I’m halfway through my trade mission to India. Here’s my update on what I’ve been doing so far for the people of the West Midlands.

Last night I visited the Ramadan Streets event @birminghamcityfc.bsky.social and highly recommend it. In only its second year it’s fast becoming part of the community calendar. Events like this show what our football clubs can be at their best - places that bring the whole community together.

The sleeves-rolled up community spirit in Birmingham won’t make headlines. But it’s the backbone of this region, I’m proud of it and I wish the media would spend a little more time talking about it.

I’m backing the Birmingham Balti to be given UNESCO protected status. When you think of the Balti you think of Birmingham - and I think that’s something to be proud of, protected, and internationally recognised.

I visited the WMG Academy for Young Engineers, where they are taking a career-focused approach to education. That means young people aren't just learning, they are preparing themselves for the world of work. Students like Obi-Omar are excelling and have bright futures ahead of them.

The very first West Midlands Business Festival had it all. 97 events, 3,500 attendees and 1,500 businesses celebrated innovation, growth and collaboration. Next stop, Venturefest.

I’m committed to helping the next generation into rewarding careers. At Freightliner I saw the enormous size and scale of the logistics sector and the vital role it plays in the West Midlands. Working with partners like Generation Logistics unlocks these kinds of jobs for young people.

A fantastic Vaisakhi celebration in Smethwick today. The West Midlands is stronger because of the communities and cultures that make this region what it is. Proud to be Mayor for every part of our region.

Our high streets need backing. I’m funding a Street Food Incubator Pilot at Herbert’s Yard with Digbeth Dining Club and the Nationwide Caterers Association - giving local traders the skills and support to grow from first stall to first shop. That’s how we grow our night time economy.

I’m investing £75 million in training up 12,000 young people so that they can get access to jobs or become apprentices. Apprentices like Joe, Freddie, and Aimee at Seddon who I met recently at the Millennium Centre project in Friar Park.

First up: Coalitions & Collaboratives partnered with Skeena Watershed to field-test a new approach to hazardous fuels: rapid, targeted degradation of waste biomass using fungi, moving that material out of the fuel/fire cycle and into the soil cycle, helping keep carbon stored rather than released.

Just now — @RepJeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus joined the call for athletes to boycott schools in states where Republicans are racially gerrymandering (like Tennessee) to strip Black folks of representation

Gods are asleep. Post monsters.

La Librería Diocesana de La Laguna, en Tenerife, vende objetos exclusivos relacionados con la visita del papa León XIV

Nothing like a Proletarian Revolution, bruh! I swear this video makes me laugh every time I come across it on social media. Cos we all know he ain't talking about Mao Zedong or a Proletarian Revolution, but the editing just makes the video come together, lol. 🤣😭

#Ukraine

A strong student-teacher relationship is key. When students feel safe, valued, and comfortable, learning thrives. Show genuine interest in their needs and what they find fun. Be yourself, build connections first, then focus on lessons. #TeacherTips #ClassroomManagement #StudentEngagement #Education…

Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده — Uma trabalhadora humanitária francesa: “Encontramos uma vala comum em Gaza contendo 300 corpos. Pequenas crianças foram mortas com as mãos amarradas nas costas”

Ninja Garden 2 is unfair in a way that modern games are too chicken to be. Do you know why you don't see devs nowadays releasing games where they hide unavoidable infinitely respawning mines under the snow? Because they're fucking COWARDS!!! That's why.

"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list." -Michelle Obama

Flying - such a miserable way to travel: we need to make trains and ferries far more affordable

Disclaimer... this isn't MrS! Unfortunately 😂 I had fun with another hogsack guy. He wanted to try my belt on with screw spikes & plastic spikes disk! I forgot to mention that the deep heat was a compulsory add-on! 🙄 I really don't know what's all the heavy breathing is about! 🤭

I had a great discussion of politics and my campaign on the amazingly named CONTRABAND WAGON podcast. Check out their pod on substack: willfullwood.substack.com/p/conversati...

FACT: Migrants provide a net economic benefit to the UK. 📺 @rachaelhenry.bsky.social on TalkTV 👇

Gina Cavaleir: Ready to ask for help after years of giving 💭. Survivors struggle, but seeing suffering pushes change 🌱 #Resilience #SurvivorStory. #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaHealing Reply with your asking moment #OneMomentPodcast Own the rest: youtu.be/1vFm_5x3DYs...

For #RyanPorter From #MilesMosley

You can’t import another country’s vaccine policy without first importing their actual healthcare system. Our vaccine recommendations fill structural gaps in our healthcare system, which is widely regarded as fragmented, inaccessible to many, and riven with inequalities.

