Birmingham Mail - Latest

National News: Stars to sing at Whitney's funeral

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:05:33 GMT

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at a private funeral for Whitney Houston on Saturday, in what promises to be a very musical service.

National News: Nazis succeeded in fake notes plan

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:29 GMT

Nazi forgers succeeded in flooding Europe with fake British bank notes, "destroying" confidence in the UK currency, according to secret MI5 files.

National News: UK and France to sign nuclear deal

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:28 GMT

Britain and France are to sign a landmark agreement to co-operate on civil nuclear energy, paving the way for the construction of a new generation of power plants in the UK.

National News: 14 chain shops 'close every day'

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:28 GMT

An average of 14 town centre shops a day were shut by store chains last year as shoppers increasingly desert high streets for online and out-of-town retailers, new figures show.

National News: Paediatricians condemn Health Bill

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:27 GMT

More than 150 paediatricians are calling on the Government to scrap its controversial Health Bill, saying it will have an "extremely damaging effect" on the health of children.

National News: Force fears over young offenders

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:27 GMT

The use of force in a young offender institution has increased almost 10-fold in just 17 months, inspectors have said.

National News: Hague: Syrian leader should quit

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:05:26 GMT

Foreign Secretary William Hague has called on Syria's president Bashar Assad to allow a peaceful political transition in his country, following an overwhelming vote in the United Nations condemning human rights violations by his regime.

National Sport: O'Sullivan getting back to his best

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:45:18 GMT

Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted part of him had looked forward to dropping out of the top 16 after continuing his impressive upturn in form by knocking home favourite Mark Williams out of the 888 Welsh Open.

National Sport: Potters left with mountain to climb

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:45:17 GMT

Stoke will have to win in the Mestalla next week if their European adventure is to continue after Valencia claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash at the Britannia Stadium.

National Sport: Aguero nicks win for City

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:45:16 GMT

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to hand Manchester City a 2-1 advantage in their Europa League tie against Porto.

National News: UN General Assembly condemns Syria

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:05:16 GMT

The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution backing an Arab League plan that calls for Syria's president to step down and strongly condemns human rights violations by his regime.

National News: Aretha to sing at Whitney's funeral

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:05:16 GMT

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at the private funeral for Whitney Houston on Saturday in what promises to be a very musical service.

National News: Underwear bomber jailed for life

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:05:16 GMT

A Nigerian who tried to blow up an international flight near Detroit on behalf of al Qaida has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

National Sport: Young and Hernandez put Reds on top

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:45:14 GMT

Second-half goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez allowed Manchester United to take a giant stride towards the Europa League last 16 in Amsterdam following their 2-0 win over Ajax.

National News: I'll treasure my CBE, says Corbett

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:18 GMT

Comedian Ronnie Corbett has spoken of his delight at receiving the CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

National News: MMR row doctor decision 'fair'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:17 GMT

The decision to strike off an eminent doctor over the MMR jab controversy has been defended at the High Court as "just and fair - not wrong".

National News: Strike ballot challenge dismissed

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:17 GMT

A legal challenge by a leading construction firm against a strike ballot in a long-running row over pay and conditions has been dismissed.

National News: Ailing Rangers 'attracts interest'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:16 GMT

Rangers' administrators have received "several expressions of interest from parties not connected to the club" since taking over the running of the Scottish league champions.

National News: Judge jails 'evil' killer for life

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:16 GMT

A judge has said he was close to tears as he jailed a murderer who he branded "cold-blooded" and "evil beyond belief" for a brutal hammer and knife attack on an elderly couple in their own home.

National News: Cameron urges voters to keep Union

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:05:15 GMT

David Cameron has defended the political union between Scotland and England, urging voters north of the border to reject independence in exchange for more powers.

Rock & Pop: HE was billed as the singing painter and decorator but Matt Cardle admits that wasn’t the worst job he had while struggling to make it as a musician.

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

“I was a Santa at a shopping outlet near where I lived. I was only 18 at the time but they stuck a beard on me and these kids were only two, so they didn’t know any better.

Motoring: TOUGH on the outside soft on the inside.

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

That’s Ford’s all new Ranger Double Cab, a vehicle designed to be just as at home on the road as off road.

Food & Drink: Pub Grub: The Bull, 1 Price Street, Birmingham B4 6JU. Tel 0121 333 6757. Verdict: ****

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

JUDGING by the hourly volume of traffic heading out of Birmingham on the A38 Queensway towards the M6, The Bull is probably one of the most visible pubs in the city.

Food & Drink: Cheap as Chips: Frydays, 2 Wallace Road, Pershore Road, Selly Park B29 7ND: ***

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

I HAD two phone calls while I was in this shop – both from my wife outside in the car wondering why it was taking so long (14 minutes!) for chips.

