Summary

  • Two children have died after a house fire in Birmingham

  • Boy, eight, and girl, six, were taken to hospital but could not be saved

  • Man believed to be their father found in burnt-out car

  • He suffered life-threatening injuries and is in a critical condition

  • Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the case

  • Updates on Friday 28 October 2016

  1. 150 years of libraries in Birminghampublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Events are taking place across Birmingham all this week to celebrate 150 years of the city's libraries.

    Events include a business masterclass on 24 October, external and a writing workshop led by writer and broadcaster Louise Page. 

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  2. Birmingham Airport should get extra runway: Mayoral candidatepublished at 14:36 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Birmingham Airport should be the government's choice for an extra runway, according to the Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Midlands Metro Mayor. 

    Ministers are expected to make their final decision tomorrow, picking either Heathrow or Gatwick to get extra capacity to flights. 

    Beverley Nielson says choosing Birmingham would increase investment across the West Midlands. 

    Birmingham airport
    Quote Message

    If we heap everything on to Heathrow, they're already breaching the noise and pollution emissions, so I think we spread the wealth opportunity, we spread the opportunity for this region which has been starved of investment for at least 30 years

    Beverley Nielson, Liberal Democrat candidate for West Midlands elected mayor

  3. 'The screaming has got to stop' - Bieber in a bad mood ahead of Brum gigpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    If you're taking the kids to see Justin Beiber at Birmingham's Genting Arena tonight, you might want to warn them against screaming.

    He walked off stage in Manchester last night after asking the crowd to stop screaming in-between songs.

    Justin Bieber

    The singer was booed at an earlier Birmingham show last week, after calling fans obnoxious.   

    He told the Manchester crowd:

    Quote Message

    I appreciate all the support, I appreciate love I appreciate the kind things. But the screaming in these breaks has got to stop. Please and thank you. I don't think it's necessary when I'm trying to say something and you guys are screaming

    Justin Bieber, Singer who prefers his fans not to scream

  4. Astle family welcome 'heading footballs affects memory' researchpublished at 13:39 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Heading a football can significantly affect a player's brain function and memory for 24 hours, a study has found.

    Researchers said they had identified "small but significant changes in brain function" after players headed the ball 20 times.

    Jeff Astle

    Memory performance was reduced by between 41% and 67% following the routine heading practice, with the effects wearing off after 24 hours.

    The family of former West Bromwich Albion and England striker Jeff Astle, who have campaigned for a review by the FA after a coroner found heading balls did cause his dementia, have welcomed the research by The University of Stirling.

  5. Bruce has restored confidence - Gollinipublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Aston Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini says new boss Steve Bruce is restoring confidence at the Championship club.

    Read More
  6. Birmingham in the running for new airport runwaypublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    BBC WM

    The man who led the government review of airport capacity has hinted Birmingham Airport could be in the running for a new runway. 

    Sir Howard Davies, chairman of the Airports Commission, says it's a possibility after expansion in the South East. 

    Birmingham Airport

    He says it would be a mistake to expand both Heathrow and Gatwick and, once HS2 is built, it would be an interesting option.   

    A plane taking off from Birmingham Airport
  7. Weekend football round-uppublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Mikey Burrows
    BBC WM Sport

    West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis says he can't fault his side's commitment, despite defeat at Liverpool on Saturday night extending their winless run to four.

    It was a winning weekend for Walsall and Aston Villa, who picked up back-to-back wins for the first time since May 2015 with a 1-0 victory over Fulham. 

    Villa boss Steve Bruce says his players deserve all the credit for turning around their form ahead of the derby at Birmingham City this week.

    West Brom goal against LiverpoolImage source, Getty Images

    Don't forget you can have your say on your team on the football phone in back tonight from 17:30 on BBC WM.

  8. Watch: 50-second weather forecastpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    A chilly start but it will get warmer through the day. We should see the odd bright spell, but there's also the risk of a shower too. 

    Media caption,

    The latest forecast for the West Midlands

  9. Four defeats in five for Wolvespublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    BBC WM Sport

    Wolves' Dave Edwards says the players are still 100% behind Walter Zenga despite four defeats in the past five games. 

    The latest loss was 1-0 at home to Leeds on Saturday.

    Zenga admits he's had a private meeting with his players following the defeat. 

    Walter ZengaImage source, Getty Images
    Quote Message

    Sometimes it's important that you talk between man and man - not coach and player. The response was important

    Walter Zenga, Wolves boss

    Media caption,

    Zenga positive after 'man to man' talk

  10. Latest headlines: Jeff Astle's family welcome football research; Could Birmingham Airport get a new runway?published at 10:23 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top stories for Birmingham and the Black Country that we're looking at this morning include:

    • The daughter of former West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle says she welcomes a study showing a link between heading a football and memory loss
    • Expansion at Birmingham Airport has been hinted at by the chairman of the Airports Commission
    • Wolves' Dave Edwards says the players are still 100% behind Walter Zenga, despite four defeats in the past five games
  11. Has Birmingham recovered from recession?published at 10:07 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Birmingham's skyline appears to have risen out of the recession but has the city recovered?

    Read More
  12. Rise in type 2 diabetes 'needs change in law'published at 10:03 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    BBC Inside Out

    More than half a million people across the West Midlands are living with type 2 diabetes.

    According to figures obtained by the BBC's Inside Out programme, that number is expected to increase significantly over the next 20 years, with experts saying more needs to be done tackle the problem.

    Media caption,

    Prof Anthony Barnett is calling for legislation to help tackle the rise in type 2 diabetes

    A leading health expert, Prof Anthony Barnett, from the University of Birmingham, says government legislation is needed to halt the rise in type 2 diabetes.

    See more on BBC Inside Out at 19:30 on BBC One in the West Midlands or afterwards on iPlayer.

  13. Birmingham - we want your kit!published at 09:12 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    Got some sports kit lying around? Donate it and help young people in Birmingham to get active.

    Read More
  14. Campaigner helps refugee children move to Englandpublished at 08:52 British Summer Time 24 October 2016

    BBC Midlands Today

    A campaigner from Birmingham is helping to relocate children from the "jungle" camp in Calais.

    French authorities are preparing to start dismantling the site today. 

    The UK has begun to accept about 1,300 unaccompanied children, with some being transferred to Birmingham. 

    The "jungle" in Calais
    Quote Message

    These children have fled horrendous conditions. Their journeys across Europe have been at the hands of smugglers, which have been very abusive for a lot of them. I know a number of these children that have spent months and months in the unregulated jungle camp in Calais

    Liz Green, Helps to run an unofficial women and children's centre in the "jungle"

    Liz Green speaking to the BBC about the "jungle" in Calais