this will be the biggest sports event of the west midlands and birmingham have ever hosted.e than i billion people, globally, we'll be watching. a tremendous showcase. this is birmingham's big chance to shine. many thanks, lots to look forward to, but that is it from us in birmingham for now. now time for the rest of the news. a woman who murdered the one—year—old boy she was trying to adopt lied about her alcohol use, mental health problems, and debt. a safeguarding review found there were systemic failings in the adoption process and information was not always shared between agencies. in her first interview, the little boy's mother says her son leiland—james was wrongly taken away from her at birth and would still be alive if he had been left with her. this report from our special correspondent, ed thomas, contains some distressing details. "mummy, please don't be sad. "i miss you so much, too. "i'm safe. "it's so beautiful up here. "but i do worry when i see you cry." laura inhales sharply. the words of laura corkill, read at the funeral of her son, leiland—james. .. and

how much will this _ for the west midlands as well.0 people and given them a relevant new skill which they will have four life. i want him to look backin have four life. i want him to look back in ten years and say that their career started in birmingham 2022. what will be a measure for you of the success of these games? [30 the success of these games? do --eole the success of these games? dr? people play on this closing ceremony that they did that, that it started with birmingham 2022? those values of inclusivity and of clause of toleration, people assume with the west midlands and i want people to say that our reputation internationally was founded on what we are going to do in the next 11 days. we are going to do in the next 11 da s. , ., , ., we are going to do in the next 11 das., ., days. using words and tolerance. birmingham _ days. using words and tolerance. birmingham is — days. using words and tolerance. birmingham is such _ days. using words and tolerance. birmingham is such a _ days. using words and tolerance. birmingham is

birmingham is the brand but this is a games across the whole of the west midlands, particularly their midlands, if not in the uk, and the fact that they are getting something which is world—class and will be there as a facility for the community forever in the future is a brilliant example of real legacy. birmingham's only new facility has been built with a place in mind. the council says it can keep sport here affordable. the pool at these games is made notjust for medals but for a neighbourhood. joe lenski, bbc news, sandwell. as we have just heard from the mayor, he believes these games will leave a legacy in the region and bring benefit to places that need them. looking ahead tomorrow, there are questions about whether the rail strike will affect numbers turning up strike will affect numbers turning up for the opening ceremony and for the first day of sporting events that start on friday. aside from these concerns, there is also a strong sense of excitement and opportunity as birmingham and the region prepare to host ten days of world—class sport. a un human rights committee says

we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world.gives an opportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. huge business conference here could coincide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without bumping into someone from another competitor, in this case, guernsey, which is hosting next year's island games. one of the things we would like to replicate is the atmosphere and the friendliness because we are walking around today and anyone who has seen anyone in a kit is coming over and saying hello and chatting and it is, you know, really welcoming. so that is something we would definitely like to replicate. protests will take place, too. the games aims to be the most lgbtq+ inclusive yet, but two thirds of competing nations have laws against same—sex relationships. in a few hours, the party gets under way here in victoria square. it is the culmination of four years of preparations. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. "it makes me proud to be a bru

crew was held for— delays, one west midlands crew was held for 26— delays, one west midlands crew wasas a man whose mother died while she was waiting, it is pretty— mother died while she was waiting, it is pretty shocking stuff to read. you wonder, what if this happens to me or— you wonder, what if this happens to me or somebody i love? are we really going _ me or somebody i love? are we really going to _ me or somebody i love? are we really going to suffer because everything is so overstretched at the minute? every _ is so overstretched at the minute? every part — is so overstretched at the minute? every part of the nhs is stress and under resourced? i every part of the nhs is stress and under resourced?— under resourced? i think this is an im ortant under resourced? i think this is an important story — under resourced? i think this is an important story to _ under resourced? i think this is an important story to have _ under resourced? i think this is an important story to have on - under resourced? i think this is an important story to have on a - important story to have on a newsp

we the west midlands a direct service to the venue from there.— the west midlands a direct service tois the big new venues. the _ event? the obvious legacy is the big new venues. the wonderful- event? the obvious legacy is the big i new venues. the wonderful swimming centre in smethwick, one of the tougher areas of the region, that would not have happened without this. transport infrastructure. but the one thing is people who can say i got a skill, a job because of this. 7000 people have been put through new training and i want people to say i got my career, start in life because of it. are you good at sport? i do my bit, swimming, running. i am at sport? i do my bit, swimming, running. lam probably at sport? i do my bit, swimming, running. i am probably rubbished at sport? i do my bit, swimming, running. lam probably rubbished by anyone else's standards but for my age, i am all right. will you try anything new? i do not know about that. you may be will encourage me. but i will enjoy everything we are putting on to show the world. goad putting on to show the world. good to see you- —