Birmingham Comedy: Is comedian Josh Widdicombe the new Jerry Seinfeld?

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

JUST four years on from his stand-up debut, rising star Josh Widdicombe has already performed in some of the UK’s biggest venues.

Theatre in Birmingham: Duo indulge in Dirty Dancing

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

PAUL-Michael Jones credits actor Patrick Swayze with making dancing cool. So it was no surprise that he was eager to take up the role Patrick made famous in the film Dirty Dancing.

National News: EU seeks to defuse Greek debt row

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:05:17 GMT

The EU has sought to defuse the row between Greece and some eurozone countries over its bailout bid.

National News: Death blaze prisoners 'not charged'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:05:17 GMT

Many of the prisoners in a Honduran jail where fire killed more than 350 inmates had never been charged, let alone convicted, according to a Honduran government report.

National News: Iran trio 'targeted Israel envoys'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:05:16 GMT

Three Iranians detained after accidentally setting off explosives in Bangkok were planning to attack Israeli diplomats, Thailand's top policeman says. It was the first confirmation by local officials that the group was plotting attacks in Thailand.

National News: Gunmen free 118 from Nigeria jail

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:05:16 GMT

Armed attackers have stormed a federal prison in Nigeria, killing one guard and freeing 118 inmates in a new assault demonstrating the instability in the nation.

National News: Parties 'interested' in Rangers

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:05:18 GMT

Rangers' administrators have received "several expressions of interest from parties not connected to the club" since taking over the running of the Scottish league champions.

National News: Teenager faces jail for riot attack

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:05:17 GMT

A teenager is facing jail for attacking a Malaysian student in an "exceptional" act of violence during the summer riots.

National News: Tribute paid to teenage stab victim

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:05:16 GMT

The parents of a 13-year-old girl who died after being stabbed have paid tribute to her as "the most beautiful, intelligent and bright young girl".

Birmingham News: Birmingham snowboarder Sara Baker faces £50,000 medical bill after breaking back in Canadian snowboarding accident

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

A BIRMINGHAM promotions girl is facing a £50,000 medical bill after breaking her back in a horror snowboarding accident in Canada.

National Sport: AVB boasts "trust" of Abramovich

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:45:16 GMT

Andre Villas-Boas has insisted it did not matter if some of Chelsea's players had turned against him because he still had the backing of the only man who matters.

National Sport: Redknapp open to part-time role

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:45:15 GMT

Harry Redknapp would be open to the idea of managing England at Euro 2012 this summer while remaining in charge of Tottenham.

Birmingham News: Need to Read: Top five most read stories on Birminghammail.net

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:32:00 GMT

Need to read: The top five most read stories on Birminghammail.net today

National News: No assurances offered over Qatada

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:05:16 GMT

A Jordanian prince has refused to give assurances over whether radical cleric Abu Qatada would get a fair trial if he were deported to Jordan.

National News: No movement in independence talks

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:05:15 GMT

Prime Minister David Cameron said he had made little progress in talks with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond over a referendum on independence.

National Sport: Casey out of Match Play competition

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:45:15 GMT

England's Paul Casey is out of next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, but hopes to have recovered from his dislocated shoulder in time for the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami on March 8-11.

National Sport: 'Plastic' pitches could return

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:45:14 GMT

Artificial pitches could make a return to English football after club chairmen voted to hold a formal consultation on the controversial surfaces.

National Sport: I haven't applied - Mallinder

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:45:15 GMT

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

Birmingham News: Congo protest: Hundreds march through Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

PROTESTERS have vowed to continue to march through Birmingham until the British government moves to end the unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

National News: Whitney Houston funeral to be streamed live on internet

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMT

WHITNEY Houston's funeral is to be streamed live on the internet.

National News: Implant clinics 'referring to NHS'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:05:17 GMT

Some private clinics at the centre of the breast implant scandal are claiming they do not have "the skills" to treat affected patients, experts have warned.

National News: Reject referendum 'for more powers'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:05:14 GMT

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to consider more powers for Scotland if voters reject independence in a referendum.

National Sport: We must learn lessons - Vermaelen

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:45:15 GMT

Defender Thomas Vermaelen has urged Arsenal to put their San Siro nightmare behind them if they are to get the season back on track with FA Cup victory at Sunderland.

Birmingham News: Birmingham-born Bollywood actress back home after being crowned Miss India UK

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:30:00 GMT

BIRMINGHAM-born model and Bollywood actress Deanna Uppal was back on her home patch just days after being crowned Miss India UK.

National News: Rangers staff 'not cut immediately'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:19 GMT

Administrators for Rangers Football Club have said "no immediate cuts" will be made to playing staff before it meets the players.

National News: Nestle spends £500m on UK growth

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:19 GMT

Kit Kat-to-Yorkie firm Nestle has promised £500 million of investment in its UK operation as it looks to build on a "strong year" in 2011.

