WHAT HAPPENED ON 9th January 2001?

8th January 2001

NEW BODY TO COMBAT INCOMPETENT DOCTORS

The National Clinical Assessment Authority will provide fast-track responses to concerns about doctors. It has been prompted by cases such as serial killer GP Harold Shipman & disgraced gynaecologist Rodney Ledward. The NCAA can refer complaints to the General Medical Council where there is evidence of incompetence.

9th January 2001

TWO PEOPLE INJURED IN SCHOOL BUS CRASH

A driver & a teenage girl have been injured in a school bus crash. The bus collided with a car in icy road conditions at Ballyward Castlewellan in the Co Down countryside at 9.30am. A female pupil from St Malachy's High School in Castlewellan & the woman bus driver were taken to hospital. They had back head & facial injuries said not to be life-threatening. Twenty-three teenagers were assessed at the scene by paramedics & doctors.

9th January 2001

HEALTH WORKERS RECEIVE £250m PAY BOOST

More than 350 000 NHS workers are set to receive a pay increase worth £250m the Department of Health has announced. The rise will apply to most NHS staff apart from doctors & nurses and will boost some wage packets by up to 20%. Lab technicians porters cleaners psychologists & physiotherapists will all benefit from the April 1 increase. The rise which increased the basic offer by 3.7% followed a two-year campaign by the MSF union.

8th January 2001

DRINK-DRIVE RISE BLAMED ON RAIL CHAOS

Police & motoring groups are blaming a rise in the annual Christmas drink- drive figures on the recent rail chaos. The percentage of motorists who tested positive for alcohol after a crash was 7.18% compared with 6.5% in 1999/2000. Police & the RAC say the increase may be a result of more rail passengers taking to their cars after Hatfield. The police figures show that out of 15 064 people tested after a crash 1 081 were over the limit.

9th January 2001

TWO PEOPLE INJURED IN SCHOOL BUS CRASH

A driver & a teenage girl have been injured in a school bus crash. The bus collided with a car in icy road conditions at Ballyward Castlewellan in the Co Down countryside at 9.30am. A female pupil from St Malachy's High School in Castlewellan & the woman bus driver were taken to hospital. They had back head & facial injuries said not to be life-threatening. Twenty-three teenagers were assessed at the scene by paramedics & doctors.

9th January 2001

CHINA The BBC's global TV channel BBC World has for the first time been granted a licence to broadcast in the country. The deal will also allow BBC World to be shown in many hotels. INDIA Millions of pilgrims are heading for the northern city of Allahabad for the most important festival in the Hindu calendar. The Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years. PAKISTAN At least eight people died & up to 70 were injured when a passenger train derailed near the southern town of Hyderabad.

8th January 2001

NEW ZEALAND WARNING ON UK TEACHER DRIVE

Teachers' associations in New Zealand are warning that attempts by Britain to recruit teachers from New Zealand may lead to a local staffing crisis. Some English state schools are already sending representatives to New Zealand to recruit teachers the principal of the head teachers' association said. The recruiters were targeting maths science & IT staff already in short supply in New Zealand he warned. New Zealand may have to turn to Canada Scotland & Australia to fill the gap.

9th January 2001

TWO PEOPLE INJURED IN SCHOOL BUS CRASH

A driver & a teenage girl have been injured in a school bus crash. The bus collided with a car in icy road conditions at Ballyward Castlewellan in the Co Down countryside at 9.30am. A female pupil from St Malachy's High School in Castlewellan & the woman bus driver were taken to hospital. They had back head & facial injuries said not to be life-threatening. Twenty-three teenagers were assessed at the scene by paramedics & doctors.

9th January 2001

N IRELAND SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES SCRAPPED

Northern Ireland Education Minister Martin McGuinness is scrapping school performance tables in the province. Schools will publish their results in annual prospectuses instead; the move follows consultation with parents teachers unions & schools. Mr McGuinness has cancelled publication of the latest figures due next month. Northern Ireland still has selective education as well as schools divided along religious lines.

8th January 2001

TWO HELD AFTER STAR CONFRONTS INTRUDERS

Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with an alleged burglary at footballer Duncan Ferguson's home. The Everton striker suffered minor injuries in a scuffle with two intruders at his house near Ormskirk Lancs early yesterday morning. A 21-year-old man with head injuries was taken to hospital & is now under arrest. A second man fled the scene. The suspect arrested today is described as a 23-year-old local man.

9th January 2001

TWO PEOPLE INJURED IN SCHOOL BUS CRASH

A driver & a teenage girl have been injured in a school bus crash. The bus collided with a car in icy road conditions at Ballyward Castlewellan in the Co Down countryside at 9.30am. A female pupil from St Malachy's High School in Castlewellan & the woman bus driver were taken to hospital. They had back head & facial injuries said not to be life-threatening. Twenty-three teenagers were assessed at the scene by paramedics & doctors.

9th January 2001

YOUNGSTER 10 KILLED IN HOUSE BLAZE

A 10-year-old boy has died in a house fire in Dartford Kent. The emergency services were called to an address in the town shortly before midnight where they found the ground floor of a terraced house alight. Fire crews using breathing apparatus entered the building & brought out a child & his grandmother. The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The house was fitted with a smoke alarm but with no battery