Western Mail

Plan for Handouts to Science Students

Golden handshakes to encourage students to take science, maths and engineering degrees are being considered by the Welsh Assembly Government, it confirmed last night. The financial carrots are on the table as business leaders today demand immediate action to stop thousands of teenagers taking the "more glamorous" degrees such as sports and forensic science. Thousands of Welsh students expect to hear this Thursday whether they have been accepted into university when A-level results are published.

Fears That Second Gas Pipeline Is On Its Way

Fears that a second hugely controversial pipeline may be built across Wales to supply England's energy needs were triggered last night. Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price says a consultation document produced by National Grid for the gas industry proves a second pipeline has been under active consideration. The first pipeline, which will transport liquefied natural gas from Milford Haven to Tirley in Gloucestershire, has led to direct action protests that have delayed its progress. The scheme's oppone...

Football: Jones Will Not Be Rushed Until He Is Ready to Strike

Cardiff city boss Dave Jones has admitted he looks set to be without the services of star striker Robbie Fowler for almost another two weeks. The ex-England frontman was merely a spectator as his new team-mates slumped to a disappointing opening-day defeat to Stoke in front of a packed and expectant Ninian Park. It was perhaps a game the Bluebirds were a tad unlucky not to at least pick up a point from. The first-half performance had plenty of flowing passing movement without ever really disp...

Bt Criticised After Firms Denied Broadband Access

Companies based in a pocket of rural Wales claim they have been left out of the broadband revolution. Statistics say Wales has one of the highest accessibility rates for broadband internet technology in the world. But firms in Dolfor and Llaithddu - two villages near Newtown - say they are losing business and now face thousands of pounds worth of costs because of BT's failure to link them to the broadband network. There had been a general assumption that when the Assembly Government entered a...

Gales Possible As Wet and Windy Weather Is Forecast to Return

Wet and stormy weather is set to wash out summer once again, forecasters are warning. Wales yesterday escaped the heavy and thundery showers which hit Scotland and Northern Ireland with a few sharp showers mainly in the north. Today the forecast remains the same with much of the nation likely to bask in sunshine.

Football: Bring On Fowler for Wow Factor

Cardiff city wideman Trevor Sinclair believes the sooner the Bluebirds get Robbie Fowler firing on all cylinders the better. Sinclair, who played with Fowler for England and Manchester City, said the Liverpool legend has already brought the "wow" factor off the pitch at Ninian Park. Now, he says, City need that on the park.

Could Cardiff Pedal After Paris in the Wobbly Race to Create Greener Cities?

What better way to ease traffic congestion in Cardiff than by introducing the new cycle scheme that is running so smoothly in France? Taxi drivers were adamant it would never work, but the introduction of 10,000 self-service bicycles in Paris appears to be a triumph in taming the city's fierce traffic. The city's green- minded mayor is over the moon at demand from Parisians and visitors for the sturdy grey cycles, each weighing 45lb, that have been available at 750 roadside docking pods since...

Monty Python's Flying Circus Beats Del Boy and Rodney in Comedy Poll

Football: Pulis in Praise of Hero Keeper

Stoke city boss Tony Pulis left Ninian Park delighted with three points and admitting he was relieved his side had not faced the threat of Robbie Fowler. "Robbie needs to get fit, Dave Jones knows that," said Pulis, the self-confessed City fan from Newport. "Once he gets fit and he gives Fowler a chance, I think he'll take it. "We're pleased he didn't play against us because when Robbie is fit I think Cardiff have got a player who will score them 20 goals this season."

Football: City Torment As They Suffer a Case of Two Missing Strikers

Imagine Trooping the Colour minus the Queen. Or Eurovision without Terry Wogan's droll interjections. Just wouldn't be the same, would it? And neither, after all the hype and hoopla of the past month, was a sun-kissed Ninian Park with Robbie Fowler sitting behind the home dugout rather than prowling the penalty box. To make matters worse, there on the big screen close to kick-off was a jubilant Michael Chopra having scored the first goal of the Premiership season - and a stoppage-time winner ...

