Edinburgh publisher rakes in millions from Obama book rights

By Rory Reynolds

A SMALL Scots publishing house is reaping millions in profits after it bought the rights to Barack Obama’s best-selling titles – before he was president.

Jamie Byng’s publishing firm Canongate has posted a massive turnover of £7.35million in just six months, after the US president’s non-fiction works topped the charts across the globe.

The 40-year-old discovered the aspiring Democrat senator’s book three years ago and snapped up the UK and Commonwealth publishing rights.

Last year the Edinburgh-based firm’s profits rocketed by 850 per cent as the books were just taking off.

Jamie – who cut his business teeth running nightclubs in the capital – said that the “Barack bounce” would make the firm cash for “many years to come”.

Glass face smash victim ‘too scared’ to go out

By Andrea McCallum

A CARER left scarred after a drunken thug smashed a glass into his face says he is now too scared to go out to the pub.

George Cowe, 39, was left with scars to his face after unemployed Barry Rutherford launched the unprovoked attack in a pub.

Now George says his life has been affected to the point where his family fear for his safety every time he leaves his home in Eskview Avenue, Musselburgh.

He said: “I don’t go out any more, really, and I have only been out once since the incident.

Cabinet ministers’ offices flooded after pipes burst

By Rory Reynolds

SCOTTISH Parliament staff have been forced to carry out mopping up operations at the troubled Holyrood building yet again – this time after senior ministers’ offices were hit by water leaks.

Finance secretary John Swinney and housing minister Alex Neil were worst affected, while Transport minister Stewart Stevenson and the health minister Shona Robison saw their offices also affected after building work failed yet again.

The latest embarrassment saw staff having to mop up the leaks which were caused when a blocked drainpipe forced water back into the building, causing the ‘Ministerial Tower’ offices to be affected with water.

Initially it had been rumoured the ministers themselves may have been involved in the clear up, but yesterday this was vehemently denied by parliament press officers who issued a denial.

But they did admit also that Holyrood, which cost a staggering £414 million to complete, was still suffering problems a full five years after it was first opened.

Scots bid for humble Lorne sausage to be protected by EU

By Rory Reynolds

SCOTLAND’S humble Lorne sausage could soon be placed alongside luxury goods such as champagne and cognac, if an attempt to place the foodstuff on a prestigious EU goods list is successful.

Scots butchers are teaming up to ensure that the nation’s famous square sausage is added to a list of regional foods protected by the European Commission.

Figures in the industry have highlighted how small states like Portugal have 10 times the number of protected foods that Scotland has, and that butchers could lose business to rivals or even “imposters”.

Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Arbroath Smokies are already protected by EU laws, next to goods like Parma ham, Port and Madeira.

Douglas Scott, head of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association, said that it was time that Scotland ensured the future of its meaty snack.

Unknown Sir Patrick Geddes artefact uncovered in renovation

By Rory Reynolds

A RARE stained glass panel that celebrates one of the nation’s most famous minds has been uncovered during the renovation of a historic Scots building.

The collection of three stained glass windows bear the motto of urban planning pioneer Sir Patrick Geddes, and were obscured for decades on the former site of the Edinburgh Courant newspaper offices.

They were discovered when the site – which dates back to the 1860s – was being transformed into the new luxury hotel development, Fraser Suites.

The central window, the existence of which was completely unknown to experts until now, bears Geddes’ motto, vivendo discimvs, Latin for ‘by living we learn’.

The Aberdeenshire-born innovator is one of Scotland’s most celebrated urban planners, who was responsible for designing modern university halls for students, arguing that their education would be improved by them sharing accommodation.

Newspaper Round-Up Wednesday 4th November

Drink drive cop resigns from force

By Paul Thornton

A SHAMED police officer has been forced to quit his job after he smashed his car following a drinking binge.

David White, 28, downed glasses of wine following a bust-up with his estranged wife before getting behind the wheel – to buy cigarettes.

But fellow cops saw him staggering from the scene of a smash at a roundabout and found White to be almost THREE times the legal driving limit.

White admitted that he had been driving the car and was put on restricted duties by Lothian and Borders Police.

And yesterday at Livingston Sheriff Court White admitted drink driving and his lawyer revealed that he had quit as an officer earlier this week.

White – who already had fixed-fines for running a red light and speeding – was hit with an 18 month road ban and fined £335 over the offence which happened last month.

Fiscal depute Lisa McCloy told the court that officers had come across White’s wrecked motor while on routine duty in Livingston, West Lothian on October 18 this year.