Western Mail - May 12, 2025

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In this issue

May 12, 2025

Watchdog calls for urgent action on hospital report

A HEALTH watchdog has called for \"accountability\" at Wales' biggest hospital after a damning report revealed crime, racism and an \"unsafe\" workplace.

2 mins

'It's an exciting time to be a Welsh writer' – women lead race in book awards

FEMALE writers dominate the 2025 Wales Book of the Year shortlist, revealed yesterday.

2 mins

Skydiving fundraiser thrilled by star donation

WREXHAM FC co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have stunned a local charity fundraiser by submitting a huge donation to help young people living with cancer.

2 mins

Farmer knocked over and killed 'inspirational' 92-year-old cyclist

A FARMER towing a trailer filled with wool knocked over and killed a 92-year-old cyclist on a country road, a court has heard.

3 mins

'Come as you are' open invite to rock star's funeral

AN OPEN “come as you are” invite has been extended for the funeral of legendary The Alarm frontman Mike Peters after his death at the age of 66.

1 min

Farmers and growers praying for rain after dry conditions

SUNSHINE hasn’t been in short supply this spring, and three cheers for that, but prolonged dry conditions in the UK have led to a “medium” risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, the Environment Agency has said.

3 mins

Search for 'vulnerable' boy who vanished from beach

AN \"EXTENSIVE\" search is ongoing to locate a teenage boy who vanished from a Welsh beach on Saturday afternoon.

1 min

'It's never too late to speak out,' say police as man jailed for raping two young girls

A MAN has been jailed after he subjected two young girls to a campaign of sexual abuse, including rape, over a number of years.

3 mins

Child killer's monitoring downgraded before attack

SOUTHPORT triple killer Axel Rudakubana’s supervision was downgraded before an alleged attack on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh, according to reports.

1 min

Thousands of children seeking help for anger issues

GROWING numbers of youngsters have sought support for anger issues over the past year.

2 mins

All-through school slips backwards after latest inspection

AN ALL-THROUGH school has been told it is need of “significant” improvement after a disappointing inspection.

1 min

Motorcyclist killed and passenger hurt in crash

A MOTORCYCLIST has died and his pillion passenger has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a collision.

1 min

World's bananas at risk from extreme weather

BANANAS are coming under increasing threat from climate change, with farmers saying extreme weather is “killing” their crops, says a new report.

1 min

Universities must be more transparent on spending, says minister

UNIVERSITIES have \"lost sight\" of their responsibility concerning public money and should be more transparent about how it is spent, a UK Government minister has said.

2 mins

Tax on second homes to net council over £12.5m

A COUNCIL tax premium paid by second home owners in Pembrokeshire is expected to net the council nearly £12.5m.

1 min

UK's loudest amphibian makes return

THE UK's loudest amphibian - the natterjack toad - has made a \"remarkable comeback\" in the South Downs National Park following a conservation project to provide suitable habitats for the noisy creature.

1 min

Spend on invasive species ‘doesn't match threat'

LESS than 1% of the UK Government's biosecurity budget goes on invasive species, despite the danger they pose to British wildlife, figures suggest.

1 min

Overnight Israeli air strikes kill 13 in Gaza Strip

ISRAELI strikes have killed 13 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, according to local health officials.

1 min

Putin's peace talks offer given cautious welcome

KRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed Russia's offer for direct peace talks but insisted there must be a full ceasefire before they can start.

2 mins

Report backs homes plan

CONTENTIOUS plans to build 30 affordable homes on a car park in a Ceredigion seaside town are being recommended for approval next week.

1 min

Man 'motivated by revenge' attacked love rival with baseball bat

A MAN armed himself with a baseball bat and fractured another man’s skull in a brutal attack in front of the victim's mother.

2 mins

Quarry off limits as TV cameras roll

A POPULAR slate quarry is to close for two weeks in mid-June to accommodate filming for a major HBO TV series.

1 min

Nurse stole care home medication

A NURSE has been struck off for stealing codeine from a care home and trying to cover it up.

