Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Tuesday, April 23 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.
TikTok sensation refused entry into popular Cardiff club for 'being on his own'
A TikTok vlogger says he was refused entry into a popular Cardiff nightclub because he was on his own and bouncers told him that it was “company policy” not to let people in unless they are with someone. David Marshall - widely known as Chef Dave Marshall on social media - is a vlogger with more than 350,000 followers and more than 12m likes on TikTok.
“They wouldn’t let me in, which was weird,” explained Dave. “The bouncers said 'not tonight mate’. I asked what they meant and I was told I wasn’t going to be let in because I was on my own and that was their company policy. But what if you’re a saddo like me?! I often go out on my own.”
Read the full story here.
Tunnel dug to rescue dog trapped under Swansea home
A pet dog has been dramatically rescued after he became trapped underneath a Swansea home. Crews were called early on Tuesday morning after a call saying a three-year-old small dog was stuck under the property. Firefighters arrived at the scene - in Parkmill in the Gower Peninsula - shortly after 7am.
Seeing that the dog, named Jock, was in danger, they removed a large quantity of patio slabs and had to dig a tunnel underneath the property’s kitchen.
Road closed for hours as pictures show car and motorbike in roadside ditch and police at scene
A serious accident closed a road for several hours on Tuesday. A 4x4 car and motorbike ended up in a roadside ditch after a crash on New Road in Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend.
One man was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has seen been released from hospital, South Wales Police said. The road was closed in both directions between Wiggleys Fun Farm at Cefn Cribwr and Heol-Y-Glo at Pyle as police investigations were carried out at the scene.
Police were called to the scene near Pentyla Farm, Kenfig Hill, at around 3am. A statement from South Wales Police said that two men aged 21 and 18 had been arrested for burglary offences. Another man, aged 54, has been arrested for dangerous driving and assault and is currently in custody.
Welsh Government announces details of review into the 20mph speed limit
The Welsh Government has announced details of its review into the default 20mph speed limit. The minister with responsibility for transport, Ken Skates, has announced a “three stage” plan which he says will see some roads across Wales change back from 20mph to 30mph, however, it does not involve a reversal of the controversial policy, or any expectation of a large number of roads reverting to 30mph.
Mr Skates would not give a figure for money being set aside for the changes, but admitted it will run into the millions. The leader of Cardiff council has already said he expects about half a dozen roads to revert, and Rob Stewart, the leader in Swansea, has said he would expect it to be about 10. Mr Skates said they would be among the least affected areas, and more changes should be expected in north Wales.
The plan announced in the Senedd today is that from now until July, there will be a “genuine programme of listening”. The Welsh Government has said it will specifically listen to “bus drivers, emergency services, the police, to young people, vulnerable people, to businesses and to councillors in county, town and community councils, in order to understand their perspectives on road safety in residential areas”.
For much more on this story, including the latest from Ken Skates, you can follow our live blog here.
Body found in search for missing man
A body has been found by police looking for missing man Connor Walker-Smith. Connor was reported missing from Canton in Cardiff after last being seen at around 2am on Wednesday, April 17 with family concerned for his welfare.
The body, found in the River Taff, has not yet been formally identified but Connor's family has been informed.
A South Wales Police spokesperson said:
Police looking for missing man Connor Walker-Smith from Canton have found a body in the River Taff at Grangetown, Cardiff. The body has not yet been formally identified, but Connor’s family has been informed. Enquiries are on-going. Our thoughts are with Connor’s family and friends.
St George’s Day march hit by violence
St George’s Day march this afternoon has been hit by violence with groups trying to force their way through lines of officers.
Video footage released by the Metropolitan Police on X which appears to show officers forming a cordon but a group pushing past it before mounted officers on horses intervene. People viewing the video highlighted a moment when a horse appeared to be hit by an umbrella.
Has Wrexham star made Deadpool 3 cameo?
Wrexham fans appear to have spotted striker Ollie Palmer in the new Deadpool and Wolverine trailer - and Ryan Reynolds has fanned the flames of speculation.
The new Marvel trailer was released last night. In the opening scene with Deadpool and Wolverine, played by Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, there is a figure in the background who looks eerily like the Wrexham man. What you think?
Serious accident closes Powys road
A serious accident has closed the a busy Newton road in Powys.
The A483 Dolfor Road is close from theA4811 to the A489 Newtown Bypass.
Urgent appeal after months of flooding
An urgent appeal has been made for financial help to stop a Welsh charity from closing. It comes after torrential rain resulted in the worst flooding the charity had seen for 11 years. And the impact is still being felt now.
Woodfield Animal Sanctuary, based in Gower, Swansea, explained how its barns had been "totally flooded" in December, putting it in a "very serious financial position".
Charity shop thief skipped bail
A woman who stole thousands of pounds from a cancer charity shop skipped bail and fled to Turkey where she spent the next five and a half years.
Lorreine Kucuk was due to be sentenced for the theft in November 2018 but left the UK after being granted bail. She only returned to the jurisdiction last month. FInd out what happened next here.
Rees-Zammit and Warburton to join forces
Louis Rees-Zammit has partnered with former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton on an exciting new project.
The former Gloucester wing - who quit rugby earlier this year before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs last month - has teamed up with Warburton's SW7 Academy to develop a training programme designed to build "explosive athletes" as fast and as powerful as him.
Congestion after M4 accident
There is congestion on the M4 after an accident.
The vehicles involved have been moved to the hard shoulder but there are still delays eastbound at junction 25A Cwmbran. All lanes have now reopened.
