Capital opens hate crime agency
A disabled rights campaigner launches Scotland's first agency to fight hate crime in Edinburgh.

The Dunmow Broadcast and Recorder
AS the freezing weather continues, an animal charity is urging people to keep a close eye on their pets and other garden visitors.

Fairy Trina tells tantalising tales at Gardens
Wellington?s favourite fairy, Fairy Trina, is taking her wand to the Botanic Garden to transform the Sound Shell and surrounding areas into a magical world. For this summer?s spell of fun and enchantment, she will take toddlers and tots through Tales of Tanglewood from Monday (12 January).

Delhi?s set to get event-full
It might be easier to organise mega events in Delhi soon, with the police and government in the mood to cooperate.

Canal swan is shot nine times
Thugs shot a swan nine times at a Black Country canal ? prompting a decision to ban the birds? release into the area?s waterways. ...

BBC forced to replace In The Night Garden doll over skin colour
The BBC has redesigned its doll of In The Night Garden character Upsy Daisy after complaints she was too light skinned.

May we help you? Telephone firms teach manners to hospital workers
HOSPITALS in London are to receive training in telephone etiquette from mobile phone companies. Health bosses believe the firms, which include O2, can teach staff to be more "user-friendly" when dealing with patients.

Jewish film fest kicks off with a coming of age
If this is January, it must be time for the 18th annual Tucson Jewish Film Festival.

Revving up
Forbes? newest tourist attraction is proving popular with hundreds of people visiting McFeeters? Motor Museum since the centre opened last month.

Cayman Islands cruise guide: sights and excursions
The spectacular underwater landscape is one of the main appeals to the Cayman Islands - but there are other draws.

North Devon recycling rates on the up
THE amount of rubbish recycled in North Devon has increased by two per cent across the region during the last year. Figures for the last six months show that North Devon Council has recycled more than 43 per cent of all the rubbish it has collected.

Artists take to the trees at Gardens Magic series
For the first time in the history of the ASB Gardens Magic series, crowds coming in from the Founders entrance to the Botanic Garden will be greeted by public art installations.

Investment Column: CRH is pick of troubled building sector
Our view: Avoid for now

Tiny hot-air balloons spark UFO scare in Germany
The sightings were "nothing but hot air", said the UFO expert, referring to the sky lanterns that were sold for the first time at Christmas markets and garden centres across the country.

Place & Transport:
The Bund: Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do?and by night it's magic!

Festive balloons spark alien invasion fears
Thousands of callers swamped a UFO hotline on New Year's Eve after mistaking festive mini hot-air balloons for an alien invasion.

Silence is golden for hard-of-hearing party animal
First let me thank you if you contacted me about last week's story of Heymin, Potions' dog, who ate half-a- box of chocolates and then eat all but two chocolate bells off the Christmas Tree.

Bellway, BP, HBOS, Vodafone, ITV: U.K., Irish Equity Preview
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last market close.

Gulbarga's pride
Asha Krishnaswamy visits Gulbarga and notes that the city is emerging as a major Buddhist centre in South India. The Buddha Vihar will be a new feather in Gulbarga's cap.

Acerinox, Eni, UBS, Credit Suisse: European Equity Preview
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies? shares may have unusual price changes. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names, and prices are from the last close.