New Arnold Street Hospital opens in Western Brickbridge

The new pride of the Brickian Health Service(BHS), the New Arnold Street Hospital has opened today. With 415 beds, several operating theatres and the latest in rehabilitation and cancer treatment, New Arnold Street is expected to handle the top cancer patients in the country each year. In total, the project cost £15billion, and took 7 years to complete. As well as being a boost to national health, the opening is also a boost to the local economy, as it has created over 200 jobs. Chief Executive of BHS, Sir Richard Darbin said; "This is perhaps the greatest boost the BHS has received in over 10 years, after being 7 years in the planning. All the highest-risk cancer patients from around the country will be admitted here, and we are expecting many to travel from abroad for operations here too. We are working with the government to make this possible. But obviously, we are very pleased with the opening of New Arnold Street Hospital and look forward to how it progresses in the coming months."

Haiti Appeal Reaches £1Billion

The appeal for the Haiti earthquake victims today reached £1Billion in the IOB alone. The charities president, Mr. Aaron Stelletoin said: "We are pleased with how much has been raised in such a short time. We are also eternally grateful to everyone who contributed across the country, your effort will make a huge difference."

BA Systems Unveils New Nuclear Sub

Engineering and military hardware giant BA Systems - Headquartered in Brickbridge - has unveiled plans for its new nuclear submarine, the Aggressor Class. The new Sorbet-reactor powered sub has a dive depth of just under 1 mile, with speeds of up to 27 knots. Average time it will be used for without re-supplying will be 70 days. The Aggressor series is really just a modern update to the 1995 Poseidon Class submarine. Orders of around 80 are expected, with prices starting at £1.8 for a basic level, with personal requirements fitted.

Robin Stooll In Hospital

Pop-star Robin Stooll has been admitted to Brickmouth Marianas Hospital after collapsing at his home. The singer had just returned from the BrickMedia Music Awards last night and was said to have just woken up. His staff phoned emergency services, who rushed him to hospital unconscious. The hospital and his staff were unavaiable for comment. The singer has had no know incidents and is described by his doctor as "an amazing healthy patient, with nothing wrong".

Brickford Council Announces Tennis Plan

Brickford Council today announced plans for the new IOB Tennis Open, to be held in Brickford later this year. This includes building a new 8,500 seater stadium for Centre Court, 2 6,000 seat stadiums for courts 1&2, and then 7 2,000 seater stadiums for courts 3-9. The event will be a 10 day long competition, beginning August 14th. The council hopes this new sporting event will bring more to the city.

Snow Causes Closure Of A2

Overnight, snow caused the closure of the A2 between Brickbridge and Brickchester. Heavy snowfall left some commuters trapped in their cars, unable to get out. Search and Rescue teams say they have pulled 26 people from trapped cars, and are working to rescue 7 more known people. The dual-carriageway is still closed, and police say it is unlikely the road will be open at all today.

Elsewhere, Brickian Rail's local services were disrupted in the north of the island, and East Coast rail services between New Bricklington - Brickbridge Central, and Brickford Parkway - Brickbridge Central were canceled on the routes to London King's Cross. Services between Brickmouth and London King's Cross were affected by only minor delays.

34-Year Old Receives The Death Penalty For Triple Homicide

Mike Tinball, 34, has received the death sentence at the New Bricklington of State Justice. Over a 4 year period, Mr. Tinball raped and killed 3 women in the back of his taxi, before burying their bodies in the graves of war heroes. His crime was only discovered after detectives working on the case of a man murdered 15 years ago exhumed the bodies of 2 men from a cemetery, discovering the body of the then 17-year old Catalina Jones. 2 other victims were then discovered, and fingerprint recognition led detectives to Mr. Tinball. The women had been found to have been violently raped several times each, before having their throats slit, bleeding to death at the roadside before being taken in the boot of his taxi to the graveyard. Judge, Mr. Justice Taylor said "this vile, disgusting and sickening crime is something I cannot compare too, and for this, you deserve the maximum penalty of this justice system". Mr Mark Jones, Ms. Jones' father said "On behalf of the whole family, we are very pleased with the sentence given today. We have not forgotten or forgiven what this twisted man did to our daughter, and it is unlikely we ever will." Mr. Tinball's defense, Mr. Jim Saddis claimed his client should only receive a prison term of maximum 30 years, as "his dyslexia played a crucial role in his decision making, something which was not under his control." The jury however, took no time in issuing the verdict guilty in just 1 hour 13 minutes, voting 7-0 in favor.

Octan Petroleum posts £30m losses

The nation's 3rd largest company, Octan Worldwide Petroleum has posted losses of £30m for 2009. This figure is up on the £4.6billion losses it had for 2008. The news prompted shares in the company to increase by 13% to their current price at 12347p. Mr Ralph Tenors of the financial paper Brick Finance Today said the news was encouraging, and would prompt prices in fuel to decrease. Octan, currently the LEGO world's largest supplier of petroleum and diesel oil which is based in Brickmouth, recently won an exploration contract for Icelandic renewable sources, a deal worth more than £12billion.

Concourse C opens at Brickbridge International

The the newest concourse has opened at Brickbridge International Airport (BIA). 215m long, Concourse C holds 5 new airbridge gates (22-26) and is exclusively for use by the national carrier Brickian Airlines on its European routes. The opening marks a significant step for the airport, under its new scheme to provide easier handling for European destinations. Michael Hawthorns of the airport's operating company, HSE Holdings said; "We feel that this opening has propelled this airport forward as a new European hub. The new concourse offers high-tech facilities, new and exclusive local eateries, trendy duty-free shopping, and best of all, a great experience for passengers. We are looking forward to opening the new renovated cargo facility and the improved air traffic control and air navigation systems, and we are planning for new developments in the not too distant future."

The New Year In Brickbridge

As the new year dawns, new decade even, the future is looking bright for Brickbridge. Emerging well from the recession, Brickbridge has now become home for many of the world's most influential banks, particularly the Sask & Holmes Banking Group, which is now the largest foreign bank and investment group operating in South America. Tourism has never been a particularly great income for the islands, though it is becoming evident that many travelers want to find somewhere new and relatively cheap to go to, and the isles are emerging as that place. Industry has suffered even more, which was very minimal to begin with before the recession, foreign investment being the key to the isles' success. Every minifg is looking forward to the future and what it brings, as the signs show only growth and prosperity.