Birmingham Post

Blears in Pledge to City Muslims

A senior Government Minister yesterday told hundreds of Muslim leaders in Birmingham they had a crucial role in helping root out extremism, as the UK was put on critical alert for more terrorist attacks. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears made her pledge to help deter radicalisation of young Muslims as the Midlands became the focus of the latest anti-terror operations.

Short May Retake Labour Whip Now Blair has Gone

Controversial Birmingham MP Clare Short has hinted she might rej oin the Labour Party in the Commons now that Gordon Brown has taken over from Tony Blair. The MP for Ladywood and former International Development Secretary quit the Labour benches last October, after she was threatened with disciplinary action for speaking out against Mr Blair.

Another British Soldier Dies As Vehicle Blown Up in Afghanistan

A British soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan yesterday - the second to die in the troubled country in two days. The soldier, from 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed at about 9.30am local time when his vehicle was blown up following an exchange of fire. The Ministry of Defence said four other soldiers were injured.

Stars Shine at Wembley for Diana and Her Princes

Prince Harry kicked off the Concert for Diana yesterday with the words: "Hello, Wembley!" William and brother Harry took to the stage in front of a 63,000- strong crowd at Wembley Stadium at the start of the special gig they organised in memory of their mother, on what would have been her 46th birthday.

Now Cowboy Builders Add to Misery of the Floods

Flood-stricken communities were warned about the possibility of cowboy builders adding to their misery yesterday as predictions of persistent torrential rain failed to materialise. As residents in parts of south Yorkshire, Humberside, Shropshire and Worcestershire began a clean-up operation, they were told to be on their guard for unscrupulous builders targeting these areas.

Five Held As Glasgow Is Linked to London Attacks

Five people were in custody last night after the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow as Gordon Brown warned of a "long term and sustained" terror threat to Britain. A 27-year-old woman was among those being questioned over the nationwide terror alert.

Drop-Off Zones Close As Airports Stay On Alert

West Midlands airports were on the highest level of alert yesterday with their drop-off zones still closed to motorists. At Birmingham International Airport, the short stay car park was for drop-offs following advice from the police. A spokesman for the airport said the car park was likely to get congested and urged travellers to give themselves longer time than usual to get to the airport.

Cul-de-Sac Cordoned Off As Police Search Doctor's Home

The home of a hospital doctor in Staffordshire was being searched last night as part of the anti-terror operations. Forensic experts and police officers swarmed around the house, in Sunningdale Grove, Chesterton, and removed black bags filled with items to be tested and examined.

Lack of Prior Intelligence 'a Major Headache'

Lack of prior intelligence about the attacks in London and Glasgow, and the new use of car bombs will prove a major headache in the fight against terrorism, an expert said yesterday. Dr Steve Hewitt, an expert on security and intelligence with Birmingham University's Historical Studies department, said the concern now occupying MI5 would be how many more people were connected to the latest attacks.

Youngsters Raise Cash for Save the Children ; Education Matters

More than 500 young musicians, singers and dancers from Birmingham yesterday held a concert to raise funds to help educate children in war-torn countries. The students from several schools and youth groups in the city, including City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus, Elmhurst School for Dance, King Edward's School and King Edward VI High School for Girls, took part in the gala at the Symphony Hall.

300 Kicked Out Including 48 for Carrying Weapons ; Education Matters

Sexual offences, drug dealing, possessing weapons and physical assaults. Not just a list of categories to be found on crime reports, but a litany of reasons why children were kicked out of Birmingham schools last year.

Two Thirds of Teachers Have Been Victims of Assault ; Education Matters

Two thirds of teachers claim to have been physically or verbally assaulted during the past year. One in six say they were threatened with a knife or a gun by youngsters, with the result that many seriously contemplated moving school or quitting the profession altogether. The worrying findings come from 300 teaching staff nationally conducted by Midland-based firm TAC, which installs security systems in new schools.

Children From Duxford Community ; Education Matters

Steiner Would Do Wonders for 'Problem' Children ; Education Matters Never Mind the Bullock Plain Speaking From Ex- Teacher Brenda Bullock

Reading the piece in The Post (June 18) about the Steiner School in Stourbridge led me to indulge in a sceptical smile at Gordon Brown's vow to get us a "world class education system", and an incredulous laugh at Alan Johnson's assertion that all children must have a "level playing field" in their education, which would give them all equal opportunities for achievement. Steiner schools are run rather along the lines of a therapeutic community, where small classes of children are taught by the...

Government to Get Tough On a-Level Exam Grades ; Education Matters

Teenagers will need to score marks of 90 per cent in their A- level courses to be judged among the very best in the country under a shake-up of exams, ministers have ruled. A new A* grade is being introduced from next year in an attempt to make A levels more stretching for the most talented students.

Blast the Zombies ; Education Matters

Royal Unveiling of Rural England Vision

A vision for the future of rural England will be unveiled at a countryside showcase tomorrow. A major review of agricultural and rural policies carried out by former Agriculture Secretary John Gummer will be presented at the Royal Show in Warwickshire.

Shame of Poverty in the Countryside

One in five residents of rural England is living in poverty, but many of their richer neighbours are unaware of the deprivation in their midst, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said. Launching a party policy paper on rural issues, Sir Menzies said the countryside suffered under both the previous Conservative administration and the current Labour Government, which appeared not to care about non-urban areas.

New Land Army

A publicity drive to attract young people to careers in agriculture was launched today. The National Farmers' Union wants more school leavers to consider working on the land.

Recycling Tv Mountain Could Cost Taxpayers Pounds 27m

Council taxpayers face a pounds 27 million bill for dealing with a "TV mountain" under new regulations which came into force yesterday, local authority leaders warned. The European Union directive on the disposal of household appliances requires producers to pay for the cost of recycling items like TVs, fridges and DVD players.