Capital and largest city of Wales; political hub and commercial centre
Kurtley Beale has been recalled to Australia’s squad for the spring tour, providing cover at inside centre and backline flexibility as Hunter Paisami remains unavailable. The squad departs this weekend with tests against England, Scotland and Wales on the horizon, while Beale eyes a potential fourth Rugby World Cup appearance.
BBC and The Guardian report on Sam Fender’s 2027 Proper Massive Stadium Tour. Fender has criticised high ticket prices and the splitting of standing sections, saying prices have inflated beyond the cost of putting on the shows. Presales begin soon, with general sale scheduled for Friday.
A large fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel on Folkestone’s Marine Parade has led to the evacuation of about 280 guests. Emergency services believe the blaze started in the basement. A welfare centre has been set up as investigations continue and residents are being relocated.
The WRU plans to cut from four professional men’s teams to three by 2028 are facing backlash and political pressure. Scarlets and Ospreys are vying to be the sole west Wales representative, Cardiff and Dragons are safe, while former first ministers and board members weigh in on the future. The timeline and governance remain unsettled as clubs prepare for the new URC season.
England has chased Sri Lanka’s 145-9 in 12.1 overs to seal a 3-0 series win in a high-paced T20I at Old Trafford, with Liam Dawson taking 3-32 as hosts dominate the finale.
Fury and Joshua have agreed to meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 11 December, with Netflix streaming globally. After years of delays and negotiator standoffs, Britain hosts one of boxing’s biggest events as both fighters push to settle a decade-long rivalry.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the state pension will keep its annual rise until April 2030, but from 2030 will no longer automatically rise with yearly average earnings. The government says the change will free savings to help fund a National Care Service; analysts say initial savings will be small and political opposition is already forming.
A man has pleaded guilty to attempting to allow sexual penetration by a living animal in Huddersfield; sentencing will be delayed for a pre-sentence report. Other UK cases include a police officer pleading guilty to voyeurism and corruption, and a Devon and Cornwall officer being acquitted of a sexual assault charge.
Saracens' director of rugby Brendan Venter has resumed a central role amid questions over his day-to-day responsibilities and media commitments after a recent sanction tied to a pre-season media absence.
Dame Esther Rantzen has died at 86 after a long illness, her family has announced. The broadcaster fronted That’s Life! for 21 years, founded Childline in 1986 and the Silver Line in 2012, and later campaigned publicly for legal change on assisted dying after a stage-four lung cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Dafydd Owain has won the 2026 Welsh Music Prize for Ymarfer Byw, with the ceremony at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff highlighting personal journeys and the prize’s evolving legacy. Mary Hopkin receives a Welsh Music Inspiration Award for lifetime contributions.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Britain, visiting Nottingham as private citizens. They are engaging with charities and meeting supporters, while Buckingham Palace reiterates they remain non-working royals. The tour highlights ongoing tensions over security and media coverage as the couple resumes public life from California.
The SNP has renewed its push for a second independence referendum as party leaders frame the issue as central to Scotland’s future. With the party securing a fifth term, officials say the movement is moving toward a new, sustained campaign despite mixed polling.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has declared that the campaign for independence is underway, backed by a six-figure fund and cross‑nation cooperation. The party’s Aberdeen conference frames a future vote, while UK leaders respond with calls for devolution and regional empowerment.
The Tour de France 2027 will begin with stages in the United Kingdom, including Edinburgh, Keswick and Cardiff, before finishing in Paris area. The women's race begins in Leeds and includes three English stages. The route features 28 climbs and two ITTs in the men’s edition, with key climbs such as the Grand Colombier, Tourmalet and Portet, and a Pyrenean finale.