Jul
2009
Articles from 6th Jul 2009
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Phoenix anger as fraud claim delays MG Rover report
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
John Towers’ Phoenix Four have accused the Government of letting down more than 6,000 former Longbridge workers and deliberately stalling a long-awaited inquiry report until after a General Election. Read
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Thousands join memorial concert to honour hero Craig Hodson-Walker
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
It was a poignant day of memorial and celebration as thousands came together in honour of the son of a Midland postmaster, shot dead during a robbery in a sleepy Worcestershire village. Read
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Cardinal Newman miracle approved by pope
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
The pope has put Cardinal John Henry Newman, the influential 19th-century Anglican convert who founded Birmingham Oratory in 1848, on the path to possible sainthood by approving a miracle attributed to his intercession. Read
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Food poisoning may have led to New Street Station alert
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
An alert which closed part of Birmingham’s main railway station on Saturday afternoon was thought to have been caused by nine police officers suffering from food poisoning. Read
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Two men in stable condition after Handsworth shooting
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
Two men were gunned down in Church Vale, Handsworth, shortly after 8pm on Friday in the latest shooting to hit the city. Read
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New road bill leads to 'significant overspend' for social services
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
Social services bosses were hit by a £652,000 bill after Birmingham City Council failed to put money aside for a road to allow elderly people to get in and out of a new special care complex. Read
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Community spirit returns with carnival atmosphere
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
The streets of Birmingham thronged with revellers enjoying the sights and sounds of summer as carnival celebrations came to the city. Read
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Birmingham health chief Jacky Chambers criticises HPA swine flu policy
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
A Birmingham health chief has hit out at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) for its “inconsistent and confused” policy of treating people in the swine flu outbreak, which is now the virus hotspot of the UK. Read
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Preparing for a taste of local quality at Taste of Birmingham
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
Organisers of this week’s Taste of Birmingham food festival are hoping for a record-breaking event. Read
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Royal Show set to open gates for last time
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
The gates will open at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park for the final time tomorrow with an expected 100,000 visitors. Read
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Joey Barton bid talk puts cat among pigeons for Birmingham City fans
Jul 06 2009 | Birmingham City FC
In the same way that they risked the wrath of their supporters four years ago by expressing an interest in Lee Bowyer, Birmingham City will be bracing themselves following the revelation that they have enquired about another controversial midfielder, Newcastle United’s Joey Barton. Read
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Protester invades Trafalgar plinth
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
An art project allowing thousands of people to take centre stage in Trafalgar Square overcame a wobbly start after a protester invaded the fourth plinth. Read
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954 recalled offenders at large
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Almost 1,000 criminals who should have been returned to prison are still at large, it has been revealed. Read
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Ross cleared on 'homophobic' remark
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Jonathan Ross did not breach broadcasting rules when he suggested that parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player, industry watchdog Ofcom has found. Read
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'Invasion' of British Jackson fans
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Airlines have reported a surge in bookings to Los Angeles on the eve of the memorial service for Michael Jackson. Read
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Union fury over public sector pay
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The Government is facing a serious clash with trade unions after Chancellor Alistair Darling failed to rule out a pay freeze for public sector workers. Read
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UK presses Iran on embassy worker
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Iran faces mounting pressure from the UK to free British embassy workers being held by the authorities. Read
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Afghan death three due to be named
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Three British soldiers killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan, while taking part in one of the UK military's biggest co-ordinated air operations of modern times, are due to be named. Read
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Obama arrives for talks in Russia
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
President Barack Obama has touched down in Moscow for a full-scale two-day summit, the first of its kind since the early part of the George W Bush presidency. Read
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New Iraqi deaths probe is 'needed'
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has conceded at the High Court that there is a need for fresh investigations into the deaths of Iraqis in Basra in 2004 following allegations they were tortured and killed by British troops. Read
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Brown in £15m border control pledge
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Britain has promised £15 million to tighten border controls in French ports where hundreds of would-be migrants gather in the hope of smuggling themselves into the UK. Read
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Two more swine flu sufferers die
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A man and a child have died after contracting swine flu, health officials said. Read
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Child, nine, with swine flu dies
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A nine-year-old child has died after contracting swine flu, health officials said. Read
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Coffee 'could be cure for dementia'
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A few cups of coffee a day may be all that is needed to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests. Read
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Ailing Biggs shown in hospital bed
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A new photograph of Ronnie Biggs shows the ailing Great Train Robber lying bare-chested in his hospital bed. Read
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Talks on cross-Channel immigration
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Plans for a crackdown on illegal cross-Channel immigration are being discussed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at an Anglo-French summit. Read
