As well as the nine confirmed illegal killings by other methods, the report said there were also 19 "probable" cases of illegal killing where there was not enough evidence to prove it completely.

Many of the incidents detailed in the report were discovered by chance by members of the public in remote areas, mainly in southern, central and north-east Scotland and the Western Isles.

Up to 20,000 music fans are expected to arrive in the south of Scotland for the annual Wickerman Festival.

Some 140 acts, including bands The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene, will replica handbags entertain the gathering on farmland near Dundrennan on the Solway Coast.

The musical extravaganza is due to culminate with the ceremonial burning of a giant Wickerman statue.

Festival organisers are also aiming to raise money to provide greater access to drinking water in Nepal.

Scottish ministers and officials have turned down a request to attend a US Senate hearing next week over the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and the Scottish Prison Service's medical chief Dr Andrew Fraser were invited.

Senators also invited Westminster former justice secretary Jack Straw.

BP chief executive Tony Hayward was asked to attend after allegations that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's release was linked to an oil deal.

Megrahi was jailed for life for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 which killed 270 people, most of them Americans.

A senior US diplomat is to visit the Maldives in an effort to end the political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation.

The country has been in limbo since the mass resignation of the cabinet, who claimed the opposition-led parliament were blocking their every move.

Four MPs have been arrested for alleged bribery.

Opposition MPs say the government is acting unconstitutionally and preventing them from doing their job.

The dispute has sparked violent street protests by both sides, and the US and UK have issued travel warnings to citizens travelling to the popular holiday destination.

Muttiah Muralitharan became the first bowler to take 800 Test wickets on the final day of his Test career in Galle.

The Sri Lanka off-spinner, 38, who made his Test debut in 1992, began his final match against India on 792 wickets.

He ousted record Test run-scorer Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday and went on to take 5-63 as India had to follow on.

Team-mate Lasith Malinga took 5-48 but with the last pair together, Murali had last man Pragyan Ojha caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip to reach his 800.

Indian and Pakistani border guards have done away with aggressive gestures during the daily ceremonial "retreat" ceremony on the border at Wagah.

For 45 minutes every day at sunset the guards high-kick, stamp, speed march and bawl their way through a choreographed routine.

It ends in the lowering of both flags and the slamming of the border gates.

The display has become a huge tourist attraction, drawing 20,000 spectators from both countries every evening.

'Leg injuries'