9am news briefing

BOMB disposal experts have made safe a "viable" improvised explosive device near Dublin ahead of the Queen's visit to Ireland.

Police discovered the device in the luggage compartment of a bus on the outskirts of Maynooth, Co Kildare and a controlled explosion was carried out in the early hours of this morning.

• A GRANITE slab had to be removed from the side of the Scottish Parliament building after coming loose near the roof of the MSPs' restaurant.

The panel was secured with ropes yesterday after a report that it had "partially detached", and then lowered to the ground. The members' restaurant and kitchen below the loose stone were closed as a precaution.

• OPEN-air film screenings are to be held in St Andrew Square as part of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Organisers revealed they would be bringing back the 'al-fresco' screenings that were popular at previous festivals, although did not reveal what will be shown. The full programme is due to be announced today in Cannes.