Updates from Monday 2 December to Sunday 8 December
A very crisp, frosty morning today and our BBC Weather Watchers have been snapping views of the West Midlands for us.
Here's three from Matthew in Stone, Staffordshire, PeakyBeaky in Pershore and Trish in Belbroughton, Worcestershire:
Image source, Matthew
Image source, PeakyBeaky
Image source, Trish
BBC Business News
A protest's being held today outside Amazon's London headquarters today over the firm's UK tax bill.
The internet giant says it has invested £18bn in the UK since 2010 but the GMB union claims it's still not paying enough tax for its size.
Amazon also doesn't recognise the GMB and the union wants it to change that and give unions more access to the firm's sites.
Kate Gorton, regional organiser for the West Midlands, where the company has bases in Coventry and Rugeley, says, at the moment, they can only got to the sites when there is a grievance and disciplinary meeting.
She says timed toilet breaks and staff not being allowed to leave the floor without permission, for instance to take medication are among complaints she hears.
“Self-interested critics have a vested interest in spreading misinformation about Amazon but the facts tell a different story," Amazon said.
"The truth is that Amazon already offers industry-leading pay, comprehensive benefits, as well as a safe, modern work environment."
A young girl sold for sex was "passed around like a piece of meat" by a group of men, a court has heard.
Image source, PA MediaThe victim was allegedly forced to perform sex acts in a churchyard, raped above a Telford shop, violently abused and urinated upon, a trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard today.
The offences are alleged to have started when the girl was just 12.
The men deny any wrongdoing and the trial continues.
George Boden denies the gross negligence manslaughter of four of his employees in a blast in Cheshire.
Read MoreThe headlines from the Hereford Times:
Tables and signs were thrown leaving witnesses "terrified" as the men fought in the street.
Read MoreJohn McKno was serving a 14-year jail term for sexually abusing five boys in the 1970s and 1980s.
Read More
Allen Cook
BBC News
Repairs to fix a burst water pipe are going to take longer than expected in Ludlow due to "complications", Severn Trent Water has admitted.
The surface of the A4117 was damaged when the burst happened at about 07:50 at the junction with the A49, West Mercia Police had said.
This afternoon, the water firm said it was having to fully close the A4117 near the roundabout because of difficulties digging down to the pipe.
It added 10 customers were currently without water.
Birmingham's Wildlife Trust said it was "hard to overstate" the importance of the sighting.
Read MoreBirmingham's Wildlife Trust said it was "hard to overstate" the importance of the sighting.
Read MoreAlex Grove is in training for his channel swim planned for next summer.
Read MoreOfficers investigating a hit-and-run crash in Coventry have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses.
A 21-year-old suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a car that failed to stop on Humber Avenue on 15 November.
The driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle, spinning 360 degrees before hitting the pedestrian, said West Midlands Police. , external
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the police.
Dominic Casciani
Home Affairs Correspondent
The man who carried out the London Bridge terror attack was one of the lowest priorities for further investigation by MI5 when he left prison a year ago because the initial risk he posed to the public was thought to be minimal, the BBC has learned.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceUsman Khan was placed in the second-to-bottom category of investigations by the security service as he left jail, consistent with the grading given to most other convicted terrorist offenders as they go back into the community under a release licence.
This low level of MI5 prioritisation, known in the jargon as P3, is assigned to offenders such as Khan because their release comes with a strict set of licence conditions.
These conditions theoretically provide suitable monitoring and oversight, such as alerts if they contact other suspects or travel outside an approved area.
Bloxham School said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" to learn that former pupil Saskia Jones was killed in Friday's London Bridge attack.
Image source, Bloxham SchoolIn a statement, it said: "Saskia was a much-loved member of our community and will be remembered fondly for her generosity, kindness of spirit and commitment to serving others.
"Saskia will be greatly missed and we will carry with us the burden of her loss.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Saskia’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time."
From the Shropshire Star's website today:
BBC Midlands Today
An independent inquiry into the actions of a disgraced breast surgeon who botched hundreds of operations has been delayed.
Image source, SWNSIan Paterson was convicted of multiple charges of wounding with intent and had his jail term increased to 20 years by the Court of Appeal.
The inquiry team said it was intended to be published before the end of 2019, and was on track to do so.
"However, since a general election has been announced, and Parliament must be sitting for us to report, we are postponing publication," it said.
BBC News
The man arrested in Stoke-on-Trent at the weekend on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts had been jailed in 2012 alongside the London Bridge attacker, the BBC's learnt.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceNazam Hussain received the same sentence as Usman Khan (pictured) of 16 and a half years, after pleading guilty to preparing acts of terrorism.
Khan stabbed two people to death on Friday before being shot dead by police on London Bridge.
Following his arrest, Hussain was recalled to prison due to a suspected breach of his licence conditions.
Inquiries by detectives into the potential terrorism offences are continuing, police said.
West Midlands Police said there's no information to suggest the suspect was involved in the London Bridge attack.
Communities in Stoke-on-Trent have been left "shocked and devastated" at the city being linked to the London Bridge attack, the city council's said.
Image source, PA MediaJack Merritt and Saskia Jones were stabbed to death by Usman Khan, who was born and raised in the city and jailed for terror offences in 2012 but released on licence in 2018.
The leader of the city council, Abi Brown, said , externalshe did not want the link to reflect on the "community spirited and law-abiding" people in the city.
The woman stabbed to death in Friday's London Bridge attack was a "perfect soul" determined to do good, friends have said.
Saskia Jones, 23, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was killed by convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, as she attended a prisoner rehabilitation event.
Her friend Sebastian Lefeuvre described the Cambridge University graduate's death as senseless.
"She was just the most perfect soul and she's gone," he said.
London Bridge: 'Khan got second chance and Saskia didn't'
BBC News Travel
Train passengers are facing delays and cancellations between Shrewsbury and Crewe after a points failure.
Disruption's expected until at least 14:45 with some passengers facing delays of up to 40 minutes.
