Evening Times

Scots Gay Couples Get Green Light to Adopt Controversial Shake-Up Unveiled

GAY and unmarried couples are to be allowed to adopt in Scotland. Acontroversial shake-up of adoption laws - the first major changes affecting couples for 25 years - was announced today by the Scottish Executive.

Don't Panic Over Painkiller Alert, Say Docs Safety Warning After Popular Pills Linked to Heart Attacks

DOCTORS today warned people not to panic over fears about the safety of commonlyused painkillers linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. A study published in the British Medical Journal suggested that non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs could increase the chance of an attack by as much as 55-per cent.

Glasgow Teachers in Plea to Keep Standard Grades Union Warns Scrapping System Will Mean Pupils Leaving School with No Qualifications

TEACHERS in Glasgow want a campaign to ensure Standard Grade exams in Scottish schools are not scrapped. They made the call at the AGM of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the country's largest teaching union.

Call for Inquiry Into Graham Charity

TEACHERS have called for an investigation into a charity run by the son of American evangelist Billy Graham, which collects items in schools in the west of Scotland to help poor people worldwide. Samaritans Purse, which is run by Franklyn Graham, asks children to fill a shoebox with toys and aid items.

Cancer Risk Fears for Kids at Rosyth

CHILDREN living near Rosyth naval base may have a slightly higher risk of cancer, a report has revealed. In a study by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation, no evidence was found that children living near nuclear power stations in Britain are at greater risk of cancer.

Pounds-11m Housing Boost

THE final phase of an pounds-11million housing development was being unveiled in Glasgow today. Maryhill Housing Association spearheaded the scheme which offers 22 new homes for rent and the project in Ruchill has transformed a former housing blackspot.

Two Hurt in Van Crash

TWO men were taken to hospital following an early morning crash when their van overturned. Their vehicle careered out of control in Daisy Street, close to Allison Street, in the Govanhill area.

Cash Threat to Sleepers

FEARS are growing that overnight trains between Scotland and England could be under threat as the government is about to slash vital funding. But First ScotRail today insisted it was fully committed to the sleepers and said the service was attracting more passengers who were about to see major improvements.

Duck!Close Encounters of the Bird Kind for City Workers

IT'S like a scene straight out of Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror movie The Birds. An office worker desperately runs for cover as a winged marauder swoops overhead on a dive-bombing run.

Gay Couples Allowed to Adopt in Legal Shake-Up Reforms Set to Spark Moral Backlash and Anger Churches

GAY couples will be allowed to adopt children under controversial plans announced today by the Scottish Executive. Inamovethathas angered the churches, Ministers are backing a review which says samesex couples "who are in enduring family relationships should be able to adopt jointly".

Telly Favourites Back Moves to Give Them Kids

TV favourites Justin and Colin will welcome the adoption shake- up, which would allow gay couples like them to become parents. The design duo - Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan - have spoken publicly about their desire to become dads.

Campaign Groups Back 'Long Overdue' Move

ADOPTION and gay rights groups today hailed the reforms as "good news" for unmarried couples - both gay and heterosexual. The Equality Network pressure group said the legislation was "long overdue in Scotland".

I Weighed 24 Stone and Could Hardly Walk . . . Now I'll Do the Great Scottish Run!Exclusive Evelyn Loses 8 Stones in 10 Months

TEN months ago mum Evelyn Smith tipped the scales at almost 24 stone and was hard-pushed to walk the length of three houses. Now the super slimmer has shed eight stones, dropped seven dress sizes and is gearing up to take part in the Great Scottish Run.

Bosses in Race to Open Pounds-2m Abc Venue

OWNERS of a new pounds-2million Glasgow music venue were today involved in a race against time to open tonight. Bosses of the ABC in Sauchiehall Street insist the venue will open tonight after an eleventh hour licensing hitch forced the opening show on Wednesday night to be cancelled.

Battle for Seat Looms As Msp Plans to Quit It's Time to Move On and Do Other Things Says Hughes

RUTHERGLEN MSP Janis Hughes is standing down from parliament. The 47-year-old Labour MSP said it was time for her to "move on and do other things".

Pounds-1m Aid to Help Kids in Uganda

A SCOTS charitable fund has announced an aid package for children blighted by war in Uganda. The Hunter Foundation has reached an agreement with Unicef which will channel pounds-1million to a war-torn area in the north of the African country.

Why Chief Is Vital Voice in Fight Against Crime

TODAY'S insightful briefing from Strathclyde's Chief Constable Willie Rae is both timely and welcome. Given newly-published statistics which suggest crime such as fire raising are soaring, it is reassuring for the man at the helm of Scotland's biggest force to admit the scale of problem his officers face, explain his future vision and assert his commitment to creating safer communities.

Everyday Angel

THERE are so many reasons why Carol Dunn should not have got out of her car last Friday night. There she was, a woman driving alone through Glasgow's city centre. There he was - a man, possibly drunk, lying out cold on the pavement.

Attack of City's Feathered Fiends

THEY bring terror from above in scenes straight out of Hitchcock's movie The Birds. With workers and pedestrians being attacked by seagulls, the matter has gone beyond a joke.

Kids Hold Key to Beating Scotland's Knife Culture News Special Top Cop Outlines Long-Term Strategy

STRATHCLYDE Police Chief Constable Willie Rae today breaks his silence on the key issues affecting the communities he serves. In an exclusive interview with crime reporter ALEX ROBERTSON he tells of far-reaching efforts to tackle knife crime and violence. And he voices his support for community policing during a period of rapid change in the force's 30-year history KNIFE culture is deeply embedded in the west of Scotland. My officers take a huge number of weapons off the street, more than dur...