City news in 250 words: Wednesday 22 September

GOOGLE AND DATA SNOOPING: British government agencies are making around seven requests per day for users’ internet data according to Google. Between January and June of this year the company reported that there were 1,343 requests for information on users of Google services as well as IP addresses. Google said it published the figures as a ‘deterrent to censorship.’

ECCLES LINE REOPENED: Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has reopened the Eccles line after a tram derailed on Tuesday night. The tram veered off the line near Harbour City and crashed into a pole after a points failure. Passengers may experience delays on the line and there are currently no services to MediaCityUK. Metrolink has apologised for the inconvenience

PAPER BOARDING PASSES are being phased out by American Airlines' passengers flying from Manchester Airport. Passengers will instead be able to use their mobile phones to board flights using a two-dimensional barcode. The airline's vice-president Andrew Watson said: "Customers will be able to select the option to display their boarding pass on their mobile phone – speeding the process at the airport and eliminating the need for a paper boarding pass,"

PREPARATIONS FOR THE LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE have started with a secure zone being created around the Manchester Central complex and the Midland and Radisson Edwardian hotels. The conference will run from 26 -30 September. More than 10,000 delegates are due to arrive as Labour crowns a new leader, four months after Gordon Brown stepped down in the wake of his election defeat.

Out of the window weather forecast: “Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes and I won’t be surprised if it’s a dream,” said the Carpenters.