Summary

  • Aston Villa: Roberto di Matteo is the new manager, Steve Clarke is assistant

  • Rail delays after man 'struck by train'

  • 'Difficult days ahead' for the families of the Birmingham pub bombing victims

  • Half a million calls to the police 101 number 'have gone unanswered', data suggests

  • Updates on Thursday 2 June 2016

Live Reporting

  1. Birmingham pub bombings: 'Very unlikely that anything new will come to light'

    BBC WM

    Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who helped uncover evidence that freed the Birmingham Six, says he's sceptical about what inquests into the deaths of pub bombings victims can achieve.

    Yesterday a senior coroner ruled the inquests which were adjourned for more than 40 years should resume. 

    Twenty one people were killed in the blasts in 1974.

    Birmingham pub bombings graphic

    Some of the relatives have moved on with their lives. One can't say this too strongly - it was 42 years since the event and it is very unlikely that anything new will come to light and certainly anything that will lead to a conviction."

    Chris Mullin, Journalist

  3. Nearly half a million 101 calls 'unanswered' in the Midlands

    BBC Midlands Today

    The BBC has learnt that almost half a million calls to the police 101 number in the Midlands have gone 'unanswered' in the last four years. 

    The figures for the non-emergency helpline were revealed as part of a Freedom of Information request. 

    101 call centre in the West Midlands

    There are big differences between forces with four times as many calls being missed in Staffordshire compared to Warwickshire. 

    Staffordshire Police says it's investing in new call handlers to improve the service.

  4. Good morning: Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Country

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    I'm in the BBC WM newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.

    If you see something you think we should be covering, or have captured a photograph you want to show off, email us, tweet us or reach us on our Facebook page.