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.
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.”
A recall has been issued for ready-to-eat imported meat products that may be contaminated with a life-threatening bacteria.
Paracetamol is used to relieve mild to moderate pain. (Image: Getty)
Regular paracetamol use has been linked to higher blood pressure, a study has warned. Paracetamol is a painkiller that helps with pain and high temperature. It is a commonly used painkiller that can help relieve headaches, joint pain and stiffness, toothache, sore throats, and fever caused by colds or flu. Paracetamol has traditionally been viewed as a safer option for people with high blood pressure than some other painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
However, research published in 2022 suggested that regular use could have a measurable effect on blood pressure. 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure were prescribed one gram of paracetamol four times a day – a routinely prescribed dose in patients with chronic pain – or a matched placebo for two weeks. Those prescribed paracetamol saw a significant increase in their blood pressure compared with those taking the placebo. All patients received both treatments, with the order randomised and blinded. This rise was similar to that seen with NSAIDs, and might be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20%, the experts said.
The team said the findings should lead to a review of long-term paracetamol prescriptions to patients, especially those with high blood pressure. The University of Edinburgh study, published in the scientific journal Circulation, marked the first large randomised clinical trial to address the issue and complemented earlier work in observational studies.
Professor James Dear, personal chairman of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This study clearly shows that paracetamol, the world’s most used drug, increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
“In summary, we’ve shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure).”
Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, said: “This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine – but it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain.”
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said the findings “emphasise why doctors and patients should regularly review whether there is an ongoing need to take any medication” and “always weigh up the benefits and risks.”
“However, if you take paracetamol occasionally to manage an isolated headache or very short bouts of pain, these research findings should not cause unnecessary concern.”
Phil Pyatt, CEO of Blood Pressure UK also said: “Paracetamol is the most commonly taken medicine in the world. People taking soluble versions don’t realise they’re taking on extra sodium, in some cases enough to take you over your maximum for the day, and this research shows that these medicines could lead to life-changing illness. It’s concerning to see that even the regular tablets could raise blood pressure which could have consequences in the long term.
“There is no need to worry about short term use, but patients, doctors and pharmacists should be aware that these medicines that seem harmless could have serious implications in the long term. They should weigh up the risks and benefits and lower the dose if possible and consider whether they are necessary.”
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects around 1.4 billion people worldwide and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. According to the latest figures, around 16 million people in the UK are estimated to have high blood pressure but almost five million of them don’t know they have it.
Rarely, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision or chest pain. However, the NHS has stressed that the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked.
Work at Ysgol Llyn Derw, the second site to special needs school Ysgol y Deri, has been no easy feat after a series of setbacks but staff have informed pupils, parents and guardians online that this summer marked the beginning of their move into the new site.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet members approved plans to expand Ysgol y Deri with a new site in April 2021.
This £20m new school build will provide space for an additional 150 pupils with additional learning needs.
The plans include indoor spaces for the school that have been arranged over two storeys and allow for the most efficient building shape, all while maintaining a compact footprint and as much external space as possible.
Outside, the landscape surrounding the school buildings will function as an extension, offering teaching spaces and areas for sport, play, socialising, relaxation and reflection.
The school’s design will benefit from maximum daylight and ventilation, as well as connecting views between indoor and outdoor learning and play spaces.
Green roofs will also add to biodiversity, ensuring a consistent connection to the natural environment.
This school, located on land in Cosmeston, may not be finished yet but its addition to the landscape is one that many feel is much needed.
In March 2023, Ysgol y Deri headteacher Chris Britten spoke at a Vale of Glamorgan Council planning meeting to let councillors know just how desperately needed this expansion was.
Work on Ysgol Llyn Derw began in April 2024 and has faced a number of setbacks since.
It was originally expected to be complete by the summer term in June 2025, but construction is still ongoing, though it seems as though the finishing touches are being put in place.
Many parents and carers have already taken to social media to express their joy and excitement of the move into this new site – now, one of the final steps is to get the pupils inside and into their classrooms.
Ysgol y Deri, which featured in the BBC documentary ‘A Special School’, has been called Britain’s biggest special needs school.
A heartbroken mother has urged parents not to blame childrens’ lingering coughs on a change of season – after the symptom turned out to be a sign of deadly heart disease that killed her three-year-old.
Colin Campbell was otherwise fit and healthy when he suddenly developed agonising abdominal pain. It was appendicitis and he had to be rushed to hospital.
Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)(Image: Parliament TV)
The DVLA has explained a ‘five-year’ rule affecting many licence plates – and it could mean you are required to obtain an MOT. The agency has this month issued clarification over the issue of retaining licence plates, a matter that has been raised in Parliament and prompted the Department for Transport to release a statement setting out the regulations.
The five-year rule relates to vehicles subject to what is known as a SORN – a Statutory Off Road Notification: something millions of vehicles in the UK now have. A SORN is required when you take a vehicle ‘off the road’ and want to stop taxing and insuring it. Your vehicle is considered off the road if it is not kept or used on a public road – for instance, if it is stored in a garage, parked on a driveway, or situated on private land.
According to the DVLA, a SORN must be made if your vehicle is untaxed, uninsured, if you intend to break it down for parts prior to scrapping it, or if you acquire a vehicle and wish to keep it off the road – noting that a SORN cannot be transferred from the previous keeper.
Freedom of Information data obtained by Churchill Insurance this year shows the UK now has more than 6.6 million vehicles with a SORN. That is more than double the 2.85 million figure of 2014-15, and has risen 34% in the last two years.
Every vehicle in the UK has to be taxed, insured and roadworthy, or officially declared off the road. SORN offers a legal, low-cost way for owners to keep a vehicle without using it – for instance, while awaiting repair or a change in ownership.
The number plates issue has come to light after Anna Gelderd, Labour MP for South East Cornwall, put a question to the Department for Transport (DfT), asking “the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s guidance on transferring a registration plate from a vehicle subject to a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to ensure that registered keepers are made aware of all available routes to retain vehicle registration plates.”
Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), issued a reply on Thursday, September 3. He said: “The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) publishes clear guidance on retaining or transferring vehicle registration numbers at www.gov.uk/personalised-vehicle-registration-numbers/take-private-number-off. The requirements are also set out in the relevant forms and information leaflets.
“Strict requirements must be met before a registration number can be retained or transferred, including checks to help identify and prevent fraudulent applications. The vehicle must still exist and be capable of mechanical propulsion.
“Where a vehicle is subject to a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), an application will only be considered in specific circumstances, including where the SORN has been in place for less than five years. If the SORN has been in place for five years or more, an MOT test is required. Where an MOT test is not feasible, the DVLA may, in exceptional circumstances, arrange an inspection to confirm that the vehicle can move under its own power.”
The minister also responded on the same day to a separate DVLA matter, following a question from Scott Arthur, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, who asked what assessment had been “made of the potential impact of point-of-sale registration on tackling illegal vehicle sales.”
The minister replied: “No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of point-of-sale registr ation on tackling illegal vehicle sales. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) already requires notification when a vehicle is bought or sold and maintains vehicle and registered keeper records to support efforts to tackle vehicle-related crime.
“The DVLA encourages keeper details to be updated at the point of sale wherever possible, using online, paper and dealer notification services. Prompt notification helps keep the vehicle register accurate and up to date.
“Safeguards are in place to help prevent criminal or fraudulent activity. Where an application is made for a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) and the DVLA has not been told that the registered keeper has disposed of the vehicle, the DVLA contacts the keeper to confirm this before issuing a V5C. Access to the latest V5C is also required to use the DVLA’s online services.”
To find out more on making a SORN, visit the gov.uk web page.
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