Other News In Brief

Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed

Five more swine flu cases have been confirmed in the UK, bringing the total number to 39. Four children are said to be included in the new cases. A department of Health spokesman said all cases were associated with a school in south east London. The spokesman added: "As a precautionary measure, and to contain the spread of the virus, the school is closed and all children and staff are on antivirals."

Teen Found Dead In Stairwell

An 18-year-old male has been found stabbed to death in a stairwell of a block of flats in east London. He was discovered in Shearwater Court, Abinger Grove, Deptford at around noon on Thursday. Two men, aged 18 and 20, have been arrested over the murder and are being held in custody at a south London police station.

Carphone Warehouse To Buy Tiscali UK

Carphone Warehouse has announced it is to buy the UK assets of Italian internet service provider Tiscali in a £236m deal which will create the UK’s largest home broadband provider with 4.25m subscribers. Carphone Warehouse currently provides broadband services under its TalkTalk brand and also owns AOL UK. Carphone chief executive Charles Dunstone said that the company would eventually just have a single brand. Completion of the deal will give TalkTalk more than 25% of the residential broadband market.

Mandelson Meets Scottish Business Leaders

Business Secretary Peter Mandelson will today meet with Scottish business leaders in Edinburgh to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Scottish economy, and to introduce his vision for building Britain's future. Lord Mandelson is expected to say: "The global economy is set to double in size as it emerges from the current downturn, creating major business opportunities for British business. Our ambition is for a British economy that can compete among the best in the new hi-tech, low carbon economy of the future. Last month the Government launched its vision for a new activism, setting out the key areas where Government action can have most impact, from low carbon to digital industries, life sciences to advanced manufacturing. Speaking to business leaders today underlines the strengths that will help Scotland's economy thrive in the future.”

Elderly Man Attacked

A 65-year-old man was the victim of a "cowardly" attack by three youths in Elgin, police have revealed. The victim was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked on Lossiemouth Road, before being taken hospital with suspected head, neck and leg injuries. Thursday night's culprits were two males and a female aged about 17. Grampian Pc Fiona Robertson said: "This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on an elderly gentleman who was just walking home minding his own business."

Man Charged With Robbery

A 24-year-old man has been charged with armed robbery and drugs offences after a raid on Briton Ferry Post Office near Neath on Wednesday. Police said the suspect was due to appear before magistrates later. A 28-year-old man also held on suspicion of armed robbery remains in custody at Neath Police Station. Police said their investigation into the alleged robbery on Neath Road in which sub postmaster Andrew Ball sustained facial injuries was ongoing.

(JM/BMcc)