Birmingham Post

Tata Signs On Dotted Line for Historic Car Marques

A new era yesterday began for Jaguar Land Rover as India's Tata Motors formally completed its acquisition of the Midland icons. American giant Ford relinquished control as the pounds 1.15 billion deal was finalised at a low-key signing ceremony at JLR's corporate headquarters at Gaydon.

Bradford & Bingley Stuns Market

The banking crisis took a new turn yesterday when Bradford & Bingley issued a profits warning and announced a pounds 179 million cash injection from a leading private equity firm. Britain's biggest buy-to-let lender sent shockwaves through the banking sector after reporting rising numbers of borrowers falling behind with repayments.

Great Barr Head Killed in M5 Crash

A Birmingham head teacher has been identified as one of the victims of the M5 motorway smash that killed three people on Friday evening. Daniel Slinn died while his wife Lisa and the couple's 11-year- old daughter were seriously injured in the accident which occurred on the M5 near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, when a van ploughed through the central reservation into their car.

Severn Trent Manager Admitted 'Deceit' in Damning Internal Email

A Severn Trent manager came up with a "template for deceit" to help the Midland-based giant lie about its water leakage, a court was told yesterday. In an email titled "lies, damned lies and statistics", leakage manager Will Bradford said he had been "economical with the truth", the Old Bailey heard.

Rhys Teen Appears ; Courts

16-Year-Old Charged ; Courts

Shoppers Peeled Off ; Social

Oranges are falling out of favour because consumers are losing the patience to peel them. Consumption fell two per cent over 12 months - the third year of decline in a row as consumers switched to smaller varieties which are easier to peel, trade magazine The Grocer reported. The drop has been countered by growth in the "easy-peeler" market.

American Newspaper Brands Murder Trial Briton a Monster

Briton Neil Entwistle arrived at court yesterday charged with murdering his American wife and baby. The first few days of the hearing are expected to be taken up with legal arguments and jury selection.

Grandson Arrested for Anti-Gun Mum's Death

The grandson of anti-gun campaigner Pat Regan was being questioned yesterday on suspicion of her murder. Mrs Regan, 53, was found dead at a flat on Marlborough Grange, Leeds, at 7pm on Sunday, West Yorkshire Police said.

Bnp Councillor in Police Inquiry

A BNP councillor elected in Stoke-on-Trent in May is being investigated by police. John Burgess, who lives just outside the city, said complaints had been made about the fact that he used a business connection in order to stand for the Meir Park and Sandon ward.

Four-Year-Old William Atkins

'Hate Crime' Christians Seek Apology From Police After Row

Two Christian preachers who claim they were stopped from handing out Bible extracts in a Muslim area of Birmingham are calling on police to state clearly their policy on freedom of speech. Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham, from the Grace Bible Fellowship Church, in Saltley, had been distributing leaflets in nearby Alum Rock when a police community support officer (PCSO) intervened.

Town Halls Urged to Map Areas by Religion

Town halls should consider mapping their areas religion by religion to help to combat Muslim extremism, the Government suggested today. Guidance to local councils suggested the move as part of a wide- ranging package to identify and challenge Islamists, including a new national "deradicalisation" programme.

Man Arrested After Schoolgirl Found Stabbed to Death in Lift

Police arrested a man yesterday in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old girl in a block of flats in London. The teenager was found with stab wounds in a lift at Matheson Lang House in Baylis Road, near Waterloo Station.

University Staff Records Stolen

Details of more than 3,000 current and former employers of Birmingham City University were among 35,000 private health customer records stolen from a security van. Personal information including their home addresses, dates of birth, claims details and scanned letters of correspondence were stored on a computer tape stolen from the van.

Bullring Bull Is Creating a Can-Do Attitude to Recycling

One of Birmingham's newest icons, the Bullring bull, has been recreated using old Coke cans, to mark Recycle Week which started yesterday. City artist Pamina Stewart recreated Laurence Broderick's bronze original - as part of a nationwide campaign using British landmarks - using recycled cans.

Bbc Accused On Stars' Salaries

MPs accused the BBC yesterday of a lack of transparency in a report on the salaries of its stars. The independent report commissioned by the BBC said the corporation was not pushing up wages in the industry.

Last Push for 42-Day Detention Plans

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, led a push to win over Labour rebels last night, as she tried to win backing for controversial plans to allow police to hold terror suspects for 42 days. Ms Smith (Lab Redditch) faced backbenchers at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in a Commons committee room, ahead of a showdown vote later this month.

Tories Maintain Gap ; Polls

Mps Have a Say ; Watchdog