Lois Mccarthy

Hundreds of fans, friends and residents gathered in Swansea and Skewen for Bonnie Tyler's funeral and final journey home. Mourners recalled the singer, born Gaynor Hopkins, as internationally successful yet approachable, proudly Welsh and closely connected to her local communities. Tributes across Mumbles, Swansea and Skewen included shared memories, music, flags, signs and flowers, emphasizing the lasting affection felt for a performer who never forgot her roots.

A planned blast at Breedon Group’s Taff’s Well Quarry sent water, mud and rocks into Gwaelod-y-Garth near Cardiff, damaging at least 15 homes, killing pets and forcing 13 properties to be evacuated. Residents described the blast as resembling an earthquake and the flooding as devastating, while roads, sports pitches and a public right of way were covered in debris. Breedon, Cardiff Council and emergency agencies are supporting affected residents and investigating the cause. Local politicians have called for activities at nearby quarries to be suspended until an independent investigation establishes what happened and confirms that the community is safe.

A sudden torrent of water flooded Gwaelod-y-Garth minutes after a planned blast at Breedon Group’s nearby Taff’s Well Quarry, damaging 15 properties and forcing the evacuation of 13 homes. Residents described the blast as resembling an earthquake, while streets, homes, gardens and sports pitches were buried in mud and debris. Cardiff Council arranged emergency accommodation and deployed housing, highways and cleansing teams, as residents began a difficult clean-up and faced potentially weeks or months of repairs. Breedon said it would investigate what happened.

The Friday, July 31 EuroMillions draw offered a £76 million jackpot, with winning numbers 10, 24, 25, 31 and 45 and Lucky Stars 4 and 5. The Thunderball numbers were 21, 27, 1, 19 and 16, with Thunderball 12, offering a £500,000 top prize. The article also explains the games’ winning requirements and recalls major UK EuroMillions jackpots, including the current record £195 million win claimed anonymously in July 2022.

Gwent Police has appealed to the public for information to help locate Rory, an 11-year-old boy from Ebbw Vale who has been missing since July 29, 2026. He was last seen in New Street, Pwllypant, Caerphilly, and is described as white, slim and about 4 feet 11 inches tall. Police say he was wearing a grey Nike tracksuit with green detailing and a black Amsterdam baseball cap, and ask anyone with information to contact them via the force’s website, social media or 101, quoting log reference 2600243762.

Police dog PD Asko helped Gwent Police locate Albert Hysaj, 42, hiding behind a false wall at a cannabis factory in Aberbargoed. Officers found 313 cannabis plants across three rooms and living accommodation in connected industrial units. Hysaj pleaded guilty to producing a Class B controlled drug and was sentenced to six months in prison. A second man from the Abertillery area admitted involvement in cocaine supply and cannabis production and received a suspended sentence.

Jayne Economos says her father’s care at Wrexham Maelor Hospital deteriorated after staff missed records showing he had broken ribs, while sedation, ward noise, limited mobility and inadequate facilities worsened his dementia-related distress and dependence. She praised staff but blamed staffing shortages, poor infrastructure and the hospital’s paper-based record system, calling for modernisation, better training and more frontline workers. Her father is now receiving care at Bryn Hesket Unit, which she says is better suited to his needs. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board apologised for the family’s distress and said it would review communication and patient-care issues.

The live blog reports the winning numbers from the National Lottery Lotto and Thunderball draws held on Wednesday, July 29. Lotto numbers were drawn in two rounds, with Round One numbers 10, 22, 38, 58, 05 and 56, bonus ball 54, and Round Two numbers 32, 22, 31, 20, 40 and 55, bonus ball 01. The Thunderball numbers were 28, 34, 32, 26 and 23, with Thunderball 13. The Lotto jackpot was £4.4 million and the Thunderball jackpot was £500,000.

Fourteen of the 16 fully furnished homes at Parc Delfryn in Brynteg, near Benllech, remain empty more than two years after going on sale. The developer says a planning condition imposed in 2007, restricting the three-bedroom properties to holiday use, has made them difficult to sell, despite price reductions to £250,000 and at least 37 enquiries from families seeking permanent homes. Anglesey Council rejected an application to remove the restriction, citing inconsistency with the development plan, insufficient evidence about effects on the Welsh language and inadequate parking. The developer is considering appealing to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, while offering to accept restrictions prioritising buyers with links to Anglesey.

Keeper’s Pond, a popular swimming and hiking spot on the Blorenge, has been closed until further notice because firefighters are using its water to combat a major wildfire on Mynydd Garnclochdy between Blaenavon and Abersychan. The fire has burned across more than 200 hectares over six days, with crews facing steep, dry terrain. The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority urged the public to avoid the area and said it would provide updates when the car park can reopen.