but — from today, in a uk first — every frontline officer in west midlands police will be live streaming situation can be monitored in real time. our midlands correspondent phil mackie has been to see the new technology in action. siren wails. response officers beth and darren have been called out on a fairly typicaljob. so we're just going to a third party report that his neighbour has been robbed and attacked by four to five white males. no other details as of yet. injury to the head. apparently he's been hit with a glass bottle. but when they arrive, there's a difference. both officers have switched on their cameras and are sending a live stream back to the control room. he got the bottle and raised it up. smashed it across my head. yeah, i've seen some damage on your door. who's done that? them. they've done that as well, have they? do you want an ambulance? we'll take you to the hospital. this is the control room where it's all being monitored. so as you can see, we've got two cameras up — darren�*s and beth's — both live streaming at the moment. there's been a robbery. the victim's

we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world.next two weeks — investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without bumping into someone from another competitor — in this case, guernsey, which is hosting next year's island games. one of the things we would like to replicate is the atmosphere and the friendliness because we are walking around today and anyone who has seen anyone in a kit is coming over and saying hello and chatting and it is, you know, really welcoming. so that is something we would definitely like to replicate. protests will take place, too. the games aims to be the most lgbtq+ inclusive yet, but two thirds of competing nations have laws against same—sex relationships. in a few hours, the party gets under way here in victoria square. it is the culmination of four years of preparations. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. bbc sport's jane dougall is in victoria square in birmingham. it looks very colourful, jane, what is the atmosphere like? you it looks very colourful, jane, what is the atmo

for the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlands — some spells of sunshine, temperaturesgo through monday night, we will see this area of cloud rolling its way eastwards with some outbreaks of rain, some quite heavy rain in places — particularly for north wales, northwest england — a lot of mist and murk, some low cloud on what will be a very warm and muggy night, actually — 14 to 18 degrees as we begin tuesday morning. for tuesday, a lot of cloud and some rain around first thing. some particularly heavy bursts for northern england, wales, parts of the midlands and east anglia. precious little of that rain getting down into the south, where we really do need some. by the afternoon, signs of something a little brighter, although western coasts of wales, the south west, likely to stay cloudy and drizzly. a few showers in the north west of scotland. quite a windy day — those are the average wind speeds, the gusts will be stronger than that. but that wind coming from quite a warm direction, still high levels of humidity — 23 for aberdeen, 27 for london. bit of a change, thoug

. 0ne the area, in birmingham and also across the west midlands. thanks so much forjoining us. what is it going to feel like for you tomorrow leading the team out onto the pitch? iuntil]! tomorrow leading the team out onto the itch? ~ , , . ., the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time in _ the pitch? will be very excited and it is our first time in the _ it is our first time in the commonwealth, so we are all very excited _ commonwealth, so we are all very excited as— commonwealth, so we are all very excited as women cricketers to show our talent _ excited as women cricketers to show our talent in — excited as women cricketers to show our talent in this stage. i think it is a big _ our talent in this stage. i think it is a big opportunity for all of us. and how— is a big opportunity for all of us. and how has it been for you, in terms of growing up in pakistan, becoming a female cricket player? are there hurdles, barriers

_ communities in and around birmingham and the west midlands getting - and the west midlands gettingnvolved and being part of- and the west midlands getting involved and being part of thei involved and being part of the games, — involved and being part of the games, it _ involved and being part of the games, it is _ involved and being part of the games, it is going _ involved and being part of the games, it is going to - involved and being part of the games, it is going to be - involved and being part of the i games, it is going to be brilliant. bringing — games, it is going to be brilliant. bringing people _ games, it is going to be brilliant. bringing people together- games, it is going to be brilliant. bringing people together and - bringing people together and bringing the spirit with it definitely.— bringing the spirit with it definitel . ~ . ., ., definitely. well said. we have got half a dozen _ definitely. well said. we have got half a dozen baton _ definitely. well said. we have got half a dozen baton bearer - definitely. well said. we have got half a dozen baton bearer is -

