Feb
2010
Articles from 18th Feb 2010
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UFOs spotted in Kingstanding and Black Country, MoD files reveal
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Flying Toblerones, mysterious illnesses and silky-white substances left on trees in Birmingham are among hundreds of close encounters described in previously top-secret files released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Read
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Former headteacher from Staffordshire on child sex assualt charge
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A former headmaster, from Staffordshire, has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting two children almost 40 years ago. Read
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Dorridge revolt over plan to turn it into out-of-town centre
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Plans to create a large supermarket, doctors’ surgery and cafe in the heart of Dorridge in Solihull, have been met with opposition from local residents. Read
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Chief executive of Birmingham's largest NHS trust to step down
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
The chief executive of Birmingham’s largest NHS hospital trust has announced he is to step down in the coming months. Read
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West Midlands braced for more snow
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
The West Midlands is braced for another blast of winter weather, with snow predicted across parts of the region on Thursday. Read
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Snow returns to cause havoc on West Midlands roads
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Commuters faced long delays as they battled home through the snow in Birmingham today. Read
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Birmingham City Council's £250,000 failure to evict a dozen families
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Birmingham City Council has failed in three different courts in its bid to repossess seven council houses that were allegedly given “unlawfully” to 12 families by a housing officer five years ago. Read
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Selly Oak Sainsbury's evacuated after suspicious package found
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Shoppers and staff were forced to evacuate a busy Birmingham supermarket today after a suspicious package was discovered. Read
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Live music law could be threat to residents, say Birmingham councillors
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A Government bid to give live music a much needed boost by relaxing current licensing laws has been rejected by city councillors claiming it could leave suburban residents open to loud, unregulated, thumping noise. Read
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Apology for the British Home Children shipped to Canada
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Descendants of Birmingham children shipped to Canada in the 1930s are calling on the Government for an apology. Neil Elkes reports. Read
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Top jobs to be squeezed out at Birmingham City Council
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Birmingham City Council’s financial difficulties have finally hit the rarefied heights of the corporate management team, explains Public Affairs correspondent Paul Dale. Read
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Police to be investigated over Evesham river plunge death
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
West Mercia Police is to be investigated over the way it handled a case of a father accused of attempting to kill two children in the River Avon, one of whom later died. Read
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Man in court over fatal Evesham river plunge
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A man is due to appear in court charged in connection with an incident in which a car plunged into a river in Evesham, leaving his five-year-old daughter dead. Read
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Birmingham police probe death of two-year-old girl from Harborne
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
Police are investigating the death of another young child in Birmingham. Read
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Birmingham woman accused of setting fire to husband had assaulted him before, court told
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A mother-of-three accused of killing her husband after he began a relationship with another woman by setting him alight at their home in Birmingham had previously assaulted him and cut up clothes bought for him by his “second wife”, it has been alleged. Read
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Yardley church St Edburgha's granted £83,000 towards repairs
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
The bells at a famous Birmingham church will ring out once again next year after its repair fund was given an £83,000 boost. Read
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Battle for Yardley's Swan Centre ends with victory for Tesco
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A lively and long-running row over plans to build a Tesco superstore in a Birmingham suburb – involving allegations of libel, intimidation and contempt of parliament – has finally ended in favour of the retail giant. Read
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Birmingham car wash worker found collapsed with head injury
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A member of staff has been found collapsed at a Birmingham car wash and police say he may have been assaulted. Read
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Dad in court charged with attempted murder after Evesham river plunge
Feb 18 2010 | West Midlands News
A man has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder his two young children, after a car plunged into the River Avon at Evesham. Read
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Funds help wheel firm Rimstock turn to new markets
Feb 18 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
An alloy wheel manufacturer is firing on all cylinders for 2010 after being given financial backing to help support diversification into new and innovative markets. Read
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Midland firm helps build vehicle for troops abroad
Feb 18 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
Midland manufacturer Parker Hannifin is rallying behind British troops abroad – after helping develop an armoured vehicle that could play a critical role in saving lives in war-torn areas across the world. Read
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Gabriel Agbonlahor hopeful of return to Aston Villa side for Burnley clash
Feb 18 2010 | Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa's leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could return after injury for the home Premier League clash with Burnley on Sunday. Read
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Alex McLeish ready to commit to Birmingham City
Feb 18 2010 | Birmingham City FC
Alex McLeish is ready to commit his long-term future to Birmingham City after holding preliminary talks regarding a new contract. Read
