Birmingham Post

Tories Back Plan to Protect High Street Shopkeepers

A radical plan to save independent high street retailers has been backed by Tory shadow Chancellor George Osborne. Under proposals which could be pioneered in Birmingham, developers would be forced to give up to 20 per cent of new shopping centres to privately run shops.

Badger Savages the Apprentices

Apprentice rottweiler Ruth Badger has criticised the current crop of contestants on the hit BBC1 show - and admitted she was sick after first seeing herself on screen. The Wolverhampton-born 29-year-old, who lost the battle for the pounds 100,000 job to Michelle Dewberry, 27, in the second series, described this year's contestants as a "weird bunch".

Five Men 'Betrayed Their Country'

Five British al Qaida terrorists jailed for life yesterday were told they had betrayed their country. Omar Khyam and his UK terror cell plotted to bomb public places such as the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London and the giant Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.

Midlands 'Is Helped by Meps'

Claims that the Midlands is not seeing enough benefits from its dedicated office in Brussels were last night rubbished by the region's largest international trade group. The role of the West Midlands Office was sharply criticised by West Midlands Regional Assembly scrutineers, who described its relationship with Europe as being "bleak".

Kidnapped Sailors Head Back to Gulf ; Iran

A group of sailors held hostage for almost a fortnight are returning to their ship off Iraq this week. According to reports, Leading Seaman Faye Turney said a tearful farewell to her husband Adam and daughter Molly, three, before flying out of the UK last night with Lieutenant Felix Carman, boat navigator Arthur Batchelor and the other five freed Royal Navy hostages.

Inaction Over the Us Killer Pilots ; Friendly Fire

Defence chiefs were accused by MPs yesterday of failing to properly protect British troops from "devastating" friendly-fire incidents. An influential committee said a catalogue of delays to crucial new equipment meant "little progress" had been made towards meeting demands it made in 2002.

20 Die at Funeral ; Bomber

A suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt blew himself up inside a funeral tent in a Shi'ite enclave in a volatile province north of Baghdad, killing at least 20 people and wounding 30, officials said. The attack occurred as a Shi'ite family was holding a funeral in Khalis, a flashpoint Shiite city in Diyala province, where US-Iraqi forces have seen fierce fighting with Sunni and Shiite militants.

Us Effort Is Failing ; Audit

US efforts to rebuild Iraq are so beset with daily violence, corruption and poor maintenance that Iraqis will soon not be capable of managing reconstruction, investigators say. The latest audit by the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction found that uncertainty and delays plague the rebuilding effort that has already cost nearly EUR400 billion (pounds 200 billion).

Britain's First War Criminal 'Simply a Sacrifical Lamb'

Britain's first war criminal was yesterday dismissed from the army and sentenced to one year in a civilian jail. Corporal Donald Payne, 36, admitted a charge of inhuman treatment of Iraqi civilians in Basra in 2003.

Prince Harry Will Serve with His Colleagues

Prince Harry will be deployed with his unit to Iraq - but the decision is under constant review, chief of the general staff General Sir Richard Dannatt said yesterday. There has been mounting speculation the young royal, an officer with the Blues and Royals, will not see service in the Middle East after 12 soldiers died in Iraq this month.

Teenage Rifleman Was 12th Victim This Month

A British soldier killed by small arms fire on patrol in Basra was named yesterday as Rifleman Paul Donnachie. Rifleman Donnachie, 18, of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, was killed in the Al Ashar district on Sunday.

Eu Blocks Pounds 240m of West Midlands Cash Because of Spending Fears

More than pounds 240 million for regeneration in the West Midlands has been blocked because of concerns about poor accounting. The European Commission has withheld the money until it receives assurances it will be well spent.

Birmingham Must Become Green Leader

Birmingham must become a "leader rather than a follower" in tackling climate change, a leading councillor told the city's ruling cabinet yesterday. The council's deputy leader Coun Paul Tilsley said Birmingham should act as an example to its residents and the rest of the county in fighting global warming.

No Drug Evidence in Woolmer Case

The top Jamaican policeman investigating the murder of Bob Woolmer has said he has no evidence confirming that the former Warwickshire cricket coach was incapacitated by a drug before being strangled. The BBC's Panorama programme last night reported that a toxicology test on the Pakistan World Cup cricket coach's body showed the presence of a drug that would have incapacitated him.

Blues Chairman Takes the Plaudits for Promotion

David Gold, chairman and co owner of Birmingham City, said he was delighted the board's bravery paid off with promotion to the 'most exciting league in the world'. He said he felt excited and vindicated after a season which has seen the club return to the Premiership a year after relegation.

Victory Sealed Entry to Premiership Promised Land

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws summed up the importance in financial terms of Birmingham City's win against his team. The 2-0 victory not only put Blues back on top of the Championship table, but also opened the way to the Premiership promised land.

Unions to Discuss Election Strategy ; Politics Labour Elections

Two of the biggest trade unions affiliated to Labour are to hold a special meeting to discuss a joint strategy for the party's leadership elections. Representatives from the GMB and Unison will meet on May 14 to work out how members will be able to take part in the elections.

Bid to Protect Poor Fishermen ; Politics Illegal Fishing

The Government has backed measures to track fish from the moment they are caught to the time they arrive on consumers' plates, in a bid to deter illegal fishing. UK Fisheries Minister Ben Brad-shaw and Gareth Thomas, the Minister for International Development, are to meet supermarkets including Tesco and Marks & Spencer to boost consumer confidence over the issue.

End 'Tribalism' ; Politics Party Feud

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has called for an end "to tribalism in New Labour" and to feuds between rival Blair and Brown camps. Ms Jowell, who is close to the Prime Minister, joined other prominent Blairites in conceding there may not be a major leadership challenge to Gordon Brown.

Lords Defeat ; Politics Gun Powers

Peers defeated the Government last night by voting to give the police new powers to seal off areas and to search people and vehicles in them for firearms. The defeat came during report stage of the Serious Crime Bill, when peers backed a cross-party amendment by Tory Lord Marlesford by 185 to 138, a majority of 47.