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Wales’ record temperature of 35.2°C could be broken in coming days as heatwave continues

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WALES is in line to see exceptional temperatures developing later this weekend and early next week.

The Met Office said: “If anything computer model output over last 24-36 hrs has reinforced the signal for the hot temperatures more widely across Wales. We have just issued a Red warning (High Likelihood of High Impacts) for parts of England –

“We are not currently considering issuing a Red warning for Wales, but we are now considering issuing another Amber warning to cover more of North Wales and Dyfed-Powys during Monday and Tuesday – although this is likely to be for Medium Likelihood of Medium level Impacts on our risk matrix.

“SO as far as warnings are concerned – we will see a greater expanse of Amber across Wales shortly (see updated Warning that now covers Pembrokeshire) – but high impacts and temperatures are probably more likely the further east you are.”

As far as timings are concerned we continue to see heat build across Wales during Saturday but more especially Sunday with heat likely to peak on Monday and Tuesday. We should start to see a transition to less warm air on Tuesday night and Wednesday – possibly with thunderstorms. At the moment it looks as if many places will see daytime temperatures in the low 30’s early next week, and the hottest temperatures in Wales are likely to be in and around communities that are in the east of Wales where we could see values in the mid 30’s, although we also see some indications of high values in some communities that are to the north of high ground – eg along the North Wales coast and perhaps along parts of north Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion coast too. Wales record temperature is 35.2°C – there is a reasonable chance it could be broken. As well as hot daytime temperatures we will see some high night time temperatures on Sunday night and especially Monday night these likely to particularly high and possibly record breaking in themselves in and around the bigger cities and conurbations. The cumulative effects of a number of very warm nights and hot days will be difficult and unpleasant for many and dangerous for some too.

We have just issued a Red (High Likelihood of High Impacts) warning for parts of England. As I said above – we are not currently expecting to issue a Red warning for Wales but remember that a Red warning means a High Likelihood of High Impacts, and the Amber warning we have in place already means there is Medium Likelihood of High Impacts and that in itself is a very strong statement of risk over the coming days.

Over the weekend and into next week then we can expect to see a progressive increase in hot weather effects on people, and to an extent on parts of our infrastructure too. The spell of hot weather will also mean a significant increase in potential for wildfire/grass fire incidents particularly as this spell of strong hot sunshine (and low humidity) comes after some months now of low rainfall across Wales – again indications we have from our modelling capability continue to indicate some exceptional conditions for “fire weather” developing.

In summary then – we will see another Amber warning issued shortly later for Mon/Tues for parts of Wales not currently covered by the current warning. A red warning will be issued for England, but not Wales – it will however generate a lot of UK wide coverage. It will be hot everywhere – especially on Monday and Tuesday – quite possibly record breaking and the cumulative effects of some hot nights and a couple of hot days on people and perhaps infrastructure could mean many agencies have a difficult time over the coming days.

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Thousands of homes in rural Wales gain from faster 4G boost

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RURAL Wales is seeing a major upgrade in mobile connectivity, with faster 4G now live in several areas. Seven locations across North, South West, and West Wales are benefitting from new 4G mast upgrades funded by the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network (SRN), aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban areas.

The upgrades, which went live on Thursday (Nov 14), bring improved 4G coverage to communities including Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park, and Bontgoch. Local businesses, emergency services, and residents are expected to benefit from faster internet access, which supports daily communication, business opportunities, and economic growth.

There is a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Fast, reliable connectivity is essential for modern life and should be available from Cardiff to the remotest parts of Wales. Today’s upgrades bring us closer to making this a reality.”

SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION

As part of the rollout, Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visited Ebbw Vale to discuss digital inclusion with charity and industry leaders. They met with representatives at BGfm, a digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, to learn about how connectivity impacts daily life in Welsh communities.

Telecoms Minister Bryant said: “We are working tirelessly to make sure rural communities aren’t left behind online.

“These upgrades mean businesses can now operate without connectivity limitations, 999 services are better equipped to respond, and residents and tourists can stay connected across the Welsh countryside.”

