Today’s news sees a surprising rise in industrial production in the eurozone over the last 12 months with Ireland seeing a 10.1% rise alone, including a 4.4% rise in August.
Blackberry’s network woes continue with problems now being reported in the US.
These stories, and many more featured on the news wires here and across the globe. So, as most of Scotland sleeps, feel free to post your opinions and views on those stories listed below or any others that interest you.
Today’s news sees a surprising rise in industrial production in the eurozone over the last 12 months with Ireland seeing a 10.1% rise alone, including a 4.4% rise in August.
Blackberry’s network woes continue with problems now being reported in the US.
These stories, and many more featured on the news wires here and across the globe. So, as most of Scotland sleeps, feel free to post your opinions and views on those stories listed below or any others that interest you.{jcomments on}
- Football manager’s ban for sexual remarks overturned on appeal
A football manager, accused of making “crude” sexual remarks to a 16-year-old girl has been reinstated after an appeal to the SFA. Bobby Collins had originally been banned for 10 years after making the comments in 2009. Today that decision was overturned, a move that infuriated the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association (LEAFA). Mr Collins has vowed to clear his name over the incident.
- Former Ukranian PM jailed
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been jailed for seven years for using her authority over a gas deal. She was also ordered to pay £120 million to cover alleged losses over the deal. Moscow officials are furious about the verdict, with Mr Putin calling it “dangerous and counterproductive”. The deal was negotiated with Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin after a dispute between the two countries saw gas supply to Western Europe cut off for a period.
- Ann Gloag becomes first Scot to win international award
Ann Gloag of Stagecoach has won an international award for her charity work, making her the first Scot to do so. She follows in the footsteps of JFK and Hillary Clinton in winning the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal. Ms Gloag’s work includes efforts to improve the lives of African women, including the Freedom From Fistula Foundation which provides free medical care to women injured in childbirth.
- Dale Farm travellers lose appeal
The Dale Farm travellers have lost their appeal against eviction. The site in Essex, which is the biggest illegal traveller site in the UK, has been the focus of a 10-year legal battle. Today, Basildon Crown Court rued that it had taken too long for the residents to challenge the court’s decision. Bailiffs now have permission from a High Court Judge to clear 49 of the 54 plots.
- Christmas Day bomber pleads guilty
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called “underpants bomber” has pled guilty to all charges against him, including terrorism and attempted murder. The 24-year-old Nigerian, who attempted to blow up an Amsterdam to Detroit plane on Christmas Day using explosives sewn into his underpants, replied “Yes” when asked if he pled guilty to all charges. He added that the bomb was a”blessed weapon to save the lives of innocent Muslims”. Abdulmutallab’s own father had previously warned US officials about his son.
- Under-21 spouse ban overturned
A ban on spouses under the age of 21 from outwith the EU has been ruled as unlawful. The Supreme Court overturned the policy, which was designed to put a halt to forced marriages. The ban, introduced by Labour in 2008, was deemed to infinge the human rights of young couples. Immigration minister Damian Green said he was “disappointed” by the decision.
- Honest teenage boys
Two teenage boys have been described as a “credit to their school and their parents” after they handed in a briefcase containing £5000 in £50 notes. Will Miles and Ryan Mclory, both 17, were “shocked” when the saw how much money was in the case. But instead of simply making off with it, they decided to do the decent thing and took it to the police station. The owner, who said he had withdrawn the money for his son’s university fees, came forward to collect it the next day.