Subsidy system 'is a shambles' Jul 5 2005
A flagship Government policy to encourage tens of thousands of farmers to enter environ-mental schemes has become a complete shambles, say agricultural leaders. more
NFU calls for mass badger cull in bovine TB battle Jul 5 2005
Mass populations of badgers should be gassed if farmers are to eradicate bovine TB which is spiralling out of control in parts of the Midlands, the National Farmers' Union said. more
Policy will restore native woodlands Jul 5 2005
Hundreds of thousands of conifers and non-native species of trees across the West Midlands are to be replaced with native varieties like oak, ash and beech in a project to save ancient woodlands. more
Pregnant mums in binge drinking warning Jul 5 2005
Experts are meeting in Birmingham today to look at how to educate women about the dangers binge drinking can have on their unborn babies. more
Build more council homes, urge Midland MPs Jul 5 2005
A failure to build new council houses is forcing residents to accept "latter-day Rachmans" as private landlords or take out mortgages they cannot afford, Midland MPs have warned. more
Melissa's giant step to freedom Jul 5 2005
A former top junior gymnast who broke her back in a trampolining accident has set herself her toughest challenge yet - walking 300 yards to raise cash for her treatment. more
National writing academy quits city May 30 2005
The National Academy of Writing, backed by some of the country's leading authors, has pulled out of its Birmingham office. more
Police hand out yellow cards to yobs May 30 2005
Eight unruly revellers were handed "yellow cards" on the first night of West Midlands Police's new football-style method of curbing anti-social behaviour in Birmingham. more
Single-sex classes 'help boys to learn' May 30 2005
Schools should teach children in single-sex classes to over-come the "laddish" culture that stops boys learning, according to a major Government research project. more
It's such a gay day at Brum's proud parade May 30 2005
Organisers of Birmingham's Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival 2005 last night said they were expecting this year's event to be the best attended festival ever. more
On-the-spot £40 fines for children May 30 2005
Children as young as ten in the West Midlands could be handed on-the-spot fines of up to £40 if they commit yobbish behaviour. more
£1bn Paradise Circus makeover revealed May 2 2005
Major private sector firms and Birmingham City Council are drawing up a regeneration framework to deliver a £1 billion makeover of Paradise Circus and the surrounding area. more
Teenagers are anti-war and anti-Blair May 2 2005
Labour could be set for a major upset in the once safe seat of Sparkbrook & Small Heath, if the views of the young in the area are anything to go by. more
