Sep 05 2008 | National News
Rachel Rice has won the ninth series of Big Brother, walking away with the £100,000 prize. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A British Army soldier killed in Afghanistan had spoken of hopes of bringing peace to the war-torn country. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Labour has agreed to pay back £15,000 it received from a children's charity after a report found that charity law had been breached. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Britons has felt the brunt of the autumn's first major storm with torrential rain and high winds causing flooding and widespread chaos. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The UK's biggest companies have slid to more stock market losses in the worst week for the FTSE 100 Index for more than six years. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Teachers are to vote again on strike action in an ongoing dispute over pay. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Ministers have denied caving in to the energy companies after Gordon Brown ruled out one-off payments to help families struggling to pay soaring energy bills. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The UK has been lashed by torrential rain and gale-force winds as the first major storm of the autumn caused widespread chaos. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Two teenagers have been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a 14-year-old schoolboy stabbed while sitting on a bench outside his home. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A stunt in which free petrol was given away to promote a new computer game has been criticised as "irresponsible and downright dangerous". Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A goalkeeper who blackmailed a top Premier League footballer over a sex video has been jailed for 20 months. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has launched a bid to appeal against his sentence, his solicitor said. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment, a court heard. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Drivers gained some respite from the recent hikes in fuel prices after a garage decided to give away free petrol. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old schoolboy stabbed while sitting on a bench outside his home, police said. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The British Army soldier killed in Afghanistan had spoken of his hopes of bringing peace to the wartorn country, it emerged. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A typical trolley of food has risen in price by 8.3% since the beginning of the year, according to research. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
John McCain urged Americans to fight for their country, to make history, and to rid Washington of its "constant partisan rancour" as he accepted the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A cashier felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end after discovering a deadly South American banana spider nestling in a bunch of bananas. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
More than half of parents are continuing to help their adult children meet day-to-day living costs, a survey shows. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The mother of Shannon Matthews and a 39-year-old man are to appear in court later to enter pleas in connection with the alleged abduction of the youngster. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
National curriculum exams should be scrapped in favour of new functional skills tests, a teachers' leader has said. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Olympic cycling hero Chris Hoy has said he feels politicians have tried to "cash in" on his success in Beijing. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Radio presenters - including BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles - widely encourage drinking, according to a Government-funded study. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Most Britons believe the Government is incapable of managing the 2012 Olympics, according to a new survey. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
A British soldier killed while on patrol in southern Afghanistan is expected to be named later. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
Pressure for a windfall tax on the energy companies has intensified with the disclosure that the biggest suppliers increased their dividend pay-outs to shareholders by £257 million last year. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National News
The decision to rule out cash handouts for households struggling with soaring fuel bills has been blasted by unions as a "downright disgrace". Read
Sep 05 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
THE Gareth Barry saga never deflected Villa away from the need to strengthen the squad, insisted Martin O’Neill. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
MARTIN O’Neill says an acceptance that Villa could not reproduce Everton’s exploits at home and abroad last year with a depleted squad convinced Randy Lerner and himself to instigate a huge summer rebuild. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
MARTIN O’Neill is predicting an open Premier League campaign at both ends of the table. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
VILLA manager Martin O’Neill believes his £35 million summer rebuild has given him his strongest squad in his two years at the club. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
RANDY Lerner is proving Villa are no longer a selling club by handing out lucrative new contracts to the players Martin O’Neill’s deems too precious to lose. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Moseley RFC
MOSELEY head off for cash-strapped Newbury tomorrow hoping to kick-start their National One campaign after a disappointing start last week against London Welsh at Billesley Common, losing 15-9 after gifting their full-time visitors two sloppy tries. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
BRIAN Eastick has applauded Blues for bringing Jordon Mutch through and making him the club's second youngest player ever. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
KRYSTIAN Pearce has done the right thing by joining Scunthorpe United on loan, says his England coach. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
BLUES chances of attracting the kind of investment that is set to turn Manchester City into a football superpower is slim. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
MEHDI Nafti should be available for Blues’ next game, a week on Saturday. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
BLUES are ‘looking good’ to emulate the promotion success of 2006-07, according to Colin Doyle. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
COLIN Doyle has been ruled out of action for a fortnight – which came as a relief. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Birmingham City News
ALEX McLeish has admitted that he wasn’t prepared to purchase – or rather loan – in haste and repent at leisure when it came to transfer deadline signings. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
ALBION’s search for new investment during the summer was put into perspective this week when the Abu Dhabi Group bank-rolled their way into Manchester City. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
BORJA Valero admits that he was embarrassed to be presented to the Real Mallorca fans before the start of the La Liga season – because he knew that he would be leaving the club. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
