Dec
2009
Articles from 21st Dec 2009
-
Parents forgive motorist who killed their son
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
The parents of a boy knocked down and killed by a mentally ill woman today said they had forgiven her after she was detained indefinitely in a secure hospital. Read
-
Lenny Henry receives his Broad Street Star
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
Comedian Lenny Henry was all smiles after being presented with his own star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars. Read
-
Survival hopes rise for Birmingham's golf courses
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
More than 60 organisations, including hotel, pub and leisure companies have registered their official interest in running Birmingham’s cash-strapped municipal golf courses. Read
-
Historic hall is in need of love and care
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
Highbury Hall, the former home of Joseph Chamberlain, has fallen into £4 million of disrepair, Paul Bradley looks at what lies ahead for the famous property that has been left to decay for more than 20 years. Read
-
Witnesses sought to Solihull incident outside Indian restaurant
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered head injuries following an incident outside an Indian restaurant in Solihull. Read
-
Motorist who killed former Birmingham boy given hospital detention order
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
A mother of two was given a hospital detention order today for causing the death of an 11-year-old former Birmingham boy by dangerous driving as he walked home from church. Read
-
Masked gang escape with cash from Black Country bookmakers
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
A gang armed with batons and a kitchen knife have escaped with cash after threatening staff at a betting shop in Codsall, near Wolverhampton. Read
-
Five arrested after man in Solihull suffers severe head injuries
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
Five males aged in their early 20s have been arrested after an incident in Solihull which left a man with head injuries. Read
-
Birmingham's art set on a cultural revolution
Dec 21 2009 | West Midlands News
Political editor Jon Walker looks at the economic and social benefits of Birmingham becoming the first UK City of Culture. Read
-
Curtis Davies admits reclaiming his Villa place will be tough
Dec 21 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Fit again central defender Curtis Davies admits he faces a "massive battle" to regain his place in Aston Villa's first team. Read
-
Aston Villa have learned from last season, says John Carew
Dec 21 2009 | Aston Villa FC
John Carew believes Aston Villa will learn from last season's experiences in trying to ensure they hold onto a Champions League spot during the second half of the current campaign. Read
-
Birmingham City beating expectations, admits boss Alex McLeish
Dec 21 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Alex McLeish admits Birmingham City's current form has exceeded the expectations of new club owner Carson Yeung. Read
-
Labour 'has undermined justice'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The Conservatives have launched a broadside on the Government's handling of law and order, accusing Labour of "systematically undermining" the criminal justice system over its 12 years in power. Read
-
Simon Cowell 'more famous than God'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Simon Cowell is more famous than God, according to a survey of under-10s. Read
-
Recovery will be fragile, warns CBI
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Workers should be braced for more job losses and pay freezes next year in a "fragile" recovery from recession, the CBI has warned. Read
-
Abducted girl reunited with mother
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
British youngster Nadia Fawzi, who was abducted by her father and taken to Libya, has been reunited with her mother after two years apart, police have confirmed. Read
-
Leaders agree terms of TV debates
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The leaders of the three main parties have agreed to terms for a series of televised debates during the next general election campaign, it has been announced. Read
-
Winter transport chaos to continue
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The travel chaos caused by icy weather looks set to continue with further disruption to roads, rail services and flights. Read
-
Boy George on Big Brother hearing
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A judge has ordered an urgent hearing of a High Court plea by former Culture Club singer Boy George to be allowed to enter the Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) house this January. Read
-
Father admits 1983 teenager murder
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A married father-of-three has admitted murdering a teenage girl more than 26 years-ago. Read
-
Hit-run mother gets detention order
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A mother of two has been given a hospital detention order for causing the death of an 11-year-old boy by dangerous driving as he walked home from church. Read
-
PM: Climate talks 'held to ransom'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Efforts to secure a legally-binding climate change deal failed last week because talks were "held to ransom" by a small number of countries, Gordon Brown has said. Read
-
Eurostar orders review after chaos
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Eurostar has announced an immediate independent review of the problems which led to services being cancelled for a third day. Read
-
BAA wins appeal over airports sales
