Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed the dates for Wales Men’s three home fixtures in the inaugural Nations Championship, with a series of high-profile clashes set for Principality Stadium this November. Wales will play three consecutive Saturday matches in Cardiff as part of rounds four to six of the new international competition. The campaign at Principality Stadium will begin on November 7, when Wales host Japan. It will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in the last 18 months, with Wales winning two of the previous three encounters, including their most recent clash in Cardiff. That match also…

Park Avenue in Aberystwyth will host the 2026 Bute Energy U16s Cup Final, the Football Association of Wales has confirmed. The final will see Briton Ferry Llansawel take on The New Saints on Sunday, May 3, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm. Briton Ferry Llansawel progressed directly to the final after their semi-final opponents Swansea City were unable to field a team and forfeited their place in the competition. Meanwhile, The New Saints secured their spot in the showpiece fixture with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Barry Town United at Jenner Park. Supporters planning to attend should note that there will…

Emergency services are continuing their response following a house fire on Lady Street in Kidwelly. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that joint enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing, with the fire now extinguished. Officers, alongside other emergency services, remain at the scene while work continues to make the property and surrounding area safe. The cause of the fire is currently being treated as unexplained. Lady Street remains closed and is expected to stay shut for some time, with a small number of nearby properties still affected and access restricted for safety reasons. Police are now appealing for witnesses who…

A multi-agency programme to tackle long-standing issues linked to serious organised crime in an area of Swansea has now begun. The Swansea Public Services Board has launched its flagship Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project, working under the title Building a Better Dyfatty. The launch event took place last week at Tramshed Tech in the former Palace Theatre on High Street; the building sits within the project area. The approach builds on successful Clear Hold Build activity delivered elsewhere across the South Wales Police force area, including Merthyr Tydfil, Adamsdown, Roath and Butetown. Clear Hold Build is a recognised approach to…

Global technology company Genesis Biosciences has welcomed the revised EU Detergents Regulation (EU) 2026/405 which has explicitly recognised detergents containing microorganisms for the first time. Genesis Biosciences, whose European technical facility is located in Cardiff, has created and delivered innovative, environmentally responsible and scientifically validated microbial solutions for over two decades. Microbial products use microorganisms such as Bacillus as functional raw materials and active ingredients. Despite being commonplace for several decades, microbial-based cleaning products have reshaped the market in recent years, emerging as a green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products. The updated legislative framework governs the safety, composition, labelling and environmental impact of…

As millions of Brits start booking and heading on their 2026 getaways, fresh analysis of 2025 flight data reveals which UK airports were most plagued by cancellations. The team at Luxury Group Stay delved into the latest Air Transport Movements data published by the Civil Aviation Authority, covering the whole of last year to uncover where travellers faced the highest disruption, and which airports proved the most reliable. An Air Transport Movement is defined as “any landing or take-off of an aircraft engaged in the transport of passengers, cargo or mail on commercial terms.” The study examined all UK airports…

The A470 is currently closed in both directions following a collision between Newbridge on Wye and Rhayader. Traffic Wales confirmed the incident earlier today, warning motorists that the route is shut while the situation is dealt with. In a post on social media, Traffic Wales North and Mid said: “⚠️Collision A470 Newbridge on Wye – Rhayader ⛔️Road closed both directions at this time Please find an alternate route.” Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible. There is no confirmation yet on how long the road will remain closed or if there are any…

A man who raped two teenage girls as they slept has been jailed. Stefan Dobandi, 20, of no fixed abode, appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday 24 March. At a separate hearing in February, he admitted three counts of rape and two counts of taking an indecent photograph/ pseudo-photograph of a child. Dobandi was jailed for 10 years, with a two-year extended license period. He was also handed 10 year restraining orders to protect the victims, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and subject to notification requirements for life. Between May and June last year, Dobandi raped…

Over £1.6m in new funding has today (24th March) been announced to provide additional mental health and wellbeing support in schools over the next three years. It will fund a mental health programme developed by Anna Freud, a mental health charity for children and young people, for primary and secondary schools across Wales. Anna Freud uses the latest evidence to design new approaches to mental ill health prevention and intervention, including for schools, in partnership with children, young people, families and communities. The funding will introduce the Strategies for Safety and Wellbeing programme, to learners in Year 5 and Year…

The iconic Man versus Horse Race, held every summer in the Mid Wales town of Llanwrtyd Wells, has a new headline sponsor this year. Leading Welsh work-based learning provider, Cambrian Training Company and sister business Trailhead Fine Foods, manufacturers of Welsh Salt Beef and Get Jerky beef and venison snacks, have agreed to sponsor the 45th running of the event on Saturday, June 13. The challenging 22-mile race route, which rises to 4,000 feet, takes in Tarmacadam roads, forestry tracks, farm tracks, bridleways, open moorland and rivers. This year, the race has a brand new course and the organisers are…