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1,000 jobs could be lost at council
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Nearly 1,000 jobs could be lost at a local council as part of a plan to cut running costs. Read
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Car production rockets in January
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Car production last month accelerated sharply, rising 64.8% on the January 2009 total. Read
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Mortgage lending at 10-year low
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Mortgage lending dived to a 10-year low during January as the housing market suffered a lull following the end of the Government's stamp duty holiday, figures have showed. Read
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PM: Consortium may save steel plant
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Buyers are interested in saving a steel plant which will be mothballed this week with the loss of 1,600 jobs, the Prime Minister has said. Read
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BBC man has not named dead lover
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A BBC presenter who is being quizzed by detectives after he confessed to killing his lover has still not named him, his solicitor has said. Read
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Chef's father accepts prank apology
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
The father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has said that he had accepted an apology from the mother of an internet hoaxer who pretended to be his daughter. Read
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Marines cleared over sailor's death
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Four Royal Marines have been cleared by a jury of charges relating to the death of a sailor following a fight in a bar. Read
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I threw baby from bridge - father
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A massive search for a baby believed to have been thrown into a freezing river by her estranged father is resuming in the United States. Read
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Potter author accused of plagiarism
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
JK Rowling has been named in a lawsuit claiming she stole ideas for her wildly popular and lucrative Harry Potter books from another British author. Read
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Woods to end silence on sex scandal
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Scandal-hit golfer Tiger Woods is to end his near-three month silence with a carefully staged appearance on Friday. Read
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More questions over 'mercy killing'
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
BBC presenter Ray Gosling is facing more questions from detectives about claims that he carried out a mercy killing. Read
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Ex-death row Scot denies son attack
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A Briton who spent two decades on death row in America has denied that he hit his son with a baseball bat during an alleged assault in the United States. Read
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JLS to take on Dennis the Menace
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Former X Factor contestants JLS may have wowed Simon Cowell and picked up two Brit Awards, but they now face the ultimate challenge as they take on Dennis the Menace and his Dinmakers in the ultimate Battle of the Bands. Read
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Gately press complaint rejected
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A complaint that a newspaper comment piece about Boyzone star Stephen Gately's death was "inaccurate", "intrusive" and "discriminatory" has been rejected by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). Read
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MoD files reveal UFO sightings
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Flying Toblerones, mysterious illnesses and "silky-white substances" are among hundreds of close encounters described in previously top-secret files released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Read
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Dads 'unsure' of employment rights
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
The Government has launched a campaign to raise awareness among fathers of their rights at work after new research showed many were unsure of the law. Read
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MP wants 1st class rail on expenses
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A veteran Conservative MP has said MPs should be allowed to claim taxpayer-funded expenses to travel first-class on trains because passengers in standard class are "a totally different type of people". Read
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Soldiers die in Taliban offensive
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Two British soldiers have been killed while taking part in a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. Read
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Google to translate from images
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Google has launched a new translation service for mono-lingual English tourists, which may save them from making embarrassing mistakes in restaurants across the world. Read
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Strike threat to Easter trains
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Thousands of Network Rail workers and managers are to be balloted over strikes which could lead to industrial action in the run-up to Easter, it was announced. Read
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Potter plagiarism absurd - Rowling
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
JK Rowling has hit out at plagiarism claims against her Harry Potter series as "unfounded" and "absurd". Read
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BBC man faces 'mercy killing' quiz
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
BBC presenter Ray Gosling is facing more questions from detectives about claims that he carried out a mercy killing. Read
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Tory MP 'wants first-class ticket'
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A veteran Conservative MP has said MPs should be allowed to claim taxpayer-funded expenses to travel first-class on trains because passengers in standard class are "a totally different type of people". Read
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Falklands are protected, says Brown
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Britain has made all the preparations necessary to ensure Falkland Islanders are protected, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said amid Argentinian efforts to control shipping in the region. Read
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McCanns win Madeleine book ban case
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral has lost an attempt to overturn a ban on his book claiming that Madeleine McCann is dead, a spokeswoman for the child's parents said. Read
