South West news

• Researchers find millions more insect species

  30-06-2026 14:35 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Scientists estimate at least between 14 and 30 million insect species, not just six million.
  
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• Maddy Cusack's coach her 'nemesis', mum tells inquest

  02-07-2026 19:41 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Cusack would still be alive if the coach of the women's team had not been employed, her mother says.
  
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• Boys who raped teen girls given custodial sentences at Court of Appeal

  02-07-2026 19:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Two teenage boys convicted of rape had initially been given non-custodial sentences.
  
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• Silverstone completely different with new cars - Hamilton

  02-07-2026 19:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton says Silverstone will be "a completely different circuit" with this year's new cars.
  
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• Zoo describes horror when boy attacked by crocodile

  02-07-2026 17:40 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Johnsons, who own the site, say staff responded to the incident "within minutes".
  
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• Dolphin found dead on bank of River Thames

  02-07-2026 17:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The mammal, which was spotted on the foreshore at Mortlake in Richmond, is being recovered.
  
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• Woman tells jury of rape and suffocation

  02-07-2026 17:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Simon Levy denies raping the woman in the months before he allegedly murdered two others.
  
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• Taxi driver who fled Southport attack has licence stripped

  02-07-2026 17:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Gary Poland did not call 999 for 50 minutes after hearing the screams of children fleeing the attack.
  
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• Group accused of £400 dine and dash at restaurant

  02-07-2026 16:48 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The group left without paying after complaining the lobster tasted "earthy", the restaurant says.
  
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• Woman arrested in connection with missing teen

  02-07-2026 16:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Devon and Cornwall Police say a woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
  
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• Children 'violently ill' after swimming in river

  02-07-2026 15:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  More than a dozen people are hit with vomiting and diarrhoea after swimming at Farleigh Hungerford.
  
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• Animal ban for man filmed throwing dog over gate

  02-07-2026 15:55 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The terrier called Boomer, who was also malnourished, has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.
  
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• Furbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years

  02-07-2026 15:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
  
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• From Benidorm bar to Azteca - one fan's gamble

  02-07-2026 14:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Ashley Price from Walsall will cheer on the Lions from the Azteca stadium on Sunday.
  
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• Donated first edition of The Hobbit sells for £38k

  02-07-2026 14:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Oxfam staff say the first edition came in alongside a collection of "otherwise unremarkable" books.
  
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• Boy, 15, arrested over rape at railway station

  02-07-2026 13:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A boy, 15, has been arrested and has since been released on conditional bail, police say.
  
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• England were 15 minutes from humiliation - the issues Tuchel must solve

  02-07-2026 12:37 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Before England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty looks at the issues that remain for Thomas Tuchel.
  
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• Press-up buff, 98, tries his hand at yoga

  02-07-2026 12:02 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The 98-year-old from Suffolk recently defeated BBC Radio Suffolk's much younger reporter in a press-up contest.
  
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• The heatwave of 1976 - and how we have adapted since

  02-07-2026 07:13 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Climate scientists are warning that heatwaves like the one in 1976 will become more common.
  
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• 'Being called heroes after rescuing family from fire is a bit odd'

  02-07-2026 07:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Mohsin Qayyum and Mohammed Yusuf Iqbal were driving past house in Leeds when they spotted the fire.
  
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• Woman given Met payout regrets reporting officer

  02-07-2026 07:10 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A woman who received a payout from the Met Police says reporting a predatory officer was distressing.
  
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• The prisoners who save lives by listening

  02-07-2026 07:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Prisoners volunteering for the Samaritans provide life-saving support to their fellow inmates.
  
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• Railway station cat to get memorial bronze statue

  01-07-2026 16:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A sculpture of Nala will stand at the station she used to visit after councillors approve plans.
  
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• Salvin leaves Exeter for Wales forwards coach job

  01-07-2026 12:34 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Wales boost backroom team before WXV by bringing in forwards coach Steve Salvin on a full-time basis.
  
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• A Devon teenager has been selected to attend the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers

  01-07-2026 11:21 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Beekeeper Harry is seventeen and from Clyst Hydon
  
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• New US owners can make Chiefs 'best club in the world'

  01-07-2026 11:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe says new American investors will maximise the salary cap and invest in women's game.
  
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• Coastguard officers worried pay cut will hit rescues

  01-07-2026 07:40 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Coastguards are set to lose a payment for attending rescues and training after a court judgment.
  
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• Man powered by swell rides waves for 250 miles

  01-07-2026 07:16 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Guy Bridge made his way from Devon to Kent over three days on a hydrofoil board.
  
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• Mother and daughter died from collision - inquest

  30-06-2026 19:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  An inquest into the deaths of Destiny, 24, and five-year-old Linnea Harrison has concluded.
  
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• Exeter City sign striker Gordon on one-year deal

  30-06-2026 19:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Exeter City sign striker Josh Gordon on a free transfer following his departure from Walsall.
  
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