The Herald

Final Chance to Save Museum; Petition Started to Bring in Cash for Archaeology Centre

CAMPAIGNERS have launched a final effort to save one of Scotland's most important museums, which is acclaimed as a world- class centre for archaeology and landscape interpretation. A petition has been started to secure cash for Kilmartin House Museum, which generates millions of pounds for the Argyll and Bute area but faces closure due to a lack of funding.

Megrahi Challenges 27-Year Minimum Ruling On Lockerbie Bomb Sentence

Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi is to challenge a court ruling that he must serve at least 27 years for his role in the Lockerbie bombing, it was announced yesterday. Permission for a late appeal by Megrahi against the "punishment part" of his life sentence has been granted by the High Court. The Crown has already appealed against the 27-year ruling, arguing that it is too lenient.

Queen of Kurdistan Defends the War and Insists Britain Must Stay the Course; Interview

SHE is known - much to her embarrassment - as the Queen of Kurdistan. A title affectionately bestowed upon Ann Clwyd by northern Iraqi Kurds because when few, if any, Western politicians were listening to their plight under the iron fist of Saddam Hussein, she took up their cause, helping to establish anti-repression groups like Cardri and Indict.

Ssp Takes Legal Action Over Broadcast; Party Accuses Television Firms of Political Censorship

THE Scottish Socialist party last night said it would take legal action against two TV companies over a controversial European election broadcast accusing Tony Blair of lying about Iraq. The SSP said it had instructed its lawyers after Scottish TV and Grampian TV failed to give an undertaking to show the broadcast uncut.

Tories Hopeful As Their Battle Van Rolls Into Town; On the Stump

UP and down the promenade, candidates in blazers and blue rosettes are sauntering along, with a cheery air not normally associated with Conservative election drives in Scotland. If the fabled Tory revival is ever to materialise north of the border, a bank holiday Monday in Helensburgh seems a good place to start. Not only is the blazing sunshine on the candidates' side but, for once, the party issues appear to resonate with the local populace.

Minister Insists 'the Picture Is Good' for Postal Voting

The race against time to avert chaos in the European and local elections will be won, Christopher Leslie, the local government minister, insisted last night. Postal voting packs being trialled in four areas at the June 10 poll must reach the Royal Mail by midnight tonight.

Conservative Splits Widening Under Ukip Pressure As It Picks Up Eurosceptic Support

WIDENING splits over Europe emerged in the Tory party yesterday, as senior figures privately admitted that the UK Independence party was picking up support from Eurosceptics and disillusioned Conservatives. Only hours after Baroness Cox, one of four peers to lose the Tory whip after urging people to vote for UKIP, condemned Michael Howard's European policy, party officials dismissed fears about UKIP support.

New Law Will Lead to Fewer Tribunals

Employers are concerned about the implications to their finances and reputations of being taken to an employment tribunal, according to a survey published yesterday. Last year, tribunals dealt with 98,000 claims based on work disputes, ranging from problems over pay and conditions to racial and sexual harassment.

Saudi Security Forces 'Allowed the Al Qaeda Killers to Escape'; Hostage Tells of Deal for Freeing Captives

SAUDI authorities struck a deal with al Qaeda hostage-takers which led to three of them escaping, it was claimed yesterday. Checkpoints set up across Saudi Arabia also failed to trace the three Islamic militants who went on the run following Saturday's attacks in the eastern oil city of al Khobar.

Scottish Charisma to Animate Atms

A SCOTS digital animation company could change the face of hole- in-the-wall cash machines. New, complex ATMs will need a digitally-animated character to talk customers through the process.

Lawyers Who Accused Anwar Had Taken 1500 Files of Clients

THE principal lawyers in the firm behind allegations that Scotland's leading human rights solicitor "touts" for clients have themselves been censured for stealing business. In a damning judgment by Lord Milligan at the Court of Session, the three were ordered to pay (pounds) 78,000 in damages to former colleagues. They had walked out on their former partners without warning, and taken away up to 1500 files of clients, plus staff who were sworn to secrecy.

Virus Spreads Farm Salmon Warning

A RECORD number of fish farms have tested positive for a potentially fatal virus, triggering warnings of an impending environmental crisis by conservationists and anglers. They fear the pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus could spread to wild stocks of salmon in pristine lochs and rivers.

Culture Inquiry Sets Up Shop Across Country

SCOTLAND'S new Cultural Commission officially begins its work today and will start by opening a series of offices across the country. The commission, which is headed by James Boyle, the former chairman of the Scottish Arts Council, is to be led by seven or eight main commissioners and its work - the Cultural Review - will be performed nationwide.

Executive Fails to Pay Bills On Time; Critics Hit Out As Annual Figures Reveal (Pounds) 17m in Late Payments

THE Scottish Executive was attacked by business leaders and the opposition yesterday after figures showed it failed to pay more than (pounds) 17m of its bills on time last year. Details obtained by The Herald show the executive was late paying almost one in five of its suppliers' invoices in the financial year ending March 2004.

Hundreds Mourn Tv Writer

Hundreds of mourners yesterday attended a funeral service for award-winning screenwriter Jack Rosenthal. The 72-year-old's wife, actress Maureen Lipman and the couple's two children were among those paying their final respects at the Hoop Lane Cemetery, north London.

Omagh Bomb Suspects 'Never Interviewed'

A number of key suspects in the Omagh bombing have never been interviewed by police, it was claimed yesterday. Victims' relatives said Michael McDowell, the Irish justice minister, had admitted that certain men linked to the atrocity had never been quizzed by detectives.

Crash Pilots Thank Raf Crew for Antarctic Rescue

TWO helicopter pilots who were seriously injured when they crashed in Antarctica last year travelled to Moray yesterday to thank the RAF crew who helped save their lives. Corporal Craig O'Reilly and Sergeant Gav Thornton had been on duty at RAF Kinloss in the early hours of December 20 2003 when a signal came from a satellite via Chile, confirming a collision.

Ethiopia Regains a Piece of Heritage From a Scottish Dining Room Wall

IT once hung in the mountain fortress of an Ethiopian emperor, but somehow found its way to the wall of a dining room in Glasgow. Now, more than a century later, a silver-decorated shield, which was among the spoils of British troops carried off on the backs of elephants and mules, has been repatriated.

'Jungle Surfer' Hurt in Outback Plunge; British Backpacker Touring Australia Falls Through Forest Canopy Trying New Adventure Sport

A BRITISH backpacker was critically ill with head injuries in Australia yesterday, after an accident during one of the world's latest daredevil pursuits. The 24-year-old, from Oxford, fell from a 65ft viewing platform on the roof of the Queensland rainforest.

Hepburn Voted Most Naturally Beautiful Woman

A PANEL of experts yesterday named Audrey Hepburn, the film legend, the most naturally beautiful woman of all time. The star of Roman Holiday and Breakfast At Tiffany's topped the poll of beauty editors, make-up artists, fashion editors, model agencies and fashion photographers who were asked to choose their top 10 beauties from a list of 100, compiled by Evian, the drinks firm.