Mar
2010
Articles from 19th Mar 2010
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Afghan blast survivor tells inquest of attack which killed Midland trio
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
A hero soldier has described a Taliban double bomb attack which left five of his comrades - three from the West Midlands - dead. Read
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No action over suicide of conductor Sir Edward Downes
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
The son of Birmingham-born conductor Sir Edward Downes will not be charged with assisting his suicide, the Director of Public Prosecutions has said. Read
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Wyre Forest and Severn Valley could provide new National Forest, say MPs
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
The creation of a “national forest” is a success story which should be repeated elsewhere in England to deliver environmental and economic benefits to communities, according to MPs. Read
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Worcestershire prison right to isolate 'jihadist' prisoner, High Court rules
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
The governor of a high-security prison in Worcestershire acted reasonably when he took steps to prevent a Muslim preacher "radicalising" young Muslim inmates, the High Court has ruled. Read
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New Birmingham City University campus at Eastside approved
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
Plans for a new £123 million university campus have been given the green light even though the new Birmingham to London High Speed rail link would run through the site. Read
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Pope to hold Mass at Coventry Airport, as UK dates are confirmed
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
An open-air Mass in Coventry, which will be the culmination of the Pope's forthcoming state visit to Britain, is expected to attract up to 250,000 people. Read
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Police warning after vandals put concrete blocks on Tamworth railway line
Mar 19 2010 | West Midlands News
Police have condemned vandals after a train travelling at 90mph hit a pile of concrete blocks which had been left on a Tamworth railway line. Read
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Major energy users get to have their say at city event
Mar 19 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
Birmingham businesses concerned about their future energy supplies are being given the opportunity to plug into the debate at a briefing with the Major Energy Users Council (MEUC). Read
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Morgan Est in £4m green deal
Mar 19 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
Midland firm Morgan Est’s specialist precast manufacturing facility Ridham Precast is full of the joys of spring after being awarded an environmentally-friendly £4 million contract. Read
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Boat opens up Olympic opportunities
Mar 19 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
A Wolverhampton-based manufacturer is taking an innovative green approach to winning contracts and delivering goods to the 2012 Olympics site. Read
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Classic Tuscan race car is reborn in Midlands
Mar 19 2010 | Manufacturing & Skills
A Midland business which specialises in preparing classic race cars for clients to race all over the world has rebuilt a little bit of British sports car history. Read
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Stephen Warnock hails lion-hearted Aston Villa defender James Collins
Mar 19 2010 | Aston Villa FC
Stephen Warnock has hailed the impact of Aston Villa central defender James Collins this season, labelling him "as brave as a lion". Read
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Aston Villa boss O'Neill expects battle for fourth place to go to the wire
Mar 19 2010 | Aston Villa FC
Martin O'Neill believes the battle for fourth in the Premier League will be undecided until the finale of the season. Read
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Birmingham City must spend and build, says Kevin Phillips
Mar 19 2010 | Birmingham City FC
Kevin Phillips wants Birmingham City to make new signings this summer and avoid emulating his former club Sunderland in failing to build on their initial success in the Premier League. Read
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Group of Death for West Midlands rugby in the play-offs
Mar 19 2010 | RFU News
The relegation play-offs, otherwise known as the unofficial West Midlands Championships – or indeed Worst Midlands Championships – bursts phosphorescently into life this weekend with what is sure to be a white-hot derby between Birmingham & Solihull Bees and Moseley. Read
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Brian Dick: Play-offs bring confusing finish to tough campaign
Mar 19 2010 | RFU News
Usually the role of a journalist is to shed light where there is darkness and create clarity where uncertainty lingers. This is not one of those occasions. Read
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Rugby Diary: Twickenham groundsman visits Moseley to talk pitch preparation
Mar 19 2010 | RFU News
Twickenham’s head groundsman Keith Kent will be at Moseley’s Billesley Common next week to present a free seminar on pitch preparation. Read
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Parliamentarian may face charges
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Another parliamentarian is facing the possibility of prosecution after police handed a file relating to alleged expenses abuse to prosecutors. Read
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Obese mothers-to-be pose problems
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
NHS maternity units are struggling to cope with the growing number of obese pregnant women. Read
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Petrol soars 4p ahead of tax hike
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Average petrol prices have risen 4p a litre in the last four weeks, taking them to the highest level since July 2008, the AA said. Read
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Councils 'missing housing targets'
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Around 98% of councils have failed to provide the affordable housing needed in their area, a charity said. Read
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Posthumous medal for Army bomb hero
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
A bomb disposal hero who defused 13 Taliban improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by hand in 36 hours of continuous activity has been awarded a posthumous George Medal. Read
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Watchdog to probe yob link death
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
An independent watchdog will examine how police dealt with a vulnerable man who was hounded by gangs of youths for years. Read
