The Herald

75per Cent of Inmates Reoffend Within Two Years Government 'Vindicated' Over Plans to Scrap Short Sentences

THE Scottish Government yesterday seized on statistics showing almost three-quarters of offenders who are sent to prison for a short time are reconvicted within two years of being released as evidence that the current system is failing. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's comments followed the release of an analysis by Scotland's chief statistician covering 2005 to 2007 .

Give Her a Big Hand

FINAL BOW: Street performer Claire Wedemeyer gives one last wave as she packs up on the final day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The 63rd Fringe, the world's biggest arts festival with 34,000 performances of more than 2000 shows, broke all previous records by selling 1,859,235 tickets. It was a 21per cent increase on last year's figure.

Downing Street Vows to Publish Papers On Megrahi

DOWNING Street revealed last night it is to publish correspondence between the UK and Scottish governments over the release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. Sources insisted it would confirm the Westminster government's line that no covert deals were struck with Libya before Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi was freed from prison on compassionate grounds ast month.

Two Black Watch Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

TWO soldiers from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, yesterday became the latest casualties n Afghanistan after being killed by a roadside bomb. The Ministry of Defence said the two soldiers, the 209th and 210 victims of the conflict, were on foot patrol north of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province yesterday morning when the explosion happened. Next of kin have been informed.

New Strategy Is Needed in Afghanistan, Says Nato Chief Pressure On Brown to Increase Troops

GORDON Brown looks likely to face more pressure to increase Britain's 9000strong military presence in Afghanistan after the US and Nato commander insisted a new strategy was needed to fight the Taliban. Officials from Nato disclosed that General Stanley McChrystal is expected to put in a new request for more allied troops.

Victim of Blaze in Flat Is Named

Three Arrested in Cocaine Seizure

Flood Warnings Across Scotland

Man in Court Over Rape Charge

Tractor Death Farmer Is Named

Record-Breaking Festival Fringe Sells 1.9 Million Tickets

LAST night the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's biggest arts festival, surprised even its organisers by announcing it has sold nearly 1.9 million tickets this year. The 63rd Fringe broke all previous records, shrugging off the recession, the rain, swine flu and the weak pound, by selling 1,859,235 tickets, a 21per cent increase on last year's figure.

Three Named As Prize-Winners for 2009

Three companies which received glowing reviews in The Herald during this year's Edinburgh Fringe were named yesterday as the winners of the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe Prize 2009. Glasgow-based writer and director David Leddy, winner of a Bank of Scotland Herald Angel on Saturday for his production White Tea, was among the winners .

The Camera Loves Youth so Get Over It, Says Lumley Actress Urges Women to Face Facts As Robinson Says Tv Is Sexist and Ageist

THEY are two of TV's eading female stars and at the ages of 64 and 63 show no signs of vanishing from the small screen. But, amid accusations of broadcasters pandering to a "cult of youth", Anne Robinson and Joanna Lumley have spoken out about allegations of ageism in the industry.

Kerpow! Disney Buys Marvel Comic Superheroes for Gbp2.4bn

COMIC book characters such as Iron Man and Spider-Man are being brought into the family of Mickey Mouse and WALL-E after The Walt Disney Company announced it was buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. The organisation paid GBP2.4bn in cash and stocks and will acquire the rights to 5000 characters, such as the Fantastic Four and the X-Men.

Tee N a G E R Convicted for Driving at 125mph On the A90

A TEENAGE motorist caught doing 125mph just days after getting his licence has been convicted of dangerous driving. Vern Ross, 18, was found guilty of driving dangerously on a stretch of dual carriageway on the A90 Peterhead to Aberdeen road.

Teacher Is Fined Gbp7500 for Weapons Stash

A GUN fanatic who left a handgun, ammunition and gunpowder lying about his flat has been fined GBP7500 . The High Court in Glasgow yesterday heard that police found a Webley MK IV hinge frame revolver, the cylinder and barrel from a Smith and Wesson style revolver, ammunition and gunpowder in the Stranraer house.

Us Business Boost for Highlands

THE world famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology arrives in Inverness tomorrow to launch a threeyear programme that will link it to hundreds of Highlands and Islands businesses. For the past five years, MIT has been helping companies in locations such as Kinlochleven and Fochabers, through the agency of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Now HIE wants to expand the programme to reach twice as many businesses.

Forth Road Bridge Workers Share Tales of Construction Exclusive

PEOPLE who worked on the Forth Road Bridge and their families are to share their memories of the structure at an event to celebrate its 45th birthday this week. Despite the uncertain future facing the bridge, former workers, their families and people who attended the opening by The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on September 4, 1969, have been invited to raise a glass at Friday's celebrations.

Northern's First Female Police Chief Takes Charge

THE first female area commander appointed by Northern Constabulary took charge in Orkney yesterday. Chief Inspector Mhairi Grant was previously a detective inspector working in the public protection unit within crime services across the Highlands and Islands.

New Licensing Laws Force Pubs to Shut Traders Say Council Did Not Process Licences

DOZENS of pubs and clubs in the west of Scotland are being forced to shut today, the first day of the country's new liquor laws, despite pledges of a "softly softly" approach in the first weeks of the legislation. North Lanarkshire Council, which has failed to issue any licences by today's deadline, has told at least 25 venues that they will not be allowed to sell alcohol until further notice after claiming licensees did not submit the required paperwork on time.