Birmingham Post

Asylum Family in Limbo

A family who made their home in the Midlands after fleeing violence in their native country are being held at a detention centre as campaigners fight for their future. Sonia Kaya and her sons Khnaize, aged 15, and 13-year-old Josef, who are Jewish, were refused asylum in Britain earlier this month.

Ex-Councillor Sues Lib-Dem Rival Over 'Malicious' Website

A former Labour Birmingham city councillor is suing a political opponent following a war of words on the internet. Tony Kennedy alleges that Martin Mullaney, Liberal Democrat councillor for Moseley and Kings Heath, persisted in publishing false allegations against him in a website chat room.

Back the Mailbox Pleads Whitby As Top Chain Stutters

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby last night urged more people to use the Mailbox shopping complex after a top restaurant chain admitted it was in financial difficulties. Cafe Lazeez owes the council more than pounds 17,000 in business rates for its Birmingham city centre outlet.

Ba Boss Warns of Too Many Airports

The boss of British Airways' regional operation yesterday cast doubt over expansion plans for smaller airports in the Midlands and said existing terminals were due for a period of consolidation. David Evans, managing director of BA CitiExpress, said four passenger airports grouped together in the Midlands was potentially too much.

Ba and Brum Still Flying After 65 Years ; British Airways Yesterday Celebrated Its 65th Birthday at Birmingham International Airport. Transport Reporter Campbell Docherty Joined the Celebrations

Sixty-five years ago you didn't pitch up at Birmingham International Airport with the morbid, but accurate, expectation of at least a couple of hours waiting around. Today, as with all airports in the UK, there is always the interminable wait in a crowded terminal, often trying to hear yourself think above the warm-up drinking songs of Redditch Team Torremolinos.

Workers Want Help with Daily Commute

More than three-quarters of West Midland workers want support from their employers to switch their journey to work from car to public transport or other alternatives. The research found that 76 per cent of employees would change their travel habits if work commitments made it easier.

Mp's Anger at Guns for Sale On Ebay Auction Site

The popular internet auction site eBay has been condemned by a Birmingham MP who claims it is allowing firearms to be sold without controls. Steve McCabe (Lab Hall Green) joined anti-gun campaigners at the Labour conference in Brighton to demand the site take action to stop the trade.

Fire Deaths Case Now Murder Inquiry

Police are treating the deaths of four people in a suspected arson attack as a murder inquiry. Ajit Singh, aged 62, his 60year-old wife Gurdish Kaur, their daughter, Darshan Kaur, aged 30, and daughter-in-law Palvinder Kaur, aged 38, all died in the blaze at Tipton.

Apple Day and Harvest Fair at Mary Arden's House

Duran Duran Fans Given Home Date

Duran Duran are set to wow their fans when they make an appearance in the city next week. The Birmingham band, who are enjoying something of a comeback following a sell-out tour earlier this year, will visit the HMV store on High Street to meet fans and sign copies of their new single (Reach Up For The) Sunrise. Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor - the original band members - reformed last year after 20 years.

Tory Protests Over Howard Websites

A shadow minister yesterday tabled Commons questions about the 'bogus' websites registered by the Labour Party in the name of Michael Howard, Leader of the Opposition. Michael Fabricant, Tory spokesman on industry and technology and MP for Lichfield, Staffordshire, said that this practice of 'cyber- squatting' had been deplored by the Government and was in direct contravention to the guidelines of the Electoral Commission.

New Chairman

A city executive has stepped down from leading one of Birmingham's key volunteering organisations. Michael Wyldbore-Smith, director of international property advisors DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, has resigned as chairman of the Birmingham ProHelp Group after five years.

Villa Hero Charlie's Medals Go Under the Hammer

A rare gold medal awarded to one of Aston Villa's earliest heroes is going up for sale by auction. The 14-carat gold medal was given by the club to Charlie Athersmith after he helped them clinch the Football League and FA Cup double in 1897, one of only five clubs to have ever managed the feat.

Police On Campus Beat

Two police officers have been seconded to work full-time preventing crime at Coventry University. Officers Laura Dumbleton and Lyndon Clarke will aim to raise awareness of crime prevention across the campus.

Binge Drinking Alert After Girl's Death Fall

The death of a teenager who fell from an ambulance as it sped along a motorway was an accident, an inquest jury decided yesterday. Natalie Dibden, aged 16, suffered head injuries when she fell from the vehicle near junction 12 of the northbound carriageway of the M5 on November 9, 2003.

Ex-Care Boss Lands Pounds 60,000 Job

The former head of Birmingham's troubled social services department has been appointed to a new senior post overseeing the welfare of the city's mentally ill children. Birmingham Children's Hospital has appointed Susanna McCorry to head its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Man Jailed for Having Bullets

A man caught with bullets in the back of his car has been jailed for six months at Birmingham Crown Court. In passing sentence, Recorder Justin Wigoder told Darren Blackwell: 'Offences involving live ammunition are serious particularly in the current climate.'

Birmingham Black History Month in Centenary Square

Markets Look to Open All Hours

Traders in Birmingham are setting out their stall for the future, following a pounds 35 million makeover of the city's markets. Despite their 6am starts, businesses trading on the rag, outdoor and indoor markets, may follow changing trading patterns to offer late night shopping.

Governor Suspended in School Cash Row

A school governor is appealing against his suspension from his position, which he claims occurred after he raised concerns over a pounds 140,000 budget deficit. Birmingham City Council confirmed Bill Challis had been removed from his post at Grestone Primary School, Handsworth, for six months for 'inappropriate behaviour' at a meeting.