THESE days it wouldn’t surprise you to hear Tony Mowbray eulogising about Total Football in a ‘Shhhteve’ McClaren accent. Possibly whilst wearing clogs. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
SCOTT Carson intends to force his way back into the England squad by impressing with Albion. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
NEVER mind a new striker – an interpreter or two wouldn’t go amiss at Albion’s training ground these days. Read
Sep 05 2008 | West Brom News
GIANNI Zuiverloon believes his move to Albion will boost his chances of winning a first senior call-up for Holland. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Worcestershire CCC
WARWICKSHIRE have lost 948 overs – almost 10 full days of championship cricket – to rain this season after a complete wash-out at New Road yesterday. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Stourbridge RFC
IF STOURBRIDGE are to go one better than last time they will need to gain one of the promotion berths at the end of another season in National Two. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Club Cricket
WALSALL could make it three Birmingham League titles in a row tomorrow when they take on doomed Shifnal. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Club Cricket
OLTON & West Warwicks will face Walmley in the final of the inaugural Bill Lloyd Trophy on the main ground at Edgbaston next Tuesday. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Non-League
DEAN EDWARDS made it clear his table-topping Hednesford Town players will have to be selfless, rather than selfish, after the shock exit of Ludovic Quistin. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Non-League
MATTHEW Barnes-Homer bagged his third goal of the season to defeat Torquay United and extend Kidderminster’s unbeaten run to four games. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Non-League
CHRIS KEOGH insists he will not press any panic button despite admitting Sutton Coldfield Town’s FA Cup exit was the lowest point in his time as Royals manager. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Non-League
TAMWORTH will relish the chance to measure their improving form against one of the perennial play-off contenders tomorrow in the Blue Square North match of the day. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Non-League
NEWEST recruit James Russell is “champing at the bit” to make his debut for Halesowen Town against Mangotsfield. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Boxing
WALSALL’S Matty Hough was stopped in the fifth round by Bristol’s talented prospect Danny Butler on Ricky Hatton’s first promotion at the Birmingham Tower Ballroom last night. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Double-chasing St Helens came from behind to secure a 16-16 draw in their last match of the regular season and clinch top spot in the engage Super League for a fourth year in a row. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned Donington Park's owners he has a number of options open to him should they fail to fulfil their British Grand Prix contract. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Amir Khan believes predictions of a four-round knockout to Breidis Prescott simply highlight the one-dimensional gameplan of his Colombian challenger. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Adrian Mutu has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA's order to pay 17.17million euros (£13.84million) compensation to Chelsea. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will serve a minimum six-match ban and has been fined £25,000 by the Football Association for his attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo last May. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Andrew Flintoff is convinced the dark days of his career have helped him develop into an improved cricketer who is better equipped than ever to aid England's development as a Test and one-day side. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will serve a minimum six-match ban and has been fined £25,000 by the Football Association for his attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo last May. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Jonny Wilkinson's hopes of making an immediate start to the Guinness Premiership campaign have been dashed. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Mark Hughes has promised Manchester City's long-suffering fans he will not squander the opportunity to turn the club into European giants. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Castleford have signed their former captain Ryan Hudson from Huddersfield on a four-year deal. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Frank Warren is looking forward to seeing the new, improved Amir Khan when he defends his WBO Intercontinental lightweight title against Breidis Prescott at Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday night. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Slaven Bilic appears to have ruled himself out of the running for the West Ham vacancy after committing his future to Croatia until 2010 at least. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
David Bentley believes England players owe their fans after failing to qualify for Euro 2008 - and he wants to start paying them back with performances against Andorra and Croatia. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has urged the Football Association to be lenient with Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton when he appears before a disciplinary panel on Friday. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Matt Prior is favourite to reclaim the wicketkeeping position in England's Test side following his impressive displays during the NatWest Series rout of South Africa. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Andy Murray is relishing his return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for Saturday's US Open semi-final showdown with world number one Rafael Nadal. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Ryan Giggs has admitted English football may have to start talking about the big five rather than its traditional big four. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has insisted he is happy with his squad despite seeing the club miss out on Robinho as the transfer window closed. Read
Sep 05 2008 | National Sport
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is going back to the drawing board with his dream for the club in tatters in the wake of Kevin Keegan's resignation. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Wolves FC News
JEZ Moxey believes Wolves can be well-satisfied with their transactions on transfer deadline day after the arrival of Jason Shackell, Matt Hill and George Friend took Mick McCarthy’s recruits to seven since the end of last season. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Wolves FC News
MICK McCarthy is confident that the squad now at his disposal has the depth of quality required to deliver a genuine promotion challenge. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Wolves FC News
MATT Hill admits he will feel a few nerves as he settles in at Wolves after arriving from Championship rivals Preston North End. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Wolves FC News
MANAGER-of-the-month Mick McCarthy believes his buoyant Wolves side face a string of tough challenges when they return to action after this weekend’s international break. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Wolves FC News
NEW Wolves signing George Friend has been backed to force himself into the first-team picture at Molineux “in a very short space of time”. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Bees RFC
