Dec
2009
Articles from 23rd Dec 2009
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Body of Solihull's hero pilot brought home from Caribbean
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
The body of a pilot from Solihull who was hailed a hero after he ditched his plane in the south Caribbean sea has been brought home, his father said. Read
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Worshippers hit back after vicar claims they forced him out of parish
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
Worshippers have hit back at a vicar who claimed they forced him out of his parish. Read
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Japanese man charged with rape and murder of Lindsay Hawker
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
A Japanese student has been charged with the rape and murder of Warwickshire teacher Lindsay Hawker. Read
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Police warn motorists not to travel as bad weather continues
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
Bad weather is today causing chaos for millions of travellers heading home for Christmas. Read
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Parents of toddler injured in crash welcome stricter sentencing
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
The parents of a toddler horrifically injured in a high speed smash welcomed proposals to more than double maximum sentences for dangerous drivers. Read
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Bull shot after running through Birmingham streets
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
Police marksmen were forced to shoot a bull as it rampaged through the streets of Birmingham. Read
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Teenager admits incitement to commit sexual assault on child
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
A Black Country teenager who admitted making and distributing indecent photographs of children has now pleaded guilty to two charges of incitement to commit sexual assault on a child under 13. Read
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Record breaking year for Birmingham's German market
Dec 23 2009 | West Midlands News
The Frankfurt Christmas Market has achieved another record-breaking turnout this year with visitor numbers falling just short of the three million mark. Read
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Aston Villa's Richard Dunne hailed as 'bargain of the season'
Dec 23 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Curtis Davies has hailed his Aston Villa team-mate Richard Dunne as a "bargain signing" and believes Manchester City are regretting allowing him to leave Eastlands. Read
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Birmingham City defender Scott Dann still hoping to improve fitness
Dec 23 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Birmingham central defender Scott Dann believes he is finally approaching full match fitness after undergoing groin surgery in the summer. Read
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Seventh place is no fluke, insists Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish
Dec 23 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish insisted his side's current lofty position in the Premier League was "no fluke" as he saluted the never-say-die spirit of his players. Read
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Two die in crash in icy conditions
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Two women died and another 47 people were injured after a coach overturned in treacherous icy conditions during what was one of the coldest nights of the year. Read
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Universities face cash cuts package
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Universities are facing further multi-million pound funding cuts, as well as fines for over-recruiting students. Read
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First UK death solely linked to GBL
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The first death in the UK solely linked to GBL has come to light as the Government moved to outlaw the drug. Read
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Guilty glamour model faints in dock
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A glamour model has fainted after being found guilty of attacking a woman in a nightclub toilet cubicle in a jealous row over her husband. Read
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Mourners clash with Iranian militia
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Security forces have clashed with crowds gathered for a memorial for Iran's most dissident cleric. Read
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Brown to face Iraq probe after poll
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown has been called to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry, but will not appear until after next year's general election. Read
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Football boss to face tax charge
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The chairman of Leicester City Football Club is set to face legal proceedings from HM Revenue and Customs in connection with tax evasion. Read
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Man wins £1,000 in weight loss bet
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A father of two who placed a £50 bet that he would lose five stone before Christmas Day at odds of 20-1 is celebrating netting £1,000 for his local junior football club. Read
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Second 'friendly fire' death probed
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A probe into the second suspected friendly fire death of a British soldier in as many days has got under way. Read
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Two killed, 47 hurt in coach crash
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Two women died and another 47 people were injured after a coach overturned in treacherous icy conditions during what was one of the coldest nights of the year. Read
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Government set to ban 'legal highs'
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The Government is due to ban a range of "legal highs" amid criticism from some quarters that the move does not go far enough. Read
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One dead, 48 hurt after coach crash
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
One person has died and 48 others were injured after a coach flipped over on an icy road, police said. Read
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Balloon boy parents get jail terms
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A US judge has jailed the parents behind a hoax which saw the world following a wayward balloon in which their son was feared trapped. Read
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I'm not upset at BB ban: Boy George
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Former Culture Club singer Boy George is "not overly upset" after a High Court judge ruled he could not appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Read
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CPS handed files in expenses probe
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Scotland Yard have handed two more files of evidence against politicians suspected of abusing their expenses to prosecutors. Read
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Soldier killed in Afghanistan blast
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A British paratrooper serving with special forces has been killed in a notoriously violent area of southern Afghanistan. Read
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Boy George banned from Big Brother
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Former Culture Club singer Boy George has been evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house - before the programme even starts. Read
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Appeal 30 years after abduction
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The ageing parents of a teenage boy abducted 30 years ago have made a final appeal for information about his fate. Read
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Many face second Christmas on dole
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole has doubled to more than 200,000, research has shown. Read
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Anti-social incident cases top 3.5m
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Police recorded more than three and a half million complaints about anti-social behaviour last year, figures revealed. Read
