WHAT HAPPENED ON 6th January 2001?

1st January 2001

INDONESIA GIVES HOME RULE TO PROVINCES

The Indonesian government is introducing self-rule for its 26 provinces in a move which it hopes will counteract separatist disturbances. The move ` introduced with the minimum of ceremony ` has worried overseas investors & lenders who fear local rulers will overtax foreign firms. President Wahid's government admits the change is being introduced with haste. But "we will be able to do repairs along the way " a top official has said

6th January 2001

NO PLANS TO SHELVE RUC REFORM ` GOVT

The Government has denied it has plans to shelve sweeping reform of the police force in Northern Ireland. But it says it has made it clear to Northern Ireland parties the consequences of any further delays. It follows newspaper reports that the Government was considering an indefinite delay after failing to win the support of the nationalist SDLP. The party wants guarantees on certain aspects of implementing the reforms.

6th January 2001

FOX CALLS ON NHS TO IMPROVE CLEANLINESS

Tory shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox has called for a return to basic "matron's values of cleanliness" after a critical survey of many NHS wards. A survey of 700 hospital buildings saw 250 given the lowest cleanliness grade. The data in the Health Service Journal are reportedly based on Department of Health Figures. Government sources claimed ministers were cleaning up "the mess" created by the Tories' internal NHS market.

1st January 2001

US AND ISRAEL SIGN WORLD COURT TREATY

The US & Israel signed a treaty to create an international war crimes court as the midnight deadline neared. The court would be the first permanent institution to try charges such as genocide & crimes against humanity. Sixty countries need to ratify the treaty before it can come into existence ` so far 27 have. The US hesitated before deciding to sign the treaty which has been criticised by American conservatives.

6th January 2001

NO PLANS TO SHELVE RUC REFORM ` GOVT

The Government has denied it has plans to shelve sweeping reform of the police force in Northern Ireland. But it says it has made it clear to Northern Ireland parties the consequences of any further delays. It follows newspaper reports that the Government was considering an indefinite delay after failing to win the support of the nationalist SDLP. The party wants guarantees on certain aspects of implementing the reforms.

6th January 2001

WEDDING Former choirboy & television presenter Aled Jones 29 has married long-term girlfriend Claire Fossett at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden central London. LOTTERY Sir Richard Branson will meet lawyers on Tuesday to decide whether to take the National Lottery Commission to court after it gave Camelot the licence instead of his People's Lottery.

1st January 2001

TRIMBLE STRESSES NEED FOR DIASARMAMENT

Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has said lasting peace is impossible until the IRA disarms. He told a Belfast audience including US President Bill Clinton that only this would end his ban on Sinn Fein attending official cross-border talks. Mr Trimble said: "I do not intend to let the ship of peace sink on the rocks of old habits & hard grudges." Sinn Fein will contest the ban in court on Friday.

6th January 2001

NO PLANS TO SHELVE RUC REFORM ` GOVT

The Government has denied it has plans to shelve sweeping reform of the police force in Northern Ireland. But it says it has made it clear to Northern Ireland parties the consequences of any further delays. It follows newspaper reports that the Government was considering an indefinite delay after failing to win the support of the nationalist SDLP. The party wants guarantees on certain aspects of implementing the reforms.

6th January 2001

ADAIR LOSES BID FOR RELEASE FROM JAIL

Loyalist paramilitary chief Johnny Adair has lost his bid to be released from prison the Northern Ireland Sentence Review Commission has ruled. Adair 37 leader of the Ulster Freedom Fighters was sent back to jail in August at the outbreak of a loyalist feud which left seven men dead. His release was opposed by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson. A spokesman for Adair described the decision as "grossly unfair".

1st January 2001

UKRAINIAN SANTAS IN MASS PUNCH-UP

New Year revellers in the centre of Odessa were treated to a mass brawl between six Grandfather Frosts as Father Christmas is known there. Two Grandfathers were earning a little extra by taking pictures of people in front of Christmas trees on the city's most famous street Deribasovskaya. was " Radio Russia reported. "The Santas tore each others' beards off & had to be separated by police."

6th January 2001

NO PLANS TO SHELVE RUC REFORM ` GOVT

The Government has denied it has plans to shelve sweeping reform of the police force in Northern Ireland. But it says it has made it clear to Northern Ireland parties the consequences of any further delays. It follows newspaper reports that the Government was considering an indefinite delay after failing to win the support of the nationalist SDLP. The party wants guarantees on certain aspects of implementing the reforms.

6th January 2001

MURDER VICTIM "HAD BEEN MEMBER OF UDA"

A man found murdered in Belfast had been a member of the Ulster Defence Association loyalist sources say. Police have launched a murder inquiry after the man's body was found in the gateway of a field off Clontonacally Road in Knockbracken. Loyalist sources say he was a senior figure in the paramilitary UDA in East Belfast but had falled out of favour. The sources also linked the man who was in his 30s to drugs.