December 2004 in Britain and Ireland

30 December 2004

British charities raise an 'unprecedented' £20m from public donations in appeals for the victims of the Asian tsunami. £5m had already been raised before yesterday's TV and radio appeal was broadcast. By this morning the total had reached £20m, with the appeal website struggling to cope. (BBC)
The Equal Opportunities Commission claims that women are still being held back in terms of career development because of inflexible work practices and outdated attitudes. (BBC)
Proposals to control the size of the wild deer population are published by the government. (BBC)
South Africa hold out in the final day of the second Test against England to secure a draw, bringing to an end England's eight-game winning streak. The final score: England 139 & 570-9 dec, South Africa 332 & 290-8; bad light stops play with 15 overs remaining. (BBC)