The Herald

Nature Exacts Its Terrible Toll; Climate Change Blamed for Soaring 2003 Disaster Dead

NATURAL disasters killed more than 70,000 people last year, three times the number of victims in 2002, a rise largely attributed to climatic extremes. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world's largest humanitarian organisation, said an earthquake that killed 31,000 in the Iranian city of Bam and a heatwave that killed 35,000 Europeans were responsible for the higher toll.

The Diary

On a roll WE mentioned Jack McConnell, the first minister, revealing that the MSPs' bar at the Scottish Parliament was nicknamed Stella Artois, as it was reassuringly expensive. Now we hear of the wine reception at the parliament the other day for the launch of the Poppy Appeal when bulky Tory bon viveur Brian Monteith was complaining about the members' restaurant not serving pints, only bottled lager. "You can't get any decent beer," harrumphed BM. "Apparently they can't get the barrels in t...

City to Celebrate Its Patron Saint with Annual Lecture

SAINT Mungo, the founding father and patron saint of Glasgow, is to be celebrated in a new event organised by the city's lord provost. Liz Cameron yesterday launched an annual St Mungo lecture to coincide with the historic St Mungo prize.

Britons Can Sue Over Saudi Torture Claims; Court Rules That States Cannot Hide Behind Immunity Law

TWO Scots have been given the legal go-ahead to sue Saudi Arabian interrogators alleged to have tortured them into confessing to car bombings. Sandy Mitchell and Ron Jones, released without charge, said they were delighted by the judgment in the Court of Appeal in London, which has profound implications for torture victims.

Lesbian Seeks Damages for Partner's Death; Case May Decide How Same- Sex Relationships Are Viewed in Law

A LANDMARK legal action was launched yesterday that may have profound implications on how lesbian relationships are viewed under the law. A woman is seeking damages against a drink-driver jailed for causing the death of her female partner in a road accident.

Dear Diary I Must Remember to Buy Six Appeal

Detective Accused of Ordering Killing

A MURDER squad detective was arrested yesterday and accused of ordering a contract killer to carry out a hit. Police believe the 47-year-old plotted with a private investigator to assassinate Charlie Butler, a businessman gunned down near his home.

Attacks On Nhs Staff Lead to More Sick Days

STAFF absence in the NHS in Scotland is higher than previously thought with the average worker taking an estimated 11.7 days off sick a year. New figures revealed that health service Scotland - which is already struggling to cope with staff shortages - loses more than 5% of staff time through illness.

Glasgow: Worst at Solving Violent Crimes; Only 42% of Cases Cleared Up

GLASGOW had the worst clear-up rate for serious violent crime in Scotland last year, figures have shown. Only 42% of such cases were solved in the Glasgow area in 2003, figures have shown.

34,000 Scots Remain Below the Breadline; Minimum Wage Failure Hits Women and Part-Time Staff

ABOUT 34,000 adults in Scotland are still being paid less than the minimum wage five years after its introduction, with the problem at its worst for part-time staff and women. Among the poorly paid are waitresses, laundry staff, bar staff, kitchen porters, check-out operators, bakery staff, shelf stackers and cleaners.

Youth Held Over Man's Death

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the death of a man whose body was found at his home in Ayrshire. Jon Thompson, 23, was found dead at Reid Terrace, Saltcoats, on Sunday afternoon.

Howson Offers the Chance to Watch a Master at Work

PETER Howson, the Scottish painter, has unveiled plans for a (pounds) 600,000 "at home with the artist" studio and restaurant. In a project designed to inspire fledgling painters, Howson will let the public watch him as he works in a glass-panelled studio in the Trongate area of Glasgow.

Mother-and-Baby Mental Health Unit Opens

SCOTLAND'S first mother-and-baby mental health unit will be officially opened today. The (pounds) 1.3m six-bed facility at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow will allow mothers to stay with their babies while undergoing treatment for mental illness, including post-natal depression.

Profits Rise Sets G1 Group On Hunt for Properties

STEFAN King, the millionaire founder of one of Scotland's largest independent leisure empires, is on the acquisition trail after his firm recorded a dramatic rise in profits. He intends to increase the 30-strong portfolio of bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs by at least 20% - another six - in the coming year, creating 200 jobs.

Country Life 'Is Being Strangled by Red Tape'; Rural Body Criticises 'Intrusive' Authorities

LIFE in the countryside is being strangled by red tape, delegates at a conference will be told today. The claim is to be made by People Too, a rural network that aims to defend people in Scotland from what it considers to be intrusive and wasteful bureaucracy.

(Pounds) 386,050 for 'Lost' Painting

A previously unknown painting by "Glasgow Boy" Sir John Lavery fetched nearly twice its estimated price when it went under the hammer yesterday. The work, The Goose Girls, sold to a UK-based bidder for (pounds) 386,050 at auction at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.

Fears for Civil War If Arafat Leaves the Scene; 'He Is the Glue That Binds the Palestinians Together'

IF it were possible, the illness of Yasser Arafat, could be about to plunge the Palestinian people into even greater instability and violence than they have experienced since the second intifada erupted in September 2000. Ali Jarbawi, a Palestinian analyst, summed up the iconic quality of "Abu Ammar", Arafat's nom de guerre, saying: "He is the glue to the Palestinians. If anything happens to him, the glue is gone."

British Un Worker Among Three Women Seized at Gunpoint in Kabul

A UN election worker holding dual British and Irish nationality was among three foreigners seized in Afghanistan yesterday. Annetta Flanigan, from Richhill, County Armagh, was named last night as one of the three women taken at gunpoint in Kabul yesterday morning.

Born in the Usa but Will He Be the Boss?; Campaign Set to Focus On Hispanics in Final Push

FIFTEEN years ago, Pedro Jaime Martinez was a teenager sitting by the side of the road in Manoguayabo, a dirt-poor suburb of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Part of a large family raised by a single mother, he was too poor to afford bus fare, never mind a baseball. This week he confirmed his place as one of the most famous, and highest paid, men in America.

Kerry Attacks Bush After Springsteen Appearance

Democratic challenger John Kerry turned George W Bush's own words into a weapon yesterday and said it was the Republican incumbent who had jumped to conclusions in Iraq, disqualifying him from being commander in chief. The Massachusetts senator appeared energised by his beloved Boston Red Sox's long-awaited win in baseball's world series and an appearance with rocker Bruce Springsteen that drew about 80,000 people to downtown Madison.