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Government urged to stem job losses
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Business leaders have urged the Government to do more to help stem the tide of job losses, including a scheme aimed at providing an alternative to redundancy. Read
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State-backed bank plans unveiled
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The campaign for a Post Bank has been stepped up with calls for the Government-owned Northern Rock to be used as the basis for a new state-backed bank in post office branches. Read
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Obama and Medvedev sign agreement
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Russia and the US have agreed to cut their nuclear warhead arsenals to as few as 1,500 each, aiming toward the lowest levels of any US-Russia arms control deal. Read
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Troops killed in Afghanistan named
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Comrades of two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan have spoken of their great loss. Read
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Cancer mum scoops £2.4m Lottery win
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A cancer patient who said she has had the worst year of her life has seen her luck dramatically change with a £2.49 million lottery win. Read
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954 'recalled' offenders at large
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Almost 1,000 criminals who should have been returned to prison because they breached the terms of their release are still at large. Read
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Rethink on UK foreign aid spending
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Britain is to target foreign aid at improving security and justice in the world's most "fragile" states. Read
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Terror law adviser backs 'hacker'
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The Home Office's adviser on terror laws has said that extraditing an autistic Briton accused of hacking into US military networks would be "cruel" when he could be prosecuted in the UK. Read
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Police figures spark red tape row
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The Home Office has been accused of "manipulating" figures to hide a rise in the time police officers spend on paperwork. Read
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Protester hijacks sculpture plinth
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A protester has hijacked the "living sculpture" on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. Read
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New investigation into Iraqi deaths
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Lawyers have claimed a "momentous" day of victory for families seeking an independent inquiry into allegations that Iraqi civilians were tortured and killed by British troops. Read
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Ticket news delights Jackson fans
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Michael Jackson fans who beat the odds have begun to celebrate winning coveted tickets to the pop star's memorial service at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. Read
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Obama seeking a new start in Moscow
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev are set to end a seven-year gap in US-Russian summits. Read
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Fraud office probe MG Rover demise
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been asked to investigate the collapse of MG Rover after a four-year probe into the Midlands car maker's collapse. Read
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Iran frees British embassy worker
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
One of the last two British embassy workers being held in Iran has been released. Read
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Tower block safety probe after fire
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Calls have been made for a full public inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings after six people died in a tower block blaze. Read
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Tributes paid to five dead soldiers
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Comrades, families and members of the public remembered five British soldiers killed in five bloody days of fighting in Afghanistan. Read
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LA wants Jacksons to help with cost
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
The city of Los Angeles has asked Michael Jackson's family for financial help with the cost of coping with the singer's memorial, it has emerged. Read
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Miliband calls Labour Party reform
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
David Miliband has called for organisational reform of the Labour Party as he warned that voters were pressing the "fast forward button" on politics. Read
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Crane topples into apartment block
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A falling building crane has ripped through a multi-storey apartment block in Liverpool. Read
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7/7 monument 'is truly incredible'
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A striking monument to the 52 people killed in the July 7 bombings has been described as "truly incredible" by a victim's daughter. Read
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BA staff briefed over freeze talks
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A mass meeting of British Airways workers is due to be held ahead of crucial talks aimed at agreeing cost cutting at the airline. Read
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Mum is the first 'living sculpture'
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A housewife with two young children will be the first "living sculpture" on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. Read
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10 held over shopworker's killing
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Ten people are being questioned over the murder of a shopworker who was killed by a hail of bullets. Read
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Cameron makes quangos cull promise
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A Conservative government would cut the number of unelected quangos in "a massive shift in power from bureaucracy to democracy", David Cameron is set to promise. Read
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Terry going nowhere, warns Ancelotti
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is adamant the club want to keep captain John Terry at Stamford Bridge "forever". Read
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'Several bidders' meet Ashley price
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has received at least two offers of £100million for the club. Read
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Second win for Cavendish
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Mark Cavendish claimed his second consecutive Tour de France stage win on Monday, producing another fine sprint finish to keep hold of the green jersey. Read
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Wigan duo recalled as injuries hit
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Wigan have recalled Darrell Goulding and Lee Mossop from loan spells in response to an injury crisis at the JJB Stadium. Read
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Aamer puts Pakistan on top