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Concern for mum as baby found dead
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Concern is growing for a mother whose newborn baby was found dead behind a convenience store. Read
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Last-ditch talks in BA dispute
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Last-ditch talks to avert a damaging strike by British Airways cabin crew have resumed, with senior union officials meeting the airline's chief executive for one last attempt to reach a deal. Read
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Boy charged over screwdriver death
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a father-of-two who was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver. Read
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Tebbit could face dragon charges
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Tory peer Lord Tebbit could face prosecution over claims that he kicked a person wearing a dragon costume during Chinese New Year celebrations. Read
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£196m loss for Bradford & Bingley
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Nationalised lender Bradford & Bingley has posted annual losses of £196 million as write-offs on bad debts and fraud almost doubled. Read
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Social workers sacked in Khyra area
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Six social workers at a city council criticised over the death from starvation of a seven-year-old girl have been sacked. Read
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Ex-soldier's parents plea for help
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
The parents of a former soldier facing the death penalty in Iraq over the killing of two colleagues pleaded with the British Government to help save his life. Read
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Pope to address Ireland over abuse
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
The pope will address Ireland on Saturday in an unprecedented letter apologising for chronic Catholic child abuse. Read
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Air passengers face BA strike chaos
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Thousands of air passengers face travel misery after moves to prevent a three day strike by British Airways cabin crew collapsed. Read
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Rail strike talks planned
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Talks aimed at averting strikes by railway signal workers are to be held next week, raising hopes that action can be averted. Read
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Paedophile babysitter raped girl, 5
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
A paedophile was able to rape a five-year-old girl he was babysitting because agencies failed to tell her mother he was a convicted sex offender. Read
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Student loans at risk of new delays
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
England's student loans and grants system is at "substantial" risk of being hit by delays again this year, a damning report has warned. Read
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No action against son over suicide
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
The son of conductor Sir Edward Downes will not be charged with assisting his suicide, the Director of Public Prosecutions said. Read
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Abandoned newborn baby boy dies
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
A newborn baby boy has died after being abandoned behind a convenience store. Read
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Rabies warning over pet passports
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Loosening controls on pet passports could herald a return of rabies to the UK, experts have warned. Read
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Becks and Smithy relax for charity
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Footie ace David Beckham is spotted enjoying some pamper time with another Essex boy - actor James Corden - in a Sport Relief sketch. Read
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Sahil back with 'overjoyed' family
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Exhausted Sahil Saeed is enjoying his first full day back home since being freed from his two week kidnap ordeal in Pakistan. Read
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Teachers' A-level quality fears
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Rising numbers of teachers are concerned about the quality of A-levels, a report suggests. Read
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BA talks resume as time runs out
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Talks to avert a damaging strike by British Airways cabin crew are resuming as time runs out on efforts to break a deadlocked row over cost-cutting. Read
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Man jailed for 'weapon dog' murder
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
The first killer to be convicted using pioneering dog DNA technology has been given a life sentence for the "vicious" murder of a teenage boy. Read
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Last-ditch strike talks collapse
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Talks aimed at averting strikes by British Airways cabin crew have collapsed and the action will go ahead from midnight. Read
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Lib Dem MPs ordered to repay money
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Four Liberal Democrat MPs have been ordered to apologise to the House of Commons and repay money after an inquiry into cash they received from the landlord of taxpayer-funded second homes in Westminster. Read
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Rail signal workers vote to strike
Mar 19 2010 | UK News
Railway signal workers have voted to go on strike in a bitter row over jobs, threatening disruption to rail travel in the coming weeks, including Easter. Read
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Murray wants different approach
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Andy Murray believes the Lawn Tennis Association should consider an alternative to a big-name captain as they seek the next leader of Britain's Davis Cup team. Read
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Wildcats set to unveil Cooke
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Wakefield will finally get their man on Friday when they complete the signing of Hull KR's out-of-favour stand-off Paul Cooke. Read
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Broad beats bug to boost England
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
England expect Stuart Broad to be fully fit for Saturday's start of the second Test against Bangladesh after a bout of illness. Read
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D'Arcy fit to face Scotland
