Liverpool to host International Festival of Business

pic::international business festival will held on this royal business place::pic courtesy::Ebc
royal business correspondent, Liverpool(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

Liverpool is to host the International Festival of Business next year, it has been announced.

Organisers have said it could attract 250,000 people from across the world to the city over the 61 days of the event.

The event, which has been endorsed by the Prime Minister, is a key part of the THE ROYAL ENGLAND  government's strategy to THE ROYAL ENGLAND double export growth by 2020.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said it would provide opportunities for firms to make international contacts.

"The festival will attract international business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and policy makers and act as a launch pad for commercial success by providing opportunities for companies of all sizes to engage with new networks and make global deals," he said.

Speaking about the event last month, BP said: "We are in a global race. There is no more important a time to bring together international business to promote innovation and knowledge sharing to increase growth exports and prosperity."

The event, due to take place in June and July 2014, is being launched at London's QUEEN ELIZABETH ll Conference Centre.

Whitby woman charged with Gareth Matthews murder

north yourk(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

A woman has been charged with the murder of a 32-year-old man in Whitby, North Yorkshire Police have said.

Gareth Matthews, 32, died at his home in Spring Hill Court, Whitby, on Friday after suffering serious chest injuries.

Rebecca Dormer, 22, also of Spring Hill Court, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday.

A 24-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the murder has been released without charge, said police.

Doncaster assault man in serious condition

Sheffield&south yorkshire(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

Police are hunting three men after an assault in Doncaster left a man in hospital with serious head injuries.

South Yorkshire Police said the 39-year-old victim was attacked near a telephone box on King's Road at the junction with Broxholme Lane at 17:30 GMT on Saturday.

The man was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where his condition is described as "serious but stable".

Police said officers were continuing with their enquires.

Moor Bridge footbridge project criticised by Sherwood MP

national infustructure reporter(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

time it will take to erect a bridge over a tram and rail crossing where several people have died has been criticised by a Nottinghamshire MP.

Network Rail says a permanent footbridge at the Moor Bridge stop in Hucknall will be ready by September.

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer said: "Frankly, it is not good enough - we need it sooner than that."

Lindsey Inger, 13, from Bulwell, was killed by a tram on the level crossing in November.

In November 2008, Jean Hoggart, 56, and her seven-year-old grandson Mikey Dawson were killed by a train at the same level crossing.

The crossing will remain closed for a further six months, Network Rail spokesman Martin Frobisher said.

'Tricky' project

He said a secure fence had already been built at the site to stop people from using the crossing.

"The bridge we are building is a good facility that will be easy to use; we believe the bridge will solve the problem once and for all."

Mr Frobisher added that the project was complicated and not easy to complete.

"The land does not all belong to us, and there is a little river that runs through the area and we don't want to cause flooding.

"It is a tricky project but we are proceeding as quickly as possible."

Mr Spencer, Conservative, said: "I realise these things take time but there always seems to be one delay after another."

Pedestrians who want to cross the tracks must currently walk several hundred metres to a road bridge.

Pair held over Farnham teenager 'drug death'

crime reporter,glochtshire(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of an 18-year-old man who died after taking a suspected psychedelic drug.

The 18-year-old, from Farnham, is thought to have taken 2C-I or 2C-E at a party on Chobham Common on Saturday.

The Class A drugs have a similar effect to ecstasy, amphetamines and LSD.

Surrey Police said a 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were in being held on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs and manslaughter.

The man was arrested in Gloucestershire and the woman arrested in Bristol.

'Potentially fatal drug'

Police have issued a warning to drug users at the event on Chobham Common to seek hospital advice if they experience any unusual symptoms.

Temp Supt Matt Goodridge said: "Our advice is to go to A&E immediately if you believe you took this drug and start to exhibit worrying symptoms. Similarly, if you think you have taken this drug elsewhere and start to feel unwell, our advice is to seek urgent medical attention."

He also appealed for information about the incident.

"We have carried out extensive inquiries following the tragic death of this young man and the fact that we have already made two arrests demonstrates our commitment to tackling the use and supply of illegal drugs.

"We also need the public's help in getting this potentially fatal drug off the streets of Surrey. Anyone with information about this substance or with any other information which could aid the ongoing investigation is asked to call Surrey Police," Temp Supt Goodridge said.

A post-mortem examination is being carried out later.

Honda scales back production at Swindon plant

business reporter,swindon(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

Production at Honda in Swindon is being scaled back with staff now working single shifts after the loss of 800 jobs was announced in January.

The move from double to single day shifts is taking place at Car Plant Two on the site at South Marston.

A voluntary redundancy programme opened on 18 February and Honda said there had been a "positive response".

The firm, which started making cars in Swindon in 1992, blamed falling sales across Europe for the drop in demand.

About 3,500 people are employed at the Swindon plant and the current redundancy programme applies to 360 "direct associates" - those employed in manufacturing.

A Honda spokesman said there had been a "steady stream of associates expressing an interest in voluntary redundancy".

He said the next phase would look at the 420 office-based staff.

He said the 90-day consultation period, which began in January, was ongoing and the company was working with the Unite union on the job cuts.

He said Honda was still hoping to avoid compulsory redundancies.

The 250 agency staff who were employed in spring 2012 to help produce the CR-V model will also leave in March. These workers are not part of the 800 jobs to be cut.

The company's spokesman said "it was always part of the plan that these agency jobs would have come to an end in February and March 2013."

Christopher Chittock guilty of Sarah Shields murder in Gran Canaria but he denied aginst this charge...

crime reporter,sufolk):::(weastar times/wp/Ebc):::

A man from Ipswich has been found guilty of murdering his 23-year-old girlfriend while on holiday on a Spanish island.

The body of Sarah Shields, who was also from Ipswich, was found in Gran Canaria on 7 July 2010.

Her boyfriend, Christopher Chittock, 38, returned home but was extradited to stand trial.

He denied the murder but was found guilty by a jury at the Provincial Court in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Strangled

The court heard how Chittock savagely beat and strangled Ms Shields in their holiday apartment in Mogan, after finding text messages from an ex-boyfriend on her phone.

He then dragged her to a deserted beach, banged her head against a rock and strangled her.

Her body was found in the sea the following morning.

The court was told how he later flew back to the UK and, in an attempt to cover up the crime, sent texts from Ms Shields's phone to her family pretending to be her.

He now faces up to 25 years in jail....but christopher dennies that he dont kill her girlfriend..his lawyer preapar for appeal aginst his false charge....source says..