Family.

You can pick your friends, but not your family as the old saying goes. And that applies as much for US President Barack Obama as much as anyone else.

"THE half-brother of President Barack Obama was arrested yesterday for alleged possession of marijuana near his home in a Nairobi shantytown. George Obama, who is in his 20s and barely knows the President, had one joint of marijuana on him, said Joshua Omokulongolo, the police chief in the area. "He is not a drug peddler," Omokulongolo said. "But it's illegal, it's a banned substance."

Quick fixes.

The Herald diary says "FERGUS Ewing, Community Safety Minister, says the Scottish Government is taking a fresh look at how to tackle the country's drug problem. But he stressed a long-term solution would be needed, saying: "This is one of the greatest problems facing us as a nation - it's a long-term problem, we need long-term solutions - not to look for quick fixes." Hmmm, I would have thought those quick fixes were exactly the problem."

It would appear that Mr Ewing's boss' legendary "misspeaks" (one Mr Kenny MacAskill), are beginning to now rub off on Mr Ewing.