Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
A carer who emptied the bank account of a dead man before he had been laid to rest has been spared jail. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
Provision of social health-care in the West Midlands could be revolutionised under a ground-breaking scheme where troubled youngsters and people with mental and physical difficulties are found work placements on farms. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
A man who mounted a two-year stalking campaign against women on their home driveways has been given a five-year ban from loitering anywhere in Birmingham. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
The teenager attacked by former BBC newsreader Ashley Blake says he deserves to go to jail. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
Angry villagers marched on a Staffordshire farm yesterday to protest against plans by Birmingham City Council to sell off the site. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Midlands News
A television presenter dressed up in sparkly green lycra last night and scaled an iconic city building using nothing but suction pads. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
A Warwick engineering which makes precision cutting tools for sectors including aerospace and Formula One racing has invested in a state-of-the-art wire electrical discharge machine. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
The Midlands manufacturing sector is generally positive about the economy according to new research into confidence levels in the sector across the UK over the next six months. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Rosi Edwards has been appointed as the new regional director for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the Midlands. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Black Country aerospace and automotive group Hampson Industries raised £23.7 million yesterday from the sale of a subsidiary to a private equity group that includes engineering specialist John Hudson. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Hill & Smith Holdings, the engineering group chaired by West Midland industrialist David Grove, proved the value of operating in virtually recession-proof niche sectors with a strong set of interim figures yesterday. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
A significant rise in demand for the unglamorous refined product naphtha could be one of the first indications from the oil world that a recovery in fuel use – and the economy – is under way. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Two local firms have merged to form a £6 million signage company that is the largest in the region. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Titan Europe, the Kidderminister-based international manufacturer of wheels for off-road vehicles, has become bogged down by the recession. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Energy-saving demands have led to a 20 per cent sales rise at a Coventry window company. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Martin O’Neill admitted the loss of big John Carew minutes before the Wigan defeat had had an effect on his team as the giant Norwegian was pulled off the bench with an infected toe. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov insisted there were no excuses after his new-look side slumped to a shock home defeat on the opening day of the Barclays Premeir League to Wigan as Martin O’Neill punished his lacklustre performers by stripping them of their weekend-off privileges. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Martin O’Neill’s surprise at the way his side capitulated in this lethargic and weary display was presumably nothing to the amazement of the Villa Park faithful. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish admitted that he could not fault his players’ performances against the world-class stars of Manchester United. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Birmingham City FC
The headlines may scream that the reigning champions are up and running but this was a job well done for Birmingham City. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A pensioner who was hit on the head by a pineapple while shopping is suing the supermarket. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A British teenager has been killed and three others critically injured in a car crash in France. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Ninety-four soldiers were injured in action in Afghanistan last month, the Ministry of Defence has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A river adventure trip operator in New Zealand did not tell passengers how to escape in the event of an emergency before a voyage in which in British tourist drowned, a court has heard. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Labour candidates must embrace social networking websites like YouTube before the general election, Labour's New Media Campaign spokesperson has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
An accident during repair work at Russia's largest hydroelectric plant has killed at least 11 workers, while up to 65 others are missing. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
England footballer Jermain Defoe has accused police of harassment after he was pulled over just days after announcing he would sue a force for wrongful arrest. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Police are trying to discover how a man came to be found naked and severely burnt in a road. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
More than half of parents say they cannot afford "back to school" costs, a survey has showed. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A body believed to be that of 10-year-old Stella Ankabi has been found, Thames Coastguard has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
British troops could remain engaged in operations in Afghanistan for another five years, the head of the Army has warned. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A human rights organisation has announced the start of legal action against the Government over questions of alleged rendition to Afghanistan. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth has insisted there is no room for complacency as the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan passed the 200 milestone. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A search for a 10-year-old who disappeared at sea is continuing as the missing girl's mother visited the scene to observe the desperate efforts to find her. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth has insisted there is no room for complacency as the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan passed the 200 milestone. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A monkey could be trained to sit today's "Mickey Mouse" A-level questions, according to a survey of teachers. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
More of the British troops who have been killed in Afghanistan are due to be named by the Ministry of Defence. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A new £2.3 million advertising campaign warning of the dangers of driving after taking drugs is being launched in England and Wales. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Parents should not give their children ham sandwiches in their packed lunches, a charity has warned. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has revealed details of how he faked his own death in a memoir smuggled out of his jail cell, it is reported. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Murder squad detectives have named a 16-year-old boy as a suspect in a gangland killing. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
More than three-quarters of the population think the Government is not doing enough to support British troops in Afghanistan, a survey has revealed. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
