Western Mail - May 19, 2025

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In this issue

May 19, 2025

'Reform is a one-man personality cult' – Millar

REFORM is a “one-man personality cult”, says the leader of the Welsh Conservatives.

2 mins

Habitat in estuaries 'at risk from rising seas and humans'

ESTUARIES across Wales and Eng- land are at risk of losing important habitat as it is “squeezed” out by rising seas and human develop- ment, a study warns.

2 mins

Lauded pub up for sale as owners seek new challenge

ONE of Wales’ most highyl-rated pubs is up for sale.

2 mins

'My dad had a fatal cardiac arrest when we were running-it was so frightening'

Heartbroken daughter Sioned Thomas has spoken of the “frightening” experience of seeing her father a fatal cardiac arrest while the two were out running.

3 mins

Girl attempted suicide after trauma of rape by teenage boy

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy raped a teenage girl who woke up to find her attacker having sexual intercourse with her.

1 min

'Half-baked' immigration crackdown will put lives at risk, claims sector leader

CARE homes will close and lives will be put at risk Wales as a result of the “half-baked” immigration crackdown, it has been claimed.

4 mins

Affordable housing plan for seaside town's car park is rejected

CONTENTIOUS proposals for a development of 30 affordable homes on a car park in New Quay in Ceredigion - an area notorious for its second homes - have been rejected by the council amid concerns that it wouldn't benefit the local community.

1 min

'I can't babe, I'm sorry' - dying man’s heartbreaking last words to partner at fatal crash scene

THE PARTNER of a motorist who was killed when a careless driver drove into the side of his car described how a “massive mistake” had “destroyed our family”.

5 mins

Parents in fight to save 'precious private school that changed lives'

WHEN the announcement came that St Clare's School and Nursery in Porthcawl could close by the end of 2025, it didn’t just signal the end of a school year - for many parents, it felt like the end of a lifeline.

6 mins

'Britons feel disconnected from society and lack faith in others'

BRITONS feel disconnected from society, wary of other people and worried about community tensions, a major new poll has found.

2 mins

'My daughter is living in fear' - mother of young girl attacked by teens

THE MOTHER of a child viciously assaulted by two young girls has criticised their sentences as “too lenient” and says they should have been jailed.

4 mins

No sign of further work on Canal Quarter project

THERE is still no sign of plans for future work on Cardiff's highly anticipated Canal Quarter project.

1 min

'Determined' groomer sexually abused girl, 9

A MAN “hounded” a young girl and subjected her to a campaign of sexual abuse over a prolonged period, a court heard.

3 mins

Ten libraries to close this summer in council cost-cutting drive

TEN libraries across Caerphilly County Borough will close by the end of August as part of the council's cost-cutting measures despite objections.

1 min

Man pointed air rifle at care worker in flat terror

A CARE worker feared for her life while visiting a vulnerable man who pointed an air rifle at her face and told her \"I want you to feel as scared as I do\", a court has heard.

1 min

Talks over new UK-EU deal 'going to the wire'

TALKS on a UK-EU deal are in their “final hours” ahead of a major summit with the bloc, the minister in charge of negotiations has said.

2 mins

Huge natural gas storage facility in closure threat

THE UK's largest natural gas storage facility will be \"decommissioned\" without UK Government support, its operator Centrica has said.

1 min

Elton blasts Labour over copyright law

SIR Elton John described the UK Government as “absolute losers” and said he felt “incredibly betrayed” after calls by peers to amend the Data (Use and Access) Bill to include greater copyright protections against artificial intelligence (AI) were resisted.

1 min

Survey reveals most think court gender ruling 'right'

A MAJORITY of people think the Supreme Court made the right decision in its recent ruling on biological sex and that the law on women's rights is now clear, according to a survey commissioned by gender-critical campaigners.

2 mins

Russia in one of biggest drone attacks on Ukraine

RUSSIA has launched one of its most intense drone attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022.

1 min

Israel launches 'extensive' ground operations in Gaza

ISRAEL has launched “extensive” new ground operations in the Gaza Strip while airstrikes in a new offensive killed at least 103 people, including dozens of children, at the weekend, hospitals and medics said, and forced northern Gaza's main hospital to close.

2 mins

Suspension bridge maintenance works to drag on into next year

MAJOR works on the Menai Suspension Bridge are set to drag on, the Welsh Government has announced.

