Championship side Birmingham City sign Senegal international midfielder Cheikh Ndoye on a two-year contract.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

Happy Black Country Day!

We've been delving into the history of this famous part of the West Midlands and where the term 'Black Country' originated.

Over on the BBC Midlands Facebook page, external, many of you have been getting in touch.

A man and a teenager have been charged with the murder of James Brindley.

Aaron Kahrod, aged 20 from Walsall Road, Aldridge, and a 17-year-old male − who cannot be named for legal reasons − are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court later.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Mr Brindley was fatally stabbed on 23 June as he made his way home on Aldridge High Street.

West Midlands Police said his family was aware of the charges.

Two people have been charged with the murder of James Brindley who was fatally stabbed in Aldridge in June.

Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online

It's a part of England that has its own language and even flag, but from where did the Black Country get its name?

On Black Country Day, I've been trying to discover the truth behind it.

BBC Weather

After a cloudy start with the chance of some drizzle, it should brighten up this afternoon with some sunny spells in store.

It will feel quite warm in the sunshine this afternoon, with top temperatures of 20C (68F).

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

The Live team welcomes you this Friday morning - or Black Country Day, as some of you will know it. We'll have more on that shortly, as well as latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and, of course, the Black Country.

If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach us on Facebook , externalor tweet @BBCWM, external.

Thousands of people are celebrating Black Country Day, but what is the story behind the place name?

Police have arrested a 43 year old on suspicion of attempted murder.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.

Keep an eye out here for more updates and breaking news before then.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

A bus shelter is to receive a makeover as part of a town's bid to "bloom".

A stop in Tamworth is set to be transformed by local artist Simon Wingfield on Sunday as part of the town's attempt to win Heart of England in Bloom., external

Image source, Tamworth Borough Council

The bus stop on Peelers Way is said to be, external on the route that the Heart of England in Bloom judges will travel along.

The makeover is the first one in the area to be improved, but we could see more be given a new lease of life as part of the Arts in Unusual Spaces., external

BBC Midlands Today

"A disgrace" - that's how drivers have described a new bus lane in West Bromwich which has netted almost £1m in fines in just six months.

They say the bus set up near the town centre is misleading and have accused Sandwell Council of "penny pinching".

Almost 49,000 penalty notices have been issued since the bus lane opened at the start of the year.

Drivers have been fined £60 a time although that can be varied depending on when the fine's paid.

Almost £945,000 has been collected as a result.

The council defended the sceme saying all the money would go back into improving the roads.

Our reporter Ben Godfrey will have more on BBC1 from 18:30.

A new way of prioritising ambulance calls which officials say will save more lives is to be rolled out across England, the government has announced., external

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

Under the Ambulance Response Programme (ARP) 999 call handlers ask extra questions to work out whether it's best to respond straight away.

West Midlands Ambulance Service, one of three regions to pilot the scheme, says the time it took for them to arrive at a patient was quicker on average by up to a minute.

BBC Sport

Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane says the arrival of John Terry at the Championship club will be a huge help in their "need to produce" next season.

"JT coming in, you couldn't get any better for this level," the 26-year-old Irishman told BBC WM 95.6.

Image source, PA

"It will give everyone a boost. That certainly looked like that was the case out in our training camp in Portugal."

Despite a decent start when Steve Bruce took over as manager last October, Villa ultimately finished only 13th.

BBC Midlands Today

United Airlines has announced its stopping direct flights to New York from Birmingham Airport.

In a statement, the company said the decision to pull out was "regretful" and blamed the route's poor financial performance.

It means Birmingham now has no direct flights to the States, except a weekly service largely for holidaymakers to Orlando in Florida.

A 16-year-old has pleaded guilty to a number of offences after a fire in a Sainsbury's toilets led to the store in Blackheath, Sandwell being evacuated in May.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to making an explosive substance for unlawful purpose, possession of a knife and carrying out an act with the intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or injure property.

He will be sentenced in August at crown court.

BBC Weather

After a largely dry and bright evening, there may be some showers at times overnight.

However, many places will stay dry and mild with some clear spells - lows of 15C (59F).

A man in Nuneaton was forced into a car by a number of assailants and driven to Birmingham before being dropped at an unknown location, police say.

Image source, Google

The victim, a man in his 40s, was at a cash point on Queen's Road at some time between 22:00 and 23:00 on Wednesday at the time of the attack.

The man was unhurt and police believe the suspects and victim may be known to one another.

Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today

Birmingham schoolchildren are learning how to stay safe at the sea this summer by having swimming lessons in the Aston Reservoir.

It's the idea of the RNLI after two teenagers from the city drowned off the coast of Barmouth last August.

Yahye Omar Mohamed, 14, and Waseem Muflahi, 15, drowned while swimming in the sea. They disappeared beneath the waves minutes before a lifeboat could reach them.

It also follows the drowning of Spencer Hurst, 15, who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in a lake with friends at Ryders Hayes Mere near Walsall.

A fault with the signalling system, external between Kings Langley and Milton Keynes Central has now been resolved, the National Rail website, external says.

Although lines have now reopened, major disruption is expected to be in place between London Euston and Rugby.

Trains may be delayed by up to 60 minutes, cancelled or revised.

Disruption is expected to continue until the end of service.