South Wales in Focus

Hiroki Totoki, Sony’s chief financial officer, will become president and chief operating officer, Sony said in a statement.

Kenichiro Yoshida remains chairman and chief executive, signalling continuity at the Tokyo-based maker of PlayStation consoles, Bravia TVs and Spider-Man movies.

Sony is forecast to report a decline in earnings in its corporate results update later in the day.

Mr Yoshida proposed the executive change to strengthen Sony’s management across its diverse operations last year. It won unanimous board approval on Thursday.

Sony, for decades synonymous with Japan’s technological prowess, brought mobile entertainment to the world with the music-on-the-move Walkman more than four decades ago.

In recent years it has been criticised as struggling to co-ordinate its sprawling operations spanning video games and music to digital cameras and robot dogs.

Mr Totoki said he will try to live up to the challenge.

“I would like to create a positive spiral that begins with Sony being chosen by customers, which then energises our employees, enables us to attract more new talent, increases our corporate value and ultimately enables us to give back to society,” he said.

Caerphilly County Borough Council has said Pride Caerffili will be a day-long celebration to recognise LGBTQ+ people’s contribution to society.

The “family friendly” celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 24, from midday until 7pm and will include live entertainment and an “iconic” Pride parade.

Deputy leader Jamie Pritchard, said: “We’ve been meeting for several months to consider the planning of the inaugural Pride Caerffili event. We’re confident that it will be an amazing day of live music, entertainment, and celebration as we come together in support of our LGBTQ+ community in Caerphilly County Borough.

“We at CCBC, are committed to ensuring Caerphilly County Borough remains an inclusive place to live, work and visit for all, and this event is just one way we can listen to the voices of our LGBTQ+ community.”

The parade is due to set off from St Martin’s School at midday, before making its way down through the town and looping around the Twyn car park area where it will finish.

The council’s announcement came on the first day of February, which is LGBT history month.

The song’s lyrics include reference to a woman being murdered by her jealous partner.

The Welsh Rugby Union – the governing body which has recently been hit by sexism and discrimination allegations – took the song off its half-time entertainment and music playlist during Test matches in 2015.

And guest choirs have also been asked not to feature the song.

“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson said.

“The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015.

“Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.

“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.

“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”

Wales kick off their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Allegations of a “toxic culture” at the WRU were aired in a television documentary last week, resulting in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips on Sunday.

An independent taskforce is to be set up to tackle the allegations, with Sport Wales – a Welsh government-funded body – advising on the make-up and remit of the panel.

The allegations have rocked the whole sport in Wales to its foundations.

In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”

Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.

“What people have been calling for is institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU, but instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing.”