Northern Ireland News for August 2004 : Page 6

UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
A-levels results success as grades rise
A-level results have revealed that more students than ever before have achieved top grades and the overall pass rate has risen further. This year's results showed that the overall pass rate has risen...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
Inquiry begins into endoscope cleanliness scare
The Government has announced that an independent inquiry has commenced in order to assess just how effectively endoscopes are being cleaned in Northern Ireland's hospitals. The inquiry follows a rece...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
More flooding predicted as heavy rain continues
The Met Office has warned local motorists that there is more heavy rainfall to come following reports of flooding in the Newtownards and Greater Belfast areas overnight. Areas of north Belfast, Combe...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
NI burglaries on the decrease say police
Police figures released today reveal a significant decrease in domestic burglaries across Northern Ireland. Community Safety Officer, Sergeant Robert Murdie said that the marked decrease in incidents...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
British women's sailing trio secure Gold medal with race to spare
Team GB's women's sailing team of Shirley Robertson, Sarah Webb and Sarah Ayton clinched the Gold medal with points to spare and a race in hand. The trio competing in the Yngling keelboat class had b...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Talks to head off BA strike continue
Union leaders and British Airways (BA) management are holding further talks today in a bid to head off a one-day strike by baggage handlers set for the late August Bank Holiday weekend on August 27. ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
NI earn deserved draw against Swiss
Northern Ireland football team continued their resurgence under manager Lawrie Sanchez last night with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland in Zurich. The Swiss, who are 65 places higher in the world ranki...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
Ravenhill parking problems to be 'tackled'
Police have said they are confident in 'tackling' parking problems in and around the home of Ulster rugby. With up to 12,000 fans expected to descend on Ravenhill nearly every second Friday during th...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
Minister outlines further planning reforms
Environment Minister Angela Smith today launched further proposals to tackle delays and strengthen the planning system. The consultation paper, entitled 'Reforming Planning: Proposals to Amend Primar...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Work to clear A85 landslides underway
A clear-up project has begun in central Scotland to remove huge landslides that blocked the A85 in Glen Ogle north of Lochearnhead. Yesterday, following hours of torrential rain in the area, 57 motor...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
Ecstasy recovered in Co Down
Police have recovered ecstasy worth an estimated street value of £50,000 in Co Down. The drugs were found in the Millisle area yesterday, however there were no arrests. Elsewhere, a 14-year-old girl ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 19, 2004
UK bird numbers at their lowest since records began
Bird numbers across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have stabilised – but are at their lowest point since record keeping began. This is the verdict of the 2003 report State of the UK's Birds,...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Drivers urged to take extra care in severe weather
With heavy rain and strong winds forecast for many parts of the country over the next few days as the tail end of hurricanes cross the Atlantic, the Highways Agency have urged UK drivers to take extra...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Teenager arrested under Terrorism Act
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in Birmingham this morning under the Terrorism Act. The man who has not been named is being held for questioning after he was arrested in the Selly Oak area of ...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Ambulance call-outs to be tailored to patients' need
Patients with non-urgent conditions who dial 999 will not automatically be sent an ambulance, but may instead receive treatment at home or from other healthcare professionals, under changes announced ...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
New rules set to resolve credit disputes more easily
The government has announced new rules today designed to create an independent ombudsman that can provide an easier route to resolving credit disputes. Under present rules, borrowers can only take le...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Pharmacy services to be extended onto internet in England
Under new proposals the government has provisionally approved internet-only pharmacy services for England. Following a public consultation the government say that the changes will make it simpler and...
UK National News, Aug 19, 2004
Internet connections peak in March
The latest monthly update of the government survey of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) has revealed that the index peaked in March 2004 and since then has decreased slightly, by 0.5%, between May and...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah clashes
A British soldier has been killed and a second injured during clashes with militants in the southern Iraqi city of Basrah last night. The MoD has named the dead soldier as 29-year-old Lance Corporal ...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
Bride's father charged with her murder
The father of a 23-year-old woman who was found dead at her Nottinghamshire home last month has been charged with her murder. Terence Rodgers, 55, of no fixed abode, appeared at Mansfield Magistrates...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
Eight men facing terror charges appear in court
Eight men charged with terrorism-related offences have appeared in court today. The eight men, who have all have been charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to commit public nuisance, appe...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 18, 2004
Derry experiences worst flooding in living memory
The Government has pledged to help business and homeowners in Londonderry following last night's floods, described as the worst in living memory. Three hours of torrential rain destroyed many homes, ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 18, 2004
FSB calls for enquiry following floods
The Federation of Small Businesses has called for an enquiry into why the drains in Londonderry "completely failed" during last night's torrential rainfall which lead to localised flooding. John Frie...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
RMT strike action will not affect services, Eurostar say
Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK with France and Belgium, has reassured customers that proposed strike action by the RMT "will have no impact at all on passengers". ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 18, 2004
Teenage boy dies in road crash on A2
A 14-year-old boy has died following yesterday's serious road traffic accident on the main Belfast to Bangor dual carriageway. It emerged that in all 12 people were involved in the accident which saw...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
Fifth day sees British Olympic medal tally grow
High hopes of a medal in the women's archery competition came good today with Alison Williamson winning bronze by a one point margin over China's Shun Chi Yuan in the semi-final of the 70m competition...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
Violence and drug trade threatens Afghan peace: Annan
The forthcoming elections - and lasting peace - in Afghanistan is being threatened by rising extremist violence, factionalism and the burgeoning illicit drug industry, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 18, 2004
Figures reveal drink driving on the increase
The number of motorists caught driving under the influence of drink and drugs has significantly increased over the last three months, according to police. The figures for the period April to June 200...
UK National News, Aug 18, 2004
Team GB sailors continue to perform well
In very light conditions on Wednesday at the Agios Kosmas sailing centre in the single-handed Finn class, Ben Ainslie continues to hold the overall lead with eight points to spare over Spaniard Rafael...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 18, 2004
BMA welcome £12m relocation of funding to health services
The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland has welcomed the Government's decision to reallocate £12 million into health and social services in the province. NIO Minister Ian Pearson announce...