Meridian Technology News

We're building four ships now bigger than the Titanic at the shipyard. I'm not somebody with no money. I've got enough money to build the Titanic ten times over if I wanted. So, there's no need for publicity. I'm trying to avoid the media if I can.

• UK

An Australian billionaire has today insisted his plans to build a replica Titanic are not motivated by money.

Mining magnate Professor Clive Palmer, spoke at a press conference at The Ritz earlier, saying "Money wasn't my primary consideration for this."

He then joked with journalists: "But it looks like, unfortunately, I'll make a lot of money out of it!"

The Queensland businessman's plans have been questioned by critics, who say the Titanic II project will never be a reality and Prof Palmer is simply trying to create headlines.

• UK

An Australian billionaire today insisted his plans to build a replica Titanic are not motivated by money. Mining magnate Professor Clive Palmer, who wants his Titanic II passenger liner to sail from Southampton to New York in three years, rubbished claims that it is a publicity stunt.

• UK

Kent Police have been attacked for using Taser stun-guns on people with mental health problems. It's been revealed that HALF of the 30 people ' tasered' by Kent officers in the last year were mentally ill - an alarming number, say mental health charities. Fred and Sangeeta report.

• Technology
• Kent
• Taser stun guns

Gamers will be gathering in Margate today for the Geek Expo. It's the second time that the town has held the festival. Computer games fans will try out games and consoles - some dating back more than 40 years. There'll be more than a thousand games for fans to try out.

• Technology
• Margate
• Geek Expo

Newbury-based Vodafone has been named as one of the winning bidders at the auction of superfast 4G. Others who picked up the licences from the telecommunications regulator Ofcom were: EE, Hutchison 3G, O2 parent Telefonica, plus a subsidiary of BT.

4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone communications. The network aims to provide superfast download speeds for people with mobile devices such as smartphones and laptops.

The Government raised a smaller-than-expected £2.3 billion from the auction. The regulator had placed a reserve price of £1.3 billion on the 4G sale. However, the total is still much less than the £3.5 billion estimated by the tax and spending watchdog in the Autumn statement.

• Business

Approval has been given to extend the wind farm off the Kent coast. The decision by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change means between 10 and 17 turbines will be put up. The Kentish Flats are just over six miles from Whitstable.

• Technology
• Whitstable
• Kent

VIDEO: Fred and Sangeeta have a QR Code on screen. This Quick Response Code can take you to our website instantly, via your mobile phone. Fred and Sangeeta explain how the QR Code works and link into tonight's item in the series, From The Heart.

• Technology
• Health
• From the Heart

Preparation for this year's Brighton Digital Festival will begin with an open meeting, for anyone who wants to get involved, at the Fabrica Gallery on Tuesday, February 12th.

Events specialist Tom Bailey has been appointed the 2013 festival's manager.

He said: “I’m very excited and honoured to take on the festival manager role. Its phenomenal growth over the past couple of years has gained our city respect nationally, across Europe and in the States as a destination for one of the most diverse and creative digital art festivals on the planet."

The festival is month-long celebration of digital culture, from 1 to 30 September, led by the digital and arts communities across the city, including conferences, exhibitions, installations and workshops.

Last year's event featured over 100 events and was attended by more than 25,000 people.

• UK
• Brighton Digital Festival