Northern Ireland News for October 2005

UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
New UK citizenship test launched
The government has launched the new ‘Britishness test’, for foreign nationals wishing to become UK citizens. The new ‘Life in the UK’ exam, which will become compulsory from Tuesday, contains 24 mult...
Business News, Oct 31, 2005
Minister points to 'excellent' development opportunities
Excellent retail opportunities are available in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, Minister for Social Development David Hanson has said. Welcoming delegates at the British Council of Shopping...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Soldier killed in Afghanistan named
The Ministry of Defence has named the British soldier killed in a gun attack in Afghanistan at the weekend. Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood, 23, from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, was killed in an ambus...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Coleraine car crash victims named
The two people who died following a road traffic collision in Co Londonderry on Monday have been named. William Paul, 58, and his wife, Mary, 57, were in their car which collided with a lorry on the ...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
LVF to stand down members
Loyalist splinter group, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), has confirmed it is to stand down its members. The group said the decision was taken in response to the IRA move to decommission arms in S...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Man questioned in connection with weekend murder
Police are questioning a man in connection with the murder of a 60-year-old woman in north Belfast at the weekend. The woman's body was found at about 11am on Sunday at a house in Richmond Square, of...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Blunkett 'to sell shares'
David Blunkett has announced that he will sell shares held in a DNA testing firm, following claims that he may have breached the ministerial code of conduct. The Work and Pensions Secretary said that...
Business News, Oct 31, 2005
Business boost for Allen Logistics
Moira-based Allen Logistics has reported a marked upturn in business as a result of being able to offer low-cost guaranteed next-day deliveries around the UK through its membership of the Fortec Palle...
Business News, Oct 31, 2005
SMEs face tough short-term prospects
Higher oil and energy prices have combined with falling demand and stagnating prices to make life tough for small and medium-sized manufacturers – and the CBI say many firms fear worse is yet to come....
Business News, Oct 31, 2005
Telefonica bids £17.7 billion for O2
Spanish telecoms company Telefonica have agreed a takeover deal with mobile phone group O2. Telefonica has agreed to purchase O2, a former subsidiary of BT, for £17.7 billion. The Spanish firm said t...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Second man charged with musician murder
A second man has been charged in connection with the murder of a musician in Londonderry last month. Anthony Fahy, 18, from Ashmore House on Northland Road, Derry, is the second person to be charged ...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Woman punched in face as she walked dog
A middle-aged woman has been treated in hospital after being attacked by a gang of men in Co Antrim at the weekend. The victim, who is in her 50s, was walking her dog along the Belfast Road in Carric...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government. Tabled as amendments to the government's Road Safety Bill, the new measures will create a ...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Researches link olive oil and colon cancer
Researchers at the University of Ulster have found new evidence of the link between virgin olive oil and healthy living. The team of researchers, - who publish their findings in the October 2005 issu...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Unresolved NHS complaints ‘more than double’
The number of people asking for an independent review of their NHS complaints has more than doubled in the past year, according to the latest figures. The Healthcare Commission, which handles complai...
Business News, Oct 31, 2005
Sky team up with Vodafone to offer mobile 3G TV
British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) and Vodafone UK have announced an agreement to launch a mobile TV service in the UK. From Tuesday, the new service called 'Sky Mobile TV' will bring a wide choice of ch...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Call for action on prostate cancer
The leaders of the three main political parties have issued a joint call for greater action to tackle the problem of prostate cancer. Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative leader Michael Howard and...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Rambling rights for walkers in England
An historic right of access to roam in certain countryside areas has been rolled out across England. The introduction of the new right, for which people have been campaigning for over 100 years, allo...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
NI academic carries out Serb/Kosovo 'peace poll'
NI academic has presented the findings of a public opinion 'peace poll' carried out in a bid to encourage dialogue between Kosovar Albanians and Serbs in one of the most volatile parts of Europe. Dr ...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 31, 2005
Consumers urged to check facts on internet buying
Consumers are being urged to check their legal rights when buying goods and services on the Internet. The Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service (TSS) issued the ...
UK National News, Oct 31, 2005
Parliament cleaners prepare to strike again
Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament are preparing to hold a second strike for better pay next week. The Transport and General Workers Union said that the strike would take place on November 9. Many...
Business News, Oct 28, 2005
Cutting edge software delivers export success
Belfast software firm ICS Computing is celebrating the success of a cutting edge software package which has just achieved £1 million of export sales, with a further £1 million projected by 2007. ICS ...
Business News, Oct 28, 2005
Invest NI hosts european aerospace seminar
Invest NI has hosted a European Aerospace seminar in Brussels aimed at promoting the latest developments and opportunities within the business to a number of leading Northern Ireland companies. Liam ...
Business News, Oct 28, 2005
Building opportunities for the long term unemployed
The long term unemployed are to be given a helping hand into the construction industry thanks to a new training initiative devised by one of the UK’s leading business and construction services compani...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 28, 2005
Catholic Church reveals extent of abuse allegations
The Catholic Church was reeling today following further confirmation of sexual abuse amongst its priests in a number of diocese's north and south of the border. In the latest revelations, it emerged ...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 28, 2005
Best condition still cause for concern
The condition of former Northern Ireland footballer George Best is said to have improved slightly overnight, his consultant said on Friday morning. Professor Roger Williams said the former Manchester...
UK National News, Oct 28, 2005
Davis pledges tax cuts
Tory leadership contender David Davis has pledged to reduce the average family’s tax bill by £1,200 if he becomes Prime Minster. The Shadow Home Secretary said that he would commit the Conservative p...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 28, 2005
Two men injured in paramilitary-style shootings
Detectives in Newtownards are investigating two separate paramilitary-style shooting incidents in Co Down on Thursday. In the first incident, a 33-year-old man was stopped by two masked men and shot ...
Business News, Oct 28, 2005
B4B gets to grips with the Euro at annual AGM
Northern Ireland’s Business Networking Forum, B4B’s 2nd Annual General Meeting is getting off to a great start when members take part in the seminar, “Trading in Euro and Sterling? How to make it work...
Northern Ireland News, Oct 28, 2005
Orange Hall damaged in arson attack
A west Belfast Orange Hall has been damaged overnight in an arson attack, police have said. The Whiterock hall was set alight sometime between 7pm on Thursday and 7.30am on Friday after a window of t...