Feb
2009
Articles from 3rd Feb 2009
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UB40's management company enters administration
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
The management firm behind multi-million selling Brummie reggae veterans UB40 has gone bust after the band’s recent albums flopped. Read
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Tributes at funeral of Villa legend Vic Crowe
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
Mourners crammed into a Birmingham crematorium to bid a sad farewell to Aston Villa legend Vic Crowe. Read
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Decision to close schools will cost region millions
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
More than £100million in West Midlands productivity per day could be lost due to yesterday’s snowfall forcing schools to close. Read
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Pensioner stabbed at Warwick Hospital
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
A man is in police custody after a pensioner was stabbed at Warwick Hospital. Read
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Birmingham schools closed again as snow disruption continues
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
Snow has continued to cause chaos across the West Midlands, closing schools and causing travel delays. Read
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No decision yet on Middle Quinton eco-town say officials
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
No decision has been taken on whether to approve a planned 6,000-home new town in Warwickshire, officials have insisted. Read
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Council leader on Kuwaiti breakfast show
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
City leader Mike Whitby has been selling the benefits of Birmingham to the people of Kuwait on their most popular breakfast television show. Read
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Key witness sought after man is found fatally injured at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre
Feb 03 2009 | West Midlands News
Detectives investigating the suspicious death of a man at a Midland shopping centre issued an urgent appeal for help to trace a “key witness”. Read
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Birmingham seminar told banks still keen to lend to small businesses
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Britain’s banks still want to lend to small businesses – but in today’s credit crunch climate many enterprises now lack the confidence to even apply for substantial loans, business leaders were told last week. Read
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How eBay grew into a giant
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
eBay.com is the market leading online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell goods and its popularity has seen the creation of localized versions in 30 different countries. Read
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Kidderminster Victoria carpets in profits warning
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Carpets firm Victoria warned about profits yesterday after sales slumped by almost a fifth in the UK. Read
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Training helps West Midlands engineering employers save money
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Engineering skills vacancies in the West Midlands are costing the regional economy £141m a year according to the latest research from Semta, the skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. Read
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100 jobs at risk at Nuneaton auto pipe supplier
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
More than 100 jobs have been put at risk after another West Midland manufacturer fell victim to the recession. Read
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Young workers have loyalty and traditional work values
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
The new generation of younger workers are more loyal than most Midlands employers may think and it is a myth that they are rejecting traditional work practices. Read
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Workers continue Waterford Crystal protest
Feb 03 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Hundreds of workers spent a fourth day occupying the Waterford Crystal factory in the hope a bid from a second US-based consortium could save hundreds of jobs. Read
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Villa have to pick apart visiting defences, says Barry
Feb 03 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Gareth Barry believes Aston Villa must learn to break down defensive-minded visitors to Villa Park to overcome the woes threatening to undermine their Champions League challenge. Read
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Doncaster foil McLeish bid to buy centre-back Mills
Feb 03 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish’s only transfer deadline day swoop for a permanent signing ended in failure. Read
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Chris Latham should be fit for Worcester rugby team's next Premiership match
Feb 03 2009 | RFU News
Chris Latham is expected to be fit for Worcester’s next Premiership match in just 12 days time despite losing feeling in his arms and legs after an incident in last weekend’s defeat to Sale. Read
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Davis injury increases Moseley's woes ahead of EDF Trophy clash
Feb 03 2009 | RFU News
For the second time this season, Moseley are finding their front row resources stretched following an injury to George Davis in Sunday’s loss to Nottingham. Read
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Murder case husband 'used gay site'
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A spiritualist minister met a man via a gay sex chatline three days after he allegedly murdered his BBC TV make-up artist wife, a court has been told. Read
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Warning over social worker shortage
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
One in seven social worker posts across England is unfilled, leading to fears that the Baby P tragedy could be repeated, the Conservatives said. Read
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Laura case man to be extradited
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Robert Williams will be returned to Britain to face questions about his disappearance with 15-year-old Laura Stainforth, French magistrates have ruled. Read
