Clampdown on alcohol ‘could lead to booze cruises’

12:51am Thursday 4th December 2008

A lack of uniformity in the interpretation and enforcement of Scotland's plans to halt "irresponsible drinks promotions" in off-sales and supermarkets could spark a wave of "booze cruises" across the country, trade leaders and retailers are warning.

	Country reeling as the big freeze continues
	12:49am Thu 4 Dec 08
	A severe weather warning has been issued for the western half of Scotland for today. Forecasters have predicted persistent heavy snow, with the potential for 10cm to 20cm (4in to 8in), blizzard conditions and drifting.

Wave of car thefts as owners leave engines running to warm up

12:47am Thursday 4th December 2008

Cold weather has triggered a series of car thefts caused by car owners warming up their vehicles by leaving their engines running outside their homes.

Fear new planning rules could create ‘cowboy’s charter’

12:51am Thursday 4th December 2008

Thousands of home improvements including many dormer windows, large extensions and decking, will no longer need planning permission under plans revealed yesterday.

	‘A danger to children, staff and yourself’
	12:54am Thu 4 Dec 08
	A troubled primary school teacher was struck off yesterday after admitting serious incompetence in the first case of its kind in Scotland. Susan Barnard was banned from teaching in Scottish schools by the General Teaching Council of Scotland.

Aberdeen bus strike set to go ahead

10:54am Thursday 4th December 2008

A bus workers' strike in Aberdeen on the three weekends before Christmas looks set to go ahead after an improved pay offer was rejected, it was revealed today.

Inspector paints bleak picture of mental illness in prisons

12:17am Thursday 4th December 2008

Hundreds of prisoners with severe mental illness should not be in Scotland's jails, according to the country's chief inspector of prisons.

Privacy fears over method used to take Vicky’s DNA

12:59am Thursday 4th December 2008

The controversial method used to establish a DNA profile of murder victim Vicky Hamilton should not become widespread practice, both police and campaigners said yesterday.

Islay shaken by triple road fatality

12:20am Thursday 4th December 2008

An island community was in shock last night after two men and a young boy were killed in a road crash. Jamie MacTaggart, aged 10, and his father, 38-year-old Dugald MacTaggart, died when their pick-up truck and another vehicle collided on the island of Islay.

Public urged to send ‘square stocking’ gifts to UK troops

12:22am Thursday 4th December 2008

It began in 1914 with a gift for everyone in King’s uniform who was posted abroad, and culminated last year in an outpouring of public support which overwhelmed the armed forces’ ability to cope.

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