11/02/2013 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Our top story: five members of the same

family killed in a car crash in Saudi Arabia. It the only survivor,

a one year old boy. You can imagine if it was your family, it is tragic

just losing one family but losing a Our other headlines: Catholics

across Wales expressed their shock at the Pope's resignation. The last

time the Pope resigned was in 1294, so it does not happen every day.

�1.5 billion gambled on them each year, they have been done to the

crack cocaine of gambling, tonight calls for stricter regulation.

San Francisco, the latest destination for the First Minister.

Do his trade missions bring any benefits back home?

In tonight sport, after the win in Paris, where else on a high and

ready for Rome but as they end an eight-match losing streak, should

Rob Howley make any changes? Good evening. Five members of the

same family have been killed in a car crash in Saudi Arabia. Three

generations of the family from Newport had been making a

pilgrimage to Mecca when the taxi they were travelling in crashed

into a ditch. The only survivor was a one year-old boy.

This has cut to the very core of this community. It will be

difficult to find a more well- respected family than the Hayat

family. People have been walking around with tears in their eyes and

attending the local mosque to pay their respects.

A family that where the heart of their community. Cruelly and

suddenly taken away. 56-year-old man, his wife, his elder son, their

daughter were killed when the taxi they were travelling in crashed

into a wall. The only survivor, a one year-old boy. He was reportedly

found in the arms of his grandfather. Friends have called

this a miracle. You can imagine if it was your family. It is tragic

just losing one person but when a whole family like that, and an

expectant mother seven months pregnant, that is really tragic.

Beyond belief. The family were on a pilgrimage to the holy city of

Mecca. A trip they had made before and a trip made by millions of

Noddy and -- Muslims every year. This visit was particularly special

because Sira was due to get married this weekend. Devastating. With

five members just gone. It is horrible. No words can express.

service was held at their local mosque. Their funerals have been

taking place at a holy site in Saudi Arabia throughout the day.

was very sad and heartbreaking news when the people, especially of this

mask, when they heard the news. People could not believe and many

of them started crying. 20 members of the extended family had

travelled to the country and friends of -- and neighbours have

pledged their support when they return with the young boy. The city

has immense respect for the Hayat family. There will be real grief in

Newport tonight at these terrible tragedies that have happened.

prayers go to them and we are waiting for them to come and we

will be visiting and supporting them on a long-term basis. I know

it will not be easy but we will work together to do our best for

them. The family are expected back in Newport in the coming week.

Evening prayers are due to take place shortly and no doubt the high

at family will be in the course of everyone in there. The Foreign

Office says it is providing assistance as is the Saudi Arabian

royal family. The extended family are out in Saudi Arabia. They will

want to bring back the young boy as soon as possible, but certainly for

the people here, they will be mourning the loss of one of their

own. Catholics across Wales have been

reflecting on the shock announcement that Pope Benedict is

to resign on health grounds. The Archbishop of Cardiff has called

for people of all faiths to pray for his well-being. There are

150,000 Catholics in Wales and many have been surprised and saddened by

the news. Praying for the Pope. At this mass

at the cathedral of St David in Cardiff, where ships were asked to

keep Pope Benedict in their thoughts and prayers. News of his

resignation had just come through and this seemed to take everyone by

surprise. It is a great shock and he will be a great loss to the

Catholic Church. I am from Australia so it was news to me

today. Maybe because of ill health, all aged but that is understandable.

Shocked because it is a long time since the last time this happened,

600 years. There are around 150,000 Catholics in Wales. Although Pope

Benedict has not come here, Wales has gone to the Pope. In 2010, he

blessed a mosaic of St David at Westminster Cathedral and pray

before the statue of Our Lady which had been bought from Cardiff.

bless the people of Wales. Today the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff

called for people of all believes in Wales to pray for the Pope and

to have faith that the pastoral care will continue. The life of the

Church goes on and with the election of a new Pope, he becomes

the focal point, he becomes the father figure as it were. But that

does not mean to say in the interim that there is no guidance, no

leadership because the rhythm and the life for the Church continues

throughout the world. This morning's announcement took even

the Pope's closest aides by surprise at throughout the day,

Welsh Catholics from all walks of life have been taking in the news.

