We have put together a round-up of all the latest news, weather and travel information for Thursday, February 17, that will help your get your day off to the right start.
Wales is in the wake of Storm Dudley and is bracing for Storm Eunice, and Wales' real-life heroes honoured in the St Davids Awards 2022 have been shortlisted.
Restrictions remain on the M48 Severn Bridge due to strong winds, everyone comes off Eastbound at J2 or West at J1, around the roundabouts and back on to cross the bridge, which remains open.
Two lanes of the M4 westbound are closed at the Prince of Wales Bridge due to an accident involving a lorry, and the A4281 in Ebbw Vale has been closed in both directions since 2.30am due to an accident.
Wales news headlines
Wales' heroes shortlisted in St Davids Awards 2022
Three people who confronted a woman with a knife in a Valleys supermarket, volunteers who rescued swimmers caught in a riptide at a Welsh beach and a young boy with cancer who rescued a drowning man are among the people shortlisted for this year's St David Awards.
The awards, which are celebrating their ninth year in 2022, recognise the extraordinary achievements of people from across Wales.
Announcing the finalists, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Some of the people shortlisted have shown extraordinary acts of bravery and determination. Others have shown incredible community spirit despite the pressures of living through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our finalists are astonishing people and we are very fortunate they call Wales home. I would like to congratulate all those who have been shortlisted and I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone for an award – unfortunately, not everyone can make the shortlist.”
This year’s award categories are: Bravery, Business, Community Spirit, Critical Worker, Culture, Environment Champion, Innovation, Science and Technology, Sport, Young Person and the First Minister’s Special Award.
The winners will be announced in a ceremony on April 7.
The people living in constant fear of going blind as pressure on NHS eye care services grow
Tracy Purnell lives in constant fear of going blind.
The Barry resident, who has already lost all central vision in her left eye, now needs frequent checkups for glaucoma in both eyes.
However during the pandemic her monitoring appointments for the condition were put on hold for two years leaving her uncertain about whether her sight was deteriorating beyond repair.
"During that whole time I had no idea what was going on with my eyes. I was very worried," said Tracy, who supports people with mental health problems.
"I now have to have a medical review with the DVLA every three years and that is incredibly stressful as I rely on driving for my job to visit people in the community.
"I also need it for my own independence. I can't go on public transport these days because I use a mobility scooter."
Tracy, who was found to have a serious haemorrhage behind one of her eyes at a very recent appointment, described her glaucoma as a "silent" problem.
Coronavirus headlines
Leading Welsh doctor explains the case for giving Covid jabs to under 11s
The Covid vaccine is “very safe” and benefits outweigh risks for children, a leading paediatrician in Wales has said.
All children aged five to 11 are being offered the Covid jab in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced.
Dr David Tuthill, Consultant Paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital for Wales and Wales officer for the Royal College of Paediatricians, said: “On a personal basis, I think it’s a good thing to do.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on February 16 Dr Tuthill was asked about his advice to parents and the possible risks of the jab, including the risk of heart inflammation.
“The vaccine is very safe,” Dr Tuthill said, “It’s going to reduce spread in children. It’s going to make children less likely to get Covid and reduce severity if they do.
“There’s a tiny risk of myocarditis, which is the thing the JCVI is being very careful about - that’s inflammation of the heart.
“But it happens with Covid and more severely with Covid. So vaccination will reduce the chance of that. It is very uncommon. It happens more in teenage boys, for some reason, we don’t fully understand, particularly after the second dose. So if the plan is to initially is to give one dose the risk outweigh the benefits.”
Nearly 9m bedrooms 'lost' as homes adapted during pandemic, Zoopla estimates
Nearly nine million bedrooms have been "lost" as people have adapted their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a property website.
Four in 10 (41%) homeowners have changed their property to better suit their needs, Zoopla found.
Among those making changes, more than half (53%) have entirely repurposed at least one bedroom while some have lost multiple bedrooms.
Zoopla estimated from the research that around 8,856,000 bedrooms have been "lost" in the UK's privately-owned homes during the pandemic.
Nearly half (46%) of those who have made changes to their home have created a home office. And more than half (58%) of these people plan to permanently keep it.
However, one in six (16%) homeowners who created a home office said they resent giving up space in their home for the benefit of their employer.
Two-thirds (67%) believe employers should pay all or some of the cost of setting up a home office.
Three in 10 (30%) said their employer had made some contribution towards the costs.
Weather
Wales gears up for Storm Eunice
As Storm Dudley makes its way north, Wales has been left to deal with the tail-end of the weather in time for Eunice to hit on Friday. February 18.
Trees fell down blocking roads, and a train collided with a trampoline just outside Cardiff Central station. The trampoline became wedged under the train headed to London, and the service was delayed for almost two hours.
The Met Office predicts a calmer day today (February 17), but an amber warning is in place for the whole of Wales on Friday, February 18 due to Storm Eunice.
The M48 Severn Bridge has reopened in both directions, however restrictions are in place should the closure need to be established quickly.
The A477 Cleddau Bridge also remains closed in both directions to high sided vehicles due to strong winds.
Traffic Wales reports poor driving conditions across their network today.
Travel
M4 Prince of Wales Bridge
A crash involving a lorry has shut part of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
Lanes one and two (of three) have been closed on the westbound carriageway and are in place just up to where the old toll booths were.
Traffic is building and delays are affecting motorists between J22 and J23. Traffic monitors report that a lorry is involved in the crash.
A4281 College Road
In a tweet, Gwent Police said: "Emergency services are currently dealing with a road traffic accident at Cemetery Road, Ebbw Vale.
"The following roads are currently closed - Beaufort Road, Waun-y-Pound Road, Bryn-Serth Road and the road outside Morrisons.
