David Allen Sibley's first book for young readers, 'What It’s Like To Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers)', published by Delacorte, is highlighted as one of the Best Middle-Grade Books of 2023. The book, which took over 15 years to develop, aims to connect children with nature through birding, offering a simplified and interactive text compared to the original 2020 edition. Sibley emphasizes the benefits of birding for young people, including its effectiveness in controlling ADHD. The book is designed for readers of all ages with an interest in nature and science and is intended to be read in random order. Sibley also shares his favorite bird-related nonfiction works of the year by Jennifer Ackerman and Christian Cooper, as well as a nostalgic mention of Allan W. Eckert's 'Incident at Hawk’s Hill'.

Australian winemakers are optimistic about the potential improvement in trade relations with China following a press conference by the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian. During the event, Xiao toasted the bilateral relationship with Barossa Valley red wine and acknowledged the possibility of resolving past trade disputes. Despite the current 200% tariff on Australian wine, winemakers like Risko Isic of Sirromet Winery are hopeful but recognize that resuming trade to pre-COVID levels could take years.

The Australian Securities Exchange's (ASX) failed blockchain project exemplifies the problematic reliance on external consultants and the lack of technological acumen in Australian society. The article criticizes the excessive spending on consulting firms like KPMG, EY, and Accenture, which has increased significantly at the taxpayer's expense. The Optus and Medibank hacks are cited as further evidence of technical incompetence. The Victorian government's Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRP) is highlighted as a successful counterexample, having built internal knowledge and infrastructure. The author argues for the need to build technical proficiency within Australia and views the reliance on consulting firms as a wasteful use of resources.

The Royal College of Nursing has expressed concerns over the 'very bleak picture' for nursing staff who are already exhausted from the pandemic, as staff shortages worsen due to COVID-19. NHS data shows a significant increase in staff absences, particularly in London, and the full impact of the omicron variant is yet to be seen. Both RCN director Patricia Marquis and NHS Providers CEO Chris Hopson have highlighted the immense pressure on healthcare workers, who are dealing with the pandemic, staff shortages, and a backlog of routine care.

Tottenham's Europa Conference League game with Rennes was officially postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, with up to 13 players and staff testing positive. Rennes, already through as group winners, criticized Tottenham for a lack of clear communication. UEFA confirmed the postponement and is discussing a new date, with a December 31 deadline for group games. Tottenham's training ground is closed, and their upcoming Premier League game against Brighton is also likely to be postponed.

The drama 'Five Days at Memorial,' based on a 2013 book, has completed filming in Hamilton, focusing on the harrowing first five days at a hospital post-Hurricane Katrina, where medical staff faced critical decisions amidst power outages, leading to 45 patient deaths.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust criticized Tottenham Hotspur for refusing to discuss fan concerns about the club's direction, including the team's form and off-field issues such as the search for a new manager and Harry Kane's transfer saga. The trust highlighted the club's lack of communication and the need for change in football governance, as evidenced by the club's actions. An emergency meeting of the trust's board is planned to consider next steps, while Spurs have not commented on the statement. The club is currently eighth in the Premier League under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

New research has found that vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can emit a bitter taste and foul-smelling gas when mixed with a child's saliva and mouth bacteria, a reaction that also occurs in some adults. Food scientist Damian Frank discovered that individuals with certain oral bacteria break down sulfur-containing compounds, releasing stinky sulfur volatiles. This reaction is consistent among children and adults, but varies from person to person. Children with higher bacterial activity tend to dislike cauliflower more. Frank suggests trying different preparation methods, such as panfrying or steaming, to make these nutritious vegetables more palatable.