Author: Rhys Gregory

Adult vaping habits in the UK have become more settled over the past few years. Rather than experimenting constantly with new products, many users now prefer options that fit easily into daily routines. This shift is especially visible among those using refillable pod systems, where simplicity and consistency are valued more than novelty. Across different regions of the UK, including Wales, adult vapers are increasingly choosing products that offer predictable performance and familiar flavours. This change reflects a broader consumer trend towards practicality in everyday purchases. From Occasional Use to Daily Routine For many adult users, vaping is no longer…

A Cardiff man who used his luxury city centre apartment as a base for young male prostitution which earned him tens of thousands of pounds has been jailed. Dafydd Evans, of the Hayes Apartments, Cardiff, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, December 22, after he was found guilty by a jury of controlling prostitution for gain, possessing indecent images of children, and acquiring illegal property, namely money. He came under the radar of South Wales Police’s Exploitation Team after a man from Turkey contacted the Modern Slavery Helpline. Evans had met the man on a website which aims…

Business confidence in Wales rose 35 points during December to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 39 points at 68%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 30 points to 35%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 17% in November). A net balance of 20% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 15 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as introducing new technology, such as automation or AI (52%), investing in their team, for example through training (34%) and entering new markets (34%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses…

A mum diagnosed with cancer at the age of 29 says she needs to make every Christmas special for her young children because “you never know if this is your last”. Amy Isidoro, from Cwmbran, began treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer when her son, Ben, was six months old and her daughter, Phoebe, was five. The primary school teacher had been fit and healthy with no family history of breast cancer when she was diagnosed. She finished a round of chemotherapy just before Christmas but had to return to hospital with an infection. “I just remember thinking…

South Wales Police are continuing to investigate a road traffic collision on the A48 Cowbridge Bypass. The collision happened at around 8.25pm on Monday, December 8, at the junction with the B4270. It involved a silver BMW with European number plates. Police said the vehicle had been pursued by officers from Cowbridge Road West in Ely after it was seen being driven in a dangerous manner. The car later collided with a roundabout on the A48 Cowbridge Bypass. Two men were arrested a short time after the collision. Police confirmed that one has been released with no further action, while…

South Wales Police are appealing for help to find a missing 17 year old boy from Bridgend. Omran has not been seen since around midday on Thursday, December 19. He is described as being around 5ft 6in tall. When he was last seen, Omran was wearing a black tracksuit top and matching bottoms, white Nike trainers, and was carrying a light blue suitcase along with a green Barbour bag. Police believe he may have travelled to Bristol, possibly by train. He is also known to have links to London, Liverpool, Bristol and Birmingham. Officers are asking anyone who may have…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after committing a burglary in Townhill. 38-year-old Daniel Allen, from Waun Wen, was identified as the suspect after attempting to sell a lamp stolen from the property at a nearby shop. Other ornaments, computers, phones and trainers were also stolen during the burglary, at an address on Gomer Road. Allen pleaded guilty to burglary at Swansea Magistrates Court on November 13. He has been sentenced to 20 months in prison. Detective Constable Liam Jenkins said: “Daniel Allen had already been remanded for 13 shoplifting offences at the time of the investigation into this…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has once again support the “Everyone Deserves a Christmas” campaign, led by Nick Smith MP and Carolyn Harris MP, helping families and individuals facing hardship to enjoy a dignified and meaningful Christmas. This year, 50 Christmas hampers will be distributed to families and people in need across the Upper Rhymney Valley. Recipients were identified through partner organisations and council services working closely with local residents, helping to ensure support reached those who would benefit most. The hampers were delivered to Rhymney Library Hub, which again served as the central point for distribution. The initiative was made…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies recently visited FareShare Cymru in Cardiff to see how vulnerable families across Wales will benefit from expanded food redistribution services this Christmas. The organisation transforms surplus food into meals for those in need, working with school breakfast clubs, community cafés and homeless shelters across Wales. Since 2015, with support from Welsh Government, FareShare Cymru has redistributed nearly 7,000 tonnes of food, preventing food waste whilst delivering over 20 million meals for vulnerable people. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Christmas can be such a worrying time for families facing financial challenges. That’s why FareShare Cymru’s…

Hundreds of children supported by social services teams across the Vale of Glamorgan will wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, thanks to the incredible success of this year’s Santa’s Cause campaign. Gift bags are making their way to doorsteps across the Vale, ensuring that children and young people who might otherwise go without can experience the joy and excitement of waking up to a gift on Christmas Day. Santa’s Cause is a Vale of Glamorgan Council campaign that brings together staff, residents, local organisations and businesses to raise funds and provide Christmas gifts for children and young people from…