Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Saturday, April 26) (2025)

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Titanic survivor's letter sells for record breaking £300,000

A letter written by one of most well-known survivors of the Titanic disaster has sold for a record-breaking £300,000 at auction. First-class passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie wrote The Truth About The Titanic, which described his experience of the April 15 1912 tragedy that claimed 1,500 lives.

The letter card is dated April 10 1912, the day he boarded, and is postmarked Queenstown 3.45pm April 11 and London April 12.

It said: "It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her."

The historic item sold for five times the expected price of £60,000 at Henry Aldridge and Son, of Devizes, Wiltshire, on April 26. It is the highest price ever achieved for letter written on board the Titanic, the auctioneers said.

Father Ted co-creator charged with harassment and criminal damage

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been charged with harassment and criminal damage. The Irish comedy writer, 56, wrote on social media that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London in October. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed Linehan has been charged with both harassment without violence, and criminal damage.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 12, a CPS spokesperson said.

The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years.

In a post on X on Saturday, he claimed that the charge related to a complaint from a trans activist. In 2023, he recalled in his book titled Tough Crowd: How I Made And Lost A Career In Comedy, that he lost his comedy career after he "championed an unfashionable cause".

Linehan created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews.

Love Island star announces pregnancy

Love Island star Georgia Harrison has announced she is expecting her first child with her partner Jack Stacey. The reality TV star and campaigner, 30, has reportedly been dating Mr Stacey for less than a year.

She announced the news on Instagram saying: "We've been keeping a secret. "Me and Jack are having a baby! Due November 2025, we can't wait to welcome this little one into the world and embrace all the joy and love he or she will bring.

"I still can't believe I've finally got everything I ever wanted and I couldn't be more grateful... And just like that two are about to become three."

Police appeal for missing man

Police are appealing for help finding a missing man. Stephen Griffiths, 32, from Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot was last seen leaving Neath Port talbot Hospital on Saturday April 26 at 11.40am.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey joggers and has full sleeve tattoos.

Anyone with any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2500130463

Road closed after accident

Drivers are being warned that the A483 road in Powys has been closed in both directions from A44 Crossgate to B4356 Llanbister after an accident.

Vehicle appears to drive into people at Just Stop Oil march

A vehicle appears to have driven slowly into Just Stop Oil (JSO) protesters as hundreds marched through London for the group's "last day of action". A mass of people wearing JSO's signature orange vests rallied on Saturday afternoon.

This comes after the group claimed a victory on new oil and gas licenses and said "we're hanging up the hi vis" and "we will take to the streets one last time".

Activists appeared to occasionally block roads on the Trafalgar Square roundabout during the planned walk from St James' Park to Waterloo.

Video taken by the PA news agency seems to show a man slowly driving a white minivan carrying a child and at least one other passenger towards protesters for the environmental campaign group.

People standing front of the vehicle, some holding a JSO banner, look to hold their hands up with one shouting "officer, I'm being pushed back".

The minivan appeared to edge forwards until the bonnet was pressing against them.

Thousands march for Welsh independence

Police estimated that more than 6,000 people joined a march calling for an independent Wales in Barry today. The march was organised by YesCymru and AUOBCymru.

There were speeches from supporters including former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, Catalan campaigner Anna Arqué i Solsona, political activist Kiera Marshall, Wales Green Party spokesperson Tessa Marshall and singer-songwriter Eädyth Crawford.

There was also live music from Emma Winter, known from Y Llais, the Welsh version of The Voice. For all the best pictures and more on the protest you can see our coverage here.

Slow traffic on major route out of Cardiff

Motorists are being warned of delays on the A4232 outbound just before junction 33 of the M4 at Cardiff West and services. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported slow moving traffic in the area just before 5.20pm.

Thousands mourn Pope Francis in his home of Argentina

Thousands of mourners have assembled outside the Buenos Aires cathedral where Pope Francis used to give homilies as archbishop to pay homage to the first Latin American pontiff as the funeral rites were unfolding in Rome.

Although the funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square began around dawn in Buenos Aires, many Argentines woke up to follow the broadcast live. Hours later, a giant procession made its way to the capital's downtown square of Plaza de Mayo for an open-air Mass. The faithful filled the streets, some weeping openly as the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Garcia Cuerva, gave his sermon while struggling to hold back his tears.