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Airport operator BAA has won part of its appeal against a Competition Commission (CC) ruling that it must sell three of its airports. Read
-
Winehouse accused of abuse at panto
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Singer Amy Winehouse is facing a police investigation for allegedly lashing out at a theatre manager after subjecting panto actors to a stream of abuse. Read
-
Teenager stabbed to death in street
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
An 18-year-old boy has been found stabbed to death in a street, police said. Read
-
Expenses row 'disastrous' for MPs
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Commons Speaker John Bercow has warned MPs that they cannot simply wait for the "cataclysmic" impact of the expenses scandal to blow over. Read
-
Brittany death 'natural causes'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Hollywood actress Brittany Murphy, who got her start in the hit Clueless and rose to stardom in 8 Mile, died in Los Angeles of what appeared to be natural causes, a coroner's official said. Read
-
Auschwitz gate sign recovered
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Polish police have found the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign that was stolen on Friday from the gate of former Nazi death camp Auschwitz. Read
-
Investment move as soldier mourned
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The wife of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan paid tribute to her "hero" as Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pledged the international military coalition would "take the battle to the enemy". Read
-
Police probed over disappearance
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
An investigation has been launched into how police handed a toddler to the wrong woman, Scotland Yard said. Read
-
Cowell in job offer to chart rivals
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Pop mogul Simon Cowell says he has offered jobs to the couple who launched a successful campaign to prevent The X Factor notching up yet another Christmas number one. Read
-
Lockerbie bomber row continuing
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The row over the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber has reignited amid speculation about his deteriorating health. Read
-
Travel nightmare follows snowfall
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The Christmas getaway nightmare is continuing as Eurostar passenger trains were suspended for a third day. Read
-
Harry: 'We understand your grief'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Prince Harry has said losing his mother so suddenly makes him appreciate how hard Christmas will be for the grieving families of servicemen "ripped away" in Afghanistan. Read
-
Parents forgive hit-and-run driver
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The parents of a boy knocked down and killed by a mentally ill woman said they had forgiven her after she was detained indefinitely in a secure hospital. Read
-
'Friendly fire' concern over death
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The latest soldier to die in Afghanistan may have been killed by friendly fire, the Ministry of Defence said. Read
-
Heather Mills joins Dancing on Ice
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Heather Mills has joined Dancing on Ice - but bookies make her a rank outsider to win the show. Read
-
Abduction probe woman detained
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A woman suspected of abducting an 18-month-old toddler by pretending to be her mother at a police station has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Read
-
Soldier shot dead in Afghanistan
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A British soldier has been shot dead in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. Read
-
Eurostar boss 'very, very sorry'
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Eurostar has apologised to passengers and announced it is hoping to run services again tomorrow after a three-day shutdown. Read
-
Doherty rearrested after court date
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Rock singer Pete Doherty has been rearrested at court moments after he was spared jail with a fine for driving offences. Read
-
Three killed in crash on snowy road
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Two men and a woman died and three other people were seriously injured after a car and a pick-up truck crashed on a snowy country road, police have said. Read
-
Ministers demand Eurostar answers
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Eurostar management are coming under increasing pressure to explain why trains ground to a halt in the cold weather. Read
-
Palace upkeep data may be revealed
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Correspondence between Buckingham Palace and the Government over the upkeep of the Queen's palaces may be made public following a ruling under Freedom of Information laws, it has emerged. Read
-
Lobbyist group in tax relief claims
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
A lobby group which campaigns for better value for taxpayers' money is using a charitable arm to secure tax relief on donations from supporters, it has emerged. Read
-
Police probed over toddler error
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
An investigation has been launched into how police handed a toddler to the wrong woman, Scotland Yard said. Read
-
Palaces upkeep data may be revealed
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Correspondence between Buckingham Palace and the Government over the upkeep of the Queen's palaces may be made public following a ruling under Freedom of Information laws. Read
-
Row over Lockerbie bomber reignited
