Oct
2008
Articles from 31st Oct 2008
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SAS chief quits in equipment row
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The SAS commander in Afghanistan has resigned it has been disclosed, amid fresh controversy over the equipment available to British troops fighting the Taliban. Read
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Probe calls over Icelandic crisis
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The Government is facing calls for an investigation following claims that the UK authorities knew as early as April that the Icelandic banking system was in trouble - six months before its catastrophic collapse. Read
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FTSE suffers worst month since 1987
Oct 31 2008 | National News
London's leading share index has suffered its second worst October ever, despite closing with a 12.7% surge over the week. Read
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Referendum on congestion charge
Oct 31 2008 | National News
A referendum on a congestion charge in Greater Manchester is to go ahead after "sweetners" were approved at a crucial meeting. Read
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Woman charged with terror offence
Oct 31 2008 | National News
A woman has been charged with a terror offence, two weeks after police raided addresses in Manchester and Holland. Read
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Lloyds TSB-HBOS merger plan cleared
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The Government has given Lloyds TSB's planned merger with HBOS the green light after overruling competition concerns raised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Read
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Ross quits ITV comedy awards role
Oct 31 2008 | National News
Jonathan Ross has stepped down from presenting the 2008 British Comedy Awards, ITV has announced. Read
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1m OAPs given wrong benefit payment
Oct 31 2008 | National News
One in three pensioners are being given the wrong benefit payments, the Government has admitted. Read
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Miliband flies to crisis-hit Congo
Oct 31 2008 | National News
Foreign Secretary David Miliband was flying to the Democratic Republic of Congo as fierce fighting rages between the African nation's government and rebel forces, the Foreign Office confirmed. Read
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Brown plans 'will force up taxes'
Oct 31 2008 | National News
Gordon Brown's plans to "spend his way out of recession" risk deepening the downturn and saddling future generations of Britons with massive tax hikes, shadow chancellor George Osborne warned. Read
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PM urges faster petrol prices drop
Oct 31 2008 | National News
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the price of petrol at the pumps should be coming down faster. Read
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Man City owner's £5bn bank lifeline
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The billionaire Abu Dhabi sheikh who bought football club Manchester City two months ago is set to pump up to £5 billion into Barclays. Read
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£7bn Middle East boost for Barclays
Oct 31 2008 | National News
Banking giant Barclays said Middle Eastern investors were pumping up to £7.3 billion into the business. Read
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Bank row as Brown visits Glenrothes
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The Prime Minister is making his second campaign visit to the Glenrothes by-election, on which bookies have cut the odds against a Labour win. Read
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HBOS to miss out as jobs move south
Oct 31 2008 | National News
HBOS executives will miss out on most of the top jobs when Lloyds TSB completes its takeover of Scotland's oldest bank, it has been revealed. Read
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'Last chance' BBC warns banned Ross
Oct 31 2008 | National News
The BBC is hoping that a three-month ban for star presenter Jonathan Ross and the resignation of Radio 2's boss will draw a line under the obscene phone calls furore. Read
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I'd like to see Old Firm in Premier League, says Martin O'Neill
Oct 31 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
MARTIN O’Neill admits he wants to see his former club Celtic playing against England’s finest in the Premier League. Read
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Martin O'Neill to Czech out UEFA Cup opponents
Oct 31 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
ASTON Villa boss Martin O’Neill has been put on Slavia Prague alert as his side prepare for their first UEFA Cup group clash on foreign soil. Read
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Martin O'Neill eyeing January transfer window business
Oct 31 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
VILLA boss Martin O’Neill is refusing to rule out the possibility of more big-money signings coming to the club in January – just as ‘godsends’ Ashley Young and John Carew did two years ago. Read
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Buzz is back at Aston Villa for Gareth Barry
Oct 31 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
GARETH Barry admits his on-off Liverpool saga is behind him and now he wants to prove Villa’s critics wrong. Read
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Martin O'Neill sweating on fitness of Stiliyan Petrov
Oct 31 2008 | Aston Villa FC news
ASTON Villa were today expecting to find out if Bulgaria midfielder Stiliyan Petrov will be fit to face Newcastle United. Read
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Moseley buoyed by Ollie Mitchell return
Oct 31 2008 | Moseley RFC