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Fast bowler Mohammad Aamer claimed three quick wickets in the afternoon session to put Pakistan in command against Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test in Galle. Read
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Terry will stay - Ancelotti
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that John Terry is to remain at Stamford Bridge amid continued speculation over a move to Manchester City. Read
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Ronaldo plays down expectations
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player today amid fanfare and expectation - but he insists fans should not expect a repeat of Barcelona's unprecedented treble. Read
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Lee suffers rib injury
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee is a doubt for the first npower Ashes Test in Cardiff after suffering a rib injury. Read
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Woods wins again
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Tournament host Tiger Woods saw off defending champion Anthony Kim and held off a last-round charge from Hunter Mahan to win the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Read
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Ronaldo has Real in raptures
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo fulfilled a "childhood dream" on Monday night as he was unveiled as a Real Madrid player in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Read
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New Reds deal for Benayoun
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Yossi Benayoun has signed a new Liverpool contract and insisted "playing for this club is a dream come true". Read
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New names, same threat warns KP
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Kevin Pietersen has warned England to beware the threat of Australia in this week's opening Ashes Test despite the tourists having lost the nucleus of the line-up which completed a series whitewash the last time the sides met. Read
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Lee to miss Ashes opener
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Brett Lee is to miss the first npower Ashes Test in Cardiff starting on Wednesday with a left side injury, Australia have confirmed. Read
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Paranavitana helps Sri Lanka consolidate
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Sri Lanka recovered quickly from losing an early wicket to wipe out the first-innings deficit on the third morning of the first Test against Pakistan in Galle. Read
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United favourites for Obertan - Triaud
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud believes there is a "great possibility" Manchester United will sign Gabriel Obertan. Read
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Last season a learning curve - Heskey
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Emile Heskey is confident Aston Villa youngsters such as Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor will be better equipped to deal with the pressure of battling for a Champions League spot next season. Read
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Zhirkov makes Blues move
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club have signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow. Read
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Katich confident class of 2009 can shine
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Simon Katich is confident Australia's new look side can overcome the recent retirements of several modern legends to make an impact in this week's first npower Ashes Test. Read
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IRB charge South Africa over protest
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
South Africa have been charged with misconduct by the International Rugby Board for their protest against the suspension of Bakkies Botha. Read
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Pakistan on brink of win
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal claimed three wickets apiece to put Pakistan within touching distance of victory on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Read
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Ronaldo passes medical
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo successfully completed his medical with Real Madrid on Monday afternoon, the Primera Division club have confirmed. Read
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Woods relieved to hold off challengers
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Tournament host Tiger Woods saw off defending champion Anthony Kim and held off a last-round charge from Hunter Mahan to win the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Read
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Williams hails Lions experience
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Shane Williams will fly home on Monday night after playing his part in "a fantastic tour" of South Africa. Read
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Cavendish sets out goals
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Mark Cavendish will wear the Tour de France's green jersey for the first time on Monday after becoming Britain's most successful road racer with his fifth victory in cycling's most prestigious race. Read
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Strauss appeals for calm
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Strauss will emphasise the need for England to remain calm amid the excitement and intensity of the Ashes as they prepare for the start of the first npower Test on Wednesday. Read
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Summit feels good for Federer
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Roger Federer was back at number one in the world on Monday, but the number 15 was of far greater significance to the Wimbledon champion. Read
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Wolverhampton move closer into Birmingham League title chase
Jul 06 2009 | Cricket News
BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE REVIEW Read
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Warwickshire v Sussex: Preview of County Championship clash
Jul 06 2009 | Cricket News
It might not have quite the national resonance of the first Ashes Test but Warwickshire face a hugely important match of their own when they face Sussex at Edgbaston in the championship starting tomorrow. Read
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Former LDV dealer Imperial Commercials has new lease of life
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
A former LDV dealer hit by the collapse of the Birmingham vanmaker has reopened for business under the Ford brand name. Read
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French aiming for bigger slice of supermini market
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
A rash of new superminis will soon be hopping across the Channel from France. Read
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WTO warns countries act unfairly in trade restrictions
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
Governments are unfairly blocking trade in response to the global downturn, squeezing automotive and steel exports and hurting wealthy economies most, the head of the World Trade Organisation has claimed. Read
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Fleet manager urged to drive out mobile phone abusers
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
Company owners and fleet managers are being urged to change business practices and sack – or severely discipline - staff found guilty of breaching the laws on the use of mobile phones while driving. Read
