World News

Charity music auction featuring signed memorabilia from famous names to raise vital funds for the Deaf Academy

Devon’s Deaf Academy is holding a charity auction this November, with members of the public able to bid on some unique musical lots in order to raise funds for the Academy’s move to Exmouth next year.

The online auction has been organised by Rachel Goswell, guitarist and vocalist from 90s shoegaze band Slowdive, whose 9-year-old son Jesse attends the Academy.

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Lizards camouflage themselves by choosing rocks that best match the colour of their backs

New research shows wild Aegean wall lizards found on Greek islands choose to sit on rocks that better match their individual colouring. This improves camouflage and so reduces the risk of being attacked by birds when they sit out in the open, raising the intriguing question of how the lizards know what colour they are.

Chagstock to return in 2016

CHAGSTOCK FESTIVAL organisers have confirmed that the festival will return in 2016! Taking place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd July, Devon’s much-loved, family friendly, not-for-profit event will feature the biggest and most diverse line up in its 10-year history.

The theme for the wildly popular fancy dress day on Saturday will be ‘Legends’.

Plastic debris on a marine turtle nesting beach. Photo: Annette Broderick

Sea turtles face plastic pollution peril

A new global review led by the University of Exeter that set out to investigate the hazards of marine plastic pollution has warned that all seven species of marine turtles can ingest or become entangled in the discarded debris that currently litters the oceans.

The research, which was carried out in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina State University, Duke University Marine Lab and James Cook University, is published in the ICES Journal of Marine

The real 'Paddington' captured on camera

A series of remarkable new camera trap videos set up with the help of Exeter University biologists has revealed some of the first ever footage of a critically endangered bird, the Sira Currasow, and has confirmed the presence of the vulnerable spectacled bear, on which the children’s character Paddington Bear is based, in the Sira Communal Reserve of Peru.

The hidden cameras also captured 30 species of mammals including jaguar, giant anteater, Brazilian tapir and puma.

Nominees gather for the semi-finalists announcement

Venus Awards semi-finalists announced

Excitement is building for this year’s Devon Venus Awards with the announcement of the semi-finalists at a packed awards ceremony in Plymouth.

More than a hundred women attended the event at Plymouth Science Park, which provided complementary canapés and drinks for the nominees. Venus Awards founder Tara Howard was also on hand to congratulate all the nominees and semi-finalists.

The Venus Awards recognise the efforts and talents of local businesswomen and are split into 12 categories covering all aspects of business and personal achievement.

Wendy Yelland, Hospiscare housekeeper with a patient John Wonnacott.

Hospiscare complains to BBC about “grotty” hospice storyline in EastEnders

Exeter’s end of life charity Hospiscare has complained to the BBC about an Eastenders’ storyline criticising a “grotty” hospice.

Hospiscare housekeeper Wendy Yelland, who works at Hospiscare’s hospice in Dryden Road, was appalled after watching the story develop.

“A character in the show was dying and they ran a very negative portrayal of the hospice he was in,” said Wendy. “When he died his daughter complained about her dad dying in a grotty hospice. I was so annoyed by that comment.

Duchess gives birth to a baby girl

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby girl.

The baby was delivered at 8.34am and the Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

A statement from Kensington palace said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.

"The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz.

"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Devon man’s trek for Nepal disaster

From Monday 4th May, Paul Mattin will march 170 miles from his Devon home to the Nepali Embassy in London where he will deliver prayer flags and pay respect for the thousands of lives that have been lost.

Paul Mattin from Woodbury Salterton is a former Royal Marines Officer (Captain) who specialises in leadership and training. He has led numerous expeditions to Everest and is in close contact with friends from a Sherpa family living in the Everest Valley.

Kevin Carr the Devon Man who ran fastest round the world

The Devon man who ran the world

Solo and self-supported ultra marathon runner Kevin Carr has been running for 19 months, back in his home county of Devon having circumnavigated the globe – running between a marathon and a half and two marathons a day.

Today (Thursday 9 April 2015), Kevin will complete the 'Hard Way Round' and arrive back at Haytor on Dartmoor.

Haiti, an aid crisis, five years on

Nearly five years ago, Haiti was struck with a massive 7.0 scale earthquake that killed up to 300,000, and left 1.5 million homeless. Today however, it remains a country riven with problems, despite the promises of the biggest humanitarian mobilization of a generation.