Evening Times

Man's Back Broken in Push Down Escalator Shop Attack

A SHOPPER has suffered a broken back after being pushed down an escalator in a busy store. Police were today hunting for the man who attacked the 37-year- old in front of horrified bargain hunters.

Rail Threat to 'Tesco Town' Planning Row

RAIL chiefs are threatening to veto plans to build a massive supermarket, student flats - and a leisure centre - in Glasgow's west end. Tesco wants to develop vacant land near the bottom of Byres Road.

Mystery Have-a-Go Hero Saves Kidnap Bid Woman Cops Hunt for Brave Passer-by Who Foiled Late-Night Abduction

A mystery hero helped save a woman from an early-morning abduction bid in Glasgow. He came to her rescue as another man tried to drag her into a car.

Lotto Loser Misses Out On Gbp9.4m

A GBP9.4MILLION Lotto jackpot has gone to good causes after the winner failed to come forward by last night's deadline. It's the largest prize unclaimed since the National Lottery started more than 11 years ago.

My Tribute Sculpture Will Remind Lily of Her Loving Mum Artist's Memorial Is On Show in New York

AS Glasgow artist Jephson Robb watched his little niece grow up he was determined she should have a permanent reminder of the mother she would never know. Sohe used his talents to create a lasting memorial to his sister Tertia who died from cancer when her daughter Lily was just seven months old.

Mcconnell Aims to Narrow Spending Gap Pledge to Cut the Amount of Public Cash Spent On Scots

FIRST Minister Jack McConnell today pledged to bring public spending in Scotland more into line with that of England. . . by making savings of more than GBP1400 per head of population. Figures last month showed public spending in Scotland running at GBP7346 per head of population - more than GBP1400 higher than in England.

Good Samaritan Rescues Woman in Abduction Terror Driver Hunted After He Tries to Drag Lone Walker Into His Car in Early-Morning Ordeal

DETECTIVES are desperate to talk to a Good Samaritan who rescued a woman from an apparent abduction attempt. The 45-year-old woman was walking alone in Glasgow's south side when a driver tried to bundle her into his car in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Man Held After Stolen Digger Rampage

A MAN ploughed into lampposts as he went on the rampage in a stolen digger early today. It's believed the giant vehicle was taken from a plant hire firm in Airdrie.

Woman Killed in Two-Car Smash

A WOMAN was killed and three others, including a six-year-old child, were injured in a two-car crash. The accident involved a Mercedes ML 4X4 and a Vauxhall Corsa travelling in opposite directions on the A920 at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.

Student Dies in 60ft Cliff Fall

AN AMERICAN student on holiday in Scotland fell to his death from a Fife cliff early today. Matthew Madison, 20, from Montana, was with friends when he plunged 60ft at the Scores in St Andrews around 1.45am.

Man in Court Over Robberies

A 57-YEAR-OLD man was due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court today over a string of robberies stretching back two years. Tens of thousands of pounds were stolen in the raids in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire.

Man Hurt in Street Attack

A MAN was seriously injured in an early-morning attack in Glasgow's east end. The 29-year-old was assaulted in Royston after going to a party in the area.

Call for Troop Ship Memorial

RELATIVES of victims from one of the UK's worst sea disasters are to launch a campaign for a permanent memorial in Scotland. The Clyde-built Lancastria was carrying 9000 troops when it was sunk by German bombers off the coast of France in 1940 . About 4000 people died in the tragedy.

City Eatery Is a Hit in U.S. Restaurant

GLASGOW restaurant the Ubiquitous Chip has been named one of the the best in the UK by a prestigious American magazine. Gourmet bible Saveur hails the west end venue as a "ground- breaker".

Schools 'Facing Pe Teacher Crisis' Snp Says Executive Is Failing to Meet Recruitment Targets

SCHOOLS won't have enough PE teachers because the Scottish Executive is failing to meet its recruitment targets, the SNP claimed today. Michael Matheson, the party's culture and sports spokesman, says figures show the Executive will only reach 30-per cent of its target to recruit an additional 400 PE teachers by 2008-9.

Snp Mocked for Eating 'Too Dear' Council Lunch Labour Councillor Hits Back in Row Over Gbp250,000 Buffet Bill

LABOUR councillors have hit back at criticism of the cost of their lunch buffet - by calling on their political rivals to stop using it. Senior figures within the party in Glasgow want the SNP to eat elsewhere if they are unhappy with the three-course meals on offer.

U.S. Dining 'Bible' Hails Chip As One of Best in Britain City Restaurant Gets Bookings From America After Earning Top Marks

A FAMOUS Glasgow restaurant has been named one of the best in the UK by a top American food magazine. The Ubiquitous Chip, in the west end, was singled out by culinary experts in the latest edition of upmarket dining magazine Saveur.

Kofi Booked for Glasgow Conference

UNITED Nations chief Kofi Annan is expected to attend a major world campaigning conference being held in Glasgow this year, it emerged today. The UN Secretary General looks likely to be joined by Wangari Maathai, the environmental activist who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, at the CIVICUS World Assembly in June.

Bill for Gbp1.5m Anti-Crime Software Hits Gbp10m

A PROJECT to upgrade the computer system which holds records of criminal convictions in Scotland is seven times over budget and almost three years' late. The new version of the Criminal History System, ordered in 1999, was supposed to cost taxpayers GBP1.5million but is now expected to be more than GBP10m.

Murder Victim 'a Lovely, Kind Boy' Grieving Parents Tell of Heartache at Losing Son

THE parents of a young man murdered after a Hogmanay party today told of their heartache at losing their "kind and generous" son. Ross Cameron, 20, was stabbed to death as he celebrated the new year at a friend's house in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.