Prison bosses splash out on LCD televisions for inmates

PRISON bosses have come under fire over plans to buy new state of the art televisions for jails across the country.

The Scottish Prison Service has put out a tender for a two-year contract to supply around 3,200 new televisions for all but two of Scotland’s prisons.

It states that they will only accept new energy-efficient LCD models with in-built DVD players to meet “green targets”.

Although the tender doesn’t contain a guide price, estimations show that even £150 budget models would set them back £48,000.

The plans have been criticised by politicians, who say that prisoners shouldn’t be able to enjoy equipment that ordinary “law abiding people” can’t afford.

Scottish soldiers join forces with Afghan National Police

2 Scots joined forces with the Afghan National Police to drive out insurgants

SCOTTISH soldiers joined forces with the Afghan National Police to claim back a huge part of the country from the Taleban.

In just a few hours they drove out insurgents, arrested key leaders of the terrorist group and seized a massive haul of drugs and weapons.

Operation ZMARAY SARAK 5 saw three security forces come together, including the 2 Scots the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Three drugs runners were captured along with 250 kilogrammes of heroin in the first part of the process to clear the area around Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province.

Man appears in court over Livingston rape

A MAN has appeared in court in connection with a serious sexual assault in Livingston on Wednesday.

Barry MacMillan, 26, appeared on petition at Livingston Sheriff Court today charged with rape and breach of the peace.

A woman was subjected to a “terrifying” sex attack near a public footpath in the town at 5.15pm on Wednesday.

It took place in bushes close to the path between Cedarbank and Colverbank in the Ladywell area.

MacMillan made no plea nor declaration and was committed for further examination.

He will remain in custody until his next appearance next week.

REPORT: Cara Sulieman

Decanter of whisky expected to raise thousands for charity

The unique combination is expected to make $100,000 at auction.

A DECANTER of whisky is expected to reach more than £61,981 ($100,000) at auction after being showcased around the world.

The unique crystal decanter holds 1.5 liters of rare Macallan 64 year old whisky.

The estimate means that each dram of the spirit costs £1,032 ($1,666).

Raising money for charity:water, it has been touring the world in the last year to whip up interest in the auction.

At every stop along the way a 10cl bottle of the rare spirit has been auctioned off along with two special tumblers.

In Taipei it went for a whopping £25,408 ($41,000) and so far the auctions have raised £89,845 ($145,000).

But it Monday’s auction that is expected to raise the most for the charity, which provides access to clean, safe drinking water in developing nations.

Golf book tee’d up for Christmas sale

A LIMITED edition new book is set to make a hole in one’s pocket this Christmas – selling at £3000 a time.

The distinctive Golf Links of Scotland book has been over four years in the making and is the creation of renowned golf photographer Iain Macfarlane Lowe and golf expert George Peper, with just 145 copies going on sale.

The £3,000 hand-made book is being hailed as the definitive tribute to the Old Course at St Andrews and to 18 other seaside links across Scotland including Turnberry, Muirfield and Carnoustie.

It is hoped to be the big hit this Christmas amongst dedicated golf fans and avid collectors throughout the country. 

Video: Colourful giraffes take over Stockbridge

A PARADE of giraffes took to the streets of Edinburgh yesterday (Thur) to celebrate local businesses and raise money for charity.

The 5ft figures were decorated in a range of different colours and styles to represent the 40 businesses in Stockbridge taking part.

Comedian Craig Hill launched the event which saw the giraffes marching with a little help from their owners.

They ranged from GI Giraffe – a giraffe decorated in army paint to represent Edinburgh City Boot Camps to Queen Elizabeth- and the regal giraffe decorated with a collar, pearls and a crown for The Bead Shop.

One of the giraffes was signed by Tears of a Giraffe author Alexander McCall Smith and another by the Scottish rugby team.

REPORT: Amanda MacMillan

Some-fin special for Christmas

SHOPPERS are being offered the chance to snap up a Christmas present with a little more bite this year – shark diving.

Deep Sea World at North Queensferry in Fife say they are cutting prices in the hope a dive with the feared beasts at Scotland’s national aquarium may hook those looking for the special something.

The aquarium based in the waters if the Firth of Forth is the only place in Scotland where it is possible to get up close and personal with the notoriously feared water creatures.

Adult divers are able to swim alongside three-metre-long sand tiger sharks, giant stingrays and many other sharks, rays and other fish species including angel sharks, tope and bull huss.

Man asleep while pan of food catches fire in flat

A DOZY diner had a lucky escape when he was saved by his neighbour’s fire alarm in the flat upstairs after he fell asleep while cooking a snack.

The 24-year-old was out for the count when smoke began belching from his kitchen in Bothwell Street in Edinburgh around 5am.

No fire alarm was fitted in his own home.

But the blaze tripped the detector in the house upstairs and his neighbours alerted the fire brigade while trying to wake him.

Business round-up

BUSINESS NEWS SUMMARY PODCAST

EVERY WEEK DAY WITH DEADLINE NEWS

Friday 12th November 2010

Mystery glider pilot almost downed Typhoon fighters

A MYSTERY glider pilot came close to downing two of the RAF’s new £65m super jets, a report has revealed.

The Typhoon fighters were flying in formation and had to manoeuvre violently to avoiding hitting the glider, according to the report by air accident investigators.

The pilot of one of the 1,300mph jets reported that the risk of hitting the glider had been “high”.

Incredibly, the glider was flying on the runway approach to RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and did not have the correct equipment to warn other aircraft of its presence.