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Speed camera test case ruling due
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
The legality of every speed camera introduced on British roads since 1992 is being challenged in court. Read
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Police asked to extend Lords probe
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Scotland Yard has been asked to extend its cash-for-influence investigation to cover claims made about four more members of the House of Lords. Read
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Sally Anne killer loses appeal bid
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
The murderer of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman has lost a bid to challenge his conviction. Read
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Closing schools sends 'wrong message'
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Closing schools because of snow is teaching children a bad lesson, a parents' group has warned. Read
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BP reveals profits boost
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
BP announced its annual profits jumped 39% to 25.6 billion US dollars (£18.1 billion) as last year's soaring oil prices fuelled results. Read
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More snow on the way, UK warned
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Britain has been warned that more snow is on the way as the roads began to clear after the weather brought much of the country to a standstill. Read
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Laura case man 'to be extradited'
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
French magistrates are expected to order the extradition of Robert Williams, wanted for questioning in Britain after disappearing with 15-year-old Laura Stainforth. Read
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FSA 'warned' about Iceland takeover
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
The City regulator was warned against allowing Icelandic bank Kaupthing to take over London-based Singer & Friedlander in 2005, it has been claimed. Read
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Thrown shoe protest: Man charged
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A 27-year-old man will appear before magistrates next week accused of throwing a shoe at Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao. Read
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Strikes 'have exposed exploitation'
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Fresh wildcat strikes have taken place in the row over foreign workers as Labour MPs lined up to congratulate unions for exposing the "exploitation" of British employees. Read
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Chancellor condemns bank chiefs
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Alistair Darling has criticised bank chiefs for failing to flag up the financial difficulties they faced at an earlier stage. Read
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Some councils running out of grit
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, a local government spokesman has admitted. Read
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Suicide bid woman renews appeal
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A woman suffering from multiple sclerosis is to renew her challenge to the law on assisted suicide. Read
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Snow havoc heads north
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Snow was falling on more parts of the UK as winter storms moved north to leave a whitewashed south in their wake. Read
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'Golliwog' row: Thatcher in talks
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Carol Thatcher is in talks over her future as a BBC contributor after she referred to a tennis player as a "golliwog". Read
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Dementia care plans unveiled
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A plan aimed at tackling England's growing burden of dementia has been launched by the Government. Read
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Britain braced for more snow
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Britain has been warned more snow is on the way after wintry weather brought parts of the country to a standstill. Read
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Councils running out of grit
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, a local government spokesman has admitted. Read
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Woman admits making jihad leaflets
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A 28-year-old woman has admitted she produced a leaflet which encouraged terrorism. Read
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Hospitals to get dementia doctors
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A senior doctor will oversee dementia care in every hospital in England, the Government will announce. Read
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Miliband due to meet Hillary Clinton
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Foreign Secretary David Miliband is meeting Hillary Clinton in Washington for the first face-to-face talks between a British minister and the new US administration. Read
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BP expected the reveal profits boost
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
BP is set to post a 40% rise in annual profits as the oil giant reaps the benefit of higher crude prices. Read
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Snow havoc moving to North and West
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
The snowstorms which devastated travel networks in the South on Monday are spreading to the North and West of the UK. Read
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Animal charities in funding clash
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
A Scottish animal welfare charity accused its English counterpart of "stealing food from the mouths" of Scotland's animals. Read
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BP expected to reveal profits boost
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
BP is set to post a 40% rise in annual profits as the oil giant reaps the benefit of higher crude prices. Read
