This Saturday will see Birmingham a big step closer to the creation of #MayarYahiaSquare. Supported by @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org, @sustrans.bsky.social, @bradford-street.bsky.social, and more. Lots of activities for the whole family. Join us to show what this reclaimed public space can be!

I went to see the premier of @sarahchaundler.bsky.social excellent & hard hitting film ‘City of Cars’ at the Mockingbird Cinema tonight. Followed by a discussion facilitated by @janerockhouse.bsky.social We all want safe roads, this film makes it clear why it is so important.

Support emerging talent and #grassroots venues - or risk losing them... My piece with @janerockhouse.bsky.social @birminghamlive.bsky.social www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

A fortnight ago a story I’d written was spiked for breaching an IPSO guideline. It’s frustrating to then see same story belatedly published elsewhere because the publisher either doesn’t know the guidelines or isn’t worried by them, knowing few complain. It’s a tricky path to navigate and maddening!

Soundtrack to my Saturday chores is Birmingham band The Leaking Machine “Sound on Sound” - lovely, timeless sound - ‘memory lane is a cul de sac’ indeed.

I loved escaping for four days to kick back with friends, no wi-fi, barely any contact with the outside world. If you've not checked out Bearded Theory Fest before, maybe next year, before it loses its intimate charm www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/rev...

As the crisis in #Gaza intensifies, would the UK and other Western governments really consider withdrawing military support for Israel? Great discussion with @goldbergradio.bsky.social and @hannahweisfeld.bsky.social @yachad.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social podfollow.com/byline-podca...

She was one among many. Incredibly sad and angry at the pain and death still being inflicted on Gaza by Netanyahu’s Israel, with our support. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Great, moving piece by @janerockhouse.bsky.social about witnessing an attempted suicide in #Birmingham today No matter how desperate things seem, there is help out there. Call Samaritans 116 123 any time, day or night open.substack.com/pub/insidebi...

One of the Britain First protesters has 4 flags 😂 favourite chants "You've got more flags than people" "That's not your flag, your side lost"

What an incredible game of football. #barca #inter

Much needed daytime-into-nighttime adventures in #Birmingham with three of the best people anyone could wish to have as friends. I’m so very lucky to have wonderful people to share my life with.

"If anyone came up to a child and said 'you know what, you're too fat'... you see how free that speech would be. These platforms do it to thousands of kids." Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, on freedom of speech and online safety. #Newsnight

Date for your diary: Please do come along and hear thinking on how Birmingham can best navigate the challenges and the opportunities ahead to realise its potential. Expect meaningful exchanges and no awkward silences; your participation/insights will be positively encouraged.

I drew a question at Prime Minister's Questions for the first time today. I raised knife crime, and @westmidlandspolice.bsky.social and PCC Simon Foster's bid to fund 150 additional officers. I'm glad to have secured a Home Office meeting to press the case.

So lovely to catch up with these beautiful people at the regional press awards @anniegouk.bsky.social @liamthorp.bsky.social Paul Gallagher @cathyduncan.bsky.social and of course the Birmingham Live gang!

Back in #Birmingham after a day celebrating regional journalism. Returning with two national awards for our #childpoverty emergency project and our coverage of Muslim communities and festivals in the city, and highly commended for news brand of the year is testimony to the teamwork behind BL

There is nothing about this that isn’t deeply troubling and scary.

Time to stop calling it a negotiation. This is two autocrats, looking to leverage as much as they can from a sovereign country, lying about Ukraine, posturing without Ukraine. Europe has to step up fast. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...

We are at peak 1984

Usual excellence from @mrjohncrace.bsky.social

BREAKING: The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has pneumonia in both of his lungs.

‘You better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin at you from a never-ending parade of stupid.’ From a musical but apply to life right now.

There is so much to be fearful of in the world right now but the Trump/Vance/Musk triumvirate in the White House is easily the most terrifying.