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Gordon D'Arcy has been cleared to start Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday. Read
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Moody to lead England
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Lewis Moody will captain England against France on Saturday night after Steve Borthwick was ruled out with a knee injury. Read
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Fulham handed Wolfsburg tie
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Fulham's reward for their stunning victory over Juventus is a Europa League quarter-final with German side Wolfsburg. Read
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Moody relishing 'proudest moment'
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Lewis Moody will enjoy the proudest moment of his England career on Saturday when he captains his country against Grand Slam-chasing France in Paris. Read
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Riera explains Benitez criticism
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Liverpool winger Albert Riera has attempted to play down comments made in the Spanish media in which heavily criticised Reds manager Rafael Benitez. Read
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Hargreaves wants to return to the top
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Owen Hargreaves insisted he could rediscover his best form after ending his 18-month injury nightmare with a 45-minute appearance for Manchester United's reserves on Thursday night. Read
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Redknapp: Keane will not stay with Hoops
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Harry Redknapp insists there is "no way" he will let Celtic keep Robbie Keane beyond his current loan deal. Read
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Benitez sounds cautious note
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes his side are more than capable of winning the Europa League but he will not allow his players to get ahead of themselves. Read
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Hodgson basks in momentous win
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes Thursday night's 4-1 hammering of Juventus will go down as one of the most memorable moments in the club's history. Read
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Barca to face Arsenal in last eight
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Champions League holders Barcelona were handed a quarter-final tie with Arsenal in Friday's draw in Nyon. Read
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Gold glory for Commander
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Imperial Commander stayed on strongly up the final hill for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and jockey Paddy Brennan to land the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Read
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Cooke seals Wildcats switch
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Wakefield finally got their man on Friday when Hull KR's out-of-favour stand-off Paul Cooke joined them on a short-term contract. Read
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Hodgson inspires Sharks victory
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Charlie Hodgson breathed new life into Sale's fight against relegation with a match-winning display in a 19-8 victory over Wasps which lifted them off the foot of the Guinness Premiership. Read
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Clarke delivers timely ton
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Michael Clarke put all his off-field dramas behind him to notch an unbeaten century as Australia took charge on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington. Read
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Wilkinson looks to rediscover instinct
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Jonny Wilkinson on Friday night admitted his rugby instincts have been blunted by years on the treatment table and England manager Martin Johnson was right to drop him. Read
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Rovers earn rare Headingley victory
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Hull KR recorded their first league win at Headingley for 25 years as Leeds' miserable start to Super League XV continued with a 17-10 defeat. Read
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Rafa bemoans Riera timing
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he is "disappointed" with Albert Riera's critical comments but does not intend to allow them to become a distraction ahead of Sunday's clash against Manchester United. Read
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Fergie hits out at FA
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Football Association of running a "dysfunctional" disciplinary system. Read
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Wenger calls for domestic focus
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to focus on beating West Ham on Saturday to go top of the Barclays Premier League rather than be distracted by their glamour Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona. Read
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We won't be presumptuous - Fletcher
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
Darren Fletcher is confident Manchester United will not get ahead of themselves by believing they are assured of a Champions League final berth. Read
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Hamstring blow for Defoe
Mar 19 2010 | National Sport
England striker Jermain Defoe has been ruled out for a "few weeks" after suffering a grade-two tear to one of his hamstrings, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp confirmed on Friday. Read
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Kelvin MacKenzie at city fundraiser
Mar 19 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Kelvin MacKenzie, one of Britain’s best-known tabloid newspaper editors, is to face a lunchtime grilling when he appears as the celebrity guest at this year’s Journalists’ Charity fundraiser in Birmingham. Read
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Ski challenge win for DLA
Mar 19 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
A team from the Birmingham office of law firm DLA Piper swept to victory in this year’s Midlands Corporate Ski Challenge held at Tamworth Snowdome. Read
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Charity climb for Midland software firm
Mar 19 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Software firm LSC Group’s management team will be walking the heights of Snowdon to raise funds for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help. Read
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Sponsorship for violin performance
Mar 19 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Environmental building services consultancy Couch Perry & Wilkes has sponsored the Orchestra of the Swan’s performance of ‘The Romantic Violin’ at the historic Town Hall in Birmingham for the second year running. Read
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Law firm trio in training for triathlon!