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Thatcher axed over golliwog remark
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Carol Thatcher will no longer be working on The One Show, the BBC has announced. Read
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Snow hits schools and transport
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Hundreds of schools across the country have been closed for a second day as the wintry weather continues. Read
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Hague pledges Commonwealth support
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
The Tories will promise to embrace the Commonwealth as an important foreign policy tool if they come to power. Read
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Diabetes drug may help Alzheimer's
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Hopes have been raised that diabetes drugs could be developed as treatments for Alzheimer's disease after scientists demonstrated the beneficial effect of insulin on the brain. Read
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Snowdon death brothers to be named
Feb 03 2009 | UK News
Two brothers who fell to their deaths climbing a treacherous part of Mount Snowdon are due to be formally named by their relatives. Read
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Premier league reveal new TV deals
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
BSkyB have kept their share of live Premier League broadcast rights for 2010 to 2013. Read
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Canaries battle to hold Wolves
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Wolves missed the chance to go seven points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as a hat-trick from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was only enough to secure a 3-3 draw against Norwich. Read
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Keane looks forward after going back
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Robbie Keane and Rafael Benitez have drawn a line under the Irishman's brief spell at Liverpool, with the striker already looking forward to a "new chapter" of his Tottenham story. Read
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Spencer joins Gloucester
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Gloucester have swooped to sign Carlos Spencer - just four days after he left their Guinness Premiership rivals Northampton. Read
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Rooney closing on return
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will keep a close eye on Wayne Rooney's progress before his team's Barclays Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday. Read
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Given backing for Dunne
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
New Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has given his backing to fellow Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne, describing the centre-back as a "fantastic" player. Read
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Arshavin completes Arsenal switch
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin. Read
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Bateman: League crusade a threat to WRU
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Former dual-code international Allan Bateman believes the Welsh Rugby Union have every right to be worried about Celtic Crusaders' entry into Super League. Read
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Ali commits to Royals
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Worcestershire batsman Moeen Ali has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him with the Royals until the end of the 2011 season. Read
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Venus hopes planets align in Baggies' favour
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
West Brom assistant manager Mark Venus has challenged his players not to become the latest victims of a cup giant-killing at the hands of Burnley. Read
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Lampard wins appeal against red card
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Frank Lampard's appeal against the red card he received in Chelsea's 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Liverpool has been successful. Read
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Symonds ruled out of SA tour
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Symonds has been ruled out of the upcoming tour of South Africa after Cricket Australia advised the National Selection Panel that the all-rounder needed further rehabilitation and counselling. Read
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Centre Wallace in for Ireland
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Ireland have selected Paddy Wallace alongside Brian O'Driscoll in midfield for their RBS 6 Nations opener against France at Croke Park. Read
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Tillous-Borde gets nod for Les Bleus
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Sebastien Tillous-Borde will be Lionel Beauxis' half-back partner for France in their RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Read
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Gunners fans wait on Arshavin deal
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Arsenal fans were still waiting on official confirmation of the Gunners' bid to land Andrei Arshavin on Tuesday. Read
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Goode handed England chance
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Andy Goode will make his first England appearance in over two years in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy after being handed a surprise recall. Read
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Ospreys complete Levi signing
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Ospreys have signed Samoa captain Filipo Levi. Read
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Redknapp satisfied with Spurs signings
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has declared himself happy with his transfer dealings. Read
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Giant-killers Burnley see off Baggies
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Steven Thompson struck twice as Burnley knocked West Brom out of the FA Cup to book a fifth-round trip to Cardiff or Arsenal following the 3-1 victory. Read
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Butt agrees new deal
