Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,322 | Russia-Ukraine war News

Post published:October 8, 2025

Here are the key events from day 1,322 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.Published On 8 Oct 20258 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareHere is how things stand on Wednesday, October 8, 2025:Fighting Russian President Vladimir Putin said his forces have captured almost 5,000 square kilometres (1,930sq miles) of Ukrainian territory so far this year, and Moscow retains the strategic initiative on the battlefield. Russian troops have captured the Ukrainian villages of Novovasylivka in the southeastern Zaporizhia region and Fedorivka in the eastern Donetsk region, Russia’s defence ministry said. Russian air defence units destroyed 184 Ukrainian drones in recent attacks, the RIA Novosti state-owned news agency reports. Russia’s air defence units also intercepted and destroyed a drone flying towards Moscow city, said Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, right, as Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, centre, stands nearby during a visit to the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg on October 7, 2025 [Mikhail Metzel/AFP] Ukraine’s Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said Russian air strikes have caused “significant” damage to Ukrainian gas production capacity due to the targeting of regional gas infrastructure and power transmission facilities in front-line…

Hamas seeks ‘guarantees’ that Israel will end Gaza war as talks continue | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Post published:October 7, 2025

Hamas and Israel have concluded a second day of indirect negotiations on United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war on Gaza, as senior Qatari and US officials headed to Egypt to join the talks.Speaking at the White House on the second anniversary of the start of the war, Trump said that there was a “real chance” of a Gaza deal, as Tuesday’s talks wrapped up in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listHowever, the day had opened with an umbrella of Palestinian factions – including Hamas – issuing a statement that promised a “resistance stance by all means”, stressing that “no one has the right to cede the weapons of the Palestinian people” – an apparent reference to a key demand for the disarmament of the armed group contained in Trump’s 20-point plan.Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said that the group’s negotiators were seeking an end to the war and “complete withdrawal of the occupation army” from Gaza. But Trump’s plan is vague regarding the exit of Israeli troops, offering no specific timeline for the staged rollout, which would only happen after Hamas returns the 48 Israeli captives it still holds,…

Witnesses testify defendant ‘fully aware’ he was assaulting Gisele Pelicot | Sexual Assault News

Post published:October 7, 2025

Husamettin Dogan is the only defendant to appeal his conviction for assaulting Pelicot, a French woman whose case drew international attention.Witnesses have testified that defendant Husamettin Dogan was “fully aware” that Gisele Pelicot was asleep while he was assaulting her, as his appeal unfolds in a French court in the southern city of Nimes.Dogan, a 44-year-old construction worker, was one of 50 men convicted of sexually abusing Pelicot in a landmark case last December.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listBut he has since sought to overturn his conviction, claiming he was not a “rapist” and insisting he thought he was participating in a consensual sexual activity.He is the only defendant from that case to appeal. He has been sentenced to nine years in prison, lower than the 12 years initially sought by prosecutors.Tuesday marked the second day of his appeal, and prosecutors presented evidence to contradict his claims.Witnesses included Pelicot’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, who previously received a prison term of 20 years, the maximum sentence, for orchestrating the assaults in the former couple’s home in Mazan.During trial last year, Dominique Pelicot admitted that, for more than a decade, he drugged his then-wife of 50 years so that he and strangers…

New partnership set to strengthen regional education for the South West.

Post published:October 7, 2025

Andy Berry, CBE of UCS College Group and Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice Chancellor, University of Exeter signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step towards strengthening regional education, research, and skills development across the South West. The collaboration aims to explore joint initiatives in several key areas, including improving education outcomes, fostering social mobility, developing innovative healthcare solutions, and enhancing employer-led training. The partnership will also seek to make collaborative bids for regional projects such as defence, manufacturing, and engineering, as well as increasing access to higher education through dedicated scholarships. Andy Berry stated: “The partnership with the University of Exeter will enable us to collectively leverage resources and initiatives that align education with regional economic and skills needs. Together we will play a pivotal role in driving initiatives that ensure educational advancements translate into broad-scale economic benefits for the region.” Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said: “We’re excited to formalise our relationship with University Centre Somerset College Group. We share an unwavering commitment to the people of Somerset and the wider South West, and this agreement will strengthen our joint work to increase social mobility, develop innovative healthcare solutions,…

Furniture trader duped vulnerable customers in Devon and Somerset

Post published:October 7, 2025

BBCPeter Kitson was jailed for 15 months after he pleaded guilty to fraudulent tradingThe "greedy and arrogant" boss of a mobility furniture firm which scammed vulnerable customers out of £65,000 has been jailed.Exeter Crown Court heard staff at Peter Kitson's business, Mobility Furniture Company, used aggressive and pressurised sales techniques to carry out fraudulent deals on elderly people between 2015 and 2018 across Devon and Somerset.The court was told Kitson was fully aware of the tactics being used, which included one person being called 88 times in 12 months and a sales representative not leaving a potential client's home until 23:00.The 64-year-old, of Congresbury, Somerset, pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.'Greed and torture'The court heard 15 sales staff at the company used high-pressure methods and bombarded customers with cold calls.Clients were told they were buying custom-made beds and chairs, but the goods were not always bespoke.Customers were then told they had no right to cancel and would forfeit a 50% deposit, which was hidden in the small print.Some of the victims had since died and others said the firm, which had a £30m turnover, acted out of "greed and torture", the court heard.Some victims,…

