Other News In Brief

British Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

A British soldier has been killed by enemy fire in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The soldier from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Atillery, who has not yet been named, was at a Forward Operating Base in the Gereshk area of Helmand Province when he was injured. His next of kin has been informed. Commander Paula Rowe said: "The death of this soldier is another hard blow to everyone at Task Force Helmand. Our loss is nothing though compared to that of his family and friends, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this dreadful time."

Defra Urges Farmers To Vaccinate Livestock

Defra will continue to promote voluntary vaccination against Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV 8), Jane Kennedy announced today. Defra's 2009 Delivery Plan for the vaccination of susceptible animals against BTV 8 has been developed in close partnership with industry stakeholders and continues the voluntary approach adopted this year. There is a supply of 12 million doses of existing vaccine which Defra will make available for use next year, subject to expiry dates. Defra will not be underwriting further supplies of vaccine in 2009 but livestock keepers can purchase any of the three authorised BTV8 vaccines from Intervet, Merial or Fort Dodge. This flexibility provides farmers with a choice as to the best purchase options for their stock.

Police Force Entry After Shop Robbery

Sussex Police had to force entry into a newsagents in Portslade after robbers locked the manager in a store cupboard. A delivery driver calling at the shop in Graham Avenue, Mile Oak, at 6.15am, raised the alert on Monday. The manager told officers two men had approached as he opened up, nd demanded money. An undisclosed amount of cash was removed from the safe. No weapons were used, a spokesman said.

New Images Of Aquatics Centre Released

New images showing the Aquatics Centre starting to take shape have been released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The pictures show that work has started on the supports for the 160m-long, wave-shaped roof of the Centre. Work on the south roof support has been completed and building work has now started on two northern roof supports. The concrete foundations are also being built for the supports of the huge land bridge that will form the roof of the 50m training pool. This bridge will also act as the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park both during and after the Games.ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "Work has surged ahead on the Aquatics Centre since construction started two months earlier than planned this summer."

Maritime And Coastguard Agency Appointment

The Secretary of State for Transport has re-appointed Julian Lee as a non-executive member of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Advisory Board. The appointment will run until October 2011. Mr Lee is a former international tax partner, was joint Managing Director of British & Commonwealth Holdings PLC and is currently chair of Brighton & Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust. As a member of the MCA Advisory Board, Julian Lee's responsibilities include advising Ministers on the strategic direction of the Agency, its corporate and business plans, and its performance against the objectives and targets within those plans. The Advisory board also provides the Agency with advice on how to achieve those objectives and targets.

(JM)