Herald Scotland

heraldscotland.com — An event in Edinburgh to launch the Give Me a Chance campaign saw the pledge backed by Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell and social work chiefs from across the country. The campaign is being run by the charity Who Cares?

heraldscotland.com — Get a proper producer, I thought next as the reverb knob went up to 11 and the album sounded more like a demo than a finished product. And then something caught my ear (the repeated title of Jam Jar Full Of Wasps) and I realised these first impressions were wrong.

heraldscotland.com — Constant comparisons to REM and other intelligent American alt-rock bands began to drop away, and headline status at your bigger-than-average-but-smaller-than-arena venues became assured. Trouble Will Find Me doesn't add much more to High Violet's achievements; it probably only endorses them.

heraldscotland.com — But the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) insisted that the move was as a result of securing Rod Stewart for the opening concert on September 30 and not because of any construction delays. It means the Andrea Bocelli concert scheduled for Sunday September 15 will now be postponed until Saturday November 23.

heraldscotland.com — driving FORWARD: Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon launched their economic report at Alexander Dennis coach builders in Falkirk. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell In a clear warning, the First Minister said he regarded sterling and the Bank of England as assets to be shared between the UK and a go-it-alone Scotland.

heraldscotland.com — The president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents is to question the current structure of local authorities. His intervention follows the creation last month of new national single police and fire services. Last night the comments by Chief Superintendent David O'Connor were condemned as absurd and simplistic by critics.

heraldscotland.com — Anthony Boyd, 26 (left) and Elliot Jorgensen, 25 At the High Court in Glasgow, Elliot Jorgensen, 25, and Anthony Boyd, 26, pled guilty to being involved in the raid at the ROX store in Edinburgh in January. About £1 million worth of jewellery was stolen from the George Street premises before those responsible made off on a motorbike.

heraldscotland.com — quay moment: Author Iain Banks, who revealed last month he has terminal cancer, said he is considering chemotherapy. Picture: Steve Cox Now with the forthright humour shown since telling the world in April he is dying of cancer, the author has revealed that he has treated himself to a BMW M5 because death will cut his carbon footprint.

heraldscotland.com — The veteran broadcaster spoke out ahead of the publication of a groundbreaking report on the current condition of the UK's wild animals, birds and plants. The State of Nature study, compiled by 25 leading conservation and research organisations including The Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Marine Conservation Society, is released today.

heraldscotland.com — Sheltering in an archway I overheard an elderly woman remark, without a hint of humour, that it was "God's wrath" while her male companion nodded vigorously and invoked Noah, the Ark and the Flood.

heraldscotland.com — The five-star hotel has cost the Kirk £17.5 million, which could be better spent on other mission projects, it was claimed. The call came from Jo Elliot, of Edinburgh Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland. He was one of those involved in the initial debate over setting up the hotel - which was previously a run down hostel - in 1999.

heraldscotland.com — DAVID BELL: Warned of negative effect from change to fees regime. Stirling University economist Professor David Bell estimates that changes to the fees regime brought about by independence could see applications from students from the rest of the UK (rUK) rise by at least 4000 - 12% of the Scottish annual intake.

heraldscotland.com — UNDER PRESSURE: M&S chief executive Marc Bolland could risk being shown the door. Picture: Adrian Brooks The chain, which has 46 stores in Scotland, saw a 4.1% fall in like-for-like sales of general merchandise in the year to March 30 as it lost ground in the key womenswear market.

heraldscotland.com — Ranges have to be designed, products ordered, marketing campaigns considered while we are still planning summer holidays. But for one retailer in particular, Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland, this Christmas is of particular importance. Three years into his role and the UK's leading clothing retailer is losing share in its core market: the womenswear category.

heraldscotland.com — Rangers boss Ally McCoist, former Celtic legend Jackie McNamara and Partick Thistle midfielder Stuart Bannigan all threw their support behind the Men's 10k, due to be held at Bellahouston Park. The race will take place on June 16, Father's Day, and is organised by Men's Health Forum Scotland (MHFS) in an attempt to promote a healthier lifestyle among Scotland's men.