WHAT HAPPENED ON 23th January 2001?

22nd January 2001

HAMAS ADMITS IT ATTACKED ISRAELI TANK

The Islamic militant group Hamas has said it carried out a bomb attack on an Israeli tank in the Gaza Strip in which an Israeli soldier was seriously hurt. Hamas said the attack was in response to the Israeli arrest of a Palestinian woman suspected of luring an Israeli teenager to his death via the internet. It came as Palestinian & Israeli delegations resumed peace negotiations. The talks in the Egyptian resort of Taba could last as long as 10 days.

23th January 2001

HUNT Three fox hunt workers have been found not guilty of attacking saboteurs after an alleged incident involving the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire last year. ENERGY Designers of new commercial buildings will have to ensure they are energy-efficient in their insulation and heating under changes to building regulations the Government has said. BAND Irish band the Corrs have called off a royal gala concert in London next Monday in front of Prince Charles as singer Andrea Corr has an ear problem. Six other shows have been rescheduled.

23th January 2001

ONE INJURED AFTER EXPLOSION AT BARRACKS

One person has been treated for slight injuries after an explosion near a barracks in Londonderry. Police say the explosion which happened shortly after midnight came from a van. Early indications suggest it may have been a mortar attack. The area around the Ebrington army barracks was sealed off & nearby houses have been evacuated. Two nearby schools will remain closed all day following the incident.

22nd January 2001

GALAPAGOS SLICK IS "SLOWLY MOVING AWAY"

The oil slick affecting the Galapagos Islands is slowly moving away to the north Ecuador's government has said. But environment minister Rodolfo Rendon warned the slicks "could change direction" in strong variable currents. Ecuador's president Gustavo Noboa has declared a state of emergency. The fuel tanker Jessica ran aground

23th January 2001

HUNT Three fox hunt workers have been found not guilty of attacking saboteurs after an alleged incident involving the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire last year. ENERGY Designers of new commercial buildings will have to ensure they are energy-efficient in their insulation and heating under changes to building regulations the Government has said. BAND Irish band the Corrs have called off a royal gala concert in London next Monday in front of Prince Charles as singer Andrea Corr has an ear problem. Six other shows have been rescheduled.

23th January 2001

DOUBT OVER SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT "SUICIDE"

Five members of the Falungong spiritual movement have set themselves alight in Tiananmen Square Beijing according to the official Chinese news agency. It said one had died & others had been taken to hospital. But a Hong Kong-based Falungong spokesman said the report was doubtful and suggested it was a government attempt to discredit the movement. Its protests have been peaceful until now the BBC Beijing correspondent said

22nd January 2001

POP STAR THEFT: MAN GUILTY OF HANDLING

A rubbish collector has been convicted of handling designer clothes belonging to Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. Mark Oliver 20 was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court London after an earlier charge of theft was dropped & reduced to two charges of handling. The court had been told how four cases belonging to the 26-year-old singer went missing in London last April. Sentencing was adjourned for reports and Oliver was remanded on bail.

23th January 2001

HUNT Three fox hunt workers have been found not guilty of attacking saboteurs after an alleged incident involving the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire last year. ENERGY Designers of new commercial buildings will have to ensure they are energy-efficient in their insulation and heating under changes to building regulations the Government has said. BAND Irish band the Corrs have called off a royal gala concert in London next Monday in front of Prince Charles as singer Andrea Corr has an ear problem. Six other shows have been rescheduled.

23th January 2001

ONE INJURED AFTER EXPLOSION AT BARRACKS

One person has been treated for slight injuries after an explosion near a barracks in Londonderry. Police say the explosion which happened shortly after midnight came from a van. Early indications suggest it may have been a mortar attack. The area around the Ebrington army barracks was sealed off & nearby houses have been evacuated. Two nearby schools will remain closed all day following the incident.

22nd January 2001

JOB FEARS AS COMPANY CALLS IN RECEIVERS

There is concern over the future for 129 workers at a Glasgow buiscuit maker after the firm said it had called in receivers. Gray Dunn said difficult trading conditions & the loss of a major European customer has forced the move. The firm which has been making biscuits in the city for more than 145 years has had to shed 86 jobs. It is hoped that a buyer can found for the business which includes well known brands like Blue Riband.

23th January 2001

HUNT Three fox hunt workers have been found not guilty of attacking saboteurs after an alleged incident involving the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire last year. ENERGY Designers of new commercial buildings will have to ensure they are energy-efficient in their insulation and heating under changes to building regulations the Government has said. BAND Irish band the Corrs have called off a royal gala concert in London next Monday in front of Prince Charles as singer Andrea Corr has an ear problem. Six other shows have been rescheduled.

23th January 2001

EXECUTIVE FACING ROADS REBELLION THREAT

A meeting of Labour MSPs has broken up without agreement on the row over road maintenance contracts. The Transport Minister Sarah Boyack is trying to head off a backbench revolt by up to 25 MSPs. They are angry over a move to award contracts valued at £350m to two private firms. Local councils have complained that the bidding system was not fair ` & that thousands of roads workers will lose their jobs.