News
Granddaughter of ‘The King’ considered for Wales team
A descendant of renowned rugby player Barry John, Anna Powell has relocated from Australia to Wales, driven by an ambition to compete in football at the highest level.
Anna Powell, a young footballer, has a notable family connection – her late grandfather, Barry John, a legendary figure in Welsh rugby.
For many rugby enthusiasts, Barry John is affectionately known as 'The King', but to Anna Powell, he was simply her grandfather, who had a passion for the sport.
Born and raised in Australia, Powell has relocated to Wales to pursue her ambition of playing in the Women's Super League (WSL), marking a new chapter in her life.
Growing up in Fremantle, Perth, Powell often heard stories about her grandfather's rugby career, which sparked her interest in learning more about his achievements.
Since joining Gwalia United last month, Powell has been discovering more about her grandfather's legacy, including his impressive career as a former Wales fly-half, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 79.
Powell recalls her mother sharing stories about Barry John's rugby exploits, which, as a child, seemed impressive but not entirely relatable.
However, since moving to Wales, Powell has been struck by the enduring impact of her grandfather's legacy, with his name still widely recognized and revered.
Powell expressed her surprise to her mother, who had previously tried to convey the significance of Barry John's status in Welsh rugby.
Powell has always felt a strong affinity for Wales, which has been reinforced by her decision to move to the country and pursue her football career.
Her parents, Lucy and Meirion, have a significant connection to Wales, with Meirion hailing from Caerphilly and Lucy being one of Barry John's four children, who left Wales for Australia in 2003.
During family visits to Wales, Powell fondly remembers her grandfather, affectionately known as "dadcu", as a calm and relaxed individual who didn't stress about much.
Powell's memories of her grandfather are not centered around his rugby career, but rather the personal experiences they shared as a family.
She recalls her grandfather's lighthearted nature, as he would often throw sweets at her and share stories, showcasing his humorous side.
When Powell was tasked with a school project about a family member, she naturally chose her grandfather, seeking to learn more about his illustrious rugby career.
To gather information, Powell contacted her grandfather, who enthusiastically shared stories about his time playing for Llanelli, Cardiff, Wales, and the British and Irish Lions.
Powell was struck by her grandfather's animated storytelling, which brought his rugby experiences to life, allowing her to visualize the matches.
Barry John's pride for Wales was evident, but he rarely spoke about his own achievements, instead praising his teammates, such as Sir Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams.
He would often talk about the joy of playing rugby, rather than focusing on his individual accomplishments.
Barry John's passing in February 2024 marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to inspire and influence those around him.
Although rugby was briefly considered, Powell's true passion lies in football, which she has been playing since joining her local club, Fremantle City, about a decade ago.
After spending two years playing college football in Texas, Powell made the move to Britain, facilitated in part by her family's rugby connections.
Her great uncle, Derek Quinnell, is a former teammate and brother-in-law of Barry John, while her first cousins once removed, Scott and Craig Quinnell, are former Wales players.
With Powell eager to play football in Wales, Craig Quinnell helped facilitate her move by introducing her to Trystan Bevan, the general manager at Gwalia United.
Within a short period, Powell agreed to a deal with Gwalia United, which will run until the end of the season, with the option to extend for another year.
Currently, Powell is living with her grandmother, Janet, and uncle, as she focuses on establishing herself in the National League Southern Premier Division, the third tier of English football.
Powell's goal is to help Gwalia United climb the league table, as she works towards achieving her long-term objectives.
Barry John's impact on Welsh rugby is still celebrated, with his legacy continuing to inspire new generations.
In a significant development, Cardiff City Ladies will be rebranded as Gwalia United, marking a new era for the team.
Powell expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be in Wales, surrounded by her extended family, and to experience the country's rich culture and history.
For now, Powell has put her academic pursuits on hold, choosing to focus on her football career and "working hard for Gwalia".
Her ultimate aim is to reach the Women's Super League and play international football, with the possibility of representing either Australia or Wales.
When asked about her potential international allegiance, Powell remains open to the possibility of playing for either country.
Powell's affinity for Wales is rooted in her family connections and the country's history, which she feels a deep connection to.
She believes that playing for either Australia or Wales would be an incredible opportunity, and she is eager to take on the challenge.
The chance to represent either country would be a dream come true for Powell, who is focused on working hard and achieving her goals.
Business
US inflation slows as used vehicle prices decline
According to the most recent official data, prices increased by 2.4% over the 12 months ending in January, marking the smallest gain since May.
The US experienced a slowdown in inflation last month, driven by decreases in energy and used car prices.