for the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlands — some spells of sunshine, temperaturesrolling its way eastwards with some outbreaks of rain, some quite heavy rain in places — particularly for north wales, northwest england — a lot of mist and murk, some low cloud on what will be a very warm and muggy night, actually — 1a to 18 degrees as we begin tuesday morning. for tuesday, a lot of cloud and some rain around first thing. some particularly heavy bursts for northern england, wales, parts of the midlands and east anglia. precious little of that rain getting down into the south, where we really do need some. by the afternoon, signs of something a little brighter, although western coasts of wales, the south west, likely to stay cloudy and drizzly. a few showers in the north west of scotland. quite a windy day — those are the average wind speeds, the gusts will be stronger than that. but that wind coming from quite a warm direction, still high levels of humidity — 23 for aberdeen, 27 for london. bit of a change, though, through tuesday night into wednesday as this cold fro

it slips south into wales and the west midlands.in the mid to low teens as saturday begins. if you are starting cloudy, wales, western england, that slips away southwards by the end of the morning, taking any light showers with it. outbreaks of rain in northern scotland will turn heavier later in the day where it's still quite breezy. and although there will be quite a bit of cloud running into northern ireland, there may be a bit of hazy brightness at times and temperatures actually, through parts of england and wales that had some heat on friday, will be a tad cooler on saturday before heating up again on sunday. looking like a fine saturday evening away from northern scotland. warmth being felt more widely on sunday. and the hotspots in the south getting into the low 30s on monday and tuesday.

there is a benefit to the whole country, but in particular to birmingham and the west midlands.f this, so, yes, birmingham itself and the entire west midlands will benefit, the whole country will as well, and that is all part of the legacy programme and part of the planning all along. to bid for these games, it is often highly competitive, precisely because there is a very, very strong and return on investment, and it is seen with olympics and... and return on investment, and it is seen with olympics and. . ._ seen with olympics and... you've said the word _ seen with olympics and... you've said the word olympics _ seen with olympics and... you've said the word olympics there, - seen with olympics and... you'vel said the word olympics there, and seen with olympics and... you've - said the word olympics there, and he were legacy, so i have to ask you, of course, about 2012 in london, where there was a huge success, there is a huge expectation on the legacy, and several reports since have worried that actually the legacy areas, things like participation, have not lived up to the b

, particularly in smethwick, one of the toughest community is really in the whole of the west midlandsof real legacy. birmingham's only new facility has been built with a place in mind. the council says it can keep sport here affordable. the pool at these games is made notjust for medals but for a neighbourhood. joe lynskey, bbc news, sandwell. tomorrow then marks the start of the games — with the opening ceremony in the evening. and millions will be watching over the course of the next two weeks — but the build—up is very much under way. sally hurst is at victoria square, in birmingham city centre for us. sally — what's been happening today? well, it is very noisy here at victoria square, as you can properly sense. lots going on. this is a festival site and there has been lots of music, dancing, and we are about to see some of the basson really come right down the square. this is why everyone is out here to watch it —— at on relay. burning and has become incredibly busy and we have noticed after being here for a couple of days and we have noticed it really getting a lot busier. we hav

lots more going on this afternoon, action taking place across birmingham, the west midlands and beyondes on the bbc sport website. i'll be back in an hour. let's get more on our top story in the wagatha christie trial as rebekah vardy loses her libel case at the high court. she had sued coleen rooney after the latter accused her of leaking private information to the tabloid press. both women have huge social media followings and business interests. minutes after the verdict we had reaction from the high court and our correspondence.— correspondence. rebekah vardy has lost her libel— correspondence. rebekah vardy has lost her libel claim _ correspondence. rebekah vardy has lost her libel claim against - correspondence. rebekah vardy has lost her libel claim against coleen . lost her libel claim against coleen rooney. we are getting the summary sent to us, the easiest thing is if i read it. the court has handed down a judgment following the trial claim and the claim has been dismissed. the defendant established the essence of the libel was substantially true, that means coleen rooney man

west midlands police say they're investigating allegations of racist behaviour by some spectators herereported that they were racially abused. police are urging anyone who witnessed it to come forward. problems off the pitch, then. but on it, another memorable win for england's players, theirfourth in a row in what's proving some summer. andy swiss, bbc news, edgbaston. it is a big summer of sporting action. including the delayed women's euro 2022 tournament which england is hosting from tomorrow. half a million tickets have already been sold — that's double the number sold during the entire 2017 tournament in the netherlands. both england and northern ireland have qualified and will play in group a. our sports editor dan roan has the details. since england reached the semifinals of the world cup three years ago, the domestic women's game has come a long way. bumper tv audiences, record investment, greater visibility and a fully professional league attracting some of the sport's best players. now, the lionesses are preparing for a home euros, one of their stars telling me it's a chance

