Feature news, interesting news articles

Home News Features

I'm single and happy about it - Westenra

WHILE our own Charlotte Church is famous for some very public rock and roll excess followed by a newfound private motherhood, New Zealand-born classical music singer Hayley Westenra is so focused on her career she finds it impossible to switch off. Claire Rees spoke to the 21-year-old about growing up in the business and how she overcame shyness to let performing take over her life. Read

Labour has a general, not just local, problem

AS HE marks his first anniversary as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown may not be in the mood for any more gloomy news, but he would do well to read the report produced into Labour’s failure to connect with voters in North and West Wales. Read

‘Ray can’t even cross a road alone’

Scientists have warned the NHS won’t survive the next 20 years unless funding for dementia improves, ABBIE WIGHTWICK spoke to people caring for relatives with the disease Read

It’s time for EU to listen

AS the fallout and bitter recriminations continue after Irish voters’ rejection of the European Union Lisbon Treaty, Plaid MEP Jill Evans applauds their actions and calls for Wales to be given a stronger voice in the EU. Read

Battle to save Wales’ rural phone boxes

Over more than 80 years they have gained such a place in the nostalgic heart of Britain that many of them are now listed buildings. Some have literally been lifesavers. But the humble phone box could soon become a thing of the past in many parts of Wales, as Steffan Rhysreports Read

Time to end the shame of our mixed-sex wards

MORE than a decade ago, the then leader of the opposition, Tony Blair, promised to end mixed-sex accommodation on NHS wards. Mr Blair said the Conservative administration lacked “the wit” to end the practice, but his own ministers, and those of his successor, Gordon Brown, have proved no more adept at implementing this popular and simple policy. Read

Kate's art is where the heart is

CATHY OWEN meets a Cardiff artist finding inspiration in an unlikely source – the city suburb where she grew up. Read

Friendships forged out of repressive regimes

WHEN Eunice Chipachini fled death threats in Zimbabwe two years ago she arrived in Cardiff knowing no-one. Read

A lotto to celebrate!

Andy Carter, 35, is the regional centre manager for Camelot in Wales and the South West. He lives in Llanishen, Cardiff, with his wife Janet, son George, seven, and daughter Maisie, four. Read

Super-fast London train is a winner

IT SOUNDS like a double dollop of good news for anyone who feels the cost of getting from A to B is beginning to reach breaking point. Read

It’s time for Wales to be given what it needs

OFFICIAL confirmation that Wales has for many years been underfunded by the Treasury confirms what many have long been convinced of – that the amount of money available to the Assembly Government for public services is determined not by a fair assessment of need, but by reasons of political expediency. Read

Five minutes with... Westlife

Westlife answer questions about their new book, Brian McFadden and the 'Westlife family'. Read

Coal House mum in seventh heaven

COAL House star Stephanie Phillips now has a seven-strong brood after the birth of her daughter Megan. Read

Grumpy old punk is rotten to Duffy

NEWLY-CROWNED Mojo “song of the year award” winner Duffy was left crying for mercy at the awards ceremony after receiving a tongue-lashing from punk legend Johnny Rotten. Read

It’s how you tell them, Mr Cairns

IMAGINE Alun Cairns hadn’t apologised... Is it possible his “greasy wops” jibe would not have made headlines, his career would still be on track and neither Wales nor Italy would be any worse off? Read

Our youngsters in school and armed

A STUDENT brought a kitchen knife to school and threatened to use it to stab a female pupil. Read

Former air hostess takes a nostalgic trip

Former air hostess Gloria Gee was on the first Dakota flight out of Cardiff – 53 years later, she’s booked to go on one of its last missions. She tells Abbie Wightwick about some special away days Read

Just doing it for the kids

If your pre-schooler is up extra early but you don’t want to be, S4C could well be the answer to your lie-in prayers. From Monday – and every day from 7am – the channel will broadcast new programmes aimed at keeping nursery age tots entertained. Abbie Wightwick was granted a preview of what’s in store Read

Ps and Qs: Phillip Pullman

International best-selling author Philip Pullman on settling into Welsh life and feeling like a literary ‘tyrant’ Read

Tim Henman finds life after tennis is a whole new ball game

In the first of her radio series What Sport Stars Do Next Dame Tanni GreyThompson, above, explores life after sport with some of the greats. Her first guest is Tim Henman. Carolyn Hitt listened in on their conversation Read