Other UK News In Brief

MI5 'In The Dock'

The Security Service, MI5, is to be quizzed over alleged failings in the run-up to the deadly July 2007 London terrorist attacks, a coroner has ruled. Inquests into the deaths of 52 people killed in the '7/7' bombings will examine the secret organisation's role in failing to stop the outrage after two of the suicide bombers were identified as a risk prior to the multiple murders. Lady Justice Hallett told the Royal Courts of Justice it was still possible to investigate what security services knew before the 2005 London attacks. She also ruled the inquests of the four bombers would not be heard at the same time as those of the victims.

Spanish Child Death Mum In Court

After two British children were found dead in a hotel room in north-east Spain earlier this week, their mother has been sent to a court hearing. Lianne Smith, 43, was arrested on suspicion of murdering daughter Rebecca, five, and son Daniel, 11 months, in Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava. Post mortem examinations established the children were asphyxiated. Mrs Smith's husband Martin, 45, appeared in court in Cumbria charged with unrelated child sex offences.

Finance Goes Global

As the US pushes through a weighty bank reform Bill, Ireland's Minister for Finance is to attend a meeting of EU ministers today to discuss how Europe will reform its crippled banking system. In the shadow of the Greek debt crisis, the European Commission wants to see more economic surveillance and budget discipline to protect the other 15 countries that use the single currency. However, this could prove more difficult than first expected as the proposed plans for the EU to oversee Governments' budgets before they are submitted to their individual parliaments is being seen as too intrusive and a threat to sovereignty by some member states. Divisions have also been exposed by a German ban this week on the tactic of short-selling, which can artificially push down share prices, despite a vow by Berlin and Paris yesterday to work together on the euro zone crisis. The European wrangling is taking place against the backdrop of one of the most significant curtailments to Wall Street's freedom since the 1930s.

Vets Wins RIBA Award

The Small Animal Hospital for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, designed by Archial Architects, has added to its already impressive tally of awards by winning a RIBA Regional Award. Archial's striking design for the £10.5 million pioneering world-class centre for veterinary medicine has already won the Supreme Award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects, the prestigious RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award and has been nominated for the Scottish Design Awards.

Platform Steams Ahead

Network Rail's redevelopment of King's Cross station reached another crucial milestone today with the official opening of 'Platform 0' by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. The addition of the new platform means Network Rail can begin refurbishing the station's existing platforms, which will be taken out of service on a rolling basis, without affecting services. Built on what was for many years a taxi rank at the eastern side of the station, Platform 0 will provide greater capacity for passengers and trains at King's Cross once the station redevelopment is complete.

(BMcC/GK)