Aida Fofana

The Stourbridge fire destroyed 19 homes and severely damaged 18 others, while many nearby properties survived. Fire safety expert Tony Fogarty explains that wind direction, intense radiant heat, airborne embers, dry vegetation and combustible materials such as sheds, decking and fences can create highly uneven patterns of destruction. Patios and areas with little vegetation may act as firebreaks, but no single factor guarantees survival in extreme conditions.

Solihull comedian Dan Hudson completed the Solihull Half Marathon in one hour and 48 minutes while dressed as a microphone, aiming to set the fastest half marathon record in the costume. His attempt was documented with video and photographs and is awaiting Guinness World Records verification. Hudson already holds the record for the fastest marathon by a man dressed as a microphone and hopes to achieve a second record despite the heat and physical discomfort.

Businessman Jagjivan Ram, 65, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court to sending two threatening and racist emails to Suella Braverman in June 2024. He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a five-year restraining order, a 12-week electronic tag and an order to pay £239. The court heard that the messages left Braverman distressed and afraid to attend public speaking events. The judge said Ram's conduct affected both the recipient and wider society, while noting that the case's 18-month delay helped avoid immediate imprisonment.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has strongly welcomed government plans to give English regional mayors a share of income tax and business-rate revenue, alongside greater control over housing, transport and skills. He says the additional flexibility could accelerate cost-of-living support, high-street regeneration, youth employment and long-term economic growth, including major projects in the West Midlands. Community and business representatives support the plans but want Warwickshire and other areas to benefit quickly. Opposition parties say the proposals lack detail and could create a postcode lottery, while the government says they will keep more locally raised tax revenue in the communities that generated it. Mayors are expected to retain some business-rate revenue from April 2027 and receive income-tax shares from April 2028.

University College Birmingham has bought the recently closed Cube hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant in Birmingham as the first phase of a £15m hospitality investment programme. The site is planned to become a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant where students can gain practical experience alongside paying customers. The programme is expected to create more than 150 hospitality jobs and provide apprenticeships, placements and paid work opportunities. Further venues in Harborne and at the university’s Summer Row campus, as well as a refurbishment of the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food, are also planned, with refurbishment beginning in the coming months.

Birmingham's Grade II listed Methodist Central Hall is set to be restored by Civis as a civic and cultural venue after more than two decades largely empty. The former Que Club, which once hosted performances by David Bowie and Blur and acid house events, is planned to include live performance, exhibition, education, hospitality and creative enterprise spaces. Civis says commercial income will be reinvested in public programming, artist development and community access, aiming to return the historic building to public use.

Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti has urged the government not to let its early focus on Manchester and the new No 10 North office overshadow the West Midlands. Lord Falconer defended the strategy as part of a wider effort to shift power away from London, while critics including Kemi Badenoch questioned whether the new office would improve decision-making. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said the region could benefit from further devolution, including greater control over locally raised revenue for transport, housing, skills and business investment.

Two men aged 25 and 24 were arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 40s was fatally stabbed on Ridgway Road near Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, while police continued searching for two other men linked to the attack.

Michelin‑starred chef Alex Claridge warns that the government’s planned 20% business‑rates cut for pubs, social clubs and music venues will do little to ease the financial strain on independent hospitality businesses. Restaurants and cafés are excluded from the measure, which Claridge argues fails to address deeper structural pressures such as rising costs and shrinking margins. He calls for a reduction in VAT as a more effective way to support the sector and prevent further closures. The government says the rate cut aims to support venues and revive high streets, benefiting nearly 32,000 sites.

A 19-year-old from the West Midlands secured an apprenticeship after years of unsuccessful job applications through a placement funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Trailblazer scheme. The programme has supported about 1,500 young people into paid work, addressing the region’s high number of young people not in employment, education or training. Participants describe widespread difficulties obtaining responses from employers, while the authority reports ongoing efforts to support those still classed as NEET.

A Birmingham father who struggled with literacy throughout childhood learned to read in his late twenties after being referred to Read Easy, a charity offering one‑to‑one coaching. As his skills improved, he gained confidence, began reading for enjoyment, started writing his own stories and became more active in daily life, volunteering and creating videos. Read Easy staff highlight that many adults hide literacy challenges due to shame, and stress the wide‑ranging effects of poor literacy on confidence and opportunity. The charity is seeking more volunteer coaches to support adult learners across Birmingham.

