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National News: Archbishop takes on atheist Dawkins

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:05:17 GMT

The Archbishop of Canterbury and atheist Professor Richard Dawkins are set to go head to head to discuss man's greatest question.

Birmingham News: Mining union legend Arthur Scargill marks 40th anniversary of Birmingham's Battle of Saltley Gate

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:26:00 GMT

MINERS union legend Arthur Scargill rolled back the years to mark the 4Oth anniversary of Birmingham's historic Battle of Saltley Gate, when 30,000 engineers in the city walked out in support of striking pitworkers.

Special Features: Update your wardrobe for this spring – literally

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:19:00 GMT

With the cold weather almost over and spring soon to approach, now is the perfect time to start updating your wardrobe online or on the high street for the warmer months of the year!The fashion world has spoken, and this spring/summer it’s all about bold, bright, vivid colours, cheery pastels and expressive printed patterns. Graphic prints are also set to be big, so we can expect to see lots of photo-quality images on t-shirts and tops.In what’s being seen as a reaction to the grim economic climate, bright colours are going to be everywhere this summer, with stylistic nods to the 60s such as mod styling or block-coloured, airy maxi-dresses (and mini-dresses!) with white-rimmed, circular shades and silk scarves. Even if the weather lets us down, styles this spring and summer are certain to give us all a lift and put a smile on even the grumpiest face!But whilst you’re seeking that must-have item to update your wardrobe, why not literally do just that? Update your actual wardrobe? Year in, year out, people change their clothes and styles with the wind, yet their prized jackets and shoes sit in a rickety old flat-pack cupboard picked up in the discount aisle of a hardware store 15 years ago! Style needn’t stop with the contents, and with beautiful, high quality wardrobes becoming increasingly more affordable there’s no need to put up with the awful rattling of cheap wood on wood every time you pull out a dress to wear.There’s not even any need to drive out to the homeware store, because you can easily find a wardrobe in the UK online. With a quick search you’ll be able to find an array of wardrobes: from traditional, homely builds to more sleek, modern contemporary designs – you’ll feel all the more excited to wear your new summer purchases as you approach your brand new wardrobe.

National News: 450 jobs face axe in Comet review

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:05:19 GMT

Struggling electricals chain Comet is poised to cut 450 jobs in a drive for the "significant savings" needed to safeguard its future.

National News: Honeymooner added to murder accused

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:05:19 GMT

Shrien Dewani is to be added as the fourth accused in the case over the honeymoon murder of his bride Anni, a court has been told.

National News: Bracelet scheme for drink offenders

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:05:19 GMT

Criminals convicted of serious drink-related offences will be fitted with US-style "sobriety bracelets" to keep them dry under a new pilot scheme.

National News: Hunt goes on for soldiers' killers

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:05:18 GMT

Police have launched a fresh bid to catch the gunmen who killed two soldiers in Northern Ireland, as a terminally ill man convicted of trying to torch their getaway car was told he must serve a minimum of 25 years in jail.

National News: Damilola killer back in jail again

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:05:18 GMT

One of the killers of schoolboy Damilola Taylor has been recalled to jail for a second time just 16 days after being released, sources have said.

National News: 25 die as blasts hit Syria city

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:05:16 GMT

Twenty-five people have been killed and 175 wounded in two explosions that targeted security compounds in the northern city of Aleppo, Syrian media reports.

National News: Damilola Taylor killer Ricky Preddie recalled to prison just days after being released

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:52:00 GMT

ONE of schoolboy Damilola Taylor's killers, Ricky Preddie, has been recalled to jail for a second time just 16 days after being released.

Birmingham News: Brian Shivers sentenced to 25 years for murder of Birmingham soldier Mark Quinsey

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 GMT

A TERMINALLY-ILL man must serve a minimum of 25 years in jail for the murder of Sapper Mark Quinsey, from Birmingham, shot dead by dissident republicans in Northern Ireland, a judge ruled today.

National News: Atheist victory on council prayers

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:17 GMT

A test case bid to outlaw prayers before local council meetings has been won by the National Secular Society and an atheist councillor.

National News: 25 years for dying barracks killer

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:16 GMT

A terminally-ill man must serve a minimum of 25 years in jail for the murders of two soldiers shot dead by dissident republicans in Northern Ireland, a judge has ruled.

National News: Barclays pays bonuses amid anger

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:15 GMT

Barclays has handed out £1.5 billion in bonuses to investment bankers for last year, although the lender slashed the pot by 32% amid mounting pressure over the controversial payouts.

