Birmingham Post

Schools 'Scared' to Teach Sensitive History

Midland faith leaders have called for a review of history education after the Government revealed schools were too scared to teach sensitive subjects like the Holocaust and the slave trade. The report by the Historical Association and funded by the Department for Education and Skills found a number of schools had dropped controversial subjects because teachers did not want to cause offence.

Dig for Victory!

New Images of Captured Sailors

Iranian television last night released new images of two of the 15 British service personnel captured eleven days ago. The footage, broadcast on Al Alam television, showed one of the men, in uniform, gesturing to a point on a map apparently of the Persian Gulf.

Former Councillor Quits Party

Former Birmingham councillor John Tyrrell has quit the Labour Party in a row over the imposition of candidates. Mr Tyrrell, who was the city's transport chief when he lost his council seat in the 2004 elections, said his resignation also came after many years of "putting up with contemptuous treatment from paid officials".

Study to Be a Mini Medic - in Just 20 Hours

It usually takes five years of arduous study, but amateur doctors can now sign up for a 20-hour crash course in health studies at the country's first mini-medical school. Heart disease, cancer, psychiatric disorders and respiratory illnesses such as asthma feature among the sessions at Birmingham University.

News Digest: Hospitals Merge

Two Birmingham hospitals have been given the seal of approval to merge in a landmark ruling. Heart of England Foundation Trust, which runs Heartlands and Solihull hospitals, took over the running of Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, yesterday.

News Digest: Litvinenko Quiz

Russian officials investigating the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko met detectives at New Scotland Yard. They also interviewed two exiled Russians as they carry out their own investigation into the poisoning.

News Digest: Klass Baby

News Digest: Stylish Bond

Golf Course Allotment Plot a Fool's Errand

Environmental campaigners hatched a high-profile April Fool stunt to publicise the case for sustainable lifestyles, by applying for planning permission to close a Birmingham golf course and replace it - with 1,800 allotments. Documents detailing the proposed development were handed in at Moseley Golf Club yesterday after being lodged with the city council last Friday.

Prayers for Sailor Faye's Safe Return

Prayers were said yesterday in the home church of captured sailor Faye Turney for the safe return of the leading seaman and her 14 colleagues being held in Iran. As the hostage situation entered its tenth day, the reverend Sue Caddy, vicar of Shelton and Oxon parish near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, spoke of the community's worry and concern.

These Bells Ring Out Loud - and Proud

Church bells that have rung out for more than 100 years could be silenced after complaints from sleepless residents. Engineers have shortened the strike of the metal clanger, sealed the church tower's louvred windows and laid down lagging in the past to muffle the sound of the church clock at St Paul's in Leamington Spa.

Mg Plans Export Drive to Europe

Nanjing Automobile Group intends to start exporting its China- made MG cars to Europe in the second half of this year as it revives the iconic British brand, a senior executive said. The company is setting up sales teams in Europe and British Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, where the MG brand is still a household name, said Zhang Xin, general manager of the Nanjing Auto unit making the cars.

Help Sought After Three Shot at Pub

Detectives have appealed for public help after three people were injured, one of them critically, in a shooting outside a busy Birmingham pub. The victims were taken to hospital after being discovered in Erskine Street, in the Nechells area, in the early hours of Saturday.

200 in Bid for Job As Street Warden

Walking the streets in all weathers wouldn't be everyone's ideal job, but more than 200 people applied for four security warden vacancies in Birmingham city centre. Officials at the new Retail Business Improvement District were overwhelmed by applications from people wanting to don the distinctive blue-and-yellow uniform worn by street wardens and patrol the central shopping area.

Japanese Urged to Help Track Down Killer

Britain's most senior diplomat in Japan yesterday urged the country's people to aid the hunt for the killer of Midland teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker. Graham Fry, the British Ambassador, said the 22-year-old's death had shocked and saddened the entire community.

Eastside Regeneration Wins Praise for 'Excellent Use of Eu Funds'

The development of Birmingham Eastside has been highlighted by the European Union as an excellent example of urban regeneration. Danuta Hubner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, singled out the Masshouse project and the demolition of the "concrete collar" Queensway ring road as an excellent example of the use of EU structural funds.

Politics: Brown Accused Over 'Big Hole' in Pension Funds

Gordon Brown stood accused yesterday of overseeing the "failure" of the pensions system after ignoring officials' advice on a controversial tax reform in his first Budget. The disclosure that the Chancellor was warned the abolition of the dividend tax credit could leave a "big hole" in pension funds was seized on by Tory leader David Cameron.

Politics: Challenge to Chancellor 'a Good Thing'

A leading Cabinet Minister yesterday sought to keep the door open to a serious leadership challenge against Gordon Brown. Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton insisted it would be a "good thing" for Labour and the country if the Chancellor faced a proper contest.

Politics: Budget 'Propaganda'

A former Tory Cabinet Minister has accused the Treasury of disseminating "propaganda" about the Budget at taxpayers' expense. Lord Walker of Worcester said every post office in the land had been sent piles of leaflets to put on their counters which, he claims, omits all the "bad" points about the Budget, while concentrating on what the Government regards as its good points.