Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Thursday, November 16. We will be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales - whether you're on the move, at home or at work - as well as the latest traffic and travel.
We will also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas. Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that's breaking in your area.
Delivery driver's jaw broken and dislocated in unprovoked attack
A man launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on a delivery driver which left his victim with a fractured and dislocated jaw and "broken" teeth. Ashley Davies repeatedly punched the man in the face but he has little recollection of the assault due to his level of intoxication - at the time of the street attack he was routinely drinking 20 cans of beer and a bottle of vodka every day.
The victim of the assault said before becoming a driver he had been a police officer for more than 20 years and, while he had been assaulted during his policing career, he had never been subjected to the level of violence meted out by Davies. The defendant's advocate told the court that the defendant knows he needs to tackle his alcohol consumption or he will end up "in an early grave".
Swansea Crown Court heard Davies attacked his victim near Mount Pleasant Park in Neath in October last year. Harry Dickens, prosecuting, said the victim was unable to park his company van outside his house and so parked a little distance away and began to walk home. However as he walked home he realised he had left something in the vehicle so went back to retrieve it.
More here
Two new schools proposed for Bridgend
Two new school proposals are out for public consultation in Bridgend county borough. The proposals could see the construction of two new schools in the area, one being an English-medium primary school in Marlas, as well as a Welsh-medium primary school to replace Ysgol Y Ferch o’r Sger - both are in the village of Cornelly.
The pre-planning application consultation for both sites is underway by developers The Urbanists, before it can go ahead with submitting a full planning application to the local authority in the coming months.
Full story here
'I turned to drink and drugs to cope while I was homeless - now I want to break that stigma'
A mother-of-three and former community councillor has shared her experiences of living on Swansea's streets as a young woman. Some people might know Emma Mcnamara, 44, as the former Mumbles community councillor for the Oystermouth ward. But one thing she has not shared until recently is that she used to be homeless.
Emma grew up in Manselton, Swansea, and later lived in Townhill with her family. When she was just 20 years old, a family breakdown and mental health issues led to her becoming homeless. As a young woman with her whole life ahead of her, she was suddenly faced with the prospect of rough sleeping in the city she had grown up in.
More here
Youth work to be targeted at areas that need it most in Cardiff
Cardiff Council is set to give the go ahead to a process that will radically change the way that it does youth work in the city. The council is proposing a locality-based approach to youth work which will be targeted at areas where the demand is greatest. As part of the proposed model, locality teams would be set up, offering targeted group work for young people who need it the most, universal open access to youth clubs, and street-based youth workers.
Cabinet members will meet on Thursday, November 23, to make a decision on whether or not to approve the operating model. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for tackling poverty and supporting young people, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "Throughout the pandemic and, more recently, during significantly challenging episodes for young people, such as the disturbances in Ely in May, the Youth Service has proven its value.
More here
Beaujolais Day picks up in Swansea
Hundreds of people have been eating, drinking and dancing on Swansea's Wind Street today, Beaujolais Day. The festivities are starting to ramp up now for the evening - you can see photos and read the latest updates from the event here
Man taken to hospital after 'fall from height' at Cardiff steelworks
A man was taken to hospital after police were called to reports that someone had "fallen from a height". Emergency services were called to the Celsa UK site at the Tremorfa Steel Works in Rover Way, Splott.
South Wales Police said the alarm was raised just after 1pm on Thursday (November 16). A spokeswoman said: "South Wales Police were called just after 2.25pm this afternoon by the Welsh Ambulance Service with a report of a man having fallen from a height in the Tremorfa Steel Works on Rover Way, Splott."
She added: "Officers were not required to attend."
Cyclist critically injured
A 76-year-old male cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car near Bridgend. Police are investigating the collision that also involved a silver Honda Jazz.
You can read more on this story here.
Lions announce historic move
The British & Irish Lions have struck a historic deal with Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship ahead of their tour of Australia in 2025.
The landmark agreement will ensure that players from both leagues who are selected for the Lions will be available for all pre-tour activities and preparations, with bosses determined to make it the "greatest Lions tour ever" with the “best possible preparation time in history.” Read the rugby evening headlines here.
State of Covid in Wales right now
There were 55 people admitted to hospital with coronavirus in Wales in the most recent seven-day recording period. Of that number three were admitted to critical care, new data running up to November 12 has shown.
It is a rise on the number of people admitted to hospital in the week before where 44 people were admitted to hospital with four taken into critical care. Read the latest figures here.
Rain warning issued for parts of Wales
Another rain warning has been issued for parts of Wales as the wet and windy weather continues. This autumn has been one of the wettest on record with four named storms already this season.
There is a change next week, but before that a warning for heavy rain has been issued for parts of Wales on Friday and Saturday.
