Author: Rhys Gregory

This year seems set to be transformative for the UK betting industry, with growing US giants targeting takeovers in a bid to supercharge their expansion across America. An expected relaxation of online gambling rules in the United States in the next few years is going to create huge opportunities for companies operating in the sector. In the UK, gambling laws are some of the most relaxed in the world, which has enabled companies to build vast fortunes in the last few years. Mergers are going to be making headline news throughout 2021, but what are some of the deals that…

On St Dwynwen’s day (Monday 25 January, 2021) Duolingo will #CaruCymraeg (love the Welsh language) by committing to support the government’s Cymraeg 2050 strategy to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050. Duolingo will align course content and share knowledge with the National Centre for Learning Welsh, and use its global reach to attract new learners. To date over 1.62 million people worldwide have started learning Welsh on Duolingo – up 100k since October 2020 – with 474k active learners today. At the 2011 census the number of Welsh speakers stood at 562,000. The 2020 Duolingo Language Report has revealed…

Cardiff-based Matsudai Ramen is set to expand operations, rolling out national deliveries for its ‘assemble at home’ ramen kits from February 4th. Since starting with a ‘pop up’ model in late 2019 – which involved taking over local restaurants for short-term residencies – Matsudai’s “proper ramen” has attracted a cult following in South Wales – it is still the first and only standalone ramen ‘shop’ in the country. It has also made waves internationally, inspiring other pop-ups and shops to open in Bristol, the Philippines and beyond. Tough restrictions on the hospitality sector forced founder James Chant to adapt his original business…

A CELEBRATION of Great Britain in aid of a national charity for war veterans will be hosted by Coleg Cambria. The inaugural British International Tattoo and trade exhibition for businesses is to be held in the new £21m extension to Yale college in Wrexham over two days from Saturday October 2. Organiser Gareth Butler says the Grove Park Road location is perfect for the event given its cutting-edge facilities and location offering close ties with the North West and neighbouring Welsh counties. He will be working with students and staff from across the college to bring A Slice of Great…

PEOPLE have been urged not to ignore signs of a heart attack despite fear of contracting COVID-19. Throughout 2020 and into the new year there have been hundreds of people experiencing palpitations, chest pains and other symptoms of heart failure and staying at home rather than calling 999 to receive urgent medical attention. Claire Gallagher-Harrison, Head of Cardiac Physiology at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, says the new strain of the virus has increased concerns after confidence was slowly rebuilding following the initial national lockdown. Reinforcing the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Welsh Government Help Us, Help Youcampaign, she…

Rugby coach Tirion Thomas was delighted to be honoured for her dedication to sport but now she enjoys preparing for her future career just as much as for the next match. The 19-year-old was named BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality Unsung Hero last month after coaching Bala’s Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-18s girls teams while also captaining RGC’S Under-18 side. But she says for now her studies at Swansea University are taking priority. The first-year midwifery student said: “It has been my ambition to be a midwife since I was very young. “After giving my all to rugby for the past…

Frontline clinicians at Morriston Hospital have given a harrowing account of the impact the second wave of Covid-19 is having on patients and on staff. The sad reality is that patients coming into intensive care are sicker than during the first wave. And this time around, most of those put on intensive ventilation will not survive. “Sometimes we’ve seen many patients die in the same 12-hour shift,” said intensive care consultant John Gorst. “In some 12-hour periods we have lost up to five Coronavirus patients. “Usually we expect to see, on average, one patient a day dying in the intensive…

A £17.7m funding package, to help spectator sports severely impacted by the pandemic, has been announced by the Welsh Government. It has been designed to provide immediate financial support for spectator sports through the remainder of the winter period to ensure that sports will be ready for the beginning of the new season in September. Support will be provided to rugby union, football, cricket and ice hockey. Rugby league, netball and horseracing are also in line to benefit.  The funding will ensure the short-to-medium term survival of sports organisations and clubs who have been financially impacted by the restrictions on…

The Community Vaccination Centre at the Council’s Ty Trevithick office in Abercynon is expanding, with capacity being increased as well as the centre operating seven days a week. Working in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, the Council’s Ty Trevithick office in Abercynon has been remodelled and is now being used as a Covid-19 Community Vaccination Centre. So far, the Community Vaccination Centre has vaccinated thousands of individuals who work in front line health and social care, including staff from the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. By expanding capacity at Ty Trevithick, and the centre operating seven days a…

A new local testing site (LTSs) opened in Newport on Saturday 23 January as part of the government’s drive to improve access to Covid-19 tests. Pill residents will be able to book a test at the LTS in the car park of the former Kwik Save at 169 Commercial Road. From Monday, it will operate from 8am to 8pm. The testing site serves the local community so those attending can walk to it and do not have to drive to get a test. If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss…