The first participants in Europe will be screened in Britain from Monday, with more than 15 UK centres expected to take part in the global study.
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The incident prompted a major emergency response involving police, paramedics, the RNLI and an air ambulance
Emergency services were called to an incident near Saundersfoot Harbour on Saturday(Image: John Myers)
A man has tragically died after an incident in the sea off the coast of Wales. Police, paramedics, an air ambulance and the RNLI, were called to an incident near Saundersfoot Harbour, Pembrokeshire. at around 1.15pm on Saturday, following concerns for the welfare of a 64-year-old man.
The man tragically died before the arrival of emergency services.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “His family have been informed, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”
His death is not being treated as suspicious, police said.
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Hazel sits in my office for our first appointment. The 16-year-old adjusts her red glasses, her brown eyes looking intently at me.
Researchers in the UK and Maryland made the discovery after studying an experimental drug that was being developed as a cancer treatment.
Sir Roger, who has died aged 83, was a the last chair of the Welsh Development Agency and a great champion for Wales
Sir Roger Jones(Image: Richard Swingler, Media Wales)
One of Wales’ most respected entrepreneurs and last chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, Sir Roger Jones, has died aged 83.
Born into a Welsh first language household in Corwen, the second son of parents Richard and Gwladys, he attended Bala Boys’ Grammar School and later the Welsh School of Pharmacy in Cardiff, before beginning his career with the Wellcome Foundation, where he held senior roles in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
He later founded Penn Pharmaceuticals, which relocated to Tredegar in the 1980s, before he exited after it was acquired in a management buyout.
Sir Roger, who lived in Battle, Powys, was a larger than life character with a warmth and great sense of humour. At business events he worked the room with aplomb, often with a fine glass of red in hand.
He was a passionate Welshman and advocate for the language, and took every opportunity when on business internationally to promote Wales as a potential investment location. His entrepreneurial spirit, like that of so many naturally born wealth creators, was not driven by any thought of monetary gain, but by the excitement and adrenaline of starting new businesses.
As a philanthropist he gave to many good causes, including cancer charity Maggie’s.
While at heart an entrepreneur, in public life he had astute political antennae. He remained though a refreshingly straight talker, although often with a disarming smile. His language could be visually descriptive. When discussing a role for a well-known entrepreneur with the Welsh Government he told me: “He will be like a fox in a chicken coop.” His passion for learning and promoting opportunities, particularly for young people, saw him chairing training organisation Gwent TEC and later TEC Southeast Wales.
In 2002, he was appointed chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, only for, two years into his three-year term, then First Minister Rhodri Morgan to decide to bring the WDA into the Welsh Government in 2004.
Its then chief executive, Graham Hawker, dramatically told an Assembly economic development committee that he felt ill-equipped to lead the agency into a new structure within the civil service.
Sir Roger, whose relationship with his chief executive it would be fair to say had become strained, in contrast said he accepted the decision – although he had reservations – of a democratically elected government and remained as chair until it was formally disbanded in 2006.
He also served as chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales while representing the interests of Wales on the governing board of the BBC. He also served on the board of the Welsh-language channel S4C.
He was always happy to give advice and support to fellow entrepreneurs, particularly those in the start-up phase. He was guided by wanting to see a more thriving private sector-focused Welsh economy. He was also a strong voice for the interests of rural Wales and had a passion for fishing and shooting. He also served for more than a decade as Wales’ honorary consul to Estonia.
Sir Roger was an investor in, and chair of, Bridgend-based innovative wound-care venture Zoobiotic, which was one of the first commercial spinouts from the NHS – via Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust – in 2004.
He played a pivotal role in the commercialisation of larval therapy wound care products company and it becoming the market’s biggest player in 2013 when it acquired German rival BioMonde, which it now trades as.
He also chaired BBC charity Children in Need. Following the death of serial sex offender Jimmy Savile, Sir Roger confirmed, based on rumours and a gut instinct, that he had barred Savile from having any involvement with the charity, although without the evidence at the time to inform the police.
As chair, he believed it was his duty to act, with others, to protect staff. Having received an OBE in 1996, he was knighted in 2013 in recognition of his services to business and training in Wales.
Other roles included chairing the governing body of Swansea University, where he played a key role in helping to create its school of medicine. He was still actively involved in numerous business and other projects up until his death.
In a statement on LinkedIn, BioMonde said of Sir Roger: “His relationship with fellow directors was defined by absolute integrity and a shared devotion to the company’s mission. Sir Roger’s steadfast support for the business and its operational efforts never faltered, whether navigating the complex early days of an NHS spin-out, securing vital investment, or championing the landmark international acquisition of BioMonde that cemented the company’s position as a global leader in larval debridement therapy.
“Even as he transitioned to the role of life president, his dedication to the company’s progress and the well-being of its workforce remained absolute.
“Sir Roger’s work directly contributed to alleviating human suffering and saving limbs, a source of enormous pride for everyone privileged to work alongside him. He was not only a titan of Welsh industry and a passionate champion of life sciences, but also a mentor, a gentleman, and a deeply valued friend to many.
“While we celebrate his incredible life and the profound impact of his accomplishments, we also greatly mourn his passing. The void left by his absence will be felt deeply across our entire organisation.”
Sir Roger was also a founding fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. Its president, and former S4C chair and board member of the BBC, Elan Closs Stephens, said: “Sir Roger was a distinguished researcher and entrepreneur and a leading figure in the public life of Wales. He brought his creativity, curiosity and energy to all his many projects. Above all, he was ambitious for Wales and showed it in his roles in the WDA and the BBC .
“He was ambitious that Wales could lead the way in the new field of bio therapy. It was ambition for Wales that led him to be a founding fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. He wanted Wales to have an academy similar to the Royal Society that could develop and share ideas and knowledge. We owe him an immense debt as we honour his memory.”
Sir Roger, whose wife, Lady Ann, died last year, is survived by his daughter Bryony, son Hefin, and three grandchildren, Tomos, Aneira and Cerys.
Fire crews remain at the scene of an incident on Glebe Street in Penarth. Follow along for live updates.
Even the specialists investigating Ella Cieslak’s persistent cough and fatigue had believed she was most likely suffering from a chest infection. But the scans told a very different story.
The drug, known as CADD522, was developed to block a protein which helps drive the growth and spread of several cancers.
French vineyards hit by severe drought and heatwaves are expected to report a 30-year low in wine production after the country’s hottest ever recorded summer, according to the agriculture ministry.
Initial estimates suggest winemakers will produce just under 34m hectolitres from this year’s harvest: a drop of 6% on last year, and 17% less than the 2021-2025 average.
Agreste, the government’s farming food, forestry and fishing statistics body, said the drop was partly caused by a reduction in the number and size of vineyards, but mostly the result of extreme weather conditions.
“The summer was particularly hot and dry: soil drought has intensified throughout the country and heatwaves have caused localised sun scald, scorching, defoliation, and wilting of the grapes, reducing harvest volumes,” it reported.
However, some winemakers say with grape harvests still being conducted it is too early to make credible predictions.
The disappointing forecast comes after an optimistic start to the year, with heavy spring rains that encouraged grape growth. “The hot and dry summer conditions meant a deterioration of the [harvest] forecast,” Agreste reported.
A series of heatwaves brought the highest summer temperatures recorded in France since records began in 1900, with averages of 24C in June, July and August. Almost half of the country recorded temperatures on or above 40C.
Among the worst hit wine regions is Champagne where the grape harvest, which started unusually early in mid August, is predicted to be almost half that of last year. The Jura region in the east was the next worst hit with an estimated 37% loss. This year’s Burgundy-Beaujolais region grape production was expected to be one-third down, Agreste reported.
Winemakers in Bordeaux and the Languedoc-Roussillon as well as those in the south-east and south-west reported higher harvests this year but all except the Savoie region were down on the 2021-2025 five-year average for production.
However, Cécile Mathiaud of the Burgundy wine producers association said she was surprised by the government’s disastrous figures for her region’s vineyards.
“We know we won’t have a full harvest this year, but we have no definite figures and there’s no suggestion the situation is a disaster,” Mathiaud said. “We have some vineyards that have reported not much this year and others where it has been higher than expected.”
Some Burgundy vineyards began their harvest in early August but others are collecting the grapes now, she added. “Our reference is the historically low harvest of 2021 when we produced only 1m hectolitres; we think it will be higher this year, but the question is by how much? I have absolutely no idea how the ministry has come up with these figures.”
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Agreste said the figures were estimates and definitive results would not be known until regions made official harvest declarations later this year. It added that 2026 grape harvests were “marked by significant regional disparities”.
Wine harvests have traditionally taken place in France between September and mid October, but the climate emergency has brought dates forward slightly each year for the last four decades. This year, the harvest timetable advanced at least a week compared with last year throughout the country. Some vineyards in Bordeaux began two weeks early.
There are also concerns that vines and grapes in some of France’s best-known wine producing regions, including Bordeaux, have been damaged by smoke from rampant wildfires. No major Bordeaux vineyards suffered direct damage from the flames that came within 15km (9 miles) of the city, but there is concern that smoke has entered the grape skins causing “smoke taint” and affecting the taste of the finished wine.
The agriculture ministry would normally issue harvest estimates in early August, but postponed its analysis at the request of the wine industry because of what it described as “the high level of uncertainty surrounding these forecasts” caused by weather conditions and wildfires.
France’s wine sector is already under pressure owing to a decline in demand. Annual wine consumption in the 1960s in France was 127 litres each year compared with 40 litres a year now.
Wine drinking in the US, France’s largest export market, has also dropped and French wines have been hit by Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Concerns have been raised by local residents about the rubbish on streets around Rhos Nathan Wyn and Rhos Dyfed in Aberdare
Fly-tipped waste has blighted the area
Concern has been raised about the amount of rubbish on streets in a Valleys town over the last few months.
Piles of rubbish have been pictured on the streets around Rhos Nathan Wyn and Rhos Dyfed in Aberdare since the beginning of May.
Some residents have said they have photographic evidence gathered since the start of May of the refuse that’s constantly left on the street and estate in Aberdare and they said claim RCT Council and Newydd Housing Association seem reluctant to address the issue.
The pictures show bags piled up, cardboard boxes, bottles, cans, caddies and households items lying on the street and outside people’s properties and one picture shows a local grit bin filled with litter.
But the housing association and the council have explained how they are tackling the issue with Newydd exploring options for dedicated waste storage areas, increasing site monitoring, investigating and reporting fly-tipping incidents, and improving waste management.
Factors contributing to the mess are said to include fly-tipping and ongoing challenges with waste disposal and collection arrangements.
The council said its enforcement and awareness team have once again attended and cleared the site and any evidence that they find within the waste will be used to hold those responsible for the reckless fly-tipping and abandonment of their waste on this site. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
A spokesman for Newydd Housing Association said: “We understand the concerns residents have raised about waste accumulating outside Rhos Nathan Wyn and Rhos Dyfed.
“Through site visits and discussions with residents we’ve identified several factors contributing to the issue including fly-tipping and ongoing challenges with waste disposal and collection arrangements.
“We’re actively working with residents and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to address the concerns.
“To address the immediate waste concerns additional collections of uncollected rubbish are arranged as required.
“Our housing officer is working closely with the council’s waste enforcement team and a joint action plan is now in place.
“This includes exploring options for dedicated waste storage areas, increasing site monitoring, investigating and reporting fly-tipping incidents, and improving waste management.
“We’ll continue working collaboratively with residents and the council to improve the situation.”
A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “The council is aware of the long-standing issues raised and have been working with Newydd Housing, who are the landlords of the site for over a decade, to help residents manage their recycling and waste responsibly.
“The issues raised pre-date the changes from bins to bags and have remained the same. The changes implemented back in 2024 have led to a significant increase in recycling and decrease in black bag waste, helping the county borough to smash the 70% Welsh Government recycling targets.
“The enforcement and awareness team have once again attended and cleared the site and any evidence that they find within the waste will be used to hold those responsible for the reckless fly-tipping and abandonment of their waste on this site.”
They said recycling in RCT was simple thanks to the weekly one-bag system for mixed household recyclables, food waste, green waste recycling, and nappy collections and added there is no excuse not to dispose of waste responsibly.
“If anyone is struggling with their recycling and waste, we urge them to get in touch so we can ensure that they have everything they need to help us keep smashing the targets.”