we're actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right round the world.pportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. and, for brummies, that is what is really important. it's good for the community. good for the city in total. it's good for the next generation of people that want to get involved in athletics as well. i find it's really good. for your own children, because they get to experience i different types of sports as well. this is the start of 12 days of sporting and cultural events which it is hoped will live long in the memory. let's speak to our correspondent jane dougall, who's in birmingham. jane, the opening ceremony is under way. as phil was saying, the 72 nations. in terms of where the commonwealth games is, how relevant is it in the international sporting calendar, do you think?- is it in the international sporting calendar, do you think? well, the thin is, calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim. — calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim, there _ calendar, do you think? well, the thing i

events are spread around the west midlands, from warwick in the south to cannock further north.joined smethwick swimming club when i was 11. we were fortunate to have pools close by, but nothing like we are going to have now. we've talked about this for a long time, we have dreamed about it. it is real now. and it is just going to give so many opportunities for youngsters from around here. for someone who has been involved in smethwick swimming for so long, what does it mean to you to have this venue at these commonwealth games? well, i'm speechless. itjust is so amazing. and the fact that this event is going to come to smethwick and people all around the world are going to be watching is just so amazing. it's usually something that happens somewhere else. we feel an incredible responsibility for putting on a brilliant games for birmingham, the west midlands and the rest of the country, and, you know, showing what britain's is all about — a welcoming, inclusive society where everybody gets on. and, do you know what, it is a privilege to do that, but a responsibility, as well. it

rain in northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, wales, and including the north and west midlandsrnoon. still one or two showers, a bit of a keen breeze coming in from the south—west, and in those cloudier moments that will make it feel a touch of the cool side. 16—19 degrees, below par, but we could still get around 20—21, east anglia, south east. but this evening there will be a few showers pushing through, not everyone will see them, though, and into the night many will become dry again. further outbreaks of rain in the far north of scotland and then a few showers developing in the west later on in the night. temperatures as we start your sunday morning, very similar to where this morning started, 9—12 celsius. into sunday we go, a dry and bright start for the vast majority, always a bit cloudy across some of these western districts. a few showers around here as we start the day. those showers, though, as the westerly wind kicks in, will track their way eastwards, and so through the afternoon it is eastern areas most prone to some showers, the odd heavy one across eastern parts

through northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, wales and including the north and west midlands one or two showers, a bit of a keen breeze coming in from the south west and then those cloudier moments that will make it feel a touch on the cool side, 16 to 19 degrees — below par. but we could still get around 2021, east anglia, south east. by this evening there will be a few showers pushing through, not everyone will see them, though and into the night many will become dry again. further outbreaks are in the far north of scotland and then a few showers developing in the west later on in the night. to what they were this morning, around nine to 12 celsius. so into sunday we go, a dry and bright start for the vast majority, always a bit cloudy across some of these western districts. a few showers around here as we start the day. those showers, as a westerly wind kicks in, will track their way eastwards and so through the afternoon, it's eastern areas most prone to some showers, the odd heavy one across eastern parts of northern england, especially. and that means fewer showers in t

for the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlands — some spells of sunshine, temperaturess area of cloud rolling its way eastwards with some outbreaks of rain, some quite heavy rain in places — particularly for north wales, northwest england — a lot of mist and murk, some low cloud on what will be a very warm and muggy night, actually — 14 to 18 degrees as we begin tuesday morning. for tuesday, a lot of cloud and some rain around first thing. some particularly heavy bursts for northern england, wales, parts of the midlands and east anglia. precious little of that rain getting down into the south, where we really do need some. by the afternoon, signs of something a little brighter, although western coasts of wales, the south west, likely to stay cloudy and drizzly. a few showers in the north west of scotland. quite a windy day — those are the average wind speeds, the gusts will be stronger than that. but that wind coming from quite a warm direction, still high levels of humidity — 23 for aberdeen, 27 for london. bit of a change, though, through tuesday night into wednesday

not all the time as we move through the weekend at the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlandsr south and east. it will be warm and muggy, 12 to 16 celsius the overnight lows. so into tomorrow, this frontal system continues to trudge its way slowly southwards and eastwards with that extensive cloud, that mist and fog and those outbreaks of rain. so rain pushing southwards through the morning across scotland and northern ireland, tending to clear out into northern england, parts of north wales. it won�*t be raining all the time. that rain will be quite sporadic, quite on and off. some of it could just drift into the north midlands and maybe even parts of east anglia as we go through the afternoon. but very little, if any, rain getting down into southern counties, where will be warm 26 or 27 celsius. but even further north, quite warm and quite humid, 22 celsius, for example, there in aberdeen. through saturday night, we see a feed of cloud continuing to roll in from the west. still some rather misty, murky conditions, especially around the coasts and over the hills. further outb