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International automotive consultancy Ricardo expand test facilities in Germany
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
Ricardo, the international automotive consultancy with a major operation in the West Midlands, has expanded its test facilities in Germany to accommodate what it said was a “significant increase in demand”. Read
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Champions KPMG called to account as Ernst & Young inflict John Bright Trophy defeat
Jul 06 2009 | John Bright
Birmingham is going to have a new corporate cricket champion after the Battle of the Accountants. Read
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Golden Gordon Brown is rapidly fading
Jul 06 2009 | City View
So where are those green shoots we keep hearing about? Spurious surveys by PR firms trot out the mantra on behalf of publicity-hungry clients, irrespective of a wealth of evidence to the contrary. Read
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Staff can still be happy without a pay rise
Jul 06 2009 | Agenda
As companies consider pay freezes, Sarah Moss suggests other ideas to keep employees happy Read
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Axing of regeneration schemes anger Midland MPs
Jul 06 2009 | Politics News
Midlands MPs have expressed anger over the announcement that funding for more than 100 regeneration schemes is to be axed. Read
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Wall-to-wall foot tapping
Jul 06 2009 | Music
If you are arriving at Snow Hill Station this morning, Becky Brine will be jazzing you in, if you are doing business around the Colmore Row area at noon, step aside and let The Shuffling Hungarians through, and if you fancy some spot-on, home-grown sounds a mere £5 paid at the door of Wine Republic gets you an evening with MJHQ. Read
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For You at Birmingham Rep
Jul 06 2009 | Music
Michael Berkeley’s new opera, his first with librettist Ian McEwan, is a remarkably coruscating and passionate piece of musical theatre. Read
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Modern psychedelia
Jul 06 2009 | Music
Rockers Kasabian are slowly coming to terms with their new-found success, writes Andy Welch. Read
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Big Chill festival in a field of its own
Jul 06 2009 | Music
Jon Perks speaks to Katrina Larkin, co-founder of The Big Chill festival, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Read
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Sarah Evans: Why work experience is so priceless
Jul 06 2009 | More Columnists
These are the weeks of the year when parents and teachers feel the time has finally come to share the complex delights of 16 year olds with the wider world. Following the months of being chained to the bars of revision and exam techniques, the young are unleashed onto the unsuspecting adult working population at large in a plethora of work experience schemes. Read
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Shropshire enterprise bid includes 'home entrepreneur' display
Jul 06 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Business people from Shropshire have put on a ‘home entrepreneur’ display as part of a bid to be named Britain’s most enterprising place. Read
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Rural area of West Midlands 'can lead climb from downturn'
Jul 06 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Enterprise leaders have told a regeneration conference that the rural west has a major role to play in dragging the West Midlands from the economic downturn. Read
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Wolves add Zubar from Marseille and have Balde on trial
Jul 06 2009 | Wolves FC
Promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers have moved to strengthen the heart of their defence by signing Ronald Zubar from Marseille and taking Celtic’s Bobo Balde on trial. Read
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Birmingham hydraulics hire firm goes into administration
Jul 06 2009 | Other UK business news
Doubts have been cast over jobs at hydraulic equipment hire business EPL Access after the firm fell into administration. Read
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UK's economic recovery still very fragile
Jul 06 2009 | Other UK business news
New figures show the fragile state of the UK’s economic recovery after recent progress in the services sector stalled during June. Read
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220 jobs under threat as food supplier considers closure of Fradley Park depot
Jul 06 2009 | Other UK business news
Major doubts have been cast over 220 jobs at food supplier 3663 First for Foodservice’s depot near Lichfield after the company announced plans to close it. Read
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Rent-to-own schemes help BrightHouse to hefty jump in profits
Jul 06 2009 | Other UK business news
Credit-based community retailer BrightHouse has seen a hefty jump in profits as more people turn to rent-to-own schemes to buy household goods. Read
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Wrong to blame youth for nation's crime
Jul 06 2009 | Other UK business news
According to recent research by childrens’ charity Barnardos, there is a widely held assumption that the blame for the majority of crime can be laid at the feet of the nation’s youth. The reality is that crimes committed by young people make up just 12 per cent of the total. Read
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We Will Rock You at Birmingham Hippodrome
Jul 06 2009 | Stage
I can say with some certainty that no other musical contains the line “Britney Spears died to save us”. Read
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Solihull MP taking fight to Commons over plans to transfer high-risk births to Heartlands or Good Hope
Jul 06 2009 | Health News
The campaign to protect maternity services in Solihull has reached the House of Commons after an MP demanded that health chiefs scrap plans to transfer pregnant women to Birmingham. Read
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Familiar faces give Roberto Di Matteo confidence for new season
Jul 06 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Roberto Di Matteo believes he has the right backroom team behind him as he bids to turn West Bromwich Albion into promotion challengers this season. Read
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Marketeers struggling to get message right for over-50s
Jul 06 2009 | Financial
A recent study by McCann Erickson Communications House (MECH) found that 67 per cent of over-50s say that advertising does not reflect their life nowadays and 62 per cent say they find a great deal of advertising patronising....so just where are marketers going wrong? Read
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Accountant Adele to represent Britain at world triathlon championships
Jul 06 2009 | Financial
A Birmingham accountant has proved that triathlons are not too taxing by qualifying for the world championships. Read
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WAA wins Birmingham business tourism contract
Jul 06 2009 | Creative industries
Advertising agency WAA is celebrating a hat-trick of new business wins, including a project to boost Birmingham as a first-class meeting place. Read
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Freestyle Interactive designs website for Rebecca Adlington
Jul 06 2009 | Creative industries
Double Olympic gold-medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington has launched a new website designed by Warwickshire-based digital agency Freestyle Interactive. Read
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Birmingham’s Supersonic arts festival has global appeal
Jul 06 2009 | Creative industries
Birmingham’s Supersonic festival is set to double the number of international visitors this year by taking inspiration from Barcelona’s Sonar Festival. Read
