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11/01/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Bomb-hit PSNI Man Still 'Critical'
The policeman critically injured in Friday's dissident republican car bomb attack in Co Antrim is continuing to fight for his life. The officer was hurt when a booby trap bomb exploded under his car, as he drove to work at Woodbourne PSNI station in west Belfast. Constable Peadar Heffron - who originally joined the RUC - was blown up close to his home in Randalstown and was seen by his wife who was following in a car close behind. It is thought the Catholic officer has serious injuries to his legs and has had vital operations to try to save his life. He was first rushed to Antrim Area Hospital, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The 33-year-old is an Irish language specialist for the PSNI and captain of the PSNI GAA team.
Taser Success
Two men were challenged by a police officer armed with a Taser when they tried to flee a petrol station after allegedly tying up and robbing a cashier. The officer was driving past the BP garage in London Road, Burpham, on Sunday when he saw a man in a balaclava appearing to empty a till. He radioed for help and, after a "short confrontation" as the two men left the garage, he used the Taser gun. A cashier found tied up in the garage was not seriously hurt, police said.
Defence College Underway
A company has been given a partial go-ahead for a huge contract to build the UK's defence college. The Metrix consortium, which will build and run the new academy, said the "early works" contract would ready the site for full-scale construction once the final go-ahead was given. The company in charge of building the £12bn defence academy has received a £29m contract from the Ministry of Defence for early work on the project. The Defence Technical College at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan stands to create over 2,000 jobs and provide all the military training in the UK. That's event though the UK government announced a final decision on the project would be delayed until the summer.
Crash Death Probed
A woman has died at the scene of a crash on a roundabout junction with the M4 in Carmarthenshire. It happened early on Sunday and Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision at Pont Abraham involved a silver coloured Toyota Rav 4 driven by the woman, who has not been named. Officers said an investigation was continuing, but appealed for witnesses to the incident. Witnesses are asked to contact the force's road policing unit on 101 or 0845 3302000.
DUP Backs Robinson As Foster Takes Reins
Arlene Foster is to assume the role of Northern Ireland First Minister for six weeks, it was confirmed this afternoon. The move came after DUP Assembly members offered their "wholehearted support" to embattled DUP Leader Peter Robinson. He will pass ministerial responsibility to Ms Foster, the current Enterprise Minister, for the maximum six week in accordance with Assembly rules. After this period, any changes must be referred back to the assembly for ratification. Mr Robinson has come under mounting pressure to resign following an investigation into his wife's personal and political conduct. Iris Robinson, who was ousted from the DUP on Saturday, is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" at a Belfast hospital. Last week BBC Spotlight revealed she had taken donations to support her lover's business venture without officially declaring the money to Stormont or Westminster.
A&E In Focus
TV cameras have returned to the Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales to show staff at work on and behind the medical frontline. Five camera teams spent seven days at the Heath to film the second series of Hospital 24/7. It focuses on the people who keep the services and premises running day to day - from surgeons to housekeepers, and phlebotomists to pest control. Hospital 24/7 can be seen from Monday to Thursday on BBC One Wales.
(BMcC/GK)
The policeman critically injured in Friday's dissident republican car bomb attack in Co Antrim is continuing to fight for his life. The officer was hurt when a booby trap bomb exploded under his car, as he drove to work at Woodbourne PSNI station in west Belfast. Constable Peadar Heffron - who originally joined the RUC - was blown up close to his home in Randalstown and was seen by his wife who was following in a car close behind. It is thought the Catholic officer has serious injuries to his legs and has had vital operations to try to save his life. He was first rushed to Antrim Area Hospital, before being moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The 33-year-old is an Irish language specialist for the PSNI and captain of the PSNI GAA team.
Taser Success
Two men were challenged by a police officer armed with a Taser when they tried to flee a petrol station after allegedly tying up and robbing a cashier. The officer was driving past the BP garage in London Road, Burpham, on Sunday when he saw a man in a balaclava appearing to empty a till. He radioed for help and, after a "short confrontation" as the two men left the garage, he used the Taser gun. A cashier found tied up in the garage was not seriously hurt, police said.
