The Herald

Assault Victim Dies in Hospital

Detectives last night appealed for witnesses following the death of a man who was seriously assaulted in Bishopbriggs at the weekend. Edward Duffy, 32, of Milton, Glasgow, died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary after suffering head injuries when he was assaulted at Bishopbriggs Cross early on Sunday.

Ramsay Runs for Spina Bifida

Gordon Ramsay is to run the London Marathon on behalf of a Scottish charity, it was announced yesterday. The celebrity chef will take part in the run later this month in aid of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, of which he is patron.

Gbp53,116,760: Armed Gang's Record Haul in the Securitas Raid

MORE than GBP53m was stolen in the Securitas depot raid, Kent Police revealed last night. It was Britain's biggest cash raid, and the exact amount, GBP53,116,760, is more than double the sum taken in the raid at the Northern Bank's Belfast headquarters in December 2004, which netted GBP26.5m.

Half of Scots Nurses Suffer Physical or Verbal Attack Rcn Leaders Demand Prosecutions

ALMOST half of all nurses in Scotland have been assaulted or harassed by patients or their relatives in the past year, making it the worst in the UK for abuse. Some 42per cent reported being attacked or verbally abused in the Breaking Point survey published by the Royal College of Nursing. Only police officers appear to face a higher risk of assault while at work.

Armed Forces Under Too Much Strain, Say Mps

ALMOST a third of Britain's armed forces, some 60,000 personnel, was left under-prepared because of heavy commitments in Iraq, according to MPs. The Commons public accounts committee (PAC), in a hard-hitting report, said highlevel demands were putting "worrying signs of strain" on the forces.

Glasgow Favourite for Sportscotland Hq

GLASGOW is clear favourite for the new home of Scotland's national sports agency. A consultant's report, prepared for the Scottish Executive, recommends the city for the proposed relocation of sportscotland's headquarters.

Gathering Storm

Soldier Tells the Deepcut Inquest: I Did Not Pull the Trigger

ASOLDIER was yesterday accused of lying over his involvement in the death of a Scottish private at the Deepcut Army barracks. Private Stacy McGrath told an inquest he was telling the truth when he said he had not seen a rifle being handed over before James Collinson, 17, from Perth, was shot.

Building Firms Try to Douse Sprinkler Plan

HOUSEBUILDERS in Scotland are fighting moves by a leading councillor and fire officials to have every new property installed with sprinklers. Glasgow City Council wants to impose the order as a condition of planning permission in an effort to cut a predicted rise in fire deaths caused by the ban on smoking in public places.

Jowell Fights for Career Amid Loan Inquiry Cabinet Secretary to Decide If Code of Conduct Broken

TESSA Jowell was fighting for her political life and reputation last night amid claims that Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, had paid off a GBP400,000 loan secured by the embattled culture secretary and her husband. Ms Jowell, who is married to David Mills, an international lawyer, denied that Mr Berlusconi had effectively paid off the loan which they had secured against their GBP700,000 home in North London with an alleged bribe.

Authors in Court Battle to Unlock Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code Court Case Findings a Threat to Gbp53m Film Based On Book

DAN Brown, one of the highest paid authors in history, sat at the opposite end of a court bench yesterday from two writers who claim he copied their work for his blockbuster novel, The Da Vinci Code. Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh are suing their own publishers, Random House, claiming the internationally successful novel lifts from their 1982 book, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, itself a best seller.

Task Force Clampdown On Antisocial Behaviour

HUNDREDS of people have been arrested and more than 11,000 incidents reported in a clampdown on problem behaviour in some of Scotland's toughest neighbourhoods. However, while Glasgow City Council's antisocial behaviour task force dealt with 11,387 incidents, ranging from vandalism to "yobbish" behaviour, and made 357 arrests, the council issued only around 20 Asbo orders last year.

More Duty-Free for Air Passengers

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to bring back almost three times more duty-free goods when returning to the EU by air, it was announced yesterday. This will be welcomed by travellers seeking to make savings from flights to places such as the US, where electronics and clothing can be bought at a fraction of UK prices.

Fears Over Plans to Unify Brain Surgery Services

CONCERN is growing about proposals to withdraw brain surgery services from hospitals around Scotland. MSPs from five political parties have signed a motion raising fears about plans to centralise specialised neurosurgery, claiming such a move would be detrimental to patients and their families.

Christian Groups Plan Springer Pickets As Opera Comes to City

CHRISTIAN groups are to picket a Glasgow playhouse and urge theatregoers to boycott Jerry Springer: The Opera which begins a week-long run next week. Christian Voice campaigners will gather outside the King's Theatre for the six-night run of the controversial show.

Why Glasgow Is First Choice for Sports Hq City Tops Poll to Become the New Home for Sportscotland

GLASGOW is the prime location for the new headquarters of sportscotland, the national sports agency. New documents reveal Glasgow would be the best local authority in Scotland to host the organisation, which is expected to move from Edinburgh.

Fears of Impact Move Will Have On Games Bid

ENFORCED relocation of sportscotland to Glasgow would compromise its ability to function efficiently for between two and five years, the agency's chairwoman warned yesterday. Julia Bracewell said the move would leave the agency illequipped to take advantage of a package of opportunities unique in Scottish sporting history.

Photographer in Running for Award

Twins Deny Switching Identities in Prison

IDENTICAL twins yesterday denied they switched identities to allow one of them to be freed from prison early. Procurator-fiscal Kenny Donnelly moved to desert the case against John and Gary O'Donnell at Falkirk Sheriff Court pro loco et tempore. John O'Donnell was granted bail pending the serving of a fresh indictment.

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