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Wales

All articles tagged with #wales

Wales 2026: Counting begins for 96-seat Senedd under proportional system
politics18 days ago

Wales 2026: Counting begins for 96-seat Senedd under proportional system

Counting starts across 16 new constituencies to elect 96 Senedd members under a new proportional system (D'Hondt) that replaces first-past-the-post. Voters will choose a party rather than a specific candidate. Labour faces a difficult day as Plaid Cymru and Reform UK compete for top spot, with no party likely to secure a majority. Counting begins at 09:00 BST and results are expected throughout the day, as Wales undergoes a once-in-a-century change to its parliamentary setup.

Welsh 10-Year-Old Sparks Rescue of Endangered Axolotl Hidden Under a Bridge
animals1 month ago

Welsh 10-Year-Old Sparks Rescue of Endangered Axolotl Hidden Under a Bridge

A 10-year-old girl, Evie Hill, spotted a critically endangered axolotl under a bridge by the River Ogmore in Bridgend, Wales, prompting her family to rescue it, name it Dippy D, and seek expert care. Researchers note axolotls are often kept as pets and warn that releasing non-native species into the wild is illegal; the salamander is now recovering in Leicester after the family’s quick行动 and consultation with breeders.

British 10-year-old uncovers UK's first wild axolotl in a Welsh river
science1 month ago

British 10-year-old uncovers UK's first wild axolotl in a Welsh river

A British 10-year-old, Evie Hill, found an injured axolotl in the Ogmore River in Bridgend, Wales—the first confirmed axolotl living wild in the UK. Axolotls are endangered and native to Mexico; with only about 50 to 1,000 remaining in the wild, the family named the animal 'Dippy' and plan to care for it in a larger tank after consulting experts, while authorities remind that releasing non-native species is illegal.

Ten-Year-Old Uncovers Five Giant Dinosaur Footprints on Welsh Beach
science2 months ago

Ten-Year-Old Uncovers Five Giant Dinosaur Footprints on Welsh Beach

A 10-year-old girl and her mother found five large dinosaur footprints on Lavernock Point along the South Wales coast, spaced about 30 inches apart and believed to belong to a late Triassic camelotia sauropodomorph. Paleontologists from the National Museum Wales confirmed the prints’ pattern and significance, noting Wales has a growing record of dinosaur finds and that the site adds to millions of years of prehistoric activity in the region.

UK doctor warns student loan interest could keep him paying for decades
education3 months ago

UK doctor warns student loan interest could keep him paying for decades

A UK doctor says his student loan debt has grown from £55,000 to about £80,000 due to roughly £25,000 in interest, with around £3,000 added this tax year and only half of that paid off. Interest accrues immediately and can reach up to 6.2%, delaying plans like buying a home. Loans are written off after 25–40 years depending on the region, and while the government defends the system as fair, graduates and policymakers are pushing for reform.

Ice baths and resilience: a Welsh man’s battle with trigeminal neuralgia
health3 months ago

Ice baths and resilience: a Welsh man’s battle with trigeminal neuralgia

Gerwyn Tumelty, a Pontarddulais man described as living with trigeminal neuralgia—often called the world’s most painful condition—suffered years of severe facial pain before a 2019 neurosurgery relieved the physical agony. While the pain subsided, he faced ongoing mental health challenges, prompting him to adopt routines like twice-weekly ice baths and outdoor challenges to cope and stay focused. His story, supported by the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK, also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and ongoing support for affected individuals.

Itoje benched as England reshapes backline for Wales opener
rugby-union3 months ago

Itoje benched as England reshapes backline for Wales opener

England name a bench-heavy starting XV for their Six Nations opener against Wales, with captain Maro Itoje starting on the bench after his mother’s funeral and Jamie George captaining the side. Northampton duo Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman win midfield spots (Freeman moving from wing to outside centre), Henry Arundell starts on the left wing and Freddie Steward is at full-back as England plan to counter Wales’ kicking game. The pack is led by Genge and Heyes, with a forward-heavy bench including Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Sam Underhill and Ben Earl; Alex Mitchell and Ford continue the half-back pairing. The match at Twickenham will test England’s evolving cohesion under Steve Borthwick.

Abergele teen confronts rare cold-induced allergy that sparks hives
health4 months ago

Abergele teen confronts rare cold-induced allergy that sparks hives

Sixteen-year-old Amber Woodward of Abergele, North Wales, has cold urticaria, a rare allergy that triggers itching and swelling from cold temperatures (below 12C) and even wind or water, forcing her to miss plans and wear extra layers; after a lengthy path to diagnosis in 2023, she hopes monthly antihistamine injections will ease her symptoms, though there is no cure and she remains hopeful for more research and better treatments.

Two-Michelin-star Ynyshir in Wales receives one-star hygiene rating
food-and-drink4 months ago

Two-Michelin-star Ynyshir in Wales receives one-star hygiene rating

Ynyshir, a Welsh restaurant with two Michelin stars, was handed a one-star hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency after a November inspection, which found major improvements were needed in food safety management though cleanliness and handling were generally satisfactory. The venue, known for a five-hour tasting menu, has addressed issues and paperwork gaps since the visit; owner-chef Gareth Ward defended their approach to raw ingredients and said standards remain high. CNN notes Ynyshir is Wales’ only two-Michelin-star restaurant.