In Pictures: Christmas lights and festive scenes sparkle in the south

These pictures are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.From riverside parades of Santas and reindeer, winter wonderland homes and gardens decked in lights, twinkling trees tucked inside phone boxes and even a sandy snowman on the beach.Take a pause and soak up the sparkle. Source link

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Devon and Cornwall stories to make you smile

Wildwood TrustThe antics of Mish and Lucy prompted an outpouring of support Escaped, honey-hungry bears, an emotional reunion and a round egg.We have selected six stories to make you smile that made the news in Devon and Cornwall in 2025.Bears escape enclosure and raid honey storeWatch: CCTV captures one of the bears helping itself to supplies outside the bear houseTwo bears briefly escaped their enclosure at Wildwood Devon in June and ventured into a food store where they…

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Challenge yourself with the West of England’s end of year quiz

Think you know what has gone on in West across the year?We have picked some of the most bizarre, unexpected and memorable news stories from 2025.Try out the quiz below to test your knowledge, then impress your friends and family at the Christmas dinner table with these weird and wonderful tales. Source link

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Explosion rocks crowded mosque in Nigeria, killing several people: Reports | Armed Groups News

The blast tore through a mosque in Maiduguri as worshippers gathered for evening prayers, witnesses say.Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAn explosion has ripped through a mosque in northeastern Nigeria as worshippers gathered for their evening prayers, killing and wounding several people, according to media reports.The blast took place at about 6pm on Wednesday (17:00 GMT) in the city of Maiduguri in Borno State, the Reuters and AFP news agencies reported,…

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Some South West festive swims cancelled due to wind warning

Organisers of some Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall have postponed or cancelled events due to a yellow weather warning for wind.The Met Office warning is in place for the South West from 04:00 until 23:59 GMT on Christmas Day, with gusts of up to 65mph forecast. There is also a yellow cold-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UHSA).Organisers of the annual Coverack swim, in Cornwall, said its Christmas Day swim had…

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French Empire: Civilising Mission | History

How the French Empire built power through language, schooling and cultural assimilation and what it means today.Beyond armies and violence, France built its empire through language, schooling and cultural influence. This film explores how assimilation became a method of rule and a source of resistance.At the heart of French colonial rule was the mission “civilisatrice”, a doctrine that claimed to lift up colonised societies through education, administration and the French language. In practice, this system sought to reshape…

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Motocross bikes worth thousands stolen from shed in Ludgvan

Motocross bikes worth more than £20,000 have been stolen from the Penzance area, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said four bikes had been stolen from a shed between Badgers Cross and Nancledra Hill, Ludgvan, between 02:00 and 05:00 GMT on 16 December.The force said officers believe a 2001 red Honda CR125, 1999 red Honda CR250 and two 2024 red Honda CRFs had been taken away in a large vehicle.Police have asked for any witnesses or those with…

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Person in serious condition after crash in Hayle

A person has been seriously injured following a crash, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had been called to a serious single-vehicle crash in Foundry Lane, Hayle, Cornwall, just after 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.It said one person was in a serious condition.Road closures have been put in place and the incident was ongoing, the force added. Source link

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Palestinian Christians worry about erasure as Israeli settlements grow | Occupied East Jerusalem

NewsFeedChristmas celebrations have returned to Bethlehem, but Palestinian Christians fear they are being erased by Israeli violence and settlement expansion. Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim reports from Bethlehem, where illegal settlements are encroaching on the birthplace of Jesus.Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2Share Source link

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Farm higher inheritance tax rate ‘does not go far enough’

Farmers in Cornwall have said the government's climbdown on inheritance tax has not gone far enough.On Tuesday, the government said it would raise the inheritance tax (IHT) relief threshold for farmers from £1m to £2.5m for the 20% tax it announced in April.Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth Jayne Kirkham defended the government's U-turn and said the new threshold "would exempt the vast majority of our working family farmers".Maria Warne-Elston, 23, a fifth generation farmer in Cornwall, said…

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‘Chance of snow’ in South West on cold Christmas Day

There could be snowfall in the south-west of England on Christmas day, a forecaster has said.Even though forecasters have not predicted a white Christmas on 25 December, there's "a very small chance" of snow falling on Dartmoor as afternoon rain showers push into parts of Devon and Cornwall, the Met Office said.Devon and Cornwall are expected to see a low of -1C (30F) and a high of 5C (41F) on Thursday with easterly winds causing big waves for…

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