Tragic Teen Soldier Honoured

The funeral of a soldier who died on active service after an explosion in Afghanistan is taking place later today. Rifleman Howell, 19, was part of a specialised fire support group on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand when a roadside bomb exploded. Known as "Sunshine Boy" to his family, Rifleman Howell from Desborough, served with the 3rd Battalion The Rifles. The funeral with full military honours, will take place at St Giles Church, Desborough, followed by a private committal at Rushton Road Cemetery.

Green Energy Boost For Welsh Communities

Over £8 million will be made available to help community organisations in Wales invest in new technology to generate clean, renewable energy, Environment Minister Jane Davidson has announced. The funding is expected to create up to 22 jobs. Ms Davidson made the announcement during a visit to the Cwmclydach Development Trust in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where a project is being developed to generate electricity from hydropower, as it as an example of the type of initiative that will be eligible for the new grant. It is hoped the project will generate income to support the sustainability of the centre from which the Trust operates.

Booze To Blame

Half of all inmates in Scotland's prisons said they were intoxicated at the time of their offence, a survey by the Scottish Prison Service has revealed. his has risen from four in 10 when the same question was asked in 2005. The survey reported a decline in the numbers who had ever used illegal drugs in prison, down from 58% in 2001 to 45% last year. The confidential questionnaire focused on prison life, living conditions, family contact and healthcare.

Cardiff Flying High

Cardiff Airport has revealed plans to develop its terminal building. The £5m redesign, part of the airport's wider £15m investment strategy, has reached the planning stage and work could start later this year. Plans have been drawn up to extend the front of the terminal, link the arrivals and departures halls, and provide new food and retail services. Full story: Cardiff Airport Plans Take Off

Police Probe Iris Affair

A top PSNI detective is to head an investigation into the way that former DUP MP Iris Robinson arranged the transfer of money between two property developers and her former lover. Just days after it emerged that she lobbied for three planning applications on behalf of two developers who each provided £25,000 to help set up her ex-lover in business, the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch - which specialises in complex financial investigations - said it will probe whether the law was broken by Mrs Robinson or "any other person referred to in the (BBC Spotlight) programme". The investigation is led by Det Chief Supt Roy McComb, who heads of the Organised Crime Branch, and comes on top of a series of other investigations in Parliament, the Assembly and Castlereagh Borough Council, of which Mrs Robinson was also a member.

Welsh Renewables Investment

Over £8 million will be made available to help community organisations in Wales invest in new technology to generate clean, renewable energy, Environment Minister Jane Davidson has announced. The funding is expected to create up to 22 jobs. Ms Davidson made the announcement during a visit to the Cwmclydach Development Trust in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where a project is being developed to generate electricity from hydropower, as it as an example of the type of initiative that will be eligible for the new grant. It is hoped the project will generate income to support the sustainability of the centre from which the Trust operates.

(BMcc/GK)