away from the action, though, i can tell you that west midlands police are now investigating allegationsday to come forward. andy, thank you, andy swiss. _ at wimbledon, british number one cameron norrie will play his first grand slam quarterfinal, taking on david goffin of belgium this afternoon. if he wins, he�*ll be the first british man to reach the semi—finals since andy murray in 2016. laura scott is there for us. it has been quite a wait for british fans but not much of a surprise that cameron norrie is the last briton standing here and after all he is the ninth seed, the highest ranked british male player. but for one reason or another, it has never really clicked for him at a grand slam until now that there is a real buzz about him, you can hear a rallying call for more support. he says he feels like he�*s getting better as the tournament progresses and after winning in the fourth round, he says it is great for him to get through to the quarters but no reason to be satisfied with that. he plays the belgian david goffin, former world number seven today but his last match lasted f

not all the time as we move through the weekend at the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlandsh a frontal system starting to push in now from the northwest, bringing cloud and rain through the evening across northern ireland into scotland. the odd heavy burst over high ground in the west, rain too into north west england and north wales, and it will be turning really misty and murky with some hill and coastalfog across many of these north western areas. clear spells further south and east. it will be warm and muggy, 12 to 16 celsius the overnight lows. so into tomorrow, this frontal system continues to trudge its way slowly southwards and eastwards with that extensive cloud, that mist and fog and those outbreaks of rain. so, rain pushing southwards through the morning across scotland and northern ireland, tending to clear out into northern england, parts of north wales. it won't be raining all the time. that rain will be quite sporadic, quite on and off. some of it could just drift into the north midlands and maybe even parts of east anglia as we go through the afternoon. but v

events are spread around the west midlands, from warwick in the south to cannock further north. are mapped out to make a legacy. birmingham has builtjust one new venue for these commonwealth games and it is here in sandwell, one of the most diverse and densely populated parts of the city. this place has never had a resource like this before. but now it's got an aquatics centre. i feel extremely lucky because i don't think it will just affect us, it will affect future generations. in, like, 20 years' time, yeah, i was there, i saw this happen. the centre has been stitched into smethwick in sandwell borough. by next year, it will be a multipurpose facility. for this community, it is a gateway to sport that, without the games, would not be here. ijoined smethwick swimming club when i was 11. we were fortunate to have pools close by, but nothing like we are going to have now. we've talked about this for a long time, we have dreamed about it. it is real now. and it is just going to give so many opportunities for youngsters from around here. for someone who has been involved in smethw

it is worth pointing out although the games are taking place in birmingham and the west midlands at this012 and it is hosting the cycling during the birmingham two thirds and 22. i am during the birmingham two thirds and 22. iam right during the birmingham two thirds and 22. i am right in the heart of the velodrome under a very frantic morning and the crowds ofjust about filtered out ahead of a busy evening session with six gold medals up for grabs and team england in two of the gold medal races, the men's team pursuit and men's team sprint. we also seen a crowd favourite dame laura kenny back on the track after a very difficult year for her personally, she and her english team—mates are into the bronze medal race in that women's team pursuit and they will go up against team wales. it's been a good morning for team scotland with eileen mcglynn giving herself the chance of her first ever commonwealth gold medal after winning medals. and then the man trying to become the most decorated scottish athlete in history going in the men's tandem time trial. we have had david beckham and ronaldo i

through northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, wales and including the north and west midlandse coming in from the south west and then those cloudier moments that will make it feel a touch on the cool side, 16 to 19 degrees — below par. but we could still get around 2021, east anglia, south east. by this evening there will be a few showers pushing through, not everyone will see them, though and into the night many will become dry again. further outbreaks are in the far north of scotland and then a few showers developing in the west later on in the night. temperatures as we start your sunday morning, very similar to what they were this morning, around nine to 12 celsius. so into sunday we go, a dry and bright start for the vast majority, always a bit cloudy across some of these western districts. a few showers around here as we start the day. those showers, as a westerly wind kicks in, will track their way eastwards and so through the afternoon, it's eastern areas most prone to some showers, the odd heavy one across eastern parts of northern england, especially. and that means f

rail london but on other services there are reduced number of trains on rate anglia, lner, and west midlandsnt lines, they should check before travel. thank you. police have issued cctv images of a man they want to question over the death of nine—year—old girl who was fatally stabbed in boston in lincolnshire, on thursday. two people previously arrested in connection with lilia valutyte's death have also been released. our reporter phillip norton reports from boston. this is the man police want to talk to in connection with the murder of nine—year—old lilia valutyte. the images were released this morning by lincolnshire police. the force also confirmed that two people previously arrested in connection with the child's murder have been released without further action. i am urgently appealing for the public�*s help to identify the man in these photographs, who we want to speak to following the death of nine—year—old lilia. as part of our fast—moving murder investigation, we now have cctv images of a man who we need to locate. if you see him, do not approach him but immediately call 999. photos

