The Scotsman

Review: Alesha Dixon

MUSIC, ALESHA DIXON, ABC, GLASGOW *** FOLLOWING her Strictly Come Dancing victory and all the hoo-ha surrounding her promotion to the show's judging panel, one could easily forget that Alesha Dixon had a life before she started hoofing on TV, first coming to prominence as one-third - the charismatic, rapping third - of girl band Mis-Teeq.

Tesco Tipped to Buy Northern Rock After Bank Is Broken Up

NORTHERN Rock is to be broken up, fuelling speculation that part of the nationalised bank could be bought by Tesco as the supermarket makes inroads into the financial services sector. Yesterday, European Union regulators approved a UK government plan to break up the state-owned lender to clear the way for the sale of parts of the bank, which benefited from Gordon Brown's GBP 1.3 trillion bank bail-out.

Analysis: Firm's Ambitions Are Clear

TESCO already dominates Britain's grocery sector, but the ubiquitous supermarket chain makes no secret of its aim to sell mortgages and current accounts. It has clearly seen the banking crisis as a big opportunity to advance its ambitions. With traditional banks suffering huge reputational damage in the past two years, consumers have shown a greater willingness to conduct their financial affairs with companies whose brands they trust.

Swinney Admits Business Friction Despite 'All I've Ever Done for Them'

FINANCE secretary John Swinney was forced on to the defensive yesterday as he had to respond to an unprecedented attack from Scotland's business community. Mr Swinney insisted economic growth was still the primary goal of the Scottish Government, as he faced tough questioning from Holyrood's economy committee.

Europe Rules Calmac Subsidy for Lifeline Routes Is Within Law

THE funding of Scotland's lifeline ferry services has not breached European law, an investigation has found. The European Commission launched an inquiry last year into government subsidy of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry routes, including Gourock to Dunoon, and Northlink's services to Orkney and Shetland.

Critic's Choice

The House of Bernarda Alba, King's Theatre, Edinburgh, 3-7 November

Stockpile of Drugs and Guns Seized by Lockdown

WHEN the gang behind the cocaine-dealing network were finally caught, officers raiding their properties seized drugs, cash and luxury items that gave an insight into their lifestyle. Drugs worth close to GBP 9million were discovered, along with cash totalling GBP 450,000.

Gbp 65k Golden Goodbyes for Mps Axed

MPS are set to lose their "golden goodbyes" as part of a review of the expenses system. An overhaul of the rules by Sir Christopher Kelly will reportedly recommend MPs should no longer get resettlement grants when they leave parliament.

More Clarity or More Red Tape? Developers Are Split On Reform

IN JULY, a report by Audit Scotland laid bare the bureaucratic nightmare of the Scottish planning regime. It found that just 43 per cent of all non-householder development applications were dealt with within the statutory two months during 2007-8. In the year before, just 45 per cent met the deadline. The report offered proof, if it were needed, that the planning system in Scotland was in need of a thorough shake-up. Many developers faced working within a local plan that could be up to 15 yea...

Snp Rejects Calls for 'Unnecessary' Review of Student Funding

CALLS for a comprehensive review of university funding have been rejected by Fiona Hyslop, the education secretary. She told the Scottish Parliament yesterday that such a move was not necessary as her government was already acting to improve funding for the sector.

Springburn Proves Too Testing for Griffin

THE previous week Nick Griffin had braved death threats, run the gauntlet of rioting protestors outside BBC studios, and been heckled by a baying crowd during his appearance on Question Time. But even for a hardened neo-fascist, it appears the streets of north-east Glasgow are a step too far.

Theatre Reviews: Othello / Top Dog/ Underdog/ the Elephant Man/ Kes: The Trouble with Tragedy

The Scottish stage is awash with tragic tales at the moment, but only one serves up an evening of unremitting misery OTHELLO ***

Families of 14 Air Crash Casualties Call for Swift Action

RELATIVES of the 14 servicemen killed in the Nimrod air crash have called for immediate government action following the damning report. The families met armed forces minister Bill Rammell yesterday to discuss the highly critical review.

Accused: Mod's Cash Cuts 'Killed 14 Airmen'

A LITANY of leadership failures at the heart of the Ministry of Defence, safety flaws driven by cost-cutting, and a culture of "incompetence, complacency and cynicism" were blamed yesterday for the deaths of 14 servicemen, killed when a spy plane exploded in mid- air over Afghanistan. In a damning independent review into the crash of the ageing Nimrod, based at RAF Kinloss, Charles Haddon-Cave, QC, claimed safety had been sacrificed in a drive to save money.

Skye-Based Paper First to Be Employee-Owned

THE Skye-based West Highland Free Press has become the first newspaper in the UK to be owned by its employees. The shareholders of West Highland Publishing, publishers of the weekly paper founded in 1972, have agreed to sell the company to ten of its staff.

Cairngorm Rail Report Requested

A CONSERVATION body has told MSPs that a "transparent, realistic and clear" appraisal of the future operation of the Cairngorm funicular is still needed following a critical report this month. The Scottish Parliament's public audit committee will next week study a recent report from Audit Scotland on the controversial mountain railway project.

Brown Backs Blair for Eu Presidency

THE campaign for Tony Blair to become the first European Union president will be stepped up by Gordon Brown when he meets other EU leaders today. The Prime Minister is set to embark on behind-the-scenes lobbying on behalf of his former rival.

Two More Swine Flu Deaths Take Scottish Toll to 25

THERE have been two more deaths linked to swine flu in Scotland. The Scottish Government said two adults, one from Lanarkshire and the other from Fife, had died after contracting the H1N1 virus, taking the death toll to 25. Both patients had underlying health conditions.

Donations-Row Msp Returns to Labour's Front Bench

THE Labour MSP whose actions helped to bring down Wendy Alexander as Scottish party leader has been handed a key job in its front- bench team. Glasgow Cathcart MSP Charlie Gordon has been handed back the job as transport spokesman by new leader Iain Gray. He was forced to resign from the role last year after it emerged he had accepted an illegal campaign donation.

Iain Gray Backs Snp Call for Extra Budget Funds

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray has joined his Nationalist opponents in demanding that extra money is pumped into next year's budget to help Scotland get out of the recession. Mr Gray has written to Chancellor Alistair Darling supporting calls for capital money allocated for 2011-12 to be brought forward a year.