Birmingham marks the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death with city-wide events including pop‑up performances by Bostin Brass, a commemorative guestbook, free photos with Ozzy the Bull and an orchestral tribute by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Major exhibitions such as Working Class Hero and Back To The Beginning remain open, while guided trails and a charity walk invite visitors to explore landmarks linked to the musician. Organisers encourage fans from across the UK and beyond to participate in honouring the rock icon’s legacy.

A Birmingham woman reports years of escalating racist harassment, including smashed windows, theft and verbal abuse, leaving her feeling unsafe in her council bungalow. She alleges police have not taken her complaints seriously, while a civil rights activist supporting her calls for immediate relocation. West Midlands Police say they are investigating and offering support, and Birmingham City Council has placed her in a housing priority band but continues to review her case as concerns persist over her safety.

Reflected heat from Birmingham’s Grand Central building caused Lime e-bikes and scooters to overheat and emit smoke on Navigation Street, prompting firefighters to move them into shade where temperatures dropped. The mirrored exterior has previously created hazardous hotspots, leading to earlier mitigation attempts. Local witnesses described intense heat in the area, while Lime, West Midlands Fire Service, Birmingham City Council and Network Rail are assessing relocation of the bike drop-off point.

A two‑day Black Country Multicultural Day festival will be held in Halesowen and Oldbury, celebrating the cultural heritage of communities that have shaped the region, particularly post‑war migrants. Organised by founder Frankie Prazer, the event features music, dance, storytelling and workshops aimed at strengthening community ties and promoting cultural pride. Organisers highlight the region’s history of migration and the event’s goal of fostering understanding and unity among diverse groups.

A police speed enforcement operation on the A46 near Kenilworth detected fourteen speeding motorists, including one travelling at 109mph. Warwickshire Police conducted the checks under Operation Spotlight, targeting key causes of serious road collisions such as speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt violations and mobile phone use. The force cited recent serious and fatal incidents on the route and said it will continue proactive measures to reduce casualties.

The UK government reversed its decision on licensing rules to allow pubs to remain open until 05:00 BST for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, following lobbying from MPs and the hospitality sector. The Wharf Tavern’s operations manager Adam Cook welcomed the change after Solihull Council initially rejected the pub’s late licence application. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the extended hours for the early morning kick-off, addressing a gap in the existing rules for 01:00 matches. The move is expected to boost pub sales and allow communities to gather to support the England team.

A Walsall-born England supporter living in Benidorm says skipping a ticket for England’s match against DR Congo has paid off as he secured a seat for the last‑16 game against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. He closed his bar to watch England’s tense win at home, describing the experience as stressful but worthwhile. With ticket demand soaring, he plans to travel from Madrid to Mexico, acknowledging the challenge posed by Mexico’s strong record at the venue while remaining confident in England’s team.

A first edition, second impression of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit donated to an Oxfam shop in Birmingham sold at auction for £38,400 after staff recognized its rarity. The book, one of about 2,300 printed and containing Tolkien’s color illustrations, was found among ordinary donations. Proceeds will support Oxfam’s poverty and inequality work. The shop manager described the donation as extraordinary and noted the strong demand for Tolkien’s works.

Ozzy Osbourne’s concert throne from his final live performance has been added to the Working Class Hero exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Displayed in a glass case highlighting its detailed design, the piece has become a focal point for visitors paying tribute following Osbourne’s death. Museum staff noted heightened emotional responses to the exhibition, which explores Birmingham’s industrial heritage and its role in shaping heavy metal. The installation reinforces Osbourne’s and Black Sabbath’s deep cultural significance to the city.

Birmingham begins a pilot that reintroduces recycling collections and shifts most households to fortnightly waste pickups alongside a new weekly food waste service. The rollout starts in north Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield, with citywide adoption planned before Christmas if successful. Some residents will continue using sacks where bins cannot be stored. Conservative councillors criticise the timing and loss of weekly waste collections. The changes occur amid an ongoing bin strike that has disrupted services, with officials gradually reallocating staff. The council leader prioritises reaching a settlement to end the dispute.