Northern Ireland News for April 2004

UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
MI5 terrorist security advice published online
UK security service, MI5 have published advice regarding terrorist threat assessment and safety on the internet for the first time. The information on the website had previously been confined mainly ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Invest NI to provide £9m support for local industry
Invest NI has unveiled plans to provide up to £3 million a year for the next three years through the new Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) in order to help promote the transfer of university tec...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
US Marines start Falluja pull back
Following overnight precision strikes on insurgent targets in Falluja, the pull back of US forces appears to have commenced. According to some reports today Pentagon sources were left "out of step" m...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Government imposes housing restrictions on EU migrants
The Government has announced amendments to the rules on access to council housing and homelessness assistance in England by nationals from countries within the European Economic Area (the EU, plus Ice...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
EU enlargement will have negative impact on NI says DUP
The imminent enlargement of the European Union from 15 states to 25 later this evening is likely to have a negative impact on Northern Ireland, the DUP has claimed. DUP European election candidate Ji...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
QE2 on final voyage as Cunard flagship
The QE2 was nearing the completion of a transatlantic crossing that will see the end of the liner's status as Cunard flagship. The 35-year-old liner is en route to Southampton, accompanied by the 150...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Man beaten with golf club in restaurant
Police are appealing for information after a shop assistant was attacked in a fast food restaurant in west Belfast last night. The incident occurred at a kebab takeaway restaurant on the Springfield ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Police appeal following stabbing in south Belfast
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was stabbed in south Belfast. The 19-year-old victim was walking along Carmel Street at around 8.45pm when a man approached him and tried to steal his p...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Minister announces new laws to protect children
New measures to combat sex offences in Northern Ireland are set to come into effect on Saturday. Welcoming the reforms in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 that apply to Northern Ireland, Criminal Justic...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Jowell appoints duo to review BBC digital services
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has appointed Patrick Barwise and Tim Gardam to conduct individual reviews on the BBC's new digital television and radio services. Patrick Barwise, Professor of Managem...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
NI economic growth second largest in 2002
Northern Ireland's economic growth was second to only the south west of England during 2002, it was revealed today. According to figures from Office of National Statistics Northern Ireland’s annual g...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Technology opportunities could net £8bn, claims report
The UK could potentially net around £8bn in business by exploiting new electromagnetic technologies, according to a report published yesterday. The Foresight project 'Exploiting the electromagnetic s...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Scottish construction industry grows by 5%
The Scottish construction industry grew by over 5% in the fourth quarter of last year according to figures recently released by the Scottish Executive. These figures, comparable to the overall UK gro...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Watchdog issues May Day charity scam alert
The Charity Commission is warning people out and about over the May Bank Holiday to beware of charity scams, particularly in the London area. People are advised to make simple checks when approached ...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
Union dispute with ntl: goes back to ACAS
A dispute over new terms and conditions at transmission company ntl: is being referred back to government conciliator ACAS. Bectu met the company's management again on Wednesday April 28, in the last...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Consultation launched on committal proceedings
Criminal Justice Minister, John Spellar today launched a consultation exercise on the future of committal proceedings. The rationale for change is based on a desire to streamline the system, with a v...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Development delays 'jeopardising' Belfast's future, claims expert
Delays in implementing the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan risk jeopardising the economic and cultural future of the city, relegating it to the third division of European capitals. That is the stark m...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Northern Ireland beach litter figure drops
Northern Ireland has seen a decrease in the amount of litter on its beaches, despite a rise in the UK annual figure. The results were revealed in the UK’s biggest annual beach clean and litter survey...
UK National News, Apr 30, 2004
DNA computers to fight cancer
Israeli scientists have developed a range of tiny devices, which are not only able to detect cancer, but also to release drugs to treat the disease. The work is still at test-tube stage, but scientis...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 30, 2004
Helicopter ambulance feasibility study published
Health Minister, Angela Smith, and her Irish counterpart, Micheál Martin, today announced the publication of a study on the feasibility of an all-Ireland helicopter ambulance service. The Report conc...
UK National News, Apr 29, 2004
Ten US soldiers killed in Baghdad attacks
Ten American soldiers have been killed and four wounded in attacks by insurgents in Iraq. Eight soldiers died in a car bomb attack in the Mahmudiya district of south Baghdad, around 11:30 am local ti...
UK National News, Apr 29, 2004
US to send more heavy armour to Iraq
The Pentagon has confirmed that further armour, heavy tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles are to be deployed in Iraq. The move to ship further tanks and other heavyweight military equipment to...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
Bomb-making factory uncovered in Co Tyrone
Dissident republicans are believed to have been behind a bomb-making base discovered by police in Co Tyrone. The discovery was made at a flat in Lisnafin Park in Strabane. Four men have been arrested...
UK National News, Apr 29, 2004
Report reveals serious errors in Toni-Ann’s care
A report into the death of seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield has revealed serious flaws in her care. The schoolgirl was shot dead alongside Bertram Byfield, 41, a convicted drug dealer, at his flat in ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
Family escape injury in pipe bomb attack
A Co Down couple and their baby grandson have escaped injury following a pipe bomb attack at their home. The incident occurred in the Breezemount estate at Conlig near Bangor shortly before midnight....
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
Commission proposals aim to improve voting procedures
The Electoral Commission today outlined 40 recommendations aimed at improving the general administration of elections in Northern Ireland. The Commission's official statutory report on the administra...
UK National News, Apr 29, 2004
Judicial inquiry announced to probe racist cell murder
A judicial inquiry has been launched to investigate how an Asian teenager came to be murdered by his racist cellmate at a young offenders’ institution in West London. Zahid Mubarek, 19, a first-time ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
NI earn credible 1-1 draw with Serbia & Montenegro
Lawrie Sanchez's Northern Ireland revolution continued last night as his side drew 1-1 with Serbia & Montenegro at Windsor Park. A James Quinn goal on 18 minutes cancelled out Serbia's initial lead, ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
Lottery boost gives NI parents quality childcare choice
A playgroup, a community care center and a children’s charity today received a share of lottery grants worth £233,439 from the New Opportunities Fund. The grants have been awarded under the Building ...
Northern Ireland News, Apr 29, 2004
Artefacts dating back 4,000 years found in Londonderry
Artefacts dating back around 4,000 years have been uncovered by archaeologists in Londonderry. The team, led by John O'Neill from Queen's University, was working on a Bronze Age lake settlement at B...