Angst over online sales for #BlackSabbath #Ozzy final gig makes me long for days of physical queues. I loved standing with fellow fans for gig and footy tickets, queuing overnight was a blast. Better than digital lottery, with touts and bots running the show www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

What a week for Birmingham - Black Sabbath reunion, Blues confirming huge investment in east Brum and tonight a huge FA Cup match. Buzzing! #Birmingham @birminghamcityfc.bsky.social

Catch up on all the goings-on over Birmingham City Council's Budget for 2025-26 in our live blog featuring all the info you need. I've been working through 426 pages and 18 appendices so you don't have to... #Birmingham #politics www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Meanwhile, over at Birmingham City Council, someone is still frantically proofreading/adding up the 2025-26 Budget proposals... www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Love the emotion bursting out of this as @bozzers.bsky.social reacts to the news of Ozzy's return to Brum. www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

What a day 😭❤️ www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/mus...

And this people is why I’m certain I was Finnish in another life - from a Guardian article: ‘The Finns call it kalsarikännit – the art of drinking at home in your pants’

Heading home after six hours in and around the Council House, hq of Birmingham City Council. A rather mundane meeting tbh until two really powerful motions for debate at the end. The first made me angry, knowing so little has changed; the second made me cry. I’ll post all the emerging stories soon

Delighted to see Mayor of WM Richard Parker direct funds to two roles pushing on road safety and active travel. What we need now for Birmingham is to see focus on child and youth poverty. Please don’t leave it in the “too complex” pile. It’s the shame of the city.

The thorny issue of councillor allowances is up for discussion at Birmingham City Council tomorrow. A backbencher allowance is just under £20k; they are expected to do the equivalent of 3.5 days/26 hours a week, in the biggest unitary/met council in Europe. They don't get pension, or redundancy.../1

I attended the #HolocaustMemorialDay commemoration today marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Lovely to see so many young people involved and wanting a better future without prejudice or persecution. #HMD2025

Amid a catalogue of avoidable disasters at the council, this is right up there. ‘Birmingham faces £47k-a-day bill for 40 years for Perry Barr Games Village 'shocking' losses.’ Strongly advise download the BL app for best UX www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Rachel Reeves has reportedly weakened planned changes to the non-dom tax regime after “intense lobbying from wealthy UK residents”. I look forward to seeing if “intense lobbying” from disabled people will stop Labour cutting benefits.

Common sense advice over the Musk salutes.

Today’s life lesson…don’t let anyone question your integrity, ever. Hold tight.

He can’t keep out of the news, not that he’s trying to. My latest BL story on Akhmed Yakoob here after he was detained by counter-terror police at Channel Tunnel last night. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

This account has become one of my morning go-tos for a smile/groan. Exactly like the jokes my dad would regale me with, often with visual aids. His anguished cry of “who threw that” with a beermat planted on his nose has been a holiday highlight for ever. Nice work JP.

After a year of interviews, GET IN, the full story of Labour’s rise to power under Keir Starmer and first months in government by me and Gabriel Pogrund, is out on 13 February. Pre-order it now. www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Inside-S...

Property giant Savills were paid £651k to advise the city council on the Perry Barr Games village project that's made a massive loss. Either their advice was bad, or the council ignored it. Surely we ought to know? My latest for @birminghamlive.bsky.social www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

It gives no pleasure to report that Brummies are on the hook for another Bham City Council failure. Remember how Perry Barr village was going to be a Games legacy? Not sure this was what people had in mind. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Somebody Somewhere. How did this ever pass me by. I’m glad I’ve found you.

She doesn't need anyone to speak for her I know but some thoughts from me on the @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social Musk thing. Also featuring @nazirafzal.bsky.social Both have done more for victims of abuse than that prat. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

It’s amazing how quickly Twitter has stopped being a crucial part of my life. Sure I miss the big number of followers built up over many months and I’m still at the stage of popping by occasionally for a peek but sure that will end soon. Would love to see more make the switch.

Critical incident at UHB hospitals Birmingham, with flu cited as a major cause. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...