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THE release of a notorious killer who shot dead a German tourist and then savagely attacked his family has been criticised by MSPs as another example of "soft-touch Scotland". James Boyce, 70, is to be freed after serving 17 years for killing Thomas Boedeker, even after being told that he would be locked up for at least 20. The brutal murder and Boyce's savage attack on the victim's family stunned the quiet community of Cairnryan, near Stranraer.

Dogs' behaviour - it's all in the wag By Roger Highfield, Science Editor Last Updated: 12:28am GMT 24/03/2007 Dogs wag their tails to the right when they see something familiar, such as their owner, and to the left when confronted with something they want to run away from, it was revealed yesterday. The bias is subtle, requiring video analysis to spot, and not obvious enough for you to tell whether the next dog you meet is going to lick your face or turn tail. But, researchers suggest, the study of wagging could be used in animal welfare to help vets...

1 Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present. 2 When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered. 3 Show nothing to your friend that may affright him. 4 In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, or drum with your fingers or feet. 5 If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately, and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside. 6...

Close window Published online: 2 February 2006; | doi:10.1038/news060130-9 HIV infection in Zimbabwe falls at lastCampaigns to change peoples' behaviour to fight AIDS show signs of success.Erika Check Condom use by women has gone up in some parts of Africa. © UNAIDS/Louise Gubb Strife-torn Zimbabwe may have scored a blow against the deadly virus that causes AIDS. Researchers of the disease report that prevention programmes have cut the portion of Zimbabweans infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by 2.5%. The news has inspired those hoping that education campaigns advising people to change their behaviours could turn back the...

Japanese behaviour in suicide case 'vile', says China By Peter Goff in Beijing (Filed: 30/12/2005) China yesterday denounced the "vile behaviour" of the Tokyo government in alleging that a Japanese diplomat based in Shanghai committed suicide after he was blackmailed by a Chinese agent demanding state secrets. In the latest bitter dispute between the Far Eastern powers, Japanese media reports said the diplomat, who was in charge of encryption of classified material, left suicide notes saying he had been blackmailed by Beijing over his relationship with a hostess at a karaoke bar. The diplomat, who was 46, reportedly hanged himself...

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

Just finished watching this week's edition of Inside the NFL on HBO and in the first ten minute segment Bob Costas, Dan Marino, Chris Collinsworth and Cris Carter talked about the incident from the Pacers/Pistons game in Detroit last Friday night and the implications for the NFL. In summary Bob Costas blamed fan behaviour in Detroit and in general on talk radio, a totally outrageous statement.

Scientists find genetic link to bad behaviour By David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent (Filed: 20/07/2004) The throw of the genetic dice helps to determine whether you see the world with pent up anger or placidly turn the other cheek, a study suggests. Researchers have found evidence that some people inherit a genetic make-up that makes them more prone to aggression and violence. However, the "bad behaviour gene" is activated only if people were neglected or abused as children, scientists say. The findings add to the growing evidence that the "nature versus nuture" debate is far too simplistic. Behaviour is actually influenced...

Lead poisoning linked to delinquent behaviour January 27 2003 at 06:27AM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Children exposed to lead have a much greater chance of developing delinquent behaviour, researchers say. Dr Herbert Needleman, of the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, examined 194 youths convicted in a juvenile court in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and compared them with 146 non-delinquents from high schools in Pittsburgh. He found the delinquent youths had significantly higher average concentrations of lead in their bones - 11 parts per million, compared with 1,5 ppm in the control group. The research, published in the journal Neurotoxicology and...

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) - Lizzie Grubman, a New York publicist with a star-studded roster of clients, pleaded guilty Friday in a hit-and-run crash that injured 16 people outside a Hamptons nightclub. Grubman, 31, will likely receive two months in jail, 280 hours of community service and five years' probation under the plea agreement. She could have faced up to seven years behind bars if convicted. Sentencing is set for Oct. 23. According to witnesses at the Southampton club on July 7, 2001, Grubman became upset when a bouncer asked her to move her Mercedes SUV from a fire lane. The...