MOSELEY can console themselves with the fact they didn’t leave Cambourne completely empty-handed last week, having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Read
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Jared Wilson in the frame for Birmingham City
Oct 31 2008 | Birmingham City News
ROOKIE Jared Wilson is hoping he has given Alex McLeish something to think about following his assured debut. Read
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Birmingham City defence gives Alex McLeish a headache
Oct 31 2008 | Birmingham City News
BLUES will assess closely the fitness of Stephen Kelly ahead of the Coventry City match on Monday. Read
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West Bromwich Albion bust-up turned Jared Wilson Blue
Oct 31 2008 | Birmingham City News
JARED Wilson has revealed how a dispute with Albion saw his footballing career path switch to Blues. Read
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Clinton Morrison fired up for Birmingham City return
Oct 31 2008 | Birmingham City News
CLINTON Morrison returns to Blues on Monday banking on a good reception – but also intending to keep his goalscoring form going. Read
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Club and country for Robert Koren
Oct 31 2008 | West Brom News
ROBERT Koren believes skippering Slovenia will bring the best out of him at club level – even though the battle to reach the World Cup may split the Albion dressing room. Read
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Tony Mowbray reassures Dutch duo
Oct 31 2008 | West Brom News
RYAN Donk and Gianni Zuiverloon have been given reassurances ahead of tomorrow’s game. Read
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Mood still high at West Bromwich Albion, says Tony Mowbray
Oct 31 2008 | West Brom News
TONY Mowbray looked ahead to tomorrow’s game against Blackburn by insisting that no-one within his Albion squad was ‘depressed’ by their three successive defeats. Read
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Ishmael Miller has learned the hard way
Oct 31 2008 | West Brom News
TONY Mowbray believes Ishmael Miller has already become a better player thanks to his baptism from fire in the Premier League. Read
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Fairway Focus, with Peter Ricketts
Oct 31 2008 | Golf
THE year was 1954 and the ample figure of Bobby Locke, four times Open Champion, was striding the fairways of Little Aston like a king surveying his realm – and I followed in his wake among a large crowd of fellow worshippers. Read
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Stourbridge target another big win
Oct 31 2008 | Stourbridge RFC
STOURBRIDGE are looking for another bumper points haul tomorrow when they host Southend in National League Two. Read
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Evesham and Mark Hands enjoying the road to Wembley
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
IT’S not quite as short as Russell Brand’s Guide To Phone Call Etiquette but Mark Hands admits any tome featuring his FA Cup memories would never be a weighty best-seller. Read
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Nick Wright wins England C call-up
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
NICK Wright's start to the season has been recognised with a call-up to the England C stand-by squad. Read
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Mark Creighton looks on the bright side of life at Kidderminster Harriers
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
MARK Creighton is definitely a glass half full rather than half empty sort of guy. Read
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International heat is on for captain Chris Nurse
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
HALESOWEN Town’s new skipper Chris Nurse will swap the snowy chill of England for the heat of the Caribbean to pursue his international dream. Read
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Wayne Dyer lends Coleshill Town a helping hand
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
CARL Adams has utilised the old pals’ act to persuade World Cup player Wayne Dyer to join Coleshill Town’s mid-season revolution. Read
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BGB Premier - Halesowen Town chase leaders
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
HALESOWEN Town will be challenged to crank up the pressure on the early-season pacesetters when they visit Banbury United in the only fixture in the British Gas Business Premier tomorrow. Read
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Unibond League - Nathan Lamey on the mend
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
RUSHALL Olympic are optimistic top scorer Nathan Lamey will be fit to spearhead their attack in their away fixture at Grantham Town tomorrow. Read
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Blue Square - Harriers focus still on the league
Oct 31 2008 | Non-League
MARK Yates will put any FA Cup ambitions on hold to ensure Kidderminster Harriers remain in the thick of the promotion battle in the Blue Square North. Read
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Black Mamba hex on Don Broadhurst
Oct 31 2008 | Boxing
BIRMINGHAM'S Don Broadhurst will have to battle a witch doctor's curse when he takes on Ghana's Isaac Quaye. Read
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Cardiff through to semi-finals
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Cardiff Blues reached the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup but neither they nor Bath, who they beat 24-18, could really believe it. Read
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Tigers out despite win
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Leicester Tigers edged to a 30-20 victory over Sale Sharks but their hopes of winning Group B in the EDF Energy Cup bit the dust in the process. Read
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Hamilton struggles in Sao Paulo
