COUNCILS across Scotland have reduced spending on nurseries and schools, care for the elderly, street cleaning and road maintenance, with some costs slashed by up to 15% in just one year.
UNTIL now, it has been impossible to know how spending on schools, roads, care for the elderly and museums in each of Scotland's vastly differing 32 local authorities compares.
HIS novels may be full of fictional tartan-clad swashing and buckling, but a very real verbal duel has broken out over what Sir Walter Scott really thought of Highlanders.
BONNIE Tyler's attempt to win Europe's pop crown for Britain came to a shuddering halt at the Eurovision Song Contest last night, but at least she avoided the ignominy of the dreaded nul points tally.
l The rules surrounding nationality are fairly loose, with the singers allowed to come from anywhere and the songwriter normally native, but not always.
SCOTLAND'S major new music venue under construction on the River Clyde is up to two months behind schedule and faces the prospect of headline concerts by some of the world's top rock and pop acts being cancelled.
A SOLICITOR whose 30-year legal career lay in tatters after he was caught trying to smuggle mobile phones and drugs into Edinburgh's Saughton Prison was jailed for four years yesterday.
A SHARED equity scheme designed to help home-buyers shows the Scottish Government helps people in tough times, claims Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.