Other UK News In Brief

Marine Dies In Afghan Blast

Another serviceman, a Royal Marine has been killed in Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It said an explosion in Helmand province killed the man, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, while on foot patrol on Wednesday. The latest death means the number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 288.

Dunkirk Spirit Recalled

A new fleet of 'Little Ships' such as those which rescued Allied troops from Dunkirk in 1940 has set sail from the south coast of England to mark the 70th anniversary of the event. More than 50 vessels are today heading to France to commemorate Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of some 338,000 soldiers from Dunkirk's beaches. The troops had been driven back to the coast by the German army and the phrase 'Dunkirk spirit' has become emblematic of British determination and courage in the face of adversity. Historically, the United Kingdom lived to fight another day - D-Day - on the 6th June 1944 - almost exactly four years later, when the USA joined the other allied forces massed across the entire country for the beginning of the end of the Third Reich. Today's flotilla of ships will be escorted by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth on their eight-hour journey. See: Dunkirk Spirit Recalled

Saville Inquiry Reports In June

The most expensive such probe ever held in the UK is to finally make its report public. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry by Lord Saville opened at Derry's Guildhall in 1998 and heard evidence from more than 900 people. It finished hearing evidence in 2004, with the report initially due for publication the following year. The £200m inquiry was set up to re-examine the events of 30 January 1972 in Londonderry's Bogside. Thirteen people died after paratroopers opened fire during a civil rights march and another person died of his injuries later. The Stormont Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness has welcomed the news that the Saville Report into the deaths on Bloody Sunday is to be published.

Construction Minister On Tour

The new Minister with responsibility for the construction industry is chartered surveyor Mark Prisk. He has already been out and about and has met the Steering Group of the Low Carbon Construction Review Innovation and Growth Team, an industry-led body set up to review the construction industry. The aim of the body is to ensure the sector is 'fit for purpose' for delivering a low carbon future.

(BMcC/GK)