04/01/2017 Reporting Scotland

Police investigating the murder of a man in a deliberate house fire

in Milngavie make a fresh appeal for witnesses.

Scots are urged to give their views on a second independence referendum.

Operations in Grampian are cancelled due to a shortage of nurses.

We speak to the Costa prize winner on his advice to would-be authors.

Definitely give up and get another job! Know, if you believe in what

you're doing and have a desire to get better and take on criticism

then keep going. As the transfer window opens,

Celtic agree a ?3 million fee Police have made a fresh appeal

for witnesses who may be able to help them find the killer

of a man who was murdered 23-year-old Cameron Logan died

in the blaze Milngavie His girlfriend, Rebecca Williams,

remains in a critical condition. Mr Logan's parents were also

injured but have been Our reporter Huw Williams has been

following this story. Huw, what have the police

been saying today? They asked for anyone to come

forward and in particular a list of people either spotted by passers-by

or recorded by CCTV on New Year's Day morning at the time that the

fire was deliberately started. They listed a man in a grey hooded top

walking of people and another person in a dark top walking a couple of

springer spaniel is and also a third man in dark trousers. And a couple

of joggers a man and a woman seen running together at eight o'clock on

New Year's Day morning. A warning that my report contains some flash

photography. Searching woodland behind the house

where Cameron Logan died. Did whoever started the fire use these

past to get two or away from the property, did they leave any clue

behind. Whoever is responsible for this, we know they have made off

from the crime scene. Perhaps they have dropped some evidence and if

from the crime scene. Perhaps they that is out there we intend to find

it and will search every area where we could recover any potential

evidence. Whoever set the fire was targeting this house. Targeting the

Logan family. But investigators cannot or will not say yet if

Cameron Logan was the intended target. At this time there is no

information coming in that anyone had a grudge or there was any

fallout with the family members and that is why it is imperative that if

anyone knows anything that they come forward, hopefully to give is that

vital bit of information forward, hopefully to give is that

establish why this horrific crime has taken place. Today police gave

details of dog walkers and joggers seen by CCTV or eyewitnesses in the

area at the time that the fire was begun. They could have vital

information and the revealed that the heroic efforts of David Logan to

save his son and his girlfriend Rebecca Williams. He was assisted by

a neighbour and it can only be Rebecca Williams. He was assisted by

described as heroic actions, the managed to get Cameron was my

girlfriend out of the house. Unfortunately she still remains

critical, at this time, and we are still unable to speak to her. But

police have been speaking to surviving members of the family who

they describe as being traumatised. They hope that members of the public

may come forward with information to help catch the killer of Cameron

Logan. But is asking people to come forward if they have CCTV systems or

even a dashboard camera in their car, if you have recorded anything

in the area on New Year's Day can morning. They're also trying to

trace the dog walkers, joggers and other motorists driving past and

they said that you can contact them on the non-emergency 101 number or

anonymously Crimestoppers. With a week to go the Scottish Government

is urging people to register their views about the independence

Referendum Bill with just one week left of the public consultation.

But the Conservatives say the people of Scotland made a very clear

Our political correspondent Andrew Kerr looks at

The UK and Scottish Government agreed a deal on an independence

referendum back in 2012 and now the Scottish Government is seeking your

opinions on a fresh Referendum Bill as Brexit looms. It is broadly

similar to last time around, and they need the permission of

Westminster. So do you think they should be another vote? I do not

think so, we had the referendum. We should just carry on. It is a bit

too much politics now. I think they should be. No because I think it is

causing enough issues already. The decision has already been need,

maybe wait another generation for a younger generation to decide. Do you

think Brexit changes anything I do not have the answer for that,

unfortunately. Brexit is seen as a threat to the Scottish economy and

so to protect their place in Europe another referendum may be required,

Mr stay. Nicola Sturgeon faces a tough decision, when to call the

vote. We are trying to get an agreement on what should happen

after Brexit in Scotland, we put forward proposals for that. If they

are rejected and we cannot find agreement then it will be a need to

re-consult people on Scottish independence. With those accusations

that Theresa May is independence. With those accusations

Brussels, the Conservatives hit back and said that the people of Scotland

voted decisively against independence in 2014. But the UK

Government Brexit plans are not decisive. At least according to the

former ambassador to the EU who resigned blaming muddled thinking. I

think the government is rightly taking its time, it is not in a

mess. Brexit is complex and unravelling more than 40 years of

legal and economic integration between the UK and the rest of

continental Europe is not going to happen overnight but will take time.