According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index increased by 2.4% over the past 12 months, ending in January, marking a decline from the previous month's 2.7% and the slowest rate since May.
This development may support the argument made by US President Donald Trump and others that the central bank has the flexibility to lower interest rates without triggering a surge in prices.
However, analysts caution that progress toward the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2% may be hindered in the coming months if companies begin to pass on tariff costs to consumers more extensively.
Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors, noted that the impact of tariffs remains uncertain and pointed out other data anomalies that could have influenced the January figures.
Birrell stated that the January report is likely to pave the way for a potential rate cut in the near future.
He added that the US economy appears to be performing well, with strong growth, stable inflation, a robust job market, and a Federal Reserve that has the ability to adjust its policies as needed.
News
Service Member Injured in Stabbing Incident Close to Military Base
According to Lt Col Mark Teeton, he considers himself lucky following what he describes as a premeditated and intentional assault perpetrated by Anthony Esan.
Lt Col Mark Teeton recalled the moment his life was put in danger when Anthony Esan dropped his deceptive facade and unleashed a violent attack, saying, "I knew I was in trouble."

On 23 July 2024, at approximately 18:00 BST, Teeton's routine walk home from Brompton Barracks was disrupted when Esan approached him, requesting to borrow his mobile phone to seek help for his broken-down moped.
Within three minutes, Teeton had suffered a brutal stabbing, which was briefly interrupted when his wife intervened, pushing Esan away as he lunged at her husband.
In an interview with the BBC, Teeton reflected on his ordeal, stating, "I was fortunate to have survived."
Esan, aged 25, received a life sentence with a minimum term of seven years and 162 days at Maidstone Crown Court.
During the sentencing, Mr Justice Picken described the attack as having an "unimaginable horror."
The judge also ruled that Esan would be detained in a hospital for as long as necessary.
Prior to the attack, Esan had conducted online searches for knives, a terrorist attack in West Africa, and TikTok videos depicting knife attacks in other countries.

The court heard that Esan had also searched for information on the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby, referred to as the "Woolwich soldier murdered."
Forensic psychiatrists testified that Esan's actions were more likely driven by psychosis, but that he had intentionally targeted a soldier.
Mr Justice Picken stated, "The attack on Mr Teeton was targeted and deliberate."
Addressing Esan, the judge said, "You intentionally sought out a soldier with the intention of causing fatal harm, as evident from your online search of the Lee Rigby killing."
Eileen Teeton, Mark's wife, recounted how she rushed from their home and confronted the assailant, but Esan's gaze followed her.
She described how Esan then turned his attention back to her husband, at which point she realized the victim was her husband.
After Esan ceased his attack and fled on his moped, Eileen's priority was to get her husband medical attention as quickly as possible.
As Teeton drifted in and out of consciousness, guards from the nearby barracks, local residents, police, and paramedics arrived at the scene.
Teeton was rushed to Kings College Hospital in London, where he underwent emergency surgery, while his wife followed, unsure if he would survive.
Following the sentencing, Teeton stated that Esan's life imprisonment reflected the premeditation and planning that went into the attack against him, a British military officer.
He added, "Knife attacks have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the victim but also their families and the communities where they occur."
Teeton expressed his empathy, saying, "We feel the pain of every knife attack we see in the news, and our thoughts are always with those affected."
Prior to the attack, Teeton, a 26-year veteran of the military, had completed four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He credited the swift response of paramedics, who arrived by air ambulance, with helping to save his life.
Teeton also acknowledged the role of locals who provided first aid, saying, "The immediate care they provided, along with the basic first aid principles they applied, absolutely saved me."
After a three-week hospital stay, Teeton returned home to find that the military had relocated his family to a more private area.
He then spent five weeks at a rehabilitation centre for injured military personnel near Loughborough before returning to work full-time in January 2025.
In January, Esan pleaded guilty to attempted murder, following several delays in the case due to concerns about his mental health.
Esan had previously attempted to join the British Army on multiple occasions, with his first application submitted in 2020.
In the same year, he was referred to mental health services due to apparent mental health issues and reports of hearing voices.
Esan's mother believed that, given his mental state, he should not have been in the community, according to testimony presented in court.
Eileen Teeton, who sings in a military wives choir, expressed relief that Esan had pleaded guilty, sparing them the ordeal of a trial.
She stated, "We felt a massive sense of relief that he had taken responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty, sparing us and the jurors from reliving the horrific ordeal."
News
Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham
Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.
For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.
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