for the commonwealth games in birmingham and the west midlands — some spells of sunshine, temperatures for north wales, northwest england — a lot of mist and murk, some low cloud on what will be a very warm and muggy night, actually — 1a to 18 degrees as we begin tuesday morning. for tuesday, a lot of cloud and some rain around first thing. some particularly heavy bursts for northern england, wales, parts of the midlands and east anglia. precious little of that rain getting down into the south, where we really do need some. by the afternoon, signs of something a little brighter, although western coasts of wales, the south west, likely to stay cloudy and drizzly. a few showers in the north west of scotland. quite a windy day — those are the average wind speeds, the gusts will be stronger than that. but that wind coming from quite a warm direction, still high levels of humidity — 23 for aberdeen, 27 for london. bit of a change, though, through tuesday night into wednesday as this cold front sinks its way southeastwards. behind that, we change the wind direction, we get into northwesterly

it slips south into wales and the west midlands.ciated with it and temperatures in the mid to low teens as saturday begins. if you are starting cloudy, wales, parts of western england, that slips away southwards by the end of the morning, taking any light showers with it. outbreaks of rain in northern scotland will turn heavier later in the day where it's still quite breezy. and although there will be quite a bit of cloud running into northern ireland, there may be a bit of hazy brightness at times and temperatures actually, through parts of england and wales that had some heat on friday, will be a tad cooler on saturday before heating up again on sunday. looking like a fine saturday evening away from northern scotland. warmth being felt more widely on sunday. and the hotspots in the south getting into the low 30s on monday and tuesday. tonight at ten — the labour leader sir keir starmer is cleared by durham police of breaking lockdown rules. he'd promised to resign if he was fined following an event last april. he insisted today th

they all happen to be in the south west or west midlands.chers recorded over a 12—hour period. at royal cornwall, an ambulance waiting ten and a half hours to handover a patient, and two ambulances that arrived at 9:30am and were still waiting to leave when we start collecting data at 8pm. at derriford hospital in plymouth, we saw an 11—hour wait. at points, there were as many as 20 ambulances waiting outside the hospital and in an overflow car park. newsnight spoke to all of the hospitals about what we saw. spokespeople for each told us that the health service was experiencing unprecedented demand, that they were sorry for delays and were working hard on new initiatives to try to improve things. we heard from many ambulance staff and they all painted a similar picture. i've had senior sisters say to me, if we let you go, you willjust bring us more. why do you bring us patients? and those are people who may be in dire need of an ambulance? absolutely, yeah. i would be wrong to say that there are times when i haven't shed a tear. .. ..for peo

. £780 million has been spent on infrastructure and venues across the west midlands.us orie moved to wolverhampton when a child. the team england boxer told me how much it meant to be competing in his home region. so much pride and happiness. i remember first hearing that birmingham was going to host the commonwealth games a few years ago and i had that back of my mind, you know, like, "this is my calling. i�*m going to get that gold medal." archive: the empire - games opens with pomp, ceremony, colour and cheering... the 1934 empire games, before the event�*s name was changed. the link to colonialism has meant a challenging history for what some see as an outdated legacy of empire. 84 years on, england�*s netballers winning gold at the last games. england have done it! birmingham—born captain ama agbeze is now part of the organising committee and told me the event can still be a unifying force in a city known for its diversity. well, there definitely is at the moment lots of discussions about britain and how diverse and multicultural it is, and the commonwealth did c

committee, a man with huge amount of experience who started his career after university in the west midlandssingly starting in, cumbria, too, some thicker cloud may produce a few spots of light rain and drizzle out there. the higher temperatures from eastern scotland and through large parts of england and on towards the east and south—east of wales, well into the 20s. tonight, this area of thicker cloud, as it sinks further south through parts of north—west england, wales, the west midlands, still one or two showers associated with that, and blustery with showers in the far north of scotland. elsewhere, dry with clear spells and mid to low teens for the temperature. now, the weekend offers a lot of dry weather and sunny spells, then another weak weather front running into northern ireland, northern and western scotland may produce some patchy rain, more especially in north—west scotland on saturday. very warm where you have the sunshine, and then for parts of england and wales, as temperatures head off on sunday, a heatwave begins. hello, this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall, and these are

