city news

Tipping points experts set three challenges for COP30

Experts in “tipping points” have set three challenges for world leaders meeting at the COP30 climate summit. An international team of 160 researchers recently published the Global Tipping Points Report, which said the world faces a “new reality” due to escalating threats from Earth system tipping points. But positive tipping points are already driving rapid change towards zero emissions – and smart choices at COP30 can accelerate this vital progress. In a policy brief for COP30 and beyond,…

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Shouting at seagulls could stop them stealing your food

Shouting at seagulls makes them more likely to leave your food alone, research shows. University of Exeter researchers put a closed Tupperware box of chips on the ground to pique herring gulls’ interest. Once a gull approached, they played either a recording of a male voice shouting the words, “No, stay away, that’s my food”, the same voice speaking those words, or the ‘neutral’ birdsong of a robin.   They tested a total of 61 gulls across nine…

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Teen arrested after Exeter railway station assault

Teen arrested after Exeter railway station assault

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and bailed in connection with a serious assault at a railway station.British Transport Police said a man in his 50s sustained multiple facial fractures following an assault at Polsloe Bridge Station, in Exeter, on 30 October.Officers have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.Police said a boy, from Exeter, had been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and had since been released on police bail while inquiries continued.…

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Licence review for Exeter’s Timepiece nightclub over spike claim

Licence review for Exeter’s Timepiece nightclub over spike claim

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe family of a young woman who allegedly had her drink spiked are applying for Timepiece in Exeter to have its licence reviewedA student who allegedly had her drink spiked in Freshers' Week is calling for a nightclub to have its licence reviewed.Documents set to be reviewed by Exeter City Council's licensing sub-committee said staff at Timepiece failed to call an ambulance and told the woman to move away from the club on 20 September.Staff…

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Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Plants GalorePlants Galore owner Tony Joyner said turnover at the Newton Abbot store had fallen by 34%Business owners said they have experienced a drop in sales since a two-year roadworks project started.The A382, which connects Newton Abbot to the A38, has been closed since September as part of Devon County Council's (DCC) scheme to improve safety, ease congestion and boost options for walkers and cyclists.Tony Joyner, owner of the Plants Galore garden centre just off the A382, said…

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Derek Adams: Former Plymouth manager returns as director of football

Derek Adams: Former Plymouth manager returns as director of football

Plymouth are currently bottom of League One and have lost their past five matches in all competitions.They have won just four out of 15 league games so far under former Watford boss Cleverley, who was appointed in the summer. The ex-Manchester United midfielder said following their 3-1 defeat by Huddersfield on Saturday that he will "fight" to turn the team's fortunes around.The club's former head of recruitment Tom Randle - who oversaw the summer transfer window - left…

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Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer

Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer
Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer

Good journalism costs money  Upgrade to paid E O Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADAR Annual protest against sexual violence and harassment of women and girls in public space. Leigh Curtis Good journalism costs money The only way to cover the cost of producing and publishing Exeter Observer's independent public interest journalism

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South West falls silent for Armistice Day ceremonies

South West falls silent for Armistice Day ceremonies

BBCMembers of Torbay's Royal British Legion attended a ceremony in TorquayPeople across the South West fell silent at Armistice Day events held across the region.A two-minute silence was held across the UK at 11:00 GMT to commemorate the exact time of an agreement to end the fighting in World War One on 11 November 1918.Events in places including Penzance, Truro, Plymouth, Exeter and Torquay were held for people who wished to pay their respects.There were also commemorations made…

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Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

BBCLauren, 13, has received help from Barnstaple-based charity Families in Grief after her grandparents diedA girl said a Children in Need-backed charity has helped her deal with grief and regain confidence.Following the loss of her grandparents, Lauren, 13, received support from Families in Grief, who work with children, young people and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.The Barnstaple charity has received a £105,000 grant, split over three years, from Children in Need to…

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Scientists find evolutionary explanation for “irrational” Dread Risk behaviour

The evolution of the so-called Dread Risk response has been explained by new scientific research. People often respond to low-probability, high-consequence events like terror attacks or nuclear accidents with a Dread Risk response. This intense fear of the perceived sources of dread leads to extreme avoidance behaviour, which often means that people expose themselves to higher risk of dying in more common incidents like traffic accidents. Scientists at the Universities of Exeter and Bristol have used a mathematical…

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Cottage approved after unlawful demolition

Cottage approved after unlawful demolition

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCSome of the work that was carried out at Singleton Gardens in April exceeded the planning consentA stop notice was issued by Torbay Council after demolition work was carried out at the siteTorbay Council's planning committee heard this was the latest in a series of applications made for the site on Meadfoot Sea Road in the Wellswood area of Torquay.Mike Cowdery from the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum said the latest planning application did "nothing but sow…

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‘I’ve given seven babies to other families and do not regret it’

‘I’ve given seven babies to other families and do not regret it’

Jen SmithSouth West health correspondentEmma PilarzEmma Pilarz has had nine children - seven of them for other peopleEmma Pilarz is a mother-of-two from Barnstaple in Devon. But she has given birth nine times – seven of the babies were for other people. She is one of a handful of surrogates across the south-west of England who have been telling the BBC why they chose to become a surrogate as the practice comes under increasing scrutiny."I'd had my two…

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