Author: The West News

[ad_1] Liverpool and Manchester United’s controversial ‘Project Big Picture’ idea has reportedly been welcomed by League One and Two clubs in desperate need of financial assistance. The plan, launched on Sunday and supported by EFL chief Rick Parry, would immediately provide around £350million to be shared among struggling Football League clubs, the National League, the women’s game and grassroots football. While such initiatives are to be welcomed of course, this plan seems to come at the cost of the bigger clubs grabbing more power in the English game. Both the Carabao Cup and Community Shield would be axed as part…

[ad_1] Before you play games on your new Xbox Series X, reset your expectations. The value of the next-generation consoles is not in the graphics — at least not this year. The real benefits at launch will be the invisible but appreciable quality-of-life improvements. The upgrades aren’t so glamorous, but I suspect you’ll love them once you notice them. Over the past week, I had the opportunity to finally play next-gen video games on my Xbox Series X. I sunk hours into the arcade racing game Dirt 5 and the turn-based role-playing game Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Both of these…

[ad_1] Fly-half Finn Russell is back in the Scotland squad for the autumn internationals after making up with head coach Gregor Townsend. Russell has been named in the 40-man party nine months after being turfed out of the Six Nations squad before a game had been played over an initial argument around drinking. That incident led to an ongoing rift between Russell and Townsend being aired in public, with Russell revealing all in an explosive newspaper interview. But Russell is now back after showing some majestic form for French giants Racing 92. The squad also includes three uncapped players in…

[ad_1] The boss of the UK’s largest dairy supplier has warned shoppers they will have to pay more for grocery essentials including butter and cheese if the UK leaves the EU without a deal in January. Ash Amirahmadi, who leads dairy giant Arla’s UK operations, also warned that timing of Brexit talks mean that many food suppliers could “struggle” to manage a no deal or late deal in the face of coronavirus disruption and Christmas demand. Retailers have warned that products could be slapped by with more than £3 billion of tariffs if the UK walks away from Brexit talks…

[ad_1] Di’Shon Bernard is the most likely of Manchester United’s young players to head out on loan this week. United have already sent a number of academy stars out on loan this summer, with Max Taylor the latest to follow Under-23 teammates Dylan Levitt, James Garner, Tahith Chong, Matej Kovar and Aliou Traore in securing a temporary move. And MEN Sport understands centre-back Bernard, 19, has been in talks with League One and League Two clubs over a possible loan until the end of the season. The London-born defender has made just one senior appearance for United, starting in the…

[ad_1] Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State has pledged to take a decision on whether to order a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane by the end of November, the High Court heard today. ounsel for Brandon Lewis gave the commitment and offered an apology for the time taken to reach a final position – some of which could not be justified. The development came in a legal challenge by Mr Finucane’s widow to the British Government’s delay in acting on a finding that his death has never been properly investigated. Geraldine Finucane’s barrister described the ongoing hold-up as…

[ad_1] With the new generation a month away, I finally got my hands on a true next-gen title after putting the new Xbox Series X through the paces with backwards compatible games. Dirt 5 is a visual treat; mud flings into the air as you throw on your handbreak to cut around a corner as the sun slices through deep blue sky in blinding fashion. The visual leap forward is noticeable, but I was most impressed by how smooth everything feels. Dirt 5 capitalizes on the speed emphasis of the Xbox Series X, loading detailed environments with several cars in just…

[ad_1] Killer whales have declared war on Spanish fishing boats. Since July, there have been at least 30 attacks on small boats in which the mammals ram the vessels. Most have taken place off Spain’s north-west coast, but some were rammed by the mammals in the Straits of Gibraltar and five ships were attacked in Portuguese waters. A woman who was onboard one of the ships said that the attack felt “totally orchestrated”. A dog owner was embarrassed when the pet she was walking found a sex toy. Klara Robson was walking a labrador named Charlie and thought he was…

[ad_1] Britain’s Got Talent has released the voting figures from last night’s final, and it might just surprise you. Pianist Jon Courtenay was crowned the 2020 figure on Saturday – although the result left many unhappy with viewers rooting for choir Sign Along With Us. Among the 10 finalists Welsh father and son magic act James and Dylan Piper moved the judges with their touching performance looking back at the importance of family during lockdown. But none of the five magic acts made the top four, with comedian and entertainer Steve Royle, Sign Along With Us, and comedian Nabil Abdulrashid…

[ad_1] The virus responsible for Covid-19 can survive for up to four weeks on surfaces including banknotes and mobile phone screens, researchers have claimed. Australia’s national science agency CSIRO found the virus was “extremely robust” at 20C (68F), or room temperature, and survived for less time at hotter temperatures. The research involved drying virus in an artificial mucus on different surfaces, at concentrations similar to those reported in samples from infected patients and then re-isolating the virus over a month. The study was also carried out in the dark, as research has demonstrated direct sunlight can rapidly inactivate the virus.…