The family of the 200th soldier killed in Afghanistan have said their thoughts are with other injured service personnel and bereaved families as the death toll continues to rise ahead of elections in the war-torn country. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Labour candidates must embrace social networking websites like YouTube before the general election, Labour's New Media Campaign spokesperson has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A monkey could be trained to sit today's "Mickey Mouse" A-level questions, according to a survey of teachers. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A missing cargo ship believed to have sailed through the English Channel after being boarded by pirates has been found with all its crew safe on board. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Kerry Katona has been dropped as the face of supermarket chain Iceland following allegations that she took cocaine. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Many police constables are earning more than their bosses by boosting their wages with large overtime claims, it has been reported. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Attempted abductions, scrambled fighter jets and flying saucers over Glastonbury are among the hundreds of dramatic reports of close encounters released by the Ministry of Defence. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Chancellor Alistair Darling is taking his turn minding the shop for Gordon Brown this week as the Prime Minister continues his holiday. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Labour candidates must embrace social networking websites like YouTube before the general election, Labour's New Media Campaign spokesperson has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
One in five adults caught holding a gun illegally does not serve a prison sentence, according to Government figures. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
The family of the British toddler who died after falling from a second-floor balcony at a hotel in Sardinia are having to come to terms with the loss of their "beautiful" little boy. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
An air search for a 10-year-old girl who disappeared at sea is expected to resume at first light, police have said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
More than three-quarters of the population think the Government is not doing enough to support British troops in Afghanistan, a survey has revealed. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Millions of Italians and foreigners have failed once again to guess the winning numbers in the country's state lottery as the record jackpot climbed to 139.9 million euro (£120.5 million). Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Murder squad detectives have named a 16-year-old boy as a suspect in a gangland killing. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Low-fare airline Ryanair will close or switch nine of its 10 routes at Manchester airport from October. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
A search is continuing for 10-year-old Stella Ankabi who disappeared at sea after the missing girl's mother visited the scene. Read
Aug 17 2009 | UK News
Ronnie Biggs is set to be moved from his hospital bed to a nursing home. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic is set to make his debut in next week's Carling Cup second round tie at Gillingham. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
The Football League have turned down a request from Crystal Palace to sanction a replay of Saturday's stormy clash between the Eagles and Bristol City. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Arsene Wenger believes the unquenchable thirst for money among top clubs will lead to a European League being formed in 10 years time. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Hampshire have signed Sri Lanka's mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis as their overseas player for next season. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Former Bath co-captains Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett are to appeal against the nine-month bans they received for missed drug tests. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Renault and Fernando Alonso have won an appeal against a one-race ban, clearing them to take part in Sunday's European Grand Prix. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Flintoff faces a potentially heavy limited-overs workload after being chosen in all three England squads announced on Monday - each missing the injured Kevin Pietersen. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Korea's YE Yang made history as he became the first man to overturn a Tiger Woods 54-hole lead in a major and claimed the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine National. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
In-form Andy Murray rates his chances of going one better than last year at the forthcoming US Open but insists defending his Cincinnati Masters title this week is foremost in his mind at the moment. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee has hailed a "cool, calm and collected" Jessica Ennis after the heptathlete struck gold for Great Britain in Berlin. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Harlequins are set to learn their Heineken Cup fate on Monday as an independent committee convenes in Glasgow to further scrutinise what has been dubbed the 'Bloodgate' scandal. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Usain Bolt has vowed to put the partying on hold despite smashing his own world record to win the 100 metres in stunning style at the World Championships in Berlin. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
South Korea's YE Yang made history as he became the first man to overturn a Tiger Woods 54-hole lead in a major and claimed the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine National. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Brett Lee's impressive performance against England Lions has put him firmly back in contention for an Australia recall for the final Ashes Test. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Bradford winger Semi Tadulala has been ordered to appear in front of the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee for pulling the hair of an opponent. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
England new boy Jonathan Trott has given credit to 2005 Ashes hero Ashley Giles for his Test call-up to face Australia. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Dean Richards has been banned from coaching for three years by the ERC for his part in the Harlequins 'Bloodgate' scandal. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain admits the club may not make any more moves in the transfer market, despite his coach's belief the squad is too small. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Andreas Hinkel wants to stay at Celtic, according to his agent. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson believes it would be "foolish" to ignore the threat posed by Manchester City this season. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accepts his side must "improve" if they are to mount a sustained title challenge after losing their opening game of the new Barclays Premier League campaign. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is refusing to get carried away after his team's 6-1 win at Everton, just as he ignored those who said the Gunners were set for a season of struggle before the campaign kicked off. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Ben Cohen has been tipped to rekindle his England career as he gears up for life back in the Guinness Premiership with Sale. Read
Aug 17 2009 | National Sport
Jessica Ennis believes she can cope with being the face of London 2012 after her stunning heptathlon victory in the World Championships in Berlin. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Cricket News
All-rounder Nick James once again proved the catalyst for Knowle & Dorridge’s impressive three-wicket win at Himley. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
The creation of a new European automotive giant has moved a step nearer completion after Volkswagen bought a 42 per cent stake in the main production unit of Porsche. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
The global automotive industry is facing a “huge upheaval” as part of the shift in production and sales to emerging markets, according to international consultants Arthur D Little. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
