The Herald

Federer Feeling On Top of the World

ROGER FEDERER was close to tears after a masterful display against Juan Carlos Ferrero not only confirmed his place in tomorrow's Australian Open final, but as the finest tennis player in the world. Federer guaranteed he would top the rankings for the first time in his career, replacing Andy Roddick, with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ferrero at Melbourne Park.

Highland League

ADDING a striker who "puts his head where others fear to put their feet" might not seem the best solution for a front line creaking with injuries but Clach, title favourites once again after their impressive win over Deveronvale, seem happy enough with latest signing, Gary Ross. The 31-year-old joins from Forres to reinforce the walking wounded in the Inverness side's attack. "Gary is pretty fearless," admitted manager Robbie Williamson, ahead of the latest championship test at Brora Rangers....

Bullied and Cowed by Animal-Rights Thugs

A simple little incident, some years ago, taught me just what kind of people vivisectionists are, and in what kind of respect they hold animals. I was in the passenger seat of a car being driven by a young vet, a man who has gone on to become one of the world's avian experts, and we were waiting to turn out on to a main road south of Edinburgh. As we sat, an articulated lorry loaded with live hens in individual crates went roaring past. My friend noticed one of the doors was undone and a hen,...

Karen Giles On Sir Alex Ferguson's Uncomfortable Future

With understandable dread, Manchester United await the delivery of Sunday's newspapers. After a week of conciliatory gestures, including the clipping of Sir Alex Ferguson's wings and the promise of an internal review of transfer policy, the club had hoped to have satisfied the growing concerns of majority shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus. Instead, they have merely whetted the appetite of a very unforgiving and bloodthirsty beast. Last night, a clearly agitated Ferguson admitted for th...

Credit Boom Slows As Customers Decide It Is Time to Pay Up

THE credit card boom may finally be over. A report from the Bank of England has shown consumers are increasingly becoming more responsible with their spending. The latest figures, released yesterday, point to credit cards now being treated more like debit cards, with users repaying their debt quicker, a trend welcomed by consumer organisations.

Edinburgh Can Make Capital Out of Cardiff Example; Chief Executive Believes Relocation to Site in Murrayfield's Shadow Is an Attractive Option, Says Kevin Ferrie

Jim McKenzie, the chief executive of Edinburgh's professional rugby team, believes Cardiff can be the role model for staging the sport in the Scottish capital. On the eve of Edinburgh's crucial Heineken Cup meeting with Toulouse, McKenzie has suggested that the set-up in the Welsh capital is a working example of how a city team can generate a separate identity, even if it shares a permanent home with the national team.

Ferguson: 'My Son has Had a Terrible Time. People Have Been Stealing His Mail, Going Through His Bin Bags and Hiding in Bushes'; Racehorse Row Threatens to Tear Manchester United Apart

IT started as a legal dispute over a racehorse, but the acrimonious conflict between Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United's two biggest shareholders was yesterday threatening to tear the club apart. The Scot's dispute with John Magnier and JP McManus over stud rights to a record-breaking stallion has escalated into a power battle at Old Trafford.

Irish Authorities Prove That Where There's a Will There's a Way

Amid the controversy over sports stadiums in Edinburgh, John O'Donoghue, the Irish sports minister, has announced that Lansdowne Road, Dublin, is to be redeveloped at a cost of (pounds) 300m. It will be completed in 2008 and will thereafter be the home of both Ireland's international rugby and football teams. Philip Brown, the chief executive of the IRFU, said: "Lansdowne Road has been the spiritual home of Irish rugby for over a century, and that legacy is set to endure for another 50 or 60 ...

Msps Hope for High Score in University Challenge

Four MSPs are to take part in a spin-off version of University Challenge, the BBC confirmed yesterday. The Holyrood team includes Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson, Green Party leader Robin Harper and Labour backbencher Richard Baker.

Bouquets and Brickbats for Gilligan; Reporter 'Not Totally Vindicated but Can Resign with Honour'

OPINION was sharply divided across the political spectrum last night after the announcement of Andrew Gilligan's resignation. Some commended him for breaking the story and said he could hold his head high in resigning. Others questioned his reporting and blamed it for the "trauma" which resulted.

Mixed Reaction to Doomsday Prediction for the Media

AS the man at the eye of the storm finally bowed to the inevitable, he had one parting shot. Andrew Gilligan predicted a chill on the horizon, which would freeze the flow of press freedom. It was a line that echoed the sentiments of Greg Dyke, former BBC director general, who ensured the shock of the Hutton inquiry continued to reverberate in the media yesterday by warning that all journalists, not just the BBC, would suffer from the law lord's report.

Journalist Made Life Uncomfortable for the Spin Machine

profile Andrew Gilligan was hired by the BBC to bring bite to its flagship radio news programme, Today. Gilligan's aggressive story-getting style came as something of a "culture shock" to the BBC, according to the former Today programme editor who hired him, Rod Liddle.

Hail to the Chief After 35-Year Legal Struggle; Pensioner Wins Right to Lead the Macdonalds

IT IS a title that has lain dormant for a century and a half. Previous holders met with bloody deaths, including one on the Culloden battlefield. But now an Edinburgh man's 35-year legal battle to be recognised as chief of a clan has finally been won.

Premiership's Colonial Attitude Is an Own Goal

A SURPRISING week. One when a cold caller telephoned to ask Roman Abramovich if he wanted the transfer window double-glazed, and one when Lord Hutton, unaccountably, failed to rule on the "sexed up" reports on Sir Alex Ferguson. It was also the premier of that popular television programme, He's Our Celebrity, Get Him Out Of There. This is otherwise known as the African Cup of Nations.

The New West Lothian Question

IT could be the new West Lothian question. Q: Which area of Scotland is predicted to have the greatest increase in population over the next 14 years? A: West Lothian. According to latest projections from the registrar general for Scotland areas within commuting distance of Edinburgh, and the capital itself, are virtually the only parts of the country whose populations are expected to increase by 2018.

Surveyors Come Under the Eye of Watchdog

HOMEOWNERS who are unhappy with the service they receive from surveyors now have an ombudsman to investigate their complaints. The Surveyor Ombudsman Scheme (SOS), which was launched yesterday, will be free. It is being piloted in Scotland before being rolled out across the rest of the UK next year.

Finnie Home After Heart Bypass

Crew Tackles Fire On Fishing Boat

Finnie Home After Heart Bypass

Edinburgh Trams Move Launched