New Zealand’s second-most populous city in Otago, with a coastal setting and a colonial-to-modern identity.
Scotland has moved up in the world rankings and will host New Zealand, Australia and Japan at Murrayfield next month as part of Finals Weekend, with a further fixture to be announced. Townsend’s side are preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with warm-up matches including a potential home-and-away against France.
A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 has passed across Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from Britain since 1999. Scientists have collected coronagraph and in‑flight data to study the Sun’s corona and short‑term atmospheric effects; safety warnings about direct viewing were widely issued.
A deep partial lunar eclipse has occurred, with about 96% of the Moon in Earth's shadow for observers across much of the Americas. The event followed a recent total solar eclipse and is part of a pair of celestial events that are visible under clear skies. The maximum viewing is around midnight EDT, with visibility shifting by location. NASA notes the Artemis II mission remains a backdrop to ongoing space activity.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 names St Cuthbert’s Way, a 62-mile route from Melrose to Lindisfarne, as a top experience. Described as passing through wild uplands and historic sites, the walk is praised for its scenery and accessibility, ending at Holy Island. The recognition follows earlier histories of St Cuthbert and the route’s modern opening in 1996. Scotland’s tourism body welcomes the listing and highlights slow tourism opportunities.