it slips south into wales and the west midlands.re starting cloudy, wales, parts of western england, that slips away southwards by the end of the morning, taking any light showers with it. outbreaks of rain in northern scotland will turn heavier later in the day where it's still quite breezy. and although there will be quite a bit of cloud running into northern ireland, there may be a bit of hazy brightness at times and temperatures actually, through parts of england and wales that had some heat on friday, will be a tad cooler on saturday before heating up again on sunday. looking like a fine saturday evening away from northern scotland. warmth being felt more widely on sunday. and the hotspots in the south getting into the low 30s on monday and tuesday. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. durham police clear sir keir starmer of breaking lockdown rules. he'd pledged to resign if fined — the labour leader says his party is now ready for government. the former chancellor rishi sunak enters the race to be the next leader of the cons

, greater anglia, caltrans, lner, southeastern greateranglia, caltrans, lner, southeastern and west midlandsduring the commonwealth games. this is not the only area of transport that has had some difficulty today. earlier in the week, we heard that heathrow airport was capping the number of passengers that can depart from it each day to 100,000. that would mean that flights need to be cut. but earlier, we heard from the airline emirates, who have said they are not going to go ahead with the cuts that heathrow have asked them to do. heathrow have asked them to do. heathrow have asked them to do. heathrow have said this is a matter of safety and urge people to go ahead and cut those flights. but as you can see, it is already becoming a fractious summerfor you can see, it is already becoming a fractious summer for transport. caroline davies, thank you. well, as more travel disruption looms — we are going to be tracking the experiences of hundrends of holidaymakers. if you want to be one of our travelwatchers and tell your story — do go to bbc.co.uk/travelwatchers — for more information. the sri

through northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, wales and including the north and west midlandsa few showers pushing through, not everyone will see them, though and into the night many will become dry again. further outbreaks of rain in the far north of scotland and then a few showers developing in the west later on in the night. temperatures as we start your sunday morning, very similar to what they were this morning, around nine to 12 celsius. so into sunday we go, a dry and bright start for the vast majority, always a bit cloudy across some of these western districts. a few showers around here as we start the day. those showers, as a westerly wind kicks in, will track their way eastwards and so through the afternoon, it's eastern areas most prone to some showers, the odd heavy one across eastern parts of northern england, especially. and that means fewer showers in the west, a brighter end to the day with a lot more sunshine around. now, because there's big gaps between the showers, some of you will stay completely dry throughout and it will feel a touch warmer than today. te

the ceremony kicks off 11 days of sporting action across the west midlands. victoria square, one of the key sites for the games. any reflections on the ceremony last night and may be looking ahead to what happens now. it night and may be looking ahead to what happens now.— night and may be looking ahead to what happens now. it was amazing. very powerful. _ what happens now. it was amazing. very powerful, speaking _ what happens now. it was amazing. very powerful, speaking to - what happens now. it was amazing. very powerful, speaking to the - what happens now. it was amazing. i very powerful, speaking to the crowd as they left, saying how proud they were of the message throughout the ceremony. it was edgy, informal but professional. powerful messages. and not afraid to allude to darker parts of the commonwealth's past but also reflecting the spirit of the industrial heart of the country. the first sport begins with lawn bowls at leamington spa and also the gymnastics with 16 medals available today and the first medals to be won in the sprint triathlon taking

it slips south into wales and the west midlands.ness at times and temperatures actually, through parts of england and wales that had some heat on friday, will be a tad cooler on saturday before heating up again on sunday. looking like a fine saturday evening away from northern scotland. warmth being felt more widely on sunday. and the hotspots in the south getting into the low 30s on monday and tuesday. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 7pm — durham police clear sir keir starmer of breaking lockdown rules. he'd pledged to resign if fined. the labour leader says his party is now ready for an election. if there was a general election, this government will fall. and we've got a plan for the country, we want that fresh start. the former chancellor, rishi sunak, enters the race to be the next leader of the conservative party and prime minister. tributes pour in from around the world forjapan's former prime minister, shinzo abe, who has been assassinated while delivering a speech at a campaign event. the soaring cost of

area of thicker cloud as it sinks further south through parts of north west england, wales, the west midlandsffers a lot of dry weather and sunny spells. got another weak weather front running into northern ireland, northern and western scotland, may produce some patchy rain, more especially in north west scotland on saturday. very warm where you have the sunshine, and then for parts of england and wales, as temperatures head up on sunday, a heat wave begins. hello again. a very good afternoon to you. this is bbc news with me, ben brown. the headlines: the former chancellor rishi sunak has launched his bid to become the next leader of the conservative party and prime minister. durham police clear sir keir starmer of breaking lockdown rules. he'd pledged to resign if fined. the labour leader says his party is now ready for an election. tributes pour in from around the world forjapan's former prime minister shinzo abe, who has been assassinated while delivering a speech at a campaign event. britain's former counter—terrorism police chief sir mark rowley is formally appointed as the new head of