Ryan Reynolds made Wales international cry
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has again proven himself as one of football's good guys ater bringing a former Wales international goalkeeper to tears with a heartfelt message.
Andy Dibble, who won three caps for his country and formed part of the Wrexham team that won promotion to the Second Division in 2003, is now preparing to take on his former side having taken up a coaching role with Accrington Stanley. Read the message here.
Accident closes part of main Carmarthenshire road
An accident has closed part of the A48 in Carmarthenshire. The eastbound carriageway is closed between Cross Hands and Pontabraham.
Dyfed Powys Police said: "The road is currently closed due to a road traffic collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey."
Live updates as hundreds fill Swansea bars and restaurants
Hundreds of people will descend on Swansea's bars and restaurants today for one of the highlights of the city's social calendar, Beaujolais Day.
Whilst the day isn't celebrated in many places in the UK, it's been a huge social event for Swansea for around 50 years - ever since the then-owner of No Sign wine bar on Wind Street brought some bottles of Beaujolais back from France and launched a special Beaujolais Day event at his bar in the 1960s. Live updates here.
National park authority to only use Welsh names on lakes
A national park authority has voted to go ahead with its plans to only use Welsh names for its lakes.
Eryri National Park, alongside the School of Welsh at Cardiff University and the Welsh Language Commissioner, have now recommended a standard list of Eryri lake names. Read more here.
Wowcher asked to stop use of pressure sales tactics
The competition watchdog has asked Wowcher to stop using pressure selling tactics "to avoid the risk of court action".
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Wowcher's extensive use of countdown clocks and marketing claims such as 'Running out!' or 'In high demand!' could be putting unfair pressure on customers to make quick purchases.
Wayne Barnes refuses to shake hands with former Wales coach
Legendary referee Wayne Barnes has torn into former Wales boss Sir Graham Henry and revealed that he refuses to shake the coach's hand after he questioned his integrity as an official.
Barnes, who hung up his whistle after last month's World Cup final having refereed a record 111 Test matches, made the revelation in his newly-released autobiography 'Throwing the Book' as he reflected on one of the darkest periods of his career. Read more here.
Mum woke up with 'strongest feeling' and won £1million
A mum-of-five has become a millionaire after waking up early with 'the strongest of feelings' that she had to buy a National Lottery ticket. Ceri Ann Roscoe-Roberts, 42, from Bangor immediately rolled over in bed, took her phone off her bedside table and purchased a EuroMillions ticket online.
Twenty-four hours later she was celebrating becoming a millionaire. Read her story here.
Temperatures dropped to -7.1C last night..but not in Wales!
There was a marked temperature contrast across the UK this morning, with cloud and rain holding temperatures in the high single figures in the south, but a sharp frost across northern Scotland with lows of -7.1C.
Paramedic spat at by man he was trying to help
A paramedic who needed hospital treatment after being attack by a man he was trying to help says he felt "dirty" after the incident. The patient spat at Geoff Williams and called him a 'c**t' during the ordeal.
Geoff and his colleague Matt Baker, an emergency medical technician, were responding to a medical emergency in Cwmbran in August. The 34-year-old said there was so much "malice" in the attack it felt "personal". Read what happened here.
Ministers 'determined' to get Rwanda removal flight off
Ministers are "absolutely determined" to get a removal flight to Rwanda off before the next election, Home Secretary James Cleverly has said, after the policy was ruled unlawful.
The Cabinet minister said he does not "think" the UK will need to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as they come under pressure from the Tory right.
He defended plans for emergency legislation to get Parliament to deem Rwanda a "safe" country despite the Supreme Court's concerns over risks to asylum seekers.
Tributes paid after death of prominent businessman
Tributes are being paid to renowned Cardiff businessman Lord David Rowe-Beddoe, who has died aged 85.
He was the first chairman of the Wales Millennium Centre and was a former chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, and was chairman of Cardiff Airport. Read tributes here.
Fresh rail strikes during December
Train drivers are to stage a fresh series of strikes next month in their long-running dispute over pay, their union Aslef has announced this morning.
Drivers will walk out at different operators during first week of December, and stage an overtime ban
Maps show areas of Wales most at risk from flooding
Maps showing the areas of Wales most at risk of flooding now, and in 100 years, have been published.
The data, from Natural Resources Wales, has been released as part of an national flooding plan.
The report makes bleak reading. Read more here.
Met Office forecast for Thursday
Wet and windy today, turning more settled on Friday. Here is the full forecast for Wales today:
A dreary day with rain spreading across the south of the country through the morning, heavy at times. Strong winds easing along southern coasts by the afternoon with the odd shower in the far west. Feeling cool under grey skies. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
This evening rain, heavy at times, will spread eastwards leaving behind clear spells and a few showers by dawn. Feeling cold with a touch of frost for rural areas. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
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