Bomb Blast Horror

Nine civilians have been killed in a roadside mine blast in southern Afghanistan, an Afghan official said. Four women and three children were among those who died in the blast early on Friday morning, Kandahar provincial government spokesman Zalmai Ayoubi said.

Bloody Sunday 'Leaks'

The families of those killed on Bloody Sunday have criticised the leaking of some of the details of the Saville Inquiry findings. A newspaper said that it will conclude that a number of the fatal shootings of civilians by British soldiers were unlawful killings. The Guardian also claims that soldiers may face prosecution over fatal civilian shootings after the 12-year inquiry.

Wadley Chairs London Arts

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that Veronica Wadley will be the next London Chair at Arts Council England. The Mayor said: "Veronica Wadley is a hugely accomplished woman who has a proven passion for London and its unrivalled arts and culture. She will bring energy, drive and ambition to this vital sector that does so much for our quality of life in London and the capital's reputation around the world. I am delighted that she has agreed to accept the challenge." Veronica Wadley commented: "I am delighted to accept this role. We are living in a golden age of the arts, thanks to the huge investment by successive governments. We want to build on this, even in the face of financial pressures."

Rail Crash Jury On Visit

Inquest jurors hearing evidence about a rail crash which left seven dead and more than 70 hurt are due to visit the scene of the tragedy. The 1245 from King's Cross to King's Lynn, Norfolk, derailed when it ran over faulty points on the approach to the rail station at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, at about 1pm on May 10 2002. Four women and three men died after the last of the train's four carriages became detached and airborne and ended up lying across two platforms.

Fixed Rate House Loan

A building society has launched a mortgage with an interest rate fixed at less than 5% until the summer Olympics in 2020. In a bid to attract borrowers wanting stability in uncertain economic times, Yorkshire building society has cut the rate on its 10-year fixed-rate loan to 4.99%. The mortgage can be used for buying a house or remortgaging, has a £995 fee and runs out at the end of July 2020.

House Price Fall

A third consecutive monthly fall in house prices suggests evidence is growing of a 'double dip' in the housing market, say analysts Acadametrics. Average house prices fell for the third month in a row during May, according to the Acadametrics index, the only measure which uses actual prices for every property transacted in England and Wales rather than valuation estimates or asking prices. The scrapping of home information packs (Hips) and fears over a steep rise in capital gains tax (CGT) on second homes and buy-to-let properties propelled more homes on to the market, driving down prices for the third successive month.

Labour Take The Lead In Ireland

A shock opinion poll has shown that trouble has again deepened for Taoiseach Brian Cowen as support for him and Fianna Fail dropped significantly. The Labour Party has dramatically become the best-supported party in the Republic with the surprise results of a poll that was taken on Tuesday and Wednesday now being made public. That was even before the reports into the banking crisis, which were highly critical of his tenure as Finance Minister, were published.

(BMcC/GK)