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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | West Midlands News
Organisers of this week’s Taste of Birmingham food festival are hoping for a record-breaking event. Read
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Iran faces mounting pressure from the UK to free British embassy workers being held by the authorities. Read
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A man and a child have died after contracting swine flu, health officials said. Read
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A nine-year-old child has died after contracting swine flu, health officials said. Read
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Comrades of two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan have spoken of their great loss. Read
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Britain is to target foreign aid at improving security and justice in the world's most "fragile" states. Read
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A protester has hijacked the "living sculpture" on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. Read
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev are set to end a seven-year gap in US-Russian summits. Read
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
One of the last two British embassy workers being held in Iran has been released. Read
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A falling building crane has ripped through a multi-storey apartment block in Liverpool. Read
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | UK News
A housewife with two young children will be the first "living sculpture" on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. Read
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has received at least two offers of £100million for the club. Read
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud believes there is a "great possibility" Manchester United will sign Gabriel Obertan. Read
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
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club have signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow. Read
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | National Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo successfully completed his medical with Real Madrid on Monday afternoon, the Primera Division club have confirmed. Read
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | Cricket News
BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE REVIEW Read
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | Automotive Business
A rash of new superminis will soon be hopping across the Channel from France. Read
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | John Bright
Birmingham is going to have a new corporate cricket champion after the Battle of the Accountants. Read
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
Jul 06 2009 | Agenda
As companies consider pay freezes, Sarah Moss suggests other ideas to keep employees happy Read
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | Music
Rockers Kasabian are slowly coming to terms with their new-found success, writes Andy Welch. Read
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | Stage
I can say with some certainty that no other musical contains the line “Britney Spears died to save us”. Read
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
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
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
Jul 06 2009 | Financial
A Birmingham accountant has proved that triathlons are not too taxing by qualifying for the world championships. Read
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
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
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