Birmingham Post

Millionaire's Wife Killed by Gunshot Head Wound

A murder investigation was launched after one of two bodies found at the burned-out Shropshire home of missing millionaire businessman Christopher Foster was identified yesterday as his wife. A post-mortem examination revealed 49-year-old Jill Foster, who was identified through dental records, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.

Pm Brown and Chancellor Darling Both Agree - Things Are Dire, Says Straw

Gordon Brown fully agrees with the Chancellor's dire assessment of the UK economic outlook, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday. Justice Secretary Jack Straw dismissed claims of tensions after Alistair Darling warned global conditions were the worst since the 1940s, and no one knew how bad things would get.

New Orleans Fears Worst As 'Storm of the Century' Looms

Hundreds of thousands of people were fleeing New Orleans yesterday after the city's mayor warned "the storm of the century" was coming and it was "time to be scared". Roads out of the port, which has still not recovered after being devastated three years ago by Hurricane Katrina, were crammed with traffic and authorities have been trying to help evacuate anyone who cannot get themselves out.

New Orleans Residents Urged to Flee ; Hurricane Gustav

Residents were ordered to flee an only partially rebuilt New Orleans yesterday as another monster storm bore down on Louisiana nearly three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina wiped out entire swathes of the city. Hurricane Gustav, which has already killed more than 80 people in the Caribbean, strengthened quickly into a Category 4 and there were fears it could become a Category 5 storm, packing winds in excess of 156 mph.

Bush to Miss Republican Convention As Storm Hits ; Hurricane Gustav

US President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will skip the Republican National Convention because of mounting concerns about Hurricane Gustav, the White House said. His Homeland Security chief warned that Gustav could prove more challenging than Katrina and the nation's disaster response co- ordinator worried about New Orlean's fragile levees.

Evacuate? No Thanks, I'm Staying Put, Says One British Publican ; Hurricane Gustav

British holidaymakers in Cuba were urged to follow the advice of local authorities as Hurricane Gustav battered the country and at least 300,000 people were evacuated. Forecasters said Gustav was just short of becoming a topscale Category 5 hurricane when it hit Cuba's mainland after passing over its Isla de la Juventud province, where screaming 150mph winds toppled telephone poles, mango and almond trees and peeled back the tin roofs of homes.

Bullring Going Strong Five Years On, but Regeneration Needed Elsewhere

It was built to bring Brummies back into Birmingham. Now the rejuvenated Bullring, featuring Selfridges and the iconic bronze bull, will be celebrating its fifth birthday on Thursday, writes Fionnuala Bourke. And since it opened its doors on September 4, 2003, more than 200 million visitors have spent billions of pounds there and the centre has been credited for bringing glamour, as well as a touch of wealth to the region.

City Hoping to Regain Top Business Area Outside Capital ; Birmingham City Council's Lovehate Relationship with Global Property Experts Cushman and Wakefield Will Be Put to the Test Again Later This Month When the Annual League Table of the Best Uk Business Cities Is Published, Explains Public Affairs Editor Paul Dale

A decision in 2006 to rank Birmingham as the best place outside of London in which to locate a business and the 19th best European destination was greeted in triumphal tones by city council leader Mike Whitby, who described the announcement as a clear vote of confidence in the future. For the best part of a year, Coun Whitby's speeches routinely paid tribute to Cushman and Wakefield's "prestigious" UK and European Cities Monitors - studies which he said were used by developers the world over ...

It May Not Have Been the Brightest

Do's and Don'ts for Modern Copper

A police force has issued a "modern" behaviour guide and appearance code to its officers. Norfolk Police told officers to "be polite and courteous", to dress "appropriately", to be tidy, not to use personal mobile phones in public view and not keep their hands in their pockets.

House Prices Fall Again, but Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel?

House prices in England and Wales fell for the 11th month in a row during August as the propertymarket downturn continued, figures showed today. The average home lost 0.9 per cent of its value during the month, a slight moderation from the fall of 1.2 per cent recorded during July, according to housing information group Hometrack.

Falling Petrol Costs and the Olympics Spur On Shoppers

Consumers returned to the shops during August as the cost of petrol fell and Olympic success boosted people's interest in sports and fitness, figures showed today. Experian said its national retail footfall index recorded a 3.9 per cent rise compared with July, ending three consecutive months of falls.

Airline Zoom Collapsed with As Much As Pounds 25 Million in Debt

Bosses at a collapsed transatlantic budget airline yesterday said its debts are likely to total pounds 20-pounds 25million. But claims that Zoom Airlines could owe three times this were rejected.

Workers Are Too Stressed, Says Tuc

Workers are facing "real problems" such as bullying, discrimination, stress and poor pay, according to a new study today. Research for the TUC showed a series of complaints, including long hours, increasing workloads, lack of training and unfair pay structures.

Ministers Must Kick Start the House Market, Say Surveyors

The Government needs to kick start the housing market with a package of rescue measures and reforms, property professionals said today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the Government's attempts so far to drag the the market out of the doldrums have been "limited".

Government to Lift Lid On Plans to Help Buyers and Homeowners

The Government will try to put its recent problems behind it this week when it unveils a package of measures to help struggling homeowners and first-time buyers. It is expected to launch a number of initiatives tomorrow ranging from improved support for people facing repossession to new savings plans and shared equity schemes for those trying to get on to the property ladder.

Wet August Creates Nightmare for Wheat Farmers Left with Soggy Crop

Weathermen yesterday predicted more bad news for farmers fretting over fields of soggy wheat. The National Farmers' Union said three-quarters of Britain's wheat had yet to be cut after a rainy summer and crops were "vulnerable".

Darling Tones Down His Dire Warning

Alistair Darling insisted it was his duty to be straight with the public, after delivering a dire assessment of the UK's economic prospects. The Chancellor was forced to take to the airwaves in a bid to clarify his views after starkly warning that Britain was facing the worst global outlook for 60 years.

Chancellor Takes Misery to a Whole New Level

There hasn't exactly been a shortage of gloom coming out of the Government recently, writes James Tapsfield. But by warning that the economic outlook is the worst for six decades and that voters are "pissed off" with Labour, Alistair Darling has taken the misery to a whole new level.

Few Takers for New Registration

The new 58 car number plates are available from today, but vehicle-buying plans seem to have stalled. The number of people planning to buy a car over the next six months is at a three-year low, according to a survey by Sainsbury's Finance.