9am Briefing: Cardinal O'Brien's Nazi jibe 'could cost Scots jobs'

Published on Thursday 30 October 2008 08:50

CARDINAL Keith O'Brien, the leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics, is at the centre of a fresh row over his comments likening embryo research to Nazi experiments.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott claimed the remarks could have endangered Scottish jobs in the life sciences industry.

The controversy was sparked by an open letter from Cardinal O'Brien to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, attacking the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

100,000 of criminal assets is seized in six months

MORE than 100,000 of criminal assets have been seized in the Lothians in the last six months.

The new figures released today take the total to 2.1 million since the Act, to punish criminals by taking illegally acquired fortunes, came into place five years ago.

The figures have been hailed as a great success, and nationally the haul works out at around 13,000 per day, with a total of almost 25m being seized across Scotland.

Seventies disco for city Hogmanay party

EDINBURGH'S world-famous Hogmanay celebrations will have two new additions this year, organisers have revealed.

An outdoor seventies disco will take place on the Mound, while a new dance arena will be created in the West End.

900 for bird that died in 3 weeks

A BIRD lover paid 900 for a peregrine falcon which dropped dead just three weeks later.

Ronald O'Farrell, from Penicuik, was shocked to find the 11-week-old bird lying lifeless and took breeder Stephen Moroney to court it was reported.

But the sheriff at Edinburgh Sheriff Court threw out his claim for a refund after ruling that the bird had died of stress caused by being pushed too hard in training.