Heart FM and BRMB
Birmingham Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett was interviewed about the news that car production is to re-start at Longbridge later this year.
The Birmingham Post
The Chinese owner of MG Rover had confirmed it intends to recommence production of the MG TF from August 1.
However, Nanjing Automotive also said it is planning to produce new models at the south Birmingham plant, including a replacement for the ageing sports car.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "This is what we have been waiting to hear.
"The SAIC/Nanjing pledge to start producing the MGTF LE500 breathes confidence back into the region’s manufacturing sector at a time when it is battling hard to fight off increasing raw material costs, a downturn in the economy and global competition.
"And the announcement that there are plans to produce other models at Longbridge in the future is good news for those component companies in the supply chain." p3
One of Birmingham's best-known music venues will close this Sunday and is set to be demolished to make way for an upmarket Indian restaurant.
The Jug of Ale in Moseley provided an early platform for a number of bands including Oasis and Ocean Colour Scene, and more recently Kasabian and Editors. p1
The woman planning to overthrow Ian Ward as deputy leader of Birmingham City Council's opposition Labour group said last night her decision was "nothing personal".
But Cath Grundy said the party had to get in touch with communities and campaign more effectively if it was to succeed in future.
Her move was all the more surprising because she denied having leadership ambitions little more than a month ago. p1
Birmingham Chamber has said today’s decision by the Bank of England not to change interest rates is no surprise, but expects a cut to be made in the coming months.
Katie Teasdale, BCI policy adviser, said: "Stability, and getting inflation down to the government target of two per cent, is still forefront in the Monetary Policy Committee’s mind and with two cuts already made this year, it is unsurprising that this notoriously hawkish body has opted against a further cut this month.
"They will argue that inflation is still their biggest priority despite the faltering economy. It may be true that the effects of the most recent cut still haven’t filtered down through the economy and a third reduction, coming just a month after the last one, would be premature.
"However, the MPC will also be aware that should the slowdown worsen, another quarter point reduction – at least – will be needed this summer to encourage businesses and consumers to spend and invest." p21
IAB chairman Arun Bajaj has his column published. p11
Financial Times
EDF, Europe's biggest power company, has been quietly buying land around nuclear sites in England and Wales, putting itself in a position to build power stations even if it fails in its attempt to but British Energy, the nuclear generator.
The stealthy purchases in Somerset and Anglesey could make it possible for EDF to build up to three power stations regardless of the fate of British Energy. p1
Inflation has re-emerged as a significant threat to the world economy, the International Monetary Fund said yesterday in a stark warning that marked an abrupt change of tone from its emphasis on the risks to growth.
John Libsky, deputy managing director of the IMF, said "inflation concerns have resurfaced after years of quiescence" due to soaring energy and food prices. Mr Lipsky said global growth was slowing but headline inflation was "accelerating".
The warning came as crude oil prices reached a record of almost $124 a barrel, up 99 per cent in the past 12 months. p1
The Times
Motorists are wasting more time sitting in queues on motorways and A-roads because the government has failed to meet its key target for reducing congestion.
Delays have increased on the 100 key routes on which ministers promised three years ago to make journeys more reliable.
The Department for Transport attempted to bury its failure to meet the target by quietly releasing the figures yesterday in a large batch of reports on congestion. p1
AntandDec, ITV's 'stars' of light 'entertainment' are to return the British Comedy Award they won three years ago.
The picked up the award in the People's Choice vote in 2005 after apparently securing more votes than The Catherine Tate Show. However, it emerged yesterday that they only won the award because it was "understood" that Robbie Williams would be happy to be the presenter provided his showbiz pals won.
To add insult to injury, the presentation was made during News At Ten and was later shown "as live" with viewers to phone in to vote, despite the fact the winner was already clutching their piece of plastic and getting drunk at the back of the room. p3
The Daily Telegraph
Scores of hospital departments such as maternity units and cancer clinics will be closed or merged across the country under plans for a radical shake-up of the NHS.
Ministers are preparing for a summer of protests against local hospitals losing specialist services to large regional centres.
In an attempt to head off the reaction that could mar the 60th anniversary of the NHS in July, Lord Darzi, the health minister, said yesterday that patients would be involved in decisions and hospital units would not close before new ones open. p1
The number of home owners who have had their properties repossessed has increased substantially since last year, figures are expected to show today.
