Capital city of Wales and its commercial heart
IPPR analysis shows a stark regional split in youth employment opportunities, with some areas like the Cotswolds and parts of the south offering far more vacancies than places such as East Renfrewshire in Scotland. The report highlights large disparities in job openings per 1,000 young people and calls for targeted, funded youth employment initiatives.
A technical fault in the UK air traffic control provider NATS has caused widespread cancellations and delays at major airports on 8–9 September 2026, disrupting hundreds of thousands of passengers. NATS has fixed the flight processing error and apologised; Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ordered an independent review and given CEO Martin Rolfe a week to report. Airlines and passengers are still clearing a backlog.
Wales has named a largely inexperienced WXV squad with three uncapped players in the matchday team for their clash in the WXV Global Series. Amy Williams is handed a wing berth, Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams are set for first caps from the bench, and Lisa Neumann moves to full-back as new-look back lines shape up for Friday’s game against South Africa.
PISA 2025 data show England and some UK nations performing well in science, with Reading and Maths trailing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England leads in science; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland trail in reading and maths. A global trend shows declines in reading proficiency, linked to digital distraction and shifting reading habits.
The Cardiff venue is being explored as an alternative to New York and Wembley for the richest fight in British boxing history. Netflix seeks a 2am UK start; the Principality Stadium’s roof could beat weather concerns, with curfews and licensing under review.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
A fifth heatwave has prompted amber heat health alerts for most of England, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s. The UK Health Security Agency warns of health and service impacts, drought conditions worsen in several regions, and officials urge precautions as authorities brace for potential disruptions to travel and power.
England-based Jamaican Romell Glave has won European 100m gold with a 10.09, finishing ahead of Jeremiah Azu (10.16) on the second night of the European Championships in Birmingham. Azu earns silver as Britain secures a one-two, while Owen Ansah takes bronze. Hudson-Smith eyes a 400m final later.
The Hundred's rebranding under private owners has aimed to broaden appeal with bold branding and new identities, including Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. While ventures like free merchandise activations have boosted engagement, questions remain about sustainability, fan loyalty, and the economics of franchise cricket as competition nears its finals.
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed headliners for 2027 and has ruled out Madonna, while speculation continues about Swift, Styles and Oasis headline talk. The festival returns in June 2027 after a fallow year.
Nine Premier League clubs start the 2026-27 season with new coaches, including Manchester United’s Carrick and Tottenham’s De Zerbi. Arsenal look to defend their title under Arteta as City begin under Enzo Maresca. World Cup fatigue, transfer chatter, and European commitments shape early form and squad strategies.
Arsenal have begun their title defence with a convincing 3-0 win over Manchester City in Cardiff, with Christos Tzolis contributing two assists and Kai Havertz scoring. Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard anchored the midfield as the Gunners dominated from early in the second half.
Matt Arnold, a 46-year-old comedy promoter, was wrongly identified by Sainsbury’s Facewatch facial recognition system at the East Dulwich store and asked to leave, triggering renewed calls to pause or scrap the technology. The incident is being investigated, with Sainsbury’s apologising and pausing the system at the Dulwich branch.
Edinburgh Rugby has appointed former Ireland youth coach and ex-Dallas Jackals coach Tim Hodge to join Sean Everitt’s backroom team on a two-year deal, with the URC season set to begin on September 25. The club has also retained Stevie Lawrie and added Tim Sampson and Brad Davis to reshape the attack and defence units.
Leicester City is under pressure as owner King Power seeks to sell amid a poor start to the season, a heavy losses year, and managerial scrutiny. The club has drawn 1-1 and lost 2-1 in its opening League One fixtures, while questions mount over funding, strategy and future ownership.
The bank holiday weekend is marked by widespread rail disruption due to a Birmingham power outage affecting CrossCountry’s control centre. Plans for a near-normal service on Monday are in flux as rail routes face cancellations, rail replacement buses are in place, and tickets remain valid across operators amid disruption.
A wave of measures has expanded support for families as the new term begins: free school meals for all Universal Credit households, more free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniforms through branded-item limits, and thousands of extra childcare places. The changes aim to ease the financial squeeze and ensure children start classes ready to learn.
Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died at 92. The Cardiff-born winger, a trailblazer who helped break racial barriers in the sport, is remembered for a 15-year career with Wigan, 571 career tries, a knighthood in 2025 and multiple statue tributes. Tributes pour in from clubs and fans alike.
A band of thunderstorms and heavy rain has prompted yellow weather warnings across much of England and Wales. The Met Office warns of disruption to transport and potential flooding, with 81 areas under warning and multiple flood alerts. Homeowners in Perry Barr have already seen flooding, as forecasters anticipate further downpours over the bank holiday weekend.
Katie Taylor has reached the final fight of her celebrated career, aiming to become a three-time undisputed world champion against Flora Pili at Croke Park. A sell-out crowd of 80,000 is expected as Ireland celebrates a pioneer of women’s boxing.
Oasis has released teaser videos fueling speculation about a Scotland-based, five-night run at Celtic Park next May. The clues include chip shop posters, Irn-Bru branding, and a Maryhill-born actor in a video, with coordinates pointing to Glasgow. Previous reunion shows included Murrayfield and extensive touring across 14 countries.
A new Oasis documentary charts their 2025 reunion tour, showing Liam and Noel Gallagher reconciling and delivering a stadium-scale return. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern capture rehearsals, the Cardiff comeback, and fan ecstasy, while exploring why the music endures across generations.
Oscar winner Susan Sarandon says studios are still avoiding her because of her outspoken support for Palestinians. At Venice, she notes shifts in public opinion but reports ongoing gatekeeping by agencies and studios despite her new film, The Echo Chamber.
A set of patients with various cancers across the UK and Europe are living with ongoing treatment. A colon cancer patient uses AI tools to track symptoms and medical records; a breast cancer survivor with a CHEK2 mutation faces life-long therapy; another woman battles brain tumours and metastatic disease, while a patient with uterine cancer reflects on caregiving and diagnosis.
The Seven Up documentary series reaches its final installment, 70 Up, with Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia guiding the project after Michael Apted’s death in 2021. The film revisits the original participants to reflect on fate, class, and life choices across six decades, highlighting changing formats and participant reflections.
The government has announced plans to let English mayors introduce an overnight visitor levy charged as a percentage of accommodation costs, with no statutory upper limit. Industry groups including UKHospitality, Hilton, Whitbread and Butlin's have criticised the move, warning it will raise prices, harm demand and cost jobs; local leaders say revenue will fund transport and services.
Oasis has revealed its 2027 tour schedule, opening with five Celtic Park shows in Glasgow in May, followed by an 11-night Manchester residency and additional dates in Europe and the US. The rollout comes after a year of teaser videos and a drone display in Manchester.
A fire at Dalton Mills in Keighley has led to mass evacuations and ongoing police and emergency response. The Grade II-listed site, used in Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey, has suffered multiple blazes in recent years and is under heightened scrutiny as residents cope with disruption.
Nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are meeting in Cardiff to discuss constitutional change and potential referendums. They have signed a joint declaration urging Westminster to prepare for future referendums, with momentum building for a post-UK future. UK Prime Minister has acknowledged a referendum could be considered if there is broad support, while Downing Street maintains it is off-limits for Scotland.
Nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland sign a memorandum of understanding signaling a push for greater autonomy and potential independence from the UK. Trump’s remarks on a united Ireland have amplified the international dimension of the debate, while UK and unionist leaders caution against immediate referendums.