Drivers warned of delays on Britannia Bridge

Drivers are being warned to plan extra time for their journeys on the A55 Britannia Bridge east bound this afternoon. Traffic Wales reported congestion in the area and said drivers need to allow additional time for travel in the area.

Plenty of sunshine ahead

Temperatures are forecast to rise next week across parts of the UK, according to the Met Office, and judging by the weather predictions for Cardiff (as seen in this image) and other areas in Wales, we'll be getting plenty of sunshine.

Some areas in southern England are where it is expected to reach 27C on Wednesday, but in Wales will also enjoy the warmer temperatures, with lots of areas reaching 25C especially in south Wales.

The highest recorded April temperature was way back in 1949 when Camden Square in London recorded 29.4°C on 16 April.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Matthew Lehnert said: “We are not expecting the April UK temperature record to be broken, but some locations may nudge local records.

Man missing from Neath Port Talbot

South Wales Police has shared that Stephen Griffiths, 32, is currently missing from Sandfields in Neath Port Talbot.

He was last seen near Neath Port Talbot Hospital at 11:40am today (Saturday April 26)wearing a black t-shirt, grey joggers, and full sleeve tattoos.

People with any information are being urged to contact South Wales Police, quoting 2500130463.

Slow traffic in Pembroke dock

Ther is currently slow traffic on A477 Waterloo Road in both directions from Trinity Terrace to Waterloo Road.

Expect brighter weather through Wales this afternoon

"Rain over Wales has now mostly fizzled out", says BBC Wales Meterologist Derek Brockway who says that the weather is leaving a "drier and in some places bright afternoon and evening with sunny intervals.

"A front lying through Wales today is weakening with high pressure either side of it."

Rain over Wales has now mostly fizzled out leaving a drier and in some places bright afternoon and evening with sunny intervals. A front lying through Wales today is weakening with high pressure either side of it. pic.twitter.com/7534ojvhvf

— Derek Brockway - weatherman (@DerekTheWeather) April 26, 2025

Road re-opens after incident in Powys

The A483 Newtown Bypass in has re-opened in both directions following the earlier incident from A4811 to B4800 Dolfor Road.

'Emergency incident' in Powys

A483 Newtown Bypass in both directions closed due to an "emergency incident" from A4811 to B4800 Dolfor Road in Powys, according to the traffic monitoring site, Inrix. The traffic is reportedly coping well.

Van flips on its roof and person rushed to hospital after crash

One person has been taken to hospital following what South Wales Police has described as a “serious” crash in Barry, after a van crashed with a bollard and flipped onto its roof.

The accident took place on Port Road West and was closed for a period of time earlier this morning as emergency services attended the scene in the directions between the junction of Colcot Road to junction of Liscum Way but it has since re-opened according to South Wales Police officers.

You can read the full story here.

Slow traffic in Chepstow

Slow traffic has been reported on A466 St Lawrence Road Southbound between B4293 Welsh Street (Chepstow Racecourse Roundabout) and A48 / Fair View (Highbeech Roundabout).

Accident in Gwynedd

There are currently reports of traffic heavier than normal due to an accident on A494 in both directions from B4402 to B4401, according to the traffic monitoring site, Inrix.

Funeral of Pope Francis is taking place

The funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88, is currently taking place in the Vatican.

Trump, Prince William, and other leaders paid their respects to Pope Francis' coffin inside the basilica before the service, which is being led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re began.

The proceedings are slightly different to previous papal funerals, as the Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a wooden casket, and instead of being buried in three coffins, he had previously requested only for one.

Police appeal after M4 crash

Police are continuing to investigate a fatal crash at Cardiff Gate, as it has been confirmed that one driver, who was in a black Honda Accord has died. The crash happened on the eastbound exit lane on the M4 at around 3.30am on Thursday, January 9.

No further details about his age or where he was from have been released, But South Wales Police, are now appealing for more information and looking to speak to one person specifically who they believe might be able to give more of an insight into what happened.

The person they are looking to speak to was a passenger who was in the black Honda Accord during the evening of Wednesday January 8 into the morning of Thursday January 9.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “Although the person pictured was not in the car when it crashed, officers believe that he will be able to help our investigation by providing clarity on the events of the evening of January 8 into the early hours of the morning of January 9."

'Serious' crash in Barry

South Wales Police have shared that they attended a serious crash on Port Road West in Barry.

The road was closed in the directions between Junction of Colcut Road to Junction of Liscum Way in the early hours of this morning but has since re-opened.