Birmingham Post

Target of Hate ; Police Believe an Extremist Gang Wanted to Kidnap, Torture and Murder a Birmingham Soldier. Because He's Muslim.

He has served his country with pride and distinction, putting his life - like countless others who wear the uniform - on the line in the world's troublespots. But a British soldier is now thought to be a target in the latest chilling twist on the war on terror - because he is a Muslim who has fought for Britain in Afghanistan.

Pounds 25m Will Get Runway Started

A grant of pounds 25 million has been made available to kickstart the pounds 120 million runway extension at Birmingham International Airport. The money, awarded by the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, was welcomed by the business and political leaders as a boost to the economic development of the region.

Positive Feedback From Muslims ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Concerns

Yesterday's major anti-terrorism operation has once again raised concerns within Britain's Muslim community that its members are being unfairly singled out for police attention, concerns fuelled last June when armed police raided a house in Forest Gate, east London and arrested two men, both of whom were later released. Senior officers at West Midlands Police were at pains to ensure yesterday's operations did not damage relations with Birmingham's sizeable Muslim community.

Raids Start of Major Operation ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Plot

Raids which resulted in nine men being held last night for an alleged Birmingham-based plot to carry out an Iraqi-style kidnapping represent just the beginning of a major anti-terrorist operation, police revealed. West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable David Shaw yesterday described the operation as a "very, very major investigation" which would take "days, if not weeks".

Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit Is Blooded by City Raids ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Unit

Yesterday's Birmingham raids represent one of the first major operations for the newly-established Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit. Launched in the last few months, the unit is one of four being set up nationwide aimed at pro-viding a powerful weapon against the terrorist threat.

'In the Foothills of Terrorism' ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Spotlight Two Once-Quiet Birmingham Neighbourhoods Were Transformed Yesterday As the Spotlight of the Global War On Terror Again Fell On the City. Neil Connor Joined the Stunned Communities of Alum Rock and Sparkhill

It now seems an all-too-familiar sight in Birmingham. Police officers tying red and white tapes to lampposts and letter boxes, cameras fixed on tripods surrounded by journalists all focused on a single terraced property with a fresh-faced bobby standing guard outside.

Police Swoop On Properties to Foil 'Kidnap Plot' ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Raids

Dozens of police officers raided a series of properties as part of the operation to foil the alleged terrorist kidnap plot. Arrests were made at eight houses in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath, King- standing and Edgbaston areas. Four commercial premises including a corner shop, Islamic bookshop and industrial unit were also secured and sealed off.

Cells 'Are Operating in Region' ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Strategy

Terror cells are "more than likely" operating in the region, testing the loyalty of Muslim "traitors" who opt to serve in Britain's Armed Forces, according to a Midland academic. Dr Steve Hewitt, a Birmingham University expert on security, intelligence and the war on terror, said the foiled plot for an Iraq- style beheading of a Muslim soldier was meant to send a clear message to the city's Asian communities.

Death Sentence for Western Hostages ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Hostages

Engineer Ken Bigley, aged 62, from Liverpool, was taken hostage in Iraq on September 16, 2004, along with two American engineers. Both Americans were killed in the following days by their kidnappers, the Tawhid and Jihad group, led by militant Abu Musab Al- Zarqawi, after their demands for the release of prisoners held by coalition troops were not met.

Armed Forces Hoping to Attract More Muslim Soldiers ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Army

Muslims make up a small, but significant, part of Britain's armed forces. Although the numbers are tiny - less than 0.2 per cent of the total - they provide visible support for the assertion that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not wars against Islam.

Mixed Group Calls for Calmness ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Community

An East Birmingham-based Muslim and Christian group is calling for calm in the inner city areas. A spokesman for the Saltley Gate Peace Group urged local Muslims not to get involved in any 'backlash' against the police, and not to let community relations suffer because of the high-profile raids.

Small Number of Militants Being Brainwashed, Says Mahmood ; Birmingham Terror Arrests Politicians

Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood, who grew up in the Sparkhill area, said a small number of militants in Britain had been "brainwashed". The MP said he was shocked at reports of an alleged plan to film a victim being beheaded.

Bank Manager Stole to Buy Lavish City Home

A senior bank manager who stole more than half a million pounds to pay for a lavish new home in central London has been jailed for three years. Rajesh Patel, who felt he was not being paid enough as head of financial control at Barclays Bank despite earning more than pounds 200,000 a year, has paid Barclays back a total of pounds 722,013.

Children's Hospital Becomes Foundation

The Midlands leading pae-diatric hospital has been awarded foundation status, giving it financial freedom from Government control from today. Birmingham Children's Hospital is the latest city NHS trust to achieve this level of autonomy, following an 18-month assessment process to ensure it meets the required standards to become a foundation trust.

Ba Make a First Class Gaffe On Directors

British Airways was yesterday accused of "losing touch with reality" after it was revealed that the airline is planning to offer senior directors unlimited free first class travel on flights anywhere in the world. Union leaders criticised the move which came in the wake of a bitter dispute over pay and sickness absence which almost led to a two-day strike this week by thousands of cabin crew.

Pizza Death Case Man Acquitted

A Birmingham man accused of luring his estranged wife's lover to his death with a bogus pizza order has been acquitted of the killing. Mohammed Bashir, aged 20, of Woodlands Road, Sparkhill, and a 15- year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were both cleared of the murder of Mashooq Khan and an alternative charge of manslaughter by a jury at the city's crown court.

News Digest: Pounds 50m Centre

A pounds 50 million neighbourhood centre is to open in Stoke-on- Trent. The Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre is a joint initiative by Stoke- on-Trent City Council and Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust.

News Digest: Cabs Crackdown

News Digest: Police Honour

Two Warwickshire police officers are to get national awards in recognition of their outstanding work. Chief Inspector Chris Wadsworth, district commander at Stratford, has been named National Policewoman of the Year by the British Association of Women in Policing.

News Digest: Antonio, Obe