National News: Winter chill brings snow and ice

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:14 GMT

Widespread disruption looks to have been avoided on transport routes across England and Wales despite significant overnight snowfall and sub-zero temperatures that show little sign of relenting.

Birmingham News: Solihull magistrate resigns after admitting pub assault

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:01:00 GMT

A MAGISTRATE has been forced to resign after attacking a chef at a pub wine and cheese evening.

Birmingham News: Baboon trauma for Lichfield Friends star Helen Baxendale

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Former Friends star Helen Baxendale has revealed her terror during a life-threatening encounter with a baboon.

Birmingham News: Birmingham Mail Top Ten: The best Birmingham gigs

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:56:00 GMT

BIRMINGHAM is a music city - some heavy rock fans would say THE music city. For decades bands spawned in the Midlands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Duran Duran and UB40 have struck out to find worldwide fame and success, and in return the greatest artists from across the globe have come here to make their mark on a scene noted for its legendary venues and passionate fans.But what makes a great gig a great gig? Some are remembered because they feature long-gone legendary performers at the height of their powers playing in OUR town, accessible to all for the price of a few shillings - and fondly remembered by double or treble the number of people who could actually fit in the venue, all proudly saying "I was there."Some are great because they took place in a run-down club or pub back room and were witnessed by only a few friends, family and curious strangers who wandered in to find out what the racket was - but witnessed the birth of a band who would go on to conquer the world.And some only gain greatness in retrospect - what may have been a good but uneventful gig at the time achieves greater significance when it is released on record, still thrilling fans decades later who dream of what it might have been like to see their heroes at the height of their powers.Or more poignantly, that run-of-the-mill show turns out to be a group's last hurrah with a final bust-up in the dressing room or the death of a performer - giving that performance a bittersweet significance that could never have been felt at the time.Birmingham - and the West Midlands - has seen them all many times over. Here are just a few of them.

Birmingham News: TV drama Call The Midwife inspires memories of Birmingham 1950s midwives

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:56:00 GMT

How Birmingham's real-life midwives of the 1950's compare to new hit drama Call The Midwife

Birmingham News: Ferret frenzy on the streets of Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:55:00 GMT

THE number of strays on Birmingham streets has rocketed. Stray FERRETS, that is.

Birmingham News: Aston Villa: Fans told to stop 'crying' and support Alex McLeish

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:43:00 GMT

Aston Villa fans are being urged to get behind the team and ignore a planned demonstration against manager Alex McLeish.

Birmingham News: Former Birmingham City star Nicklas Bendtner faces vandalism charge

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:30:00 GMT

FORMER Blues’ loan star Nicklas Bendtner has been charged with criminal damage after cars were allegedly vandalised close to the home of his latest club’s arch rivals.

National News: Double-murder accused found hanged

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:05:16 GMT

A lodger accused of the murders of his landlady and her mother has been found hanged in his prison cell.

Birmingham News: Birmingham planners tell pub brewery to put up a darts board

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

BIRMINGHAM planners have told a brewery to put up a darts board in a pub – in the first request of its kind in the UK.

Birmingham News: Wolves WAG Danielle Lloyd reveals she could have died if she hadn't gone in for boob job

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

DANIELLE Lloyd - wife-to-be of Wolverhampton Wanderers star Jamie O’Hara - revealed she could have died if she hadn’t gone ahead with a planned breast operation

National News: Barclays cuts bonuses as profits fall

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:08:00 GMT

BARCLAYS has announced it is slashing the bonus pool for its investment banking arm by 32% to £1.5 billion amid mounting pressure over the controversial payouts.

National News: Ministers 'ring alarm bells on NHS'

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:05:17 GMT

Three Conservative Cabinet ministers have "rung the alarm bell" about the Government's NHS reforms with one comparing it to the poll tax, it has been claimed.

National News: Action on bonuses 'is pro-business'

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:05:17 GMT

Ed Miliband has accused the Government of defending the interests of the "irresponsible few" in the row over City bonuses.

Birmingham News: The true cost of moving BBC from the Mailbox

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

THE true cost of moving BBC operations away from the Mailbox could amount to more than 43,000 licence fees, it has emerged.

National News: Eurozone demands more Greece cuts

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:05:16 GMT

Just hours after Greece gave in to painful new job and spending cuts, European ministers have declared that Athens did not go far enough and demanded more within a week in exchange for a 130 billion euro bailout to stave off bankruptcy.