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle have confirmed midfielder Nicky Butt has signed a contract extension, committing him to the club until the end of next season. Read
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Degen setback for Reds
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool's Swiss defender Philipp Degen is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks by a metatarsal injury. Read
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Keane happy to be home
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
Robbie Keane is intent on scoring the goals that will keep Tottenham in the Premier League, after admitting his return to White Hart Lane feels like a homecoming. Read
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Strauss plans era of 'trust'
Feb 03 2009 | National Sport
New captain Andrew Strauss is excited about a fresh start for England as they begin their first assignment of an Ashes year. Read
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Moeen Ali extends Worcestershire contract to end of 2011 season
Feb 03 2009 | Cricket News
Moeen Ali, the Worcestershire all-rounder, has signed a new three-year contract that will see him remain at New Road until the end of the 2011 season. Read
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More Ashes tickets for Edgbaston go on sale
Feb 03 2009 | Cricket News
Further tickets for the Ashes Test match at Edgbaston this summer will be released for general sale on at 10.30am on Thursday. Read
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UK Automotive Industry Crisis Summit
Feb 03 2009 | Automotive Business
Replay our video and blog that were streamed live from our Automotive Summit at the ICC. Read
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'City spivs' put auto industry into crisis
Feb 03 2009 | Automotive Business
About 13,000 West Midland car workers with Jaguar Land Rover are caught up in a crisis caused by “spivs and speculators of the City of London and New York,” a top auto industry summit in Birmingham will be told today (Tuesday). Read
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Decision from GM and Ford to raise prices sends out worrying message
Feb 03 2009 | Automotive Business
With fields and car parks right across the country piled high with unsold cars, it may come as something of a surprise to hear that both Ford and GM are planning to raise the price of all cars they sell in the UK. Read
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Year of two halves for truck dealer Keltruck
Feb 03 2009 | Automotive Business
Midland lorry dealer Keltruck described 2008 as “a game of two halves” but said it was entering the new year with record forward order books. Read
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Carling was less than popular, even with team-mates
Feb 03 2009 | John Bright
Ardent Moseleyite that he is, Bright’s Vicar on Earth and former business editor of this esteemed organ John Duckers couldn’t bring himself to get down to Worcester Rugby Club for a breakfast bash organised by Warriors scrum half and aspiring business type Matt Powell. Read
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Midlands judge William Everard found dead in Norfolk stream in 'unexplained' circumstances
Feb 03 2009 | Legal
A judge who sat on the Midlands court circuit has been found dead in a stream in “unexplained” circumstances. Read
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Law firm Simpson Millar set to announce further expansion
Feb 03 2009 | Legal
Birmingham law firm Simpson Millar has expanded into the North-East with the acquisition of a local firm. Read
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Two major deals tied up by corporate partners Wragge & Co
Feb 03 2009 | Legal
Corporate partners at Wragge & Co, the biggest law firm in Birmingham, have completed two deals in the last week. Read
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Solicitors warned to use multiple claims management firms or face sanctions
Feb 03 2009 | Legal
Solicitors need to make sure they are using multiple claims management firms to avoid tough action from the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority, they have been warned. Read
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Investiec's Shaw braves polar bears stalking City
Feb 03 2009 | City View
Polar bears were stalking the City of London yesterday as heavy snow caused the capital to shut down. Read
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Let’s dump Humpty for modern pop
Feb 03 2009 | Agenda
There’s no rhyme or reason for children to be taught violent, ridiculous and outdated historical falsehoods, says Chris Game Read
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Recession gives the lie to European ideal says Birmingham MP
Feb 03 2009 | Politics News
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Move for disabled access black cab fleet
Feb 03 2009 | Politics News
Taxi drivers who refuse to pick up customers in wheelchairs could be sent on disability awareness courses under government proposals to make every black cab accessible. Read
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Tory call for tougher maths exam in state schools
Feb 03 2009 | Education News
Schools could be encouraged to follow the example of a leading Birmingham independent school and ditch the GCSE for maths, under proposals launched by the Conservatives. Read
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Coventry University's 'landmark' building gets go-ahead
Feb 03 2009 | Education News
Plans for the second major project of Coventry University’s £160 million redevelopment have been given the go ahead. Read
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Sutton Coldfield College praised in national Ofsted report
Feb 03 2009 | Education News
Sutton Coldfield College has been praised in a national Ofsted report for helping to provide students with the keys to success. Read
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Walsall snow patrol key to building on beating Leeds
Feb 03 2009 | Other Sport
Walsall aim to defy the elements and have their scheduled match against Leicester City played tonight to try to build on the momentum of Saturday’s excellent win over Leeds United. Read
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Coventry's Jill Pittard wins English women's badminton title after having lost three finals
Feb 03 2009 | Other Sport
Jill Pittard finally won the women’s singles title at the English National Badminton Championships at Manchester Velodrome. Read
