Street preacher in court over 'abuse'
Wrong airport couple offered trip to Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham rail passengers left without seats
MP Phillips 'to report abusive messages to police'
Updates from Friday 29 July 2016
If you were caught in traffic on the M6 northbound carriageway this morning, diversions were brought in after a lorry fire.
Congestion is back to J6 A38(M) Aston Expressway, BBC Travel reports.
No-one was injured in the incident near J7 at Great Barr.
A lorry fire causes lane closures and delays on the M6 near Birmingham.
BBC Midlands Today
Emergency services in the Midlands are warning of the dangers of swimming in open water, especially during the school holidays.
Image source, Paul Thomas / StringerIn the past week, eight people across the UK have died after swimming in rivers, quarries and lakes, including 46-year-old Sylwester Ficon in Burton upon Trent.
You can see Lindsay Doyle's report on Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30 tonight.
A husband has been jailed for life for murdering in his wife.
Paul Abbott admitted murdering Jacqueline Abbott in Lodge Crescent, Netherton, on 11 December.
Police said he had become estranged from her after breaking a promise to curb his gambling and an argument broke out when he confronted her at the home they formerly shared about her plan to go on a night out with a friend.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceAfter the court hearing police said there had been a history of domestic violence and, external the couple's relationship had been "a jealous and controlling relationship throughout."
BBC Travel
There's a lane closed, very slow traffic, long delays and a speed restriction of 40 mph on the M6 northbound at J7, A34 (Great Barr), because of an earlier vehicle fire and emergency repairs. Congestion to J5, A452 (Castle Bromwich), BBC Travel reports.
The A449 in Prestwood is blocked with queuing traffic in both directions at the Lawnswood junction, because of an accident and there's a lane closed and slow traffic on the M6 southbound at J10, A454 (Wolverhampton), because of an accident.
Two people have been arrested in connection with burglaries in the Tamworth area, external over the past month.
The 17:13 train which runs from Birmingham Snow Hill to Worcester has half its usual number of carriages.
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Jane Sutton showed her support for Teenage Cancer Trust youth support coordinator Rob Sefton by joining him as he walked 200 miles, external 'to work' from London to Liverpool for the charity.
Image source, Lichfield MercuryEarlier today, drivers were caught in miles of tailbacks on the northbound carriageway of the M6 near Great Barr because of a lorry fire.
This morning's flames caused damage to road surface underneath two of the lanes, keeping them closed even after the burnt lorry chassis was removed.
Now the Cental Motorway Police Group says repairs have been completed.
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BBC Travel
Very slow traffic on A38(M) Aston Expressway outbound in Birmingham between A38, Dartmouth Circus and M6 J6, Spaghetti Junction.
More details on BBC Travel.
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A woman has been left seriously injured after she was stabbed on a Black Country street, external in the early hours of this morning.
Citizen Khan fans are warned to expect a funeral in the upcoming fifth series.
Adil Ray OBE, who plays Mr Khan in the award-winning show, said: “There’s a funeral this series. I have to say if you’re a fan of Citizen Khan, someone will be leaving us. It won’t be one of the main characters, so don’t be worried too much.”
He was speaking as he picked up an honorary degree from Birmingham City University.
Artist Gillian Wearing received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contribution to the arts.
Image source, Birmingham City UniversityShe created the Real Birmingham Family sculpture, which sits outside the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square, having previously been famed for her work including 60 Minutes Silence which won her the 1997 Turner Prize.
Clare Lissaman
BBC News Online
A family who run a furniture factory which was gutted by fire on Monday say “no decision” has yet been taken about the firm’s future.
Most of the building at Sprite Leisure in Hainge Road, Tividale, was damaged in the blaze.
Image source, West Midlands Fire ServiceThe company, which employs seven people, makes furniture for restaurants, pubs and clubs as well as garden furniture.
The service said the blaze was not suspicious but investigations into its cause are continuing.
Delivery of shopping by drones could become a reality, says transport correspondent Richard Westcott.
It comes as online retailer Amazon - which has a Rugeley depot - tests the technology.
Postal deliveries: A drone's eye view
Anniversary celebrations were somewhat bittersweet for the long-running Black Country Talking Newspaper and Magazine for the blind which faces a battle to stay on the air after losing vital funding, external.
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC WM
A woman was stabbed in Sandwell this morning.
The 47-year-old is in hospital with serious stab injuries.
A 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman are being questioned.
It happened in the early hours on Field Road in Tipton. The scene is still cordoned off while forensic experts search for clues, police said.
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
We will have the latest on the fallout caused by a lorry fire on the M6 northbound carriageway and a review of a bicycle giveaway scheme after its first year.
Join us for more on these and other stories on the Midlands Today on BBC One at 13:30.
Safety measures are being reviewed at Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre after a man fell 100ft (30.5m) from a top-floor balcony on Saturday.
A spokesman for the centre said the fall had prompted a review to ensure customer safety remained at the "highest standard."
The man suffered serious injuries and was described as being in a critical but stable condition in hospital, over the weekend.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said the fall was not being treated as a police incident.
Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
Here is a recap of the stories we have been covering in the past few hours:
- Just six bikes have been misused out of thousands given away by Birmingham City Council in the first year of a scheme
- The M6 northbound has been hit with major delays after a lorry fire near Great Barr
- A safety review is under way at Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre after a man fell from a top-floor balcony on Saturday
