Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

Students at a Birmingham school have been speaking about the issues of knife crime during a visit from the region's police chiefs.

David Jamieson, and Chief Constable Dave Thompson were at Holte School, Lozells to launch a new, hard-hitting film about the dangers of carrying knives.

Image source, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

Ameer, Michaela and Selina from Holte School, Lozells, said a lot of knife crime was related to gang culture.

"It's pathetic really, to have a fight over post codes which doesn't really mean anything because you don't choose where you come from."

They described the recent stabbings of Kellan Wilson and Ozell Pemberton, not much older than them, as "really upsetting".

"I know of one of those victims, and feel like none of it's acceptable.

"If I need to be protected I could go to the police or my parents," they said.

Worcestershire have pushed their lead past 400 in their county championship match against Lancashire at New Road.

After bowling the visitors out for just 130, they've reached 296-1 with openers Daryl Mitchell (pictured below) and Martin Guptill both scoring centuries.

Image source, Getty Images

But Warwickshire are struggling against Kent, after being bowled out for 125 in their first innings.

Kent are 282-3 in their second innings, a lead of 354.

The family of a man who died after being attacked in Telford on Monday have said "we can't understand why anyone would do this".

Derek Whyteside was found unconscious, suffering head injuries, in Withywood Drive in Malinslee and died later in hospital.

Image source, West Mercia Police

A statement from his family also said he was "a nice guy, he was loveable and could always see the best in people".

"He was a fab dad to his partner's children, very protective, cheeky and loving and always meant well," they added.

A 16-year-old boy appeared before Kidderminster Magistrates' Court this morning, charged with his murder and has been remanded in custody, to appear before Stafford Crown Court.

Wasps' Danny Cipriani will make his first England start in 10 years after being named at fly-half for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Image source, Getty Images

The 30-year-old, set to join Gloucester, replaces George Ford, who drops out of the 23-man squad entirely.

Wasps skipper Joe Launchbury retains his place in the starting line-up along with Nathan Hughes and full back Elliot Daly.

Cipriani made his first appearance in three years when coming off the bench in the second Test, but has not started for his country since playing against the Springboks in the autumn of 2008.

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy has spoken in Parliament about the need for health visitors to support parents of young children.

He told a House of Commons debate there had been a drop in the number of health visitors, who he described as "absolutely key" to support families

"I know that the county council and the NHS have been working hard to try and resolve this," he said.

The Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, replied: "We must do everything we can to support those critical early days."

She encouraged Mr Lefroy to seek an adjournment debate on the issue.

Shirley Kordie's brother Joseph is a "perfect" stem cell match and is ready to donate.

Nick Clitheroe
BBC Midlands Today

A campaign to recruit 400 new, female tennis coaches in the West Midlands has been launched in Birmingham.

The She Rallies campaign is the idea of coach Judy Murray who says anyone can learn to inspire young players to pick up a racket.

You can see my full report on Midlands Today at 18:30 on BBC One.

Barbara Fielding-Morriss, a self-confessed white supremacist who stood to be an MP, praised Hitler.

How Birmingham plans to target polluting vehicles with a new clean air zone charge proposal.

A house fire, which closed a road Tipton road for a time today, started in the roof of a property and spread to a neighbouring house.

Image source, Steven Jones

Image source, Steven Jones

Steven Jones, who lives on Dudley Road, said the fire started at number 70, spreading to number 69, causing damage to the loft (pictured).

His adjoining property was only affected by smoke damage, he said, and luckily no-one was hurt.

The UK's first fully operating hydrogen train has been unveiled at an industry event in Warwickshire.

Image source, University of Birmingham

The train, named Hydrogen Hero, has been designed and engineered by the Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education (BCRRE), at Birmingham University.

The model - revealed at the Rail Live event - is a scaled-down version using technology that is ready to be brought to market with partners, said the BCRRE.

Hydrogen trains produce electricity using a fuel cell which reacts hydrogen with the oxygen in the air creating electricity and water.

The development of this demonstration model brings the UK a step closer to seeing fully functioning hydrogen trains on the tracks within four years, it said.

Joshua Ball, 26, died in hospital after being detained by police in Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Tributes have poured in following the death of Coventry City legend Ernie Hunt who became etched into football history when he scored the famous "donkey kick" free-kick in 1970.

Image source, Adam/Daily Express/Getty Images

Coventry City said Hunt "was a firm fans' favourite" in his five years with the Sky Blues, external while supporters group The Sky Blue Trust tweeted, external that they were "deeply saddened" to hear the news.

Bridgnorth had the highest number of house fires per population in Shropshire last year, ahead of Telford in second place.

Figures from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service also show that nearly 40% of fires involved elderly people living in rural areas of the county.

The overall number of fires in 2017-18 was up by just seven on the previous year and not surprisingly the kitchen is the room where most fires broke out.

A woman who campaigned to be an MP, who wrote about her admiration for Hitler on her online blog, has been found guilty of three counts of stirring up racial hatred.

Barbara Fielding-Morriss, 78, of Stuart Avenue, Draycott, stood as an independent candidate in Stoke-on-Trent Central in the general election last year.

A trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Fielding-Morriss also wrote: "Vote Barbara Fielding-Morriss to clean up the world’s Islamic infestation."

She had denied the charges and defended her comments, saying she wanted to educate people, not stir up hatred.

She was found not guilty on a fourth count of the same charge.

A 27-year-old man has been remanded in custody, charged with the murder of Daniel Fitzjohn in Northampton last week.

Daniel Quinn, from Wolverhampton, appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court this morning and will next appear at Northampton Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Fitzjohn, 34, was stabbed on 14 June, following an "altercation" at a newsagent's in the Kingsley area of the town.

He was taken to Northampton General Hospital but died a short time later.

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

Facebook

You've been giving your reaction to the proposals for a pollution charge in Birmingham city centre.

Drivers may have to pay more than £10 a day under the idea for fees for high-polluting vehicles driving within the city's ring road from January 2020.

On the BBC Midlands Facebook page, Pat Underhill wrote, external: "Haven't shopped in Birmingham for a few years now, what with the cost of train fares, parking fees; it's just not worth the hassle, I would rather shop local."

Steve Valentine posted, external: "This just another tax. But it will be on everything, as everything arrives by truck. Transport rates increase, so does the cost of the goods you buy in shops."

Ben Merrick typed:, external "Well that will pretty much kill Birmingham as a trading place as when you take into account fuel costs, hauliers and such will just go elsewhere for business."

But Benjamin Aulakh replied, external: "Absolutely brilliant move, glad to see the city council is doing their bit to reduce carbon emissions!"

Money for work on the A4440 ring road in Worcester hasn't yet been secured, because Worcestershire County Council is waiting on contributions from developers.

Work on a new section of railway bridge over the A4440 ring road between the Norton and Whittington roundabouts was completed last month, but the road underneath still needs to be widened.

Image source, Google

Councillor Ken Pollock said the local authority had to wait for the developers to build homes outside the southern link road before receiving their contributions, but said there was money set aside to ensure the scheme could go ahead.

A popular venue in Birmingham has been given a 12-month lease extension, saving it from imminent closure.

Image source, Google

The Flapper, which has been in the city for almost 50 years, was initially set to close at the end of June ahead of redevelopment.

Baskerville Wharf, which owns the building, said the redevelopment plans for the site are being revised.

A 16-year-old girl was seriously hurt when she was stabbed in the neck in January.