A complete surprise to all of us. Saddened also because the reason

the Pope wants to resign is because of his health. He is 85. I would

suspect there during the last years of the previous Pope, the current

one saw him deteriorates so much that he did not want that to happen

to him. St Winifred's is one of Wales's haulier sides and a place

of pilgrimage. Its custodian says he is saddened by today's news but

realises all things must pass. will light a candle for him and

wish him the best for the future. We hope the weather takes over will

be the same as Pope Benedict. just two weeks' time, the Pope will

Stepaside and the church will move as quickly as they can to appoint a

successor. Catholics around the world will be watching and waiting.

A woman from Carmarthen Show will not face charges over allegations

they she failed to disclose information about the location of

one of the victims of Moors murderer Ian Brady. Jackie Powell

was arrested last year on suspicion of preventing the lawful burial of

Keith Bennett. He was one of five children killed by Brady and Myra

Hindley. South was police are continuing

their search for the missing rugby fan Ben Thompson. He was last seen

more than a week ago after the Wales are running game in Cardiff.

There was close to the television footage of him in the Leckwith area

and teams of officers have been combing the backs of the River Ely.

Come to Wales because we have the skills you need and the people who

want to work. That is the message from the First Minister Carwyn

Jones as he takes 15 what companies on a mission to San Francisco. The

US was Wales's largest trading partner last year but as export

figures decline there is a call for the Welsh Government to do more.

The Chinese new year brings with it new opportunities for Welsh

companies. Bitter something which has not lost on the First Minister

as he invited the Chinese ambassador for talks on how to

boost trade and business links between the countries. But when it

comes to making sure that the Welsh businesses are best placed in

foreign markets, is Carwyn Jones a good salesman? We have to sell

ourselves to the world. David Cameron does it all the time, Alex

Salmond all the time. We have to make sure our name is known around

the world. We went to India and came back with a hundred million

pounds. Of position parties questioned whether that investment

was a result of his visit but the First Minister has been racking up

the Air Miles. Two weeks ago he was in Turkey. Then it was on to Dublin,

this week to San Francisco, followed by trips to New York and

Japan in the next few months. Cardiff-based technology company

rant media are going with the First Minister to San Francisco. The

latest application has been featured international by Apple. 92

% of the revenue came from abroad. We are hoping to meet some high-

level technical contacts as well as meeting up with some blockers, some

take industry experts, some of whom we had met before some of whom we

have not. Gay and in some lost ground in San Francisco will high

on the watch Government's agenda. In the third quarter of last year,

a Welsh exports were worth �1 billion to North America but this

has now fallen to 915 million. Most recent figures show the total Welsh

exports fell by �200 million. recent table of inward investment

in the UK have shown that Wales has fallen from the top of the league

table to the bottom in about seven years. That is not good. In the

Chinese deer of the snake, things can always turn around. According

to Chinese astrology, people born in the year of the snake us are to

be keen and determined, a trait that will have to be on show this

week if Welsh businesses are to be recognised abroad.

More to come including �1.5 billion gambled on them each year. Dove the

crack cocaine of gambling, tonight calls for stricter regulation.

And after that win in Paris, Royal Rob Howley select the same man

They had been described as the crack cocaine of the betting

industry and more than �1.5 billion was gambled on them in Wales last

year. Electronic gambling machines. Now the they are a target of a

campaign for greater regulation but bookmakers say there was no sign of

$:/STARTFEED. I am not here to say that machines should be taken off

the high street. Our organisation is not anti- gambling. We want to

see restrictions put in place. Ingrid Wallace gives counselling to

people with gambling problems in Cardiff and also has concerns about

the machines which are known as fixed odds betting terminals.

people are placing a bet or when people play the National Lottery

was something like that, there is a bit more distance and people have

time to think in between and talk to other people and do something

else in between. I do think that there are potentially not a safe

product. Adding up all the stakes in Wales last year gives a total of

�1.9 billion, up 5% on the before. A large chunk of that is people

gambling away their winnings so the profit for bookmakers and Wales was

comparatively lower. There is no empirical evidence that it is a

problem. I would therefore say that one has to remember the betting

industry is the most heavily regulated sector on the high street.

The betting shops in Wales support 2000 jobs and contribute a hundred

million pounds to the Welsh economy. Fresh out of the bookies, even some

customers have concerns. You have one big win and that's game over.

