Footage of M6 traffic jam after crashpublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
Traffic queued after an accident between a lorry, van and three cars.
Read MoreSummary
Man dies as multi-vehicle collision closes motorway
Teenager dies after reservoir rescue
Murder investigation after stabbing
Terror attacker 'taunting and smiling' says witness
Apology for mother of soldier killed in Iraq
Updates on Friday 18 August 2017
Footage of M6 traffic jam after crashpublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
M6 open northbound after crashpublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
The northbound carriageway of the M6 is now open between junction 5 and 6 for Spaghetti Junction after a collision involving a lorry, a van, and three cars.
Southbound, the motorway remains closed.
The collision happened southbound near to junction 6 at about 09:15. The air ambulance landed on the motorway to deal with the injured.
Quote MessageI can see highways vehicles and police cars that are going on to the motorway where it is shut. It [looks like] it's going to be shut for some time."
Victoria Norris, BBC journalist
Sheffield's Root leads England to commanding positionpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
BBC SportSheffield's Joe Root scored 136 in a partnership of 248 with opener Alistair Cook as England piled on the runs in the opening day of the first day/night test in England against the West Indies at Edgbaston.
The England captain eventually fell to Kemar Roach as the floodlights began to take effect in Birmingham but the hosts are well and truly in charge having reached 348/3 at stumps.
Here's some highlights from the opening day in the BBC's Pint Size TMS:
Speaking after the match Root was pleased with his side's work throughout all three sessions:
Quote MessageIt's been frustrating, the past two or three years, for me, to not kick on enough. You want to lead from the front and I'm really pleased with how today went"
Joe Root, England's test cricket captain
Lorry and van collision shuts M6published at 10:22 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
BBC News TravelA collision involving a lorry and a van has led to the closure of part of the M6 in the Birmingham area.
It happened on the southbound carriageway near to junction 6 for Spaghetti Junction at about 09:15.
Two people were being treated for injuries, say the ambulance service.
The motorway is closed southbound between junction 6 and 5 and all traffic on the same stretch was being held northbound.
Murder inquiry after man fatally stabbedpublished at 09:31 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
BreakingA man has been fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton, leading to a murder investigation, police say.
Image source, Google MapsOfficers were called to reports of a disorder, which is believed to have started at about 23:30 yesterday. A man was found injured in Lichfield Street (pictured above) and died at the scene.
A 46-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder, West Midlands Police, external said.
It is believed the man who died was stabbed near Bilston High Street, a spokesman said.
Two men were taken to hospital with injuries, but are not in a serious condition.
Cambrils attack: Attacker 'taunting and smiling' says witnesspublished at 09:08 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
A Wolverhampton man who was a witness to the terror attack in Cambrils in Spain last night says the attacker was "smiling and taunting police".
Fitzroy Davies, who is in the town to take part in a judo camp, was talking to Radio 4’s Today programme
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote Message[The police] did a couple of shots. He fell down then stood back up. He stepped over the fence and was like taunting and smiling, and he carried on walking toward the police. They gave it to him again, a couple more shots, and he fell to the ground. That's when I decided to go."
Fitzroy Davies, Witness
Cricket: England dominate at UK's first day-night Test held at Edgbastonpublished at 08:54 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
BBC SportAlastair Cook and Joe Root hit centuries as England dominated West Indies on the first day of the inaugural day-night Test in the UK.
Cook batted through the day for his unbeaten 153, sharing 248 with skipper Root, who made 136, as England racked up 348-3 at Edgbaston.
Cambrils attack: Wolverhampton man witnessed police shoot suspected attackerpublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4Fitzroy Davies, from Wolverhampton, is staying in Cambrils, Spain, and witnessed the terrorist attack last night.
He told Radio 4’s Today programme he was sitting in a bar when he saw people running past.
Image source, AFPQuote MessageThis guy came running up the road and was shouting. Within 30 seconds the police were there. They jumped out the car and started shouting at the guy."
Fitzroy Davies, Witness
Mr Davies said the man was wearing something which could have been a bomb vest, but added that he was not certain what it was exactly.
Watch: Today's weather in 54-secondspublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
Alex Hamilton
BBC WeatherFriday's started with sunshine for much of the West Midlands and here's how the rest of the day and the start of this weekend is looking.
