Updated 5:15am 22 May 2012

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Ben Hurst

Ben Hurst

The painting which is believed to be a rare Turner

Birmingham art expert says sold painting is priceless rare Turner

An obscure oil painting bought for thousands in a private sale is a priceless lost Turner masterpiece, according to a leading Birmingham expert.Read

Library of Birmingham

Library of Birmingham to host 'Take To The Streets' photography exhibition

Visitors to the new £190 million Library of Birmingham will be greeted by images taken by some of the world’s top photographers.Read

Canal

Some Birmingham canals to close as drought concerns spread across UK

Birmingham canal users have backed a decision to restrict use of some of the network because of drought concerns.Read

Honey bee

Bee decline could lead to farming devastation in West Midlands, warns FoE

Environmentalists are warning that farming in the region could be devastated unless urgent action is taken to protect the bee population.Read

Lindsay Hawker

Lindsay Hawker's family relieved after killer's appeal is rejected

The family of murdered Midland teacher Lindsay Hawker have spoken of their relief after a Japanese court rejected an appeal by her killer.Read

Cash, money

80,000 West Midland families to lose tax credits

Almost 80,000 West Midland families have been hit by changes to tax credits – leaving them £511 a year poorer on average.Read

Andris Nelsons

CBSO conductor Andris Nelsons European leaves tour after baby daughter falls ill

The conductor of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra had to return home mid tour after his baby daughter fell seriously ill.Read

BBC

140 BBC journalists to lose jobs at part of corporation's cuts

Around 140 BBC journalists will lose their jobs in the next 12 months as part of a round of cost-cutting measures designed to save the corporation millions of pounds.Read

HS2 High Speed Rail

HS2 second phase plans will be announced in Autumn - Minister

The Government will publish its plans for the second phase of the HS2 high-speed rail project in the autumn.Read

Birmingham City Council House

Birmingham City Council overvalues assets by £1.2 billion

Birmingham City Council over valued its assets by £1.2 billion and double counted Private Finance Initiative payments in a set of accounts only just signed off by official auditors.Read

M6 motorway

Midland motorways M6 and M42 to be used for 80mph speed limit trial

Plans to introduce 80mph limits on motorways around Birmingham could be phased in as early as next year.Read

George Michael

George Michael launches tour in Birmingham after life-threatening illness

George Michael will return to the stage this year with a show in Birmingham following his battle for life with pneumonia. Read

Toulouse shooting

West Midlander honorary consul to Toulouse speaks of 'horror'

The honorary British consul in Toulouse, originally from the West Midlands, has spoken of his “shock and horror” at the attack on a rabbi and three children.Read

HS2 High Speed Rail

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce in demand for movement on HS2 scheme

Birmingham business leaders have voiced concerns that local commuter services will be forced off the rails if the High Speed Rail (HS2) plans don’t go ahead soon.Read

Birmingham Post

Thousands sign up against changes to planning system

A petition calling for the Government to abandon changes to the planning system which opponents say could devastate the countryside has been backed by thousands of Midlanders.Read

Birmingham teacher's star map phone app tops download charts

A Birmingham music teacher has come up with a stargazing mobile phone app that has topped the download charts.Read

University of Warwick DNA experts draw blank in hunt for Gloucestershire big cat

University of Warwick experts carrying out DNA tests on the carcass of a mutilated deer for evidence of a big cat on the loose have drawn a blank.Read

Thousands expected at Birmingham's Leonardo Da Vinci show

Thousands of art lovers are expected to flock to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for the start of a special exhibition featuring drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci.Read

Birmingham-based website editor dies, aged 96

One of the world’s oldest website editors has died in Birmingham aged 96.Read

Olympic rings to greet visitors to Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport is planning a grand welcome for Olympic athletes and fans with a special display of the famous rings associated with the Games.Read

Author Profile

News Editor Ben Hurst joined the Birmingham Mail in 2000 from the Gloucestershire Echo. Ben writes the Technobabble technology blog for the Birmingham Mail.