Retired Police Officers Claim to Have Been Robbed of Full Pension

A group of former police officers has asked the Attorney General to order an external investigation into allegations of pension fund irregularities involving South Wales Police, the Western Mail can reveal today. According to Roappa - Retired Officers Against Police Pension Abuse - former policemen and women whose health was damaged, while working for the force, may have been robbed of millions of pounds in total because they have not received their full entitlement. The group has now accused...

Heartbeat Pounds Into Top Spot

VETERAN American producer Timbaland was booted off the top spot in the singles charts by Robyn with Kleerup's dance track. The single - With Every Heartbeat - which was new in at number five last week, pushed The Way I Are, featuring Keri Hilson, down to number two. In the album charts, Port Talbot's TV talent show winner Paul Potts's debut album One Chance was pushed off pole position by new entry Kate Nash with Made of Bricks.

Football: Carey Looks for the Positives in Defeat

Wrexham boss Brian Carey insisted bright times lay ahead despite an opening-day setback. The Dragons created plenty of openings in a much-improved second half but they were denied by two great saves from Darlington's sub keeper David Stockdale and poor finishing. "We created enough chances to win the game," bemoaned Carey. "Obviously I was disappointed with the result, but more than pleased with our approach to the game.

'I've Been Worrying About It Ever Since I Started My First Exam'

Will gooding has been biting his nails to the quick. He wants to study law at Cardiff University and is anxiously waiting to see whether he has got the two As, a B and the Welsh Baccalaureate he needs. As D-day this Thursday approaches the 18-year-old from Thornhill, Cardiff, said his stress was reaching a peak. "I am really, really, nervous," he said. Will, who studied for A-levels in history, law, English language and literature at St David's College in Cardiff, wants to be a corporate lawyer.

Pay Students to Stop Them Taking 'Glamorous' Degrees, Say Bosses

Employers are demanding urgent action today to stop thousands of teenagers dropping traditional sciences for "more glamorous" degrees. The Confederation of British Industry said TV series such as Silent Witness had popularised the study of subjects such as forensic science, despite the field's lack of jobs, while demand for sports science courses was also growing. It called on Ministers to offer pounds 1,000-a-year "golden carrots" to students to encourage more undergraduates to study science...

Helplines Ready for Calls From Stressed Pupils

Counsellors said last night they are on standby for a surge in calls from worried teenagers this week as thousands of students across the nation brace themselves for exam results. The Samaritans said study stress was the major reason behind calls to its helpline and last year calls to the charity rose by 6% on A-level results day and 11% on GCSE results day a week later. Samaritans' schools project co-ordinator Tonja Schmidt said, "Waiting for exam results is a time fraught with pressure. Pan...

Football: It's a Case of Mixed Feelings for Scotland On Debut Display

Jason scotland was happy to get off the mark on his debut, but admitted it was little consolation after his side lost to a last- minute goal. Scotland thought Swans could have beaten Oldham and claimed they deserved to leave Boundary Park with at least a point. But as League One life after Lee Trundle began the striker showed his composure to equalise after 55 minutes, and he admits the goal was made sweeter by the fact it was in front of the Swans travelling fans. He said, "I'm a striker so ...

Football: We Can Bounce Back From This, Insists Martinez After Real Choker

Swansea city may have lost in the dying minutes of their League One opener, but Roberto Martinez insisted he wasn't concerned about the result. Two dubious decisions from referee Andy Hall, either side of Jason Scotland's debut goal, cost the Swans dear after they had dominated for large spells. But, despite having seen his side concede in the first and last minute of normal time, Martinez was in an optimistic mood.

Post Office Workers Stage Fresh Strike Today

Protester Warns of Biggeroutcry Over Second Pipeline

A leading protester against the first gas pipeline across Wales said last night that opposition to a second pipeline would be even greater. Jim Dunckley, of Gorseinon, near Swansea, who at one point climbed into the pipeline to halt the project's progress, said, "More people now understand the environmental impact of shifting gas around like this. "In the past the National Grid was able to scare many into believing that without a pipeline of this kind, the lights would go out. Now it is clear...