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Lewis Hamilton was just ninth fastest after the first day's practice ahead of Sunday's title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix. Read
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Massa strikes first blow
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Title contenders Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton slugged it out in first practice ahead of Sunday's championship-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix. Read
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Sherwood to join Spurs staff
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Former Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood has confirmed he will join Harry Redknapp's coaching staff at White Hart Lane. Read
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Nalbandian halts Murray run
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Andy Murray's winning streak came to an end on Friday when he was beaten in straight sets by in-form defending champion David Nalbandian in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters. Read
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Anderson axed by England
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
James Anderson has been left out of England's $20million showdown with the Stanford Superstars on Saturday to accommodate Graeme Swann as a second spinner. Read
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Play abandoned at Valderrama
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Less than four hours' play was possible on the second day of the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama on Friday because of heavy rain. Read
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Santa Cruz out for Rovers
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to West Brom with a calf injury. Read
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Gatland aims to shock Boks
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Wales coach Warren Gatland is confident his side can upset world champions South Africa in Cardiff next week. Read
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Rose vows to battle on
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Justin Rose failed to break 80 for the second day running in wet and windy conditions at Valderrama - just before play had to be suspended. Read
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Australia fight back
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Battling half-centuries from Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey put Australia within striking distance of averting the follow-on in the third Border-Gavaskar Test against India in Delhi. Read
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Rafa urges Spurs fans to respect Keane
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called upon Tottenham fans to respect former star striker Robbie Keane when the league leaders visit White Hart Lane on Saturday. Read
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MP wants action over 'racist' website
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has been urged to make a formal protest to the Spanish government over the racist abuse of Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. Read
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Hayden and Katich thwart India
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Half-centuries from Simon Katich and Matthew Hayden helped get Australia off to a determined start on the third day of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India. Read
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Milan confirm Beckham deal
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
AC Milan have announced the loan signing of David Beckham from Los Angeles Galaxy. Read
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Riera senses increasing pressure
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Liverpool new boy Albert Riera knows the club's rise to the Barclays Premier League summit will bring growing pressure for the Anfield men. Read
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Gallas injury scuppers Wenger plan
Oct 31 2008 | National Sport
Arsene Wenger's problems at centre-back have been complicated by a hamstring injury to Arsenal skipper William Gallas ahead of Saturday's clash at Stoke. Read
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Mick McCarthy sticks to his guns
Oct 31 2008 | Wolves FC News
MICK McCarthy today restated his commitment to attacking football despite Wolves’ struggle to keep clean sheets. Read
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Karl Henry ready for a battle
Oct 31 2008 | Wolves FC News
SKIPPER Karl Henry has revealed Wolves’ players know Ninian Park could be a battlefield when they face buoyant Cardiff City tomorrow. Read
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Bees braced for Westcombe Park backlash
Oct 31 2008 | Bees RFC
BIRMINGHAM and Solihull boss Russell Earnshaw will be taking nothing for granted tomorrow when his side entertain whipping boys Westcombe Park at Sharmans Cross Road in National League Two. Read
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Squash - Edgbaston Priory go to University
Oct 31 2008 | Other sport
EDGBASTON Priory are planning to join forces with University Sport Birmingham to compete in the Premier Squash League next season. Read
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Learning the value of creative waiting
Oct 31 2008 | Faiths In Our City
THIS time of year is an interesting season for those of us who follow the Church calendar with its festivals, saints days and its rhythms of fasting and feasting. Read
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Never again!
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
DIRECTOR Marc Foster on why he would never accept a movie like Quantum Of Solace again. Read
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Bond in Brum?