2 mins

Increase in job candidates

THE number of candidates for advertised jobs has increased substantially, according to recruiters.

1 min

Concerns over use of anonymity orders for accused officers

The Western Mail has successfully challenged a ban on naming a senior police officer who met a sex worker and fled without paying. But another Welsh police force is still concealing the identity of one of its former officers. Conor Gogarty reports on a troubling pattern

5 mins

'Our daughter had her whole life ahead of her - then one day she was gone'

Bronwen Morgan was a 'super-caring' person who made it her life's work to help others. Now her devastated parents are calling for the kind of changes they believe could have saved her life.

9 mins

Parents pushed to brink by high childcare costs

PARENTS up and down the country are struggling with childcare.

1 min

Providing source of light to people in darkest times

THERE is a common perception that people associate Marie Curie strictly with cancer care and do not realise the full scope of the charity's work.

2 mins

'In so much pain I couldn't bond with new baby'

Mother-of-two Bethany Paines-Chumbley found it hard bonding with her baby - and believes that there is stigma attached to new mums who admit they are struggling. Abbie Wightwick reports

4 mins

My deafness is one of my superpowers

LOVE ISLAND STAR AND STRICTLY COME DANCING FINALIST TASHA GHOURI TELLS ELLA WALKER HOW SHE REVISITED TOUGH TIMES IN HER NEW SELF HELP GUIDE

5 mins

Seven low-cost ways to enrich life in retirement

Retirement can be a wonderful time to explore new interests and stay mentally and physically active.

2 mins

Perfect day is ruined for Fellowes by stewards

CHARLIE Fellowes described his “heartbreak” after Shes Perfect was demoted from first place in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Paris-Longchamp.

2 mins

LAM HAILS A SPECIAL TRIP TO CAPITAL

BRISTOL boss Pat Lam reflected on “a wonderful occasion” after his team remained firmly in Gallagher Premiership play-off contention with a 36-14 victory over Bath at the Principality Stadium.

2 mins

Fans' fury forces Sevilla players to sleep at ground

SEVILLA have condemned fan behaviour after their players were forced to sleep at the club's training ground following disturbances in reaction to their 3-2 defeat by Celta Vigo.

1 min

COUNTY WRAP UP MASSIVE VICTORY

GLAMORGAN thrashed Kent by an innings and 161 runs at Canterbury to pick up their first win of the season in the Rothesay County Championship.

2 mins

DUO REVEAL STANCE OVER WRU DEMAND

THE Ospreys and Scarlets have issued a joint statement to explain why they decided not to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement.

3 mins

LANCASTER REVEALS REGRET OVER OZ COACH LINK

WALES-LINKED Stuart Lancaster has hit out at Rugby Australia following his unsuccessful bid to succeed Joe Schmidt as head coach of the Wallabies.

3 mins

Seven heaven as champs end campaign in fine style

CHAMPIONS Merthyr wrapped up their triumphant Admiral Premiership campaign with a bonus-point win as they ran in seven tries to defeat Llangennech 45-22 at the Wern.

2 mins

NEWPORT A STEP AWAY FROM GLORY

NEWPORT defeated old rivals Cardiff in their own back yard for the second time this season to set up an all-Gwent Super Rygbi Cymru final with Ebbw Vale.

2 mins

Smith can make mark with Lions, says Wilson

MARCUS Smith has been backed to feature in the British and Irish Lions' Test series against Australia this summer after piloting Harlequins to a 38-19 Gallagher Premiership victory over Gloucester.

1 min

STRANGE EYES FINAL MISSION

EBBW Vale head coach Jason Strange says it will be mission complete if the Steelmen take the final step and win the Super Rygbi Cymru crown next weekend.

2 mins

Jones: We paid for not taking all our chances

MARK Jones said the Ospreys paid the price for not taking their chances as they slipped out of the United Rugby Championship play-off picture.

1 min

SHERRATT: SLOW START COST US

MATT Sherratt said Cardiff left with pride intact, even if they missed the chance to boost their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes when going down to the Bulls.