Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, February 21)

Goodnight

Thank you all for joining us.

Make sure to head back here tomorrow for all the latest news and updates from across Wales.

Man charged with murder of ‘devoted’ father-of-11 in Cardiff

A man has been charged with the murder of a “devoted” father-of-11 in Butetown, Cardiff.

Mujeeb Rahman Hassani, 38, from Butetown, has been charged with the murder of 64-year-old Ibrahim Yassin. Read more here.

Met Office issues new 11-hour weather warning with flooding possible

An 11-hour weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office. The warning, which comes into force in the early hours of Thursday, covers much of south Wales.

It comes after a similar warning was in place between 12am and 12pm on Wednesday. The latest warning comes into force at 3am on Thursday, and remains in place until 2pm the same day.

Read the full weather update here.

Family made £300,000 in huge illegal puppy-selling scam

A family of scammers made hundreds of thousands of pounds by conning people into believing the puppies they were buying were much-loved pets when in reality the dogs were being bred and traded like “commodities”, a court has heard. Read more here.

‘Martha’s Rule’ planned for Wales after ‘preventable death’ of 13-year-old Martha Mills from sepsis

The Welsh Government is working to bring a similar scheme to Martha’s Rule to Wales, and pilot schemes are currently being tested by health boards.

Martha’s Rule has been rolled out to hundreds of hospitals in England and the idea is it will give patients and families access to a rapid review from a separate care team if they are concerned that a condition is getting worse.

It is the legacy of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who fell off her bike while on holiday in Eryri in 2021.

Click here to read the full story.

Strong winds and restrictions in place on the M48 Severn Bridge

There are currently strong winds and restrictions in place on the M48 Severn Bridge in both directions between J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road in Chepstow and J1 A403 in Aust across the border.

According to Inrix, motorists come off eastbound at J2 or West at J1, around the roundabouts and back on to cross the bridge, which remains open.

Usual restriction is in place in case the bridge needs to be closed quickly if cross winds get worse.

A4093 in Bridgend has re-opened following flooding

The A4093 in both directions is now re-opened and traffic has returned to normal, Inrix has said.

Earlier, there was flooding from Glynogwr to Hendreforgan in Bridgend.

Girl, 4, taken to hospital with serious injuries after dog attack

A girl has been treated for serious injuries in hospital after being attacked by a dog.

Four-year-old Rayven Hamilton was playing outside her home in Carmarthen on Monday, February 19, when she was “pounced on” by the dog.

Police are currently undergoing tests on the animal to confirm its breed.

To read the full story, click on our link here. Readers are warned that this article contains graphic images.

Restrictions on the A55 Britannia Bridge lifted

Restrictions that were implemented on the A55 Britannia Bridge between Anglesey and Gwynedd due to high winds have been lifted, Traffic Wales has confirmed.

Previously, there were restrictions on the bridge for bikes, motorcycles and caravans due to high winds.

A499 in north Wales impassable due to flooding

The A499 westbound is currently impassable due to flooding from Pwllheli to Llanbedrog in Gwynedd, according to Inrix.

Line reopened between Cardiff Central and Bridgend

The line has now reopened between Cardiff Central and Bridgend.

Previously, the line was blocked duo to flooding on the railway. Trains running between these stations were likely to be cancelled or delayed, with replacement bus services running between both locations.

Transport for Wales has now confirmed that services are running as scheduled.

Passengers reminded of engineering works between Cardiff and Swansea on three Sundays next month

Passengers are being reminded to check before they travel between Cardiff Central and Swansea on three Sundays during March, Network Rail has said.

The railway body has said that it will be carrying out “essential track renewals” on these days.

The Sunday closure will see buses replace trains on a key part of the South Wales Main Line on the following Sundays:

• March 3, 2024
• March 17, 2024
• March 24, 2024

In addition to the three Cardiff-Swansea closures, buses will also replace trains between Rhoose Cardiff International Airport and Bridgend, and between Cardiff Central and Maesteg via Pontyclun, on March 17 and 24 due to track renewals.

Sunday, March 10, marks when Wales v France Six Nations’ match will take place at the Principality Stadium and also happens to be Mother’s Day. Those wishing to travel on that day are reminded that services are scheduled to run on that day as usual.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We are working really hard to improve train service punctuality and this essential work is a part of our commitment to do that.

“We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway, but we have planned the renewals to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“We are also conscious of the number of rugby supporters west of Cardiff who rely on train services on Six Nations match days, so there will be no engineering works on this stretch of the route on 10 March.

“I would like to thank passengers for their patience and urge them to check their journeys before travelling.”

Complaint against controversial new chief of South Wales fire service was partially upheld

A complaint against the new chief of crisis-hit South Wales fire service was upheld before his appointment, it has emerged. Stuart Millington’s secondment to the interim chief position has already come under scrutiny after it emerged he was being taken to court over allegations of harassment, discrimination and bullying.

Read more here.

Couple who won £61m Euromillions jackpot thought they’d won £2.60

A couple who won £61 million with a Euromillions ticket thought they’d scooped just £2.60. Richard and Debbie Nuttall, both 54, from Colne in Lancashire won the massive prize in the draw on Tuesday, January 30.

On Wednesday they told how they were on holiday in Fuerteventura where they were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary when they learned of their big win. Richard said they were on the second day of their break and he had got up early to finish some work.

Read more here.

One of Wales’ best-known restaurants is up for sale for £825,000

A Michelin-starred restaurant has been put up for sale with an asking price of £825,000. Owner Stephen Terry and his family closed the Hardwick at Old Raglan Road in Abergavenny in September last year after 18 years in business.

A host of reasons led to the closure of the renowned restaurant including employee Nicola Nightingale stealing £150,000 from The Hardwick with the help of her husband Simon. Both of them received suspended sentences for the offences.

Read more here.

Road closed due to flooding

The A4093 in both is directions closed, heavy traffic due to flooding from Adherent to Hendreforgan.

First official review of the impact of Wales’ 20mph law

The first official data about the impact of Wales’ new 20mph default speed limit in residential areas has been published. The Welsh Government has been studying vehicle speed on 43 routes across Wales since the law changed in September last year.

The Office star Ewen MacIntosh has died, aged 50

Ewen MacIntosh, who starred as Keith in The Office has died. A message by Just Right Management shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday (February 21) read: “With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh. His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home. There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year.”

His friend Ed Scott wrote: “I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh. He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office but the person inside is what I will most remember.”

Mr Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, added: ‘Ewen was so full of empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a really good man. “Sending love to his parents Sara and Ewen Sr, his brother Colin and his family, as well as his many friends and fans.”

“Serious” crash involving five vehicles closes M4

Weather closes M48 Severn Bridge

M&S announces store closure in Welsh town

Marks & Spencer has announced that their store in Neath will be closing this year. The retailer announced that the closure was due to shopping habits “changing” and the subsequent need to focus their investment “on the right stores in the right places”.

The store located on Green Street in the town will be closing in May of this year, but no exact date has been confirmed by the retailer. Education Minister and candidate to be Wales’ first minister Jeremy Miles said that staff were informed of the closure on Tuesday, February 20.

It has not been confirmed how many jobs are impacted by the closure. The closest M&S store to Neath is in Swansea city centre. Full story here.

Met Office forecast for Wales

Tonight:

“Mostly dry this evening but the chance of showers or longer spells of rain increasing overnight. Some heavy and squally downp ours are possible later. Windy at times and turning colder. Minimum temperature 4 °C.”