The Herald

20-Fold Rise in Homes Worth More Than Gbp1m

THE number of properties worth more than GBP1m in he UK has risen 20-fold during the past decade, according to house sale figures published yesterday. A total of 3888 homes changed hands for seven figures last year, but most were in London and the south-east.

Appeal Hearing Plea by Lockerbie Bomber Scottish Judges May Have to Return to the Netherlands

SCOTTISH judges could be forced to return to the Netherlands to hear a fresh appeal of the Lockerbie bomber, according to his defence lawyers. The appeal court heard yesterday that there is "every likelihood" that the conviction of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi will be referred for a new appeal based on the strength of fresh evidence.

Global Video Owner Gives Up Firm

MAQ RASUL, one of Scotland's richest men, has been forced to give up the business which made him his fortune. Mr Rasul, 54, announced yesterday that he has handed over Global Video to administrators.

Mcconnell: Lawyer Strike Threat Disgraceful

JACK McConnell yesterday turned up the heat in the dispute with lawyers over payments for criminal defence work, accusing them of adopting a "shocking and disgraceful" stance in boycotting sex offender cases. After three bar associations decided not to take on some classes of case work, the first minister warned them their "irresponsible threat" was risking public safety.

Easyjet Unveils Glasgow to Gatwick Service

EASYJET has unveiled three new daily flights from Glasgow to Gatwick in a direct challenge to British Airways. The airline, which launched its empire with budget flights from Scotland to Luton 10 years ago, will offer the first nofrills connections from Glasgow to what is London's biggest holiday airport.

Rumblings and Bangs As Highland Earthquake Hits

AN earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale hit the west Highlands yesterday, resulting in loud bangs and making floors vibrate. People in Gairloch, Achnasheen, Stromeferry and Ardaneaskan called the British Geological Survey (BGS) with reports of the tremor just after noon. One said "the whole house shook", and another added: "We thought the chimney had fallen down."

60 Years Young and Still Growing Fringe Shows No Signs of Old Age with Another Edgy Programme

ITis heading for the artistic equivalent of a free bus pass, but the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still not afraid to court controversy. From its small beginnings in 1947, when eight companies turned up to perform, uninvited by the new Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe continues to gatecrash the capital, converting its buildings into performance spaces and outraging at least some citizens.

Founder of Capercaillie Takes Over Celtic Connections

DONALD Shaw, founder of the Celtic band Capercaillie, was yesterday named artistic consultant for one of the country's premiere music festivals, Celtic Connections. The musician, record producer and composer, who has appeared several times at the festival, takes over the responsibilities of Colin Hynd.

The Fall of Al Qaeda's Showman Hunt Began with Gbp13.5m Bounty | Militia Disenchanted | Leader's Rule Had Diminished Abu Musab Al Zarqawi Topped the Coalition's Hit List, but His Death Will Have Little Effect On the Violent Insurgency, As Ian Bruce Reveals

THE intelligence trail which led to a surgical strike on Iraq's most wanted terrorist started with a whisper from a disenchanted member of his own al Qaeda network to Jordanian agents. The lure of a GBP13.5m bounty on the head of Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the same price on offer for the death or capture of Osama bin Laden, is understood to have been a major factor in the betrayal.

Gorbachev Warns Blair On Nuclear Power Stations

MIKHAIL Gorbachev issued a stern warning to Tony Blair yesterday to "look seven times before you leap"when deciding to build a new generation of nuclear power stations. The former Soviet president, in office at the time of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, invoked the financial, human and environmental cost of the catastrophe as a reason against building a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Fight On Over Playing Fields

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to council plans to sell off a large swathe of green space, including playing fields and running tracks, are set to step up their protest. Members of Paisley-based action group, Friends of Seedhill Playing fields, are outraged at plans by Renfrewshire Council to sell off 11 acres of the area for a private housing development and a car park.

Easyjet Unveils Gatwick Service

EASYJET has unveiled three new daily flights from Glasgow to Gatwick in a direct challenge to British Airways. The airline, which launched its empire with budget flights from Scotland to Luton 10 years ago, will offer the first nofrills connections from Glasgow to what is London's biggest holiday airport.

How Scots Ads Could Soon Be Cutting Smoking . . . In Serbia

ITsparked something of a revolution when first aired in Scotland five years ago, even spawning a top 10 record. The anti-smoking advert featuring Stinx, a mock girl band, proved a surprise underground hit, with young fans desperately downloading it from a government website.

Teachers Tell Ministers: Cut Classes Now Pupil Numbers Make Job 'Nigh Impossible'

MINISTERS were yesterday facing mounting pressure from teachers to cut class sizes after warnings that Scottish schools are lagging behind the rest of Europe. According to official figures for average class sizes in primary schools, Scotland lies 19th in a league table of 21 European countries, with only Ireland and England having a higher average.

Rangers Fan Flies Flag for England

A10-YEAR-OLD Scot flew the flag for England yesterday before setting off for the World Cup. Rangers fan Mac Ovenden, of Ibrox, Glasgow, unfurled his St George's Cross before leaving Stansted Airport for Germany. But to make sure that no one was in doubt of his true allegiance, Mac had emblazoned one quarter of the flag with a Rangers badge.

Pupils Warned On Racist Remarks

Ryder Richardson in Saddle

ANNA Ryder Richardson, the television personality, is among 12 entertainers saddling up for a BBC celebrity showjumping contest. The Glasgow-based star of Changing Rooms will participate in Only Fools On Horses to raise funds for Sport Relief.

Top Sports Official to Bolster Glasgow Bid

GLASGOW has signed a senior Australian sports administrator to strengthen its team bidding to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Perry Crosswhite, a threetimes basketball Olympian, was part of the evaluation commission which scrutinised the 2010 Commonwealth Games candidates and selected New Delhi.

Special Olympics Pumped Gbp4.4m Into the Economy

GLASGOW'S Special Olympics generated GBP4.4m for the Scottish economy, according to figures released yesterday. The games were held at the height of the G8 protests last July but managed to attract almost 16,000 visitors.

Miles From Home and Ready to Cheer As the World Cup Kick-Off Approaches, Allan Laing Finds That Expats in Scotland Are Set for Celebration

THE hopes and fears of an entire nation rest with a bone in Wayne Rooney's foot. Meanwhile, for viewers in Scotland . . . Final preparations were being made yesterday to celebrate the opening of the World Cup from a refreshingly international perspective.