Birmingham Post

City Will Reach for Eastside Pinnacle

This space age design takes the wraps off what will be the Midlands' tallest building - soaring 574 feet above the Birmingham skyline. Developers behind the pounds 60 million Pinnacle project at Eastside released these illustrations of Britain's first vertical theme park.

Pupils 'Waste Last Year at Primary'

A top private school is taking pupils one year early because the head thinks they waste their time on tests during the final year of primary education. Bernard Trafford, head of Wolverhampton Grammar School, said hundreds of pupils were turning up for their first year of secondary school "dispirited" by being drilled to pass national curriculum tests.

Amnesty Seeking Pakistan Answers

A group of human rights campaigners across the West Midlands yesterday called on Pakistan's president to reveal the fate of those detained during the country's "war on terror". As Amnesty International published a new report claiming hundreds of terror suspects have "disappeared" in the country, the West Midlands branch of the charity has called on President Pervez Musharraf for answers.

Hot Stuff - but Not Quite Boiling Point ; Chicago

A flurry of soap stars, TV presenters and the like have taken on the role of Roxy Hart, so when Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison took her turn on the stage, some may have questioned how she would live up to past performers. But the Scouser - a trained ballet dancer as well as a proven cook (she won Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen) - slipped into the blonde curly wig and skimpy costume with ease as she paraded on the stage of the Alexandra Theatre in this West End hit.

News Digest: Homes Blitz

A crackdown on the number of empty or abandoned houses in Stafford has been launched. Around 800 homes are being investigated - and new powers given to the town's council means some of them will be brought back into use.

News Digest: Tesco Arrest

A second brother from Coventry wanted in connection with a string of robberies at Tesco stores across the Midlands has been arrested. Daniel Bracken, 28, was wanted on suspicion of a number robberies at stores including Tesco Express in the Warwickshire and Staffordshire areas, as well as in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

News Digest: Body in Wood

The death of a man whose body was found in a wood near Burton- upon-Trent is not being treated as suspicious, police have said. Scenes of crime officers sealed off the coppice at Tutbury Mill after the body was found by a passer-by walking a dog.

News Digest: Scrapyard Arson

A major blaze which swept through a Birmingham scrapyard is being treated as arson, fire officials confirmed. More than 40 vehicles and oxypropane cutting equipment were engulfed by the incident in Electric Avenue, Witton, West Midlands Fire Service said.

How Midlands Can Compete

The West Midlands must spend significantly more on research and development and higher education if it is to compete with the world's new super-economies, a senior EU official warned yesterday. Reijo Kemppinen, Head of the European Commission in the UK, admitted that Britain and other EU member countries were in danger of lagging behind China, India and other emerging countries in economic competitiveness.

Suing Son's School Costs Dad Pounds 250,000

A father who sued a top public school for expelling his son ended up with a pounds 250,000 legal bill yesterday after three appeal judges threw out his case. Russell Gray, aged 50, who owns a London property restoration company, went to the Court of Appeal because he said he wanted to clear the name of his 17-year-old son, Rhys, who was expelled for what Marlborough College said was bad behaviour.

Ark Royal Now Ready for Global Flashpoint Duties

The Royal Navy's biggest warship headed out for sea trials yesterday after a refit to transform her into the service's only troop and aircraft carrier rolled into one. The Ark Royal is now a "one of a kind" following the pounds 25 million upgrade at a shipyard in Rosyth, Fife.

Top Awards for Midland Law Firms

Law firms in Birmingham and Coventry have received awards for outstanding achievements in promoting equality and diversity. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, who presented the accolades on Thusday at the Law Society in Chancery Lane, London, said he was "extremely impressed" by the high standards of the entries.

Solicitor Jailed for Smuggled Alibi

A solicitor was jailed for a year at the Old Bailey yesterday for smuggling a letter out of Belmarsh jail to help a gunman accused of shooting a trial witness. Maya Devani, a former member of law firm Arani & Co which defended race hate cleric Abu Hamza, was convicted earlier this year of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Depraved Sex Beast Sent to Jail for Life

A would-be rapist who attacked a woman aged over 100 after breaking down her front door in the early hours was jailed for life yesterday. Paul Blackwood (35) was ordered to serve at least seven years before being considered for parole after his own barrister described the offence as one of utter depravity.

Armed Robber On Run Could Be Trying to Leave Country

An armed robber could be trying to flee the country after escaping following an appearance before Redditch magistrates. Described as "violent and dangerous", Craig Hickinbottom, 24, was serving a five year and 11 month sentence for armed robbery when he was freed from a security van returning him to HMP Blakenhurst by two masked men who threatened the driver with a firearm.

Politics: Age Law Confusing Claim Businesses

The Government yesterday defended new moves to stamp out age discrimination in the workplace after employers complained they were "confusing", just days before new laws come into force. Research among 150 organisations with almost half a million workers revealed that many were retaining practices which would fall foul of the regulations, which will be introduced on Sunday.

Politics: Measures Aimed to Help Both Young and Old in the Workplace

Employment laws coming into force on Sunday have been hailed as an end to the blight of age discrimination for many workers. The measures are expected to help both the young and old whose lack or excess of years leads to different treatment in the workplace.

Politics: No On-Spot Fines for Violence

Home Secretary John Reid last night insisted violent criminals would not escape with on-the-spot fines after proposals in a consultation document were leaked. The paper contained suggestions for a major extension of fixed penalty notices from 2007 in a bid to ease pressure on courts.

Politics: Blair Aide Quizzed by Police Over Cash for Honours

One of Tony Blair's top aides has been questioned under caution by detectives investigating the so-called cash-for-honours affair. Sources said Ruth Turner, 36, the director of government relations at Downing Street, was interviewed last week.

Politics: Cameron Wants to Clean Up Politics

David Cameron yesterday called for radical action to "clean up" politics and give voters "better value for money". The Tory leader said he wanted an end to the practice of MPs setting their own salaries, and backed a cap on the number of ministers and special advisers a Government can appoint.