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Shivering UK braced for more snow
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Forecasters have warned of "another blast" of winter in many areas on Thursday, with snow predicted across south east Wales and parts of central England. Read
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McCanns await Madeleine book ruling
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Kate and Gerry McCann are due to learn whether former Portuguese detective Goncalo Amaral has successfully overturned a ban on his book claiming their daughter Madeleine is dead. Read
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Israelis grilled over hit squad ID
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Israel's ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office in London to discuss the use of faked British passports by assassins of a Hamas commander. Read
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Woodward set for talks at Stormont
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward is due to meet Stormont Assembly members who are planning for the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster. Read
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Haiti frees eight US missionaries
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A Haitian judge has released eight of the 10 US missionaries charged with child kidnapping. Read
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Briton dies in ski slope collision
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A British mother-of-three has died after colliding with another skier while on a half-term holiday in Austria with her family. Read
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Kidnap charge missionaries fly home
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Eight American missionaries freed from a Haitian jail nearly three weeks after being charged with kidnapping have been flown back to the United States. Read
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IPCC to probe girl river death case
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
The police watchdog is to oversee an inquiry following the death of a five-year-old girl who was rescued from a car which plunged into a river. Read
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More snow as wintry weather returns
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Snow returned to many parts of England and Wales as winter launched another blast at Britain. Read
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Government in vow over steelworks
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
The threat of industrial action by steelworkers over the mothballing of a huge plant grew as the Government pledged to do everything it could to prevent the steelworks closing down permanently. Read
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UK soldier dies in Taliban mission
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A British soldier was killed while taking part in a major offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. Read
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Man charged with murder at hotel
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A Saudi Arabian man has been charged with murder after a 32-year-old was found strangled in a hotel room. Read
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Pilot 'crashed plane over tax row'
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A software engineer furious with the US Internal Revenue Service crashed his small plane into an office building housing nearly 200 federal tax employees, officials have said. Read
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UK 'maintaining' Falklands defences
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Britain is "maintaining" military force levels in and around the Falkland Islands amid Argentine efforts to control shipping in the region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. Read
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Consortium bids to save steel plant
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Work is continuing on an 11th-hour bid to save a steel plant which will be mothballed this week with the loss of 1,600 jobs. Read
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Freed missionaries back on US soil
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Eight American missionaries freed by a Haitian judge have landed in Miami, Florida, nearly three weeks after the group was charged with kidnapping for trying to take 33 children out of the quake-stricken country. Read
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Rowling: Potter plagiarism 'absurd'
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
JK Rowling has hit out at plagiarism claims against her Harry Potter series as "unfounded" and "absurd". Read
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Investors sought to save steelworks
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
The Government has pledged to do everything it can to prevent a giant steelworks closing down permanently as owner Corus confirmed it would start mothballing the plant on Friday. Read
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Heathrow hold-up accused on the run
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
A man accused of taking part in a £1.75 million armed hold-up at a Heathrow warehouse is being hunted by police. Read
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Gosling on bail after murder quiz
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Broadcaster Ray Gosling, who confessed in a television programme to the mercy killing of a lover, has been released on police bail. Read
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Miliband issues 'hit squad' ID vow
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
David Miliband has insisted he is determined to "get to the bottom of" how fake British passports were used in a "hit" linked to the Israeli secret service Mossad. Read
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Warning over care costs for elderly
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Councils will struggle to meet the costs of an ageing population unless new long-term plans are put in place, the local government spending watchdog has warned. Read
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Freed missionaries arrive home
Feb 18 2010 | UK News
Eight American missionaries freed by a Haitian judge have landed in Miami, Florida, nearly three weeks after the group was charged with kidnapping for trying to take 33 children out of the quake-stricken country. Read
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CAS dismiss Togo draw appeal
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Togo's appeal for provisional measures to be taken to ensure their place in the preliminary draw for the 2012 African Nations Cup have been dismissed, the Court of Arbitration for Sport have confirmed. Read
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Zamora stunner seals Fulham win
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Bobby Zamora fired a brilliant winner as Fulham edged Europa League holders Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in an entertaining Round of 32 clash at Craven Cottage. Read
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Ngog strikes as Reds leave it late
