Wales 

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Latest news on Wales (Cymru), covering Welsh Government, Senedd, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Plaid Cymru, NHS, Welsh language and culture.

Wales is a nation of over three million people within the United Kingdom, with Cardiff as its capital and largest city, and Swansea, Newport, and Wrexham among its other major urban centres. Governed through the devolved Senedd Cymru — the Welsh Parliament — Wales has its own government responsible for health, education, transport, and the Welsh language, among other policy areas. The Welsh economy spans public services, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, and a growing digital sector, with the publicly owned Development Bank of Wales supporting business investment across the country.

The 2026 Senedd election is the dominant story in Welsh politics. Polling suggests Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party for the first time, ahead of a surging Reform UK and a weakened Welsh Labour, which has governed Wales for more than a quarter of a century. First Minister Eluned Morgan is seeking to retain power as Labour faces its most significant electoral challenge in a generation. The election has also brought NHS Wales into sharp focus, with a repair backlog on NHS properties approaching £1bn emerging as a key issue alongside housing affordability and poverty.

The Welsh language — Cymraeg — is central to the nation's cultural identity, spoken by around a fifth of the population and protected by law. The Welsh Government's long-term Cymraeg 2050 strategy aims to reach one million Welsh speakers by mid-century, expanding Welsh-medium education and community language planning. The National Eisteddfod, the Urdd Eisteddfod, and a thriving tradition of choral and literary culture reflect Wales's distinctive heritage, while sports — from rugby union and football to cricket and athletics — carry deep national significance, with the Welsh national rugby team competing at the highest level of the Six Nations Championship.

Wales has a rich and layered history, shaped by Celtic roots, Roman occupation, Norman conquest, and the Industrial Revolution, which transformed the South Wales Valleys through coal mining and steel production. The legacy of that industrial era still resonates in communities across the Valleys and North East Wales, alongside ongoing efforts to diversify and regenerate local economies. Landmark infrastructure decisions continue to shape the nation's future: the UK government's approval of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey signals a major shift in Wales's energy landscape, with renewable energy, including wind and tidal power, also playing a growing role.

From crime and policing — covered by forces including South Wales Police and Dyfed-Powys Police — to transport, planning, and rural affairs, Wales generates a constant stream of significant news. Housing pressures and the impact of second homes on Welsh-speaking coastal communities remain contested issues, while farming policy and the Welsh Government's Sustainable Farming Scheme have drawn strong reactions from rural communities. Cardiff's ongoing regeneration, including major developments at Cardiff Bay and around the city centre, reflects broader debates about growth, inequality, and identity across Welsh society.

Our NewsNow feed on Wales brings together the latest headlines from across the country, covering politics, the Senedd, Welsh Government announcements, health, education, culture, sport, business, and local stories from Cardiff to Conwy. Whether you are following the Senedd election, tracking NHS Wales, keeping up with Welsh language policy, or simply staying informed about events in your community, this feed is your comprehensive, constantly updated source for all the news that matters in Wales.