Birmingham Post

Historic Golf Club Could Be Moving

A prestigious Solihull golf club is considering selling its course for development and relocating. Members of Robin Hood Golf Club are to vote on plans to sell the land on St Bernard's Road in Olton and move to Ivy House Farm in Hockley Heath.

A Mother's Grief: Army Honours Son Murdered by Mugger

Home Office Lets Asylum Family Walk Free From Detention Centre

A family who fled violence in their home country and were put in a detention centre while Midland campaigners fought for their freedom have been released. Sonia Kaya, aged 32, and her two sons, Khnaize, aged 15, and 13- year-old Josef, who were refused asylum in Britain last month, have been given an extra six months to stay in the UK.

Net Blackmail Suspect Charged

A 32-year-old Midland man has been charged with computer 'hacking' and blackmail following an international manhunt to trace an internet stalker who allegedly preyed on a schoolgirl in Canada. Adrian Ringland will appear in court in London later this month following a joint investigation between the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Blair Feeling Fine After Heart Op

Tony Blair insisted he was 'absolutely fine' last night after hospital treatment for a recurring heart problem. A smiling Mr Blair returned to 10 Downing Street earlier than expected following the two-and-a-half hour procedure.

Americans Tortured Me

A British detainee at Guantanamo Bay yesterday claimed he had been subjected to 'vindictive torture' and death threats by the US authorities. Moazzam Begg, from Birmingham, claimed in a handwritten letter newly declassified by the US, that he had witnessed the deaths of two fellow detainees 'at the hands of US military personnel'.

Tributes to Soldier Killed by Mugger

Comrades of a tank regiment soldier who was murdered by a mugger paid tearful tributes to him yesterday as he was buried with full military honours. More than 500 mourners packed into the Church of God of Prophecy and its adjoining hall in Smethwick to pay their respects to Trooper Narel Sharpe, who was shot last month while on home leave.

Winning Chef Owes Debt to Friendship

The owner of a Warwickshire restaurant which specialises in modern French cuisine has scooped the National Chef of the Year award. The accolade, from the Craft Guild of Chefs, went to Steve Love, at Love's Restaurant in Dormer Place, Leamington Spa. Signature dishes such as 'meli-melo' - layered and grilled smoked and fresh salmon with caviar butter sauce - have already earned the restaurant an entry in the Good Food Guide. Mr Love, who opened the restaurant three years ago, said the friendsh...

Four Deny Killing Radio Dj

Four youths are to stand trial over the killing of radio DJ Tushar Makwana, who died after he was knocked down by a car as he chased burglars. Mr Makwana, a Sony Award-winning DJ on Heart FM, suffered serious head injuries during an incident near his Castle Bromwich home in February. The 37-year-old fatherof-three died three days later.

Opera Singer Honoured by Industry

Czech soprano Magdalena Kozena, whose affair with former City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conductor Sir Simon Rattle scandalised the classical music world, has been named artist of the year at the industry's answer to the Oscars. The 31-year-old opera singer won the accolade at the Gramophone Awards.

Museum Keeps Visitors in the Dark

Things that go bump in the night are proving a hit at a Birmingham museum - and visitors are coming back for more. The latest exhibition at Thinktank is The Dark - a pitch black space inhabited by the echoes of virtual ghosts.

13,000 Addicts Treated for Drugs

Nearly 13,000 drug users in the West Midlands received specialist treatment last year. Research by the National Drug Evidence Centre revealed that 12,986 users from the region underwent structured treatment for their addiction during 2003/04.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

A prominent group of Muslims yesterday welcomed their supreme spiritual leader to the opening of their new Birmingham mosque. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community was led in prayer by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, spiritual head of the group, at the inaugura-tion of Darul Barakaat (above) in Tilton Road, Bordesley Green.

Suburb's Residents Can Have Their Say

Residents of a Birmingham suburb will today be given a chance to shape the future of their community at a special conference. The second Edgbaston District Conference at the Council House will give residents the opportunity to air their views to Birmingham City Council officials, West Midlands Police officers, West Midlands Fire Service personnel, and educational and voluntary workers.

Car Death Case Retrial Ordered

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court has been discharged after it failed to reach a verdict in the case of a teenager accused of causing the death of another teenager by dangerous driving. Scott Smith, aged 19, of Streetly Road, Erdington, denied the charge.

Copter Chases Ram-Raiders

A police helicopter chased three ram-raiders through the Staffordshire countryside in the early hours of yesterday. The men had raided the Spa supermarket in Coven, near Wolverhampton, at 1.45am.

Staff to Wear Masks After Lung-Dust Scare

Workers at a car factory have been advised to wear face masks after an investigation was launched into a 'large number' of occupational lung disease cases. The Health and Safety Executive said that 73 workers at the Powertrain plant in Birmingham had been diagnosed as definitely or probably suffering from either alveolitis or occupational asthma.

Reduce Work Road Trips to Save Lives

A Birmingham-based safety watchdog has urged UK bosses to help to save lives by cutting the amount of time employees spend on the road. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said between 800 and 1,000 deaths each year were linked to people driving for work and many of the people killed were making unnecessary journeys.

Website Shows Up Speed Camera Sites

Motorists can now find the exact position of more than 200 speed cameras across the West Midlands using a revamped website launched by the safety group responsible for introducing them. The West Midlands Casualty Reduction Partnership - which took over the responsibility for speed cameras last year - has altered its internet site to include interactive maps showing where cameras are sited.

Transport Is the Key to Growth

An influential survey of European companies has found improving public transport is key to business growth in major conurbations. The 30 companies surveyed also said Birmingham, which was not part of the annual European Cities Monitor, was the most deserving of being included in future studies ahead of major business destinations such as Rotterdam, St Petersburg and Valencia.