The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
A colossal security operation begins this week in Birmingham as West Midlands Police prepare for the Conservative Party Conference on Sunday (2 October). The major event is expected to attract over 11,000 delegates, and police are also preparing for protests which are planned for the first day of the conference.
A new short film, shot on location in the West Midlands, shares a timely story about past, present and future, and makes an urgent plea for understanding during divisive times. Director Neil Paul’s contemporary tale The Forgotten Soldier touches upon the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers during World War I which have been largely confined…
History was made in Wolverhampton today after a former NHS nurse was elected to become the first black Mayor of the city. Councillor Sandra Samuels (Lab, Ettingshall) said she was deeply humbled by the historic appointment and hailed it as “my life’s greatest honour” after spending 23-years in local politics.
Police confirmed Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West in Essex, was tragically stabbed to death at his surgery meeting in Leigh-on-Sea this afternoon. The horrific killing took place in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm today 15th Oct).
The Birmingham City Council shadow cabinet member for parks visited Small Heath Park today (August 5) to inspect an environmental catastrophe taking place in the beauty spot’s lake, as an alarming number of dead birds and fish have been distressing local residents. Cllr Deirdre Alden (Con, Edgbaston) visited Small Heath Park to inspect the lake after reading reports about…
Labour candidate Simon Foster has been elected the new West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, beating Conservative rival Jay Singh-Sohal by over 40,000 votes. Foster’s electoral victory was announced at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, where ballots were being counted since this morning for both the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner election and West…
Andy Street has been re-elected as regional mayor by the people of the West Midlands following a nail-biting political battle with Labour candidate Liam Byrne. Announced as the winner with 314,669 votes against Byrne’s 267,626, Street said he was ready to serve a second term as the region’s metro mayor to build something “very special”.
Professor Chris Whitty, the government’s senior advisor on health matters, has tested positive for coronavirus and is now self-isolating. Boris Johnson’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty has confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus. This news comes hot on the heels of prime minister Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock both confirming they are…
The UK health secretary Matt Hancock says he has symptoms of coronavirus and tests have confirmed that he has the virus. Hours after prime minster Boris Johnson confirmed he had tested positive for coronavirus another of his key ministers has tested positive for the virus today. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has issued a statement that…
On this day in 1965, the civil rights campaigner Malcolm X visited Birmingham and spoke to local people in Smethwick in neighbouring Sandwell. On 12 February 1965, Malcolm X – El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz – came on a visit of solidarity to Birmingham after accepting an invite from Avtar Singh Jouhl who was the secretary of the…