Other News In Brief

Man Arrested Over Lennon Assault

A 46-year-man is to appear in court over an alleged assault on Celtic coach Neil Lennon. The attack happened in the west end of Glasgow earlier this month. Lennon was knocked unconscious during the assault, which took place just hours after Celtic lost their SPL home game against Old Firm rivals Rangers. Police said the man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Motorway Chaos 'Caused By Cow'

A number of motorists have been injured following a car pile-up in West Lothian. Police said the accident - involving seven cars – occurred when a cow wandered onto the northbound carriageway of the M9 near Winchburgh at around 9.40pm yesterday. A car struck the cow, causing it to be thrown over the central reservation. Another seven cars travelling on the southbound then struck the cow, causing damage to several vehicles. The road was closed for about two hours as fire and ambulance crews attended the scene.

£25m Announced For Better Buses

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly - who is about to step down from her post to spend more time with her family - has nevertheless today announced £25 million to provide new and improved bus services across England. This will better connect local communities with vital services - like hospitals, business centres and colleges - and help tackle congestion and rural accessibility by giving people more alternatives to their car. Over the last three years the Kickstart programme has helped councils and bus operators introduce 43 new or enhanced bus services. This resulted in increases in local bus use and improved the quality of bus services for local communities.

TB Eradication Programme To Be Launched

A comprehensive one-off test of all cattle herds across Wales will be launched next week - further demonstrating the Welsh Assembly Government's unswerving commitment to the eradication of Bovine TB in Wales, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said today. The Minister today updated members on a number of areas where progress has been made to date in implementing the comprehensive, £27m programme to eradicate bovine TB in Wales. A key component of the programme is the action to ensure that there's a clear, accurate and detailed analysis of the scale and scope of the disease in Wales.

Health And Safety Warnings For The Workplace

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers to ensure they properly manage health and safety risks in the workplace, following the prosecution of an Essex company. Eastern Counties Laundries Ltd, of West Street, Coggeshall, Essex was fined £30,000 with £15,000 costs, at Colchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The HSE prosecution followed an incident on 20 April 2006, at the company's site on the Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton on Sea. An employee from Clacton climbed into a conveyor feeding into the washing system to dislodge a blocked item of laundry. As he dislodged it the conveyor activated, trapping the employee's neck and hands. He sustained serious injuries, including external bruising and burns, and internal burns to his throat.

(JM)