🚨 #WWEBacklash analysis! @adamsilverstein.bsky.social, @chrisvannini.com tackle #WWE Backlash results, grades: 🫴 Jacob Fatu emerges vs. Roman Reigns 👹 IYO SKY stars, Asuka cries 🏆 John Cena delivers on promise 💥 Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker collide ➕ Funeral, Danhausen 🎧: linktr.ee/gettingover

Here’s your 9AM English post for Instagram tomorrow, Memorial Day. Today we pause. Memorial Day isn’t about sales or celebration. It’s about remembrance — for the men and women who gave everything so the rest of us could build a life, raise a family, and chase a dream on free ground. Freedom

New Faces, Old Faultlines ➜ Five lesser-known figures have emerged as key influencers in global politics and culture in 2026, each linked to major upheavals and controversies.

Men fighting men. Emotional immaturity. Man childs. #podcast #sisters #random #randomthings #life #journey #healing #wisdom

#epstein #trump

#NBABasketballSchools #NBAGLeague #NBASummerLeague #NationalBasketballAssociationNBA #NBAPlayOffs #iHeartMedia #LinkedinFamily #DJJEALOUSY #DJTJBaker #ChikaTakai #DJDaQuanBrinkley #Knicks #Cavaliers #Spurs #Thunder #ShaneikaDabneyHenderson #YourThoughts?

So much for the so called “New South” that was touted as a Mecca for Black people and this political powerhouse for Black progression …. The only thing that has changed is their methodology !!!

KAILA CHARLES SO FKN STRONG

“Bring Me To Life” like New Orleans Jazz (or Main Street USA) is like a peppy morning wake up call? #

This is what real hospitality looks like. Not just smiles and beautiful beaches, but action when travelers need it most. Making sure visitors are safe, supported, and not left alone during global uncertainty says everything about this country #thailandtravel🇹🇭 #ilovethailand #usaisraeliranwar

outMusic Nov 1998 Archived Web Page 🧩 🔊 #boutcider #1998

Cocoron (1991) #NES #Nintendo

"Sometimes they're very strong but cry and sometimes they need just hugs." President Zelenskyy on how meeting the families of fallen soldiers is one of the hardest parts of his job.

Girl has serious jealousy issues.

Let's Talk Arsenal host Nick gifts Amy Lawrence an Arsenal bottle and 'Thomas Frank's' Arsenal cup after title win 🤣

“US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra insults us, tries to gaslight us! Prime Minister Mark Carney maybe said it best: nostalgia is not a strategy.” There’s no going back! Keep up boycott of US travel, booze, products when you can and try to buy Canadian 🇨🇦 🔗youtu.be/Y10vBqOdeJA?si…

🔥 The latest JumpMap trailer is here! Wishlist now and try the demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3058710/JumpMap #indiedev #LetsPlay #steamdeals #BuyFromEU

Looking at two new AI tools Unbound io doing SDF blobs > AI image > Mesh and World Lab's open source engine doing image > full environment (meshes, physics, lighting, audio) I think soon we won't be able to tell when 3D assets are AI-generated...

"The New Zealand Government is boasting about cutting nearly ten thousand jobs… But it can’t tell us where, or why, or what the impact will be." @chloe.swarbrick @greens.org.nz 20 May 2026

F

A new “gateway effect” study claims vaping leads to smoking - but its own review admits the evidence is biased and low quality. That contradiction isn’t just sloppy - it raises serious questions about how conclusions are being framed. Science deserves better than mixed messages.

EN PLEIN DIRECT, sur une chaîne de la télévision d’État de la République islamique d’#Iran, un homme en uniforme militaire apprend vendredi 15 mai 2026 comment utiliser un fusil d’assaut Kalachnikov au présentateur qui s’essaie au tir contre un drapeau des Émirats arabes unis.

Ich hab den besten chef 🙌

Treat yourself! Make it a Podcast Friday with the Women Road Warriors empowerment talk show podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or @ www.womenroadwarriors.com #CasualFriday #PodcastFriday #Podcast #Women

It’s The Big Hairy Dragon, Come To Grab The Little Guy With Her Prehensile Hair! She’s Gonna Squeeze Him So Hard, He Might Pop, Though She’ll Make Sure That Doesn’t Happen! #game #gamedev #dev #pixel #art #pixelart #oc #originalcharacter #character #originalart #original #woman

Like was the chin-in-hand REALLY necessary?? #noah_ghc

I set out my support for Daniel Johnson's bill on restraint and seclusion in schools. It is an important step to bring guidance onto a statutory footing and to give it the priority that it deserves. 1/2

Wahooo much better!!!

#trump #whitehouse #explore #fyp #BreakingNewsUSA Full story: https://jqjo.com/article/bpgc86xb

TOEFL, IELTS & Cambridge CAE🎓📘 Practise exam-style questions for TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge CAE to test your English level and improve exam confidence. 🎓 Free Courses: 👉 englishmasteryhub.com/courses/ #TOEFL #IELTS #StudyAbroad #EnglishProficiency #LearnEnglish #CambridgeCAE #ExamPreparation

F*ck ai.

Udoka never runs plays he just curse ppl out Guess he just got lucky here Original post

Trump on acting DNI Bill Pulte: "He's a very smart guy and he may find out some things about the rigged elections, et cetera, et cetera. I think he'd like to do it. I'd like to. I think he wants to do it very much."