Welsh leader Gething resigns after just four months
London, UK Reuters Vaughan Gething quit as First Minister of Wales on Tuesday after just four months in office, following a wave of ministerial resignations from the devolved Welsh Government in protest over his leadership. Zambian-born Gething, 50, became the first Black head of government in Europe in March but has faced a turbulent time […]
Population in England and Wales rises by most in 75 years
London, UK Reuters Record immigration caused the population of England and Wales to rise by 610,000 to 60.9 million in mid-2023, the largest annual increase in 75 years, official data showed on Monday. What statisticians term ‘natural’ population growth – the difference between births and deaths – fell to just 400, the lowest since 1978, […]
In Wales, Europe’s first Black national leader sees racism resurging
Cardiff, Wales Reuters When he took office as First Minister of Wales in March, Vaughan Gething became the first Black head of government in Europe – yet he believes UK society is more overtly racist than a decade ago. “On virtually every piece of social media that went out for my campaign, there’d be a […]
Postcards: Hundreds compete in “sand church” competition on Welsh beach
ANGELA YOUNGMAN reports on the event held in St Davids…
Pope presents shards from cross of Christ for King Charles III’s coronation
London, UK Reuters Pope Francis has gifted fragments believed to be from the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified to form part of a new processional cross which will be used at the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III next month. The new cross, made from recycled silver along with Welsh slate and reclaimed […]
Thousands of UK ambulance staff strike as public urged to avoid risks
London, UK Reuters Thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales walked out over pay on Wednesday, increasing the strain on a state-funded health service a day after nurses went on strike, as government ministers advised the public to avoid taking risks. The government said the “deeply regrettable” strike would result in fewer ambulances on […]
King Charles III stands vigil as Queen’s lying-in-state queue swells
London, UK Reuters King Charles III and his siblings stood vigil by the coffin of their late mother Queen Elizabeth II on Friday as tens of thousands of mourners queuing to pay their final respects during her lying in state were told they faced a wait of up to 24 hours. Charles, Princess Anne, Princes […]
Storm Eunice batters Europe, killing at least nine
London, UK Reuters An Atlantic storm battered northwestern European on Friday with record winds of up to 122 miles per hour, killing at least nine people, knocking out power for tens of thousands and shredding the roof of London’s O2 arena. Storm Eunice, which brewed in the central Atlantic and was spun up from the […]
Child sex abuse found across major UK religions – report
London, UKAP An inquiry investigating child sexual abuse in a wide range of religious organisations and settings in England on Thursday found “shocking failures” in how many religions handled abuse allegations, with victim-blaming and abuse of power by religious leaders often contributing to under-reporting. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse looked into child protection […]
North Wales’ slate landscapes named UNESCO World Heritage site
London, UK Reuters The slate landscapes of north-west Wales have been added to the list of World Heritage Sites, UNESCO said on Wednesday, a boost for Britain after the city of Liverpool was stripped of its status. The government nominated the area to the UN cultural organisation in 2020 to recognise its role as a […]