The Herald

Thousands Flee As Quake Sparks New Tsunami Fear Hundreds Die After Panic Grips Coastlines

TENS of thousands of people living on Indian Ocean coastlines fled their homes in panic late last night, and hundreds died, after a powerful earthquake off Indonesia triggered fears of another tsunami disaster. Hundreds of buildings collapsed or were damaged on the island of Nias in Indonesia, close to the epicentre.

Setback for Jackson

THE judge in Michael Jackson's child abuse trial said yesterday he would allow prosecutors to introduce allegations about previous claims of improper conduct with five other boys, including Macaulay Culkin, the then child star. The ruling, a major setback for Jackson, also permits evidence stemming from a highly publicised 1993 case in which the singer paid [pounds]12m to settle a civil suit brought by the family of a boy who accused him of sexual abuse.

Electrician Fights Election to Save Hospital

PROTESTERS against hospital service closures in Scotland have unveiled their first candidate for the general election. John McManus, an electrician, is to stand as an independent candidate in an attempt to help save Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow.

Howard Faces Revolt in Sacking Dispute

MICHAEL Howard was last night facing the threat of a Tory grassroots revolt over the sacking of Howard Flight, who had been deputy party chairman. Baroness O'Cathain, president of Mr Flight's constituency association, backed the MP's call for an extraordinary meeting to hear his case.

Raunchy Magnus Sets the Us Heathers On Fire

HEis strong but tender, has thighs like cabers and can whip his kilt off quicker than microwave porridge. He is, of course, the typical Scotsman - at least in the fantasies of a growing number of American women.

Briton Lucky to Be Alive After Great White Shark Attack in South Africa

ABRITISH tourist was "lucky to be alive" last night after fighting off a great white shark which attacked him as he surfed with a Scots friend off the coast of South Africa. Chris Sullivan, 32, suffered horrific injuries as he kicked and punched the 13ft great white before managing to wrench his right leg from its jaws and paddle to safety.

The Last Reed: Final Cut Looms for Centuries-Old Harvest On the Tay Concern for Birds' Habitat As Thatch Firm Calls It a Day

THE harvest is finally over. After centuries of cutting reeds for roofing thatch, production will cease on the greatest bed in the UK, which stretches for 2000 acres along the north bank of the Tay near Dundee.

Safety Fears Over New Strain of Gm Golden Rice

THE GM food debate was reignited yesterday when it was reported that scientists have developed a geneticallymodified strain of "golden rice", which produces about 20 times the level of beta- carotene as previous varieties. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, and the breakthrough could help reduce deficiency of the vitamin and childhood blindness in developing countries, according to a BBC report.

Rise in Attacks On Public Transport

Row Over Bail for Murder Suspects Shake-Up Would Put Public at Risk, Warn Conservatives

MINISTERS were yesterday accused of being more interested in easing the burden on Scottish prisons than protecting the public, after leaked proposals to electronically tag murder suspects in a radical shake-up of the bail system. The Herald revealed yesterday that the Sentencing Commission will recommend tagging suspected criminals, including people accused of murder and rape, and the creation of statutory guidelines for sheriffs considering bail.

Man Detained Over Teenager's Death

Tories Fuel Suburban Fears On Council Tax

SCOTTISH Tories are raising fears among those who live in suburbs around Glasgow that their opponents plan to draw them into the city's boundaries and push up council tax in more prosperous areas. Peter Duncan, the party's sole MP and shadow Scottish secretary, yesterday targeted his pre-election message at Milngavie and Eastwood with campaign stops at Milngavie, Mearns Cross and Giffnock, claiming Labour wanted to redistribute the council tax burden towards the wealthy.

Anger at Freeze On Costs for Elderly Msp Urges Rise in Payment

THE three-year freeze on personal and nursing care costs for the elderly is being challenged by one of the Scottish Executive's leading backbenchers, who complains that the weekly payment is being eroded and the landmark policy undermined. Mike Rumbles, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, has said it is wrong to freeze the maximum weekly payment of [pounds]210.

Fears Loch Lomond Will Be Magnet for Jet Skiers

FEARS are growing that Loch Lomond could soon become a magnet for power boats and jet skis from the Lake District. Campaigners who want strict speed limits to be imposed on the loch believe that the imposition of 10mph restrictions on Windermere, which came into effect at midnight, will result in an inf lux of enthusiasts from the south.

A Rock and a Wet Place

M74 Protesters Threaten to Take Direct Action

ACTIVISTS opposing the multi-million pound extension of the M74 in Glasgow said yesterday they would "up the ante" in a campaign of direct action. The M74 project on the south side of the city was approved last week by the Scottish Executive, despite a public inquiry ruling against it.

Veteran Councillor Dies in Hospital

Terror Charge Over Address of Soldier

AMAN has been charged under anti-terrorism legislation for allegedly being in possession of the name and address of a British soldier, police said yesterday. Abu Baker Mansha, 21, from east London, was accused of having "a document, namely a piece of paper, containing the name and home address of a UK soldier - information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".

Alert Over Internet Auction Bank Scam

On the Run

QUEEN'S MESSENGER: Athlete Carey Marshall carried the Queen's baton yesterday to begin the Scottish leg of its race to next year 's Commonwealth Games in Australia. The baton, which will visit all 71 Commonwealth nations, holds a recorded message from the Queen to be read out at the opening ceremony.