Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Tuesday, November 14)

£17m new school proposed to replace primary evacuated over landslide fears

A number of major school building and refurbishment projects could be given the go-ahead by Neath Port Talbot Council this month, including a new-build replacement building for Godre’rgraig Primary School which was evacuated in 2019 because of landslip fears.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet will meet on November 20 where they will discuss a series of ambitious new school project submissions to be included in the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning funding programme.

The project is part of a long-term investment for schools and colleges from the Welsh Government, aimed to develop them as hubs for learning and to reduce buildings in poor condition.

Full story here

Lorry driver was producing crack cocaine in his flat

A lorry driver returned to selling drugs just a matter of weeks after being released from prison for previous dealing. When police raided Gino Alemmano's flat they found more the £3,500 in cash under the mattress of his bed along with a saucepan containing cocaine residue and utensils which indicated had been converting cocaine into crack.

Phone evidence showed the 43-year-old had gone back to supplying Class A drugs shortly after being released early from prison having served less than nine months of a 32-month sentence imposed for his involvement with a cocaine-dealing gang. On that previous occasion the HGV driver had been found in the gang's base in the Penlan area of Swansea with cash, an electronic card reader, and a missing woman hidden under a bed.

Sending the dad-of-one back to prison a judge at Swansea Crown Court told him that if he returned to Class A dealing again he would be liable to the mandatory minimum seven-year sentence as a repeat offender. He told the defendant that what he did in the future was a matter for him but if returned to drug supply he may find himself one day an "elderly man who has not really lived much of a life outside prison".

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Tributes t

Tributes have been paid to a devoted former deputy headteacher and schools rugby stalwart who "helped countless children fulfil their dreams." Ian Milne, who sadly died on Friday, November 10, aged 79, dedicated more than 50 years of his life to Swansea Schools Rugby Union in various roles and was a founding member of the Neath and Tennant Canal Trust. Since his death, tributes have detailed Ian's "unwavering dedication" to schools rugby and other causes close to his heart.

The father and grandfather from Swansea was a former deputy headteacher of Newton Primary School and spent decades as the secretary of the Swansea Schools Rugby Union. Retired headteacher and Swansea Schools coach Keith Day - who Alun Wyn Jones credited as his most influential coach - worked alongside Ian for many years and described him as "one of life's good guys."

"I obviously got to know him because he was secretary of the schools union for over 30 years," said Keith. "You will not hear anybody say a bad word against him and he was never one to seek the limelight himself. He just did all the background stuff. When some of the lads would struggle with finances to go on tour, he'd be the one organising in the background making sure they would go. He was a great man."

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Dolphin found washed up on Swansea beach

A dolphin sadly washed up on Swansea Bay on Tuesday morning, November 14. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard in Mumbles took to social media to share a picture of the deceased creature and to urge people to steer clear of the mammal as it could "carry disease".

An initial statement from HM Coastguard Mumbles said: "Tasked today at 11.51am to a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) that had washed up on Swansea Bay. We have procedures to follow for this type of call out and all necessary measurements were taken for the use of maritime records. Please do not touch the mammal as they may carry disease."

Woman denies spraying graffiti on wall of BBC Wales building

A woman denied causing criminal damage to the BBC Wales building in Cardiff after it was allegedly spray-painted. The graffiti was allegedly sprayed on the walls of the building.

Deidre Murphy, 69, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage to a property value under £5,000. The alleged offence took place at the BBC's Cardiff office in Central Square on October 28.

The court heard the defendant wished to elect a jury trial at the Crown court but prosecutor Abbie Jackson said the charge was a "summary-only matter" and should be tried at the magistrates' court. Appearing via videolink Ms Ososami, defending, argued the prosecution had no proof of the value of the damage, such as an invoice, which could prevent her client from electing a jury trial.

Magistrate Martin Hornung said there was not sufficient evidence and adjourned the matter for the prosecution to provide confirmation of the value of the damage. Murphy, of Holtsfield, Murton, Swansea, was remanded on unconditional bail to appear at the same court on December 18.

Row erupts in Senedd as Mark Drakeford accuses Tory leader Andrew RT Davies of misogyny

Mark Drakeford accused his Conservative opposite number, Andrew RT Davies, of being a misogynist during a heated Senedd debate. When asked if he wanted to review his comments, he backtracked slightly but stopped short of taking them back fully.

The First Minister had been asked about the King's speech and the impact it had on Wales. He then moved on to speaking about the culture in Downing Street and turned it into an attack on Mr RT Davies.

The presiding officer Elin Jones joined in, describing how she had been subjected to a misogynistic comment.

