Updates from Monday 18 February to Sunday 24 February 2019
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to appear in Telford tomorrow, to give a speech at a Labour Party conference for women.
The Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Dawn Butler is also due to speak.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe event, which isn't open to the public, is being held at the Telford International Centre.
A second person has been charged in connection with the stabbing of a teenager in Telford.
The 16-year-old has been charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife.
Image source, GoogleConnor Shepherd, 18, of Willowfield, Telford appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court, charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife on Wednesday.
Both have now remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 18 March.
Nicola Benyahia, the mother of a teenager who died fighting in Syria, gives her view about Shamima Begum.
Read MoreShrewsbury Town manager Sam Ricketts says some players can handle criticism on social media better than others and he’s advising, “If you are someone who can’t deal with that stick on social media, it’s probably best you aren’t on it”.
Ricketts made the comments ahead of the Burton Albion match, as part of an effort to raise the issue of mental health
Image source, Getty ImagesRicketts said some of his players "can deal with all the stick in the world", but with others “a couple of comments to a player really gets to them. You have to understand how you are.”
A 17-year-old boy has been detained for life with a minimum term of 19 years for the brutal hammer-attack murder and rape of 14-year-old Viktorija Sokolova.
Image source, family photoThe schoolgirl's head head was "smashed in" with a hammer-like object in a "sustained and ferocious" attack, the trial heard.
Her lifeless, partially clothed body was found dumped on a bench in Wolverhampton's West Park the next day.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
The owners of Coventry City have been challenged by the city council to "take responsibility" for the club's stadium problems and end their legal battle over the sale of the Ricoh ground.
Earlier, the Football League gave the club an ultimatum. telling them they have 10 days to find a home for next season or risk expulsion from the league - the city council responded by saying it is in the hands of owners Sisu.
Image source, Getty ImagesA legal battle over Ricoh has been on-going since 2014 after the football club’s owners claimed Coventry City Council undervalued the ground by £27m when it was sold to Wasps.
Coventry City said they hopes to resolve the issue "as soon as possible" and an offer to meet with Wasps and the council would remain open.
Neither Wasps or the council say they are willing to negotiate until the legal action is dropped.
Quote MessageThe club seems to think that everyone apart from Sisu has a responsibility for the future of the football club yet we all know it has always been in their gift to end this. We suggest that rather than coming to meet us, the football club lobbies Sisu to take responsibility and end this long and drawn out process so we can all move on.”
Coventry City Council
A 15-year-old boy and 21-year-old Marius Lucian have been charged with manslaughter, robbery and assault.
Read More
Allen Cook
BBC News
A man and a boy have been charged with manslaughter after a 73-year-old woman died 11 days after a mugging in Birmingham.
Image source, GoogleShe was attacked on Petersfield Road, Hall Green, on 5 February, falling to the ground and dislocating her shoulder after a struggle.
West Midlands Police said it's still working to determine the cause of death.
This afternoon, a 15-year-old boy and a 21-year old man, both from Birmingham, were charged with two counts of robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery and manslaughter., external
Four other people, aged between 14 and 22 and also arrested, have been released on bail.
A council says it's "baffled" why about a dozen metal litter bins have been stolen as they're not worth much.
Image source, GoogleThey were taken from Tudor Grange Park, Solihull, external, on Wednesday night, according to the borough council.
The local authority says it's putting in temporary wheelie bins for now and reviewing security.
Quote MessageWe are baffled as to why these bins have been stolen as they have very limited scrap value."
Councillor Joe Tildesley, Solihull Borough Council
Three stories from the Shropshire Star today:
Solihull Moors will open their new 1,131-seater stand tomorrow, for the FA Trophy quarter final match against AFC Telford United.
Solihull, who are second in the National League, are having to install extra seats so they can meet Football League requirements if they win promotion to League Two.
Image source, Solihull MoorsThe new stand will increase overall capacity to 4,624.
The match is going to be a sell-out and the winner will be just one game away from a Wembley final.
A switch to a diet of squid causes population problems for sea birds on Ascension island.
Read MoreSome businesses in Symonds Yat in Herefordshire hope the village will benefit from its appearances in the Netflix show Sex Education.
The series has more than 44 million viewers around the world and local landmarks like the Saracens Head pub and The Chalet on the hill have been used in the filming.
Some of the stars of Sex Education, which is also shot in Chepstow and Tintern, have been spotted eating and drinking locally.
It's not the first time the area has appeared on screen, with the Wye Valley also providing locations for films like King Arthur and Star Wars.
BBC News Travel
A lane's shut this afternoon on the M40 near Hockley Heath, Solihull, after a lorry's come off the motorway and brought down a tree.
Highways England says it's happened on the southbound side from J16 to J15 and staff are working to remove the vehicle and the tree., external
Image source, Highways England
BBC News Travel
Trains between Birmingham New Street and Northampton could be delayed because a train's hit something on the line.
West Midlands Railway says it hit an "obstruction", blocking some lines and that could delay services by an hour or see some cancelled., external
The sunshine's brought a smile to many people today and it's been the focus of plenty of the photos from our BBC Weather Watchers.
These three are from users Snapshot Emma in Clent, Worcestershire, Toppo in Worcesters and Mrs Squirrel in Stoke-on-Trent:
Image source, Snapshot Emma
Image source, Toppo
Image source, Mrs Squirrel
John Hammond
Weather forecaster
The dry weather's set to continue into tonight - here's your full weather forecast for the West Midlands for tonight and the start of your weekend:
John Hammond
You can get a latest forecast for your area at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.
The former Labour MP for Worcester, Mike Foster, says the news that Ian Austin is leaving the party is a "shattering blow".
He described the Dudley North MP as a good friend and "a fantastic campaigner" who had "done an enormous amount for the Labour the party".
Image source, Getty ImagesBut Mr Foster also said it wasn't a surprise, adding, "Ian's dissatisfaction has been known for a while because of the party's inaction in dealing with some of the antisemitic abuse that people have had within the party."
Allen Cook
BBC News
Armed police are patrolling a road in Sandwell this afternoon after reports of shots being fired.
Image source, GoogleWest Midlands Police says it happened on Vicarage Road just after midday.
They say no-one's reported to be hurt and they've arrested one man on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply on a nearby road.
A man's been arrested after another man was attacked with what police believe was an axe.
Image source, GoogleIt happened last night on Lewis Street, Stoke-on-Trent, police, and the victim's suffered serious injuries.
The man they've arrested is aged 28 and from the city.