Statistics recording the number of court repossession orders issued in the first quarter of 2008 will give the first proper indication of the impact of the global credit crisis on mortgage holders. p1
Labour slumped yesterday to its lowest rating since opinion polls began.
The survey, which put the Tories 26 points ahead, added to the pressure on Gordon Brown a week after Labour suffered a devastating set of local election results.
The Conservatives are now on 49 per cent, Labour on 23 and the Lib Dems on 17. p1
The Guardian
Survival rates for babies born before 24 weeks are extremely low and getting no better in spite of medical advances, according to an authoritative study which will be published today.
The report is likely to provide fresh argument in the bitter debate over whether the present abortion time limit should be lowered.
Next month, during the second reading of the human fertilisation and embryology bill, anti-abortion campaigners will attempt to persuade the House of Commons to lower the legal cut-off point for most abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, arguing that medical science has rendered the later limit out of date. p1
The US and France yesterday said international aid should be delivered to cyclone victims without the permission of the Burmese military government if the regime continued to block the arrival of foreign aid workers in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.
The US made its navy and air force available to deliver aid to the worst-hot areas, but permission to land in Burma was denied by the government.
The White House said it was still lobbying Burma for a green light but the director of the US office of foreign disaster assistance said the administration is also considering air-dropping aid without the junta's permission. p20
The Independent
A day after Vladimir Putin stepped down as Russia's president, the Duma approved his candidature as Prime Minister by 392 votes to 56.
It was President Dmitry Medvedev's first full day in office but far from stepping into the limelight, he played a familiar supporting role.
After Mr Medvedev asked parliament to approve Mr Putin, his mentor spoke for nearly an hour instead of the planned 15 minutes. p21
Daily Mail
The cost of running a car has soared by up to £2,200 in the past year.
Higher charges for fuel, insurance and road tax have pushed up the price of driving by four times the rate of inflation, according to the AA.
Owners of 4x4 vehicles have been hardest hit by rocketing yearly running costs, but 'Mondeo Man' has also seen a rise of £650. p9
British Airways has taken beef off the menu for economy passengers amid concerns about "religious restrictions".
BA's second-biggest long haul market is to India, where the majority Hindu population do not eat beef. The airline has switched to a fish pie or chicken dish option.
However, the decision was criticised by the English Beef and Lamb Executive who said it was "regrettable" that Britain's flag carrier was not carrying Britain's national dish. p37
PA City Round-up
The FTSE-100 index at 8:45am was down 33.2 at 6237.6.
The pound at 9am was 1.9529 dollars compared to 1.9548 dollars at the previous close.
The euro at 9am was 0.7916 pounds compared to 0.7883 pounds at the previous close.
Brent Crude Oil was $122.25 a barrel compared to $122.32 at the previous close.
West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil was $122.93 compared to $123.53 at the previous close.
MONEY Repossession: The number of homeowners unable to keep up with higher mortgage payments will be revealed today with the publication of figures for repossession orders.
POLITICS Repossession: Families facing having their house repossessed because of the credit crunch will get free legal help to avoid losing their homes, the Government announced today.
MONEY Mortgage: Alliance & Leicester today became the latest lender to charge higher rates to mortgage customers with smaller deposits.
MONEY Mortgage Background: The global credit crunch has caused many big lenders to charge higher mortgage rates to customers with smaller deposits. Alliance & Leicester today became the latest financial institution to pass on higher borrowing costs to consumers.
MONEY Golddigger: Nearly twice as many men as women would consider marrying someone for their money, a survey showed today.
MONEY Retirement: Two-thirds of people approaching retirement are worried about being able to make ends meet, with many fearing rising living costs will push them over the edge, research showed today.
Companies due to report today include:
Finals: C&C, Oakdene Homes
Trading update: HMV
AGMs: Aga Foodservice, Bovis Homes, Cattles
THIS DAY IN...
1502 Christopher Columbus began his fourth journey to the New World.
1671 Adventurer Thomas Blood stole the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.
1932 Neon lights were used to light the first flashing advertisements in the world, at Piccadilly Circus.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS
Matthew Kelly, actor and TV presenter, 58; Vince Cable, Lib Dem MP, 65; Albert Finney, actor, 72.
That's it for today... back Monday!