Other UK News In Brief

US Falklands Intervention Halted

The PM has rejected an offer from his US allies to help the UK and Argentina resolve their latest dispute over the Falkland Islands. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the offer after renewed tensions were triggered by a UK decision to drill for oil near the islands. However, a spokesman for Gordon Brown said he welcomed her comments but did not think her direct involvement was necessary. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falklands, which it calls the Malvinas and it has been angered by the UK's decision to begin drilling for oil under a seabed off the islands. Mrs Clinton said the row should be resolved between the two, but "if we can be of any help in facilitating such an effort, we stand ready to do so".Gordon Brown's spokesman responded to the offer by saying: "We don't think that's necessary."

Blaze 'Murder' Probed

A murder investigation is under way after an elderly couple died in a suspected arson attack on their home early on Saturday morning. Police in Rugby, Warwickshire, said a second fire in the area may be connected to the suspected arson attack on the couple's home. Albert and Kath Adams, both 77, were asleep in their sheltered housing in Rugby, Warwickshire, when a mobility scooter parked outside was set on fire. The flames spread to the property, engulfing the house, and the couple suffered severe smoke inhalation.

Farmer's Death In Focus

The family of a farmer who was trampled by his own herd, have alleged the animals were distressed by a fire engine. A firefighter has been arrested after Harold Lee, 75, was crushed to death by stampeding cows that may have been spooked by a fire engine's siren and flashing lights, it emerged today. Mr Lee, of Robins Farm in Burtle, Somerset, was fatally injured when he was trampled last August. His family have alleged the animals were distressed by the emergency lights and sounds of the fire engine that was heading to a nearby emergency. The victim died in hospital five days after he was left with severe head and chest injuries.

'Harry Potter' Track Gets Facelift

Scotland's West Highland Line - renowned for its scenery including the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the Harry Potter film series - has undergone a makeover. Network Rail, the owner-operator of Britain's rail infrastructure has been working alongside the Friends of the West Highland Line and Network Rail to identify sites along the route where maximum benefit could be achieved through vegetation clearance. Work got underway in February with the National Park's Natural Heritage Grant agreeing to fund 85% of the project and Network Rail covering the rest. Taking just five days and costing just £9k to complete, it is hoped that similar work will take place in other sections along the track to restore views along this iconic route from Glasgow through to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig. See: 'Harry Potter' Railway Gets A Facelift

Paisley Quits

The firebrand DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has confirmed he will not be standing in the general election. Mr Paisley, 83, has been an MP since 1970. It is thought that his son Ian Paisley Jr will face TUV leader Jim Allister in the constituency. At the last general election in 2005, Mr Paisley polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000.

(BMcC/GK)