A Hereford soldier who raised thousands for wounded soldiers is earning his wings in Hampshire.

Lance Corporal Matthew Wilson is learning to fly just a year after losing his leg in Afghanistan. The 24-year-old, who now lives in Much Birch, is almost fully on his feet after 12 months of rehabilitation. But his progress reached new heights this month when he was awarded a scholarship to fly a light aircraft. L/Cpl Wilson spotted the Flying Scholarship for the Disabled offer while recovering at Headley Court Hospital in Surrey. The scheme was run in conjunction with Help for Heroes and Bat...

Police say a bomb that exploded on a country road in south Armagh was designed to kill or injure officers. A device exploded at about 1730 BST on Saturday between Belleek and Cullyhanna, blowing a crater in the road and damaging a stone bridge. No-one was hurt in the incident, which politicians are blaming on dissident republicans. Chief Superintendent Alisdair Robinson said police were treating the blast "extremely seriously". They have launched a major investigation and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. 'Callous disregard' ...

A group of Muslim women have laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum in honour of those who died fighting for the UK in Afghanistan. L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi, 24, from Bordesley Green, Birmingham, was the first British Muslim soldier to die in a Taliban attack in Helmand in July 2006. On the anniversary weekend of his death four Muslim women paid their respects at the Staffordshire centre. The ceremony was organised by the Muslim Armed Forces Association. It said 500 Muslims were currently serving in the British armed forces. ...

A man appeared before magistrates on Wednesday charged with the murder of an Army sergeant 18 years ago, police said.

Sergeant Michael Newman, 34, was shot in the head as he walked from an Army careers office to his car in Derby in April 1992.
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) was believed to be responsible for the killing.

In 2004 Joseph Magee was jailed for 25 years after pleading guilty to Sgt Newman's murder on the ...

Riots have broken out in Londonderry after it was revealed Bernadette Devlin had been arrested. The Mid-Ulster MP was to address a meeting in Bogside before handing herself in to police after she lost an appeal against her December conviction. Miss Devlin, 23, was sentenced to six-months in jail for her part in the Bogside riots in 1969. She appealed against the decision but the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal rejected her application earlier today. Speaking just before her arrest Miss Devlin said: "I was involved with people in defending their area. They were justified in defending themselves and I believe I was justified in assisting their defence." ...

Police believe a fire in Keady, County Armagh, at the weekend was an attempt to lure officers into the area and is linked to an ongoing bomb alert. A number of families have been moved from their homes after a suspect object was found on the town's Castleblayney Road on Tuesday. Just after midnight on Sunday a section of fencing in the area was set alight before being put out by firefighters. Police have appealed for information about both incidents. Six houses have been evacuated after a beer keg which had wires attached to it was found by a member of the ...

Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes in an overnight bomb alert at a police station in County Tyrone. Army bomb experts are examining a white van which was abandoned outside Aughnacloy PSNI station at Dungannon Road on Thursday at 2210 BST. Police said about 350 people were asked to leave their homes and spent the night in three halls. Some roads around the village remain cordoned off in the security operation. The main street in Aughnacloy is now partially open and the A5 is accessible, however the main Aughnacloy to Dungannon road is closed. ...

The Bloody Sunday killings were unjustified and unjustifiable, the Prime Minster has said. Thirteen marchers were shot dead on 30 January 1972 in Londonderry when British paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration. Fourteen others were wounded, one later died. The Saville Report is heavily critical of the Army and found that soldiers fired the first shot. Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "deeply sorry". He said that the findings of the Saville Report were "shocking". A huge cheer erupted in Guildhall Square in Derry as Mr Cameron delivered the findings which unequivocally blamed the Army for one of the most controversial days in Northern Ireland's history. ...

A report claiming the Bloody Sunday Inquiry will conclude some of the fatal shootings were unlawful is "speculation", the government has said.
Thirteen people were shot dead by paratroops in Londonderry on 30 January 1972. A 14th person died later. The Guardian says Lord Saville's report - which has taken 12 years to compile and is due to be published on Tuesday - will say some were unlawfully killed. The government said such speculation added to the stress of those involved. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said: "The report will be published in a few days and everyone can read it then. ...

DAVID Cameron has ordered plans to be drawn up to ensure better care for ex-troops traumatised by war. A proposed service would track down veterans plagued by mental health issues. And a lifelong screening process would catch those with problems as they leave the Forces. The decision is a long-fought victory to get more help for troubled troops. Charities have warned of a ticking timebomb as tens of thousands of servicemen and women struggle with tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. ...