12/06/2014 BBC Oxford News

reversed. Kim Ghattas, BBC News, New York.

Hello. Good evening. A mother whose 15`year`old daughter died from an

ecstasy overdose is calling for recreational drugs to be legalised.

Martha Fernback took the tablet last summer. A 17`year`old boy was

convicted of supplying it to her. A Coroner said her death was an

accident. A grieving mother's surprising message about young

people and illegal drugs. Prohibition is not working thanked

is a certainty. `` working and that is a certainty. We need to look at

other approaches, based on realism. Anne Marie Coeburn lost her only

child to ecstasy last July. She suffered a heart attack after taking

the drug in Hinksey Park, Oxford. She didn't know it was 91% pure.

Five times normal levels. Her mother wants some substances

decriminalised, with testing facilities which could help people

make informed decisions about taking them. I don't think anyone wants to

think of their children taking drugs. It is very scary. If they are

going to do it anyway, it is reassuring to know they are from a

source which can be trusted, licensed and so on while they are

going through that phase. Something ex`co``ed by one Martha

that closest `` something ex`co``ed by one of Martha's closest friends.

If kids could see the Daninger in the drugs they bought it may ``

danger in the drugs they bought. The drugs agency said they want to

ensure that law enforcement protects society. Others who want change,

disagree. Le It is obvious that drugs are given by pharmacists and

controlled by Governments rather than by gangsters and unregulated

dealers. The Coroner said her death would act as a stark warning to

other youngsters about the dangers of taking drugs and there was no way

of knowing what they were made up of, or more importantly what their

purity is. Firefighters across the region are

taking part in a national 24`hour strike over changes to their

pensions. They are angry about proposals which would mean working

until they are 60 and say if they could not pass a fitness test in

their late 50s they could lose part of their pension pot. The Government

says it is fair and firefighters have one of the most generous

pensions in the public sector. They are preparing to walk out again

later this month. The current strike ends at 9am.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has opened a centre in Milton kenls

which could transform the transportation of people and goods

around the world. It is about smart technology and brings together

business leaders, scientists and engineers. The industry could

generate up to ?90 billion a year for the UK by 2025.

From driverless cars to electric buses. Milton Keynes is often at the

forefront of transport technology. The perfect place then to launch the

industry's first Innovation Centre. Officially opened by the Business

Secretary, Vince Cable, this morning. It aims to bring together

businesses, inventors and researchers. A collaboration that Mr

Cable believes would put Britain in front. I have just come back from

China. There was an enormous interest in British companies that

can help with the urbanisation, the rapid growth of cities and transport

systems wesmt have some very good companies in the UK. If we can

capitalise on this. 30 protects are using the new facility. Live

Sentiment Mapping has been developed so transport managers can see what

people think about their services. Other products are helping predict

future demands. This simulation shows the current aircraft movements

over Europe. This demonstrates potential commuter bottlenecks. It

is no accident that Milton Keynes was selected as the place to bring

this together. We want to capture the enthusiasm, the capability of

Milton kenls ` the Open University, we have Red Bull, in terms of motor

sport. All great capability and we will harness it and develop new

products which the UK with benefit from globally. The first 20

driverless pods are expected on the streets of Milton Keynes next year.

An example of how our region is already leading the way in an

industry that could be worth up to ?907 billion in less than a deck ``

?#9d 0 billion in less than `` ?90 billion in less than a decade.

Hundreds of people have marched through Oxford T event was to show

despite different beliefs, people taking part have plenty in common.

They started at the Oxford synagogue in the city on their way to the

mosque. Sikhs, Christians, Muslims and others, all walked together to

show solidarity. It is an opportunity to demonstrate

that people of different faiths get on. In principle they get on. In

Oxford they get on particularly well. We are very supportive and

like to be together. That is what this demonstrates. Over the last ten

years this event has become established in the religious

calendar. Of course there are fundamental differences in beliefs,

but it is the common ground that was celebrated. The basic principles are

the same. In my opinion, none of the religions will tell you the wrong

ways. There's nothing more important than learning about other faiths and

meeting people of other faiths. We come every year, my husband and

myself and friends because I find it very fascinating t various

religions. In this day and age, we need to bridge the gap. We need to

bring communities together. The group made its way down the high

street after stopping off at the Church. Their balloons represented

unity and diversity. Plans are being made for more events later this

year. We'll have the weather in a moment.

We are back tomorrow morning T first bulletin is just after 6. 25pm. Good

night `` 6 toi 25am. Good night. Very mild temperatures. Lows of

13`14 Celsius. Lots of sunshine on offer to start the day tomorrow. We

are looking at cloud building during the middle part of the day. That

will turn the sunshine hazy during the afternoon. Perhaps a spot of

rain during the evening, pushing down from the north. Temperatures

tomorrow up to 23 Celsius or 24 Celsius. It may well be the warmest

day of the year so far. A pleasant day in store tomorrow. Rain at first

on Saturday. Sunday is a decent day. Coming up next is the national

turn pressure with temperatures easing back and here is my colleague

with the rest of the weekend forecast.