Evening Times

Save Our Schools Parents in Chain Protest Over Closure Plans Parents in Chain Protest Over Closure Plans Don't Shut Our Schools Don't Shut Our Schools Parents Protest at Plans to Save Cash

FURIOUS mums chained themselves to barriers as they took their protest over school closure plans to the City Chambers. They joined more than 100 other Glasgow parents demonstrating outside as councillors voted to launch a consultation exercise over the proposed closure of 25 primary and nursery schools.

Scots Hostage Tells of Pirate Hijack Ordeal

A SCOTTISH crewman held hostage on a hijacked oil supertanker has spoken of his ordeal. James Grady, the Second Officer on the Sirius Star, was held for two months after the Saudi-owned tanker was captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia last November.

Faces in the News

Fans find Robbie - despite balaclava POP star Robbie Williams' bid to remain anonymous by donning a balaclava failed when fans spotted him shopping in the UK.

Msps Back Times Bid to Get City Cash Rip-Off Rip-Off Msp S Back Cash Plea

CITY MSPs are backing Glasgow's call for a fair cash deal from the Scottish Government. In a campaign this week, the Evening Times has revealed how Scotland's largest city gets a raw deal over funding .

Scotland Today

New court role suits Sheridan TOMMY SHERIDAN has swapped his garish Big Brother outfits for a sober suit to defend a man's livelihood.

1500 Scots Strike Over Foreign Staff Breaking News Breaking News 1500 Scots Staff Strike in Foreign Worker Row 1500 Scots Staff Strike in Foreign Worker Row English Refinery Walkout Spreads Across the Uk

A ROW over foreign workers dramatically escalated today when more than 1500 workers in Scotland went on strike. Mechanical contractors at seven sites, including Grangemouth oil refinery walked out in support of strikers at a new pounds-200m refinery in Lincolnshire.

200 Are Back On Land After Ferry Ordeal

NEARLY 200 people trapped on a ferry by a jammed lorry were back on dry land today. The 156 passengers and 33 crew were stranded on board the Stena Voyager for more than 24 hours after a lorry was found hanging off the back on Wednesday night.

All-Change As Parties Join Talks On Budget Salmond Is Now 'Confident' Deal Can Be Reached

POLITICIANS were lining up today to meet Scottish Government ministers over its pounds-33billion Budget, with the Liberal Democrats ready to join negotiations for the first time in months. The first big shift in proceedings was that the LibDems indicated they were making a U-turn, having stayed away for months after their demand for direct tax cuts was refused by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

Suspended Gp's U-Turn Over Suicide of Patient

A GP suspended after a patient took her own life has "considerably changed" his views on doctor-assisted suicide. Dr Iain Kerr was stopped from practising for six months after prescribing sleeping pills to an elderly patient so she could end her life.

Wrap Up. . . Cold Snap Set to Hit

TEMPERATURES in Glasgow are set to plummet as the country braces itself for its coldest winter for 13 years. Forecasters predict bitterly cold winds from Russia will hit the UK on Monday and Tuesday.

Warning Over Airport Night Shutdown Bid

BOSSES at Prestwick Airport are considering shutting the airport from midnight to 6am in an attempt to save money. But a union leader says the move could threaten security.

Tenants' Anger at Plan for Shock Rent Rise of 22-Per Cent Residents May Take Housing Group to Court

TENANTS in the South Side of Glasgow may appeal to a watchdog after their landlord threatened to raise rents by 22-per cent. The Govan residents were shocked when the Rent Registration Service got in touch to say their housing association wanted to put up the rent - even though people claim the landlord has done nothing to improve properties for years.

Tartan Trek Challenge

A FREE six-week exercise programme with a personal trainer at Glasgow's City Park fitness centre aims to attract Himalayan charity trek volunteers. Childrens' charity Aber - lour and Energie fitness clubs are providing the course, valued at pounds-99, for those who take up the 10day Kilts Across the Him - alayas trek to raise funds for Aberlour's 46 services across Scotland.

Shopping Day Blues

Blaze of Glory As Pupils Turn Fi Refighters for Week

THESE teenagers are keeping a cool head under fire. Ten pupils from Hillhead High School took part in a week-long Fire Reach course at Maryhill Fire Station.

Plea for Police to Have One Number

SCOTLAND'S police forces should have one number for non- emergency calls, MSPs said. It would replace a series of different numbers used by different forces - and should not be an 0845 or premiumrate number, they said.

Staff Step Up Strike Action Union Warning As Dispute Heads for Fifth Week

UNION leaders are threatening to escalate a pay row as a strike by staff who manage criminals on community service nears its fi fth week. The warning came as 21 supervisors who manage the programme demonstrated outside the sheriff court ahead of a lobby of top city councillors today.

Singer Emma Raises Pounds-10 K for Hospice Appeal Teenager Sets a Record with Special Concert

A TEENAGE singing sensation has hit the right note in the drive to build a modern hospice for Glasgow patients. Songbird Emma Hale has become the youngest person to have raised more than pounds-10,000 for the Evening Times-backed Big Build Appeal.

Two Held Over Death of Man in Tower Block

TWO more people have been arrested following the death of a man in Lanarkshire. Allan O'Connor, 48, was found seriously injured in a flat in Dalziel Tower, in the Muirhouse area of Motherwell, on Sunday night. He died later in Wishaw General Hospital.

Man Held After Teacher Killed

POLICE in Thailand have arrested a member of the Akha hill tribe for the murder of a Scots music teacher. David Crisp, 56, a composer and former head of music at Lasswade Secondary, Bonnyrigg, was stabbed and beaten at his home in the northern Thai capital of Chiang Mai on January 22.