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Cooks urged by SWW not to cause drain-blocking ‘fatbergs’

Cooks urged by SWW not to cause drain-blocking ‘fatbergs’

South West WaterSouth West Water said following advice could help provide a "worry-free Christmas"People have been urged not to pour fats, oils or grease down their kitchen sink over Christmas in order to avoid blockages and forming fatbergs.South West Water (SWW) said it had cleared more than 7,000 avoidable blockages from its wastewater network over the past year, removing 450 tonnes (70,863st) of waste in the process.It said about three-quarters of the issues were caused by fats, oils…

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Pope Leo laments suffering of Gaza Palestinians in first Christmas sermon | Religion News

Pope Leo has decried conditions ‍for Palestinians in ‍Gaza in his first Christmas sermon as pontiff, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.Leo, the first American ⁠pope, said on Thursday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable showed that God ​had “pitched his fragile tent” among the people of the world.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend…

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‘Dinner, humanity and love’ served up for Christmas

‘Dinner, humanity and love’ served up for Christmas

Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandEPA/ShutterstockFree festive lunches are on offer for people in needAcross the south of England, people are opening their doors on Christmas Day to offer lunch to strangers. A homelessness charity, a chicken restaurant, a Royal British Legion branch and a volunteer who hosts asylum seekers are among those providing free fare and festive community spirit.'Bring the community together'Aziz familyManzanos Peri Peri hopes to break down barriers in Reading"There's a lot of animosity, especially in the…

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Russia claims to have seized more than 5,100 square km of Ukraine in 2025 | Russia-Ukraine war News

Russia claims to have seized more than 5,100 square km of Ukraine in 2025 | Russia-Ukraine war News

Russia is doubling down on its claims on Ukraine, in an apparent effort to demonstrate some military achievement in 2025 at home and to influence peace talks with the United States.Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters last Friday in a year-end news conference that Moscow’s forces had seized Siversk in the eastern region of Donetsk and Vovchansk in the northern Kharkiv region.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listPutin also claimed Russian forces held at least half of…

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Devon and Cornwall stories to make you smile

Devon and Cornwall stories to make you smile

Wildwood TrustThe antics of Mish and Lucy prompted an outpouring of support Escaped, honey-hungry bears, an emotional reunion and a round egg.We have selected six stories to make you smile that made the news in Devon and Cornwall in 2025.Bears escape enclosure and raid honey storeWatch: CCTV captures one of the bears helping itself to supplies outside the bear houseTwo bears briefly escaped their enclosure at Wildwood Devon in June and ventured into a food store where they…

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Challenge yourself with the West of England’s end of year quiz

Challenge yourself with the West of England’s end of year quiz

Think you know what has gone on in West across the year?We have picked some of the most bizarre, unexpected and memorable news stories from 2025.Try out the quiz below to test your knowledge, then impress your friends and family at the Christmas dinner table with these weird and wonderful tales. Source link

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Majority of Russians expect Ukraine war to end in 2026, state survey finds | Russia-Ukraine war News

‘Main reason for optimism’ is a belief that war in Ukraine will end in 2026 with Moscow’s ‘objectives’ achieved,’ pollster says.Published On 25 Dec 202525 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareA majority of Russians expect the war in Ukraine to end in 2026, a state-owned research centre said, as Russian forces make advances on the battlefield and efforts intensify to reach a ceasefire deal between Kyiv and Moscow.VTsIOM, Russia’s leading public opinion research centre, said on…

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Explosion rocks crowded mosque in Nigeria, killing several people: Reports | Armed Groups News

The blast tore through a mosque in Maiduguri as worshippers gathered for evening prayers, witnesses say.Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAn explosion has ripped through a mosque in northeastern Nigeria as worshippers gathered for their evening prayers, killing and wounding several people, according to media reports.The blast took place at about 6pm on Wednesday (17:00 GMT) in the city of Maiduguri in Borno State, the Reuters and AFP news agencies reported,…

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Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing

Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 14-year-old boy sustained multiple stab wounds, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called at about 18:50 GMT to the Notte Street and Athenaeum Street area, in Plymouth, on Monday.The force said the boy was taken to hospital, where he remained, and his injuries were not considered life-threatening.Police said a 22-year-old man remained in police custody.Police said: "Detectives continue to progress inquiries and there…

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Some South West festive swims cancelled due to wind warning

Some South West festive swims cancelled due to wind warning

Organisers of some Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall have postponed or cancelled events due to a yellow weather warning for wind.The Met Office warning is in place for the South West from 04:00 until 23:59 GMT on Christmas Day, with gusts of up to 65mph forecast. There is also a yellow cold-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UHSA).Organisers of the annual Coverack swim, in Cornwall, said its Christmas Day swim had…

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More than a million Epstein-related documents discovered; release delayed | Donald Trump News

US Justice Department says it requires weeks to process newly found Epstein-related files under transparency and court rules.Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareMore than a million additional documents that are potentially related to late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein have been uncovered, according to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).In a social media post on Wednesday, the DOJ said it is reviewing the documents and will need “a few…

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