28/01/2009

Other News In Brief

Man Dies After Police Operation

A man who was at the centre of a police operation when he threatened to harm himself at a house has died. Officers were called to the property in Fleur De Lys near Blackwood, Caerphilly county, following reports the occupier was armed with a knife. When they arrived at 1am on Tuesday, they found a 41-year-old man seriously injured. He later died in hospital. Gwent Police have referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). The incident happened in Francis Street in the village.

Three Killed In Crash

Three people have died and a third badly injured in a two-vehicle crash on a road between Spofforth, North Yorkshire and Wetherby, West Yorkshire. A Citroen Saxo carrying five people was in collision with a Skoda on the A661 Harrogate Road on Tuesday evening. The driver and front seat passenger of the Saxo died at the scene. The driver of the Skoda was also killed. One other person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries, police have confirmed.

HP Announces Job Cuts

A computer manufacturer has announced it is to cut 153 posts from its Erskine campus in Renfrewshire. Hewlett-Packard (HP) said 150 agency jobs - supplied by Manpower, DHL and ISS - would be lost when the manufacturing night shift stopped on 27 February. Another three HP jobs will also be axed as part of the shake-up. The firm said the cutback was necessary to ensure it remained competitive. HP also stressed that it remained committed to its presence in Scotland.

New Chair For Human Genetics Commission

Health and Science Ministers today announced the appointment of a new Chair and five new members to the Human Genetics Commission (HGC). Professor Jonathan Montgomery, professor of Health Care Law at the University of Southampton and Chair of Hampshire Primary Care Trust has been announced as the Chair of the independent advisory body on developments in human genetics and their impacts on individuals and society. The Human Genetics Commission's members include experts in clinical and research genetics, consumer affairs, ethics, law, industry and those with experience in genetic conditions. Established in 1999, the Commission reports to Health and Science Ministers and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A key role of the HGC is to promote public debate.

Ministers Go Digital

Government ministers are going online to directly interact with university students on the issues that are of most importance to them Tony Young, Minister for Students revealed today. Presenting the Government's response to the National Student Forum (NSF) report, Lord Young and Ministers from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills will look to develop more innovative and immediate ways of listening and talking to students. Measures will include developing online discussions and a blog which will allow students to keep up with what students are saying when Ministers visit campuses across the country, as well as linking to the issues being discussed at the National Student Forum.

(JM/BMcC)

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