Sunday 16th November

Number cruncher

In Xander Hurley's job, two things are certain - his code either works or it doesn't. And it's a world in which his deafness is no obstacle, he tells Leo Benedictus

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Britain's 'Erin Brockovich' wins landmark battle against pesticides being spread on fields near homes

A judge has backed a campaigner's claim that the Government had failed to protect the public from exposure to toxic cropspraying chemicals.

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Breakthroughs, tips and trends: Listening pill

COULD a cocktail of basic vitamins prevent hearing loss? Michigan University doctors hope that tests on people in three countries will replicate the success they have seen in laboratory tests with a pill containing vitamins A, C and E plus magnesium.

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Drug users to be given guarantees on waiting times

Young people with mental health problems and drug users are to receive NHS waiting time guarantees for the first time as part of a set of new targets announced yesterday.

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Saturday 15th November

Director's anger over comedy film's 'disability' warning

Disabled actors last night condemned a move by British film censors to label a new film featuring a disabled cast with a warning stating that the film contains "disability themes".

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Pub music noise ban in 'desperate attempt' to curb binge-drinking

The Government’s latest proposal to combat Britain’s binge-drinking epidemic is to turn down the volume of music in pubs and bars.

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

The agony and the ecstacy

Drugs are an established part of our landscape. But how do we reconcile the apparently happy experience of the casual user with that of the addict? And how do we win the unwinnable 'war on drugs', asks Andrew Anthony

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)

Counselling for the deaf

PEOPLE with hearing problems in the Lothians are to be offered one-to-one counselling.
As part of a pilot scheme by NHS Lothian, those who are completely deaf or even hard-of-hearing will have access to trained specialists.

Read the full article (external link, opens new browser window)