Independent News & Media, which owns newspapers including the Kentish Times and Islington Gazette, is set for a cash injection after shareholders approved a move to launch a rights issue to raise millions of euros and strengthen the group’s balance sheet.
Extra shares will be offered to existing shareholders under the plan.

Staff at the award-winning Kentish Times series in south east London and north Kent have launched a major new campaign to help armed services personnel in Iraq.
The papers ran an appeal for parcels to be delivered to their offices containing goods which troops can’t get in the Gulf. They will be sent on to army personnel along with a stock of Kentish Times newspapers to make soldiers feel at home.

A sponsored walk organised by the Herald Express has raised £400 towards Torbay Hospital’s new Chest Pain Unit.
The newspaper’s appeal aims to raise £500,000 towards the £1.5m overall cost.

The Western Morning News has received a letter from Culture Minister Kim Howells defending the new licensing bill, which many fear could kill off live music by forcing venues to meet stringent new conditions before being granted a performance licence. The WMN has been campaigning against the changes.
But Dr Howells said: “We in Government want the same thing as your readers – legislation that will enable live music to flourish in this country.”

Cheadle Town Council has offered praise to former Post and Times reporters Bob and Lucy Hall on their retirement from the newspaper.
Coun Peter Elkin said: “They are an example of what local journalism is all about.”

The Evening Star in Ipswich has is teaming up with local rail firm Nenta Traintours to run a trip for readers to take a trip to the North-East.
It is the fourth such trip organised by the paper and brings a Class 67 loco to Felixtowe – the first time such a train will have been down the line.

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