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Mark Andrews: Contentment is a 25-year-old flip-phone

Some strange things land in my email box. Take the press release which dropped this week, extolling the virtues of the 'VQ Skylark True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds featuring a hand-applied, stunning Laura Ashley designer finish'.

Mark Andrews|Apr 26

An older homeowner checks her smart energy monitor

Energy bills set to fall in July, offering relief for households and businesses

Your World|Apr 26

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Members of the Home Guard keeping watch over the countryside from the top of the church tower at St Mary’s in Claverley in a picture that dates from July 1940. The pretty village stands near Wolverhampton and the Black Country, so it was important to look out for the enemy.

'Be careful what you wish for' - Your Letters: April 26

Readers' letters|Apr 26

Iceland has opened a branch inside HMP Oakwood to give jobs to the inmates, who can also spend vouchers on food and drinks sold in the store.

Mark Andrews: Cons go to Iceland, mad Steve's Maga comeback, and what will our towns do with their £2 million windfall?

Mark Andrews|Apr 26

Pope Francis

Dan Morris: Faith and farewell

Entertainment|Apr 26

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: The opening of the M5-M6 motorway link in May 1970, with Transport Minister Fred Mulley cutting the tape. The original caption said £38.5 million had been spent on West Midland roads over the past 12 months and £1m a day on road construction in Great Britain.

'I for one shall never forget the sacrifices they made for us' - Your Letters: April 25

Readers' letters|Apr 25

People queue to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis

Peter Rhodes on prison riots, peace talks and the enduring power of simplicity

Peter Rhodes|Apr 25

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PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: An image from the Star archive dated from June 1991 and a campaign to collect left-over foreign currency from returning holidaymakers to raise money for St Chad’s Church in Pattingham. The photograph shows Peter Sell with some of the first donations it had received.

'How do you build houses without skilled artisans to do it?' - Your Letters: April 24

Readers' letters|Apr 24

Iceland prison plan deserves a chance

Star Comment|Apr 24

Soaring borrowing shows gloomy times ahead

Star Comment|Apr 24

Pope Francis smiling and waving

Peter Rhodes on trans coincidences, mumbling Yanks and a curious tale of electing a pope

Peter Rhodes|Apr 24

Dan Bebbington

Money Matters: Compensation scheme for car finance mis-selling scandal to be set out later this year

Your World|Apr 23

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Sally-Ann got a champagne send-off from her colleagues at a caravan showroom, based near the Staffordshire-Shropshire border at Longford Island on the A5. They decorated her car and drenched her in champagne. This Star archive picture was taken in August 1983.

'This is what I used to see of the country and its people' - Your Letters: April 23

Readers' letters|Apr 23

Are trees any friends of ours?

Peter Rhodes on felling trees, hunting recruits and a lesson from Just William

Peter Rhodes|Apr 23

As HMS Prince of Wales departs for the high seas, this country must prepare for choppier waters

Star Comment|Apr 23

'It's time to spread the love for England's patron saint!' Why the West Midlands should all be putting out the flags for St George's Day

Mark Andrews|Apr 23

Vicky Turrell

Talking Point with Vicky Turrell: 'Now that you are approaching 80’ was the heading

Your World|Apr 22

Keith Looseley

Tributes to ‘much-loved’ ex-RAF pilot killed in road crash

UK News|Just now

TCS London Marathon 2025

Thousands cross finish line of London Marathon as temperatures hit 22.2C

UK News|Just now

Dad of boy, 14, killed in M6 collision charged with death by dangerous driving

UK News|Just now

People enjoy the warm weather as they punt along the River Cam in Cambridge.

Hottest day of year so far expected this week as temperatures set to hit 28C

UK News|1 hour ago

The mass participation race on Tower Bridge

Pro-Palestine demonstrators arrested after red paint thrown at London Marathon

UK News|2 hours ago

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Gender ruling will not result in ‘toilet police’, senior minister says

UK News|2 hours ago

Stephen Lappin smiling while holding a defibrillator

Runner who had cardiac arrest at race to compete in same event a year later

Viral news|Apr 24

Did The Simpsons predict Birmingham bin strikes? Social media users believe so

Birmingham|Apr 12

Blues and Villa fans spotted at WWE

Aston Villa and Birmingham City fans spotted at WWE 'every week' - leaving fans flabbergasted

Aston Villa|Mar 26

CCTV shows Shane O'Malley and an accomplice raiding Hansons Auctioneers building in Derbyshire

BBC Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson's auction house targeted by hammer-wielding ram-raid crook in £21,000 raid

Glen Elmy handed back his keys after just three days

Dream home turned nightmare - Walsall man who won James Bond-style property 'handed keys back after three days'

Mackintosh at the Willow

Glasgow tearoom hosting talks on enduring relationship with ‘now-humble’ cuppa

Viral news|Mar 24

A visitor takes a photo of the tomb of Pope Francis

Worshippers pay respects to Pope Francis at his simple tomb

World News|Just now

Smoke rising an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut

Israeli jets strike Beirut’s southern suburbs for third time since ceasefire

World News|Just now

Containers burn amid thick black smoke

Iran’s president visits injured after port explosion kills at least 40 people

World News|Just now

People viewing buildings damaged in air strikes

Latest air strikes on Gaza push overall Palestinian death toll above 52,200

World News|1 hour ago

A gun fires in a wooded area

Russia launches 150 drones at Ukraine as Trump doubts Putin’s desire for peace

World News|1 hour ago

Police and emergency services behind a cordon

Nine killed as car hits revellers at Filipino street festival in Vancouver

World News|1 hour ago