Archive November 2, 2025

Are Wales players getting enough game time?

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
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A common theme persisted throughout Wales’ winless Six Nations and World Cup post-mortems: game time.

Players entered international competitions without being prepared, insufficiently fit, and lacking in match sharpness due to a lack of match minutes at the club level.

Amanda Bennett, the women’s committee chair of the Welsh Rugby Union, said, “We have seen in WXV tournaments and the last World Cup that many of our players were just not physically or psychological prepared.”

Sean Lynn, the head coach for Wales, was already overly aware of this.

    • October 25

    • seven days ago

    • September 10th

After the World Cup pool round exit, Lynn stated that he will be closely watching the limited game time this year.

The former Gloucester-Hartpury head coach would need to establish connections with Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) coaches to ensure that his players are given opportunities.

Only 12 members of Lynn’s 32-person team for the PWR season participated in the opening week of the season. Given the involvement of Bristol Bears, that number increased to 17.

Some people, including Gwen Crabb and Alex Callender, were injured, too.

However, if you look a little deeper, you’ll discover that only five of the 12 Wales players who started the week actually played, and only ten minutes of action from players like Megan Davies and Hannah Dallavalle.

Only seven of Wales’ 17 players who made their clubs debut this weekend did so right away. The rest of the bench had allotted different minutes.

I simply want to play.

What can Wales do to ensure that players are prepared for Test rugby and battle-tested when they play at the 2016 Six Nations?

Players can of course keep pushing the boundaries for PWR selection, but competition is fierce with the inclusion of many of England’s Red Roses in the squads.

One of Wales’ most exciting players this year, full-back Nel Metcalfe, one of the few shining lights, is hoping to make an impact in Gloucester.

The focus of this season is just playing, according to 20-year-old Metcalfe, “one thing we’ve seen from the World Cup is that game time is really important.”

Without a doubt, The Celtic Challenge will be very important. The Lightning and Thunder international competition is currently in its third year.

The WRU hopes that Welsh players who are struggling for game time to return home could even be drawn to the two regions.

It’s another chance to play, said Metcalfe, “because it was so amazing for me and so many other girls.”

“It has grown so much over the past two years, and I’m confident that it will grow even more this year.” It would be fantastic to participate in that as well.

The WRU announced in its most recent consultation that it would provide additional funding for the two teams, as well as a new four-club league, a national academy, and player development centers.

Because we can see the opportunities ahead, Bennett said, “The WRU has made a long-term commitment.”

“We need to make sure we are ensuring a future for players, girls, and boys who want to play for Wales,” he said.

related subjects

  • Welsh Rugby
  • Rugby Union

Queen Elizabeth’s go-to sandwich that’s had ‘vile things’ done to it over the years

By in Entertainment News, News

Just over a year before the end of World War II rationing, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

Tom Parker Bowles has delved into a simple dish that was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation 72 years ago. Despite noting that the recipe has suffered several ‘vile’ alterations over the years, he detailed its original version, crafted by Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume.

“I know, I know it really wouldn’t be a royal cookbook without this so-called regal ‘classic’,” he wrote in his recently published book, Cooking & The Crown. “…Now the original version, as below, is perfectly civilised, but as the years went on, all manner of base and vile things were done to this perfectly innocent recipe, adding almonds and sultanas, lashings of turmeric and God knows what else, until it became a banana-hued, sickly-sweet aberration, the abject filling for a thousand sorry service station fillings.”

The recipe in question is Poulet Reine Elizabeth, more commonly known as Coronation Chicken sandwiches. While Spry and Hume were the creative minds behind this dish, the exact origin of their inspiration remains a mystery.

Jubilee Chicken, a dish made with mayonnaise, chicken, and curry powder, was served to George V in 1935. There is little evidence to back up this theory, despite the many theories that this might have contributed to Coronation Chicken’s creation.

Just over a year before the end of World War II rationing, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1953., which lasted for 14 years. Back then, chicken was not a usual everyday item, making the Coronation dish a noteworthy luxury, reports the Mirror US.

In his book, Tom offers a straightforward recipe for those who want to try cooking like king. The traditional method of boiling and shredding chicken is followed, but getting the sauce just right might require a little more skill.

The fact that the original filling also includes red wine, tomato paste, and mayonnaise, may surprise you. Before serving the mixture on brown bread, the addition of baby leaves, lemon juice, and the customary salt and pepper is made.

Tom made the point that the crusts must be taken out before serving sandwiches the royal way. He advised “Cut each sandwich into three fat fingers” and remove the crusts.

Tom’s book, Cooking and The Crown, provides a detailed, step-by-step recipe and ingredient list for creating the Coronation favourite. Beyond Poulet Reine Elizabeth, the collection features over 100 recipes spanning from Queen Victoria’s era through to King Charles III.

