Birmingham Post

Will Anyone Write the Cheque That Saves Jlr?

Ministers are demanding the Indian billionaire behind Jaguar- Land Rover owners Tata give up some of his personal fortune to save the businesses. Details of a deal to save thousands of West Midlands jobs began to emerge after business secretary Peter Mandelson confirmed he was in talks about state aid to the firms - but insisted there was no "open cheque book".

Profile: Road to Prosperity ; Malcolm Breakwell, Chairman of Silverline Coaches, Tells Tom Fleming That It Hasn't Always Been a Smooth Ride in Association with Www.Rbs.Co.Uk

Not so much a career path, more a way of strife marked Malcolm Breakwell's tentative early steps en route to a successful business career. As a fresh-faced newcomer to the world of work, the teenage Malcolm quite literally trudged up many a blind alley, dragging himself from door to door on a frustrating mission to persuade the housewives of 60s Britain that what they needed most in life was a vacuum cleaner.

Birmingham-Born Micro-Sculptor Willard Wigan

Super College Gets Thumbs Up ; Education

Anewpounds 42million supercollege fornorth Birmingham has been unanimously backed by council planners and welcomed as a great addition to the city's education services. Designs for the new Sutton Coldfield College campus in Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, were described as 'striking' and hailed as a new landmark building for the area as it secured final planning permission.

Empty Car Hit in Train Crash ; Transport

A car was hit by a train after it rolled down a hill on to a railway line. The vehicle, an empty 4x4, went on to the track at North Rode in Congleton, Cheshire, where it was hit by a southbound train at around 6pm.

Parents Remove Pupils Because of Gypsy Site

Angry parents removed their children from a Warwickshire school because they felt threatened after a group of gypsies set up camp in their village. The travellers caused uproar when they arrived on the rural site at Darlingscott, near Shipston-on-Stour, next to the home of Olympic minister Tessa Jowell, during the Easter bank holiday.

Birmingham University Djs Banned for Brand-Esque Slur

Two student radio DJs in Birmingham have been banned after they claimed another student, the daughter of Des O'Connor, worked as a porn actress. Lewis Grew cock, aged20, and22-year-old Sam Foster were sacked from Birmingham University's Burn FM over their on-air slur, totally unfounded, this month but have been allowed to continue with studies. Birmingham University is investigating.

Scientist Guilty of Misconduct ; Health

A woman has been banned from working as a biomedical scientist after she stole cash from a colleague and failed to tell a prospective employer about her criminal record. Balvinder Degan was struck off the Health Professions Council (HPC) register after a panel heard details of the thefts and that the scientist had failed to declare her police record when applying for a new job with the NHS Blood and Transplant Service.

Hunt for Third Pounds 73k-a-Year Hr Director Sparks Row

A decision to recruit a third pounds 73,000-ayear assistant director for Birmingham City Council's human resources department has sparked a bitter row. Tory council leaders say the new post is essential to drive forward a business transformation project, which is supposed to save pounds 1 billion over a 10-year period by investing in new IT systems and more efficient methods of working.

Pounds 100k for Birmingham Gallery

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has been awarded pounds 107,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop its plans for new displays of local history. It means the museum will now move on to stage two in its bid to raise aneventual pounds 5million from the fund towards the pounds 7.9million cost of its Birmingham - A City in the Making project, which will see a sequence of displays on the history of Birmingham from the middle ages to the present day created in a wing of refurbish hed galler...

Smith Backs Down Over Elected Head for Forces

The home secretary's decision to scrap plans for direct elections to the bodies which oversee police forces has won the backing of West Midland police leaders. Jacqul Smith blamed the move on opposition from senior police, she said fuelled In part by the "polltlclsatlon" of policing by Conservatives.

Demonstrator Calls for Improved Black Country Rail Links to Boost Jobs

The Black Country must have better rail links If It Is to enjoy Increased employment opportunities, a leading transport campaigner has claimed. Kevin Chapman, from West Midlands CampalgnforBetterTransport, believes a new railway station at Wlllenhall as well as Increased routes between Wai sail and Aldridge would bring huge benefits to the area.

Apartheid Campaigner From Birmingham Dies ; Tributes Paid to Prominent Teacher and Volunteer

Tributes were paid last night following the death of a Birmingham charity worker and peace campaigner who helped distribute millions to academic Institutions and good causes. The death of EInora Ferguson, aged 79 at home In Selly Oak, marked the end of a colourful life which Included being banned from South Africa during apart-held because of work to promote equality.

Nieghbour Held On Headless Body Find ; Death

A31-year-oldmanarrestedonsuspicion of murdering his neigh bour following the discovery of a decapitated body has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Patrick McGee, 63, was found dead at his Manchester home on Monday night. His head was found in a wheelie-bin.

Racist Chants: Nine Are Bailed ; Sport

Police have arrested and bailed four more men in connection with racist and homophobic chanting at a football match. Hampshire police released images of 16 men who are believed to have shouted the abuse at Portsmouth Football Club player Sol Campbell during a game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Rugby Star Charged After Street Brawl ; Sport

England rugby star Lesley Vainikolo has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm following a street brawl. Vainikolo (29) was held after a fight in Bath, Somerset, at 2am on October 26. A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with head injuries first thought to be "critical", but was later discharged.

Babysitter Cleared of Murdering Toddler ; Court

Babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth has been cleared of murdering two- year-old Kyle Fisher. A jury at Teesside Crown Court acquitted Ms Holdsworth, aged 38, of Leeds, of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Killer's Admission Ends 16-Year Murder Case ; Dn a Breakthrough Allowed Detectives to Bring Man to Justice

Rachel Nickell's killer was finally brought to justice 16 years after she was brutally stabbed and assaulted in front of her young son. Convicted sex killer Robert Napper admitted carrying out the attack on Wimbledon Common which shocked the nation and triggered one of the biggest manhunts in recent police history. Broadmoor patient Napper, 42, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey and his plea was accepted on the grounds of his diminished responsibility.

Ex-Pat Given Life in Prison for Fatally Shooting Wife

Anex-pat who shot his wife dead at their home in Zimbabwe, and then staged her death to look like a suicide, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Michael Bamford (51) killed his wife of three months, Ivy Sutcliffe, aged 61, also known as Ivy Bamford, at their luxury home in Harare four years ago.

Bbc Reports in Many Tongues

overage of the London 2012 Olympics could be broadcast in a range of languages across Britain under plans being drawn up by the BBC World Service. The aim is to tap into Britain's rich cultural mix and technological expertise at a time when the nation will be a magnet for international visitors.