Mar 19 2010 | Thrive - Corporate Social Responsibility
Three members of staff at the Birmingham office of law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing are setting out to take part in their very first triathlon. Read
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Young and Lee start drop-in divorce sessions
Mar 19 2010 | Legal
With divorce rates on the up, one Birmingham firm has started to run evening legal advice sessions for people who can’t find the time to spare from work. Read
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Recruitment veteran Charlotte Stokes to launch new legal service
Mar 19 2010 | Legal
A recruitment expert has set up a new firm looking to match lawyers with companies in the Midlands. Read
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Birmingham councillor Ayoub Khan facing professional misconduct tribunal
Mar 19 2010 | Politics News
Birmingham barrister Ayoub Khan, a leading Liberal Democrat city councillor, is facing four counts of professional misconduct over claims he smeared a Labour opponent while giving evidence in court. Read
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Train To Teach - the search for new teachers comes to Birmingham
Mar 19 2010 | Education News
The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is holding a two-day event in Birmingham today and tomorrow to search for new teaching talent. Read
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Iron Angle: Former Lord Mayors in revolt against Mike Whitby
Mar 19 2010 | Iron Angle
It’s taken three years for rebellion to foment, but members of the most prestigious and difficult to enter club in Birmingham have finally had enough. Read
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Q Club ideal for University of Birmingham's huge concert
Mar 19 2010 | Music
University of Birmingham’s music department heads to the Q Club for a big concert. Christopher Morley find out more. Read
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Sarah Evans: What is age of innocence?
Mar 19 2010 | More Columnists
The news about Jon Venables, one of the boys who killed toddler James Bulger, has, over the last few weeks, re-ignited the debate about the age of criminal responsibility. Read
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Jon Walker: A union of thinking for the Labour Party?
Mar 19 2010 | More Columnists
I discovered something shocking this week. The Labour Party apparently has links to shadowy organisations determined to run down Britain. Read
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Richard McComb: It’s not really good to talk
Mar 19 2010 | More Columnists
I’ve got to see Becky from the bank and have failed miserably to get out of the appointment. Read
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Chris Upton: Dog days for Crufts show
Mar 19 2010 | More Columnists
It’s too late for this year, but I wonder whether Crufts, in its next year of residence at the NEC might consider introducing a “Dangerous Dogs” class in their show. Read
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Worcestershire Fruit farm invests £120k in expansion
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A Worcestershire fruit farm has invested £120,000 into diversifying its business. Read
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Optimism rises in the region
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
Optimism is on the increase among small firms in the West Midlands as the rate of job cuts slows down, according to new research. Read
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Firms warned about carbon-cutting rules
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
Companies have just days to start complying with new regulations on carbon reduction. Read
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Property boss Michael Corbett invests £600k in play centres
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A Midland businessman is set to re-live his childhood after investing £600,000 of his own money into two children’s play centres. Read
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Export growth for translator
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A Birmingham-based translation firm has doubled the number of countries it exports its services to. Read
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Corner shops to help tackle the obesity epidemic
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A total of 18 corner shops across the West Midlands are set to take part in a pilot scheme aimed at helping tackle the UK’s obesity crisis. Read
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Enterprising way to stop job losses in public sector
Mar 19 2010 | Enterprise & SMEs
A senior figure in the West Midlands social enterprise sector claims thousands of jobs could be saved if local authorities looked at new ways of delivering essential community services. Read
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Wolves have no need to fear Villa Park, says Mick McCarthy
Mar 19 2010 | Wolves FC
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy insists his side should not fear their trip to in-form Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. Read
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Stafford Hospital trust threatened with closure
Mar 19 2010 | Health News
The new official hospital watchdog has threatened to close scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire Hospital Trust unless it improves. Read
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Brian Halford: Village cricket stirs from its winter hibernation
Mar 19 2010 | Sports Comment
It’s that special time of year. It’s the time when temperatures start to lift and days lengthen. Read