Get the latest forecasts for your area at any other time via the BBC Weather website.
Media caption, Alex Hamilton
Friday: Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Countrypublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 18 August 2017
We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.
If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach us on Facebook , externalor tweet @BBCWM, external.
Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Friday.
Keep an eye out here for more updates and breaking news before then.
Brumstar: HS2 training train arrivespublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
A dazzling pink Eurostar train have been brought to the West Midlands as preparations for HS2 get underway.
The train will be used by the National College for High Speed Rail when it opens in just under two months time to train students ahead of the first phase of the London to Birmingham line.
The 25-tonne Eurostar train arrived by road and and will be placed on tracks outside the college on Aston Science Park.
It's been given the snappy name of #Brumstar.
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End of twitter postVideo: Critical care appeal launched by hospitalpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Bob Hockenhull
BBC Midlands TodayA £2m appeal has been officially launched for critical care ambulances by Birmingham's Children Hospital.
Arlo Watson was the size of his mother's hand when he was born.
His parents say "he definitely wouldn't be here" if it wasn't for the care of paramedics and doctors.
The hospital wants all of its ambulances to have an incubator on board so the mobile intensive care treatment is there "right from the very minute it's needed".
Media caption, A £2m appeal is launched for critical care ambulances at Birmingham's Children Hospital.
Weather: Some showers on the way tomorrowpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands TodayWe're forecast a dry and mild night, but there could be a few showers tomorrow.
Media caption, Shefali Oza has your forecast
Your pictures: Grey lakes and blue skiespublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Here's a couple of lovely pictures taken by our BBC Weather Watchers.
This first one was taken in Bodymoor Heath by RuthieRoo.
Image source, RuthieRooOld Salt sent in this picture taken in Southam.
Share your weather pictures here.
Image source, Old Salt'No whites allowed after 8pm' graffiti condemnedpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
A councillor has condemned racist graffiti in inner-city, external Birmingham that says "no whites allowed after 8pm".
Milan kidnap case: Brother opposes extradition to Italypublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
The brother of the alleged captor of British model Chloe Ayling is to fight extradition to Italy.
Michal Konrad Herba was held on a European arrest warrant at an address in Tividale yesterday.
He is the brother of suspect Lukasz Pawel Herba, who is being held by Italian police after Ms Ayling was allegedly kidnapped in Milan.
Michal Konrad Herba, who's 36, appeared in the dock of London's Westminster Magistrates' Court and was helped by an interpreter.
He spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth, as well as stating that he contested his extradition. No application for bail was made.
The 20-year-old model was allegedly abducted and held by a group calling itself "Black Death" for five days.
Stourbridge News front page: 'Help mend our family'published at 16:49 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
The front page story on this week's Stourbridge News, external includes the tragic story of a couple from Brierley Hill.
Image source, Stourbridge NewsDay-night Test: 'Woakes wasn't quite ready'published at 16:30 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Warwickshire all-rounder, Chris Woakes, has been left out of the England side taking on the West Indies in the inaugural day-night Test at Edgbaston.
England captain, Joe Root, said:"It's difficult when you have such depth in your bowling, we felt Chris Woakes wasn't quite ready.
Image source, Getty Images"He will have another week to get ready and make sure there's not another injury around the corner."
"It's new and exciting, a great opportunity to start off the series strong. Mark Stoneman is a fine player, he's had a fantastic season and I hope he steps up and takes his chance."
Broseley baby's story highlights importance of transfer servicepublished at 16:27 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Eight-month-old Arlo Watson, from Broseley, has been transferred eight times by Birmingham Children's Hospital since he was born and his story is being used to highlight the importance of their transport service.
He was born four months early, weighing just 755g (1.6lbs) and his condition was critical on a number of occasions.
Image source, Birmingham Children's HospitalThe hospital's charity is trying to raise £2m to equip four ambulances capable of safely shuttling around critically ill children and Arlo's face is on all their posters.
The money raised through the Critical Journeys Appeal will also fund improvements to the call centre which operates the service.
Quote MessageArlo simply wouldn’t be here without the Kids/NTS service. They were the absolute experts who got him to where he needed to be, with minimum fuss and maximum skill. I cannot put into words what they mean to us, but we will be grateful to them for the rest of our lives."
Laura Watson, Arlo's mum
