Birmingham Post

Be Brave, Be Bold ; Minister Tells the West Midlands: You've Got 150 Days to Draw Up Action Plan

West Midlands Minister Liam Byrne yesterday issued a wake-up call to the region as he accused it of failing to punch its weight, lacking ambition and being trapped in a "malaise of modesty". In his first major speech since being appointed to his new role four weeks ago, Mr Byrne challenged local councils and business leaders to draw up bold strategies by seizing the devolution opportunities offered by the Government.

Chance for City to Race Ahead - Digby

Trade Minister Digby Jones last night called on city bosses to resurrect Birmingham's street-racing Super Prix, urging them to "be bold, be brave and go and do it", writes Emma Pinch. Sir Digby joined forces with the tourism boss for the Isle of Man by insisting a street race would be the formula which raised Birmingham to the prominence of other cities.

Body Found in Search for Boy ; Swimmer

Police searching for a 16-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in a lake at a disused mine yesterday recovered a body. Officers found the body of a teenage boy at the former Silverdale Colliery near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, at about 1pm.

Barton Vows to Clear Name ; Charge

Premiership footballer Joey Barton has vowed to clear his name after he was charged with assaulting one of his team-mates during an alleged training ground bust-up. The England midfielder "strenuously denies" the allegation that he attacked Ousmane Dabo during a Manchester City training session.

Man Dies in Car ; Crash

A man died and a woman was seriously injured in a two-car crash in Warwickshire yesterday. The cars collided on Campden Road, near Long Marston airfield, and both were embedded in bushes on opposite sides of the road as a result.

Soccer Fan Killed ; Crash

A teenage football fan died after being struck by a car while making his way to a pre-season friendly, police said yesterday. The 15-year-old pedestrian was rushed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on Wednesday night after the crash near Stoke City's Britannia Stadium.

Langham Found Guilty of Downloading Child Porn

Actor Chris Langham was behind bars last night after being found guilty of downloading child porn. The 58-year-old star claimed he was researching a paedophile character for a television drama and said he was trying to make sense of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child, but a jury at Maidstone Crown Court rejected his account.

Counter Terrorist Chief's Job On Line for Misleading Public

The job of the UK's most senior counter terrorist officer was on the line last night after an inquiry found he misled the public. Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman failed to pass on information suggesting marksmen shot dead an innocent man as they hunted wanted suicide bombers.

Ministers Had Too Much Say in Bbc Appointment, Say Mps

Government Ministers were given too much opportunity to influence the selection process behind the appointment of BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons, an all-party select committee said today. The former market trader and ex-Birmingham City Council chief executive's links with Gordon Brown, who was Chancellor at the time, sparked accusations of cronyism when he was appointed to the corporation.

Glamour Racing Certainty for Birmingham Prix Bid ; Racing Cars On the Streets of Birmingham Would Not Only Help the Local Economy but Bring Excitement and Glamour, Supporters of the Idea Told Emma Pinch

Time was when Birmingham was tarred with an image of grimy factories, strangled accents and forbidding 60s architecture. In 2007 it is more like cavernous conference centres, shiny shopping malls . . . and still that strangled accent. Nothing on the surface which resonates with the playboy luxury and sunny climes of glamour-packed Monaco. But with the resurrection of the Super Prix some of the principality's sparkle could be sprinkled over the city of 1000 trades.

Aswad Lead Birmingham Carnival Finale

Birmingham revellers are dusting off their feather boas and steel drums in preparation for this year's city carnival. With the sun shining at last, organisers are hoping that locals will turn out in droves to get into the Caribbean spirit for the annual extravaganza.

Tributes to West Midland 'Tankie' Killed by Basra Bomb

A West Midlands soldier killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Iraq was named yesterday. Corporal Steve Edwards, 35, from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device in Basra, southern Iraq, on Tuesday night. Cpl Edwards, a father-of-one and known as Eddie to his friends, was on a routine patrol in the Mustashfa district of Basra City when his Warrior armoured vehicle was struck shortly before midnight local time.

New Street Project Still has Questions to Answer

The Government will not write a cheque for pounds 350 million to cover the cost of rebuilding New Street Station until it is satisfied the project offers value for money, West Midlands Minister Liam Byrne told a crunch meeting yesterday. Mr Byrne said he would do everything in his power to put the case for New Street to Whitehall spending departments, but there were still questions that the partnership behind the station scheme had to answer.

City Station Very Bottom of League

Only three in five rail passengers are happy with the overall environment at their station - and Birmingham's New Street is bottom of the league, according to a survey. The 60 per cent overall satisfaction figure came as customer watchdog Passenger Focus announced that among the 20 busiest stations on the network, Manchester Piccadilly was the rail travellers' favourite.

Let's Keep Rocking the Cradle of British Genius ; the West Midlands Is the Cradle of British Genius but Needs to Show More Ambition, the Region's New Minister Liam Byrne Told Council Leaders and Stakeholders in Birmingham Yesterday

I believe the rationale for regional ministers is simple. An extra pair of hands to help us close Britain's gaping wealth gap.

One More Tour de Force by Charity Fundraisers ; When Former Wolves and England Footballer Geoff Thomas Got Back On His Bike to Take On the Tour de France Route Again, He Didn't Realise the Challenge Would Be Tougher the Second Time Around As He Told Health Correspondent Emma Brady

At the halfway stage of the 2,218 mile route across four countries and 21 mountains, the wheels came off Geoff Thomas's Tour de France challenge. The 42-year-old former footballer, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia four years ago but has been in remission since January 2005, was coughing up blood, suffering cold sweats and had a temperature over 100degF.

New Hope for Cancer Care

A drug developed for schizophrenia could soon be used to treat cancer. Scientists at Dundee University believe rimcazole could be effective in helping people fight the disease.

'Expensive' Drug Does Help Ms, Say Doctors

Early treatment of multiple sclerosis with beta interferon can hold back the disease and help prevent disablement, doctors said today. The finding will fuel controversy over MS treatment which has centred on the drug, a natural protein that affects the immune system.

Inquiry Into Two Medication Overdose Deaths

A Birmingham hospital has launched an investigation after reports that two cancer patients died hours after being given an overdose of medication. Father-of-three Paul Richards, 35, and Baljit Singh Sunner, 36, died within hours of each other on the oncology ward at Heartlands Hospital.

Two Guilty of Contract Killing ; Courts

Two men were found guilty yesterday of murdering a career criminal linked to the notorious Brinks-Mat gold bullion robbery. George Francis, 63, was the ninth man to die in the aftermath of the pounds 26 million heist in 1983. He was widely believed to have helped dispose of a large chunk of the loot from the Heathrow hold- up.