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New military focus on “leaving well” and strengthening social connections should be core part of defence strategy

A new military focus on “leaving well” as well as serving well is essential for the health of veterans, society and defence, experts have said. Researchers have made a powerful plea for more to be done to ensure armed forces leavers go on to play a valued role in organisations, companies and their communities. They have called for a focus on identity and social connectedness to be recognised as core parts of defence strategy, with investment in evidence-based…

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Time taken to bring shoplifters to justice is ‘unacceptable’, retailers tell BBC

Time taken to bring shoplifters to justice is ‘unacceptable’, retailers tell BBC

Cherry Wilson and Jim ConnollyBBC News InvestigationsBBCHead of security Tom Hirst said the criminal justice system is "too easy" on shopliftersThe time it takes to bring shoplifters to justice is "unacceptable" with retailers waiting longer for criminals to face punishment compared with a decade ago, the BBC has learned.In one case, stores targeted by a thief waited up to 10 months for a shoplifter to be sentenced, despite retail workers piecing together her identity without help from the…

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Pubs offer a free soft drink in December for designated drivers

Pubs offer a free soft drink in December for designated drivers

PA MediaOver the past five years (2020-24), 13 people have been killed and a further 176 were seriously injured in collisions where alcohol impairment was a contributory factor, said Vision ZeroDesignated drivers across Devon and Cornwall are being offered free soft drinks at more than 260 pubs, clubs and restaurants throughout December.Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the 'Fatal Five' causes of serious injuries and deaths on roads.A scheme organised by the Vision…

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New Cheddar Strawberry Line pathway and bridge opens

New Cheddar Strawberry Line pathway and bridge opens

Strawberry Line Facebook PageThe new bridge in Cheddar has opened up more of the Strawberry LineA new bridge and section of a walking and cycling path has opened in Somerset.The Strawberry Line link, a traffic-free pathway, has been extended from Cheddar reservoir to the Draycott Park estate.The project team said it is the fifth new bridge built on the former Great Western Railway line, which was used for transporting strawberries in the 1960s, in the last three years…

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Exeter City fire: Burton Albion game called off due to damage

Exeter City fire: Burton Albion game called off due to damage

Exeter City's League One game with Burton Albion on Saturday has been postponed after a fire at their St James Park ground.The stadium's control room was badly damaged by a fire last week and is not reparable in time to make the ground safe for the fixture.The fire damaged the electricity supply to the Adam Stansfield Stand, public address and fire alarm systems, first aid facilities and internal computer networks.The club began repair work earlier this week and…

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Hiroshima tree saplings planted in Cornwall as symbol of hope

Hiroshima tree saplings planted in Cornwall as symbol of hope

BBCA representative from the city of Hiroshima attended the ceremony in CornwallSaplings from a tree descended from a scorched trunk located near where the Hiroshima bomb was dropped are being planted across Cornwall.The first gingko tree sapling was planted at County Hall in Truro and further saplings are to be planted in coming weeks.Cornwall Council said they descended from a tree located just 1370m (4,495ft) from the hypocentre of the Hiroshima nuclear attack in 1946.New buds appeared on…

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Rangers to repair Devil’s Cauldron trail platform after flooding

Rangers to repair Devil’s Cauldron trail platform after flooding

Repair work to a viewing platform at a National Trust site is due to be carried out after it was damaged during flooding.The National Trust said the Devil's Cauldron trail platform at Lydford Gorge, near Tavistock, Devon, had taken a "battering" and it had been left covered in leaves and branches following heavy rain.The trust said rangers were planning to remove and repair the sides and floor of the platform which stretches across a large pothole full of…

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Oasis fan’s death at Wembley was ‘tragic accident’, inquest told

Oasis fan’s death at Wembley was ‘tragic accident’, inquest told

The death of an Oasis fan who fell from height at a concert at Wembley Stadium was a "tragic accident", a pre-inquest review has heard.Lee Claydon, 45, from Bournemouth and known to his family by his middle name Clive, fell from an upper level at the end of the show on 2 August.At Barnet Coroner's Court, Det Sgt James Raffin, of the Metropolitan Police, told the hearing it was no longer being treated as a criminal case. "We…

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‘First snow falls’ and ‘male firefighters celebrated’

‘First snow falls’ and ‘male firefighters celebrated’

Carley GilbertThe first snow of the season has fallen in parts of the West of England including in this street in Tunley, BathHere's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesThe first snow of the season has fallen in some areas across the West. The Wilts and Glos Standard reports a yellow Met Office warning in place for ice and sleet.Tonnes…

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Exeter researchers meet MPs to give insight on ways to tackle climate change and pollution

Researchers from the University of Exeter met with Members of Parliament in Westminster to present their latest insights on pollution in our water systems and unique ways to fight climate change. As part of Evidence Week in Parliament, research teams from Exeter made policy recommendations and highlighted the need to review current policies considering the latest available evidence. Evidence Week is a unique annual meeting that brings together the public, parliamentarians and researchers from across the UK to…

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Cornwall woman among five killed in snowstorm in Chile

Cornwall woman among five killed in snowstorm in Chile

A British woman is among five people who have died in a snowstorm in Chilean Patagonia.Victoria Bond, from Cornwall, was named by officials in Chile as among those killed in the tourist hotspot of Torres del Paine National Park, in the south of the country.Along with Ms Bond, two German and two Mexican citizens died in the snowstorm, according to Jose Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate of the Magallanes region of southern Chile. Their bodies were found on…

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Poland to close last Russian consulate over ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’ | News

Moscow accuses Poland of Russophobia, pledges to respond by reducing Polish diplomatic and consular presence in Russia.Published On 19 Nov 202519 Nov 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2SharePoland has announced it will close its last remaining Russian consulate in the northern Polish city of Gdansk following the targeting of a railway line to Ukraine from Warsaw, blaming Moscow for the incident.“I have decided to withdraw consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Gdansk,” Polish Foreign…

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