WHAT HAPPENED ON 16th May 2006?

15th May 2006

Marley bassist loses royalty bid

The bassist from Bob Marley's band The Wailers has lost his court battle for #60m in unpaid royalties. Aston Barrett 60 claimed he was owed royalties from a contract signed with Island Records in 1974 plus earnings from songs co-written with Marley. But Mr Justice Lewison dismissed the claim which was brought against the record company & the Marley family at the High Court in London. Barrett played with The Wailers from 1969 until Marley died aged 36 in 1981.

16th May 2006

NHS told to fund treatment abroad

UK patients forced to wait longer than they should for NHS treatment are entitled to reclaim the cost of being treated in Europe a court has ruled. The European Court of Justice said the NHS must refund costs if patients waited longer than clinicians advised even if waiting time targets were met. The court was ruling in the case of Yvonne Watts 75 of Bedford who paid #3 900 for a hip operation in France. But it said in her case UK courts would have to decide if she got a refund.

16th May 2006

Husband not culpable for suicide

A husband who allegedly subjected his wife to years of abuse was not criminally responsible for her suicide appeal court judges have ruled. They upheld an Old Bailey judge's decision to throw out the case against Harcharan Dhaliwal. His wife Gurjit hanged herself in London in 2005. He was charged with manslaughter but acquitted in March. But the court said an abusive husband could be tried for killing his wife even though she took her own life.

15th May 2006

Concerns over EU carbon trading

The European Commission has questioned the effectiveness of the EU's emissions trading scheme the cornerstone of its climate change policy. Under the scheme governments set quotas for the carbon dioxide emissions produced by 9 400 large factories & power stations in 21 member states. Carbon permits are issued to give firms a financial incentive to invest in clean technology & cut emissions. But the commission's report showed that states have issued too many permits.

16th May 2006

NHS told to fund treatment abroad

UK patients forced to wait longer than they should for NHS treatment are entitled to reclaim the cost of being treated in Europe a court has ruled. The European Court of Justice said the NHS must refund costs if patients waited longer than clinicians advised even if waiting time targets were met. The court was ruling in the case of Yvonne Watts 75 of Bedford who paid #3 900 for a hip operation in France. But it said in her case UK courts would have to decide if she got a refund.

16th May 2006

EU entry hopefuls 'must do more'

The European Commission has recommended that Bulgaria & Romania join the EU next year as planned but only if they fulfil key conditions. Bulgaria in particular will have to show tangible results in the fight against corruption & organised crime. The report presented to the European Parliament also warns both states could face serious membership restrictions and cuts to EU funds after they join. The final assessment on whether they can join will be delayed until October.

15th May 2006

Iran to spurn nuclear compromise

Iran says it will reject any offer to resolve the dispute over its nuclear programme that forces it to halt its "peaceful activities". President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said such an initiative by European countries would be "without any value". Britain France & Germany are drawing up proposals aimed at persuading Iran to give up uranium enrichment by offering it a series of incentives. Iran has dismissed Western fears that it is trying to build nuclear weapons.

16th May 2006

NHS told to fund treatment abroad

UK patients forced to wait longer than they should for NHS treatment are entitled to reclaim the cost of being treated in Europe a court has ruled. The European Court of Justice said the NHS must refund costs if patients waited longer than clinicians advised even if waiting time targets were met. The court was ruling in the case of Yvonne Watts 75 of Bedford who paid #3 900 for a hip operation in France. But it said in her case UK courts would have to decide if she got a refund.

16th May 2006

Iran shuns EU 'reactor incentive'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed a possible European offer of incentives to induce Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme. He likened the incentives which European negotiators are said to be considering to the offer of "walnuts and chocolates" in exchange for gold. France Germany & the UK are thought to be discussing plans to offer Iran a light-water reactor. Iran denies accusations among Western powers that it is seeking nuclear arms.

15th May 2006

E.coli tests for nursery children

One of the two children at the centre of a suspected E.coli O157 outbreak at an Aberdeenshire nursery has now been released from hospital. The children who attend the Dreams Daycare centre in Insch have been undergoing tests for the infection. The other child remains satisfactory at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Doctors are warning that they expect further cases. About 40 other toddlers parents & staff who work there are also being screened for the infection. NHS helpline number 08000 282836

16th May 2006

NHS told to fund treatment abroad

UK patients forced to wait longer than they should for NHS treatment are entitled to reclaim the cost of being treated in Europe a court has ruled. The European Court of Justice said the NHS must refund costs if patients waited longer than clinicians advised even if waiting time targets were met. The court was ruling in the case of Yvonne Watts 75 of Bedford who paid #3 900 for a hip operation in France. But it said in her case UK courts would have to decide if she got a refund.

16th May 2006

Cancer figures set to miss target

A target to treat all cancer patients within two months is unlikely to be met by NHS Scotland it has emerged. New health service figures reveal that a quarter of cancer patients were not referred within that time between October & December 2005. Delays have also worsened for some types of cancer including bowel skin and stomach cancers. Health Minister Andy Kerr has ordered the appointment of "service improvement managers" to try to tackle the problem.

15th May 2006

SHARE PRICES

16th May 2006

NHS told to fund treatment abroad

UK patients forced to wait longer than they should for NHS treatment are entitled to reclaim the cost of being treated in Europe a court has ruled. The European Court of Justice said the NHS must refund costs if patients waited longer than clinicians advised even if waiting time targets were met. The court was ruling in the case of Yvonne Watts 75 of Bedford who paid #3 900 for a hip operation in France. But it said in her case UK courts would have to decide if she got a refund.

16th May 2006

UK inflation rises to 2% target

UK inflation rose in April following a surprise dip in March the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) - the official rate of inflation - rose to 2% from 1.8% in March to stay in line with the Bank of England's target figure. Air fares were one of the biggest factors behind the rise with more consumers holidaying over Easter. The headline RPI rate - which includes mortgage interest payments - increased to 2.6% from 2.4% a month earlier.