BACK-row Russell Earnshaw has become such a major influence at Sharmans Cross Road that it is hard to believe this will be his first season in charge as he prepares his side for their first venture into National Two with a daunting trip to Redruth tomorrow. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
FIRST-time writer-director Ali Selim adapts Will Weaver’s short story A Gravestone Made Of Wheat, a love story illuminating the immigrant experience in post-World War I America. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
The Birmingham Mail's review of the new Guy Ritchie film. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
HONG Kong filmmakers Oxide and Danny Pang remake their own ultra-stylish yet predictable 1999 action-thriller. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
BACK in 1997, Mel Smith directed Rowan Atkinson in Bean - The Ultimate Disaster Movie. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
Graham Young's review of the film starring Keira Knightley as Georgiana Spencer, The Duchess of Devonshire. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
MONTHS of being sewn in and out of 18th century corsets have clearly taken their toll on Keira Knightley. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Film Reviews
DIRECTOR: Siddharth Anand Read
Sep 05 2008 | Classical - Folk - Jazz
ONE of the greatest strengths of the Birmingham jazz scene is the remarkable number of long running Big Bands that week in, week out, provide top quality entertainment across the region. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A BIRMINGHAM woman who was left homeless after escaping a forced marriage is hoping her charity will help save others from the same fate. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
PRESENTERS on two Midland radio stations have been blasted for encouraging drinking, according to a Government-funded study today. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A HEAD teacher in Birmingham is urging others to follow in her footsteps by going on a mission to Africa. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
FESTIVAL fans will be swapping muddy fields for city streets as ArtsFest returns to Birmingham. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
CITY clamping firms are abusive, aggressive and employing underhand tactics in Digbeth, according to bosses at a famous Birmingham discount store battling to protect its customers. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
FORGET Birmingham’s famous Mr Rainmaker – what the city really needs now is for someone to stop the torrential downpours.Birmingham is set to be awash with umbrellas this weekend as the awful September weather continues. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
ANYONE wanting to buy a house in a proposed Midland eco-town will be offered lessons on how to adopt a green lifestyle, developers behind the Middle Quinton scheme in south Warwickshire revealed. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A MIDLAND hospital worker responsible for ensuring patients were safe during operations has been struck off after he failed to tell bosses he had a prison sentence for deception. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
THE devastated family of a nurse who died in a road accident today paid tribute to their “shining star”. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
WITH times getting tighter, good causes across the city are being invited to put in a plea for a share of a Money Give Away being run by a community radio station and Barclays Bank. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
WITH times getting tighter, good causes across the city are being invited to put in a plea for a share of a Money Give Away being run by a community radio station and Barclays Bank. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
MORE than 1,000 people have responded to a campaign for world heritage status to be bestowed on Birmingham’s Bournville village. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
COUNCIL chiefs were left red-faced today after admitting that roadside signs directing drivers to the Cathedral Church of St Philip had been mis-spelt. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A RESIDENTIAL social worker at a children’s home in Birmingham allegedly carried out a campaign of sexual abuse against boys living there for 13 years, a court was told. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
THE world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, could be warming up for the London Olympics in Birmingham under plans being drawn up by city sports chiefs. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
FOUR Birmingham Mail readers will come face-to-face with the Prime Minister in a once-in-life-time opportunity to have their say on the future of Britain. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A BID to rebrand Birmingham as a university city backed by a major national cinema advertising campaign was being launched today. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A BIRMINGHAM man was due in court today charged with manslaughter after a construction worker was punched in the street. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A MAN was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack in a house in Birmingham. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A TODDLER who died after plunging more than 30ft from the fourth floor of a London tower block was from Birmingham, it emerged today. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
A MAN has appeared in court charged in connection with a tower block shooting in Birmingham that left a man fighting for life. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Top Stories
ENGLAND test cricketer Monty Panesar became Jaguar’s latest “Brand Champion” when he was handed the keys to a new XKR sports car. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Colin Whittock Cartoons
"After this summer, I think everyone has bought a boat instead!" Read
Sep 05 2008 | Maureen Messent
WE’RE accustomed to individual Britons being in denial, unwilling and unable to face facts. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Walsall FC News
JIMMY Mullen believes he could have a future Premier League star on his hands in Ishmel Demontagnac. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Walsall FC News
THERE is an hedonistic element at the minor celeb end of professional football who make debauchery appear quite restrained and give the entire profession a bad name. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Walsall FC News
WALSALL head into tomorrow’s clash with Leyton Orient at the Banks’s Stadium hoping to turn the club’s bostin’ Black Country Fun Day into a party after hitting some sort of form last week with a 5-2 thumping of Southend. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Warwickshire CCC
ASHLEY Giles today insisted his Warwickshire side will always attempt to play entertaining cricket – but not at the expense of losing games. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
IT’S a pleasure to know that after my holiday travels I can come back home to discover places new to me in Birmingham. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
JUST when I was arriving at a side exit to this park, a woman was literally being towed out by two such muscular dogs they seemed keen to replace the horses in a remake of Ben Hur. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
THE Land of Lost Content is such a brilliant day out you might think you've died and gone to heaven. Read
Sep 05 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM Museum and Art Gallery's Collection Centre will unlock its doors for another occasional Open Day tomorrow. Read