Birmingham Post

No Jobs Left for Student Nurses

One of Britain's leading health officials has warned that patient care will suffer because of NHS cuts, as it emerged three out of four West Midlands graduate nurses have no jobs to go to. The warning from Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, chairman of the Healthcare Commission, and the Royal College of Nursing added further fuel to criticism of the Government's handling of the health crisis.

Up Before the Beaks

A livestock auctioneer fears health and safety inspectors could take action against him because of complaints that he's too loud. David Probert (below), thought it was a joke when he got a letter from Worcester City Council demanding he explain the level of noise at his poultry market and how many hours staff were exposed to clucking chickens.

Expulsion Rate Prompts Calls for Black Schools

African Caribbean children are more likely to be expelled in the West Midlands than anywhere else in the country, sparking fresh calls for black only schools. Government statistics show black youngsters are nearly three times more likely to be permanently excluded from school than white children in the region.

Class Razor Attack Response to Bullying

A 13-year-old girl who slashed a classmate across the face with a razor blade leaving her needing 30 stitches was yesterday found guilty of unlawful wounding. She will be sentenced today.

Anger at Support for Rival Nec Casino Bid

Officials behind plans to locate a regional casino at Coventry's Ricoh Arena reacted with anger yesterday after the regional development agency came out in support of a rival bid. Advantage West Midlands said it was supporting Birmingham and Solihull's proposals to site a pounds 250 million gaming complex at the National Exhibition Centre.

Birmingham Airport's Shared Airspace Fears Are Unfounded

A consultant for Coventry Airport said fears by Birmingham International that any shared airspace would affect its growth were "misconceived". Grant Riddick, who conducted a consultation into airspace capacity problems on behalf of Coventry Airport, was giving evidence during the long-running planning inquiry into its application for a new terminal.

Kicking Up a Noise About New Rules

Livestock auctioneer David Probert thought it was a joke when he received a letter from health and safety inspectors demanding an explanation for the level of noise at his poultry market. Officials also wanted to know how many hours each week staff at the Worcester market were exposed to clucking chickens.

Dj Murder - Man Charged

A third person has been charged with the murder of a DJ who was stabbed on a Birmingham street. Father-of-one Marlvin Jiro was stabbed to death in Howard Street, Hockley, on May 29. The 26-year-old, from Handsworth, was knifed in the chest as he left Gem's club in Branston Street, in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday. A 35-year-old man from Newtown area of the city was due to appear before the city's magistrates court today.

Pavarotti Pulls Out of Warwick Concert

Opera star Luciano Pavarotti has pulled out of a summer concert at Warwick Castle because of health problems. The 70-year-old singer was due to perform at Warwick on July 15 as part of a four-date UK farewell tour.

Residents Lose Pub Late Licence Appeal

Residents trying to stop a Birmingham pub staying open until midnight have lost their battle in a test case challenge of the new licensing laws. Locals living near the Covered Wagon in Moseley claimed they have suffered from noise and light pollution since the site was granted a late licence.

Train Strikes Over Pay

Albanians Face City Sex Slave Charges

Two Eastern European women were forced to work at brothels in Birmingham by men who controlled them, the city's crown court was told yesterday. One of the victims was duped into coming into the UK after being told she could earn a "small fortune" doing cleaning jobs but then had to hand over her earnings, it was claimed.

A Web of Deceit Over Mp Queries

MPs are wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers' money with their own "arms race" - asking pointless questions to increase their ranking on a website, it has been claimed. Peter Luff, the Conservative MP for Mid Worcestershire, accused colleagues of submitting meaningless questions to boost their placing on the site which claims to show how hard they work.

More Brits Think Eu Good - Others Know Nothing About It

The number of pro-Europeans in Britain is at its highest for a decade, despite many claiming they have no idea what the EU does. Figures published as part of an EU-wide survey show 42 per cent of people in the UK think the European Union is a good thing - the highest figure since the late 1980s and well above the 2000 low of 25 per cent.

Olympics May Drain Cash for Culture

Plans to create a "people's lottery" by channelling money to popular causes could mean Midland museums and art galleries lose out to the London Olympics, an MP has warned. Ministers are creating a new body to distribute lottery money, after a series of con-troversial grants were awarded

Tighter Grading of Nhs Warning

Top performing hospital trusts will have to work harder if they want to make the grade under the new rating system due to be introduced in October. Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, chairman of the Healthcare Commission, admitted three-star trusts would not "automatically be graded as excellent".

Trust Boss Quits Over Cash Crisis

The chief executive of an NHS trust has resigned in the wake of a soaring multi-million pound deficit. Brian Milstead, chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, has resigned after 13 years in the post.

Flu Vaccinations May Be Late This Winter

Doctors were warned yesterday to expect a delay in receiving winter flu vaccinations, because of manufacturing problems, the Department of Health said. Manufacturers across Europe are experiencing problems in growing the Wisconsin virus strain recommended for this year's seasonal flu vaccination, the UK vaccine industry group said.

Cancer Victim Nick Returns

Radio 4 news presenter Nick Clarke is returning to work tomorrow after losing a leg when he was diagnosed with cancer. Clarke, aged 57, will chair three episodes of the topical debate show Any Questions. He will return to his former job as presenter of The World at One on August 14, reading the news twice a week.

Bma Overturns Previous Neutral Policy On Euthanasia

Doctors voted yesterday against any legislation to help terminally-ill patients die. Those attending the British Medical Association (BMA) conference said doctor-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia should not be made legal in the UK.