There are plenty of more straightforward recipes you can try at home, despite the extravagant nature of many dishes like “Pommes Elizabeth” and “Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises.”

Continue reading the article.

More information can be found here.

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Smith, Dodgers win World Series 2025 against Blue Jays, repeat as champions

By in News, World News
by news organizations

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 on Saturday night to become the first team to win consecutive Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series titles in a quarter century. Will Smith scored the winning home run in the 11th inning following Miguel Rojas’ scoring for a tie-winning drive in the ninth inning.

Los Angeles became the first repeat champion from the National League since the 1975 and 1976 Cincinnati Reds, coming off of 3-0 and 4-2-4 deficits and avoiding a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning.

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The Dodgers took their first lead of the night when Smith hit a 2-0 slider past Shane Bieber into the Blue Jays bullpen.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched 96 pitches for the Dodgers in the series’ opener on Friday, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning and won the series by pitching 2 2 3/3 innings.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was sacrificed to third, gave up a leadoff double in the eleventh inning. Mookie Betts, who had already started a title-winning 6-4-3 double play, was given a lead by Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger.

In the 11th inning, Smith hits the game-winning home run [Ashley Landis/AP].

Dodgers win Game 7 with a rally

The Dodgers argued that their 2020s teams should be viewed as dynasties with their ninth title and third in six years. Since moving to the Hall of Fame, Dave Roberts, their manager since 2016, increased the likelihood that he will be inducted.

Bo Bichette scored a three-run homer to give Toronto the lead in Game 3, but Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player, was resting for three days after the game’s loss.

Los Angeles defeated Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer on sacrifice flies from Teoscar Hernandez in the fourth game to defeat Chris Bassitt.

With an RBI double off Tyler Glasnow, who came in after giving up the final three runs on three pitches to save Game 6, Andres Gimenez restored Toronto’s two-run lead in the sixth inning on Friday.

Max Muncy’s eighth-inning homer off of veteran rookie Trey Yesavage, who cut the Dodgers’ lead to one run, and Jeff Hoffman, who was inserted into the starting lineup in Game 6, scored with some energy.

Los Angeles turned to Yamamoto after Toronto lost to Blake Snell in the bottom half and put two on with one out.

The Dodgers were forced to play the infield in and the outfield shallow after he hit Alejandro Kirk with a pitch. As catcher Smith kept his foot on the plate, Dalton Varsho threw a force-out to second, where Rojas stumbled but managed to force it home.

Then, as he crashed into left fielder Kike Hernandez, Ernie Clement flew out to Andy Pages, who caught a jumping backhand on the center-field warning track.

Mookie Betts struck out with one out in the tenth, and Muncy had his third hit with one hit. Hernandez reached first and loaded the bases. Gimenez threw home for a force-out after Pages grounded to shortstop. Second baseman Guerrero then hit Seranthony Dominguez in the first pitch, beating Hernandez to the end in a video review.

The Marlins’ 3-2 victory over Cleveland in 1997 was the second-longest Series Game 7, just behind only the Washington Senators’ 4-3 victory over the New York Giants in 1924.

Dodgers players react.
Clayton Kershaw, 22, celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy following Game 7 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays [Kevin Sousa/Imagn Images via Reuters]

At least 23 killed in supermarket explosion in Mexico’s Sonora state

By in News, World News

BREAKING,

Published On 2 Nov 2025

According to local authorities, a Mexican supermarket explosion claimed the lives of at least 23 people.

In addition to the 11 injured in the blast at a Waldo’s store on Saturday in the state of Sonora’s Hermosillo.

In a video message sent to the state’s governor, Alfonso Durazo, “tragedy, a number of the victims we’ve found were minors.”

He added that Hermosillo hospitals were treating the survivors.

An “attack” or “event related to a violent act” against civilians was declared by local public security officials. Mexico celebrated the Day of the Dead over the weekend, when families honor deceased loved ones.

According to Durazo, “I have mandated an in-depth and transparent investigation to ascertain the causes of the incident and identify the perpetrators.”

“This pain will not be shared by anyone.” Emergency, security, and health services responded with great professionalism and commitment, controlling the situation and preventing lives, according to the governor.

Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico, expressed condolences on X to the “lovers and families of those who died.”

“I’ve spoken with Alfonso Durazo, the governor of Sonora, to offer support where necessary. Rosa Icela Rodriguez, the Interior Secretary, has been given the task of sending a support team to the injured and their families.

The front of the supermarket was pictured in local media as the fire burned down and the windows burned out.

Mbappe, Real Madrid crush Valencia to tighten grip on La Liga standings

By in News, World News
by news organizations

Real Madrid defeated struggling Valencia 4-0 on Saturday, and Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Carreras both scored as Real Madrid cruised to a 4:0 victory.

