BBC Local Live: Birmingham and the Black Country on Friday 18 August 2017.

Summary

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

Live Reporting

Andrew Dawkins

A-level clearing: 'Education is for all of us' says Lenny Henrypublished at 10:36 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Funny man Lenny Henry is suited and booted this morning taking calls from students hoping to have made the grade for university.
Lenny, who is the chancellor of Birmingham City University, told BBC Breakfast that "education is for everybody" and that "it's never too late", whatever age you are.
He said today is a "fantastic day to make some great decisions" reassuring students - no matter what their result(s).
Quote Message
I'm from working class background - things have changed and it's there for all of us. Diversity and inclusion is very easy to understand - it's for people with disabilities and BAME [Black. Asian. Minority Ethnic]. The message is clear - it's for all of us."
Lenny Henry, Chancellor of Birmingham City University
A-level clearing: A 'bad' result 'can be a blessing in disguise'published at 10:08 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Daz Hale
BBC WM
Today is the day for so many people who have spent years studying for their A-levels.
I've spent the morning at Wolverhampton University where the phone lines have been busy since 07:00.
Mel, who is leading the clearing hotline, staffed by more than 50 staff, says: "Some people need help calming down. We're here to help and reminding people that it isn't the end of the world. Sometimes it's a blessing in disguise."
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The controversial pink cricket ball: How is it made?published at 09:49 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
BBC World Service
The Dukes pink cricket ball will be used for the first time in the day-night Test match at Edgbaston later today, when England play the West Indies.
Dilip Jadojia, the owner of Dukes, is confident the pink ball will be a success.
Media caption,
Have you ever wondered how the pink cricket ball is made? We found out...
A-level results daypublished at 09:43 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Express and Star
Follow live updates as A-level results students across the Black Country and Staffordshire find out their fate, external.
A-level results: Malala is going to Oxfordpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen and made Birmingham her home, says she going to Oxford University after passing her A-levels.
This morning she tweeted...
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Travel: Vehicle fire causes delayspublished at 08:50 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
BBC News Travel
Drivers are warned to expect delays on the M6 southbound and M42 after a vehicle fire on the link road. One lane has been closed.
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A-level results day: Don't worry.... Lenny Henry is on hand to helppublished at 08:39 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
BBC Breakfast
Thousands of students across the Midlands will receive their A-level results this morning.
Many will be hoping to continue into university education, if they've achieved the required grades.
At Birmingham City University this morning, the clearing centre is ready to take phone calls from students hoping they've made the grade to get on their desired course.
Dudley-born comedian and university chancellor, Lenny Henry, external, is also on-hand answering phones.
BBC reporter Lara Roston, who is there for BBC Breakfast this morning, tweeted this...
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Watch: Today's weather in 54 secondspublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
It's been a wet start for many of us in the West Midlands - here's how the rest of Thursday is looking.
You can also find the latest forecasts at any other time on the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
Alex Hamilton
Thursday: Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Countrypublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
A grey and wet start for most of us this morning. We'll have a full weather forecast shortly.
I'm in the BBC WM newsroom 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.
Man City have £18m Evans bid rejectedpublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Manchester City have had an £18m bid for Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans rejected by Premier League rivals West Brom.
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Refuse workers to clear rubbish backlogpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
After 48 days of strike action, Birmingham's refuse workers are back to clearing the streets.
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Probe after man dies from head injuriespublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Philip Leonard from Ireland was found injured on 28 July but died on Monday, police say.
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Birmingham bin strike called offpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Acas says it has been agreed certain posts will be kept and bin collections can now resume.
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Union hails bin strike end a 'victory'published at 18:13 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
The council says the Acas statement does not represent its position until matters are considered
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Tiny driveway not big enough for carpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
The couple's 89in-wide (226cm) drive stops them from being able to open their car doors.
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Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday.
Keep an eye out here for more updates and breaking news before then.
Charges denied after 'I've acid' claimpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
It is alleged a man, who denies common assault, was seen holding a white plastic bottle.
Read More
Coming up on BBC Midlands Today: English cricket historypublished at 17:56 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
BBC Midlands Today
Cricket history will be made at Edgbaston tomorrow when the first day-night Test match played in England gets under way.
West Indies are the opposition under the lights and 70,000 tickets have already been sold.
Joe Root's side is the odds-on favourite to win the three-match series.
Image source, Getty Images
The West Indies have a good record at Edgbaston, they've won four of the last five test matches at Warwickshire's home.
Our reporter will have more on BBC One from 18:30.
How can delays at airport be eased?published at 17:53 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
James Bovill
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
A newly formed taskforce will meet later today after a summer of complaints by people waiting for baggage at Birmingham Airport.
Local councils, businesses and travel agents will meet airport bosses to discuss improvements.
Some passengers have been warned to turn up to the airport at least three hours before their flights are due to leave.
Birmingham Airport confirms that ground handler, Swissport, is at times experiencing staffing issues which are intermittently affecting the operation. It has employed more than 250 additional staff for the summer peak season.
Some passengers tell us they are having to wait hours for luggage and have been stuck on planes waiting for stairs and buses to take them to the terminal.
Sports headlines: Villa's slow startpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
BBC WM Sport
Our top sports stories this afternoon:
- Steve Bruce is coming under increasing pressure after a slow start to the season - but insists he's the man to turn things around at Villa Park
- Wolves' flying start to the season continued as they beat Hull 3-2 last night in a game that featured a wonder goal from Ruben Neves
- Nigeria international Ogenyi Onazi has been denied a work permit to play for Birmingham City
Image source, Getty Images