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More fleet cuts at Accident Exchange as Autofocus legal battle continues
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
West Midlands car crash support firm Accident Exchange has revealed it is planning more cuts to its fleet as it continues a legal battle over inflating insurance costs. Read
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Historic law firm Hall Pratt & Pritchard calls in administrators
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
An historic West Midland law firm founded in 1772 has collapsed. Read
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Wesleyan Assurance back in the black
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Birmingham-based Wesleyan Assurance Society said its investment strategy and financial strength helped it deliver a 20.1 per cent investment return on its main with-profits fund last year. Read
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Petrol prices soar ahead of tax hike
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Average petrol prices have risen 4p a litre in the last four weeks, taking them to the highest level since July 2008, new research shows. Read
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Poundland eyes 50 more stores as owners seek to sell business
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
More “sensible” high street rents have strengthened Poundland’s plans to add 50 new stores next year – giving a boost to its private equity owners in their bid for a sale of the Willenhall-based business. Read
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Jobs go at taxi-maker Manganese Bronze as it ships body production to China
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Black cab manufacturer Manganese Bronze revealed plans to axe 60 jobs by shipping chassis production to China – and is poised to be under the control of a Far Eastern car-maker. Read
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West Midlands jobs blow as Ethel Austin and Au Naturale stores close
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Dozens more jobs are set to be axed in the Midlands after administrators confirmed further store closures at retail chains Ethel Austin and Au Naturale as administrators today confirmed further store closures. Read
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Coventry University join bid for algae biofuel market
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Coventry University is among the 11 UK institutions selected to take part in the UK’s bid to get ahead in what could be a £15 billion market by developing a sustainable and cost-effective biofuel from algae. Read
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Hilton Hotel proposed on site of former HP Sauce factory in Birmingham
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
The new owners of the former HP Sauce site in Birmingham have been in talks with the Hilton group over proposals for a 14-storey hotel on the site. Read
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Birmingham jobs go as Yell Adworks closes all UK offices
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Up to 41 jobs are being lost in Birmingham after an advertising firm announced it was closing a site in the city. Read
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Graham Taylor to attend Birmingham networking event
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Former England manager Graham Taylor will attend a networking event for businesses across the region focusing on the topic of leadership under pressure. Read
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Profits halve in turbulent year at Headlam Group
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Carpet and tiling distributor Headlam saw its profits drop by nearly half in 2009, and said the market was still looking challenging. Read
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Bank of England's Andrew Bailey in Birmingham to talk to finance sector
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
The head of the Bank of England’s arm that deals with distressed banks has visited Birmingham to talk to the local financial and professional services community. Read
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Business Profile: Jonathan Webber
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Birmingham Chamber’s Jonathan Webber criss-crosses the globe to help companies win overseas business. Ian Halstead sees what makes him tick. Read
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Birmingham taxpayers facing legal costs for row over Longbridge
Mar 19 2010 | Latest Business News
Council tax payers may be saddled with hefty legal fees over a bitter row involving the former MG Rover car works at Longbridge. Read
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MIPIM Diary: Birmingham looks on the sunny side
Mar 19 2010 | Mipim 2010
A lunch for Birmingham’s MIPIM contingent at the Restaurant Mandala on the beach was oversubscribed. Read
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Birmingham City Council accused of finding scapegoats in wake of Khyra death
Mar 19 2010 | Khyra Ishaq
Birmingham City Council, criticised over the death from starvation of a seven-year-old girl, has been accused of "casting around for scapegoats" after it revealed that six social workers had been sacked. Read
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Six Birmingham City Council social workers sacked for failing standards
Mar 19 2010 | Khyra Ishaq
Six social workers at Birmingham City Council, which was criticised after seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq starved to death, have been sacked. Read