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Foreign criminals paid to leave UK
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Foreign prisoners are being given bribes of £500 just for returning home. Read
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Straw vows to introduce Cerys's Law
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The parents of a toddler horrifically injured in a high speed smash have welcomed proposals to more than double maximum sentences for dangerous drivers. Read
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Mother wrote to PM over killer dogs
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The mother of a girl who died after being attacked by dogs has revealed she wrote to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to crack down on the dangerous animals. Read
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Funeral of 100th tragic serviceman
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Scores of people have paid tribute to the 100th British serviceman killed in Afghanistan this year. Read
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Whitehall spends £130m on bonuses
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Whitehall civil servants shared bonuses of almost £130 million last year, research shows. Read
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Brown to face Iraq Inquiry
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown has been called to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry, but will not appear until after next year's general election. Read
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Two dead as icy weather continues
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Two people have been killed in a coach crash on an icy road and dozens of air passengers escaped injury when their jet slid off a runway as Britain continued to be gripped by freezing wintry weather. Read
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Student charged with Hawker murder
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A Japanese English student has been charged with the rape and murder of British teacher Lindsay Hawker. Read
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Boy George may appeal over BB ban
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Former Culture Club singer Boy George is considering an emergency appeal after a High Court judge ruled that he could not appear on Celebrity Big Brother. Read
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Mortgage numbers hit two-year high
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The number of mortgages approved for house purchase reached its highest level for two years during November, figures show. Read
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Dozens hurt as US jet misses runway
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Dozens of people have been injured after an American Airlines flight from Miami overshot a runway and broke in two during a heavy rainstorm in Kingston, Jamaica. Read
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Passenger jet slides off runway
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A passenger jet has slid off a runway after hitting a patch of ice. Read
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Online deliveries hit by weather
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Thousands of online shoppers have been warned they may not receive their goods by Christmas after snow crippled some deliveries. Read
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Dozens hurt as plane misses runway
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Dozens of people have been injured after an American Airlines flight from Miami overshot a runway and broke in two during a heavy rainstorm in Kingston, Jamaica. Read
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'Legal highs' ban comes into force
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A ban on a range of so-called "legal highs" has come into force. Read
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Man's body found during lake search
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
A man's body has been found in a lake by divers searching for two missing friends believed to have been rescuing a dog. Read
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48 injured as coach overturns
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Forty-eight people were injured - at least one seriously - as a coach full of day trippers overturned, police have said. Read
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£20m to help thalidomide survivors
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
The Government has announced details of a £20 million support package to help thalidomide survivors. Read
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Amy Winehouse charged with assault
Dec 23 2009 | UK News
Singer Amy Winehouse has been charged in connection with an assault at a theatre, police have said. Read
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Hammers in no rush to sell
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
West Ham's leading shareholder CB Holding insist they will not be held to ransom by potential investors chasing a cut-price deal. Read
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SFA confirm Levein appointment
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Craig Levein's appointment as Scotland manager was finally confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by the Scottish Football Association. Read
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Ancelotti content with striking options
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Carlo Ancelotti is happy to rely on his young strikers to help Chelsea through one of the most critical periods of the season. Read
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Allardyce blames City players
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Sam Allardyce has accused Manchester City's highly-paid stars of causing Mark Hughes to be sacked by failing to perform. Read
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Brown pours cold water on Boyd talk
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown believes Kris Boyd should not be given the opportunity to resurrect his international career under Craig Levein. Read
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Wolves won't reignite Carroll interest
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has decided against making a fresh move for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll during next month's transfer window. Read
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Bassong omitted from Cameroon squad
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong has not been included in the Cameroon squad for next month's African Nations Cup. Read
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Mercedes silent on Schumacher claims
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Mercedes GP remain silent amid claims Michael Schumacher is to make a famous return to Formula One for next season. Read
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Tangerines salute departing Levein
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Dundee United have confirmed that, subject to confirmation of compensation from the Scottish Football Association, Craig Levein has left his post as manager, paving the way for him to be appointed Scotland boss. Read
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Schumacher is back
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is back. Read
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Leamy to miss Six Nations
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Ireland international Denis Leamy has been ruled out of this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship. Read
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Banahan pens new Bath deal
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
England wing Matt Banahan has signed a new three-year deal with Guinness Premiership club Bath. Read
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SFA agree Levein deal
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
The Scottish Football Association have agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Craig Levein to become Scotland manager. Read
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Hornets stave off administration
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Watford have staved off the threat of administration by paying back nearly £5million that had been owed by the club to their former chairman and vice-chairman. Read
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Clubs charged after ugly scenes