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Brian Dick: Crystal Palace show sense in making early postponement call
Feb 03 2009 | Other Sport
It is often quite difficult to find something nice to write about Crystal Palace Football Club but it seems hell – like the rest of the country – has frozen over. Read
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Winter's worst worries made easier by guide on insurance
Feb 03 2009 | Innovation & Technology
A leading website has offered a special online guide to insurance issues to bear in mind as the big freeze continues. Read
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Fern Plastic Products celebrates new deals in 50th anniversary
Feb 03 2009 | Innovation & Technology
An innovative Midland company is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style after landing over £500,000 of new business. Read
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Liam Noble Trio at CBSO Centre
Feb 03 2009 | Music
Pianist Liam Noble wasn’t exactly playing to a home crowd but he has a lot of local support, especially from the Birmingham Conservatoire students he teaches. Read
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Mark Bebbington/The Elixir of Love at Lichfield Garrick
Feb 03 2009 | Music
All hail to the Lichfield Garrick for its imaginative programming, but with grotesque figures at large in the bar and a thudding bass audible from the main auditorium, scheduling the Circus of Horrors to coincide with the first of Mark Bebbington’s three recitals at the theatre was not a happy choice. Read
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Snow sends us stupid
Feb 03 2009 | More Columnists
What is it about snow that is undeniably magical but at the same time is able to turn us into halfwits? Read
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Levi leads Barclays hunt for best Midland family business
Feb 03 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Levi will lead a panel of experts from the bank in deciding who will win the title of the region’s most dynamic and enterprising group of relatives. Read
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Birmingham company's high hopes for text selling
Feb 03 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
A Birmingham company is looking to take on established names such as eBay and Auto Trader by simplifying the world of online commerce. Read
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McCarthy hoping Wolves can keep momentum
Feb 03 2009 | Wolves FC
Mick McCarthy is praying for a mighty thaw before tonight’s Coca-Cola Championship encounter with Norwich City at Molineux. Read
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Christophe Berra excited to join Wolves in £2.3m deal
Feb 03 2009 | Wolves FC
Scottish International Christophe Berra has revealed his excitement at the challenge ahead with Wolves as he joined the club in a £2.3 million deal on the last day of the transfer window. Read
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MPs demand answers from bank over collapse of Horizon flats scheme
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
MPs are demanding answers from bankers over the collapse of a Birmingham developer which has caused a contractor to go into liquidation with the loss of 20 jobs. Read
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Dudley-based Office Options acquires Northampton firm
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
Office Options, the Dudley-based office equipment supplier, has expanded its operations by buying a rival business in Northampton. Read
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Worst drop in recruitment for a decade
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
Demand for staff has slumped at the fastest pace for over a decade in the wake of the recession, recruiters have revealed. Read
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New advice service for Birmingham and Solihul trainers
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
Organisations in Birmingham and Solihull are being encouraged to take advantage of a free careers and advice service called Nextstep. Read
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Four businesses triumph at Midlands Excellence Awards
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
Four Midland businesses are celebrating after winning top prizes in a regional business competition. Read
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Win a 1-2-1 Business Coaching Day worth £1,200
Feb 03 2009 | Other UK business news
Win a 1-2-1 business breakthrough session worth £1,200 with Andy Duncan, a.k.a The Fear Master, Read
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Medics diagnosed malaria victim as food poisoning
Feb 03 2009 | Health News
A series of failures to offer a council worker a blood test for malaria despite his concerns at having contracted the disease on holiday led to his death, an inquest heard. Read
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Venus challenges West Brom to avoid FA Cup banana skin
Feb 03 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
West Brom assistant manager Mark Venus has challenged his players not to become the latest victims of a cup giant-killing at the hands of Burnley. Read
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Mowbray signs Mulumbu and Mensequez on deadline day
Feb 03 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Tony Mowbray boosted his relegation-battling West Bromwich Albion squad with two deadline-day loan signings. Read
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Increased interest from the Midlands in corporate investments
Feb 03 2009 | Financial
Investors in the Midlands are getting ready for an upturn in the economy, according to research by corporate finance experts at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Midlands. Read
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Rabjohns says increase in internet trading could lead to rise in fraud
Feb 03 2009 | Financial
Increasing growth in internet trading will lead to a dramatic rise in fraud cases hitting the Midlands courts, Worcestershire tax and accountancy firm Rabjohns has predicted. Read
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Camping and Caravanning Club celebrates 100 year partnership with Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets
Feb 03 2009 | Financial
The West Midlands-based Camping and Caravanning Club is celebrating a centenary of banking with Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. Read