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Striker David Ngog's goal nine minutes from time eventually broke the resistance of a determined Unirea Urziceni at Anfield in the Europa League to hand Liverpool a 1-0 victory Read
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Harbhajan takes five wickets as India win
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Harbhajan Singh claimed five wickets as India sealed a dramatic innings and 58-run victory on the final day of the second Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens to draw the series 1-1 and retain their place at the top of the ICC rankings. Read
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Vieira accepts FA charge
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Patrick Vieira will almost certainly be given a three-match ban by the Football Association on Friday after "reluctantly deciding" to accept a violent conduct charge. Read
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Sackey to make Toulon move
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
England winger Paul Sackey will join Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon next season after signing a two-year deal with the ambitious French club. Read
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Fabianski gets support after horror show
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas maintains the team will stand together and rally round Lukasz Fabianski as the Poland keeper looks to prove his doubters wrong. Read
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Only the best for McCarthy
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admits he will not be able to repeat his controversial team selection against Manchester United which resulted in the club being given a suspended fine. Read
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Collingwood rules out Kieswetter
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Paul Collingwood admits Craig Kieswetter did everything right on his first day as an England-qualified player but has no intention of parachuting him in to the Twenty20 side to face Pakistan on Friday. Read
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Pulis talks up Stoke conduct
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has launched a rousing defence of his players in the wake of Patrick Vieira being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. Read
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Beckham has no fears over Rooney
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
David Beckham has no fear Wayne Rooney will burn himself out ahead of England's bid for World Cup glory. Read
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Kearney injury blow for Ireland
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Ireland full-back Rob Kearney may have played his last match in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations after being ruled out for between three to five weeks with a knee injury. Read
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Bullard back in Tigers frame
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Jimmy Bullard could make his latest comeback from injury in Hull's Barclays Premier League clash against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday. Read
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Vonn savours breakthrough gold
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Lindsey Vonn completed her fightback from injury and finally erased the demons of Turin by obliterating the rest of the field and capturing the Olympic women's downhill title at Whistler. Read
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Kieswetter 'excited' by future
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Craig Kieswetter put his name in the frame for an opening spot in England's Twenty20 team and admitted he was already trying to think like an international player. Read
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McGowan stuns Stricker
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
England's Ross McGowan, only playing because Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson chose not to, knocked top seed Steve Stricker out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson on Wednesday. Read
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Europa League will be tough - Benitez
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the quality of the Europa League has been underestimated this season. Read
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Pienaar keen to remain at Everton
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
South Africa star Steven Pienaar has given Everton a boost by committing his future to the club despite reports linking him with a move away from Goodison Park. Read
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Suspended fine for Wolves
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Wolves have been handed a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding a below-strength side in the clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford in December. Read
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Agbonlahor could return to face Clarets
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Aston Villa's leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could return after injury for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Burnley on Sunday. Read
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McLeish ready to commit to Blues
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Alex McLeish is ready to commit his long-term future to Birmingham after holding preliminary talks regarding a new contract. Read
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Hughton wants more of the same
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has called on his side to keep churning out results after they returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a comfortable 4-1 over 10-man Coventry. Read
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McCoist hails cheeky Boyd
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist likened Kris Boyd to Kenny Dalglish after the striker made the best use of a certain body part to grab the winner against St Mirren and send the holders into the last eight of the Scottish Cup. Read
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All happy with all square
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Bolton counterpart Owen Coyle both claimed to be pleased with a point after fighting out a goalless draw. Read
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Wenger: Ref gifted Porto winning goal
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger criticised referee Martin Hansson for allowing the controversial goal which left his side trailing in their last-16 Champions League clash with Porto. Read
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Williams to miss France game
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Hooker Gareth Williams has become the third forward who started Wales' thrilling RBS 6 Nations victory over Scotland last Saturday to be ruled out of next week's clash against France. Read
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Els blasts Woods over announcement
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Ernie Els has criticised Tiger Woods for choosing Friday to break his silence and face the world. Read
