Latest news with #Portobello
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Out of control youth violence is down to the SNP's soft touch justice regime, opposition politicians warn Swinney
The 'weak and reckless' soft touch justice regime in Scotland has led to 'out of control' youth violence that is now 'costing lives', John Swinney has been told. After a spate of recent knife incidents, Russell Findlay accused the First Minister of creating a system where 'young people do not feel safe' and parents are 'terrified'. The Scottish Tory leader cited the death of 16-year-old Kayden Moy at Irvine beach on Saturday and the alleged stabbing of a 17-year-old at Portobello just 24 hours earlier. The general 'sickening rise in youth violence' was 'linked directly' to SNP policies and actions, he said. The party had 'systematically weakened the justice system', especially youth justice, made excuses for those causing harm, and failed to ensure discipline in schools. More than 200 weapons were recovered from under-17s in stop-and-searches last year. 'Police Scotland says the number of serious assaults committed by teenagers has risen by 600 per cent in the past five years,' Mr Findlay told First Minister's Questions. He added: 'Two teenagers died and 11 were injured during a spate of knife incidents involving youths in the past two months. 'Young people do not feel safe. The system does not protect them. 'What does John Swinney have to say to parents who tell me that they are terrified every time their son or daughter leaves the house?' Mr Swinney expressed his sympathy to Kayden's family for the 'tragedy'. He told MSPs: 'One incident is one incident too many. The disorder and the violence at Irvine beach and in Portobello were totally unacceptable.' The First Minister said the Government was taking a three-pronged approach to knife crime - educating young people against carrying weapons, 'effective punishment' for any offences and 'sustained school and community engagement' to create 'responsible citizens'. As a result, there had been a 'sustained fall' in knife crime in the past 15 years. But Mr Findlay said a lack of 'meaningful deterrents' meant young people saw 'no consequences' for offending, adding: 'That inevitably fuels youth violence.' Thanks to the 'misguided thinking' at the heart of SNP policy-making, 'disruptive and dangerous pupils' were allowed to stay in schools and teachers prevented from instilling 'basic classroom discipline', he said. Criminals under 18 were also sent to children's panels instead of courts and 'perverse' sentencing guidelines meant especially lenient sentences for those under 25. 'That approach is weak, it is reckless and it is costing lives,' Mr Findlay thundered. 'Parents want a return to discipline in schools and deterrence in the justice system, so why will John Swinney not listen to them?' The FM said prosecution remained an option for serious offences and highlighted a two-thirds drop in hospital admissions for knife assaults in the last 15 years. He said: 'That is the result of us tackling knife crime in our society. That prevention work is having an effect. Scotland is a safer country today than it has been in the past.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, the father of three boys, said he had been personally 'devastated' by Kayden's death. He said: 'The statistics are damning. The number of young people being caught with knives is rising, with a 15 per cent increase among 11- to-15-year-olds in only five years. 'Many parents are rightly worried. They fear that their children are not safe and are asking how this Government has allowed the situation to get so out of control.' Blaming bad decisions for a crisis 'years in the making', Mr Sarwar said the SNP had 'decimated youth work services' and cut 730 police officers from local divisions and shut 'countless local police stations'. He said: 'Now we're hearing horrifying reports of children - primary school children - being caught carrying knives. That is not a coincidence.' He quoted campaigner Vicky Donald, whose 13-year-old daughter was assaulted on the way to school, and who wrote to Mr Swinney this week after the recent incidents. She wrote: 'Stop waiting for more funerals. Do something now.' Mr Swinney said he had replied to her noting a 79 per cent fall in the number of teenage homicide victims, which he said was a sign of successful prevention work. David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, this week demanded more stop and search powers for officers to 'save lives'. He said: 'It has become increasingly difficult for police to deal with under-16s due to laws that were introduced to protect children and young people but, in fact, do the opposite because police are left with their hands tied. 'We have to be able to conduct stop and searches and do that no matter what age they are. 'We urgently require new, robust legislation that empowers officers to act decisively and prevent violence before it happens.'
