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New flags policy pushed by Plymouth City Council

New flags policy pushed by Plymouth City Council

A new policy on flags on public buildings is being developed by Plymouth City Council.The Labour-run council says it wanted to make the process of applying for permission to fly flags on council-owned buildings and light up buildings such as Smeaton's Tower, more "consistent".Flags have proved controversial in the last six months with St George's Cross and Union flags appearing on lampposts across the country.A Reform UK spokesman said the council policy on flags was meant as a…

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Ricky Gervais donates £2.5m to animal charities

Ricky Gervais donates £2.5m to animal charities

Comedian Ricky Gervais has donated almost £2.5m to a group of animal charities from the proceeds from his recent stand-up tour.The 22 charities to benefit include two from Kent - Flori's Friends Animal Rescue in Chartham Hatch and Retreat Animal Rescue in High Halden - and one in West Sussex - Safe Haven for Donkeys in Haywards Heath. The 64-year-old said the donations were "to celebrate the spirit of Christmas". The Office and Extras star posted on Facebook:…

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Man from Cornwall jailed after drilling rig load killed woman

Man from Cornwall jailed after drilling rig load killed woman

A 35-year-old man has been jailed for five years after a drilling rig fell off a trailer he was towing and landed on a woman's car, killing her.Liam Smith of Roselidden Parc, Helston admitted causing the death of 34-year-old Jessica Allman from Newquay by dangerous driving on the B3297 at Burras in July 2022.Truro Crown Court on Wednesday heard four straps should have been used - Smith had working straps on the trailer and in his vehicle but…

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Fundraising 11-year-old from Dorset becomes youngest MBE

Fundraising 11-year-old from Dorset becomes youngest MBE

Curtis LancasterSouth of EnglandPA MediaCarmela Chillery-Watson has raised thousands of pounds for charityAn 11-year-old fundraiser has become the youngest person to receive an MBE.Carmela Chillery-Watson, from Dorset, has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy - a progressive muscle-wasting condition.She has walked and wheeled hundreds of miles, raising thousands of pounds for Muscular Dystrophy UK and Julia's House Hospice, often dressed in superhero costumes.She met Prince William at Windsor Castle, where she was presented the Member of the Order of the…

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‘Extreme worry’ over cuts to Devon homelessness funding

‘Extreme worry’ over cuts to Devon homelessness funding

PA MediaDevon County Council will halve its contribution to a homelessness prevention fundA charity is warning homelessness and rough sleeping is likely to reach the highest levels this winter.St Petrock's blamed two main factors - a decision by Devon County Council to "end its support for homeless prevention and support services" and "excessive delays" in the release of the government's strategy for tackling the issue.Peter Stephenson, chief executive of St Petrock's, said of the county council's decision: "We…

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New Year’s Eve party – Exeter Observer

New Year’s Eve party – Exeter Observer

New Year’s Eve party - Exeter ObserverDemocracy doesn't work when people don't know  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADARA movie-themed celebration to mark the tenth anniversary of independent cinema Studio 74 while welcoming in 2026.Leigh CurtisExeter Phoenix is holding a cinematic New Year’s Eve party with live music, themed bars and DJs on Wednesday 31 December.The party will take a trip to the movies to mark the tenth anniversary of Exeter Phoenix’s…

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Girl, 12, sexually assaulted by man in Weston-super-Mare park

Girl, 12, sexually assaulted by man in Weston-super-Mare park

Avon and Somerset PolicePolice want to speak to the man dressed in black after the assault, as well as the driver of the car which passed him in Kenn Close, Weston-super-MareA 12-year-old girl has been sexually assaulted in a park, sparking a police CCTV appeal.The girl was in Byron Recreation Park in Weston-super-Mare when a man approached her, touched her waist and kissed her at about 21:20 GMT on Saturday, Avon and Somerset Police said. She ran away…

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Exeter councillor defects from Conservatives to Reform

Exeter councillor defects from Conservatives to Reform

A councillor on Exeter City Council has quit the Conservatives and joined Reform UK.Alison Sheridan said she wanted to see "clear decisive action on a host of major issues".Sheridan will be the second Reform councillor on the city council which is currently run by Labour.Elections for a third of the seats on Exeter City Council are due to take place in May 2026.Sheridan, who represents St Loyes, said: "I am joining Reform UK as we need clear decisive…

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Fact-checking Trump’s Pennsylvania speech and his Politico interview | Donald Trump News

United States President Donald Trump spoke to US news outlet Politico in an interview at the White House on Monday, during which he made several strong claims about the state of the economy, the threat he claims is posed by drug gangs in Venezuela, and his popularity among Black Americans.Then, a day later, Trump spoke about immigration and affordability at a rally-style speech, which lasted for 90 minutes in Pennsylvania, during which he launched a scathing attack on…

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Cocker Spaniel home after suspected theft from west Dorset

Cocker Spaniel home after suspected theft from west Dorset

A red cocker spaniel that disappeared from a kennel outside a home in a village is now back with its owner.Gerry went missing from Hilfield, between Dorchester and Sherborne, Dorset, on Monday between 11:30 and 12:30 GMT sparking a police and social media appeal.Dorset Police said Gerry was found safe and well near Cerne Abbas about 5km (3 miles) away from his home earlier. The forced added inquiries were ongoing into the suspected theft.Gerry's owner Jackie Gibbs thanked…

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Exeter renews collaboration agreement with Arab-American University Palestine

Research and education links between Exeter and a university in Palestine will continue, thanks to the signing of a renewed collaboration agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Exeter and the Arab-American University in Palestine (AAUP)that underpins the collaborative “Stories of Hope” translational genomic research programme was first signed in 2019. It recognises a commitment by both parties to reduce the genomic healthcare inequalities faced by Palestinian families affected by rare genetic conditions, some of…

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Extra £81m to boost walking and cycling routes

Extra £81m to boost walking and cycling routes

An extra £81m is being invested to improve walking, cycling and wheeling routes across the south-west of England.Managed by the government's Active Travel, the money will be divided across local authorities depending on the councils' capability rating, which measures how well they can organise, plan and deliver travel schemes.Chris Boardman, commissioner at Active Travel, said the funding is not just about building infrastructure, but also aims to create communities where parents feel confident letting children travel independently.He added:…

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