During the exchange, the First Minister said Mr Davies "shares the misogyny" he said was shown in Downing Street. When asked to look again at that comment because the presiding officer didn't see anything misogynistic today, Mr Drakeford replied: "Well, I'll agree with that Llywydd, I didn't hear anything misogynistic today".

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School alert as armed police are called to Welsh town after reports of man with knife

Armed police were called to a Welsh town after receiving reports that a man "possibly holding a knife" was walking around the streets. Dyfed-Powys Police has since confirmed that officers carried out a "full search" of Aberaeron in Ceredigion and spoke to a number of witnesses but were unable to locate the man in question.

The update comes after staff at a secondary school in the village issued a warning to pupils, parents and locals after receiving information about a "person that could cause harm" nearby. Staff at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron, said they were keeping the school library open for any pupils who wished to wait there.

An initial report from the school on social media said: "We have received information that there may be a person that could cause harm walking around Aberaeron. The school library is open if pupils would like to use it."

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M48: one lane closed due to broken down car

Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports: "One lane closed due to broken down car on M48 Severn Bridge Eastbound from J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) to J1 A403 (Aust). Traffic is coping well."

Mum's tribute to 'loveable son' who died suddenly with heart condition

A mum has paid tribute to her "loveable son who would always light up the room" after he died suddenly with a heart condition in a secure children's home. An inquest held at Swansea’s Guildhall into the death of Aaron Dylan James heard how he died at Hillside Secure Children’s Home on February 24, 2017. He was 17.

Weeks before his death Aaron had been taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea after having a seizure before he was later able to return to Hillside. After he returned he was due to receive physical welfare checks every 15 minutes within his room and was meant to be checked on through an observation panel looking into his room every three minutes. But it was heard how there had been concerns among care officers that carrying out physical checks every 15 minutes would have caused him sleep deprivation and so the plan was changed. Aaron was later found unresponsive in his room and the fire and ambulance service were called to his aid. But despite efforts he could not be saved.

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'Degenerate' couple raped and sexually assaulted young girl after drugging her

A couple who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a young girl were told by their victim they had "tortured, humiliated, and destroyed" her. A judge branded the pair "two of the most degenerate individuals to have appeared before this court".

Simon Parsons, 44, and Rebecca Dow, 39, carried out a disgusting campaign of sexual abuse against their victim when she was under the age of 13. The girl was raped by Parsons as Dow held her hand and they assaulted her sexually and also had sex with each other in front of her.

They both denied their sexual abuse of the victim but were found guilty of a catalogue of offences following a trial. They continue to deny their responsibility for their actions and were told by their victim: "I hate myself and I hate you."

Read more here

Massive expansion of caravan park set to go ahead despite objections

The controversial £6m expansion of a Pembrokeshire holiday park has been given the go ahead despite hundreds of objections. Pembrokeshire Council has agreed the work at Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley/Stepaside, which objectors fear will open the floodgates to other similar developments.

The scheme by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd, next to the historic remains of the 19th century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, will create 44 jobs and bring £1m extra cash into the local economy each year, the company behind it said. Building work is expected to start next year installing 48 bases for holiday lodges, a spa facility at a former pub, holiday apartments, a café and cycle hire, stables and offices.

Locals are divided. Responding to the news one said: “Disgusting decision, no consideration to what the people who live here think, all about lining their coffers… or should that be pockets."

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Man died from allergic reaction after eating pizza

A man with a history of allergic reactions to cheese and jalapeno peppers died after eating a pizza. Robin Wynne Williams, 45, had been for a meal of pizza, chips, nibbles and drinks with workmates but was later found dead in his motorhome.

A pathologist found that he died from a severe allergic reaction to food leading to an anaphylactic shock. Kate Robertson, senior coroner for north west Wales, held an inquest in Caernarfon today into the death of Mr Williams. She heard he had been a contractor on the Menai Suspension Bridge.

The project had just finished and he and his colleagues enjoyed a celebratory meal at The Bridge pub in Menai Bridge on February 2. Afterwards he walked over the bridge to his motorhome which he had been allowed to park on The Antelope pub near Bangor.

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Investigation after body found on beach

An investigation has been launched after a man's body was discovered on a Pembrokeshire beach.

The man's death is not being treated as suspicious and his family have been informed.

Woman identified 30 years after being found dead in river

A woman who had previously been identifiable only by a distinctive flower tattoo on her body has been identified 31 years after she was found dead in a river. Rita Roberts was 31 years old had moved to Antwerp from Cardiff in February 1992.

She was murdered in the Belgian city four months later and her body was found against a grate in the river Groot Schijn. For three decades her body remained unidentified but an international appeal that was launched into the cold case this year has solved the mystery. Read more here.