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Vidic dismisses United exit rumours
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic claims he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford. Read
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Pompey ask to sell stars now
Feb 18 2010 | National Sport
Crisis club Portsmouth have asked the Premier League for permission to sell players outside the transfer window. Read
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Award winners give cash for guide dogs
Feb 18 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
A group of community-minded employees from Cadbury have donated their winnings to Guide Dogs for the Blind after picking up the Birmingham Post’s first ever Corporate Social Responsibility award. Read
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Walk to raise cash for Haiti
Feb 18 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Birmingham man Jonathan Swift is gearing up to walk from the city to Manchester to raise money for disaster-hit Haiti. Read
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Chantrey Vellacott sponsors speed skater Jon Eley
Feb 18 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
British speed skating star Jon Eley has his sights firmly set on bringing back a medal from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and is being supported all the way by a city accountancy firm. Read
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Festive event helps raise thousands for charities
Feb 18 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
A Christmas prom extravaganza held in December raised more than £13,000 for the Birmingham Community Foundation, the charity that helps to fund around 800 community and volunteer groups each year within Birmingham and The Black Country. Read
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Five new lawyers for DLA Piper in Birmingham
Feb 18 2010 | Legal
Five Midland lawyers are celebrating taking a step up the legal ladder. Read
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Three-quarters of families can't afford a house in Birmingham
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
More than three-quarters of young families in Birmingham cannot afford to get on the housing ladder. Read
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Bromsgrove candidate makes pledge on expenses
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
The Conservative candidate bidding to replace Julie Kirkbride as Bromsgrove’s MP has pledged to publish every expenses claim on his website on the same day he submits them. Read
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Greek economic crisis is ‘excuse to create European empire’ – Gisela Stuart
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
The Greek economic crisis is being used as an excuse to create a European “empire”, according to a Birmingham MP. Read
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Birmingham MP Clare Short turned down reality TV offer
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
High profile MP Clare Short has revealed she turned down the opportunity to take part in a reality TV show where MPs learn what life is like for residents in deprived estates. Read
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Walsall MP Bruce George to stand down after struggling with internet
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
Veteran Black Country MP Bruce George has announced he is standing down following 36 years in Parliament - after struggling to cope with the rise of internet tools such as Facebook and YouTube in political campaigning. Read
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Expenses of the West Midlands Lords revealed
Feb 18 2010 | Politics News
Former CBI chief Digby Jones has been revealed as the most expensive member of the House of Lords in the West Midlands. Read
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Fears that teacher influx could mean standards slip
Feb 18 2010 | Education News
As MPs call for a radical overhaul of the teaching profession amid fears entry requirements for training courses are too low, Kat Keogh looks as the rising number of applicants for courses in the West Midlands. Read
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Business Profile: Science Park Chief Executive David Rowe
Feb 18 2010 | Innovation & Technology
Boosting enterprise is often prescribed as the magic cure to pull the region well and truly out of recession, a turn of phrase that is just as likely to be heard in the coffee houses that adorn Colmore Row as it in the offices of the city council and Advantage West Midlands. Read
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Review: Thomas Trotter/Orchestra of the Swan, at Birmingham Town Hall
Feb 18 2010 | Music
Review: Thomas Trotter/Orchestra of the Swan, at Birmingham Town Hall Read
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£600k on offer for start-ups
Feb 18 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
Arrow Small Business Finance has over £600,000 to lend between now and the end of March 2011 to entrepreneurs wanting to set up or grow a small business. Read
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Deal clinched with Japanese chocolatier
Feb 18 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A Warwickshire businessman has completed a £70,000 export deal with a wealthy Japanese chocolate magnate. Read
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Export help for companies at events
Feb 18 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
West Midland companies are being urged to beat the economic downturn by discovering the secrets of the UK’s top exporters at a series of free events around the region. Read
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Award win to speed up firm’s progress
Feb 18 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
An automotive supplier with an innovative idea for tackling climate change has been given £40,000 to help establish a new hybrid turbocharger. Read
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Better start for housebuilder
Feb 18 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
Housebuilder Miller Homes West Midlands is predicting a brighter start to the decade after beginning work on two new developments in the region. Read
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Wolves given suspended fine for fielding weakened side against Manchester United
Feb 18 2010 | Wolves FC
Wolves have been handed a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding a below-strength side in the clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford in December. Read
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National role for doctor from shamed Heartlands Hospital
Feb 18 2010 | Health News
A consultant at a Birmingham hospital, which was shamed for breaching A&E waiting times, has been appointed as the country’s new national clinical director for urgent and emergency care. Read
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Queen Elizabeth Birmingham Hospital bosses win reprieve for wards
Feb 18 2010 | Health News
Three wards at Birmingham’s new super hospital, ordered to be ‘mothballed’ by the Treasury to save money, are to be reopened. Read
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Trevor Law: Is debt really a problem?
