Dec
2009
Articles from 30th Dec 2009
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Birmingham plumber made 320-mile trip to mend toilet seat
Dec 30 2009 | West Midlands News
A plumber made a round trip of over 320 miles from Birmingham to Norwich to mend a toilet seat – because of a Government contract. Read
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The Best of Broad Street Awards 2010 launched in Birmingham
Dec 30 2009 | West Midlands News
The biggest award ceremony to recognise Birmingham’s nightlife has been launched. Read
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Scotland Yard review launched over Birmingham counter-terrorism hub
Dec 30 2009 | West Midlands News
A secret internal review has been launched into a Birmingham-based regional counter-terrorism hub which was set up to identify potentially dangerous radicals plotting atrocities. Read
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Warning of freezing new year
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Britons are being urged to wrap up for a freezing new year as the cold snap continues with parts of the country blanketed in snow. Read
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Family of executed man'outraged'
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
The family of an executed Briton have issued a bitter attack upon China as his cousins flew back to the UK after a failed attempt to plead for his life. Read
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British hostage 'freed' in Iraq
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A British man held hostage in Iraq for over two-and-a-half years has been freed, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. Read
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Taskforce to advise council savings
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A Government taskforce advising councils how to protect frontline services while saving money is to be launched. Read
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Don't wreck the recovery, says PM
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown will warn voters not to "wreck the recovery" in a New Year's message setting out the political battlelines ahead of 2010's general election. Read
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Mother critical after girl shot dead
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A woman is fighting for her life after her former partner shot dead their four-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself, police said. Read
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Clarke urges coup to oust PM Brown
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke has called on the Cabinet to stage a New Year coup to remove Gordon Brown as Prime Minister. Read
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New year revellers face big chill
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Revellers are gearing up to give a warm welcome to 2010 even though sub-zero temperatures are expected across Britain. Read
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Ben Nevis avalanche kills climbers
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Two climbers were swept to their deaths in a massive avalanche on Britain's highest mountain. Read
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Tragic mother loses fight for life
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Julie Harrison, whose four-year-old daughter was shot dead by her estranged partner, has lost her own battle for life. Read
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Motorway closure saves pigs' bacon
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A busy motorway had to be closed after a herd of pigs escaped and ran on a carriageway. Read
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374,000 days lost through disputes
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
The UK saw an upsurge in working ays lost through industrial disputes in recent months, as the year ended with outbreaks of strikes and strife, according to new figures. Read
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Tributes to blast death soldier
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Family members of a soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan said they are utterly devastated by the loss of their "Sunshine Boy". Read
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Island job winner stung by jellyfish
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A British man who was handed the "best job in the world" as the caretaker of a tropical Australian island has been stung by a potentially lethal jellyfish. Read
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Executed man's family return home
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Devastated relatives of a Briton executed in China are to return to the UK as relations between the two countries remain frosty. Read
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Three die in M-way crash amid snow
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Three men have been killed in a crash on a snow-affected motorway. Read
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US security warned about 'Nigerian'
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
American security services received intelligence suggesting "a Nigerian" in Yemen was planning a terrorist attack weeks before a passenger jet was targeted on Christmas Day, according to reports. Read
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Shot mother and daughter 'innocent'
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
The family of a mother and her daughter killed during a domestic row said they were "innocent parties" in an awful tragedy. Read
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High-speed rail plans submitted
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Plans for a high-speed rail line with 250mph trains have been submitted to the Government. Read
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Bomb suspect staged terror summit
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
The Christmas Day airline bomb plot suspect helped organise a "war on terror" conference while studying in the UK. Read
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Three die on snow-covered motorway
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Three men have been killed in a crash on a snow-affected motorway. Read
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Neighbour tells of shooting tragedy
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A neighbour has told of the dramatic moment when police discovered a father had shot his four-year-old daughter and his ex-partner before turning the gun on himself. Read
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Three climbers die in avalanches
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A climber who was rescued from a mountainside after an avalanche has died, police said. Read
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British hostage held in Iraq freed
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A British man held hostage in Iraq for over two-and-a-half years has been freed, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. Read
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Three killed in M-way crash named
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Police have named three men who were killed in a crash on a snow-affected motorway. Read
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NHS agency staff spending 'up 60%'
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Money spent by the NHS hiring agency staff to cover shifts soared by 60% over the past two years to almost £1.3 billion, according to figures uncovered by the Conservatives. Read
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Prison mobiles 'pose security risk'
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Mobile phones smuggled into British prisons could be used by Islamist militants to spread their extremist ideology and threaten national security, Conservatives have claimed. Read
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Island winner stung by jellyfish
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A British man who was handed the "best job in the world" as the caretaker of a tropical Australian island has been stung by a potentially lethal jellyfish. Read
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Executed man's family slam Britain
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
Relatives of Akmal Shaikh have said the Government's failure to prevent his execution in China showed Britain's "powerlessness in the world". Read
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Woman critical after girl shot dead
Dec 30 2009 | UK News
A woman is fighting for her life after her former partner shot dead their four-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself, police said. Read
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New deal for Hodgson
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has agreed a new 12-month rolling contract with the club. Read
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Portsmouth winding up petition - report