1 min

Woman 'completely destroyed by cowardly bully', court told

\"COWARDLY bully\" controlled his partner's life and subjected her to verbal and physical abuse, a court has heard.

2 mins

Improving Welsh NHS isn't just about more money

'NEW isn’t always the answer' and a 'less is more' approach seem to be the core messages from last month’s external ministerial advisory group on NHS Wales performance and productivity.

2 mins

Average house price soars to record high

THE AVERAGE price tag on a home has hit a record high for the second month in a row with sellers asking nearly £380,000 on average in May, according to a property website.

2 mins

Villagers rocked as landlord wins battle to turn last pub into shop

In a move reflected in communities across the country, the Fox and Hounds pub in Llanharry will be turned into a community shop, dashing the hopes of villagers who had campaigned to save it. Jonathon Hill reports

4 mins

Digital age risks paper trail of acccountability

Donald Trump could leave less documentation behind than any previous US president. Will Weissert of the Associated Press reports

4 mins

'I don't want the memories to tarnish the beauty of Wales'

Charity worker Marjie Halati has dedicated her life to helping others after a traumatic childhood in Wales. Stephanie Colderick reports

4 mins

Eco-heartbreak as seas under attack

THIS coastline is our pride and joy - it’s where we live, work and play. But between cancelled beach days, illnesses and the damage to wildlife, we're seeing the effects of pollution first hand. And we're not staying silent about it any more.”

1 min

NHS app a front door to services and a gift for all

EARLIER this month I held the first digital summit for the NHS in Wales, which brought together NHS leaders to commit to a set of priorities for digital transformation to improve patient care.

1 min

Like Chris Hoy, I went from having no symptoms to being told my cancer was incurable...

GUY WOODHAM was urged by his GP to go for a “bit of an MoT”, and despite feeling perfectly fit and healthy he was shocked to find his test results showed he had incurable cancer.

2 mins

'I forgot my daughter's birthday - it led to a diagnosis that has changed my life forever

ANDY PAUL has never forgotten any of his children’s milestones, but when he opened his Facebook page and saw an alert saying it was his daughter's birthday he had absolutely no recollection of it.

4 mins

Organise your medication and feel the benefits

THE PROFESSIONALS

2 mins

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

THIS MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH, LARA OWEN ASKS THE EXPERTS HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN AGE SPOTS AND SKIN CANCER

4 mins

Uncovered: best positions to get a good night's sleep

SHUT-EYE: Studies have shown sleeping on your right side can improve sleep quality

2 mins

JOANNE WATKINSON

DOES HIGH PRICE ALWAYS MEAN HIGH QUALITY?

2 mins

Ironmen put cap on superb season with cup success

PREMIERSHIP champions Merthyr put the cap on a successful season by defeating Pontypridd 26-14 at Sardis Road to lift the inaugural Worthington's Mid District Premiership Cup.

1 min

HALFPENNY SET FOR WALES SUMMER ROLE

HARLEQUINS have confirmed the departure of Leigh Halfpenny.

1 min

Baltimore bags a brace as Blues seal treble glory

SANDY Baltimore's brace inspired Chelsea to a 3-0 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United and sealed an unbeaten domestic treble for Sonia Bompastor's serial winners in front of

1 min

COUNTY WRAP UP IMPRESSIVE WIN

GLAMORGAN wrapped up a win inside three days to propel themselves up the Rothesay County Championship Division Two table after Northamptonshire went down by eight wickets at Sophia Gardens.

1 min

NEWPORT CLINCH TITLE CELEBRATION

NEWPORT did what no other team has been able to do this season and beat Ebbw Vale when it mattered most at Eugene Cross Park to clinch the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru title with a 27-18 triumph.

2 mins

Warburton sees brave title bid end in an early defeat

NORTH Wales' quest for a British boxing champion continues after Gerome Warburton's brave but unsuccessful bid for middleweight honours in London.

2 mins

Prop adds to Wallabies' worries for Lions

AUSTRALIA prop Allan Alaalatoa has added to the Wallabies' injury concerns ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour this summer, after he limped off for the Brumbies in their victory over the Reds.

1 min

WELCOME TO WALES: BOB'S SWANS MOVE

BOBBY Wales has finally been confirmed as Swansea City's second signing of the summer.

2 mins

OLIVER'S ARMY CELEBRATE AS EAGLES FINALLY LAND A TROPHY

CRYSTAL Palace manager Oliver Glasner hailed his players for writing a new chapter in Crystal Palace’s history following their 1-0 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City.