Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

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Live updates from Monday 9 July to Sunday 15 July
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Live Reporting

Birmingham Trump protest: Visit 'endorsing him'published at 18:45 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Andrew Dawkins
BBC News
People have been protesting against Donald Trump in Birmingham this evening.
The gathering in Victoria Square outside the Council House coincides with the US president's trip to the UK.
Among the protesters was Jenny Marshall, 38, from Birmingham. She said: "By letting him visit this country, we're endorsing him and that's disgusting. He's anti-Muslim, he's anti-women and reproductive rights."
Jim Wilson, 73, from the city, said: "He's basically using immigration as a way of stirring up right-wing (forces) in America."
Dog suffers 'pretty horrific' attack in car parkpublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Stewart Kingscott
Producer, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Police in Hereford say they're investigating after a vicious dog attack in the city.
Image source, Lucinda Nicholls
Lucinda Nicholls owns Milo, a dachshund, and says, on 3 July, three huskies, released from the back of a van in the car park at Lidl, attacked her pet.
She told BBC Hereford and Worcester that the owner of the huskies reportedly saw what happened and bundled them into the back of the van and drove away.
Lucinda says Milo is now slowly recovering after several operations.
Image source, Lucinda Nicholls
Quote Message
The quick actions of my stepfather, he literally scooped up Milo, ran into a nearby pet shop. He then spent the rest of the day and the night in surgery and at the vets so, pretty horrific."
Lucinda Nicholls, Dog owner
Liverpool close in on signing Shaqiri from Stokepublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Robin Grey
BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri is close to joining Liverpool, according to reports., external
Image source, Reuters
The Swiss international has been at Melwood today having a medical and is set to join Jurgen Klopp’s side in a deal worth up to around £13.5m.
Quote Message
I’m aware that for some of the players who have played in the world cup, if opportunities arise, then the reality is they are going to be sought after by some big clubs. Shaqiri’s no different, he’s a quality player, so if that deal's close, then that deal's close.”
Gary Rowett, Stoke City manager
Hundreds at Trump protest in Birminghampublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Andrew Dawkins
BBC News
Hundreds of people have attended a protest against Donald Trump in Victoria Square in Birmingham.
The US president is visiting the UK.
People listened to speeches and chanted "dump, dump, dump the Trump" earlier this evening before setting off on a march that went along New Street.
Dozens of placards were on show, with people of all ages taking part.
Sharanjit Kaur, 28, from Birmingham, said: "I feel some of his views don't appear to be moral - some of the things he stands for - and I don't think he should be on the world stage."
Protests are taking place across the country, with tens of thousands taking part in London.
But why are Britons rejecting the visit? Here's a recap.
Toddler struck by van seriously injuredpublished at 18:20 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
A toddler is critically ill in hospital after being hit by a van on parkland in Birmingham, police say.
The crash happened this morning at Sarehole Mill off Wake Green Road in the Billesley area of the city.
The West Midlands force says the 19-month-old boy has a head injury.
A man, 30, and woman, 26, have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving.
Your say: Fabricant tweet - 'No wonder we're in a mess'published at 18:18 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Facebook
You've been having your say after Tory MP Michael Fabricant has been accused of Islamophobia over a now-deleted tweet he posted about Sadiq Khan.
The MP for Lichfield has apologised after he posted a cartoon showing the Mayor of London's head on an inflatable balloon, engaged in a sex act with a pig.
Image source, Getty Images
On the BBC Midlands Facebook page, Sue Fletcher posted, external: "To think these idiots are running our country, no wonder we're in a mess. A group of school children would do a better job."
But Diane Sharrard retorted, external: "The mayor doesn't like retaliation - bit of hard luck isn't it."
Andrew Yates wrote:, external "If he would never do it, why even think about it then? The thought would never cross most peoples minds."
While Steve Slater typed, external: "I live in Lichfield and I’m ashamed this idiot is supposed to represent us."
Grave theft reports probedpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
An investigation has been launched into reports that a woman's been seen stealing from graves., external
Image source, Google
According to West Mercia Police, she was spotted on Sunday afternoon taking various items at Wyre Forest Cemetery and Crematorium, Stourport-Upon-Severn.