2016 was a big political year, 2017 will be a make or break year for

some politicians, leaders on both sides of the border face tough

choices. A health board has had

to cancel operations because of a shortage

of theatre nurses. A patients' group says elderly

patients in NHS Grampian are being affected

disproportionately because of the lack of staff

with specialist skills. Steven Duff joins us

from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Steven, what type of procedures

have been affected? It is not the emergency operations

that have been cancelled, it is elective surgery, people with

appointments to get their cataract in two, a hip or knee replacement.

appointments to get their cataract Earlier today NHS Grampian had to

deny that up to a quarter of these types of operations had been

cancelled. In the last couple of hours they have said that more than

180 have had to be cancelled since November. To put that into context,

every year NHS Grampian carries out around 30,000 operations. The reason

is they do not have enough theatre around 30,000 operations. The reason

staff. Highly qualified nurses to cover the operating theatres behind

us. Every cancelled operation has an impact on an individual patient and

one patient group believes elderly patients are being worst affected.

The acute care if you like will be the last to suffer. But it is a

symptom that there is underlying problems in retention and

recruitment of staff. For whatever reason. And it is something which

needs to be addressed. Not only within Grampian but within Scotland

as a whole. NHS Grampian has apologised to anyone who has had an

operation cancelled, they do say that this is not about funding, it

is about being able to recruit and retain highly qualified nurses.

More than 40 years after the Equal Pay Act was introduced,

research suggests there is still a significant gender pay gap.

In fact, the Resolution Foundation thinktank found that,

for some age groups, the gap is still widening.

I am a 33-year-old solicitor based in Glasgow. I'm also a young mother.

I have three-year-old son. I have worked for this company since

leaving university, for ten years now and I was promoted to partner

last year. Laura Connor has bucked the trend. The latest research shows

that when many women hit their 30s they can expect to pay a big price

if they opt to have children. Our research shows that the generation

born since 1980, since they turn 30 begat shoots back up very similar to

where it was for the generation before and what that suggests is

that the old challenges around when women start to have children really

are enduring for young women today and they can expect a significant

lifetime earnings penalty looking at their whole life compared to male

counterparts. According to research women born between 1981 and 2000 and

around 5% less than their male counterparts. As soon as they hit

30, the pay gap widens to 9%. The differential taking over the course

of a career that can mean they lose out to the tune of hundreds of

thousands of pounds. The energy firm SSE was one of the first

thousands of pounds. The energy firm companies to publish is gender pay

gap and it is ahead of many in the field with a number of initiatives

to eliminate it altogether. We looked at what we're to get the

gender diversity into the organisation, so gender neutral

advertising to bring people in. We looked at helping people to promote

themselves within the organisation, for example returner programmes.

