9am Briefing: Tributes to city soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Corporal Lee Brownson and Rifleman Luke Farmer died in a bomb blast while on patrol in the southern Sangin region in the Helmand Province on Friday.

Both were from the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, based at the city's Redford Barracks.

Call to boycott RMJM

PUBLIC bodies have been urged to consider boycotting Edinburgh architecture practice RMJM after it appointed disgraced banker Sir Fred Goodwin as a 100,000 adviser.

Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, accused the firm of "bad judgement" in taking on the former RBS boss, who took the company to the brink of collapse.

Teenager injured after gang attack

A TEENAGER was left seriously injured after being beaten up by a gang of thugs.

The 15 year-old boy was with a friend in Kingsknowe Road North on Friday night when they were set upon by a group of up to ten people.

The boy suffered head and chest injuries and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he remains in a serious condition. His 14-year-old friend suffered minor injuries.

A police spokesman said: "Inquiries are currently at an early stage."

JK ups home offer

HARRY Potter author JK Rowling agreed to pay an extra 300,000 for her new Edinburgh home in exchange for the owner moving out within two weeks and leaving the furniture - so she could throw a Christmas drinks party.

The author had originally agreed to pay 2.2 million for the 17th Century property in the west of the city, but upped the offer to 2.5 million to allow her to throw the party in her new pad.

Blaze probe after man dies

AN investigation has been launched by the fire brigade and police after a man died in a blaze in his East Lothian home.

The man in his forties was pulled out of the burning bungalow in Monkmains Road, Haddington, by firefighters shortly before 7pm on Saturday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially a motorist who may have tried to rescue the man from the house before the emergency services arrived.