Nigel Farage appearance is 'line in the sand' for show

There has been a lot of negative reaction to the news that controversial right wing TV host Nigel Farage will be taking part in ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

Mr Farage, who was one of the key driving forces behind Brexit and who previously branded the show "humiliating", has arrived in Australia to take his place in the jungle. He will be receiving over £1.5million to join this year's list of famous (ish) faces. Read what people think here.

King Charles told to give up his castles

Welsh folk singer and campaigner Dafydd Iwan has urged King Charles to give up his castles and hand them over to the people. of Wales.

The singer says he was astounded to find out that castles such as Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Conwy, Harlech and Flint were still owned by the Crown Estate, despite being managed by the conservation agency Cadw. Read more here.

Flooding on the A470

This is the flooding on the A470 at the moment.

One lane is closed in both directions between there and Pontypridd. Work is underway to try and clear the water. Live updates here.

Children set to be offered chickenpox vaccine

Children could soon be routinely vaccinated against chicken pox following a recommendation by experts. The chickenpox vaccine should be introduced on the NHS for children, scientists advising the Government have said.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK health departments, said the jab should be given to youngsters in two doses when they are aged 12 months and 18 months. It has also recommended a temporary catch-up programme for older children be included.

Wales plans to make people in nice houses pay more council tax

More detail about council tax reform has been released.

People who live in around 450,000 homes in Wales would see an increase in their council tax bills as part of the Welsh Government's plans to reform the tax. Ministers today published details of the three options they are looking at for changing council tax in Wales. More details here.

Cabinet meets for first time since reshuffle

Lord Cameron has attended his first Cabinet since quitting as prime minister in 2016.

Rishi Sunak said: "A warm welcome to those for whom it's their first Cabinet and also a welcome to those for whom it may not be their first time."

The Prime Minister said: "Our purpose is nothing less than to make the long-term decisions that are going to change our country for the better. I know that this strong and united team is going to deliver that change for everybody."

Driver killed friend when he lost control of sports car

A driver lost control of a sports car and slammed into an oncoming vehicle killing his passenger and friend almost instantly, a court has heard.

The car Matthew Roberts collided with contained a couple an their baby, and while the mother suffered serious injuries including a fractured spin the infant was unhurt.

King to 'get birthday call from Harry'

The King will be wished happy birthday by the Duke of Sussex on the day he turns 75, it has been reported.

Charles will be spending his birthday attending two royal events but at some point during the day his son Harry is expected to phone his father, according to an online BBC report.

The King and his son have a strained relationship since Harry stepped down as a working royal and moved with wife Meghan and their family to America three years ago, for personal and financial freedom.

Council claims £230,000 over Stradey Park Hotel asylum seekers fiasco

The leader of Carmarthenshire Council is trying to claw back nearly £230,000 of costs which he said the authority incurred as a result of a Home Office plan to house asylum seekers at a hotel in Llanelli.

Councillor Darren Price said council officers spent more than 2,700 hours dealing with the controversial proposal for the privately-owned Stradey Park Hotel and Spa before the Home Office decided last month not to push ahead with it. Read more here.

Accident causing M4 delays

There has been an accident on the M4 near Pyle.

One lane is closed westbound between junction 36 Sarn and junction 37 Pyle.

Recovery is ongoing.

M4 delays between Cardiff and Newport

There is very heavy traffic on the M4 this morning between Cardiff and Newport.

There are no accidents or incidents to report but it is very slow heading eastbound from junction 28 Tredegar Park to junction 26 Malpas. Live traffic and travel updates here.

Rate of unemployment remains unchanged

The rate of UK unemployment remained unchanged at 4.2% in the three months to September, the Office for National Statistics said.

Average regular earnings increased by 7.7% in the three months to September and lifted 1% after taking Consumer Prices Index inflation into account, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Massive council tax shake up planned

Details of the Welsh Government's plans to reform council tax across Wales which could see new bands and changes to tax rates will be announced today.

The Welsh Government has long promised reform of the system. Today. a consultation about how that redesign will look will be published. More details here.

M4 delays near Swansea

A car has broken down in a roadworks area of the M4.

It is stuck on the eastbound carriageway between junction 48 Llanelli and junction 47 Swansea West Services.

Met Office forecast for Tuesday

Sunny spells and showers, though largely dry in the afternoon. Here is the full forecast for Wales today:

A showery start to the day, though showers becoming more scattered into the afternoon, with more sunny spells developing. Still rather breezy, mainly around coasts and over hills, though not as windy as of late. Feeling mild in sheltered spots. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Becoming mainly dry overnight, though perhaps the odd shower around. Winds strengthening and becoming rather windy by morning, particularly around northern coasts. Mild, though feeling cooler in the breeze. Minimum temperature 7 °C.

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