Defence College Underway
A company has been given a partial go-ahead for a huge contract to build the UK's defence college. The Metrix consortium, which will build and run the new academy, said the "early works" contract would ready the site for full-scale construction once the final go-ahead was given. The company in charge of building the £12bn defence academy has received a £29m contract from the Ministry of Defence for early work on the project. The Defence Technical College at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan stands to create over 2,000 jobs and provide all the military training in the UK. That's event though the UK government announced a final decision on the project would be delayed until the summer.
Crash Death Probed
A woman has died at the scene of a crash on a roundabout junction with the M4 in Carmarthenshire. It happened early on Sunday and Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision at Pont Abraham involved a silver coloured Toyota Rav 4 driven by the woman, who has not been named. Officers said an investigation was continuing, but appealed for witnesses to the incident. Witnesses are asked to contact the force's road policing unit on 101 or 0845 3302000.
DUP Backs Robinson As Foster Takes Reins
Arlene Foster is to assume the role of Northern Ireland First Minister for six weeks, it was confirmed this afternoon. The move came after DUP Assembly members offered their "wholehearted support" to embattled DUP Leader Peter Robinson. He will pass ministerial responsibility to Ms Foster, the current Enterprise Minister, for the maximum six week in accordance with Assembly rules. After this period, any changes must be referred back to the assembly for ratification. Mr Robinson has come under mounting pressure to resign following an investigation into his wife's personal and political conduct. Iris Robinson, who was ousted from the DUP on Saturday, is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" at a Belfast hospital. Last week BBC Spotlight revealed she had taken donations to support her lover's business venture without officially declaring the money to Stormont or Westminster.
A&E In Focus
TV cameras have returned to the Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales to show staff at work on and behind the medical frontline. Five camera teams spent seven days at the Heath to film the second series of Hospital 24/7. It focuses on the people who keep the services and premises running day to day - from surgeons to housekeepers, and phlebotomists to pest control. Hospital 24/7 can be seen from Monday to Thursday on BBC One Wales.
(BMcC/GK)
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27 July 2004
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The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
09 March 2015
Further Cuts Expected In Defence Spending - RUSI
Further reductions could be made in defence spending and personnel numbers in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has warned. The review is due to start after the next general election. The briefing, by RUSI Research Director Professor Malcolm Chalmers, projects that the UK will spend 1.
Further Cuts Expected In Defence Spending - RUSI
Further reductions could be made in defence spending and personnel numbers in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has warned. The review is due to start after the next general election. The briefing, by RUSI Research Director Professor Malcolm Chalmers, projects that the UK will spend 1.
05 November 2014
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
21 November 2013
Two Jailed Over Mosque Arson Attack
Two men, who admitted arson with reckless endangerment to life, have been jailed over an attack on a mosque in Gloucester. In June petrol was poured around the door of the Masjid-E-Noor mosque on Ryecroft Street and set on fire.
Two Jailed Over Mosque Arson Attack
Two men, who admitted arson with reckless endangerment to life, have been jailed over an attack on a mosque in Gloucester. In June petrol was poured around the door of the Masjid-E-Noor mosque on Ryecroft Street and set on fire.
09 September 2013
EDL Leader To Be Charged Over Weekend March
Tommy Robinson, leader of the English Defence League, has been charged in connection with a march in east London on Saturday. Some 500 EDL supporters marched from Queen Elizabeth Street to Aldgate on Saturday afternoon. In total, 300 people were arrested, 286 of which were from a counter demonstration against the EDL march.
EDL Leader To Be Charged Over Weekend March
Tommy Robinson, leader of the English Defence League, has been charged in connection with a march in east London on Saturday. Some 500 EDL supporters marched from Queen Elizabeth Street to Aldgate on Saturday afternoon. In total, 300 people were arrested, 286 of which were from a counter demonstration against the EDL march.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