"Please avoid the area and find an alternative route."
National news headlines
US says Russia has added 7,000 troops near Ukraine as Truss warns over conflict
The US has accused Russia of adding up to 7,000 troops near the Ukraine border as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned Moscow could drag out the crisis for months in an attempt to undermine Western unity.
Moscow denies it has any plans to invade, and this week announced a pullback of some forces and weapons, but UK and US officials have cast doubt on the withdrawal.
The White House senior official, who spoke anonymously, said in addition to the 7,000 extra troops there had been a marked increase in false claims by Russians including reports of unmarked graves of civilians allegedly killed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ms Truss, meanwhile, said it was essential the UK and its allies not be "lulled into a false sense of security" by Moscow's claims it was beginning to draw back its forces from the borders of its southern neighbour.
Her warning came after Britain's head of military intelligence said that contrary to the assertions of the Kremlin, Russia was actually continuing to move forces into the border zone.
Lieutenant General Sir Jim Hockenhull, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, said there have been sightings of additional armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital in the area.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, he said: "Contrary to their claims, Russia continues to build up military capabilities near Ukraine.
"This includes sightings of additional armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital moving towards Ukraine's borders. Russia has the military mass in place to conduct an invasion of Ukraine."
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg promotes Sir Nick Clegg to more senior role at Meta
Former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg has been promoted by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to a new role focused on regulation which puts him at the same level of seniority as the firm's founder.
The 55-year-old was recruited by Facebook in 2018 to be its head of global affairs as Mr Zuckerberg sought to repair the company's reputation over its role in spreading misinformation during elections.
Mr Zuckerberg said he had asked Sir Nick to become president of global affairs at Facebook's parent company Meta because "we need someone at the level of myself (for our products) and Sheryl (for our business) who can lead and represent us for all our policy issues globally".
"For the last three years, Nick has managed some of the most complex issues our company faces - including content policy, elections, the establishment of the Oversight Board, and more," Mr Zuckerberg said in a statement posted to his personal Facebook account.
"Nick will now lead our company on all our policy matters, including how we interact with governments as they consider adopting new policies and regulations, as well as how we make the case publicly for our products and our work."
Sport headlines
Former Cardiff City player found guilty of stabbing man in the back
A former Cardiff City footballer has been found guilty of stabbing a man in the back.
Ibrahim Meite, 25, who also played for League Two side Crawley Town, was accused of stabbing Rio Amos, 24, in Putney, south London, on the morning of September 12 2019.
During a trial at Kingston Crown Court, prosecutor Max Hardy said it was “unlikely this was a chance passing” when Meite encountered Amos after driving his white Mercedes to the “quiet residential street” with Leon Hughes, 33, in the front passenger seat.
He told the court that CCTV footage showed the pair getting out of the car and Meite engaging Amos in conversation, “moving from side to side” before he “sidles around his back”.
Mr Hardy said Meite stabbed Amos in the back, “catching him unawares” while his “attention was split between the two men”.
The footballer told the court he never had a knife and only intended to punch Amos “to wind him”.
Meite added he had come across Amos by chance when driving with Hughes and wanted to “clear the air” after “a dispute” involving a girl in a nightclub which ended in “pushing and shoving”.
Both of the injured men were treated at St George’s Hospital.
After several days of deliberations, on Wednesday the jury found Meite, of Roehampton, south-west London, guilty of wounding with intent, an alternative charge of unlawful wounding and possession of a knife.
Adam Jones and Harlequins coaches get new deals
Harlequins have announced new permanent deals for coaches Adam Jones, Nick Evans and Jerry Flannery.
The trio were instrumental to Quins' Gallagher Premiership title success last season.
Ex-Wales and Quins prop Jones has moulded the club's scrum into a major force, while former Ireland hooker Flannery and ex-New Zealand and Quins fly-half Evans have performed similar tasks with the defence and lineout plus attacks and backs respectively.
100-Test cap Wales and Lions international Jones extends a seven-year stay with the London side having arrived in 2015 as a player. A year later, Jones’ role changed as he took up a joint playing and coaching position, going on to coach with the club full-time after retiring from playing at the end of the 2017/18 season.
The announcement brings about the end to something of a stand-off between the coaches and club, after it was reported during the autumn that the trio were exploring other options despite wanting to stay on as no fresh deals had been put on the table with their current contracts expiring in June. It had been suggested the hold-up may have been due to the ongoing agent-versus-club stand-off over the payments of fees to representatives.
Jones was being touted for a potential return to Wales, with some pundits urging the national team to make a move as Wales' scrum floundered in the autumn.
The Welshman told the Times: “I’m happy to have it all done, and to have the security, with my family moving up here,” he said. “It’s a good group — we’re all pretty young in coaching terms. If there are any questions we don’t talk with any malice or intent, but we do challenge each other.”
Roadworks
M4 - one lane closed due to roadworks eastbound from Junction 33 Cardiff West And Services to junction 32 Coryton. Closed. until February 28.
M4 - westbound entry slip road closed due to roadworks during the night at junction 48 Hendy between 8pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.
M4 - entry slip road closed due to roadworks during the night at junction 44 Llansamlet between 8pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.
M4 - westbound entry slip road closed due to roadworks during the night at junction 43 Llandarcy between 8pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.
A470 - lane closed due to roadworks during the night on northbound carriageway between Taffs Well and Nantgarw Interchanges. between 8pm tonight and 6am tomorrow.
Politics in Wales today
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Climate change committee will discuss air quality, chemicals and pesticides with Julie James, minister for climate change
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Children’s committee is also due to meet
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The Commons is in recess until February 21
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