news

People rescued from flooding in the South West as Storm Bram hits

People rescued from flooding in the South West as Storm Bram hits

Richard BrassettA resident said lots of cars were underwater in Lostwithiel, CornwallTwo people have been rescued from floodwater as heavy rain and strong winds brought by Storm Bram have impacted travel across Devon and Cornwall. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said two people were "safe and well" after being rescued from the roof of their car after it got stuck in floodwater at about 06:45 in Teigngrace, Devon.Fire services have been dealing with other weather-related incidents,…

Continue ReadingPeople rescued from flooding in the South West as Storm Bram hits

Royal Cornwall Hospital staff’s sick days exposed in data leak

Royal Cornwall Hospital staff’s sick days exposed in data leak

PA MediaRoyal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said it had written to 8,100 current and former employeesPersonal details of thousands of current and former staff working for a hospital trust have been exposed in a data breach.Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust said it had written to 8,100 current and former employees after an editable spreadsheet containing staffing data was "inadvertently disclosed" as part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.The names and job titles of staff together with descriptions…

Continue ReadingRoyal Cornwall Hospital staff’s sick days exposed in data leak

Why is Australia banning social media for teenagers? | Social Media News

Australia will introduce the world’s first outright ban on social media for under-16s on Wednesday.The move marks the first time a country has imposed a blanket age-based ban on social media platforms of this scale, raising questions over how it will work and whether it will protect young people.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listWhat ban is Australia introducing?From December 10, children below 16 years of age will be barred from opening or using accounts on popular…

Continue ReadingWhy is Australia banning social media for teenagers? | Social Media News

Users of cashless toll system on Tamar Bridge face rise in fees

Users of cashless toll system on Tamar Bridge face rise in fees

Alison StephensonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceBBCCampaigners said the increase in administration charges would hurt those reliant on the crossingA committee has approved a 150% hike in the monthly charge paid by electronic tag holders, using a cashless account to cross the River Tamar.Members of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee voted to increase the standing charge for having a TamarTag account from 80p a month to £2, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.The Tamar Toll Action Group…

Continue ReadingUsers of cashless toll system on Tamar Bridge face rise in fees

Special needs school in Street will expand in 2026

Special needs school in Street will expand in 2026

A school that supports children with complex emotional and mental health needs is set to expand.Inaura School has been operating one of its four Somerset sites at Leigh Road in Street since 2023.Somerset Council has now approved plans for the school to extend into a neighbouring building on Leigh Road, creating places for four additional pupils. The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2026.A school spokesperson said: "We are proud to have found this additional building…

Continue ReadingSpecial needs school in Street will expand in 2026

Police searching for dog after suspected theft in west Dorset

Police searching for dog after suspected theft in west Dorset

Police are searching for a dog they suspect was stolen from a kennel outside a village home.Dorset Police received reports that Gerry, a red cocker spaniel, disappeared from outside a residential address in Hilfield, west Dorset, between 11:30 and 12:30 GMT on Monday.PC Chandler Organ, of the force's rural crime team, said "We are carrying out enquiries into Gerry's disappearance, which we are currently treating as a theft."Officers have appealed for anyone with relevant information or video footage…

Continue ReadingPolice searching for dog after suspected theft in west Dorset

Drivers rescued as Storm Bram leads to flooding and fallen trees

Drivers rescued as Storm Bram leads to flooding and fallen trees

Ros TappendenSouth of EnglandHampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue ServiceA member of the public rescued a driver after their car was swept downstreamA driver has been pulled from their submerged car after being swept 50m (164ft) downstream from a flooded ford following Storm Bram.A member of the public came to the driver's rescue at Moyles Court Ford, north of Ringwood, Hampshire, at about 08:00 GMT.Four people were also pulled from their vehicles in Thornford, north Dorset,…

Continue ReadingDrivers rescued as Storm Bram leads to flooding and fallen trees

Hundreds of studios and student flats approved in Exeter

Hundreds of studios and student flats approved in Exeter

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMore than 800 studios and student flats will be built on the old Heavitree Road police station and magistrates' court sitePlans to build more than 800 studios and student flats at a "gateway site" on the edge of a city centre have been approved.A total of 399 student flats and 414 co-living studios will be constructed in buildings up to six storeys high on the site of the old police station and magistrates' court on…

Continue ReadingHundreds of studios and student flats approved in Exeter

Death roll rises as renewed hostilities flare along Thai-Cambodia border | Conflict News

Both sides have decided to continue the fighting, as the Thai navy launches an operation to expel Cambodian troops.Thailand and Cambodia have traded blame for renewed clashes along their disputed border and pledged to continue the fighting, as the death toll climbs in the latest outbreak of hostilities between the neighbours.Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said on Tuesday nine civilians had been killed and 20 injured since Monday, while the Thai military said two more deaths meant that…

Continue ReadingDeath roll rises as renewed hostilities flare along Thai-Cambodia border | Conflict News

Flood and travel warnings for South West as Storm Bram arrives

Flood and travel warnings for South West as Storm Bram arrives

Flood and travel warnings have been issued amid heavy rain and strong winds caused by Storm Bram.The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across Devon and Cornwall, including the Plymouth Sound, River Dart and the south Cornwall coast. Great Western Railway has also urged customers to check their journey and to consider making alternative arrangements as it expects flooding to "significantly affect" its services on Tuesday. BBC South West broadcast meteorologist Bee Tucker said the effects of Storm…

Continue ReadingFlood and travel warnings for South West as Storm Bram arrives

‘Chaotic’ Glastonbury Red Brick factory project given more funds

‘Chaotic’ Glastonbury Red Brick factory project given more funds

Daniel Mumby,Local Democracy Reporting Service,Michelle RuminskiandRuth Bradley,Somerset politics reportersBBC NewsThe current state of the Life Factory building on Morland Road in Glastonbury after worked stopped in January 2024A £2.89m government-funded renovation project continued to receive payments months after the local authority overseeing the cash had put it on hold, according to financial experts.Somerset Council officially 'paused' funding for the Life Factory project in Glastonbury in January 2024 amid serious concerns about its management.Auditors have now revealed payments totalling…

Continue Reading‘Chaotic’ Glastonbury Red Brick factory project given more funds