‘Bristol Bears spread joy’ and ‘Wookey Witch’

Post published:December 21, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Bristol BearsExcitement has been growing across the West this week as Christmas draws closer and many people have been getting into the festive spirit at events across the region.Bristol Bears have been spreading some seasonal cheer by visiting 15 different charities, schools and care settings to lend a hand and deliver presents.Here is our weekly round-up of photographs from across the region.BristolBristol BearsGiving Back Day: More than 60 players and staff from Bristol Bears took part in what…

US, Russian officials meet in Miami for talks on Ukraine war | Russia-Ukraine war News

Post published:December 21, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
Post comments:0 Comments

Negotiators from Russia and the United States have met in the US city of Miami as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Washington to ramp up the pressure on Moscow to end its war on Ukraine.The meeting on Saturday took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listDmitriev told the reporters the talks were positive and…

US, Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye urge restraint in Gaza as Israeli attacks continue | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
Post comments:0 Comments

The talks between the four countries lauded the first stage of the truce, including expanded humanitarian assistance, return of captives, force withdrawals and reduction in hostilities.The United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye have urged the parties to the Gaza ceasefire to honour their commitments and show restraint, the chief US envoy says after talks in the US city of Miami.Senior officials from the four mediator countries met Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, on Friday to…

Ekitike and Isak help Liverpool squeeze past nine-man Tottenham | Football News

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
Post comments:0 Comments

Defending champions Liverpool win 2-1 at Tottenham to climb to fifth in the Premier League table.Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAlexander Isak endured a bittersweet evening as the Liverpool striker scored before limping off injured in a chaotic 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham.Isak put Liverpool ahead in the second half in north London on Saturday after Tottenham’s Xavi Simons was sent off before the interval for a nasty lunge on Virgil…

Cornwall church holds gentle Blue Christmas service

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
Post comments:0 Comments

A gentle and reflective service was held at a church in Cornwall for people who find the festive season difficult.The Blue Christmas service, led by local priest the Reverend Lisa Coupland who starred in series three of the BBC's Traitors, was held at St Mawgan-in-Meneage Church near Helston. The service aimed to provide a peaceful space for those who may be struggling through bereavement, loneliness, stress, or other personal challenges.Mrs Coupland said it was a wonderful way to…

Devon County Council funding cuts set to reduce core library opening hours by 30%

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
Post comments:0 Comments

Devon County Council library service funding cuts are expected to reduce the core staffed opening hours of the county’s libraries from a total of just under 1,300 hours each week to just under 915 hours each week, a fall of nearly 30%.The cuts are expected to affect 43 of Devon’s 50 libraries, four of which are in Exeter.The county council has outsourced the provision of library services, which it has a statutory duty to provide, to Libraries Unlimited,…

Aria Thorpe fundraiser hits £31k, leaving her family ‘moved’

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Adam Crowther,BristolandSarah Turnnidge,BristolFamily photographAria died on Monday after suffering a single stab wound The creator of a fundraiser set up to support the family of a nine-year-old girl who died after being stabbed has described the response as "overwhelming". More than £31,000 has been raised in a matter of days in memory of Aria Thorpe, who was found dead at a house in Lime Close, Weston-super-Mare, on Monday evening. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with her murder…

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to 17 years in corruption case | Imran Khan News

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
Post comments:0 Comments

Khan and his wife have denied accusations that they misrepresented the value of state gifts, including jewellery, and profited from them.Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2SharePakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to 17 years in prison after a Pakistani court found them guilty of illegally retaining and selling valuable state gifts.The sentence, handed down on Saturday, capped a years-long saga that saw the…

Dartmoor National Park Authority appoints new chief executive

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Devon News
Post comments:0 Comments

Dartmoor National Park Authority has appointed a new chief executive following a "rigorous selection process". Tom Surrey said he was delighted to take up the role and had a "lifelong connection" with Dartmoor. He said he looked forward to shaping a bright and sustainable future for the national park. "Dartmoor is an exceptionally special place," he added.Mr Surrey joins the authority from the Department of Health and Social Care where he served as director of adult social care…

South Devon residents urged to lock doors after house thefts

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:Devon News
Post comments:0 Comments

People are being urged by police to lock their doors overnight after incidents where car keys and personal items have been taken from homes. Devon and Cornwall Police said homes across south Devon including Torquay, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Paignton had been targeted.The force said officers had made several arrests in relation to burglary and vehicle theft, with some offenders already convicted and facing sentencing next year.Det Sgt Jason Parsons, from south Devon criminal investigation department (CID) team,…

Grants to help young women in Cornwall explore aviation careers

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
Post comments:0 Comments

A project which helps inspire girls and young women to develop a career in aviation, aerospace and engineering has been given a government grant of nearly £100,000.TECwomen CIC said the funding would help it deliver its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme.Two other projects in Cornwall were awarded funding from the government's £750,000 Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund designed to inspire young people to explore careers in aviation.Aerobility was given £60,589 to…

Debate over Tamar crossing tag admin charge rise

Post published:December 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
Post comments:0 Comments

Lee TrewhelaLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceTomasz Maciulewicz/BBCCampaigners are concerned about increased costs to cross the Tamar A proposed 150% increase to the monthly admin fee to cross the Tamar Bridge and use the Torpoint Ferry is to be debated at an extraordinary meeting.MPs and councillors have been largely critical of the proposed increase for people who regularly cross the River Tamar for work, education and Derriford hospital appointments.The proposed increase from 80p to £2 a month for users of…