Monthly Archives: December 2025

The Ashes: Shoaib Bashir omitted by England for crucial third Test

The Ashes: Shoaib Bashir omitted by England for crucial third Test

But he has struggled in Australia, returning figures of 2-266 in two tour matches. Bashir has also looked short of rhythm in the nets.England did not select another specialist spinner in their squad - the likes of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Jack Leach were overlooked.It means England will rely on Jacks, primarily a batter and with six first-class wickets this year.In contrast, Australia can call on Lyon, the 38-year-old who sits seventh on the all-time list of…

Continue ReadingThe Ashes: Shoaib Bashir omitted by England for crucial third Test

Sewage discharged into Portland harbour after tug boat fault

Sewage discharged into Portland harbour after tug boat fault

Sewage from a tug boat that discharged into a harbour has been contained, according to port authorities.The BBC has been told that staff were informed in an email from Portland Port, Dorset, that sewage had been discharging from the Maiden Castle, one of three tugs operating in the harbour.Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, said "action was taken immediately" and that the fault has "now been fixed".Dorset Council said it will investigate whether the leak is linked…

Continue ReadingSewage discharged into Portland harbour after tug boat fault

Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is ‘pillar of our community’

Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is ‘pillar of our community’

Chris McHugh/BBCJulia's House Children's Hospice is supporting Skye (centre) and her family while she experiences an unknown condition"It didn't feel like end-of-life care... it was bright, airy and there was laughter in the background."Kyle is describing the moment he first entered Julia's House Children's Hospice in Poole, Dorset. It was somewhere he and his family never thought they would be. His daughter Skye, 5, has been cared for by the hospice since last year after developing a still-unknown…

Continue ReadingJulia’s House Children’s Hospice is ‘pillar of our community’

Former council HQ in Taunton could become flats for NHS staff

Former council HQ in Taunton could become flats for NHS staff

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, BBC SomersetLDRSSomerset Council sold the building in Taunton for £1.7m in AprilA planning application has been submitted to turn a building which used to be part of a council's headquarters into accommodation for key workers.Somerset Council sold C Block of County Hall in Taunton earlier this year for £1.7m. It said it was no longer required and the proceeds would go towards reducing its £66m budget deficit.It was purchased by specialist developer Prime Plc, which…

Continue ReadingFormer council HQ in Taunton could become flats for NHS staff

Winter campaign encourages people in Cornwall to stay healthy

Winter campaign encourages people in Cornwall to stay healthy

BBCPaul Sweet is offering advice based on his experience of diabetes and cardiovascular diseaseA new campaign encouraging people to help themselves stay healthy this winter.The NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said the campaign featuring "winter wellbeing everyday champions" would demonstrate the role friends, family and the wider community could play in managing long-term conditions and keeping well. NHS bosses also urged eligible people to get their winter vaccines including flu, Covid, RSV, pneumococcal and shingles.Paul…

Continue ReadingWinter campaign encourages people in Cornwall to stay healthy

Sidmouth Folk Festival ‘not affected’ by sewage works upgrade

Sidmouth Folk Festival ‘not affected’ by sewage works upgrade

An annual music festival will not be impacted by a project to improve the area's sewage network, a water company has confirmed. South West Water said Sidmouth Folk Festival would not be affected by its £12m project to build a new storm storage tank at The Ham to reduce the impact of the town's sewage system. The water company presented its plans to Sidmouth Town Council and said the impact for the festival, which takes place between 31…

Continue ReadingSidmouth Folk Festival ‘not affected’ by sewage works upgrade

NHS offers parents in Devon advice amid flu cases

NHS offers parents in Devon advice amid flu cases

BBCExperts say since the Covid-19 pandemic parents have been more cautious sending children to schoolAmid a flurry of headlines about rising flu cases this winter it is not surprising that some parents or carers might think twice before sending their child to school if they have a cough or a cold.NHS GP and broadcaster Dr Radha Modgil said since the Covid-19 pandemic parents have been more cautious around when to send their children into school."It can be really…

Continue ReadingNHS offers parents in Devon advice amid flu cases

Local MPs use Christmas cards to spark creativity

Local MPs use Christmas cards to spark creativity

MPs across the South are sending Christmas cards to constituents, colleagues and the royals.The cards were designed by local charities or schools in the MPs local areas, found through competitions. The winning design got to be put on the MPs card which were either posted or sent digitally to local people over the coming weeks."For as long as I am an MP, it's something I will do" says Darren Paffey Labour MP for Southampton Itchen. You can see…

Continue ReadingLocal MPs use Christmas cards to spark creativity

Downs vans discussed and speedboat drugs sentencing

Downs vans discussed and speedboat drugs sentencing

BBCTopics in the news this week include van dwellers, a birthday for a race track and a man due to be sentenced over drug smugglingIt's a busy week of news coming up in the West of England. We take a look at what you can expect to read about on the BBC News website in the next seven days.Cocaine drop sentenceNational Crime AgencyFourteen packages of cocaine were stashed between the speedboat's seatsWednesday: One of the men involved in…

Continue ReadingDowns vans discussed and speedboat drugs sentencing

University of Exeter students celebrate sparking winter graduation

University of Exeter students have celebrated their academic achievements in style at this year’s sparking winter graduation ceremonies. Around 5,000 guests saw their loved-ones graduate. The new graduates had studied 109 different courses and were from 98 different countries. Professor Dame Fiona Murray CBE DCMG received an honorary degree of science for her contribution to public service. Professor Murray is an expert in the formation and scaling of deep tech ventures that solve global challenges – most notably in defense, security,…

Continue ReadingUniversity of Exeter students celebrate sparking winter graduation

Hong Kong court convicts democracy activist Jimmy Lai on conspiracy charges | News

The High Court of Hong Kong has convicted pro-democracy activist and newspaper founder Jimmy Lai on three charges related to accusations that he undermined China’s national security, as part of a widely scrutinised trial.Lai now faces the possibility of a life sentence in prison.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listOn Monday morning, a panel of three judges found Lai, 78, guilty of two counts of conspiring with foreign forces to threaten national security and one count of…

Continue ReadingHong Kong court convicts democracy activist Jimmy Lai on conspiracy charges | News

Mbappe returns at Alaves to ease Real pressure on Madrid coach Alonso | Football News

French superstar Kylian Mbappe scores on his return from injury to help Real Madrid to a crucial 2-1 win at Alaves.Kylian Mbappe’s and Rodrygo Goes’s goals earned Real Madrid a tense 2-1 win at Alaves in La Liga to potentially keep coach Xabi Alonso in his job.Madrid, second, reeled league leaders Barcelona’s advantage back to four points and recorded only their third victory in the last nine games across all competitions.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listAfter…

Continue ReadingMbappe returns at Alaves to ease Real pressure on Madrid coach Alonso | Football News