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Recipe of the day: Beef and mushroom bhuna curry
Recipe of the day: Beef and mushroom bhuna curry Bhuna curry is known for its rich and aromatic flavours that come from slow-cooking spices until they blend perfectly with the main ingredients. Beef and mushroom bhuna curry. Picture: Supplied Among the myriad of bhuna variations, beef and mushroom bhuna curry stands out for its robust taste and satisfying texture, making it a favourite for those who enjoy hearty meals. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Course: Culinary Collection Cuisine: Indian Read more Recipe of the day: Breakfast portabellos with soft boiled eggs, crispy kale and Hollandaise Serves: 6 ALSO READ: Skeem Saam' gears up for season 14 with new faces and the return of fan favourites Ingredients 1kg stewing beef on the bone, cut into chunky pieces 2 large onions diced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves of garlic, grated 6 cardamom pods 6 bay leaves 4 cinnamon sticks ½ tsp fenugreek seeds 1 tbsp medium curry powder 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp ground turmeric 4 large tomatoes diced 6 large Portobello mushrooms cut into chunky wedges 2 cups basmati rice 3 cups water 2 tsp salt Fresh coriander leaves to serve Roti or naan to serve Olive oil for cooking Salt and pepper to taste ALSO READ: Recipe of the day: Roasted hake on tomato and mushroom lentils Method: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Season the beef pieces with salt and pepper. Brown the pieces of beef in batches. Remove and set aside. Add the onions to the pot and cook until soft. Add the ginger, garlic, and all of the spices. Cook for a minute or two until very fragrant. Add the tomatoes. Cook for a minute until the tomatoes begin to break down. Add the beef to the pan along with 1 cup of water. Stir to mix everything. Cover with a tight lid and simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours, depending on the cut of beef, until tender. If the curry begins to look a little dry while cooking, top up with water. This type of curry is meant to have a very thick, well-reduced sauce. While the curry is cooking, add the rice to a medium-sized pot. Pour in the water and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and turn the heat down to a low simmer. Cook for 13 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from the heat and leave for another 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and keep warm until serving. When the beef has about 30 minutes to go, add the chunky portobello mushrooms and mix. Finish the cooking until the beef is tender and the portabellos are cooked through and have absorbed the curry flavour. Taste to adjust seasoning. Serve the curry on the fluffy basmati rice with fresh coriander and some warm roti on the side. Recipe supplied by:
India.com
17-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
7 Plant-Based Recipes Even Meat Lovers Will Enjoy
Anaika Sohal May 16, 2025 This taco has a kick as it is made from spicy lentils, black beans and they are so delicious that you won't even think about meat. They are just like chicken wings, but are the alternatives made from cauliflower, perfectly crispy and spicy. A fulfilling curry made from chickpeas and coconut milk, it's healthy, full of spice, and the best alternative to meat. The meat lover would not miss their meat when they have a bite of these juicy Portobello mushrooms grilled and stacked on a bun. This alternative uses lentils instead of ground meat and it is just as rich and comforting as people find chicken. This recipe tastes a lot like you are eating pork. It is made from shredded jackfruit that is cooked with BBQ sauce. A tasty, vibrant and soul-satisfying recipe made from bell peppers that are filled with rice, beans and spices. Read Next Story
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
No more snapping up bargains on Vinted during Modern Studies
Portobello High School will be first in Scotland to introduce a zero-phone policy for pupils. Pupils will place their devices into magnet-locked Yondr pouches for the duration of the school day. Pictured are S3 pupils Julia and Carly (Picture: Lisa Ferguson) Well done everyone involved in the decision to pilot phone-free classes in two Edinburgh schools. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The city's education chief, Councillor Joan Griffiths, the teachers of Portobello and Queensferry High Schools and, of course, the students and their parents deserve a huge round of applause for having the courage to go phone-free. As a fellow smartphone addict, I know how difficult it is to contemplate even half-an-hour without my iPhone within easy reach. I can't begin to contemplate how I would cope from 9am to 3.30pm. The students won't have to part with their precious phones. They have to store them in Yondr pouches which are locked and unlocked magnetically, but they will be able to carry them from class to class. I am sure there will be the odd student who works out a hack to access their precious phone when they are not supposed to, but the majority will comply with the new rules. And what a difference it will make. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There will be no more WhatsApp notifications pinging during French class. No sneaky Signal chats to distract from algebra. No surreptitious Instagram stories, no Snapchat, and definitely no snapping up a bargain on Vinted while the Modern Studies teacher has her back turned. It will be just like the old days. Or maybe not. I fervently hope that Edinburgh's pilot proves to be a huge success and every school in the city locks up phones during the school day, but no-one can pretend that schools can ignore the digital revolution that has only started. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) revealed last week that there were 31 instances of pupils caught cheating using artificial intelligence (AI) last year, compared to none in 2023. That may seem far too few to get hot and bothered about, but AI is developing very quickly and many schoolkids are already well versed at using chatbots such as ChatGPT. My granddaughter uses it to create crochet patterns, and I am sure that many, many students now turn to the app on their phone for help with their homework. But it is AI's potential to change how and what our children learn that education chiefs need to be thinking about, rather than how many second-year pupils asked Grok to write an essay on human rights. Two years ago, I wrote here about Dr Geoffrey Hinton, the former Edinburgh University student known as the 'Godfather" of AI. He had just stood down from his role at Google, warning that AI systems like ChatGPT were quite scary. 'Right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as I can tell. But I think they soon may be,' he said. If that happens, then traditional education – even when done on an iPad – will be of little use in the future. As AI develops, so the world of work will change. Legal firms, for example, will not need a team of young lawyers to check contracts and other legal documents if a chatbot can do it in seconds. We need to teach our youngsters how to use AI, not so they can cheat, but so they can succeed.