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The row over the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber has reignited amid speculation about his deteriorating health. Read
-
We understand your grief - Harry
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Prince Harry has said losing his mother so suddenly makes him appreciate how hard Christmas will be for the grieving families of servicemen "ripped away" in Afghanistan. Read
-
Labour undermined justice - Tories
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
The Conservatives have launched a broadside on the Government's handling of law and order, accusing Labour of "systematically undermining" the criminal justice system over its 12 years in power. Read
-
China blocked green deal - Miliband
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has accused China of "hijacking" the Copenhagen summit and preventing a legally binding treaty desired by most of the world. Read
-
China blocked green deal: Miliband
Dec 21 2009 | UK News
Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband has accused China of "hijacking" the Copenhagen summit and preventing a legally binding treaty desired by most of the world. Read
-
Mercedes clinch deal with Petronas
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Mercedes GP have signed a long-term title-sponsorship agreement with Malaysian national oil and gas company Petronas. Read
-
Reds confirm Mascherano knee injury
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will be able to use his four-match suspension over the festive period to recover from a knee problem. Read
-
England to play Egypt
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Fabio Capello will launch his World Cup preparations on March 3 when England take on Egypt at Wembley. Read
-
Wigan game postponed
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Wigan's Barclays Premier League match at home to Bolton on Monday night has been postponed because of the severe weather conditions in the north west. Read
-
Ferguson rules out winter signings
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making new signings to ease his defensive injury crisis. Read
-
Rodwell out for four weeks
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell will be out for four weeks with a hamstring injury, the club have confirmed. Read
-
Kroenke edges closer to takeover threshold
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Stan Kroenke has moved to within 17 shares of the threshold which would force him into making a takeover bid for Arsenal. Read
-
Ancelotti backs Terry
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
England and Chelsea captain John Terry has been given the backing of his club and manager following allegations that he took cash payments to lay on a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training ground. Read
-
Inspection at Wigan
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Wigan will hold an inspection of the pitch and ground on Monday morning to determine whether Monday night's Barclays Premier League match at home to near-neighbours Bolton can go ahead. Read
-
Samaras orders Celtic to keep going
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Georgios Samaras is looking for Celtic to keep in touch with Rangers ahead of their January 3 meeting at Parkhead after Sunday's defeat at Hearts left kept them trailing their Old Firm rivals by four points. Read
-
Inter warn City off Balotelli
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insists Mario Balotelli will not be joining Manchester City in January. Read
-
Mancini deal agreed before Hughes left - Cook
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has admitted the club agreed a deal with Roberto Mancini the day before Mark Hughes was sacked. Read
-
O'Connell hails Munster improvement
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Paul O'Connell believes Munster answered their critics in the best possible way with a stunning 37-14 bonus-point victory against Perpignan. Read
-
Keothavong named in Fed Cup team
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Anne Keothavong has been included in Britain's Fed Cup team for the Europe/Africa Zone round-robin event in Lisbon in February. Read
-
Alex McLeish delighted with Birmingham City's 'bonus' point
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish saw his side's five-match winning stretch come to an end after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton but declared himself satisfied with the battling performance. Read
-
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy hurt by criticism
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy hit out at the critics who questioned his integrity after he fielded a near-reserve side against Manchester United. Read
-
Messi named Player of the Year
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Lionel Messi has been rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to an unprecedented six trophies by being named FIFA's world player of the year. Read
-
Scotland poised to appoint Levein
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Craig Levein could be confirmed as the new Scotland boss on Tuesday, Press Association Sport understands. Read
-
Black Cats confirm Turner red card appeal
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Sunderland have appealed against the red card handed out to Michael Turner at Manchester City on Saturday. Read
-
Hughes called up as Ponting cover
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Phillip Hughes has been named in a 13-man Australia squad for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan as cover for injured skipper Ricky Ponting. Read
-
Barca rule out Robinho move
