Other News In Brief

RSA Announces 1,200 Job Cuts

Insurance company Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) has announced it will be axing over one thousand jobs. The firm said the 1,200 cuts will be made by the middle of next year, and are aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing cuts. RSA also said it is hoping to save £70m in the UK – mostly with job cuts. Unite's regional officer Martin McKeown, however, said the union was "disappointed" with the news. "We have been involved in consultation with the company and both parties remain committed to mitigating the consequences of this decision," he said. "Our immediate priority is to communicate with our representatives and members. We will oppose any compulsory redundancies."

Man Dead After Motorway 'Stabbing'

A man has died after an incident on the M6 in Birmingham. West Midlands Police said officers were called to reports of men receiving stab wounds between junctions 6 and 7 northbound. "Initial indications" suggest the men's injuries were sustained during an earlier incident in Coleshill, Warwickshire, a police spokesman said. Two men are said to be in a serious condition. Junction 7 northbound at Great Barr is expected to be closed until midday.

Elderly Man Dies In Car Crash

An elderly man has died after his car crashed into barriers on the A470 between the Taffs Well and Nantgarw interchange in south Wales. The man, in his eighties, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff by ambulance but subsequently died. Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened on the northbound carriageway of the A470 on Wednesday at 2200 GMT. Anyone with information should contact 029 2022 2777 extension 42331.

Teenage Girl Arrested Over Murder

A teenage girl and a man have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old in north-west London. Kul Hawadleh, of Kingsbury, north-west London, died after being stabbed at a petrol station in Wealdstone, last Thursday evening. In the incident, another 19-year-old suffered stab wounds to his chest. A man in his early 20s was held on suspicion of murder and a girl, believed to be 17, on suspicion of assisting an offender. Mr Hawadleh's friend who was also stabbed is recovering in hospital and is in a stable condition. Two men, aged 20 and 22, also arrested in connection with the stabbing, have been released on police bail.

Latest UK Armed Forces Manning Figures Released

Figures showing that the UK Armed Forces are currently at 97.2 per cent of their full time trained strength requirement have been released today by the MOD. This is up from 96.8 per cent last quarter and shows a continued upward trend in both recruitment and retention. The statistics show that the number of people leaving the trained strength of the Armed Forces in the 12 months to 31 December 2008 has fallen by 8.3 per cent compared with the same period last year. Overall, the amount of people leaving is at its lowest since the 12 months to 31 March 2005. 21,670 new recruits have joined the Armed Forces in the 12 months to 31 December 2008, an increase of 7.1 per cent (1,440 people) compared to the same period in 2007. The number of people joining the Armed Forces for their initial training is at its highest point since April 1 2003 to 31 March 2004. As at 1 January 2009, the full time trained strength of the UK Armed Forces was 173,930 against a target of 178,960. This comprises 168,330 UK Regular Forces, 2,000 full time reserve service personnel and 3,600 Gurkhas. There were also 2,790 untrained officers and 14,870 other ranks.

Four Arrested After Alley Attack

Four men are being questioned about what police are describing as a 'serious assault' near Pontypridd. A 19-year-old man suffered a severe laceration to his neck after a disturbance in an alleyway at Parc Nantgarw, Treforest. The incident happened just before midnight on 20 February, between the Showcase cinema and bowling centre. The injured man is in a stable condition in hospital. The men arrested range in ages from 20 to 43.

(JM/BMcC)