Birmingham hosts Rafi Sainthood attempt

THOUSANDS of visitors from across the world are expected to descend on Birmingham’s Festival of Xtreme Building next weekend as a tribute shrine to the late Bollywood legend Mohammed Rafi is unveiled in an attempt to make him a...

Intercultural evening a success

THE CHIEF Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary has paid tribute to the city’s multi-cultural community. Chief Constable Matt Baggott, hosted the Force's 15th intercultural evening at Force Headquarters earlier this month. The annual event brings together the Chief Constable, police officers...

Birmingham extremism project launched

THE GOVERNMENT has given Birmingham council chiefs £525,000 to help combat Islamic extremism in the city. The campaign was launched by Cohesion Minister Parmjit Dhanda who joined Councillor Alan Rudge, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for equalities and HR,...

NHS racism hotline launched

A UNION has launched a special hotline for NHS staff to report racist incidents after it revealed racist abuse was “an everyday occurrence”. Announcing the new service, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said a recent survey of 2,000 black and...

Government sued over Guantanamo torture

A BRITISH man who spent three years under American guard at Guantanamo Bay is to sue the British government. Tarek Dergoul, 29, has brought the civil action against MI5 and MI6 accusing them of doing nothing after he persistently...

Mother admits responsibility in sons’ death

A DRUG addict mother has admitted responsibility in the death of her two-year-old son who died after taking a drugs overdose. Samaya Rafiq, also known as Lorraine Dunbar, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to the death of Harris Dunbar...

‘We’re more than just corner shop owners’

THE LEADER of the Minority Ethnic Business Community in the West Midlands believes a gala awards evening in the Black Country has helped to show what can be achieved. Mohammad Nazir said the evening proved the Asian community could excel...

Nine years for toddler death couple

THE STEP MOTHER and father of a 17-month-old boy tortured to death have been jailed for nine years. Sumairia Parveen and Abid Ikram were found guilty last month following the death of Tahla Ikram. The youngster was burnt with...

Man arrested in widow’s death

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the murder of elderly widow Mohinder Kaur. The frail 81-year-old was found gagged in her Kings Heath home on 25 August. A post mortem revealed she had suffocated. Detectives leading the investigation...

Family torn apart by detention

THE DAUGHTER of a Wolverhampton grandfather on trial for terrorism offences in India has described the torment her family are going through as they try to secure his release. 53-year-old Paramjit Singh has spent nearly eight months in an...