http://www.birminghammail.net/news/ Read local Birmingham news. Midlands news covering the Black Country, Solihull, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Latest news from across the UK too. en-gb Birmingham Mail no Read local Birmingham news. Midlands news covering the Black Country, Solihull, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Latest news from across the UK too. Birmingham news, Midlands news, Black Country news, Solihull news, Staffordshire news, Worcestershire news, UK news http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/drivers-back-ban-for-using-mobiles-97319-24076372/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:35:14 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/drivers-back-ban-for-using-mobiles-97319-24076372/ Nearly one in three UK motorists want to see six-month driving bans for those using hand-held mobiles while at the wheel, a poll has revealed. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/relatives-lament-flats-fire-victims-97319-24076371/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:35:13 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/relatives-lament-flats-fire-victims-97319-24076371/ Inquiries into how a blaze which ripped through a tower block killing six people, including a three-week-old baby girl, was able to spread so quickly are continuing. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/groundbreaking-green-ideas-unveiled-97319-24076277/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:05:22 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/groundbreaking-green-ideas-unveiled-97319-24076277/ Filling parts of the Sahara desert with mirrors to create clean energy and making livestock behave like herds of wildebeest to lock in carbon are among a number of innovative proposals put forward to help tackle climate change. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/jackson-interview-video-made-public-97319-24076148/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:35:18 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/jackson-interview-video-made-public-97319-24076148/ Video footage of Michael Jackson being interviewed by a lawyer about claims that he abused several young boys has been made public for the first time. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/calls-for-public-sector-pay-freeze-97319-24076147/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:35:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/05/calls-for-public-sector-pay-freeze-97319-24076147/ Real terms pay cuts for public sector workers would be a "pain free" way to help Britain recover from the recession, the head of a public spending watchdog has said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/madonna-hails-jackson-in-o2-gig-97319-24075977/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:35:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/madonna-hails-jackson-in-o2-gig-97319-24075977/ Madonna has paid tribute to Michael Jackson as she described him as one of the greatest performers the world has ever known. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/jackson-adviser-breaks-his-silence-97319-24075875/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:35:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/jackson-adviser-breaks-his-silence-97319-24075875/ Dr Tohme Tohme vividly remembers the first time he met Michael Jackson to discuss the pop star's finances. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/darling-condemns-kamikaze-bankers-97319-24075573/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:05:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/darling-condemns-kamikaze-bankers-97319-24075573/ Chancellor Alistair Darling has hit out at "kamikaze" bankers for damaging the British economy and said a shake-up to be unveiled next week would prevent a repeat. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/investigators-probing-fatal-blaze-97319-24075572/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:05:14 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/investigators-probing-fatal-blaze-97319-24075572/ Investigators are examining how a blaze which ripped through a tower block killing six people, including a three-week-old baby girl, was able to spread so quickly, officials said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/carnival-atmosphere-for-pride-march-97319-24075466/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:35:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/carnival-atmosphere-for-pride-march-97319-24075466/ A carnival atmosphere filled central London when more than half a million people took the the streets for the colour and flamboyance of the annual Pride festival. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/britain-awaiting-news-of-iran-staff-97319-24075136/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:05:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/britain-awaiting-news-of-iran-staff-97319-24075136/ Britain is still seeking clarification from Iran over the fate of detained British Embassy staff after one was said by his lawyer to be facing trial for "acting against national security". National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/serena-top-in-williams-sister-act-97319-24074880/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:05:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/serena-top-in-williams-sister-act-97319-24074880/ Serena Williams won the battle for sibling supremacy in the women's Wimbledon final. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/overseas-aid-budget-to-be-rebranded-97319-24074738/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:35:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/overseas-aid-budget-to-be-rebranded-97319-24074738/ Overseas aid is to be rebranded in a bid to raise public awareness at home and abroad and help maintain support for spending during the downturn, the Government said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/tower-block-fire-victims-identified-97319-24074519/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:35:14 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/tower-block-fire-victims-identified-97319-24074519/ Five of the six victims who perished when a blaze ripped through their tower block have been named by police. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/daughter-poisoning-mother-charged-97319-24074131/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/daughter-poisoning-mother-charged-97319-24074131/ The mother of a child who died from a suspected methadone overdose has been charged with poisoning her daughter, police said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/streets-at-a-halt-for-pride-march-97319-24074132/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/streets-at-a-halt-for-pride-march-97319-24074132/ London's busiest shopping streets were brought to a standstill as the annual Pride march dazzled onlookers with a flamboyant and colourful display. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/treasury-orders-review-of-quangos-97319-24074133/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:05:15 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/treasury-orders-review-of-quangos-97319-24074133/ The Treasury has ordered a review of spending by public bodies it was announced, as so-called "quangos" came back under the spotlight in the political battle over future spending. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/questions-asked-over-escape-routes-97319-24073896/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:05:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/questions-asked-over-escape-routes-97319-24073896/ Questions are being asked about whether escape routes and fire prevention measures were "adequate" at a block of flats where fire left six people dead, Harriet Harman said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/embassy-employee-in-iran-charged-97319-24073897/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:05:16 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/embassy-employee-in-iran-charged-97319-24073897/ The lawyer of a detained Iranian employee of the British embassy in Tehran said his client had been charged with "acting against national security". National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/birmingham-brother-and-sister-jailed-for-starving-animals-to-death-97319-24071504/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/birmingham-brother-and-sister-jailed-for-starving-animals-to-death-97319-24071504/ A BROTHER and sister from ­Birmingham have been jailed for starving two greyhound dogs and a cat to death in what a vet described as the worst case he had ever dealt with. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/former-minister-henderson-to-quit-97319-24073609/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:05:17 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/former-minister-henderson-to-quit-97319-24073609/ Labour former minister Doug Henderson is to quit the Commons at the next General Election, he has announced. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/pm-welcomes-equality-rights-group-97319-24073499/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:05:14 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/pm-welcomes-equality-rights-group-97319-24073499/ The Prime Minister will welcome equality rights campaigners to Downing Street before the annual Pride march through central London. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/police-smash-midland-mobile-phone-paedophile-ring-97319-24070095/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/police-smash-midland-mobile-phone-paedophile-ring-97319-24070095/ A NUMBER of children have been protected by detectives working on the frontline of the war against paedophiles after they smashed a Midland ring trading in child sex images via their mobile phones. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/government-funding-of-38-9m-creates-nearly-1-000-new-places-at-primary-schools-97319-24070099/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:30:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/government-funding-of-38-9m-creates-nearly-1-000-new-places-at-primary-schools-97319-24070099/ ALMOST 1,000 new places are to be provided in Birmingham following £38.9 million of new money for primary schools in the city. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/n-korea-in-further-missile-tests-97319-24073376/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:05:14 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/national-news/2009/07/04/n-korea-in-further-missile-tests-97319-24073376/ North Korea has fired six missiles off its eastern coast, South Korean officials have said. National News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/fans-set-for-protest-after-kerrang-radio-drops-popular-dj-emma-scott-97319-24069847/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/fans-set-for-protest-after-kerrang-radio-drops-popular-dj-emma-scott-97319-24069847/ DOZENS of radio listeners are staging a protest against the axeing of popular Kerrang! DJ Emma Scott. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/michael-jackson-look-a-like-s-work-doubles-after-king-of-pop-s-death-97319-24069849/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/michael-jackson-look-a-like-s-work-doubles-after-king-of-pop-s-death-97319-24069849/ A LEADING Michael Jackson lookalike has been inundated with bookings since the singer’s death. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/a-birmingham-probation-worker-jailed-for-sexually-assaulting-schoolgirl-97319-24069852/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/a-birmingham-probation-worker-jailed-for-sexually-assaulting-schoolgirl-97319-24069852/ A BIRMINGHAM probation worker was jailed for seven years for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl over a two-year period. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/probe-into-fake-digbeth-parking-ticket-machine-launched-97319-24071212/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/probe-into-fake-digbeth-parking-ticket-machine-launched-97319-24071212/ A CAR park ticket machine parkers claim has been rigged to dupe unsuspecting drivers has been seized as part of a crackdown on illegal clampers operating in Birmingham. Birmingham News http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/revealed-the-simple-symbol-delaying-the-launch-of-birmingham-city-council-website-97319-24071213/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/04/revealed-the-simple-symbol-delaying-the-launch-of-birmingham-city-council-website-97319-24071213/ THE launch of Birmingham City Council’s new website, which was supposed to make it easier for people to pay bills and keep track of council tax payments, has been delayed by months after red-faced officials discovered the new system refused to recognise pound signs. Birmingham News