http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/ news from the Birmingham Post en-gb Birmingham Post http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/family-of-crash-death-headteacher-call-for-stronger-motorway-barriers-65233-21408135/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:37:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/family-of-crash-death-headteacher-call-for-stronger-motorway-barriers-65233-21408135/ The family of a Birmingham headteacher who died when a van careered across the M5 and smashed into his car believe stronger crash barriers could have saved his life. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/birmingham-armed-robbers-jailed-65233-21407798/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:53:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/birmingham-armed-robbers-jailed-65233-21407798/ Three Birmingham men have been sentenced for their part in a series of armed robberies in which jewellery with a market value of up to £1.5m was stolen. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/finance-sergeant-cleared-of-stealing-from-sas-65233-21407470/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:46:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/finance-sergeant-cleared-of-stealing-from-sas-65233-21407470/ An Army finance sergeant has been cleared of stealing £100,000 from the SAS in Hereford. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/airport-staff-find-drugs-in-kinder-egg-container-65233-21407430/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:40:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/airport-staff-find-drugs-in-kinder-egg-container-65233-21407430/ Immigration officers had a "Kinder Surprise" when they discovered a woman smuggling drugs using a plastic container from one of the children's treats. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/m42-closed-as-crash-causes-huge-delays-65233-21406592/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/m42-closed-as-crash-causes-huge-delays-65233-21406592/ Five people were injured in a four-vehicle pile-up on the M42 on Friday. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/man-charged-with-theft-from-sas-awaits-sentence-65233-21406515/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:44:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/man-charged-with-theft-from-sas-awaits-sentence-65233-21406515/ A board of Army officers trying a finance sergeant for stealing £100,000 from the SAS have retired to deliberate. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/otis-ferry-denies-charges-of-robbery-and-assault-65233-21406493/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:38:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/otis-ferry-denies-charges-of-robbery-and-assault-65233-21406493/ Rock star's son Otis Ferry has denied attacking a hunt monitor and robbing another while they were trying to film him at his sport. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/edf-hikes-up-gas-and-electricity-prices-65233-21406071/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:33:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/25/edf-hikes-up-gas-and-electricity-prices-65233-21406071/ Energy supplier EDF has increased its electricity prices by 17% and its gas prices by 22%. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/ub40-could-quit-birmingham-as-studio-plans-are-delayed-65233-21403172/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:59:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/ub40-could-quit-birmingham-as-studio-plans-are-delayed-65233-21403172/ Birmingham pop stars UB40 have spoken of their frustration after a seven-year fight to win approval for new studios in Digbeth hit more problems. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/former-travel-west-midlands-chief-joins-calls-to-scrap-cosmetic-new-street-scheme-65233-21403170/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:55:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/former-travel-west-midlands-chief-joins-calls-to-scrap-cosmetic-new-street-scheme-65233-21403170/ The refurbishment of New Street station should be derailed according to a former chairman of Travel West Midlands. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/birmingham-binmen-to-have-job-name-change-in-council-overhaul-65233-21403134/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:50:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/birmingham-binmen-to-have-job-name-change-in-council-overhaul-65233-21403134/ Birmingham binmen will be renamed refuse and recycling collection officers and given a new role as the frontline eyes and ears of the city council. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/regeneration-experts-say-birmingham-must-be-improved-65233-21403155/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:47:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/regeneration-experts-say-birmingham-must-be-improved-65233-21403155/ Birmingham needs an improved inner-city transport system to tie together disparate development projects, top regeneration experts have said. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/committee-finds-post-offices-are-subsidising-mail-65233-21403092/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:33:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/committee-finds-post-offices-are-subsidising-mail-65233-21403092/ Claims that post offices must close because they are losing money were thrown into doubt today after a Commons committee revealed they were actually subsidising other services. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/thousands-of-fans-snap-up-aston-villa-s-new-charity-shirt-65233-21403135/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:53:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/thousands-of-fans-snap-up-aston-villa-s-new-charity-shirt-65233-21403135/ Aston Villa’s unique new replica home shirts, which endorse a charity for the very first time, have gone on sale with fans clamouring to don the famous claret and blue strip. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/birmingham-mps-attack-plan-to-ban-second-jobs-for-politicians-65233-21403076/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:19:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/birmingham-mps-attack-plan-to-ban-second-jobs-for-politicians-65233-21403076/ Birmingham MPs have criticised proposals to ban them from having second jobs. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/mother-teenage-leukaemia-victim-donates-50-000-to-charity-65233-21403028/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:58:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/24/mother-teenage-leukaemia-victim-donates-50-000-to-charity-65233-21403028/ A Midland mother whose “incredibly healthy” teenage daughter died three weeks’ after doctors diagnosed her with leukaemia has kick-started a £1 million Teenage Cancer Trust appeal with a £50,000 donation. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/jaguar-land-rover-boss-targets-india-as-key-market-65233-21393744/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:59:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/jaguar-land-rover-boss-targets-india-as-key-market-65233-21393744/ Jaguar Land Rover is setting its sights on expanding into India following its acquisition by Tata Motors in June. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/250m-plan-for-new-birmingham-polyclinics-divides-opinion-65233-21393688/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:52:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/250m-plan-for-new-birmingham-polyclinics-divides-opinion-65233-21393688/ Plans for three ‘polyclinics’ in Birmingham have divided the city’s health watchdog, which had failed to approve proposals tabled by the city’s primary care trusts. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/eco-town-residents-to-pay-service-charge-65233-21393633/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:27:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/eco-town-residents-to-pay-service-charge-65233-21393633/ Residents of the proposed Middle Quinton eco-town in south Warwickshire would have to pay an annual service charge, as much as £500, for management costs, maintenance and the provision of services such as waste disposal and heating. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/council-chief-blames-press-for-invoice-hell-65233-21393630/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:23:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator/2008/07/23/council-chief-blames-press-for-invoice-hell-65233-21393630/ The failure of an electronic payment system at Birmingham City Council which led to bailiffs demanding payment from the local authority is being blamed on the media.