Western Mail

You're Hired! How to Guarantee a Dream Job

As the latest series of the TV hit Apprentice draws to a close and the remaining five contestants face up to the much-feared job interview - Professional Recruitment founder and managing director Paul Clutton reveals some hints and tips "SO you've got yourself this far - selected the perfect job, applied, and managed to get through to interview stage. All good news, but now for the really important part - making sure you don't fall at the final hurdle.

Rhodri Extends an Olive Branch to Rivals

First minister Rhodri Morgan yesterday extended an olive branch to Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats with an offer to collaborate with the two parties on a range of "progressive" policies and to halt hospital closures. In "leader-to-leader" letters to the Liberal Democrats' Michael German and Plaid's Ieuan Wyn Jones, he described opportunities for the parties to work together.

Rocky Start for the Round Wales Coastal Path Plan

Plans to create a footpath along the entire coast of Wales have hit troubled waters, just a year after being announced by First Minister Rhodri Morgan. The route from Chepstow all the way to Connah's Quay would link with the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in a bid to entice more tourists to Wales and encourage local residents to exercise more.

Rhys Won't Let Any of the Talk Go to His Head Because He's Very, Very Focused... He's a Strong Character and Does Things His Way

He is the young Welsh golfer already being talked of as the next Tiger Woods and even dubbed the "Celtic Tiger" after landing a place one of the sport's most prestigious events. But amateur golfer Rhys Davies will not be put off by all the hype - just ask his mother.

Unsafe Conviction in Bellamy Killing

A teenager sentenced to a minimum five year jail sentence for the manslaughter of a sixth former has been told his conviction will be quashed. Andrew Rafferty, 19, was given an indefinite jail sentence on public protection grounds after being convicted of Ben Bellamy's manslaughter in Swansea in 2004, and told he could apply for parole after five years.

Sailor Hit by Tow Rope Fights for Life

A royal Navy sailor was yesterday fighting for his life after a freak accident. The seaman from HMS Exeter, which had given a 21-gun salute for the Queen's visit to open the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff on Tuesday, was hit by a rope.

Fatal Plane Crash Inquest Adjourned

'The Prince Isn't Rockin', but He Is a Nice Guy'

The Prince of Wales was greeted with flag-waving supporters in the Swansea Valley yesterday - before being blasted by a teenage guitar trio who branded him "not very rock 'n' roll". Charles and Camilla were on the second day of a four-day annual summer tour of Wales.

Teaching Children About Danger of Drugs Abuse 'Not Working'

The strategy to educate Welsh children about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse is not working effectively, according to a report. The Welsh Assembly Government must revise its guidance to schools on how to educate pupils, the report, published by school inspectorate Estyn yesterday, says.

Us Television Hit Set to Make Matthew Rhys a Famous Face at Home in Wales Too

Actor Matthew Rhys is hoping to emulate his success in the US back in Britain when a new TV drama begins this month - even though he is originally from Wales. Rhys is in the rare position of being more famous Stateside, regularly getting stopped by fans in the celebrity hotbed that is LA.

'A Sign of a Government That Will Not Be Long in Power'

Rhodri morgan's legislative programme seems like the product of a government "that doesn't think it will be in existence for very long", according to one of Britain's leading constitutional experts. Alan Trench is an honorary senior research fellow at University College London's Constitution Unit. Last night he said, "These proposals may not be particularly exciting, but most of them have the advantage of being achievable. What most of them do is bring legislative power into line with the exe...

Labour Must Give Us Cabinet Seats, Says Plaid

An informal deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru modelled on New Zealand is no longer on the table, Plaid's director of elections Adam Price suggested last night. The idea, used in New Zealand by the minority Labour administration there, had been put forward as a way of bringing much- need stability to politics in Cardiff Bay.

Severn Barrage Could Create 40,000 Jobs, Claims Hain

A barrage across the Severn could create 40,000 new jobs and increase, rather than damage, biodiversity, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said yesterday. The idea featured in the Energy White Paper published last month, and is backed by Mr Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

Iraqi Family to Sue Mod Over Death

The family of an Iraqi beaten to death while in British military custody are to sue the Ministry of Defence. Lawyers acting for the orphaned children and father of Baha Musa, a 26-year-old hotel worker who died in Basra in 2003, said they are looking to recoup "hundreds of thousands of pounds" in damages.

List of 39 Us 'Ghost Detainees' Published

The names of 39 people who are believed to have been held in secret US custody in relation to the "war on terror", and whose whereabouts remain unknown, were published by leading human rights organisations yesterday. Human rights organisations also filed a lawsuit in the US federal court seeking the disclosure of information regarding the "disappeared" detainees under the Freedom of Information Act. The list of the "ghost detainees" also named relatives of suspects who said they were detained...

Five Cleared of Calvi Murder

A jury in Rome yesterday acquitted all five defendants of murder charges over the 1982 death of Italian financier Roberto Calvi, who was known as "God's banker" for his close ties to the Vatican. Calvi's body was found hanged from London's Blackfriars Bridge, with bricks and cash stuffed into his suit.

Lunge at Pope Benedict Recalls John Paul Shooting

A man sparked a papal security scare yesterday by trying to jump into Pope Benedict XVI's uncovered Popemobile. The German man made his attempt as the Pontiff began his general audience and held on to the vehicle for a few seconds before being wrestled to the ground by security officers.

Prescott 'Laughing and Joking' with Hospital Staff

John prescott is sitting up in bed "laughing and joking" with hospital staff, despite fighting pneumonia, his son said yesterday. David Prescott visited his father at University College Hospital in London yesterday morning.

Soldier Charged Over Bullets Sale

A 27-year-old soldier was charged yesterday with the illegal possession of ammunition, Scotland Yard said. Private Christopher Trussler was arrested by anti gun-crime police over the sale of Army-issue bullets.

Hain Attacks Pm On 'Offensive' Strategy

Labour's leaders have been "needlessly offensive" to its natural supporters, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said last night. In an outspoken attack on outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Neath MP, a candidate for the party's deputy leadership, said the New Labour approach of wooing Middle England and the right-wing press was proving "near suicidal".