Have you seen people lose a lot of money? Thousands of pounds. People

are hitting the machines and it's not good. It is like a drug.

bookmaking industry is conducting research to find out whether the

machines are causing any issues but say most people use them without

any problems. Campaigners argue that with debts of up to �100 every

20 seconds the stakes are too high for vulnerable people. $$CLEAR

$:/STARTFEED. Almost one in five cancer patients

in Wales say they've experienced a lack of support from family and

friends. That's according to research by the charity Macmillan

that reveals that some even refuse treatment because they fear

relatives will be unable to help them through it. Cancer patients

get help for the physical side of their illness but this report shows

that thousands of patients are finding they are not getting the

emotional support they also need from some of those closer to home.

Mair Dempster Jones from Mold was diagnosed with breast cancer five

years ago. She came through it, but says she couldn't have done it

alone. You are given that the diagnosis and to Onye Rome,

literally. It is your problem and your illness. You need the backing

of friends for all sorts of reasons. The charity Macmillan says one in

five cancer patients in Wales feel isolated, either because they live

far from family or worry that relatives won't be able to cope.

Sometimes they have not got anyone to make sure they have eaten or

cook them a hot meal. They have difficulty getting prescriptions or

getting to an appointment. At worst, people might actually turned and

treatment because of some of those practical support us and that Care

Network is not around them. Former Assembly Member, Karen Sinclair,

from Llangollen has lived with cancer for five years. She says

where family and friends can't help, alternatives are available. It is

absolutely imperative that we reach as many people to say to them you

don't have to be alone and you don't have to go through this

without support and really good support is there. Cancer patients

know that science and medicine can only do so much. A friendly face

and helping hand are just as important.

We don't want a repeat of the Aberfan disaster. That's the

message from protestors who've handed in a petition against a new

coal mine in the Swansea Valley. They're worried the development

could lead to landslides similar to the one seen nearby at Ystalyfera

before Christmas. Neath Port Talbot Council says it's considering the

application and is aware of concerns. We have come to protest

against this proposed mine application because it has a

history of landslides as it is. The application could cause further

landslides in the area and destroy our villages.

Catherine Zeta Jones will return to the Oscars stage at the end of the

month to reunite with the cast of Chicago. It's ten years since the

Swansea actress won an academy award for her role in the film.

Dame Shirley Bassey will be making her first appearance at the

ceremony in what's rumoured to be a special tribute to James Bond.

Next year marks the centenary of the start of the First World War

and tomorrow night we begin the first of two special reports from

Flanders. Roger Pinney reports from the site of the Battle of

Passchendale where in 1917 thousands of soldiers from north,

south, east and west Wales fought and died. An appeal has been

launched to build a Welsh memorial there. This memorial on the

outskirts of the town remembers the people of Scotland who died in the

first world war but is it time now for one remembering those from

Wales? More on that tomorrow. Back to

tonight and let's talk Rugby. Here's Claire.

Good evening. Wales say their win over France has given them new

found belief ahead of their next game against Italy in Rome in just

under two weeks. In a moment, the thoughts of former Wales and Lions

centre Tom Shanklin, who's with us for the duration of the

Championship. But first, here's how some of the players reflected on

that win in Paris. It is up there with one of the best feelings in a

Welsh jersey. To go to Paris and Wayne is a huge challenge -- to go

to Paris and wind. You could see how much it meant to all the boys.

It was an amazing feeling. It is up there with one of the best days of

my life. Unbelievable celebrations on the field after the game. It was

a fantastic win. We had one opportunity in the second half and

we took it. That is what won us the game. We didn't take opportunities

against Ireland and it was the difference between winning and

losing. Tom, how important was that win for

Wales? It has lifted morale. These coaches and players were under

pressure and had not won a game for eight matches. You saw the reaction

of the players and it meant everything to them. It was not the

greatest game but I am sick of seeing Wales play well and lose so

the win was important. Hopefully, this is the start of something big.

It started with the moment of magic from George North. That was the

catalyst. You mentioned the reaction of the players and the

relief afterwards, many of the players were emotional. It was a

great kick by Dan Biggar. George North was the only player who could

have finished that offer. There were a lot of emotions after and

Jamie Roberts showed his emotion during an interview after the game.

It meant so much to him. It has been a tough period for them under

there has been a lot of pressure on them. What will a win like that to

to the squad? Confidence is everything. They will go to Italy

now ins two weeks and feel better about themselves. There will be

more self-belief. He beat them and Scotland and then you have England

at the end. They could be coming here to win a Grand Slam. The IM

glad England won at the weekend because it is in our control now,

stopping England winning the Grand Slam and possibly winning the

championship. You have to be positive. The let's have a quick

chat about Ryan Jones. He was immense. The couple of selection

headaches for Robert Howley now. Would you make any changes? Ryan

Jones was immense. Gethin Jenkins were immense. There were two senior

players who stood out. It is a tough dilemma because Alun Wyn

Jones is back and you have a Sam Warburton who will be fit. But I

feel you can't wind -- change a winning team. It could be damaging

to morale. This is a close-knit team and how dewdrop someone after

that great win. They will be involved. But I would not change it.