Land Rover has donated £10,000 and a Defender 110 to a team of Cambridge graduates who will drive almost 20,000 miles through 31 countries to raise awareness of the potential impacts of climate change along the Atlantic coastline. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
Sources close to Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors say the Indian company is furious at the actions of the Government, after financing talks between the two fell through - with Tata putting the blame squarely at the door of Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
Automotive firms in the Midlands have the chance to pitch for business with some of the industry’s biggest international firms at a major exhibition in China. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Automotive Business
A long-term plan for the motor industry combined with more financial stimulus is needed if finance houses are to meet increased demand for new cars when the economy recovers, a trade organisation has said. Read
Aug 17 2009 | John Bright
Bright’s vicar on earth is back after his annual failed attempt to rediscover his youth. Read
Aug 17 2009 | City View
And so, with Jaguar Land Rover safe (touch wood) after the company secured commercial loans, the battle between the Indian firm and the Government has turned into a war of the words. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Agenda
The world is changing – and farming has a new role to play. Martin Haworth reports Read
Aug 17 2009 | Politics News
A trip by a five-man delegation from Birmingham City Council to the south of France for the Mipim property event cost more than £200,000. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Politics News
Birmingham City Council has sealed the deal for the Jamaican track and field team to base their training camp in Birmingham before the 2012 London Olympics. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Transport News
Eurostar and Virgin Trains both want to run direct trains from Birmingham to Europe on the Government’s proposed high-speed rail line. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Transport News
As Sir David Rowland’s team of railway researchers devise a plan for Britain’s high speed rail future, reporter Paul Bradley spoke to two of the big players bidding to run services on the line. Here’s what Eurostar and Virgin Trains had to say for themselves. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other Sport
If this is the kind of entertainment that is needed to get the crowds flooding through the turnstiles of the Banks’s Stadium, then those sparse stands will be sold out in no time. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Innovation & Technology
Software group Eg Solutions has swung back into profitability after an £800,000 loss in the second half of last year. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Innovation & Technology
A Birmingham neuroscience company has raised £600,000 funding to help develop new techniques to combat Alzheimers. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Music
As he starts his solo tour in Birmingham, Marc Almond tells Holly Weekes that his synthesiser days are long past Read
Aug 17 2009 | Music
“The autumn leaves float by my window, those autumn leaves of red and gold…” Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Businesses in North Staffordshire have snapped up £225,000 worth of funding after responding to a challenge to become more entrepreneurial. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Development agency Advantage West Midlands will invest £300,000 into the Wheels to Work service – which provides mopeds for people to travel to work – despite funding cutbacks. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Building industry body ConstructionSkills has secured £1 million to fund construction companies in the West Midlands to take on apprentices who have been laid-off during the recession. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
A nurse of 18 years has become an entrepreneur after investing £275,000 to buy her own nursery. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Researchers for a new study claim 44 per cent of people in the Midlands believe not enough is being done by Government, schools, universities and employers to help new graduates get their first jobs. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
A building restoration specialist is eyeing ambitious growth plans that will see it build its own factory and take on six more people by 2010. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Wolves FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy praised his players even though their return to the Barclays Premier League after a six-year absence ended in defeat. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other UK business news
Golf legend Tony Jacklin has opened a golf range at the National Exhibition Centre which is part of plans to make it a total entertainment venue. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other UK business news
A new car showroom has been opened in Walsall after a half-acre site that had remained unoccupied for ten months was snapped up. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other UK business news
The founder of Cobra Beer today claimed he was forced to give up “a car and a driver” following a rescue deal that left creditors owed £71 million. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other UK business news
Experts say public sector services in the Midlands are being hit by a double blow from the economic downturn – a reduction in income and increased take-up of services. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Other UK business news
Ten West Midlands branches of a nationwide retail chain have closed as part of cutbacks that have seen 850 jobs axed. Read
Aug 17 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Roberto Di Matteo dismissed suggestions he was fortunate to record his first league victory as West Brom manager at Nottingham Forest – the Italian instead insisting it was Albion’s much-improved defence that won them the game. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Huge demand for low-cost white precious metal jewellery has seen a rush to hallmark thousands of palladium items since the precious metal was made “official” last month. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
It will take more than improved broadband connections to persuade people in the West Midlands into getting their television through the internet, according to a new survey by Deloitte and YouGov. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Newspaper mogul Rupert Murdoch stunned the accepted wisdom of online media experts when he said papers including The Times, Sun and News of the World would start charging for online articles. Laurie Heizler explains why copyright law might make him think again. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Birmingham-based marketing and PR agency Wyatt International has boosted its creative operations with the appointment of two new staff. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
West Midlands glass artists sold £12,000 worth of their work at a top international event in New York backed by UK Trade & Investment. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Communications agency Rees Bradley Hepburn has developed a new tool which can help companies understand what people are saying about their brands in online social communities. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Birmingham-based marketing and public relations agency Seal has been named in a list of the country’s top PR and marketing firms working for the public sector. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Coventry’s Ricoh Arena has announced taking on a event management and catering specialist to cope with the rise in nuptial demands. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Creative industries
Former news presenter Llewela Bailey has landed a new job with a public relations firm. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
Businesses around the River Tame say they still fear a re-run of the 2007 floods which cost them millions of pounds despite a new risk management strategy being drawn up. Read
Aug 17 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
A Leamington Spa-based lingerie firm specialising in larger bust sizes is aiming to save up to £100,000 by stepping up its energy efficiency and waste reduction programmes. Read