Birmingham Post

Talks to Revive Stadium Dream

Dreams of a new super stadium for Birmingham could be revived after it was revealed talks had been held between Birmingham City Football Club and the city council. The talks are being carried out as Birmingham publicly throws its weight behind a Solihull Council-led campaign to site a Las Vegas- style casino at the National Exhibition Centre.

Birmingham Boy Louis Hurt in Turkey Bomb Blasts

His legs and arms heavily bandaged, shocked Birmingham youngster Louis Beckford was among ten Britons injured when bombs ripped through two of Turkey's most popular tourist resorts this weekend. The ten-year-old was on holiday with his family when three explosions rocked the south-coast port of Marmaris on Sunday night. His elder cousin Alex Beckford and his grandmother, Suzanna, were also injured.

Blunkett Backs Brum Power

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has backed proposals to devolve more power to cities such as Birmingham. He said regional bodies such as Advantage West Midlands were incapable of providing the level of leadership required.

The Big Debate

News Digest: Man in Custody

An 18-year-old man was remanded in custody yesterday after appearing in court accused of stabbing three teenage girls. Ian Andrew Ruby faced Bournemouth Magistrates' Court charged with three counts of wounding with intent on the girls aged 14, 15 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

News Digest: Murder Charge

A teenager has been remanded in custody accused of murdering a 16- year-old boy as he celebrated his birthday. Lee Firman (18) appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in South Shields charged with killing Glen Corner.

News Digest: Ringo Wife Hurt

Ringo Starr's wife spent her 60th birthday in hospital yesterday after breaking her leg in a horse riding accident. Barbara Bach, a former Bond girl, was admitted to the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford on Sunday morning.

News Digest: Schoolgirl Shot

A schoolgirl was shot with a Taser by police after a siege at a petrol station. The 15-year-old was holding a kitchen knife to the throat of a man and was heard threatening to kill him during the incident at a filling station in Whalley Banks, Blackburn, Lancashire, on Sunday night. She was in custody yesterday.

Loved Ones Facing Hefty Inheritance Tax Bills

One in ten homeowners in the Midlands could leave their loved ones facing hefty inheritance tax bills if property prices continue to rise, according to new figures. About ten per cent of homes in the region are valued above the current inheritance tax threshold of pounds 285,000, which means the tax man would be entitled to 40 per cent of the extra value in the event of a death.

We Made an Investment, Now We've Got to Worry

As homeowners gradually move up the property ladder they might start to consider whether their new des res will make them a profit or will be able to accommodate any new additions to the family. The taxman rarely figures in these thoughts. But if your estate is worth more than the inheritance tax threshold of pounds 285,000, he will be entitled to a 40 per cent slice of the excess.

I'm Dreaming of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 Now, Says Gold-Winning Zara

Zara Phillips told yesterday how she is setting her sights on the 2008 Olympics following her "amazing" victory in the World Equestrian Games. The Princess Royal's daughter and granddaughter of the Queen said her gold medal had been beyond her wildest dreams.

Alleged Bomb Plot Man to Be Extradited

Britain has requested the extradition of a Birmingham man being held in Pakistan over the alleged airline bomb plot, the Home Office confirmed yesterday. Rashid Rauf has been in custody in the country since August 9, and has previously been described by Pakistan's government as a "key person" in the suspected conspiracy.

Club Death Man Named

A 22-year-old man who died after being found with head injuries outside a nightclub has been named as Simon James Williams. Mr Williams, from Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, was married with one daughter, West Midlands Police said. Mr Williams was discovered injured outside JB's nightclub in Castle Hill, Dudley, in the early hours of Saturday.

All Smiles at Peter's Mini Proms Concert

Traditional bank holiday weather failed to dampen the spirits of music lovers in Soli-hull last night as CBSO musicians staged a mini Proms concert for one lucky Birmingham Post reader. The orchestra's Little Big Time Band set up under a gazebo in Peter Monahan's back garden to play classical favourites including Pomp and Circumstance and Jerusalem.

British Bike Teenager Dies in Crash

A teenage competitor has died after being seriously injured in a crash at a British Super-bike Championships meeting. British rider Ashley Martin suffered a major head injury when he crashed at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire on Sunday during the event, which attracts thousands of motor-sport fans.

Hen Party Woman Dead

A police investigation was launched yesterday after a member of a hen party was found dead in her Alton Towers hotel room. The woman, thought to be aged in her late 20s, was discovered at the Stafford-shire theme park yesterday morning.

Fertility Parents Will Celebrate with Clinic

After eight years of failed fertility treatments a Staffordshire couple have finally become proud parents - and this weekend they will celebrate their daughter's birth with the Midland clinic that made it possible. When Lola June Turley was born at Stafford General Hospital on July 10, 2006, she became Midland Fertility Services' 3,500th baby - and she will be a guest of honour at the centre's 19th birthday party on Saturday.

Sponsor a Police Horse Saddlecloth

A police force's mounted section is seeking sponsors for its horse boxes and saddlecloths. Nottinghamshire Police Authority hopes its "highly visible" equine recruits will prove a popular proposition for businesses wishing to raise their profile.

Fears Over Shock Treatments

Campaigners have voiced fears over the continuing use of electric shock treatments on mental health patients in Birmingham and Solihull. The controversial method involves passing an electric current through the brain to bring on a seizure lasting up to a minute to treat depression.

Ect 'Dramatically' Benefits the Patient

Experts say that when used for the right clinical conditions, ECT can "dramatically" benefit the patient. Those who support its use say that in nearly three quarters of cases people with depressive illness showed "a definite improvement" after ECT.