A Welsh county on the edge of the Atlantic
Researchers have located eight ancient cave sites in south-west Ireland with rock art dating back at least 15,000 years, suggesting a Lost Land Bridge connected Ireland to Britain during the last Ice Age. The team has used AI-driven mapping to identify candidates and plans to protect locations from vandalism.
A 16-year-old pupil is on trial at Swansea Crown Court for wounding with intent after stabbing a teacher at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in February. The teacher, Vicki Williams, sustained a head wound and other injuries; the pupil denies attempted murder and other charges. The case includes CCTV evidence and testimonies from Williams and court witnesses. The trial is ongoing.
The government has confirmed a phased plan to remove the masts of the SS Richard Montgomery, the wartime Liberty ship at Sheerness, to reduce the risk of explosives in the wreck. Work will begin in September with a jackup platform, and the masts will be conserved in the UK for public display at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
The Welsh government has pledged a multi-year budget for farming subsidies, ring-fenced at 340m a year until March 2030, amid debate over sustainability and how best to support the sector as farms adapt to environmental schemes and legacy funding transitions.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales has returned to its roots near Cardigan for its 850th birthday, with events spanning 1-8 August in Llantwd, Pembrokeshire. The festival, a major Welsh-language culture beacon, attracts about 150,000 visitors yearly and features poetry, music, drama and visual arts. This year’s edition highlights historic sites and traditional rites while welcoming a broad audience.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales faces scrutiny as judges dispute AI use and the handling of pseudonymous entries. Winners are announced under aliases; debates over respect, process, and survivors’ concerns unfold as incidents from the competition surface.
The Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been announced for Christmas Day release on S4C, featuring a cast of Welsh actors and produced with Lucasfilm and Disney. The project marks a milestone for Welsh-language media, aligning with Wales' cultural sectors and 50th-anniversary celebrations.
A Scottish athlete’s plea for a national brain cancer lead has intensified calls for a faster, more coordinated national cancer plan. Across the UK, brain tumours remain a leading cause of death for under-40s, with funding and access to treatment under scrutiny.
The Greenlink interconnector linking the UK and Ireland has been rerouted to avoid Dobby’s grave on Freshwater West after Harry Potter fans protested. Officials say the project now avoids the fictional site and proceeds while highlighting tensions between fandom and infrastructure.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.
Two men were murdered in Scotland; a dog walker’s death has sparked questions over police handling and a murder trial. Files show delays in cordons and scene preservation. The killer remains in life imprisonment as reviews continue.
A band of Europe witnesses a rare solar eclipse, with totality across parts of Spain, Iceland and Portugal. The event is being observed with safety warnings as millions prepare to view the sky-darkening phenomenon; high public interest is accompanied by safety campaigns and warnings about eye damage.
The solar eclipse has triggered a surge in travel demand across Europe as destinations within the path of totality experience record room rates and bookings. Reykjavik, A Coruño, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela report sharp price increases, while authorities warn of heat and fire risks and a spike in road traffic. NASA and local observatories will live-stream the event to millions.
Haverfordwest Castle in Pembrokeshire will reopen in 2028 after restoration that will include an 500-capacity events grounds, a new cafe and a revised visitor offer. The project is funded by UK Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government Transforming Towns fund, with Pembrokeshire Council matching funds.
The Maranello, a French-registered trawler, has sunk south-west of the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth after reporting a gear fault. Three crew members were rescued and hospitalised; two remain missing. The search is concluded by authorities with ongoing cross-border coordination.