ADDRESSING CONNECTIVITY GAPS

An estimated 1.5 million homes across the UK remain without internet access, limiting people’s ability to access essential services such as banking and healthcare. In addition to the SRN upgrades, the Chancellor has allocated over £500 million in next year’s budget for digital infrastructure expansion, targeting these underserved areas.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the importance of this investment, particularly for rural Wales, where fast, reliable internet can be transformative.

“Connectivity is critical for day-to-day life in rural areas – from supporting local businesses to ensuring emergency services are just a call away,” Stevens said.

The upgraded masts, previously limited to EE customers and emergency 999 calls, now serve a wider user base, bringing essential internet access to more people without requiring new infrastructure.

Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, said: “With the activation of five new SRN sites, Wales is seeing the tangible benefits of the Shared Rural Network, bringing crucial connectivity to rural communities.”

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN REMOTE WALES

The improvements come alongside a £170 million agreement with Openreach to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 70,000 remote Welsh properties, helping future-proof digital access in even the most isolated locations.

The latest upgrades mark another step in the Government’s mission to improve mobile coverage and close the connectivity gap across Wales, creating opportunities and supporting economic growth across rural communities.

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Milford Haven man admits to downloading indecent images of children

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A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced after admitting to downloading over 1,000 indecent images and videos of children, including highly explicit content involving young children. Gareth MacDonald, now 23, appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images and videos across various devices.

The court heard that police visited MacDonald’s home, which was the scene of protests after his arrest, last year following intelligence suggesting that child abuse images had been accessed there.

There were protests outside MacDonald’s house in September 2024 (Pic: Herald)

Officers spoke with MacDonald’s mother at the door before entering to conduct a search.

During the operation, two mobile phones, a tablet, a laptop, and two hard drives were seized.

MacDonald initially spoke to one of the officers privately, admitting to downloading the images and saying, “It’s me.” Later, in formal interviews, he revealed that he had grown “bored with legal pornography” roughly a year earlier, knowing that what he was doing was illegal but continuing regardless.

Prosecutor Emily Bennett informed the court that MacDonald’s devices held 15 Category A images, the most severe classification, 26 Category B images, and 960 Category C images. Some content depicted children as young as nine, and the most serious material involved pre-teen children in distressing situations.

Bennett also noted that MacDonald had briefly joined an online group where members self-identified as paedophiles, although he left without sharing any material. Cleaning software was also found on his devices.

Defense counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged that MacDonald’s actions had crossed the custodial threshold, but argued that there was “a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” He highlighted MacDonald’s cooperation with police and his willingness to comply with rehabilitation programmes.

Judge Geraint Walters, presiding over the sentencing, addressed MacDonald, saying, “For some considerable time, you have accessed this kind of imagery, fully aware of the harm it represents.” He acknowledged that MacDonald largely isolated himself and stayed at home, factors he considered in the sentencing.

MacDonald was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and participate in the Horizon programme. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.

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Welsh teenager jailed for creating 3D-printed gun at home

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A TEENAGER who assembled parts for a viable semi-automatic firearm using a 3D printer has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

Owain Roberts, 19, purchased nuts, bolts, steel barrels, and metal rods online, constructing components of an FGC-9 gun with the aid of a 3D printer.

Detectives said that this case marks the first of its kind in Gwent, where Roberts admitted to manufacturing a firearm component. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday (Nov 14).

In April, firearms officers executed warrants at two Newport addresses connected to Roberts. Seized items included a 3D printer, two laptops, six plastic reels, and parts for an FGC-9 firearm.

PC Tom Meazey, from Gwent Police’s East Serious Organised Crime team, stated: “Illegally-held firearms can lead to tragic consequences and devastate innocent people’s lives. To own a firearm, including a printable one, is illegal in the UK without a valid firearms certificate. Roberts’s reckless actions in buying items capable of manufacturing a firearm placed people at direct risk.”

This rare and complex investigation involved support from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Roberts received a prison sentence of four years and nine months.

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