Birmingham Post

Repair Job's Not Finished As Rail Commuters Still Face Delays

Midland rail commuters face further disruption and frustration today as major engineering work continues on the West Coast Main Line. The work at Rugby began on Christmas Eve and was due to finish on New Year's Eve, but is now expected not to finish until tomorrow - although Network Rail admitted it could not promise "a fixed completion date".

Faith Schools Inquiry for Balls

Children's Secretary Ed Balls faces a Parliamentary inquiry into his plans to open hundreds of new state-funded faith schools. MPs on the cross-party Schools Select Committee will grill the minister over his proposals next week.

Here's to 'Drunk Tank' Initiative

Ambulance service bosses last night hailed their pioneering "drunk tank" initiative a success, with paramedics treating 140 patients at their festive clinic in Birmingham. On New Year's Eve alone, St John Ambulance volunteers and medics from the Central Accident Resuscitation team treated 50 people for minor injuries, the vast majority of which were alcohol-related.

Three Killed in Collision with Bus ; Accident

Three people died and two were seriously injured when their car was in a collision with a bus yesterday. The accident happened in Charlton, south east London, shortly after 6am. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 6.27 to reports of a serious road traffic collision in Little Heath, SE7.

Second Arrest in Shooting of Pc ; Crime

Detectives hunting a gunman who shot a policewoman in the leg have made a second arrest, Lancashire police said yesterday. The 37-year-old, from the Manchester area, was detained on a railway line close to where dog handler Katie Johnson, 29, was shot as she responded to a robbery in Bamber Bridge, near Preston.

Stabbing Victim ; Crime

An 18-year-old man was stabbed to death while making his way home from New Year's Eve celebrations. He was chased after an argument between two groups of youths in Edmonton, north London, and fatally wounded in the street.

Concern Over Dramatic Increase in Prison Suicides

The number of inmates who killed themselves in prisons in England and Wales increased dramatically in 2007, figures released by the Ministry of Justice show today. There were a total of 92 "self-inflicted deaths" in 2007, including 84 males, eight females, seven male young offenders (under 21) and one juvenile.

Man Quizzed in Death Riddle of Ex-Beeb Dj

A man was arrested and quizzed about the death of former Radio 1 breakfast DJ Kevin Greening, police said yesterday. The man, in his 50s, was arrested at the address in Wandsworth, south London, where Greening's body was found on Saturday night, the Metropolitan Police said.

Midlands Mum Plunges to Death From Hotel Balcony

A Midland holidaymaker plunged to her death from a 14th-floor hotel balcony during a Christmas family holiday in Spain. Mother-of-one, Julie Mollart (below), fell more than 140ft from the Hotel Flamingo, in Benidorm, on Christmas Day.

'How Are City a&E Cuts Improved Patient Care?'

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday outlined his vision for the NHS as it enters its 60th year - as campaigners protested outside a Birmingham hospital which is set to cut emergency surgery services. Mr Brown's message to NHS staff that he wanted a health service that "concentrates on care as well as cure" came as more than 30 people gathered outside City Hospital, in Winson Green, to demonstrate against plans to transfer A&E surgical services six miles to Sandwell General, in West Bromwich.

'Strictest Security' for Computerised Health Details

The Government yesterday moved to reassure the public about the security of a new national patient information database as it was claimed an estimated 200,000 people are set to opt out of the system. An IT programme to introduce the mass database has the "highest standards of security", a spokeswoman insisted.

Fourth Suspect Held for College Student's Death

A fourth person was arrested last night in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old college student who was attacked as he celebrated the New Year. Bradley Whitfield is thought to have been stabbed with a broken bottle shortly after leaving a party near his home in Leicester in the early hours of yesterday.

Police Losing Focus On Photographers' Rights

More and more photographers are being wrongly prevented from taking pictures in public places by police who do not understand the law, a photography trade body said. The Bureau of Freelance Photographers said it had seen a concerning increase in reports of police acting outside their powers in the past 12 months and expected a further rise in 2008.

Teresa, Not Diana, 'First Saint of Celebrity Age'

Mother Teresa, not Princess Diana, was the first saint of the celebrity age, according to a new book on the diminutive nun. In an attempt to redefine the world's idea of the 20th-century icon, Mother Teresa: Saint or Celebrity?, Birmingham sociologist Dr Gezim Alpion says she allowed her image to be created using media attention to further her cause.

Seeking Nature of God in Big Bang ; the Secrets to the Beginning of the Universe Could Lie Underground in Switzerland. Joanna Geary Joined a Birmingham University Team of Scientists Working On the Project in Geneva. Simon Hadley Took the Pictures

"The most exciting thing of all," says Professor Peter Watkins with a smile, "is we have absolutely no idea what will happen until we switch it on." When you realise that the University of Birmingham academic is referring to the world's largest particle physics experiment, it is a little disconcerting.

International: Brown Directs Initiative to Stop Violence in Kenya

Gordon Brown yesterday moved to help bring the violence in Kenya to an end, securing support for a peace initiative by Commonwealth and African leaders. As the death toll since last week's disputed election climbed past 200, the Prime Minister sought international assistance for reconciliation efforts between the country's political leaders.

International: Freedom for Woman Activist Who Tried to Assassinate Gerald Ford

A woman who attempted to assassinate Gerald Ford when he was president of the US has been released from prison. Sara Jane Moore, who took a shot at Ford just 17 days after a disciple of Charles Manson tried to kill the president, was paroled after 32 years behind bars.

International: Cyprus and Malta Buy Into Euro's Strength

EU newcomers Cyprus and Malta adopted the euro yesterday, bringing to 15 the number of countries using the currency with increasing clout over the slumping US dollar. The Mediterranean islands, both former British colonies, scrapped the Cyprus pound and Maltese lira.

International: 'Impossible' for Pakistan to Hold Elections Amid Unrest

It appears "impossible" for Pakistan to hold a vote on January 8 because of unrest following the killing of Benazir Bhutto, the country's election commission said yesterday. The announcement could spark protests by parties demanding quick polls to capitalise on sympathy for the slain opposition leader.

International: Us Diplomat Shot in Attack On Car ; Sudan

A US diplomat died after being shot while riding in a car early yesterday in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The shooting, which also killed the official's Sudanese driver, came a day after a joint African Union-United Nations force took over peacekeeping duties in Sudan's violence-torn Darfur region. It was unclear if the attack was targeted, or a random crime.