Birmingham Post

Duran Duran Back On Home Ground

Get Moving: Roads Cash Is Key to Keep Region On Track

Transport planners must start spending money on new roads to keep the region competitive, West Midland business leaders will warn tonight. The call will come at a major conference hosted by The Birmingham Post as part of the paper's widely-backed Get Moving campaign.

Committee Boss Attacks Approach to Travellers

A furious row has erupted over Birmingham's role in accepting travellers who set up in illegal encampments in the city. Coun John Lines, the head of a scrutiny committee set up to look at the issue, has warned travellers that 'enough is enough', after 170 illegal campsites were set up in Birmingham over the past 18 months.

Spain Rejects Blair Move and Pulls Troops Out of Iraq

Tony Blair was dealt a fresh blow on Iraq last night when Spain pulled troops out saying a new UN resolution would not be acceptable. The Prime Minister said he will seek a fresh UN mandate during his visit to the United States for crisis talks with President George Bush.

Universities Facing 'Beat Fee Rise' Rush of Students

Universities in the West Midlands are bracing themselves for a rush of applicants as more students forfeit a gap year to start studying before tuition top-up fees are introduced. The increase -predicted to be has high as ten per cent -is being fuelled by students eager to get at least one year of their studies at the current rate of pounds 1,125 before variable fees of up to pounds 3,000 are introduced in 2006.

New Anti-War Party Members Find That Respect has to Be Earned ; with Voter Apathy On the Increase and Turnout at Its Lowest Ever Level, Fringe Political Parties Will Play a Crucial Role in the Forthcoming Elections. In the First of an Occasional Series Political Editor Jonathan Walker Looks at One of the Newest Parties to Join the Fray

From the People's Front of Judea denouncing their rivals as 'splitters' to Leon Trotsky's fatal argument with Joe Stalin, left- wing politics has traditionally suffered from the curse of factions and in-fighting. A new political party founded by George Galloway, following a public meeting in Birmingham last year, seems set to follow the same path.

Prescott Praises 'a Great City'

Birmingham's architectural renaissance has turned it from being one of the 'worst cities in the world' to a model of regeneration, according to the Deputy Prime Minister. John Prescott praised developments like the Bullring, Brindleyplace and the Mailbox for turning Birmingham into one of Europe's top 20 cities.

Labour Struggling to Get Message Out

Labour is failing to get its message across in the face of a reinvigorated Tory Party, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott admitted yesterday. Conservatives, now led by Michael Howard, are a much more 'effective' opposition, according to Mr Prescott.

Government Accused of 'Creating' Terror Threat

Birmingham's leading Muslim spokesman yesterday attacked the Government for 'creating' a threat of terrorism in Britain. Dr Mohammed Naseem, spokesman for Birmingham Central Mosque said the 'large number of arrests' made in the name of counter terrorism did not signify the magnitude of the threat.

Twenty Years On Not Much has Changed ; As the Five Original Members of Duran Duran Prepared for Their First Hometown Gig Together in 18 Years Last Night, Emma Pinch Spoke to Them About Life Back Together Again

Backstage Simon Le Bon, looking lithe and serious, stalked past with a thick dog-eared paperback. He had to save his voice for the show his publicist warned, as he explained how keyed up the band were about their homecoming show.

The Legend Is Alive and Kicking

Duran Duran The NEC Arena Birmingham They may have greyed slightly around the temples, but last night Duran Duran proved they are still Wild Boys at heart during an emotional homecoming gig.

Devotion Comes with a Pounds 1,000 Price Tag

The lacquered flicks may have gone and the stilettos and vibrant make-up might have made way for cargo pants and trainers. But two decades on from Duran Duran's last appearance in Birmingham with their original line-up the devotion of fans was undiminished.

Actors Outcry Saves Archers Aga

It is the epitome of country living and part of daily life for radio soap The Archers for years. The Aga is the mainstay of many traditional rural homes and has been used on the programme to provide sound effects during some of its most memorable moments for more than 20 years. Now, after a campaign by cast members, the white cooker will move to their new studio in the Mailbox when the BBC relocates from Pebble Mill next month. It was feared the shell of the Aga would be left behind but an ou...

Brothers in Fire Rescue

Two teenage brothers had to be rescued from a bedroom yesterday morning after a fridge fault sparked a fire at their home. Tom and Josh Longmore, aged 18 and 16, were found hanging out of a window of their detached family home in Pavillion Close, Aldridge, as thick black smoke poured into the room.

Biker Death Crash Appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist died in a collision. A Yamaha motorbike and a Vauxhall Corsa collided on the A4189 in Ullenhall, Warwickshire, on Saturday just after 5pm.

Education Matters: Life-Long Learning Courses Are Axed

A 60-year tradition of providing adult education aimed at broadening the horizons of leisure learners is to end at Birmingham University. The courses have been delivered by lecturers in weekly sessions over a two-term period since 1945 as part of the university's commitment to the local community.

Education Matters: Diploma Could Be 'White Elephant' Warns Exam Chief

Controversial plans to replace GCSEs and A-levels with a European- style diploma could end up a confusing and costly 'white elephant', the head of one of the country's three exam boards has warned. Greg Watson, acting chief executive of the Oxford and Cambridge and RSA (OCR), said he felt compelled to speak out before the new system being considered by the Government was implemented.

Education Matters: Parents' Scheme Praised

A Worcestershire school has been hailed by the Government as a fine example of encouraging more parents to attend parents' evenings. Hillcrest School and Community College in Netherton has boosted attendance at parents' evenings from 25 per cent to 75 per cent in one year.

Education Matters: New Course Aims to Save Soldiers' Lives

Courses that could save soldiers' lives are to be taught to Army officers at university. Commanders of Britain's armed forces, which are being deployed to international trouble spots such as Iraq and Bosnia will be taught how to win hearts and minds at Bradford University.

Education Matters: Parents Will Lie for Good School Says New Survey

Parents are taking drastic steps to get their children into good schools with more than a quarter willing to act dishonestly to secure a place, a new survey reveals. Underhand measures considered by parents include falsifying addresses and lying about religious commitments.