Edinburgh Reporter
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
First Edinburgh Tartan Parade to be held on Saturday
The first Edinburgh Tartan Parade will step off at 1pm from the City Chambers on Saturday with the Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, Kyle Dawson, the President of the NYC National Tartan Day New York Committee, and Portobello's own Gail Porter at the head of the procession. Some 1600 participants have signed up to take part in the first celebration of tartan which mimics the New York parade held at the beginning of April. Edinburgh Tartan Parade founder Tania Pramschufer said: 'We want everyone to come together in the name of tartan and to have a wonderful time. It's not just about identity, it is about community. We want everyone to feel part of something really Scottish and to enjoy walking through the beautiful streets of Edinburgh on the glorious route which takes us from the Old Town to the New Town.' Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron, Depute Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh said: 'Edinburgh is proud to host the first Tartan Parade Scotland, aligning with our city's 900th anniversary. This event not only celebrates our history but also our commitment to cultural diversity and community engagement.' Tania Pramschufer with Pulse of the Place ahead of their New York visit Photo © 2023 Martin P. McAdam Gail Porter, who will host the Usher Hall event in the evening, said she was thrilled to be joining the parade: 'I'll be wearing the Fair Trade tartan with knee-high Doc Marten boots. Tartan was not really a family thing for me – but I was such a fan of Vivienne Westwood – she made it look so rock and roll.' NYC Tartan Day Parade 2023 Gail Porter Grand Marshal 2023 PHOTO Martin P McAdam Kyle Dawson said: 'I'm very excited to be coming and it was such an honour to be named Grand Marshal. New York Tartan Week is such a special event – I have had Scottish visitors come up to me in New York and say: 'I have never felt more Scottish than I do today.'' NYC Tartan Day Parade 2023 Kyle Dawson Participants will include pipe bands and traditional dance troupes from around Scotland, alongside people from Australia, America, France and Sweden. Vikings from Shetland and traditional Chinese dragon dancers will also be taking part – as well as more than 100 Bay City Roller fans from around the world. New York based Suzan Rostron of the world-wide Bay City Rollers fan community Still Rollin' said fans will be coming from around the world to Edinburgh to join the parade: 'We all had the same experience as 12 and 13-year-olds falling in love with them. We were a fan community even then – we all had pen pals all over the world and to see where we are today 50 years later is just fantastic. I wanted to know everything about Scotland – and we all feel the same way – it's our mecca. We have events all over the world – but the ones in Scotland are special – and we are thrilled that Eileen Longmuir will be there – she is our queen.' Eileen Longmuir, wife of Alan will be wearing the purple and pink tartan created in her late husband's memory – Alan Longmuir Proud Son of Edinburgh. She said: 'It's always fantastic to be in Edinburgh, it was where Alan was brought up. He was born in Caledonian Road and he used to play on the banks of the Castle.' Bay City Rollers fans in New York – they claim 50 years of friendship thanks to the Edinburgh group Programme of Events 1pm City Chambers, High Street Edinburgh Parade begins 2pm Post Parade Ceilidh for Parade Participants Ross Bandstand 8pm Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Rura Tartan Parade Celebration Concert, hosted by Gail Porter Usher Hall Tickets £38.50 and £35.20 Ticket link here: Eileen Longmuir widow of late Roller, Alan Longmuir in the Alan Longmuir tartan Like this: Like Related
