9am briefing: arrests made over Moredun murder

A 24-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged murder of a 43-year-old man at a block of flats in Moredun.

William McPhee, who lived in the Greendykes area, was allegedly stabbed in Castleview House in Craigour Place at around 8.45pm on Tuesday, and died at the scene.

Both individuals have also been charged in connection with the stabbing of a 41-year-old man, which happened the same evening.

They are set to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Liberals bruised in by-election

THE Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition suffered a bloody nose in its first by- election today as Labour romped home in Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Debbie Abrahams was declared the constituency's new MP with a majority of 3558 – larger than the party secured in its 1997 landslide.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg played down the significance of the defeat, blaming the government's programme of painful spending cuts.

But the margin of Labour's victory will heighten the pressure on the Deputy Prime Minister from his own rank-and-file.

Missing appeal

POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a 26-year-old man who went missing from his home in Haddington.

Gerry Collin was last seen in the East Lothian town on Wednesday and his green Peugeot has been recovered in a country lane near the village of Garvald.

He is described as white, 6'0" tall, medium build, broad shouldered, with slim hips and short, dark, straight hair.

Castle gun reaches landmark

CELEBRATIONS get under way today to mark the 150th anniversary year of the One o'Clock Gun.

The One o'Clock Gun was first fired on June 7 1861, and has continued since then, six days a week, except Christmas Day, Good Friday and during the two world wars.

The gun is timed to coincide with the dropping of the Time Ball on the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.

The celebrations of the anniversary launch today at Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk in Greyfriars Place.

Motorist unharmed after crash

A YOUNG woman had a lucky escape after her car sped off a road and landed in a field last night.

The 20-year-old was driving along the A904 at Newton near South Queensferry around 9.20pm when her car left the road.

She escaped with only minor injuries.