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Experts hail Cornwall as the ‘Engine Room’ of PM’s new Critical Minerals Strategy 

The UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy must make domestic extraction, refining, and recycling pillars of sovereign capability, experts have urged. The plan should define critical minerals as key to a broader political-economic reset that can underpin jobs and local growth, a new report by the University of Exeter’s Critical Minerals Challenge Centre, says.  Members of the UKRI-funded research hub – based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in the critical minerals hotbed of Cornwall, a world-leading reserve…

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‘I wish we could have Christmas together’

‘I wish we could have Christmas together’

George Thorpe,South West and John Henderson,CornwallBBCBecky Dustan said she wished she could have Christmas dinner with her brother Michael Riddiough-Allen againA campaigner whose brother was stabbed to death said she wishes "something could change" so they could have Christmas dinner together.Becky Dustan said she wanted everything to be different following the death of her brother Michael Riddiough-Allen, who was murdered in a knife attack outside Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin in April 2023.Jake Hill, who also injured four other…

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From G20 to Penryn: Experts hail Cornwall as the ‘Engine Room’ of PM’s new Critical Minerals Strategy 

The UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy must make domestic extraction, refining, and recycling pillars of sovereign capability, experts have urged. The plan, which will be launched at the G20 summit in South Africa by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, should define critical minerals as key to a broader political-economic reset that can underpin jobs and local growth, a new report by the University of Exeter’s Critical Minerals Challenge Centre, says.  Members of the UKRI-funded research hub – based…

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Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Torquay United captain Matt Worthington and team-mate Callum Dolan have been suspended by the National League South club.The midfielders will not play for the next four matches after what the club says is an "internal disciplinary matter". Worthington has played in 16 of Torquay's 17 league games this season while Dolan has scored two goal in nine games.”It's hugely frustrating, it's another obstacle put in front of us,” Torquay manager Paul Wotton told BBC Radio Devon.“It’s been a…

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Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCA University of Exeter student fell backwards down stairs at the Timepiece nightclub in ExeterSecurity staff at a nightclub acted correctly in dealing with a university student who fell backwards down stairs during Freshers' Week, a licensing committee has said.Lawyer David Dadds applied for a licensing review of the Timepiece nightclub in Exeter, Devon, and said door staff "failed to show basic care".Exeter City Council's licensing committee said it was "appropriate" to pick the woman…

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Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

The family of a man whose death is at the centre of a murder investigation said he was "so lovable".Devon and Cornwall Police said Ison Alli from Penzance was found dead in a property in the Polruan Road area of Truro on 29 October.A tribute from his family said Mr Alli, who was 23, "had a heart of gold" and would "forever be our beautiful reason to believe in love that never fades".Police said a man from Truro…

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Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMick Skerratt from Exeter Gin runs a gin school as well as producing spiritsA gin producer and drinks maker is concerned the chancellor might increase tax on spirits again in the Budget.The previous Conservative government increased excise duty by more than 10% in August 2023 and Labour increased the tax by another 3.65% in 2024.Mick Skerratt from Exeter Gin said another increase in duty would be a tough blow to take at a time when…

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RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestRSPCANova, who was found abandoned in Devon, suffered from severe malnutrition and cachexiaAn animal charity has warned of an increase of animal abandonment in the lead-up to winter.The RSPCA said animal abandonment cases in Devon had gone up by 14.9% so far this year, with 362 incidents logged by the end of October, compared with 315 last year.In Cornwall animal abandonment cases went up by 40.4%, with 205 incidents, compared with 146 last year, according to…

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Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Work to demolish two former hospital accommodation blocks has started as part of a £22.7m project to redevelop the site.The North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple was given the money from the New Hospital Programme.The two buildings will be replaced with new housing which will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms, including four fully accessible family apartments and six single accessible ensuite rooms. Prof David Sanders, clinical director of surgery at the hospital, said "in order to attract staff and…

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Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City say their ground will be ready for their FA Cup second round tie with Wycombe Wanderers next month.Damage from a fire at St James Park last week has meant Saturday's League One game with Burton Albion has been postponed.The fire, which affected the stadium's control room and medical room, meant key safety systems were taken down and work to repair the damage is ongoing. "As disappointing as Saturday's game being postponed is, it does give us…

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Devon and Cornwall police chief putting more officers on the beat

Devon and Cornwall police chief putting more officers on the beat

A police chief has said he wants to "stabilise patrol numbers" by getting more than 100 additional officers on the beat.Devon and Cornwall chief constable James Vaughan said 121 officers were being added to patrol teams, with 71 officers joining existing patrol teams by the end of 2025, along with another 50 by the end of March.Mr Vaughan, who will address the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel meeting in Plymouth later, said the officers were new…

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