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Premier League strugglers Portsmouth have been issued with a winding up petition by HM Revenue & Customs, according to a BBC report. Read
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Call for Carberry
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
England have called up Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry as cover for Paul Collingwood for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Read
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Boyd breaks record in Rangers rout
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Kris Boyd smashed Henrik Larsson's record as the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's top goalscorer after netting an incredible five goals as Dundee United crashed to a 7-1 defeat at Ibrox. Read
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Pompey woes deepen
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Crisis-club Portsmouth were beaten 4-1 by Barclays Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Fratton Park. Read
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Ruthless United hammer Wigan
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Wayne Rooney delivered another masterclass as Wigan meekly surrendered to Manchester United for the second time this season in a 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Read
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Ligament damage for Johnson
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool have confirmed Glen Johnson suffered a medial ligament injury to his right knee during Tuesday night's match at Aston Villa. Read
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England play down Commonwealth fears
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
England will make a final decision on their participation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in September, but currently have no major security concerns over the Delhi event. Read
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Strachan in Bent talks
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has confirmed he remains in talks with striker Marcus Bent over a second spell at the Riverside Stadium. Read
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Megson sacked by Bolton
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Gary Megson has been relieved of his duties as Bolton manager with immediate effect, the club confirmed on Wednesday. Read
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Everton to hold fresh stadium talks
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Everton have confirmed they will enter into new talks with Liverpool City Council over a new stadium. Read
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CGE deny Delhi pull out
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Commonwealth Games England have strenuously denied claims they will withdraw from next October's event in Delhi over security concerns. Read
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Pair propel England into series lead
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad shared nine wickets as England duly wrapped up an innings victory over South Africa before lunch on the final morning of the second Test. Read
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Chelsea almost debt free
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Roman Abramovich has all but wiped out Chelsea's £340million debt, according to financial figures released by the Barclays Premier League leaders. Read
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Burger signs for Saracens
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens have completed the signing of Namibia forward Jacques Burger. Read
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Swann spinning in a 'dream'
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
England's spin hero Graeme Swann admitted he was enjoying a "dream" year after claiming nine wickets in his side's innings victory over South Africa in Durban which puts them 1-0 up in the four-Test series with two matches to play. Read
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Pompey dispute HMRC claims
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Portsmouth have denied being formally served with a winding up petition in a statement released by the club. Read
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I can't win over the fans - Megson
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Bolton manager Gary Megson knows he is fighting a battle he cannot win with critical fans, but is determined not to be cowed by dissenting voices. Read
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Brown hails Tigers' spirit
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Hull manager Phil Brown praised his side's character after they fought back from 2-0 down with 19 minutes to go to draw 2-2 with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Read
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Diaby wins Wenger praise
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced Abou Diaby can become one of the top midfielders in the Barclays Premier League. Read
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Clinical Torres delights Benitez
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed Fernando Torres as one of the best strikers in the world after his late goal in the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa reignited the Reds' Champions League hopes. Read
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Chelsea still the danger for Ferguson
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson still expects Chelsea to emerge as the most serious threat to Manchester United's hopes of a record championship four-timer. Read
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Hauritz spins Australia to victory
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Nathan Hauritz claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Australia wrapped up a comprehensive 170-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Melbourne. Read
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Swann strikes again
Dec 30 2009 | National Sport
Graeme Swann almost immediately took England another step closer to an innings victory over South Africa on the final morning of the second Test at Kingsmead. Read
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Movie reviews: Did you hear about the Morgan's?, Nine and Post Grad
Dec 30 2009 | Film
Roz Laws and Graham Young review the latest movies, including: Did you hear about the Morgan's?, Nine and Post Grad. Read
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The best movies and stars of the decade
Dec 30 2009 | Film
Graham Young picks his top films of the Noughties and discovers Birmingham’s role in cinema’s biggest hits. Read
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Adonis - HSR pricing must be fair
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
High-speed rail must have pricing that suits all pockets, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said today. Read
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House prices rise in every English region except the West Midlands
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
House prices rose for the sixth month in a row during November except in the West Midlands, figures have revealed. Read
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Production heading back to UK over freight concerns
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
Manufacturers are moving production back to the UK from overseas amid concerns over quality and the high cost of freight. Read
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Exports helping Birmingham manufacturers through recession
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
Manufacturers in Birmingham and Solihull are turning to export sales to help them through the economic downturn, according to new figures. Read
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High Speed Rail plans set to be submitted to Government
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
Plans for a multibillion-pound north-south rail line with 250mph trains will be presented to the Government either today or tomorrow. Read
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Accident Exchange gets compensation go-ahead
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
Midlands car replacement firm Accident Exchange has been given the legal go-ahead to pursue a compensation claim against a company it blames for inflating insurance claim costs. Read
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Mark Nicholls named as new chairman of West Bromwich Building Society
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
John Cranage looks into the latest appointment to the West Bromwich Building Society board Read
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West Midlands automotive industry heads to India for AutoExpo
Dec 30 2009 | Latest Business News
West Midland automotive companies will be looking to build on Tata’s presence in the region when they visit India early in the new year. Read
