9am Briefing: Pope leaves Italy bound for Edinburgh

POPE Benedict XVI has left Italy bound for Edinburgh to begin the first papal visit to the UK in 28 years.

The Pontiff is due to arrive in the Capital at 10.30am with tens of thousands expected to turn out to see him in the city.

The papal plan left Rome's Ciampino airport at about 7.20am local time.

Around 30 senior Vatican officials are onboard with the Pope. It was reported today that the Pope would use his visit to highlight the importance of fairth for everyone in Britain.

Bus crash probe

AN INVESTIGATION is underway after a bus was hit by a level crossing barrier in West Lothian.

The bus became stuck at around 7.30pm last night at the crossing at Kirknewton station, with witnesses reporting trains speeding past.

British Transport Police are investing how the vehicle was struck by the descending barrier.

University slips

EDINBURGH University has slipped down the league table of the world's elite universities. Edinburgh was the top ranked Scottish institution after being placed 40th in the world in the annual Times Higher Education Supplement table - down from 20th last year. St Andres came next but had also slipped - from 87th in 2009 to 103rd last year.