it�*s the west midlands and london and the east of england that according to this research have seenport the hospitality sector. it says it has been slashing fuel duty and introducing a 50% business rates relief for eligible firms. 0k, and in terms of what the pubs themselves are doing — are they looking at putting prices up to survive? i mean, people have less to spend, the cost—of—living pressures, presumably that would be an option they wouldn�*t rush to, you know, if they can avoid it. they will hopefully try and avoid it, but as you say, these pressures are so great with costs right now that anything is on the table. farmers across the uk say rising costs are threatening their future, with some reporting that their costs have soared by a quarter in the last year alone. the national farmers�* union says a third of arable farmers are now reducing their number of crops to compensate. victoria fritz is at a dairy farm in east sussex — in the south of england. local produce for local people. it is being billed as a potential solution to what is the cost of living crisis and rising fo

for some quite a lot of sunshine, but for others, including around birmingham, in the west midlands,ome sunshine and generally quite a warm day, 21 degrees for glasgow, for belfast, 27 down towards the southeast. now, as we go through this evening and tonight, we will see this area of more extensive cloud pushing across northern ireland, scotland and to northern england and north wales. with some outbreaks of rain, it'll be turning quite misty and murky with some hill fog in places. and it is going to be a very, very mild night, quite muggy in places. so into tomorrow, we've got this frontal system pushing its way down from the northwest, that's going to bring cloud and some outbreaks of rain. we can pick up on that on the weather chart for saturday morning. generally rather grey conditions across scotland, northern ireland, should brighten up here into the afternoon as that cloud and rain sinks down into parts of northern england. wales, could even be the odd spot of rain getting into parts of east anglia. later on to the south of that we should see some spells of sunshine at times

they all happened to be in the south west or west midlands.encing unprecedented demand, that they were sorry for delays and were working hard on new initiatives to try to improve things. we heard from many ambulance staff and they all painted a similar picture. i've had senior sisters say to me, if we let you go, you willjust bring us more. why do you bring us patients? and those are people who may be in dire need of an ambulance? absolutely, yeah. i would be wrong to say that there are times when i haven't shed a tear. ..for people we haven't been able to help. because it's been too late. but those who represent emergency doctors say there are no easy solutions. they can't admit more ill people, they say, because they can't discharge thousands of recovering patients into social care. the corridors in an emergency department are frequently fall, anyway. so just off—loading an ambulance into an area inside an emergency department, all you are doing is transferring one problem into another. what is better is if we can discharge patients from hos

west midlands mayor andy street said he's ready to show it off: it gives an opportunity to show the worldncide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. the estimated budget for the birmingham games is around $778 million. but it comes at a time when the country faces its highest inflation rate in four decades — and major cost of living pressures. that's got some people asking: will it be worth it? speaking at an event today, outgoing uk pm borisjohnson had this reply: right now, i want you to know, i am here to tell you that i am supremely confident that the answer to that question is, yes. a thousand times yes. i say so, question is, yes. a thousand times yes. isay so, because question is, yes. a thousand times yes. i say so, because i remember almost exactly ten years ago an identical moment of nerves just before the beginning of the london 2012 games. we can also show you photos from a protest held today. the images show demonstrators speaking out against some competing nations�* anti—lgbtqi+ stances. two thirds of competing nations have laws against same sex re

saying that you have chosen july 27 because it will have the biggest impact on people travelling to west midlandsalth games. is that true? ., , , 2 ., true? that is nonsense. we have icked true? that is nonsense. we have picked the _ true? that is nonsense. we have picked the 27th _ true? that is nonsense. we have picked the 27th of _ true? that is nonsense. we have picked the 27th ofjuly _ true? that is nonsense. we have picked the 27th ofjuly because i true? that is nonsense. we have i picked the 27th ofjuly because that is not the commonwealth games. it is is not the commonwealth games. it is the day before. what _ is not the commonwealth games. it is the day before. what we _ is not the commonwealth games. it is the day before. what we could - is not the commonwealth games. it is the day before. what we could have i the day before. what we could have made strike — the day before. what we could have made strike action _ the day before. what we could have made strike action on _ the day before. what we could have made strike action on the _ the day before. what we could have made strike action