WHAT HAPPENED ON 9th January 2001?

8th January 2001

TROOPS OFFERED VOLUNTARY URANIUM TESTS

The Government is to launch a voluntary screening programme for Kosovo War veterans in the wake of the scare over depleted uranium (DU) used in weapons. In a statement to the Commons Armed Forces Minister John Spellar said that there was no evidence to suggest DU caused cancer or ill health in troops. And he said DU would be used in British weapons for the "foreseeable future". But he said he recognised the need to "reassure" people about their fears.

9th January 2001

BRITISH OLYMPIANS OUTSTAY GAMES WELCOME

Immigration officials in Australia are searching for eight members of the British Olympic team whom they accuse of having overstayed their visas. Three months after the Sydney games ended 108 Olympic athletes trainers and officials remain unaccounted for. They include 11 from the US & others from Germany Russia Nigeria & Japan Officials say that if these people come forward they will be offered the chance to leave Australia voluntarily.

9th January 2001

BRITISH CHILD NET PORN GANG BROKEN UP

The British end of the world's largest internet child porn network has been smashed after a major police probe. Thousands of indecent child sex images were uncovered in Operation Cathedral. And their efforts have led to seven men pleading guilty at Kingston Crown Court to charges of conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children. They will all be sentenced next month at the same court. They face a maximum of three years in prison.

8th January 2001

"It was a big mistake"Joschka Fischer

Germany's foreign minister apologising for beating up policemen in his rebellious youth. "Presentationally Bill Clinton is a US President to die for. The truth is far too many have"TV news reader Jon Snow. "Wherever I go says Margaret Drabble people are talking about the recently- published third volume of Robert Skidelsky's Life of Maynard Keynes. Here is proof that Margaret Drabble & I inhabit very different worlds" Veteran commentator Richard Ingrams.

9th January 2001

BRITISH OLYMPIANS OUTSTAY GAMES WELCOME

Immigration officials in Australia are searching for eight members of the British Olympic team whom they accuse of having overstayed their visas. Three months after the Sydney games ended 108 Olympic athletes trainers and officials remain unaccounted for. They include 11 from the US & others from Germany Russia Nigeria & Japan Officials say that if these people come forward they will be offered the chance to leave Australia voluntarily.

9th January 2001

GERMANY GOES GREEN OVER BSE CRISIS

The co-leader of Germany's Green Party has been named agriculture minister after Karl-Heinz Funke's resignation over handling of the BSE crisis. Renate Kuenast is expected to promote a "back to nature" approach. Funke a farmer is a Social Democrat and an ally of Chancellor Schroeder. Meanwhile senior Social Democrat Ulla Schmidt has taken over as health minister from Andrea Fischer a Green who also resigned over the BSE affair.

8th January 2001

NEW GUIDELINES ON FEMALE ASYLUM-SEEKERS

Woman who suffer prejudice & abuse in their home countries are to be given a greater chance of gaining asylum in Britain under new guidelines. The asylum gender guidelines issued to immigration appeal judges aim to cut sexual discrimination in asylum appeals Judges will now take into account whether female refugees were victims of rape or forced prostitution. The new guidelines have been supported by the United Nations.

9th January 2001

BRITISH OLYMPIANS OUTSTAY GAMES WELCOME

Immigration officials in Australia are searching for eight members of the British Olympic team whom they accuse of having overstayed their visas. Three months after the Sydney games ended 108 Olympic athletes trainers and officials remain unaccounted for. They include 11 from the US & others from Germany Russia Nigeria & Japan Officials say that if these people come forward they will be offered the chance to leave Australia voluntarily.

9th January 2001

DEPORTATION THREAT TO CRIMES SUSPECTS

War crimes suspects living in the UK could be stripped of their nationality before being deported it has emerged. Home Secretary Jack Straw is examining the scope of his powers under UK immigration & nationality legislation He is said to have been influenced by the example of the US which has taken action against Nazi crimes suspects. The move comes amid claims that 1 500 members of a notorious Ukrainian pro- Nazi military unit are living in the UK

8th 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.

9th January 2001

BRITISH OLYMPIANS OUTSTAY GAMES WELCOME

Immigration officials in Australia are searching for eight members of the British Olympic team whom they accuse of having overstayed their visas. Three months after the Sydney games ended 108 Olympic athletes trainers and officials remain unaccounted for. They include 11 from the US & others from Germany Russia Nigeria & Japan Officials say that if these people come forward they will be offered the chance to leave Australia voluntarily.

9th January 2001

CONVICTED MURDERER SHOOTS FOUR DEAD

A murderer convicted in absentia has shot dead four people including two French police called in to deal with a violent dispute he was involved in. Albert Foucher 50 fired at the officers when they arrived to stop an argument between him & a couple near the southern town of Narbonne. He then shot the man dead & fled before later killing a fourth person. It is believed the couple had testified against Foucher at his earlier trial.