Shirley is living proof, undaunted at the prospect of entering a

traditionally male domain, the qualified engineer now heads up

their network division in Perth. It is an excellent career choice for

females, engineering. Younger girls are better at the same subject but

they do not choose to go into these professions for one reason or

another. I get to solve problems every day and with an organisation

that is respectful of diversity. Back a the solicitor 's office in

Glasgow, Laura? Colleague specialises in equal pay claims. We

have been pursuing tens of thousands of equal pay claims across Scotland

in the public sector in ten years resulting in hundreds of millions of

pounds of compensation for women paid less than their male

colleagues. Any pay gap at any stage is unacceptable. I would never

contemplate working anywhere where I was paid less than a male colleague

doing the same job as them. And no woman in Scotland should have to

settle for that either. You're watching BBC

Reporting Scotland. Police investigating the murder

of a man in a deliberate house fire in Milngavie make a fresh

appeal for witnesses. Why a growing number of campuses

are bringing in a new and unusual A man has been charged

with the murder of a 40-year-old man in Bonnyrigg in

Midlothian yesterday. Police say the victim

was found seriously injured at a property in Auld Coal Grove

around four o'clock in the afternoon The 36-year-old man in custody

is due to appear tomorrow A man has gone on trial accused

of raping and murdering Bala Chinda is alleged to have

killed Jessica McGraa at a property on Union Terrace

in February last year. The 26-year-old is also accused

of attempting to defeat And police in Fife have named

a 25-year-old man who died after he was attacked

in Kirkcaldy on Monday. Alex Forbes, from Edinburgh, died

at the scene after he was seriously injured in the incident

in Victoria Road. A 51-year-old man has been

charged with murder. 50% of us are on prescription

drugs at any one time, But, despite medical advice,

many don't take their drugs Now a Glasgow company thinks

they may have a simple solution. Our social affairs correspondent

Reevel Alderson reports. It is estimated up to 50% of

patients prescribed medication by their doctor do not take them at the

right time or in the right dosage. Nationally it cost the NHS around

?300 million per year and Scotland, up to ?50 million according to the

British pharmacological Society which says that failing to take

medication properly can lead to repeat GP visits or even a trip to

accident and emergency. Pharmacists and doctors are under pressure and

we want to help pharmacists and doctors and people to look after

themselves better. This free app for mobile phones and tablets has been

launched by Glasgow a technology company and is aimed at helping

patients take the medicine at the proper time and notify them if they

need further advice. It is easy to use even for technophobes. The keys

to make it simple, you just point your camera smartphone at the bar

code of the medicine and information is uploaded for you. You do not have

to remember complicated names dosage. Pharmacists say it is vital

in conditions like diabetes, mental health and asthma, even

contraception, but medications are administered correctly and it is not

just forgetful older patients that this is aimed at. It would be good

for the younger generation as well, there are more likely to be using

their smartphone and I think there is the assumption that it is always

older people but forget. But people, young people lead busy lives now and

they're quite likely to forget to take important medicine. Information

gathered by the act can help pharmaceutical companies understand

how their products are used. But the designers said no personal data

identifying patients can accessed. Three young European brown

bears have gone on show Brumm, Maja and Brumma have

come from a Swedish zoo. They're the first new bears

to arrive at Camperdown Wildlife centre in 30 years and will be

companions to an older bear Their enclosure has been improved

to allow them to behave With the separate enclosure they are

able to hibernate and that is more akin to the natural rhythm. When it

becomes cold in winter we want them to be able to feel that they can

hibernate outside if need be and not cause bother to the keepers in

managing them or to the other bears if they choose not to hibernate.

A look at other stories from across the country.

After two major incidents in the Cairngorms since the start

of the New Year, in which three people were rescued,

hillwalkers and climbers are being advised to ensure

they are aware of the conditions and are suitably equipped.

We are blessed with quality avalanche information services, and

a quality weather forecast. They are at our fingertips. But people need

to ask reasonable questions of themselves in terms of their

experience of the snow. Often if there is doubt, that's normally a

red flag. Glasgow based company Aggreko has

has won a ?32 million contract to be the official temporary electricity

provider for the Winter Olympics It will provide power

across 18 venues, and the international

broadcast centre. A prominent Aberdeen mansion

is being demolished, after a campaign to save it

ended in failure. Strathcona House,

on the site of the former Rowett Research Institute,

is being flattened as part of the project to create

a new Aberdeen Exhibition A petition was launched in a bid

to save it from demolition. Irvine Welsh is fronting

a campaign to revive The Trainspotting author has become

the patron of Leith Theatre and is launching a drive to raise

an initial ?250,000. It's synonymous with lethal and

artistic works. -- Leith. In contact with us. We hope he will raise the

profile. I'm sure he will. And through raising the profile, we will

attract more investment and donations to our project.

Exams are a stressful time for students, but a growing number

of campuses are bringing in a new tool to help them keep calm.

They're using dogs, known as Therapets,

to come in and spend time with young people who are needing

This is Mercy, and 11-year-old dog who is not just good at tricks but

is part of a team of dogs visiting the whole at Edinburgh University to

give students a focus away from the pressure of exams. I have had my dog

as long as I can remember. She's kind of one of my best friends.

She's always there. I can tell her anything. So I associate pets with

calming me down, relieving stress. I have three dogs of my own at home.

Since I'm all away across the ocean, I cannot see them, and I need animal

contact or I will go crazy. The students book 15 minute sessions

known with the dogs, known as Therapets, and the event is becoming

increasingly popular. They are not just in our catered accommodation,

we go to the self catered flats all over the city and we have an room

facilities like these, where they are able to bring in the dogs and

offer the same services elsewhere. Dogs like Tigger have chosen to be a

Therapet not because they are anything special but because they

are good family dogs. They have proven over the years that they get

on well with people and other dogs. Despite the fact some of these

sessions appeared to be brief, the students are only here for 15

minutes, the positive feedback the University is receiving is very

encouraging. A growing number of campuses are bringing in the dogs at

exam time, and it's clear this is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

I think the dogs are enjoying it too!

The first significant signing in Scottish football's January

transfer window came a step closer today.

Celtic have agreed a fee of nearly ?3 million

Our reporter Kheredine Idessane is at Celtic Park and can tell us more.

