UK news: Three injured in lorry crash on motorway

THREE people were hurt when a lorry went through the M25's central reservation and hit a car. Several vehicles were caught up in the collision between junctions seven with the M23 and eight with the A217 yesterday. The lorry driver and a man and a woman in another car, suffered serious injuries.

200 flee drugs plant fire

More than 200 people had to leave a drugs plant in West Sussex after fire broke out in a research laboratory. Firefighters were at the incident at Novartis in Horsham for several hours on Thursday. A spokeswoman from the pharmaceutical firm said the fire had been a major incident.

Lib Dems call for inquiry into easing drugs laws

The Liberal Democrats are expected to call for an independent inquiry into the decriminalisation of possession of all drugs.

Officials have said that a motion to be put at the party's annual conference next month is likely to be passed. If approved, it would be the first government-sponsored inquiry into decriminalisation, but is unlikely to have the support of Prime Minister David Cameron, who has hardened his approach to illegal drugs.

Police shoot man dead

A man shot dead by police in north London was a passenger in a minicab stopped during a planned operation, the police watchdog has said.

Officers stopped the car in Tottenham on Thursday to carry out an arrest when the 29-year-old man, named locally as Mark Duggan, was shot. Three shots were fired. A bullet was found lodged in a police radio.

Rogue trader says 'sorry'

Nick Leeson, the "rogue trader" who brought down Barings Bank, has apologised to his former boss for the first time. He told Peter Norris, now Chairman of Virgin Group Holdings, of his remorse after the two were brought together for The Reunion, on Radio 4 tomorrow.

Liverpool: The mother of a gay teenager from Merseyside who was murdered three years ago will lead Liverpool's Pride march later. Hairdresser Michael Causer, 18, from Whiston, was attacked in Huyton on 3 August 2008. Marie Causer said: "I just wish Michael was here to party because he would have been so excited."

Teesside: A woman has been injured in a suspected gas explosion. The blast happened just before 1pm Friday at an empty property in Sheriff Street, Hartlepool, as the woman was walking past. Four properties nearby were damaged in the explosion.