Campaign finance to be looked at in review
Former First Minister Carwyn Jones is to lead a review into Welsh Labour's campaign rules. It comes after the election of Vaughan Gething as Welsh Labour leader in March this year.
Mr Gething beat his only rival, the former education, and now economy, minister Jeremy Miles with 51.7% of the vote compared to Mr Miles' 48.3%. Read more here.
Photo to mark Prince Louis' birthday
A new photograph of Prince Louis taken by the Princess of Wales has been released by Kensington Palace to mark his sixth birthday.
The unedited close-up image of Louis lying on a rug on the grass and smiling at the camera was taken in the last few days at Windsor by Kate, who announced last month she is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer.
Police issue update in restaurants' investigation
Two people have been arrested by police investigating allegations of customers leaving restaurants without paying in south Wales.
It is believed there are around seven restaurants that have made allegations in Swansea and Cowbridge. More details here.
Changes to 20mph speed limit - live
Wales' transport minister will today give a statement outlining planned changes to Wales' default 20mph speed limit.
Ken Skates is due to speak to the Senedd this afternoon which is expected to detail a review promised by the new First Minister into the controversial law. Follow live updates throughout the day here.
Migrants die attempting to cross the Channel
Five people including a child died while attempting to cross the English Channel just hours after the Rwanda law aimed at deterring migrants cleared Parliament.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said "these tragedies have to stop" and insisted the Government is doing "everything we can" to stop the boats.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Rwanda scheme will "deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings" and break the business model of the criminal gangs organising the boats.
But in the early hours of Tuesday a small boat carrying more than 110 people set sail from Wimereux in northern France and got into difficulties.
Three men, a woman and a child were killed, according to a French coastguard statement reported by the BBC.
Serious accident closes Bridgend road
A road in the Bridgend area remains closed after a serious accident.
New Road is closed in both directions between Wiggleys Fun Farm at Cefn Cribwr and Heol-Y-Glo at Pyler. The road has been closed since around 6.30am.
Homes in Abergavenny without water
A number of properties in the Abergavenny area are without water after damage to a water main.
Welsh Wales say it was caused on Monday night a third party. Their teams are on site, but they are warning customers may experience interruption to supplies.
Bottled water stations have been set up at the Premier Inn, Westgate House, Llanfoist, Abergavenny NP7 9LH.
Questions raised over Huw Edwards resignation
The mother of the young person at the centre of the Huw Edwards furore has said their family is "still suffering" and "still have so many questions" following the newsreader's resignation from the BBC. Mr Edwards left the BBC "on the basis of medical advice from his doctors" after 40 years of service, the corporation announced on Monday.
His resignation follows allegations that he paid the young person for sexually explicit photos. Mr Edwards, 62, has been absent from screens since the story first broke and his wife previously said he was receiving in-patient hospital care and suffering "serious mental health issues". Read more here.
Accident causing M4 delays
An accident has blocked one lane of the M4 near Swansea.
It has happened on the westbound carriageway between junction 42 Briton Ferry and junction 43 Llandarcy. Monitors are showing lane three (of three) is blocked.
Wales v Georgia match date emerges
Wales could face Georgia in the summer of 2025 after hopes of an autumn clash this year were dashed by player release issues.
The Georgians had called Wales out on social media earlier this year following Warren Gatland's side's Six Nations Wooden Spoon, while the eastern Europeans had won the Rugby Europe title in the tier below for the seventh straight year. Read the rugby morning headlines here.
Accident causing A470 delays
An accident is causing delays on the A470 this morning.
The southbound carriageway is partially blocked from A4054 Cardiff Road Glyntaff Interchange at Pontypridd to the Upper Boat Interchange. Affecting traffic heading towards Cardiff.
Barrier damage causing M4 delays
A lane has been closed at a M4 junction because of barrier damage.
Traffic Wales is warning of congestion on the westbound exit at junction 44 Lon Las, near Swansea.
Changes to 20mph zones to be set out
The Transport Secretary will set out later today how changes to 20mph zones will be made in the coming months.
Ken Skates is expected to announce that there will be new guidance and money to help local councils change some roads back to 30mph, with 20mph limits targeted on areas around schools, hospitals, where elderly people are at risk, and in built-up areas.
Serious collision closes Bridgend road
Police are at the scene of a serious collision near Aberbaiden Farm in the Bridgend area. It is between Law Street at Cefn Cribwr and Heol-Y-Glo at Pyle.
South Wales Police say the road is currently closed in both directions on the bottom road between Aberbaiden Farm and Pentyula . It is expected to remain closed for some time.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected in the area.
Controversial Rwanda Bill poised to become law
Rishi Sunak's Rwanda deportation plan is poised to become law after peers ended their protracted stand-off over the controversial policy.
The House of Lords had been engaged in an extended tussle over the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, sending it back to the Commons five times in a bid to secure changes.
The unelected chamber ended the deadlock after MPs rejected a requirement that Rwanda could not be treated as safe until the secretary of state, having consulted an independent monitoring body, made a statement to Parliament to that effect.
The Government said the Lords amendment was "almost identical" to the previous ones overturned by MPs.
Met Office forecast for Tuesday
Turning drier and brighter into the afternoon. Here is the full forecast for Wales today:
Rather cloudy and murky to start with some patchy rain clearing through the morning. Gradually turning brighter from the north through the afternoon with some sunny spells. Feeling slightly milder than Monday. Maximum temperature 15 °C.
Dry this evening with some late sunny spells. Lengthy clear spells overnight allowing for mist and fog patches to develop. Colder with a frost. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
Good morning
Welcome to the WalesOnline daily blog.
The breaking news team are here ready to bring you all the latest news, weather and travel from across the region.
Time to get started.