The player in question is Kouassi Eboue, a 19-year-old midfielder from

the Ivory Coast. He flew into Glasgow today for a tour of Celtic

Park and also to discuss personal terms after his Russian side

Krasnodar agreed to part with him for close to ?3 million. Let's take

a look at him and see what Celtic will be getting for their money. At

six Eboue is a holding midfield player but he can get forward and

score the odd goal. He has done well in Russian football as Krasnodar

qualified from their Europa League group. Interesting to see how he

gets on with Scottish referees. This was how he reacted to getting sent

off in a Russian league match. He may have to work a little on his

temperament. As he's only 19, plenty of time for that if the move goes

through. How much work is still to be done before the transfer can go

ahead? Assuming there are no problems with the medical, there's

one final hurdle to be overcome. A work permit. Eboue would qualify for

one if he played enough times for work permit. Eboue would qualify for

his country, the Ivory Coast, but he has yet to be capped. So the initial

application is likely to fail, Celtic can then appeal to the

application is likely to fail, Scottish FA panel. S F A guidelines

say the criteria Celtic would have to satisfy is that the player is on

the highest calibre and can contribute significantly to do the

development -- to the development of the game at the top level in

Scotland and not stifle young Scottish talent. If Celtic are

persuasive in their argument, Eboue's arrival would send a strong

signal that manager Brendan Rodgers is already planning for next

season's Champions League campaign. Thank you.

The prestigious Costa children's book award has been won

by Lanarkshire author Brian Conaghan.

The success of his book "The Bombs That Brought Us Together"

followed more than 200 rejections from publishers and agents.

Just before we came on air, Brian joined us from Dublin, and I asked

if his literary career was a perfect example of persistence and patience.

Er, yeah... Blind stupidity! One of the two! I think I'm quite a

tenacious person. So it was important for me to keep going in

the face of adversity. Tell us about the book. The book The Bombs That

Brought Us Together centres around a friendship between 214-year-old

boys. In the midst of a war situation. -- two 14-year-old boys.

They come from both sides of the war. It's about their friendship,

loyalty and the moral choices they have to go through. To navigate

around this war situation. Is it the case that writing for the teenage

market was inspired by the fact that you used to be a schoolteacher?

Possibly. Spending your life around teenagers, teenage voices, it tends

to influence your creative work. There's also a rich tapestry of

language and dialogue and conversation and anecdotal stuff

that I can use in books. So probably, absolutely it has

influenced me. You have had a chequered career. You were also a

painter and decorator, so was there always a burning ambition to be an

author? Well, there wasn't a burning ambition to paint fences! When I

left school, I was a painter and decorator for three years. There was

no burning desire to be a writer, to be an author. It's only when I went

to university that I started to become more creative. What will this

to university that I started to win do for you as a writer? I think

it will bring my book, hopefully, to more readers. It's notoriously

difficult to get yourself a footprint in the publishing world.

Hopefully, this award will give me a little thumbprint. And your advice

to aspiring writers who have suffered a few hundred rejections

themselves? Definitely give up and get another job! No, my advice is if

you believe in what you do, and you have a desire to get better and take

on criticism, keep going. We wish you well. Great advice. Thank you,

Brian. The weather is oscillating between

mild, breezy and damp, to cold and frosty, which we will see tonight. A

wonderful picture of a frosty pair of old boots. We are going to see

Frost. Temperatures falling away under clear skies. Showers peppering

the north coast, leering away, dry overhead. Widespread frost nearly

everywhere. -- clearing away. Temperatures of -1 or two in the

towns and cities, as low as -5 in the countryside. Perhaps a few

freezing fog patches by tomorrow morning in the high land glens. High

dominating tomorrow under the high it will be a dry and cold start. And

frosty. Once the sun rises, a beautiful day. Crisp winter

sunshine. The first signs of a change with cloud thickening up

towards western coastal areas and the winds picking up. In the day,

much of the country will stay dry. Temperatures struggling inland. They

will start to rise on the west coast as the wind strengthens. Sunny

spells. Some cloud in the afternoon, along the west coast, but not

spoiling the day. It will be lovely. In the evening, we will continue to

see dry conditions, but cloud across western

areas continues to thicken up. Some rain in the north-west, sweeping

enduring tomorrow night with a strengthening southerly wind.

Introducing milder weather. Initially it will start chilly in

the east. The rain does spread into the Northern Isles. The high

pressure responsible for all of the weather we are seeing at the moment

will pull away. Some rain on Friday, come Saturday another ridge of high

pressure and a lot of dry weather during the daylight hours of the

weekend. Friday starts with an breezy but improves from the

north-west. The rain starts to clear away and brightens up away. It will

be mild. In the last few moments, some sports news. Andy Murray has

just reached the quarterfinals of the Qatar open. The winner over the

Austrian Gerald Meltzer means a career-best run of 26 victories in a

row. Tomorrow he will play for a place in the semifinal. That's

Reporting Scotland. I'll be back at eight o'clock and just after the Ten

O'clock News. Until then, have a very good evening. Goodbye.

Mildred is our first student from a non-witching family.