UK News

Devon father one step closer to completing world-first swim to raise awareness of son’s brain condition

A father from North Devon is set to complete the final six lakes in his bid to become the first person to swim Switzerland’s ten largest lakes after his young son was diagnosed with a rare brain-attacking condition PANDAS, that caused sudden onset aggression, OCD and tics overnight.

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Genetic mutations can cause obesity, say Cambridge University researchers

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a novel genetic cause of severe obesity which, although relatively rare, demonstrates for the first time that genes can reduce basal metabolic rate - how the body burns calories.

Previous studies (performed by David Powell and colleagues at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals in Texas) demonstrated that when the gene KSR2 (Kinase...

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University of Cambridge

David Powell

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals

texas

M5 closed between Burnham and Bridgwater following collisions

Update 2.30pm: On the M5 southbound in Somerset there are currently long delays between junctions J21 and J23 due to an earlier incident. All lanes are now open.

Lane 3 remains closed northbound for emergency repairs after the incident.

Update 12.30pm: The M5 Southbound carriageway remains closed between J22 and J23 following earlier collisions, causing delays of approximately...

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Somerset and Avon Police

Government announces new 'cost of driving' measures

The Government has announced measures to help motorists to cut the cost of running a car. These include a crackdown on whiplash fraud, a freeze on MOT test prices and a scheme designed to reduce the cost of fuel at motorway service stations, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced today.

Quoting statistics from the AA, the Ministry of Justice said that the average cost of motor...

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Prince George christened in private family ceremony

HRH Prince George, the three-month-old son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and third in line to the throne - has been christened today (Wednesday 23 October) in a private ceremony.

The Archbishop of Canterbury carried out the ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace. The Queen and Prince Philip attended the low key service with other friends and relatives, including...

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A fairer deal? Regulator bans fixed term energy tariff increases

Fixed means fixed – consumers on fixed deals now get price certainty
Automatic roll-overs now banned for householders on fixed deals
Energy suppliers are now subject to Ofgem’s reforms and the next step will see simpler tariffs coming into force at the end of December

The energy industry watchdog Ofgem has announced that from today (Tuesday 22...

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Nearly 30,000 tonnes of food is wasted, says Tesco

The Supermarket giant Tesco has unveiled new food waste figures for its operations and supply chain, alongside statistics that show 68 per cent of bagged salad is wasted and 35 per cent of this waste occurs in the home.

As a first step in reducing this waste, Tesco is today announcing it will end multi-buys on large bags of salad and is developing mix-and-match promotions for smaller...

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Tesco

supermarket

food waste

Fire fighters tackle large blaze at Devon animal market

Fire crews were called to a serious blaze at Hatherleigh Cattle Market in Devon last night which has prompted concern over possible asbestos contamination. The roof of the building used for the regular Monday sheep auction has been severly damaged.

The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received several calls reporting cattle sheds on fire in the early hours of Monday morning (...

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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue

police

Fire Brigades Union calls off Saturday's strike

A second strike called by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) that was due to disrupt services in Plymouth has been called off.

The industrial action had been scheduled for Saturday (19 October) between 6.30pm and 11.30pm, but the Union says this has been postponed due to progress in talks with the Government over pensions.

Further negotiations are due to take place between the FBU...

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Minister highlights "national shame" of the "forgotten million" chronically lonely

Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, has made a speech highlighting what he will describe as the "national shame" of statistics that suggest that more than 800,000 people in the UK are "chronically lonely".

In a speech to the National Children's and Adults Services conference on Friday 18 October, Mr Hunt, whose wife is Chinese, contrasted the "reverence and respect for...

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National Children's and Adults Services conference

Campaign to End Loneliness

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Crime falls in Devon and Cornwall

National Crime is down by the largest ever recorded amount according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.

The period between June 2012 to June 2013 saw the number of recorded crimes against households and resident adults drop by 7% nationally, the largest single drop since the survey began in 1981.

The figures also show a drop of 6% of crime in...

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National Crime figures

Office for National Statistics

ONS

Devon and Cornwall Police