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Monday, July 20, 2026 theft theftbyemployee scam gambling co-op till voidtransaction court fraud oldbury

An employee at the Oldbury Co-op, David Naughton, has admitted to stealing £72,384 over a 15-month period through a sophisticated cash scam involving voided transactions. The thefts began in February 2024 and continued until … Read More

Monday, July 20, 2026 wolverhampton knife taser police assault arrest court safety crime magistrates

A police officer in Wolverhampton was forced to use a Taser twice on an aggressive man who charged at him wielding a kitchen knife. The incident took place outside a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) on Allen Road on June 7. … Read More

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Garfield Wilson, a 56-year-old grandfather, was convicted after going on a spending spree using a deceased man’s bank card following a fatal drug overdose. The court heard how Wilson, who was unemployed, invited Martin … Read More

Monday, July 20, 2026 westmidlands housing urbanextension berkswell railway development primaryschool infrastructure community open-space

Plans have been unveiled for a major new neighbourhood in the West Midlands, featuring 970 new homes. This significant urban extension aims to address the growing housing demand in the region while enhancing community … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 beaches pools festivals family summer birmingham freeactivities outdoor holiday kids

How are the holidays treating you so far? I hope you’re making the most of them! Today’s guide is bursting with ideas to help you enjoy the summer break with your children without breaking the bank. Did you know there are … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 homelessness birmingham councilhousing temporaryhousing pestinfestation healthrisks mentalhealth eviction childwelfare racism

For the past two years, Birmingham mother Dominique Trapszo and her two young children have been living in appalling conditions within temporary council housing, trapped in what she describes as a “filthy rat hostel.” The … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 birmingham mela southasian culture music food transport smethwick event tickets

The Sandwell & Birmingham Mela returns in 2026, promising to be bigger and better than ever. Recognized as Europe’s largest South Asian cultural festival, it is expected to draw a crowd of around 50,000 people to … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 birmingham exempthousing supportedaccommodation crime council housingbenefit regulation community asb homelessness

The harsh realities of life inside Birmingham’s poorly managed ‘exempt’ supported housing have been laid bare by city councillors representing the voices of increasingly desperate residents. Once again, there is a desperate … Read More

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When it comes to Asian sweets, my expertise was largely limited to seeing how many syrupy gulab jamun I could enjoy before my dentist intervened. Eager to broaden my sweet palate, I headed to Small Heath, where Ambala Bakery … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 walsall library development biodiversity housing planning environment biodiversitygain roadsafety council

Walsall Council has turned down plans to convert the long-closed Walsall Wood Library into residential apartments. The library, located on Coppice Road, has remained shut since 2017 and was auctioned by the council in 2020 … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 wolverhampton oxygene nightclub licence police stabbing disorder safety security youths

Oxygene, a popular nightclub in Wolverhampton city centre, has had its operating licence suspended for three months following a police-led review. West Midlands Police urged the City of Wolverhampton Council to take action … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 mellsquare holbecheplace solihull regeneration housing parking planning sustainability urbandesign development

Planners have approved detailed plans for more than 200 new homes as part of the Mell Square regeneration project in Solihull, despite ongoing concerns about limited parking provisions. The reserved matters application … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 tipton tigertavern illegalwork employmentlaw immigration exploitation licensing sandwellcouncil righttowork minimumwage

The Tiger Tavern Pub and Grill in Tipton has had its licence revoked after employing an illegal worker at below minimum wage. Sandwell Council made the decision following a Home Office requested hearing due to serious … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 birmingham police injury accident spinalfracture zebracrossing schoolgirl investigation westmidlands emergency

A 15-year-old schoolgirl in Birmingham sustained a fractured spine and a head injury after being hit by an unmarked police car while crossing a zebra crossing on Bordesley Green Road. The incident occurred around 8:15 am on … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 bankholiday uk england worldcup publicholiday government labourparty christmas substitute celebration

The next official bank holiday in England and Wales is set for 31 August, marking the summer bank holiday, following England’s exit from the World Cup. Fans had anticipated a special bonus bank holiday if the Three Lions had … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 smartwatch fitness acclafit battery health tracking iphone android sale workout

Summer is the perfect time to prioritize fitness, whether it’s hitting the gym, taking a morning run, or joining an evening yoga class. To support your active lifestyle, the AcclaFit smartwatch delivers advanced health … Read More

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Miss Universe Fátima Bosch has spoken out about the swirling rumours linking her romantically to Jude Bellingham, the Midland-born footballer who recently starred at the World Cup. The Mexican model acknowledged noticing the … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 studentdebt unemployment universalcredit graduates jobsearch tipton psychology counselling financialhardship youth

Jayden Kauser, 22, from Tipton, graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2025 with a degree in psychology and counselling. Despite his academic achievements, Jayden has struggled to find employment, applying for … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 yoga wildswimming icebath solihull wellbeing outdoors meditation fitness nature health

If you’re looking to reconnect with nature and boost your well-being, several exciting outdoor events are happening near Solihull. Wild Fox Yoga offers serene Sunday morning yoga sessions in the beautiful settings of … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 lottery jackpot postcode birmingham winner prize lotterywin renovation family travel

A Birmingham couple, Teresa Lay and Wayne Jackson, both 54, were left speechless when they discovered they had won an astonishing £333,333 on the Postcode Lottery. The life-changing moment was captured on video as they opened … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 dvla eved car tax mileage electric vehicles plug-in hybrids refunds government transport policy

The Labour Party government’s upcoming pay-per-mile car tax scheme, known as eVED, has sparked concerns among experts about the capability of the DVLA’s computer systems to manage refunds efficiently. Set to … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 hmrc pensioners tax allowances frozenthresholds statepension income finance retirement taxbill

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is preparing to send out brown tax letters to a record 9.5 million state pensioners born before 1960, warning them of potential tax bills stemming from frozen tax thresholds. This surge in … Read More

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to raise the state pension age, a change that could leave millions of people born before 1977 substantially worse off. Currently, under rules introduced by the Labour … Read More

Sunday, July 19, 2026 birmingham airport delay departure 2025 manchester punctuality aviation travel compensation

Birmingham Airport has recorded the second-longest average departure delay among UK airports in 2025, with flights departing on average 18 minutes and 42 seconds late. This is nearly four minutes longer than the national … Read More