Football, and Swansea City striker Itay Shechter has been forced to

miss the club's warm weather training camp in Dubai. The Israeli

player was denied entrance to the country. Defender Chico Flores has

travelled, despite an ankle injury picked up in Saturday's 4-1 win

over QPR, which is likely to rule him out of the Capital One Cup

final at the end of the month. is important for the players to get

away for three or four days. We have that play on Sunday at Anfield

so it will not be a holiday but the conditions will be warmer.

Cardiff City remain on course for the Premier League. They extended

their lead at the top of the Championship to eleven points,

despite a goalless draw at Huddersfield. In the Conference,

Wrexham are keeping up the pressure on leaders Grimsby. They beat

Stockport 3-1. Newport are slightly off the pace in fifth after their

home draw with Tamworth. Snooker, and Mark Williams and

Matthew Stevens are safely through to the first round of the Welsh

Open in Newport. Williams beat Liu Chang of China 4-1 this afternoon,

while Stevens knocked out England's Alfie Burden 4-2 in his qualifier.

But two more Welshmen, Gareth Allen and Ryan Day, both lost on the

first day of the tournament. It was freezing in Paris on

Saturday and hopefully it won't be as cold in Rome in a fortnight.

Temperatures on Anglesey reached 6C today with some sunshine but

Tredegar, over 1,000 feet above sea level, stayed around freezing. Now,

in the end, Wales had more rain than snow over the weekend. At the

moment, there are two flood alerts in force in south Pembrokeshire,

Swansea Bay and on the Gower coast. This evening, largely dry.

Overnight, thicker cloud may bring a little sleet and snow. Any snow

will be light. It will be hit and miss and won't amount to much.

Temperatures inland close to freezing or below with the risk of

icy patches. Tomorrow morning, a lot of cloud. Cold and grey. Misty

in places. A few spots of sleet. The odd snow flurry but not

amounting to much. Temperatures around freezing or just above with

light winds. During the day, any light sleet and snow flurries will

die away, leaving a dry afternoon. Plenty of cloud but it should

brighten-up in places. The best chance of sunshine in Gwynedd and

Anglesey. Temperatures around 2C to 4C on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Around freezing on high ground. Tomorrow night, dry and with more

breaks in the cloud more frost is likely. Windier in the west, though,

with temperatures on windward coasts above freezing. The chart

for Wednesday shows a deep low near Iceland. This is the remains of the

Boston Blizzard. It's not heading our way but its fronts are. They

will bring a mixture of rain, snow and stronger winds. So Wednesday

will start dry but windier with rain on the way. Some snow too for

a time. Most of the snow in mid Wales and the north but not lasting.

It will turn back to rain. Wednesday night will be wet. 20mm

to 40mm of rain with a risk of localised flooding. Thursday will

start wet. The rain will clear to sunshine and the odd shower is

possible. Milder on Thursday but chilly overnight with ground frost.

Friday, largely dry. Some sunshine and lighter winds. Our picture

tonight is from Gerry Pierce. Snow covered mountains above Llyn Ogwen.

Thanks, Gerry. Keep warm. We're in X-Ray's coming up in half an hour.

Here's Lucy and Rhodri with a preview. Tonight, we are in Swansea

lifting the lid on how one claims company persuaded customers to part

with their cash. We are checking out the best way to rent DVDs and

we're back on the trail of those online travel companies.

And if you've got a story you think we should cover, let us know. E-

mail us at [email protected], or phone us on 03703 500 700.

The main news again from the BBC: Catholics across Wales have been

reflecting on the shock announcement that Pope Benedict is

to resign on health grounds. The Archbishop of Cardiff has called

for people of all faiths to pray for his wellbeing.

Five members of the same family from Newport have been killed in a

car crash in Saudi Arabia. Three generations of the Hayat family had

been making a religious pilgrimage to Mecca when the taxi they were

travelling in crashed into a ditch. A one-year-old boy survived.

city has immense respect for the family and there will be a lot of

grief in a Newport today after these terrible tragedies.