The Herald

Leaked Report Reveals Chaos and Failure at Nhs 24

A CATALOGUE of management failures and major underlying chronic problems have been exposed in the first report on the crisis plaguing NHS 24, Scotland's health service phone line. The document, leaked to The Herald last night, reveals how staffing shortages have troubled the service almost from day one.

Toxic Ships Threat to Scotland

THE company which brought toxic "ghost ships" from America to Britain is trying to scrap them in Scotland. It is bidding for the disused Nigg fabrication yard, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth, which boasts one of the largest dry docks in western Europe.

The Pounds-700m Man

Children Quizzed Over Murder Attempt On Boy Aged 5

FIVE children were being questioned by police last night after a five-year-old boy was taken from his mother's garden and later found wandering around a wood with "horrific" ligature-like marks on his neck. Detectives, who are treating the attack as attempted murder, refused to confirm reports that the five-year-old suffered his injuries through being hanged.

Parole Chairman in Plea to Judges Professor Says Courts Should Weigh Risks of Re-Offending

THE chairman of the Scottish Parole Board yesterday called for judges to consider risk rather than just punishment when passing sentences. Speaking at the launch of the body's annual report, Professor James McManus called for the judiciary to examine ways to address criminals' risk of reoffending, rather than giving them a punitive custodial sentence.

Dutch Reject Constitution by Huge Majority

DUTCH voters have delivered another hammerblow to the moribund European constitution by producing an even bigger rejection than the French: 61.6-per cent No to 38.4-per cent Yes, with nearly all votes counted.

Attack On Boy, Five, 'Taken From Garden' Five Children Under 12 Are Arrested After Wood Assault

HIS mother thought he was playing in the safety of the garden. But two hours later, the five-year-old boy was found wandering in a wooded area with marks on his neck that police said could have been caused by a ligature. Last night, five children were being questioned by detectives after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

What Now for Constitution: Extra Time or Life Support?Analysis

ALL roads now lead to Brussels following the second resounding raspberry directed at Europe's ruling elite. Jose Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president, last night made a heartfelt plea to EU leaders not to make any "unilateral decisions" and wait for the June 16/17 summit in the Belgian capital.

Fears for Future of Nhs Dentists As Students Look to Develop Careers in the Private Sector

ONLY 3-per cent of dental school applicants expect to work exclusively with the NHS, a survey has shown. The Dundee University study suggests that patients could face difficulties over access to treatment.

Franz Ferdinand to Perform at Two Outdoor Concerts in Shadow of Castle

FRANZ Ferdinand are returning to Scotland for two outdoor shows in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The award-winning Glasgow-based band will close the T on the Fringe festival with the performances in Princes Street Gardens in August.

Chinook Crash Anniversary

Relatives of the people killed in the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre will mark the 11th anniversary of the tragedy today. The crash, which killed 29 people on June 2, 1994, was described as the RAF's worst peacetime disaster.

Barr's Style Bar in Liquidation

One of Glasgow's trendiest bars has gone into liquidation. Kelly Cooper Barr's city centre venue, named after the television style expert, has not been trading since the end of last year. It was part of Licensed Trade Company (Central Scotland Ltd), which owned Quigley's restaurant and Lowdown nightclub.

'My Pounds-4.5m Lottery Win Made Me Feel Sick'

MICHELLE Turnbull's reason for not turning up at work was certainly novel. However, having won pounds-4.5m on the lottery, the part-time catering assistant rang the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where she was due on Sunday morning to tell them she was feeling unwell.

Boat Safety Warning After Deaths On Loch Tragedy Spells Out Clear Lessons, Say Investigators

A SAFETY warning has been issued to boat owners after an accident which killed a man and his teenage daughter. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said a faulty steering system and a lack of basic equipment, such as lifejackets, flares and a radio, contributed to the double fatality on Loch Lomond.

Seabirds Put at Risk by Global Warming

INTERNATIONALLY important populations of seabirds are failing to breed for the second year in a row. Conservationists have warned colonies on Orkney and Shetland could face collapse if the problem, blamed on global warming, continues.

The Loose Ends Were Tied Up, but They 'Re Desperate for a Comeback Last Episode of Series Covers All Bases Except Happy Ending Review

Desperate Housewives Channel 4. 10pm/11.05pm F OR the best part of 23 episodes, Desperate Housewives toyed with its audience.

Find Work for 35,000 in Four Years? We'll Need a Czar . . .Council Unveils First Regeneration Chief

A LOCAL government official yesterday became Scotland's first social regeneration czar, charged with the daunting task of getting 35,000 of Glasgow's poorest people into workwithin four years. Just days after Steven Purcell took over as the new leader of Glasgow City Council, the regime signalled a significant change in policy with its first major appointment.

Virus Turns Life Black for Red Squirrels

RED squirrels are under threat from a virus that has reached Scotland. The squirrel pox virus, which was first confirmed in East Anglia in the 1980s, reached the Lake District in April, and last week grey squirrels in southern Scotland were found to be carrying the disease.

Police Quiz Owners of Care Home Where 14 Died in Fire

THE owners of a care home where 14 elderly people died in a fire were questioned by police yesterday. Tom and Anne Balmer were detained by Strathclyde Police for six hours before being released without charge.

Pensioner Killed in Lorry Crash