Emeli Sande signs record deal

By Cara Sulieman

THE SCOTTISH singer who wrote Chipmunk’s smash hit ‘Diamond Rings’ has secured a recording contract with Virgin Records.

It comes just months after Emeli Sande signed a publishing deal with music giants EMI and performed on stage at the MOBO awards.

The 22-year-old announced the news on her Twitter account on Tuesday.

She said: “I’m signed! I’m an official recording artist with virgin records. Let’s go!”

The Aberdonian has been pursuing a music career since she was a schoolchild and has celebrated a whirlwind year.

Obama tops the polls again

By Cara Sulieman

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama is the person most Scots kids would choose to go on holiday with.

They were asked who would be the “most fun” celebrity holiday companion and Obama roared to victory for a second time with the youngsters.

He was the only politician on the list, which was the result of a Travelodge poll asking children what they wanted for their summer holiday.

Other than the victorious president, the list is populated by an array of stars of kid’s programmes and films.

FEMALE TAXI RANKS: Girlguiding Scotland calls for girls-only ranks

By Cara Sulieman

A YOUTH organisation is campaigning for female-only taxi ranks to be introduced in Scotland’s biggest cities.

Girlguiding Scotland are asking local authorities to introduce the marshalled ranks in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen after a survey showed girls under 18 are often scared when making their way home.

The proposal comes after the organisation carried out a survey of 1,000 girl guides.

Girls Shout Out

Girls Shout Out – the report of the survey – also suggests that councils give young girls rape alarms and flip-flops when they are out clubbing.