MoJ owes us £20m after contractor ISG’s collapse, say suppliers

Post published:October 27, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Josh Sandifordin BirminghamGetty ImagesSuppliers who worked on HMP Birmingham say they are owed hundreds of thousands of poundsThe government is facing questions over tens of millions of pounds owed to suppliers who worked on upgrades to three prisons in England.At least 40 companies are believed to be owed the money for work they carried out in Birmingham, Liverpool and Dorset, before lead contractor ISG entered administration in September.The small and medium-sized firms say they should have been protected…

UK journalist Sami Hamdi detained in US amid pro-Israel lobby pressure | Censorship News

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
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British political commentator and journalist Sami Hamdi has been detained by federal authorities in the United States in what a US Muslim civil rights group has called an “abduction”.The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Hamdi’s detention at San Francisco airport on Sunday as “a blatant affront to free speech”, attributing his arrest to his criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listHamdi, a frequent critic of US and Israeli policy, had addressed…

Two killed in Cameroon protests ahead of election results, opposition says | Elections News

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
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Hundreds of supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma accuse President Paul Biya’s government of seeking to rig the vote.Published On 26 Oct 202526 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAt least two people have been killed by gunfire in Cameroon, as protesters rallied a day before the announcement of presidential election results, the opposition campaign has said.Hundreds of supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma barricaded roads and burned tyres in Cameroon’s commercial capital Douala on Sunday.…

About 200 people take part in Plymouth Hoe protest

Post published:October 26, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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About 200 people have taken part in rival protests in Plymouth.People congregated on Plymouth Hoe on Sunday afternoon and were separated by about 85 police officers, with several drafted in from Wales.Flag Force Plymouth and a group of counter-protesters - both totalling about 100 people - were guided towards separate areas by police.They shouted slogans, banged drums and waved placards. Andy, from Flag Force Plymouth, said the the protest was about "patriotism, and nothing to do with racism"…

Somerset in Pictures: Thieving seagulls and pumpkins

Post published:October 26, 2025
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Autumn blossoms beautifully across the county this week, with nature turning from green, to yellow to amber.Pumpkin picking, spectacular murals and a daring rescue await...A mural featuring seagull swooping down and pinching chips was painted in Taunton on the side of a chip shop as the third and final artwork in a project to bring "colour and interest" to the area.AFRSPinky the horse was saved from a water-filled ditch in Yatton by Avon Fire and Rescue Service.It took…

Football match abandoned after Dorchester FC player injured

Post published:October 26, 2025
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An FA Trophy game between Basingstoke and Dorchester was abandoned after a footballer suffered a serious injury to his neck.Dorchester Town FC player and coach Wes Fogden was injured in the first half of the game, which was away at Basingstoke, on Saturday afternoon.His club said in a statement: "Wes was conscious and talking as he was taken into the ambulance, and scans in hospital yesterday evening have confirmed two fractured vertebrae in his neck, which will require…

Heavy M4 traffic on second day of closure

Post published:October 26, 2025
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A motorway closure is causing long queues for the second day in a row.The M4 is shut between junctions 18 (for Bath) and 19 (for the M32 and Bristol) while National Highways engineers carry out essential works on the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.Half hour delays are reported at either end of the closure - with eastbound traffic bunching up as far as junction 20. The A46 is also badly affected between the A420 and the M4.The closure…

Torquay factory building faces demolition after years of decay

Post published:October 26, 2025
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A once-thriving factory which helped power a town's engineering legacy is set to be torn down. The Elektron building on Woodland Trading Estate, formerly home to Sifam, was a major employer in Torquay, producing electrical instruments and fibre-optic tech in the 1980s. It shut in 2007 after Sifam was bought by Elektron Instruments and the building became a magnet for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with smashed windows boarded up and the site falling into disrepair.Now, drinks wholesaler Tolchards,…

Fire service issues warning ahead of Halloween

Post published:October 26, 2025
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Householders are being encouraged to swap real candles for battery-powered alternatives this Halloween.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said around one in eight fires began with naked flames such as candles, cigarettes and matches.The fire service said Halloween was one of the highest-risk times of year for these incidents.Kate Saint, head of prevention at the fire service, said: "Switching from traditional candles to battery-operated ones is a simple step that can help decorations and costumes from catching…

Bournemouth and Poole’s tourism websites get new operators

Post published:October 26, 2025
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGetty ImagesSome of the county's tourism areas include Branksome Chine Beach in BournemouthA county's official tourism websites and social media are set to be taken over by new operators.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is stepping back from Bournemouth and Poole's tourism websites and moving away from destination marketing.The Destination Management Board (DMB) and Christchurch Town Council have now set up "Bournemouth and Poole Tourism", which will take over the marketing of the websites and…

Therapy dog helps autistic boy from Bournemouth ‘thrive’

Post published:October 26, 2025
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandFaimly photoBodhi (L) and Frank (R) have become "the best of friends"A father has praised how a therapy dog has been a "brilliant" comfort for his autistic son.Carl, from Bournemouth, said his son Bodhi, 8, has always struggled to make friends, but their German shepherd, Frank the Tank, has been trained to pick up on his body language and support him in public.The dog, who has been trained by the police, replaced their former pet…

Residents urged to share views on Barnstaple’s Rock Park

Post published:October 26, 2025
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People have been urged to share their thoughts on how a park could be improved.A consultation has been launched into the future of Rock Park, in Barnstaple, in Devon.The town council hopes to gather views on how people use the green space and what improvements they would like to see.The consultation closes on 9 January. Mayor of Barnstaple, councillor Janet Coates said: "Rock Park is an important green space for our community." She said: "We want to ensure…