The Herald

Licensed Trade in Meltdown Over New Drink Laws Chaos As Thousands of Pubs and Clubs Left Trading Illegally Exclusive

THE irst major overhaul of Scotland's licensing system in 30 years is in turmoil on the eve of its introduction, as new figures reveal that thousands of pubs, clubs, off-sales and even supermarkets will effectively be operating illegally from tomorrow. Eight years since the idea to address alcohol misuse and tackle Scotland's drinking culture with legislation got off the ground, and 18 months since the transition into the new Act began, local authorities are in administrative meltdown proce...

Little Ray of Autumn

Stv Wants Gbp5m From Taxpayer to Fund News Coverage Exclusive

STV has asked the TV regulator for a GBP5m bail-out to preserve its commercial public service news bulletins in Scotland. The move follows an 84per cent slump in the channel's profits due to the advertising downturn and its decision to axe flagship ITV dramas from its schedules.

Snp Bring Forward Independence Bill

A REFERENDUM on breaking up the UK will be at the centre of he legislative programme First Minister Alex Salmond will reveal to the Scottish Parliament later this week. The announcement, on Thursday, will confirm the timetable already set out by the SNP government to bring forward legislation for a poll early in 2010 ahead of a possible vote later in the year.

Blast From the Past

NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP: Revellers, resplendent in an array of sweatbands, ra-ra skirts, pink gloves and mullet wigs, enjoy a trip down memory lane at Retrofest yesterday. Organisers of the 1980s nostalgia event said 12,000 fans turned out to see Gloria Gaynor, 80s heart-throb Rick Astley and Lanarkshire-born former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure.

Lorry Driver Believed to Have Strangled Stepdaughter Girl, 9, Killed Before Man Hung Himself

A LORRY driver is believed to have strangled his nine-year-old stepdaughter before hanging himself from a tree in nearby woodland. The girl's body was discovered in the cab of the lorry parked at the Little Chef on the A605 near Warmington, Northamptonshire, on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Reveals New Strategy to Curb Death Toll in Afghanistan

GORDON Brown has unveiled a fresh strategy for the war in Afghanistan, including the speedier training of an Afghan army and a "reconciliation" process for Taliban elements. The Prime Minister used a visit to a British military base in Helmand province on Saturday to announce the changes aimed at curbing the death toll among UK soldiers.

One Killed, Four Injured in Car Crash

Key Unlocks Door to Fringe Award

Car Driven Wrong Way On Motorway

Man Dies After Tractor Overturns

Investigation Into Fisherman's Death

Correction

Huge Surge in Support for Trust Threat to Future of Nts Attracts Thousands of New Members

MEMBERSHIP of Scotland's leading heritage charity is soaring at a time of widespread concern about costcutting at the organisation and the closure of some of its properties. About 1000 people a month are now joining the National Trust for Scotland in what some believe could be a surge of goodwill towards the body following months of controversy about redundancies and closures.

Curling Coach to Be Sued by Former Captain

THE former captain of the Scottish women's curling team is to sue the national coach for defamation . Gail Munro has accused Derek Brown of damaging her reputation with comments he allegedly made about her at the world championships in Canada last year.

Open Season Declared On Architectural Masterpieces Exclusive

GLASGOW'S landmark School of Art has been named as one of Scotland's favourite buildings in a poll of some of the country's leading public figures. The striking building on Renfrew Street was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is regarded as a prime example of his groundbreaking work.

Councils Struggle to Keep Up with Changes

ONE of the biggest licensing board areas in Scotland, North Lanarkshire, admitted that it had not even begun to start issuing licences and had written to all premises telling them to continue as normal while it finalises processing the paperwork. A total of 392 applications submitted for premises' licences in Stirling had been granted but, again, none had been issued to date.

Muddled Attempt to End Scotland's Battle with Alcohol Watered-Down Plans Have Just Brought Confusion Watered-Down Plans Have Just Brought Confusion Analysis

EIGHT years ago leading legal figures were tasked with developing legislation to tackle head-on Scotland's problem relationship with alcohol and simultaneously redress the existing cumbersome system, promote health, protect children and deliver the mythical drinking culture enjoyed on the continent. The June 2001 launch of those admirable aims and 18 months since the ball of the so-called transition began rolling, what remains as the clock ticks towards the full implementation of the subseq...

Straw Denies Megrahi Release Was Connected to Trade Deals Nelson Mandela Backs Macaskill's Decision

JACK Straw, the UK Justice Secretary, has described as ''absurd'' suggestions that trade deals had anything to do with the release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. Mr Straw was forced into the denial after letters leaked to Sunday newspaper appeared to show that he had backed away from efforts to stipulate that Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi should be exempt from a prisoner transfer agreement signed with Libya in 2007.

We Meet Again As Dame Vera Is Back in the Charts After 60 Years

SECOND World War forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn is officially the oldest pop star in town after her new album overtook bands including U2, the Stone Roses, Elbow and Blur in the charts yesterday. The 92-year-old singer's new collection of her songs, including We'll Meet Again, White Cliffs of Dover and It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow, debuted in the album charts Top 20 - 60 years after she topped the charts.