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
DANIEL Craig discusses the fantastic locations of Quantum Of Solace and why there's no reason that Bond couldn't come to Brum! Read
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The star behind James Bond
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
DANIEL Craig speaks about his role as 007 and what he thinks the future holds for Bond now. Read
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I watched my Daniel win his Oscar on TV - I was on the edge of my seat
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
WHEN JILL Balcon introduced a screening of the 1949 movie classic Kind Hearts and Coronets at the New Street Odeon on Sunday, it was a moment for the whole audience to savour. Read
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Hunger (15)
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
TURNER Prize-winning artist Steve McQueen makes his narrative feature-film debut with this harrowing recreation of the hunger strikes of the early ‘80s in the Maze Prison. Read
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The Midnight Meat Train (18)
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
Ryuhei Kitamura directs this adaptation of horror maven Clive Barker’s short story. Read
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Heroes (12A)
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
Director: Samir Karnik Read
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Quantum Of Solace
Oct 31 2008 | Film Reviews
READ Birmingham Mail Film Editor Graham Young's review of the new Bond film and see the trailer. Read
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Ralph leads double bill
Oct 31 2008 | Classical - Folk - Jazz
MUSIC lovers are in for a rare treat when folk legend Ralph McTell and all-star covers band The Dylan Project team up for a gala double bill at Birmingham Town Hall tomorrow. Read
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Exclusions rise over violence
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
AN increasing number of children are being excluded from school for attacking other pupils, it was revealed today. Read
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City family admit neglecting horses
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A FAMILY of city farmers has been banned from keeping animals for life after inflicting months of suffering on two horses. Read
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Anger at bid for lapdancing club in Sutton Coldfield
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
LAPDANCING will soon be on the menu at a wine bar in leafy Sutton Coldfield if plans to open a racy joint can overcome outrage among locals. Read
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£100m debts boss death still a riddle
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A DISGRACED tycoon who sacked 130 Birmingham workers by text message suffered depression after his company folded with debts of £100 million, an inquest heard. Read
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Family take part in Santa Jog in memory of son
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
LACING up their trainers ahead of Birmingham’s Santa Jog, Cliff Cox and his family are preparing for an emotional journey. Read
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Tot 'lost nose and cheek in mauling'
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A MAN has pleaded guilty to losing control of two terrier dogs who mauled a three-year-old boy. Read
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Final bell sound at school
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
PARENTS have been left devastated after a small independent school in Birmingham described as “second to none” shut down. Read
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Hearing to rule over rejected homes plan
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held into plans to convert a former petrol station into homes. Read
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Petition to bring Take That to Birmingham
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A PETITION has been launched to persuade pop giants Take That to perform a U-turn and make an appearance in the Midlands during their 2009 UK Stadium Tour. Read
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Birmingham blogger has No.11 bus challenge for Brummies
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
ONE of Birmingham’s leading bloggers has a roundabout challenge for the people of the city. Read
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Extra clinic needs for expectant mums
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A BIRMINGHAM baby boom is stretching maternity wards to the brink, forcing health bosses to fork out cash for an overflow clinic. Read
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Runner completed 13 miles in Birmingham half marathon with broken leg
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A RUNNER in Birmingham’s first ever half marathon today told how he almost finished the race – without realising he had a broken leg. Read
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Delight at new face for suburb
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A BRIGHT new future for a run-down Birmingham suburb has been unveiled. Read
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Animal magic... in pink
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
STAFF at a wildlife attraction turned a pretty shade of pink to raise cash for a cancer charity. Read
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Schools 'fail on basics'
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
SCHOOLS are failing to teach basic skills because they are weighed down with initiatives and forced to focus on exam results, Birmingham residents told Gordon Brown and the Cabinet. Read
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Trudy, 100, parties on
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
Trudy Loveridge may have notched up a century, but she partied like a woman 80 years younger. Read