Weymouth FC: Club commentator sacked after criticising board on air

Post published:October 7, 2025

Non-league club Weymouth have sacked their commentator after he criticised senior members of the club during a live broadcast of a match.The Terras said Ben Ashelford had been removed from his position and would no longer be involved in any official club activities.In an audio recording of the FA Trophy defeat by Wimborne Town, posted online by a supporter, Ashelford calls out current and previous members of the Weymouth board for leaving a game early before extending an invitation to them to debate with him on a podcast.Speaking on Radio Terras, which is owned by the club, Ashelford also vented his frustrations at Weymouth's downward spiral over the past few years."You can't hide from it, none of you," he said. "It's your fault."I'm deadly serious too, any member current or recently past from the board of directors I'd invite you on to a podcast."At least the fan representative on the board to my right is still here and watching the game, where is everybody else?"I extend that challenge to any of the board members. I'll set it up, take the financial hit and I'll tell you the truth, but I suspect there is not a set of nuts between you."Weymouth, who…

Tom Lockyer: Wales defender ready to play again after ‘long road’ of cardiac arrest

Post published:October 7, 2025

Lockyer is currently without a club after Luton, who were relegated in May for the second successive season, told the player his contract would not be renewed when it expired last summer.Despite that, Luton ensured the former Bristol Rovers and Charlton Athletic centre-back could continue to use their facilities and work with their physios and medical staff during his rehabilitation.Lockyer has played 16 times for Wales, his last cap coming in November 2023 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey. That came under former Wales boss Rob Page, with Craig Bellamy now installed as national head coach and impressing at the helm according to Lockyer."He's [Bellamy] still pretty early in his journey I'd imagine, from where he probably wants to get to and where he wants to be," Lockyer said."That's probably pretty exciting for Wales fans because he doesn't think he's the finished article, and he says there's still a lot to improve on and learn."I think he is a breath of fresh air, the way that he talks about these games coming up and he doesn't choose easy games."You look at the Canada game [a 1-0 friendly defeat last September], it was a tough, tough game, a really good side…

Italy to propose global ceasefire for 2026 Winter Olympics | Winter Olympics News

Post published:October 7, 2025

A global truce for the duration of February’s 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will be sought by hosts Italy.Published On 7 Oct 20257 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareItaly will submit a proposal for a worldwide ceasefire to the United Nations before next year’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said.As a concept, a global truce during the Olympics dates to the ancient games in Greece, where warring factions agreed to put down their arms for the duration of the event, so that athletes could safely travel to and from ancient Olympia.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listCalls by Olympics organisers and the UN for global ceasefires have not been heeded on the occasion of modern-era Games since 1896, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Milano Cortina Games open on February 6 and run to February 22.“In view of the Milano Cortina Olympics, we are presenting a proposal for an Olympic truce for all wars, including Ukraine and the Middle East, to the United Nations,” Tajani said on Tuesday.“We must be champions of peace,” he said on the sidelines of an international conference in Rome. “We support the US plan (to end the…

Pine Martens return to Exmoor after over a century

Post published:October 7, 2025

19 were introduced at secret locations on Exmoor by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Source link

Heavitree Road in Exeter closed for an extra week

Post published:October 7, 2025

A main road closure that has caused major traffic problems in Exeter will be closed for a week longer than expected due to engineering problems.Heavitree Road - the main bus route in and out of Exeter - will now be closed heading out of the city until Monday 13 October.The road was due to reopen last Sunday but Wales and West Utilities said work to upgrade the gas network had "taken longer than expected".The road closure has caused extensive tailbacks on roads around the city as drivers have been diverted and looking for other routes.Wales and West Utilities said it finished the first phase of the works on Fore Street in August but agreed with Devon County Council to begin phase two after the Women's Rugby World Cup games had been held in the city.Polsloe Road and Grendon Road are also closed as the work continues.The bus lane on Heavitree Road is also due to remain closed until 26 October, with four-way traffic lights in place on College Road and Gladstone Road.Roxanne Whittaker, from Wales and West Utilities, apologised for any inconvenience and said the work was "essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and…

Kwenzo Blose: Exeter prop to have surgery on ruptured Achilles

Post published:October 7, 2025

Exeter prop Kwenzo Blose is to undergo surgery after it was confirmed he has ruptured his Achilles.The South African forward was taken off injured 10 minutes after coming on from the bench in the Chiefs' 38-15 Prem win over Newcastle on Saturday.Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said he hoped to see the 28-year-old back "before the end of the season"."We're all disappointed for Kwenzo," Baxter said. "He really started to emerge for us at the tail end of last season and he's been a consistent performer for us so far this season."It will test the depth of our front row a little now, but if all goes to plan, we hope to see Kwenzo back before the end of the season."Blose moved to the Devon side in 2024 from Stormers and has made 24 appearances, including four games in all competitions this campaign.Baxter said on Monday that Blose's injury was "a blow" for the team and the player. Source link

Pine martens released on Exmoor in ‘positive sign for nature’

Post published:October 7, 2025

PA MediaPine martens were successfully reintroduced to nearby Dartmoor last yearPine martens are roaming around Exmoor National Park for the first time in a century, conservationists have revealed.Nine females and 10 males from Scottish Highlands populations were introduced at secret locations on Exmoor by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project over three weeks last month.Each pine marten has been fitted with a radio collar so researchers can follow their fortunes over the next six to nine months.Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracey Hamston, who leads the project, said the animals were "once a key part of our thriving woodland wildlife, so it's good that they are back where they belong".Dr Hamston said the release of the pine martens showed "all is not lost"."It's a positive sign that nature can be restored - our woodlands and their wildlife will benefit from their presence," she said."We're not separate from wildlife, we live in the same places - and it is really not in a good place.The trust said pine martens were a "critical" part of woodland ecosystems and performed a very important "balancing effect within the woodland".Two Moors Pine Marten ProjectThe pine martens were driven more than 500 miles (800km) from Scotland in a specially-converted…