Northern Ireland News for August 2003 : Page 2

UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
Getaway car used in da Vinci theft recovered
Police believe they have found the getaway car used by thieves who stole a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece worth £25 million from a castle in Scotland yesterday. Four men made off with the painting yes...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 28, 2003
Government issues reminder to winter fuel applicants
While the warm weather makes winter seem a long way off, the government is urging over-60s who have not already received a winter fuel payment to apply now. New applications received before 19 Septem...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
'Biometric' ID to be rolled out for asylum applicants
The use of fingerprint, iris or facial recognition scans are to be widened for visa applications, under plans set out by Home Secretary David Blunkett. The use of 'biometric' technology will make it ...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
UN 'reaffirms readiness' to send stabilisation force into Liberia
The UN Security Council has "reaffirmed its readiness" to establish a UN stabilization force to support Liberia's political transition. Following a ministerial-level open briefing by senior officials...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 28, 2003
Heat is on for Bannsiders
Coleraine go into tonight's Uefa Cup first round second leg qualifying tie against UD Leiria in Portugal with few worries but the extreme humidity. Marty Quinn's men need only a draw or better to qua...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 28, 2003
Republic maintains employment growth
The latest employment figures have revealed an increase of 28,400 or 1.6% in the number of people in employment in the second quarter of the year to May 2003. This compares with an annual increase of...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 28, 2003
Geologists highlight quality of life issues
The vital importance of the work of geologists in maintaining the quality of life in modern society will be highlighted in a series of local lectures over the coming months. Organised by the Departme...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
'Patient Champion' appointed for A&E departments
The health department has appointed a 'Patient Champion' for A&E to lead the drive for improvement by supporting NHS staff and patients. Jonathan Asbridge, President of the Nursing & Midwifery Counci...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
Oftel moves against nuisance callers
The communications watchdog Oftel has today confirmed new measures to protect consumers from the misuse of electronic communications networks or services that can result in nuisance calls. The statem...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
Car prices fall but slowdown expected, says survey
The latest figures released by the Alliance & Leicester Car Price Index, produced in association with What Car?, have revealed that the price of new cars continued to tumble in July 2003, with a year-...
UK National News, Aug 28, 2003
Study highlights dangers of using mobile phones whilst driving
A recent study of driver behaviour carried out for the National Safety Council of Ireland has revealed that more than one-in-five motorists on Irish roads (22%) have been involved in a collision or a ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
UUP ruling council to discuss disciplining rebel MPs
Ulster Unionist party officers have agreed to call a meeting of the UUP's 900-strong ruling council to discuss disciplinary action against three rebel MPs, the Rev Martin Smyth, Jeffrey Donaldson and ...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Former premier Ted Heath treated for blood clot on lung
Sir Edward Heath, the former Tory prime minister, is undergoing treatment at a London hospital today after falling ill while on holiday in Austria. It is understood that the 87-year-old is suffering ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
'Handgun' claim fuels renewed calls for prisoner segregation
Sinn Féin has again called for segregation at one of Northern Ireland's most notorious prisons following an alleged assault on two republicans prisoners by loyalists who are said to have produced a ha...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Teenage road crash victims named
The two teenagers who died following a road traffic accident in Co Antrim early this morning have been named. David McAuley, 15, from Seacourt Road in Larne and Gavin O'Neill, 16, from Gortin Park in...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Robbers leave 89-year-old in state of shock
An elderly woman was left in a state of shock yesterday after being robbed in her Co Tyrone shop. The 89-year-old woman was in her shoe shop at Main Street, Dromore on Tuesday when three men entered ...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
US President restates pledge to fight 'global terrorism'
Following the death of the 139th US soldier in post-war Iraq yesterday, President George W Bush has vowed to continue the war against "global terrorism". Mr Bush said that the US had scored a number ...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
NASA 'unsafe to manage shuttle in short term', says Columbia report
The investigation into the Columbia shuttle disaster has found that NASA's management system is "unsafe to manage the shuttle system beyond the short term" and that the agency does not have a strong s...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Union backs call for ‘universal’ Post Office banking
The Communications Workers Union (CWU), which is currently balloting its members on strike action over restructuring proposals at the Royal Mail, has joined with the Post Office today to condemn three...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Customs makes headway in north Scotland crackdown
A week-long Customs operation in north east Scotland has resulted in seizures of foodstuffs and fake goods at Aberdeen airport, cigarettes at Peterhead and vehicles running on 'red diesel' at Crimond ...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Teaching for special needs pupils is of 'good quality': report
Pupils with special medical needs are benefiting from improvements in the education services provided by Local Education Authorities, a new report published by the Office for Standards in Education to...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Three people escape house fire
Two women and a man have escaped injury following a house fire in Co Antrim early this morning. Police believe the fire at the house in Dunclug Gardens, Ballymena may have been started maliciously. ...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Mars approaches for Earth close encounter
Mars and Earth will approach each other for their closest pass in 59,000 years this evening, making the Red Planet the third brightest object in the night sky, outshone only by the Moon and Venus. Th...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Lorry cleared from West Coast rail line
An articulated lorry has been cleared from the railway tracks between Abington and Carstairs on the West Coast main line in Scotland. The line reopened within three hours when the lorry had been remo...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Roads Service says works schemes ahead of schedule
Northern Ireland's drivers can breathe a huge sigh of relief today after the Roads Service revealed it had completed a major programme of summer road maintenance schemes "on or ahead of schedule". Da...
UK National News, Aug 27, 2003
Building industry accused of 'bat crime'
The building trade as been criticized in a new report which suggests that it is responsible for a reduction in the bat population. A new report published by the Bat Conservation Trust and the RSPB t...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Derry's Nerve Centre wins top animation award
A short animated film produced by the Nerve Centre in Derry has won the top animation award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. 'Pullin the Devil by the Tail' won the McLaren Award For New ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
NI childcare gets £1.3m boost
The New Opportunities Fund today announced £1.3 million worth of lottery grants for a number of childcare projects across Northern Ireland. In the final announcement under the Out of School Hours Chi...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Lord Mayor follows a ‘highway to health’
The people of Belfast are being urged to follow the ‘highway to health’ by taking the first steps on the ‘yellow brick road’ to a healthier and more active lifestyle. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Counc...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 27, 2003
Bat population suffers at hands of humans
A new report on the state of the UK's bat population has called on the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland to work alongside police in combating crimes against this protected species....