Real now leads Real 30 points at the top of the standings, seven points clear of Villarreal and eight clear of third-placed Barcelona, who are at the same level with Atletico Madrid on 22 points but still have a game in hand.

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Valencia, who sits 18th in La Liga with nine points, are already battling to avoid relegation after six league games.

In the 19th and 31st minutes, Mbappe scored two goals for the home team, first converting a penalty awarded for a handball by Cesar Tarrega, and then firing home a volley from close range 12 minutes later.

In the 44th minute, Carreras unleashed an unstoppable angled shot in the 82nd to wrap up the thrashing, just after Valencia keeper Julen Agirrezabala denied Vinicius Jr. from the penalty spot.

Real presided over the situation, with Mbappe and Federico Valverde only narrowly missing early chances, while Agirrezabala and Vinicius Jr. had strong efforts denied.

A VAR review in the 19th minute led to the breakthrough, allowing Mbappe to step up and calmly convert the penalty.

Mbappe completed a successful move with a close-range volley twelve minutes later, adding another pair of goals. Arda Guler delivered a precise cross to the Frenchman at the far post from Bellingham with a flawless through ball.

Mbappe has now scored 13 goals in all of his La Liga matches this season and 18 in each league game.

Mbappe is “spectacular.” He needs to be enjoyed by us. May he keep scoring for Madrid, for his own team, and for his entire history. I have no doubt that he will succeed in the long run. Valverde described him as one of the best in the world by Real Madrid TV.

Real cooled off in the second half to prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against Liverpool on Tuesday.

In the 31st minute, Mbappe celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Valencia [Manu Fernandez/AP]

US, China agree to set up military-to-military channels, Hegseth says

By in News, World News

Following the “historic” meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the US defense secretary claims that the two countries have come to terms with setting up military-to-military channels to “deconflict and deescalate any problems.”

Pete Hegseth claimed that he and Dong Jun, the Chinese counterpart, made the decision after receiving a call the night before in a statement on X on Saturday.

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Beijing didn’t respond right away.

Hegseth claimed that the pair, who also met in Malaysia following the Trump-Xi summit in South Korea, “agree that our two great and strong countries’ peace, stability, and good relations are their best assets.”

He continued, “Admiral Dong and I both agreed that we should establish military-to-military channels to resolve any conflicts and defuse any issues that may arise.”

Experts have long advocated direct military ties between the two superpowers, whose naval bases are well-known in the Asia Pacific, claiming that using hotlines would prevent an unintentional escalation.

As tensions between the two countries continue to rise, these contacts have, however, remained unreliable.

The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported in May that, between 2017 and 2021, the majority of the more than 90 communication channels between the US and China remained active during Trump’s first term as president.

Under the administration of Joe Biden, the country’s then-president, when Nancy Pelosi, the then-speaker of the House of Representatives, visited Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its province, China cut off its ties to the US military in 2022.

In the tense South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, the development was followed by a number of close knuckles between the Chinese and US militaries.

In what the US military called an “unnecessarily aggressive maneuver,” a Chinese fighter jet was accused of crossing in front of a US surveillance flight over the South China Sea in May 2023. A Chinese Navy destroyer sailed across the path of a US destroyer in another “unsafe” maneuver days later, in June that year, according to the US military.

Beijing at the time claimed that the US was to blame and that its rival had purposefully “provoked risk” by sending ships close to its shores.

Following a meeting between Biden and Xi in November 2023, the two leaders agreed to resume high-level military-to-military communications.

Since Trump’s January, according to the CSIS, these communications have been “limited” since then, according to a report released in May. Additionally, Trump stepped up a trade war against Beijing, noting that neither the US nor China have any crisis management mechanisms, which further increases the likelihood of an escalated conflict.

Trump and Xi discussed ways to lower the temperature at their meeting in South Korea on October 30. One example is the US president’s reduction of the country’s tariffs from 57% to 47%.

Trump added that China had consented to maintain the flow of rare earth metals. However, no deal was made regarding the potential sale of Nvidia’s advanced semiconductor chips or the sale of TikTok to US investors.

Trump also stated that Xi would visit the US soon and that he would travel to China in April.

On the day after Trump-Xi summit, Hegseth met Dong, the head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ summit in Malaysia.

In a post on X following the meeting, he wrote that “I stressed the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and that the United States is concerned about China’s activities in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and toward its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”

The United States “does not seek conflict,” he continued, “it will continue to veer fervently and ensure it has the resources to do so” in the region.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense remarked that Dong had warned Hegseth that the unstoppable historical trend was resulting from China’s and Taiwan’s reunification, and that the US should use caution when speaking and acting about the Taiwan issue.

According to Dong, who was quoted as saying that China was unyielding its national security interests while pursuing peaceful development.