Officers have described it as a "distressing time" for the families involved and the whole community.
In the papers: Councillor avoids suspensionpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Coventry Observer
Some of the main stories on the Coventry Observer website today are:
Your photos: Heavy rain hits gardenspublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
BBC Weather Watchers
Parts of Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been deluged with heavy rain this afternoon.
Our BBC Weather Watchers have taken these photos - users Cloudgazer in Bransford, LouNik in Hereford and Tubsnook53 in Colwall:
Image source, Cloudgazer
Image source, LouNik
Image source, Tubsnook53
Town development to be completed 'in months'published at 17:34 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare
Work to turn a former brownfield site in Walsall into a thriving commercial district is set to be completed by Christmas.
Image source, Cordwell
The 35,000 square ft site, in Littleton Street West, is set to host a 60-bedroom Travelodge hotel, drive-through takeaway and three retail units.
It will also see the creation of more than 100 jobs for the local area.
This is after it was granted £6.9m in funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Collective Investment Fund.
Teenager attacked with 'claw-hammer'published at 17:25 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
The 17-year-old boy has undergone emergency surgery and remains in a critical condition.
Read More
NHS video service gets outstanding ratingpublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Birmingham patients are taking part in a pilot project where they book video consultations with a GP.
Read More
Derby striker expected to stay amid West Brom rumourspublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
BBC Sport
West Bromwich Albion may miss out on last season's Championship top scorer Matej Vydra as his manager Frank Lampard expects him to remain at Derby County.
Image source, Getty Images
The 26-year-old striker scored 21 league goals in 2017-18, but has been heavily linked with a move to second-tier rivals Leeds United and the Baggies.
Lampard told BBC East Midlands Today: "There is a lot of speculation but he is still our player.
"We will see, but while he performs as well as he did last year, with the level of goals, I expect him to stay."
Five held after collapsed teenager diespublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
The five teenagers have been been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.
Read More
Lenny Henry graduates with PhDpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Lenny Henry has graduated with a PhD today from Royal Holloway University in London.
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The Dudley actor completed a course in Media Arts after previously earning an MA in Screenwriting.
His research work has included the critical analysis of black and ethnic minorities in sports films.
Russian spy camera sells for £29,000published at 16:42 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
The device is disguised as a packet of cigarettes and had an auction estimate of just £80-£100.
Read More
'Apology welcomed over officers' sleeping conditionspublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
The West Midlands Police Federation has welcomed an apology after it was revealed some officers deployed to work on the US president's visit had to sleep in conditions described as "an absolute disgrace".
Image source, West Midlands PCC
Pictures posted on social media showed rows of camp beds in a gymnasium, to be used for officers after 12-hour shifts policing Donald Trump's visit.
Essex Police's Assistant Chief Constable Pippa Mills has said sorry.
Steve Grange, of the Police Federation, said: "Of course, we appreciate the apology and the acknowledgement that they got this wrong but I still question how anyone could really have looked at the set-up of the sports halls and thought that it was suitable accommodation for police officers?”
Police name 86-year-old stabbed to deathpublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
A woman, 86, murdered at her home in Small Heath, Birmingham, has been named as Riasat Bi., external
Image source, West Midlands Police
A murder investigation was launched after she was discovered in Aubrey Road yesterday.
A 20-year-old man, arrested in Stoke -on-Trent, remains in hospital, police said, and officers are expecting to interview him once he is discharged.
His injuries are not life-threatening, said West Midlands Police.
In the papers: 'Unexplained' death investigatedpublished at 16:15 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Hereford Times
The Hereford Times is covering these top stories today:
Delays ease after car destroyed in M6 blazepublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
Image source, North West Motorway Police
Delays have eased on the M6 northbound in Cheshire this afternoon, external following this morning's car fire.
Police say the driver managed to escape unhurt as his vehicle was completely destroyed by the blaze between J17 and J18.
It took the fire service around an hour to put it out., external
Image source, North West Motorway Police