Birmingham Post

Birmingham Mayor Is Backed by Blair

Birmingham was thrust into the forefront of the debate over elected mayors as the Prime Minister yesterday singled out the city for reform, insisting it was "the way forward". In a move to further dismay council leader Mike Whitby, Mr Blair added his weight to the campaign for a single leader to run the city, just days after the Tories outlined their vision of a "pan- city" executive mayor for the West Midlands.

Bia Seeks Autonomy From Eu for Security Measures

Birmingham International Airport has called for EU competition measures to be lifted so that it can take control of its own security operations. Joe Kelly, acting managing director of the airport, said yesterday that he wished he could bring all security under the airport's authority, but that legislation meant contracts had to be open for private bids.

City Scores with Sports Awards Again

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards is returning to Birmingham in December. The prestigious programme, a key fixture in the sporting calendar with a television audience of millions, will be filmed live at the NEC for the second year running.

Employment Law Needs More Work ; Land Rover

Labour MPs are demanding reforms to employment legislation, following Ford's announcement that it is considering selling Jaguar and Land Rover. Gordon Brown will come under pressure to review laws giving workers the right to be consulted about major decisions, when he becomes Prime Minister next week.

Silver Lining in Motor Sale

Ford's sale of Jaguar and Land Rover may not necessarily be bad news for the two Midlands marques, it has been claimed. The two luxury brands could prosper under someone else's ownership freed from the problems of an owner beset by problems in North America.

Midland Schoolchildren Are Getting the Chance

Midland schoolchildren are getting the chance to step into the shoes - and kneelength socks - of World War II evacuees at the Severn Valley Railway. Hundreds of youngsters will learn the tough realities of wartime evacuation as the Kidderminster site gears up for its 13th annual 1940s weekend on Saturday.

High Speed Rail Line Gets Green Light From Pressure Group

The Government should press ahead with an pounds 11 billion north- south high-speed rail line linking London, Birmingham, north west England and Scotland, a report said yesterday. The route would provide an extension to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, now known as High Speed One, and would include a link to Heathrow airport.

Arts Gurus Take to the Stage for Lively Debate ; a Panel of Experts Yesterday Discussed If There Is Still Life in Regional Arts at an Event Backed by the Birmingham Post and the Nec Group. As Chief Reporter Neil Connor Found Out, There Was Certainly Life in the Debate

In a region that has bred linguistic talent as diverse as Shakespeare and Skinner, it was always a given that there would be a few words flying at the ICC yesterday. Both the Warwickshire playwright and the Birmingham rapper, who made a name for himself through The Streets, would have had strong opinions to vent at an event exploring the value of arts in the region.

Connie's Talent Earns Pounds 1m Record Deal

Brilliant little singer Connie Talbot may look glum after missing out on being crowned Britain's Most Talented - but the six-year-old has plenty of reason to smile having reportedly clinched a pounds 1million record deal. The Sutton Coldfield schoolgirl captured the hearts of millions of television viewers after appearing on the hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent with a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Play Raises False Alarm of Mugging On Canal Path

An outdoor play depicting muggings and street brawls performed on the canal paths around Birmingham's Brindleyplace has been accused of lowering the tone of the area. The show called BOX is being staged by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre every day until the weekend.

Children Saved From Sex Abuse

Police have rescued at least 15 British children from horrific sex abuse after launching an audacious "sting" on a UK-based paedophile ring, it was announced yesterday. The kingpin of the vile internet chatroom - where perverts queued up to download images of children being raped - was handed a jail sentence which could see him stay behind bars for the rest of his life.

Resources at Root of Superbug Problem

A Midlands hospital trust which axed more than 500 jobs last year, has claimed it failed to hit targets for tackling superbugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile as "additional resources... were not available." Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs City Hospital and Sandwell General, was one of two trusts in the region to be blasted by the Healthcare Commission for not meeting several of the 24 core standards.

Student's Poetic Tribute to Unknown Soldier

A Midlands student who "adopted" an unknown soldier who died during the First World War will read a poem in front of the Queen describing the influence he has had on her life. Laura McLintic, 20, will take part in a ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium next month, which is to be commemorated by the Queen at Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres.

Banks Continue to Settle Out of Court Over Charges

Banks are continuing to settle legal action over "unfair" fees despite a judge warning customers he intends to strike out their claims, it emerged yesterday. More than 40 people hit by unauthorised overdraft charges are due to have their cases against current account providers heard in Hull County Court on July 4.

Comedian Bernard Manning Dies at 76

Tributes were paid yesterday to controversial stand-up comedian Bernard Manning who died in hospital yesterday, aged 76. Showbiz agent Mickey Martin, a close friend of the comedian, described his death as "a sad loss".

Museum Makeover Is Relying On Advertising Banners for Cash

A pounds 13 million plan to refurbish Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is dependent on raising money from advertising banners draped across the Grade ll* listed building for up to four years while building work takes place, it emerged last night. But city council leisure, sport and culture cabinet member Ray Hassall said it was intended to place advertising placards on scaffolding protecting the Victorian structure and remove them when the work was finished.

Birmingham Man Tries Tribal Life for Tv Show

This time last year Mark Hoban was sitting at a computer thinking about spreadsheets and staff management. Looking at his Mongolian speciality lunch, a bucket of freshly severed goats' testicles, office life suddenly looked quite tempting.

Nec Casino Project Back On the Cards

Gaming companies are being asked to submit fresh bids to run a casino at the National Exhibition Centre. Members of Birmingham City Council's cabinet will agree in principle next week to dispose of land at the NEC and to invite tenders for a leisure complex centred on a large casino and hotel.

Father Wins Dna Breakthrough in Cold Case

The father of a British student murdered in France 17 years ago spoke yesterday of an "important breakthrough" after winning the right to bring DNA evidence back to the UK. Mystery still surrounds the death of trainee teacher Joanna Parrish, 21, from Gloucestershire, who was found floating in the River Yonne in central France in 1990.

New Evidence Highlights Risk of Passive Smoking

New evidence highlighting the risks to babies of second-hand cigarette smoke has been published by Midland researchers. Children with at least one parent who smoked were found to have more than five times the level of a toxin than those who did not.