National News: Banks 'must change or be broken up'

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:18 GMT

The banking sector may be broken up unless it shows a "step-change" in competition, the head of the Office of Fair Trading has said.

National News: Let's stay together, says Cameron

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:17 GMT

David Cameron has said his "hope and wish" is that Scots would vote to stay in the United Kingdom.

Weird World: World's biggest rope swing, ghostly goings-on, goats with accents, and a heart attack at the Heart Attack Grill

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:14:00 GMT

THERE'S a world of weirdness out there if you know where to look - and the internet is a great place to start. Here's our round-up of the wackiest stories on the web today.

National News: Extradition date for retired Briton

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:05:16 GMT

A retired British businessman who has failed in his appeals over extradition will be sent to the United States on Friday next week, his lawyer has said.

Wolves FC News: Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer rumour updates: Daily updates on the latest rumours

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:15:00 GMT

The transfer window is once again open - and on this page we'll keep you updated with the latest transfer rumours and gossip as they emerge across the internet.

Latest Features: Bobbies on the Beat: Simple tips to keep Birmingham student community safe

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:49:00 GMT

RANKED in the top ten of the most popular universities in the country by graduate employers, the University of Birmingham is home to around 24,500 students who flock to study here from across the globe.

CrimeFiles: Caught on Camera: British Transport Police need help to trace this woman

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:45:00 GMT

RAIL police probing the theft of luggage from a train in Birmingham have appealed for the public’s help to trace a woman they want to question.

West Brom News: West Brom transfer rumour updates: Daily updates on the latest rumours

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

A daily dose of West Brom rumours

CrimeFiles: Caught on Camera: Birmingham police hunt Erdington bus stop robbers

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:40:00 GMT

DETECTIVES have released CCTV images of three men they want to trace over a robbery in Birmingham.

Latest Features: Casebook: Memoirs from the hangman's noose

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:19:00 GMT

The dark history of the hangman's noose looms large over Birmingham’s Winson Green Prison. Crime Files delves into the archives to look at some of those to meet their end at the gallows.

Birmingham News: Birmingham Christian charity faces probe over alleged disappearance of hundreds of thousands of pounds

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

A WATCHDOG is investigating the alleged disappearance of hundreds of thousands of pounds from a Birmingham-based Christian charity.

Birmingham News: Police cuts will not hit crime fight, vows West Midlands chief constable Chris Sims

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

POLICE chiefs have identified all of the cuts needed to meet the budget cuts imposed by the Government’s austerity drive, the region’s top cop has said.

Latest Features: Behind The Headlines: Education is the key to tackling drugs in Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:13:00 GMT

TACKLING the scourge of drugs blighting a Birmingham community takes more than simply arresting dealers, police have admitted.

National News: Pay call over Whitehall tax issue

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:05:17 GMT

Whitehall mandarins must be paid more to put an end to secretive deals that enable them to avoid paying tax, it has been claimed.

Birmingham News: Killer of Birmingham soldier Mark Quinsey launches appeal bid

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

THE IRA dissident jailed for murdering Birmingham solider Mark Quinsey has launched a legal bid to quash his conviction.

Birmingham News: Police vow to support victims of pervert nursery worker Paul Anthony Wilson after his sentence is cut

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:46:00 GMT

POLICE said they were continuing to support the victims of a nursery worker who filmed himself raping a young girl in his care after he had his sentence cut.

Birmingham News: Aston Villa legend Abert Evans's medals set to net £6,000 in Jewellery Quarter auction

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A UNIQUE set of football medals belonging to an Aston Villa star of yesteryear are expected to fetch up to £6,000 when they go under the hammer.

Birmingham City News: Birmingham City: Fascinating glimpse into matchday routine

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:11:00 GMT

If you haven't seen the quite brilliant Man City matchday webcam then you really should. Here's the entry from the 2-0 defeat of Birmingham City in the Carling Cup.

Birmingham News: Thousands more join West Midlands dole queue

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

ANOTHER 4,000 people joined the dole queues in the West Midlands last month as the UK’s jobless rate rose to a 16-year high.

Birmingham News: £128m Birmingham Midland Metro extension from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station set to create 1,300 jobs gets go-ahead

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:09:00 GMT

BUILDING is set to begin on a long-waited metro scheme in the heart of the city centre after the Government gave the project the final green light.

Aston Villa FC news: The Dave Ismay Column: Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp would face a new trial at Euros

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:07:00 GMT

DURING the last three weeks the life, times and traits of Henry James Redknapp have been stripped bare, analysed and restored with much glowing adulation from the media and suitable supportive acclaim from the public.

Birmingham News: Birmingham Mail front page, Thursday, February 16, 2012

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

HERE is the front page of today's Birmingham Mail, with 500+ jobs inside

Birmingham News: Fundraising for Sense at Carters of Moseley