast. 'Going round in circles for a few hours I suspect...' The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings across Britain on Saturday CORNWALL: Huge waves whipped up by gale force winds from Storm Darragh crash against the cliffs at Sennen Cove in Cornwall LEEDS: A plane lands at Leeds Bradford Airport during Storm Darragh Authorities have warned people to undertake only essential travel as Storm Darragh continues to lash Northern Ireland. Trains and some bus services were suspended and nearly 50,000 customers left without power as high winds caused severe damage to the electricity network. Read More BREAKING NEWS Storm Darragh turns deadly: Man in his 40s dies - as destruction from 93mph gales is laid bare A bus was involved in a road crash in Co Antrim in the early hours of Saturday, while Stena Line ferry services from Belfast to Cairnryan in Scotland have been cancelled. The Department for Infrastructure said multi-agency partners have been meeting in response to the Met Office's amber weather warning for wind which remains in place until 9pm. In a statement, the Stormont department urged people to make only essential travel because road conditions are challenging. They said disruption to bus and train services as well as some flights was continuing on Saturday afternoon and the Strangford ferry has been suspended until further notice. 'Translink have taken steps to mitigate against the effects of Storm Darragh. Additional buses are on standby. Additional support and teams are also on standby, including chainsaw crews, to assist with any fallen debris blocking the railway,' a department spokesman said. 'If roads are blocked, it may be necessary to divert Ulsterbus or Goldliner services. NORTHERN IRELAND: An Airport bus has crashed into a property on the Ballyrobin Road near Antrim in Northern Ireland NORTHERN IRELAND: A huge tree blocks the slip road to the M1 to Belfast in Ballycare PORTHCAWL: High winds have ripped off a roof and caused damage to a building in Porthcawl, South Wales 'Safety is Translink's number one priority. All passengers should check the Translink Journey Planner or social media channels in advance of travel and to allow extra time for their journeys. 'Department for Infrastructure staff have been working through the night to respond to approximately 900 incidents which are mainly debris on the roads, fallen trees and branches and flooding.' A Translink spokesperson said a driver on the bus involved in the collision in Co Antrim had been the only person on board at the time and was taken to hospital for treatment. 'We can confirm that the driver has since been discharged from hospital,' they said. 'Our immediate priority is the welfare of our colleague, and we are providing support to them and their family. An internal investigation is under way, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances of the incident.' A number of roads, including Castle Street in Belfast city centre, were closed on Saturday morning while clean-up work was carried out. Some events in Northern Ireland, including three Irish League football clashes and a planned vigil in Belfast for the women of Afghanistan have been called off, while the Apprentice Boys of Derry shutting of the gates event in Londonderry is still set to go ahead. Northern Ireland London Share or comment on this article: Storm Darragh leaves woman stranded on ferry for 13 hours with docking impossible in high winds - meaning she might not make it to Christmas party e-mail Add comment