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37 years and still no clues
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A FORMER Birmingham Mail reporter has turned his talents to authorship by lifting the lid on one of the Midlands’ most baffling murder cases.Michael Posner, who spent more than 40 years as a court reporter before retiring recently, was intrigued by a macabre story which began in 1971 with the discovery of a naked trussed-up body found buried in a shallow grave in Staffordshire. Read
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Grenade scare in Tyseley garden
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A FATHER of two had a potentially explosive find when he hit a hand grenade as he dug up his back garden. Read
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Teenager dies in Chester Road smash
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A TEENAGER died and two others were seriously injured today when their van skidded and struck a tree in Birmingham. Read
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Restaurant tastes Brummie goodwill
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
BIRMINGHAM’S curry fans enjoyed a balti bargain when a restaurant marked its 20th anniversary with a fundraiser. Read
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Stage set for marriage plot
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A ROMANTIC Birmingham actor gave the performance of his life when he proposed to his girlfriend on stage. Read
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Final bell sound at school
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
PARENTS have been left devastated after a small independent school in Birmingham described as “second to none” shut down. Read
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Hearing to rule over rejected homes plan
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held into plans to convert a former petrol station into homes. Read
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George Cross for hero Matt Croucher
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
A ROYAL Marine from Birmingham who threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades said he was “honoured” to receive the George Cross from the Queen. Read
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Quantum of Solace premiere held in Birmingham
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
PLAYERS from Birmingham City, Villa and West Brom joined legendary 70s rocker Noddy Holder and news presenter Joanne Malin at Cineworld, in Broad Street, for the region’s first showing of the new Bond film. Read
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Wayne Rooney pumpkin made by sculptor
Oct 31 2008 | Top Stories
HE’S terrified enough opposition defences down the years and his new haircut is pretty scary...but now Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has been immortalised in a pumpkin. Read
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University targeting medals in English Cross Country Relays
Oct 31 2008 | Athletics
UNIVERSITY of Birmingham will be bidding to get among the medals at tomorrow’s English Cross Country Relays at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park. Read
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Extra maternity clinic needed
Oct 31 2008 | Colin Whittock Cartoons
"I'm sure you meant well and as we're overcrowded, want mother to wait until the last minute, but..." Read
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Why we have the celebs we deserve
Oct 31 2008 | Maureen Messent
LET’S not kid ourselves that the fate of the BBC’s two profaners will usher in an era of gentility and restraint. Read
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Deprived of a good tale
Oct 31 2008 | Maureen Messent
A QUARTER of all British children, it transpires, think that Christmas is Santa Claus’s birthday and that Easter celebrates the invention of chocolate. Read
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You gotta bare that soul to win
Oct 31 2008 | Maureen Messent
A DEFINING moment arrived on The X Factor when that dull, little shrimp Scott Bruton was booted out. Read
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You get what you pay for
Oct 31 2008 | Maureen Messent
LET us not get too excited over those £4.99 Lidl lobsters – a quick glance at their provenance reveals they were caught off Canada in the north west Atlantic then taken to France to be prepared. Read
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What price principles?
Oct 31 2008 | Maureen Messent
GARY McFarlane, a relationship counsellor, has joined those boring would-be martyrs by roaring that his Christian beliefs forbid him helping gay couples. Read
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Walsall desperate for a change in luck
Oct 31 2008 | Walsall FC News
WALSALL go into tomorrow’s game against Northampton with just one point from four games. Read
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Worcester Warriors are out of control
Oct 31 2008 | Worcester Warriors RFC
WORCESTER Warriors tackle Harlequins on Sunday knowing victory might not be enough to secure their place in the next stage of the EDF Energy Cup. Read
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Head for the hills to make a great discovery
Oct 31 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
AS MUCH as I love Birmingham, it’s always great to get out and about in the big outdoors. Read
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Walk In The Park: The Green, Castle Bromwich
Oct 31 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
I’VE always had a soft spot for the old village here, ever since a lovely local resident called Mark came to double glaze the entire front of our house. Read
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A village within the city - perfect
Oct 31 2008 | Things to do in Birmingham
I LOVE quaint little villages and it’s always a pleasure to chat to the locals, have a walk around the village and the pretty churchyard, taking in the ancient architecture and enjoying the peace and quiet. Read
