There have been many reports on health inequalities that cleave Scottish society in two, but research published today by Glasgow University on death rates across Scotland and Europe is about as bleak as it gets.

Details of some high-risk sex offenders could be published on the internet to alert parents, Cathy Jamieson announced yesterday. The justice minister said if offenders fail to co-operate with the police or abscond from the address they have given the authorities, their details and pictures could be published.

It has long been blamed for creating a nation of couch potatoes. But a new report today claims that Britain’s love affair with television is causing far more damage – both physically and psychologically – than previously thought.

Scotland has topped a European league table of countries providing specialist support to victims of crime. A study showed of those who suffered a burglary, robbery, sexual attack or assault, 22% received specialist support to help them cope. This compares with an average of 7% in Europe and 16% across the UK.

Leading learning disabilities charity Cornerstone Community Care has announced that it is set to close a large part of one of its services in Aberdeen because of a failure by Aberdeen City Council to properly fund the service. The service affected – Cornerstone’s Aberdeen Community Support Service – supports 108 people with learning disabilities and other special needs and employs 48 people.

A charity last night warned it was sliding deep into the red in the latest sign of financial crisis in Scotland’s voluntary sector. Cornerstone, which turns over £26million a year supporting children and adults with learning difficulties, said it could end this year with a deficit running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

It sounded like the perfect job. After gaining a masters degree and ten years’ experience in the public sector Joanne Collins was relishing the challenge of a post at Edinburgh City Council where it was promised she would “lead the management information strategy”.

The risk of dying young is growing in Scotland despite greater wealth and major advances in healthcare. A shocking report published today reveals violence, drugs, alcohol and suicide mean men are now more likely to die in their 20s and 30s than 20 years ago.

The legal age of consent should be lowered from 16 to 14 for young people who are less than two years apart in age, according to an academic. Dr Matthew Waites, a lecturer in sociology at Glasgow University, said criminalising all consensual sexual activity up to 16 was not appropriate.

A new Bill that offers greater protection to adults at risk of abuse has been approved by MSPs. The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Bill will give new powers and a statutory responsibility to local agencies to investigate any risk of harm or abuse to adults living in care homes or in the community.