Other News In Brief

Appeal For Witnesses In Murder Case

Police are appealing for key witnesses in the investigation into the murder of Jason Johnson to contact the incident room. Detectives were called by London Ambulance Service at about 8.50pm on 21 November 2008 after reports of a man shot in an alleyway off Cavendish Ave, W13. Jason Johnson, aged 24 of Cheyne Path, Acton W7 was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Hit-And-Run Boy Named

A boy killed in a hit-and-run incident has been identified as Michael Richard McDonagh. The 11-year-old was knocked down and killed while he was on the pedestrian crossing outside Ikea on the North Circular Road in Neasden on Saturday. The boy was then hit by a second car, which stopped nearby the collision. He suffered serious head injuries and died on Sunday. Police said he died from multiple injuries. No arrests have been made in relation to the collision.

New Inverness Tesco Store Approved

Plans for another Tesco store in Inverness has been approved by city councillors. The store, which would be the fourth in the city, has faced local opposition. A previous application for the same site was the subject of a public inquiry last year. It is understood the development, which will be built on a site close to Dores road in the south-west of the city, will include four smaller shop units, a fuel station and community facilities.

Disability Equality

The Government has today highlighted progress towards achieving its ambition of equality for disabled people by 2025 with the publication of a series of reports from 11 Secretaries of State, the Office for Disability Issues' (ODI) annual report and additional research about the Disability Equality Duty. The reports by the 11 Secretaries of State are the first of their kind. They identify progress towards disability equality made by each department and where there are still issues to address. They also show how departments and public bodies will work strategically to introduce mechanisms for change.

Actor Supports Armed Forces Christmas Box Campaign

Actor and presenter Ross Kemp added his support to the charity uk4u Thanks! Christmas Box campaign today, arriving at the launch at HMS President on the river Thames in a military boat. The charity is sending 24,500 boxes full of presents to all Armed Forces personnel serving abroad over Christmas. Ross met with Service personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force who were serving over Christmas last year, and some who have recently returned from operations. Speaking at the launch Ross Kemp said: "My time spent in Afghanistan has given me a great insight into what life is like for the men and women of our Armed Forces. I know how much it will mean to them to receive these boxes, and the message of support and thanks from the public that comes with them."

Trade Show Generates £7m Of Business

More than £7million worth of business deals is projected to occur between UK and international companies, following UK Trade & Investment's TechnologyWorld08 in Coventry. In its fourth year, the event was attended by a record 600 delegates from over 400 companies across 36 countries. The participants ranged from early stage businesses with interesting, forward thinking technologies to established global players such as Orange, BT Media & Broadcast, Panasonic, Ericsson, Nokia, Ricoh, Hitachi and Samsung SDS. They included 21 companies from the South West. During the two day event (17 to 18 November), a staggering 1,300 plus one-to-one meetings were held between UK and overseas companies to identify and build new business and partnership opportunities.

(JM)