Dawn Sturgess inquiry and train strike planned

BBCIt's a busy week of news coming up in the West of England. We take a look at what you can expect to read about on the BBC News website in the next seven days.Airport meetingTuesday: A public meeting is being held over plans for Bristol Airport to extend its runway - meaning it would take over a part of nearby Felton Common.The airport wants a longer runway to accommodate long-haul flights.Airport bosses say they realise how important…

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‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

BBCA consultation from Devon County Council to consider the future usage of libraries is set to run until 22 FebruaryThere are no plans to close libraries as "mounting financial pressures" are dealt with, council bosses have said.Devon County Council (DCC) has launched a consultation asking for views about the future of the 50 libraries run on its behalf by the Libraries Unlimited charity.Proposals include reducing and standardising opening hours, using technology to allow registered users to enter sites…

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Cornwall Council sets provisional date to fell lime trees

BBCProtests have previously disrupted work to remove the lime treesThree mature lime trees are due to be cut down despite community objections, a council has said.Cornwall Council said work to remove the trees on Trelawney Road in Falmouth would provisionally begin on 8 December after previous attempts to cut down the trees were delayed by protests.The authority said it was "legally required" to remove the trees and it would replace them with four new ones.Campaigners from Stop the…

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‘Staggering’ numbers of people sleeping rough in Cornwall

Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCA homeless charity in Cornwall has said the number of people accessing its services is the highest it has ever seenA homeless charity has said the number of people accessing its services is the highest it has ever been.St Petrocs said it had supported 153 people who were sleeping on Cornwall's streets in October - a 35% increase on the same month in 2024.The charity has launched its winter campaign early…

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Headteachers welcome move to teach financial literacy in schools

Tristan PascoeDorset political reporterBBCChildren at Queen's Park Academy School in Bournemouth already learn about personal financeAll primary and secondary school pupils in the south are set to be taught about financial matters under changes to the national curriculum.Children will have lessons in budgets, money management, mortgages and compound interest.The new curriculum is expected to be ready in 2028.Some teachers have warned that the changes will require training and support for staff before being implemented.But one headteacher told BBC…

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Designer homes plan published for fire-hit Parnham estate

Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandParnham EstateParnham House was largely destroyed by a fire in 2017A designer housing estate with its own natural outdoor swimming pool and padel court could be built to fund repairs to a fire-hit stately home.Dorset Council has published a planning application for Grade I listed Parnham House, near Beaminster, Dorset, which was gutted in a suspected arson attack in 2017.Former rave promoter James Perkins, who bought the property in 2020, wants to build 82 "quality"…

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Hundreds dress as elves in Weymouth world record attempt

Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandBBCA glitter of Christmas elves appeared in Weymouth for the world record attemptHundreds of people took to the streets with pointy ears, wearing red and green, in an attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as elves.The entourage of elves paraded through Weymouth on Saturday, as they tried to beat Thailand, the current holders of the festive title.Some travelled from as far as Wales, Winchester and Yeovil to show…

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Venezuela calls on OPEC to counter US threats | Oil and Gas News

Maduro asks oil-producing bloc to help protect Venezuela’s oil reserves from US ‘aggression’.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to help his country counter “growing and illegal threats” from the United States and its president, Donald Trump.In a letter to fellow members of the bloc of major oil-producing countries on Sunday, Maduro accused the US of trying to “seize” Venezuela’s oil reserves, the world’s largest.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend…

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‘If we wait, it will be too late’: Hundreds of scientists sign urgent climate declaration

In the wake of the COP30 climate change conference, more than 500 scientists have signed an urgent declaration, stating: “The planet’s future hangs in the balance.” COP30 ended with almost every country in the world signing an agreement called the “Global Mutirão” (meaning “collective efforts”) – but the final text does not mention fossil fuels, and contains no “roadmaps” to end fossil fuel burning and deforestation. The Dartington Declaration – co-ordinated by the Global Tipping Points Report team…

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Top global arms producers’ revenues surge as major wars rage: SIPRI report | Weapons News

Revenues from sales of weapons and military services by the 100 largest global arms-producing companies reached a record $679bn in 2024, according to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).The Gaza and Ukraine wars, as well as global and regional geopolitical tensions and ever-higher military expenditures, increased revenues generated by the companies from sales of military goods and services to customers domestic and abroad by 5.9 percent compared to the year before, the organisation…

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HMS Richmond welcomed home to Plymouth after eight months

BBCThe Royal Navy frigate is crewed by 200 men and womenHundreds of relatives and friends of HMS Richmond's crew welcomed them home on Sunday following an eight-month mission. The Royal Navy said that the Plymouth-based frigate and its 200-strong ship's company, including sailors, aviators, and Royal Marine Commandos, had played an integral role in its premier deployment of 2025, Operation Highmast.HMS Richmond visited South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and India during its mission, in addition to taking part…

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Merino strikes to earn Arsenal bruising 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea | Football News

Mikel Merino has rescued Arsenal as the English Premier League leaders battled to a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea in a bad-tempered London derby.Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off for a crude foul on Merino late in the first half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listDespite Caicedo’s dismissal, Trevoh Chalobah headed hosts Chelsea into a second-half lead. But Merino’s second-half leveller ensured Arsenal emerged with a point from a bruising encounter…

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