Disabled woman's car theft arrest
A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with an incident during which a car was stolen from a disabled woman in Edinburgh.
16 Mar 2007
Vehicle stolen from disabled OAP
Two teenagers who stole a car from a disabled pensioner in Edinburgh are being sought by police. The 77-year-old woman had called out a mechanic after her a gold Toyota Yaris had failed to start when the incident happed in East Parkside on Tuesday. He arrived at 1815 GMT and began working on the car. Once the mechanic fixed the car and with the engine still running he went to fetch the owner. She then spotted two youngsters jumping into it and driving off.
16 Mar 2007
Social care hit by NHS deficits
Social care for vulnerable people is being squeezed as a result of NHS deficits, according to the Local Government Association. The LGA says costs are being shunted to social services departments as the NHS in England aims to balance its books. A survey of 95 councils which run social services found two thirds say NHS debts are affecting them. The Department of Health said the NHS and local authorities had to work together for patients' benefit.
16 Mar 2007
Zinc could be key to eye disease
The mineral zinc may play a role in the development of a common cause of blindness, research suggests. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among elderly people in the developed world. Researchers found high zinc levels in deposits in the eye which are a marker for AMD development. The study, published in Experimental Eye Research and led by London's Institute of Ophthalmology, could help the development of new treatments.
16 Mar 2007
Diabetes soars in the under fives
The number of young children with Type 1 diabetes has risen dramatically in the last 20 years, a study suggests. The number of under-fives with the condition increased five-fold - meaning it affected one child in every 1,000 by 2004, a study around Oxford found. Other studies have revealed similar rises, suggesting the trend is true for the whole of the UK, Diabetes UK said. The Bristol University team blame genes and environmental factors, including breastfeeding rates.
16 Mar 2007
Limits of £50,000 on political donations
Sir Hayden Phillips, who has been looking into Party funding, has proposed a limit of £50,000 from individuals or organisations, increased state funding and a cut in spending between elections.
16 Mar 2007