A rescue horse named Violet sustained severe injuries, including puncture wounds and a deep back gash, after an alleged attack by an off‑lead dog in a Pontypridd field. Her owners report physical and emotional trauma, rising veterinary costs of over £2,000 and have reopened a GoFundMe to support her recovery. Damage to fencing suggests an intruder entered and exited the field. Police were unable to progress the investigation due to insufficient evidence, prompting installation of additional CCTV and an appeal for witnesses. The RSPCA expressed sympathy and emphasised responsible dog control.

An 84-year-old man who fell overboard while returning to his yacht near Tenby was rescued after being carried by strong currents into a cave beneath St Catherine's Island. Tenby RNLI launched two lifeboats following a Mayday call and located the man after hearing shouts for help and receiving a key eyewitness report from Josh Dean. The casualty was brought aboard, assessed, and transferred to the Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team to await an ambulance. Crews praised Dean for providing information that helped save the man's life.

Students at Cardiff University were told during an exam that calculators could not be used despite nearly half the test requiring them, leaving about 200 candidates at a disadvantage. After results were issued with a defect indicator, students were offered adjusted marking or an in‑person resit in August, prompting frustration among many, particularly international students who would need to travel back to Cardiff. Concerns were raised about financial strain and mental health impacts, while the university encouraged affected students to seek support through its internal departments.

A homeowner in Pembrokeshire faces more than £9,000 in council tax after converting a former milking parlour on her property into a holiday let, which the council classifies as a separate dwelling subject to second‑home premiums. She says strict Welsh Government rules for holiday‑let eligibility and accessibility issues make it difficult to meet letting requirements, leaving the couple unable to cover costs. Local authorities cite legislation that sets the criteria, while the Welsh Government is reviewing the 182‑day rule, with Plaid previously pledging to consider reasonable exemptions.

Bioluminescent plankton created vivid blue glows along Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot over several nights, drawing excitement from residents and visitors. Wildlife photographer Duane Evans, who has spent years searching for the phenomenon, captured the display in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The rare event occurs when microscopic plankton emit light after being disturbed, producing striking visual effects that attract photographers and nature enthusiasts. Sightings depend on specific environmental conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Volunteer coastguards in Wales face losing hourly remuneration following a legal ruling that forced the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to change its employment model. The GMB Union warns the cuts could lead to a significant reduction in volunteer availability, with a leaked survey indicating one in four may reduce hours or quit. Coastguards say the payments compensate for time-consuming and demanding work that often affects their employment and wellbeing. The MCA says the change is legally required but maintains volunteers will still receive training, equipment and support. Union representatives argue the cuts threaten the future of a vital emergency service.

Swansea Bay University Health Board apologised after staff and patients at Morriston Hospital reported uncomfortably high indoor temperatures during Wales’ third heatwave of the year. A staff member cited limited availability of air conditioning units, while temperatures across Wales exceeded 30C, peaking at 32C in Monmouth. The health board said it is working to minimise heat impacts across its sites and thanked patients and staff for their understanding and efforts during the hot weather.

Cardiff Council is moving away from a proposed congestion charge and instead favors a workplace parking levy that would charge certain businesses for employee parking spaces to raise funds for improving public transport. The levy, alongside other options, will be included in a public consultation expected this summer, with councillors stating it could reduce congestion, support cleaner air, and fund more reliable and affordable bus services. Examples from Nottingham and Bristol are being considered, and any implementation would require new legislation from the Welsh Government. The cabinet will review the proposal in mid‑July.

Winning numbers for the £24 million EuroMillions draw and the Thunderball draw are announced, with Thunderball results revealed first followed by the EuroMillions numbers and the accompanying Lucky Stars.

A fatal collision on the A40 in Carmarthenshire resulted in the death of 38‑year‑old van driver Ashley Wayne Keane. His family issued a statement expressing their grief and requesting privacy. Police confirmed that a Scania bus and a Ford Transit van were involved, with the road closed for several hours for investigation. A 14‑year‑old bus passenger and the bus driver were taken to hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries, and the victim’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.

Winning numbers for the Lotto and Thunderball draws are listed, with details on jackpot amounts and brief historical context about past major wins and the structure of the National Lottery draws.

A parked vehicle caught fire on Princess Margaret Way in Aberavon, sending thick black smoke over nearby homes as emergency services responded. Firefighters from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported. South Wales Police arrived first, followed by fire crews, who remained until the area was confirmed safe. A witness described the fire spreading rapidly before being quickly brought under control, and the cause has not yet been determined.

Two suspected unexploded ordnances found on Ynyslas beach in Ceredigion prompted Dyfed-Powys Police to establish safety cordons while explosive ordnance disposal specialists carried out controlled detonations. HM Coastguard teams responded to both ordnance discoveries while also assisting with a medical evacuation supported by the RNLI. The situation concluded safely around 9pm, and the public was reminded not to handle suspected ordnance and to report finds to the Coastguard.