Feb 18 2010 | Financial
We have all seen the huge numbers that have been calculated showing that the UK is at the top of the charts for the amount of debt that we are presently carrying. This has caused many commentators to declare us bankrupt and to suggest that the game is really up for UK PLC. Read
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Midland trio create new stockbroker AMP Wealth
Feb 18 2010 | Financial
A new firm of financial advisers and stockbrokers made up of three former Edward Jones staff has launched in Birmingham. Read
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Bill Howell: Carling Cup triumph is a second-rate success
Feb 18 2010 | Sports Comment
Bill Howell considers Aston Villa's Carling Cup Final date with Manchester United at Wembley. Read
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Halfords' Nationwide Autocentres takeover is welcomed
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Analysts and shareholders have given their backing to Halfords’ £73.2 million takeover of a Midland car servicing firm. Read
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Green schemes will aid Midlands construction industry
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
A scheme to help property owners ‘green up’ their houses and businesses could mean a £40 million bonanza for the struggling Midlands construction industry, the planners behind the project have said. Read
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Hampson Industries gets 75% take up on £60m share offer
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
A share offer initiated by Black Country engineering group Hampson Industries has enjoyed a 75 per cent take up. Read
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Chef Glynn Purnell to chair judges at Birmingham Young Professional of the Year
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Top chef Glynn Purnell is set to chair the judging panel for this year’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY). Read
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Carillion wins a part of a £2bn motorways scheme
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Wolverhampton construction firm Carillion has been appointed as one of four framework contractors to deliver the first phase of the Highways Agency’s £2 billion Managed Motorways programme. Read
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Jaguar Land Rover names Ralf Speth as new chief executive
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Jaguar Land Rover has announced the appointement of Dr Ralf Speth as its new chief executive. Read
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Spiritual health shop Zen loses Brindleyplace lease
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
A second long-running business in Birmingham’s Brindleyplace has been refused a lease renewal amid claims the landlord could damage the long-term success of the district. Read
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Stock rally fails to lift pensions
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
The pensions black hole lurking within the region’s top companies grew by about £200 million last year – despite a rally in global stock markets which saw investments held by the schemes swell by almost 30 per cent. Read
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Titan Steel Wheels sues RBS over failed currency gambles
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
One of the Midlands’ top manufacturing firms has launched a multi-million court case against its bankers, accusing them of losing it money through convoluted currency trading schemes. Read
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Staff denied pay-off from rescued jeweller Diamonds & Pearls
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Staff left waiting for their last five weeks of pay by the administration of Tamworth jewellery retailer Diamonds & Pearls have accused the company of a “cloak and dagger” approach. Read
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BAE profits suffer after fine and contract loss
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Defence giant BAE Systems has seen profits slump after losing a key US contract and suffering a massive fine to settle bribery allegations. Read
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Car production figures see sharp rise.
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Car production last month accelerated sharply, rising 64.8 per cent on the January 2009 total. Read
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Farmland attractive again as an investment
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Farmland prices rose in the second half of last year within the region as land once again became an attractive investment although landowners’ reluctance to sell has pushed supply to exceptionally low levels. Read
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Business owners urged not to fight back if robbed
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Business owners have been urged not to fight back in the face of a violent robbery. Read
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Training firms Access 2 Careers and Advent Computer Training enter administration
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Administrators have been appointed to two collapsed Worcestershire training firms - providing a ray of hope for anxious students who paid in advance for courses. Read
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Halfords agrees £73.2m takeover of Nationwide Autocentres
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
Retail chain Halfords has taken over a Midland car servicing specialist in a £73.2 million deal. Read
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New home-building at its lowest since 1946
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
The number of new homes built in England fell to its lowest level since 1946 during 2009, new figures show. Read
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Stoke's Titanic Brewery makes celebration ale for city's centenary
Feb 18 2010 | Latest Business News
A brewery in Stoke-on-Trent has made a special one-off celebration ale to celebrate the city’s centenary. Read
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Cheap gas is a winner
Feb 18 2010 | Special Features
The statistics may say that there are still many people who haven’t looked for cheap gas and changed supplier, but there’s definitely a growing trend. More and more people are demanding better deals and value from their suppliers. Read
