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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Cathy Owen

Welsh morning headlines: News, Ukraine, Covid, sport, weather and road updates as Wales could be set to welcome 1,000 refugees

We have put together a round-up of all the latest news, weather, and travel information for Sunday, March 13, that will get you caught up and ready for the day.

It has been announced this morning that Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon have said both Wales and Scotland are willing to become “super-sponsors” for Ukrainian refugees.

The UK Government is set to launch a scheme where individuals and organisations can sponsor refugees to come into the country but the Welsh and Scottish first ministers told Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, they wanted to “maximise” their contribution and act as “super-sponsors”.

Read more: The major problems facing Wales' schools in wake of Covid

In the first wave, the first ministers said Scotland would expect to take in 3,000 and Wales 1,000. Under the plans more would be welcomed in later waves. Read the letter they sent to Michael Gove here. And go here to read about plans to offer people £350 a month to house Ukrainian refugees.

In Ukraine, efforts to get residents out is stepping out as Russian bombing increases. Read about reports of mass graves here.

Wales news headlines

Husband drove to Ukraine to get wife to Wales

A man who drove to get his wife from Ukraine after her town was invaded by Russian forces says on their return to the UK border staff rejected her visa application.

Joseph Escott, who has been married to his wife Olena for 20 years, expected her to easily obtain a two-year family settlement visa to live and work in Tredegar where he lives.

But after two weeks of torment trying to get her back safely from Odessa in Ukraine to the UK the couple were stunned to find out at Gatwick that Olena’s application had been rejected and she was instead issued with a six-month visa stipulating that she can't work in Britain during that time.

Olena and Joseph Escott pictured in Tredegar after their return from war-torn Ukraine (Richard Swingler)

Joseph said the whole experience has opened his eyes to the difficulties facing those fleeing war zones for the UK after he claimed his wife was “made to feel like an illegal immigrant” awaiting deportation.

To make matters worse for the couple they’ve heartbreakingly had to leave their 21-year-old son Aleksandr in Ukraine due to Ukrainian government rules that no man between 18 and 60 can currently leave the country.

Now finally back with Olena, 48, at his home in Tredegar 65-year-old teacher Joseph has recalled his experiences publicly to help people understand the difficulties facing those fleeing Ukraine. Joseph says they still haven’t received a reason for the decision from the Home Office to reject the two-year settlement visa.

Warning after man seriously assaulted

Residents have been told to lock their doors and windows after a man was seriously assaulted in Clydach, Swansea.

South Wales Police said the man was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition after the incident at around 5.30pm on Saturday.

"There is a significant police presence in the area as the search for the suspect, who is known to the victim, continues," said a police spokesman on social media.

Residents near Gellionen Road have reportedly been told to lock their windows and doors according to those in the area. Read more here.

Today's forecast

If you are making plans to go out today there will be sunny spells and heavy showers with strong winds easing. Here is the full forecast for Wales.

A windy start with sunny and scattered showers. The wind will ease through the day but at the same time the showers will become locally heavy and mixed with hail, with the odd rumble of thunder possible in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12°C.

Clear spells and isolated heavy showers on Sunday evening but the showers will fade away during the early hours leaving a dry end to the night. Minimum temperature -1°C.

Here is how the roads and rail are affected at 8.30am:

  • Speed restriction of 30mph due to strong winds on A55 Britannia Bridge

National news headlines

Queen can no longer walk her dogs, say reports

The Queen has become so frail that she has been unable to walk her dogs for the last six months, according to Buckingham Palace sources.

Her pets – two corgis and a dorgi (which is crossed with a dachshund) – are now taken for their daily exercise at Windsor Castle by the Queen's aides and that has reportedly been the case ever since she was admitted to hospital in October. The Palace have also confirmed that the 95-year-old monarch will not be attending the Commonwealth Day service on Monday although no reason has been given for her absence.

The Queen is unable to walk her beloved dogs due to her health, palace sources say (PA)

She will be represented instead by Prince Charles while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will not be there either with the former having tested positive for Covid.

Boy, 16, arrested after fatal stabbing outside Subway shop

Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder after a man died from stab wounds outside a Subway sandwich shop in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police were called to Bournemouth town centre shortly before 5am on Saturday. A 21-year-old man was found with life-threatening injuries outside Subway in Old Christchurch Road. He was transported to hospital but died a short time later.

In the early hours of Sunday morning police confirmed a 16-year-old boy had been taken into custody over the incident.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said police were still appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information "no matter how small you think it may be".

He added: "A section of Old Christchurch Road and Horseshoe Common remains closed while our examination of the scene continues and CCTV inquiries are well under way in the area.

"I would also ask local residents and motorists who were in the area at the relevant time to please check their home CCTV systems or dashcam footage and come forward if they have captured anything of relevance to our investigation."

Det Supt Huxter said the victim's family had been updated with the progress of the investigation.

Sport headlines

Biggar to remain captain

Alun Wyn Jones has officially been called up to the Wales squad, but Dan Biggar will keep the captaincy for the remainder of the tournament.

Biggar wins his 100th cap against Italy on Saturday and will continue to wear the armband and lead the squad in the build-up to the game.

The outside-half has been a big success as skipper throughout the Six Nations, leading by example with a series of outstanding displays.

Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar (Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

He has dealt with referees well, been superb with the media, and almost inspired his team to victory over France on Friday night.

Jones' call-up comes after he spent the past fortnight training with Wales as he recovered from a shoulder injury.

Coach Wayne Pivac revealed he was set to be officially named this weekend in the aftermath of the 13-9 defeat to the French.

Reports that green light has been given to sell Chelsea

Chelsea will be allowed to finish the season whether they are sold or not.

And it has been reported in The Sun that Roman Abramovich has given the green light to a sale of Chelsea with bids to be taken next week.

This is despite the Russian not being able to earn a penny from any sale due to sanctions.

In a press conference boss Thomas Tuchel admitted that many players and staff were worried about their futures.

One of those players may be Romelu Lukaku who is reportedly ready to take a pay cut to rejoin Inter Milan.

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