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists the newly-crowned Club World Cup champions will not be making a renewed bid to sign Robinho after revealing Manchester City rejected their initial offer. Read
-
Zola buoyed by battling draw
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Gianfranco Zola believes West Ham's battling draw against Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea at Upton Park can be the spark to turn around their miserable season. Read
-
City success is certain - Hughes
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Mark Hughes expects success to arrive at Manchester City, no matter who new boss Roberto Mancini decides to buy. Read
-
Strauss looks for confidence boost
Dec 21 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Strauss believes his England team will take great heart from their nerve-shredding draw at Centurion as they head into this week's second Test in Durban. Read
-
Lawyers predict more professional mergers after RSM deal
Dec 21 2009 | Legal
Cobbetts’ Birmingham corporate team advised accountants RSM Bentley Jennison on the merger with Tenon Group announced last week. Read
-
University of Warwick to close horticulture research site
Dec 21 2009 | Education News
More than 30 academics are facing redundancy at the University of Warwick following a decision to close its renowned horticulture research centre. Read
-
Teacher’s birth saved his family from Stalin
Dec 21 2009 | Education News
Senior teacher George Andronov is retiring after more than 30 years at a leading independent school in Birmingham. But that barely scratches the surface of a remarkable story, as Education Correspondent Tony Collins explains. Read
-
Review: Festive Favourites with Alan Titchmarsh, at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Dec 21 2009 | Music
Christmas came early at Symphony Hall thanks to a comprehensive sprinkling of festive favourites from the CBSO Chorus. Read
-
Wolves players behind Mick McCarthy all the way - Karl Henry
Dec 21 2009 | Wolves FC
Wolves skipper Karl Henry has backed manager Mick McCarthy's decision to field a reserve team against Manchester United, even though some of the players were "disappointed" to miss out on playing at Old Trafford. Read
-
Review: Rock With Laughter, at the LG Arena, Birmingham
Dec 21 2009 | Stage
Birmingham may be in the grip of an icy spell but laughter warmed the hearts of thousands at the LG Arena. Read
-
Solihull mum died after solution burnt lungs at Heartlands Hospital
Dec 21 2009 | Health News
A mother-of-four endured an agonising death after she was wrongly given 10 times the normal concentration of a solution during a routine medical procedure, an inquest heard. Read
-
Corporate activity in refuse sector drops by half
Dec 21 2009 | Financial
Mergers and acquisition deal volumes among waste firms – a sector which is well-represented in the West Midlands – fell by more than 50 per cent in the last quarter. Read
-
Advisors team up to form Venus Financial Planning
Dec 21 2009 | Financial
Two Worcestershire-based financial experts have launched a new independent financial advisory firm. Read
-
Rabjohns to audit flagship school
Dec 21 2009 | Financial
One of the Government’s flagship academy schools – the first in Worcestershire – has appointed Midlands-based accountancy and tax firm Rabjohns as its auditor. Read
-
£1m investment fuels petrol station revamp
Dec 21 2009 | Financial
A family-run business has brought a derelict Birmingham petrol station back to life and created 12 new jobs, thanks to a £1 million funding injection from Barclays. Read
-
Bullring expecting year-on-year growth in Christmas sales
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Bullring managers have reported a rise in pre-Christmas trading as shoppers ignore the recession for the festive period. Read
-
Defined pension scheme shortfall 'passes £100 billiion'
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
The funding shortfall faced by the UK’s biggest defined benefit pension schemes has broken through the £100 billion barrier for the first time, according to new research Read
-
Barclays chairman defends city bonuses
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
A senior banker has defended City bonuses, insisting they are necessary to keep hold of talent. Read
-
Mandelson's prompt pays off for councils
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Anna Blackaby looks at the good, the bad and the very late payers among the region’s local authorities. Read
-
Birmingham transport giant National Express continues to struggle
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Struggling transport firm National Express has revealed that rail revenues were still under pressure despite signs of recovery elsewhere in the business. Read
-
Brewing culture still alive and thriving in Wolverhampton
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Last week, The Birmingham Post announced the return of Banks’s Mild, one of the iconic Midlands beers. This week, TOM SCOTNEY visits the Park Brewery, one of the few survivors of a proud brewing heritage – and now the new home for another brewery that wasn’t so lucky. Read
-
CBI warns of fragile recovery
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Workers should be braced for more job losses and pay freezes next year in a “fragile” recovery from recession, the CBI is warning today. Read
-
Business Profile: William McGrath, chief executive of Aga Rangemaster
Dec 21 2009 | Latest Business News
Investment bankers with a passion for manufacturing are rare. Read
-
Cadbury shareholders told Kraft deal won't lead to a major pay day
Dec 21 2009 | Cadbury
Unions fighting to save Cadbury from the clutches of Kraft are to lobby shareholders with a warning that the £10.1 billion takeover would not guarantee a “major pay-day.” Read