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
The Football Association have charged Arsenal and Hull with failing to control their players following the Barclays Premier League clash on December 19. Read
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Pietersen aims to finish on a high
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Kevin Pietersen is hoping to end a difficult year on a "special" note for himself and England when he plays Test cricket for the first time on what was once his home ground. Read
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McInnes silent on United talk
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Derek McInnes refused to be drawn on the prospect of replacing Craig Levein at Dundee United. Read
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Schumacher eager to tackle young guns
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
A fired-up Michael Schumacher is ready to put Formula One's young guns in their place as he chases an eighth world title next year. Read
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Flower backing Cook to deliver
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
England coach Andy Flower is confident he has the right men in position to raise their game when required against South Africa this winter. Read
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Ponting still in doubt
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Australia captain Ricky Ponting remains in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG after failing to bat during Wednesday's practice session. Read
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Mayweather-Pacquiao clash 'in jeopardy'
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Floyd Mayweather's camp have claimed the American's planned fight with Manny Pacquiao is "in jeopardy". Read
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Evra targets Christmas lift
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Patrice Evra is demanding Manchester United secure maximum points from their Christmas fixtures as they look to make up lost ground in the Premier League title race. Read
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Paper ban by City
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Manchester City have banned newspapers at their training ground after being stunned by the negative publicity surrounding their appointment of Roberto Mancini as Mark Hughes' successor. Read
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Torres: Sacking Benitez would not help
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Fernando Torres insists sacking Rafael Benitez would not provide "a solution" to Liverpool's problems. Read
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Mercedes poised to confirm Schu deal
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One is due to be officially confirmed on Wednesday morning by Mercedes GP. Read
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Scanlon passes away
Dec 23 2009 | National Sport
Former Manchester United winger and Busby Babe Albert Scanlon has died at the age of 74, the club have confirmed. Read
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Billy Quaife, the 56-year-old who scored a century in his final innings
Dec 23 2009 | Cricket News
Farewells to county cricket come in many forms. Dennis Amiss made his with a valedictory pair, Nick Knight scored 15not out, while Daniel Vettori, to save time, bade farewell on his debut. Billy Quaife, aged 56, scored a century. Brian Halford reports. Read
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The Christmas message that all faiths believe in
Dec 23 2009 | Agenda
This year, in my new role as Head of Religious Education at a Birmingham secondary school, I was asked if I would mind speaking at the annual whole school Christmas assembly. Read
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Eurostar hell as stranded passengers pay out for flights home
Dec 23 2009 | Transport News
Passengers who had been stranded in France as a result of the Eurostar delays made their way back to Birmingham last night by air. Read
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Virgin Trains ticket office staff in the West Midlands to strike
Dec 23 2009 | Transport News
Railway ticket office staff working for Virgin Trains in the West Midlands are to go on strike in the new year after voting in favour of industrial action in a row over cuts, it has been announced. Read
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Lateral thinking needed to plug university funding gaps
Dec 23 2009 | Education News
Universities are bracing themselves for bad tidings in the new year regardless of what resolutions they may look to make. But it may not be all doom and gloom, as Education Correspondent Tony Collins reports. Read
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Movie reviews: Sherlock Holmes; Nowhere Boy; St Trinian's 2
Dec 23 2009 | Film
Roz Laws reviews the latest movies, including Movie reviews: Sherlock Holmes, Nowhere Boy and St Trinian's 2 - The Legend of Fritton's Gold. Read
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Richard McComb: Foie Gras campaign misses the point
Dec 23 2009 | More Columnists
Crack open the vegan Champagne and don your mung bean party dress because animal rights campaigners have struck a major blow for the civilised world. Read
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Wolves rule out moves for Andy Carroll and Lee Carsley
Dec 23 2009 | Wolves FC
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has decided against making a fresh move for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll during next month's transfer window. Read
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Boeing's hope takes off
Dec 23 2009 | Other UK business news
The delayed first flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was a moment of celebration for Midland companies which have contributed to the US plane-maker’s most technologically advanced and eco-friendly aircraft. Read
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Neglect and failure at Birmingham hospital led to woman's death, inquest rules
Dec 23 2009 | Health News
The family of a woman who died as a result of neglect and gross failures at a Birmingham hospital are calling for an external investigation. Read
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New kitchen opens at Moseley Hall Hospital
Dec 23 2009 | Health News
Patients at Moseley Hall Hospital in Birmingham have been served a festive season fillip with the reopening of the historic site’s kitchen following a £1.1 million refit. Read
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Propertyindex.com battles to stay afloat
Dec 23 2009 | Creative industries
A West Midland property website set up by the millionaire who founded the Birmingham-based online dating site Dating Direct has gone into administration. Read
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UK markets facing plenty of questions in 2010
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
Financial analyst and Birmingham Post blogger Howard Wheeldon peers into 2010 and wonders what it holds for the UK markets. Read
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Administrators called in at troubled manufacturing companies
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
Employees at two West Midland companies which have fallen into administration just days before Christmas look set to face an anxious festive period. Read
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Small firms 'in better shape than last year'
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
Small businesses in Birmingham are weathering the financial storm to head into 2010 in better financial health than this time last year, according to new research. Read
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The final day looms for Borders staff
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
Employees at book chain Borders will work their final days tomorrow as the business shuts down after 12 years with the loss of 1,100 jobs. Read
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Camra legal route to curb impositions of pubcos
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
The Campaign for Real Ale is turning to the courts to try to get action on what it calls anti-competitive practices by large pub companies. Read
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The Birmingham Post's 2010 share tips competition is launched
Dec 23 2009 | Latest Business News
Got a hot tip for the stock market in 2010? If so, there is still time to join the Birmingham Post’s annual share-tipping competition. Read
