NHS worker murder accused appear in courtpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
David Gomoh was fatally stabbed outside his home days after his father died with coronavirus.
Read MoreSummary
'Significant' fall in coronavirus patients seen in West Midlands
Covid-19 possible treatment trialled
Black people in UK 'twice as likely to die' from Covid-19
Man found at home named by murder probe police
More festivals cancelled for 2020 amid lockdown
Long queues as recycling centres open
Updates from Thursday 7 May
NHS worker murder accused appear in courtpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Around the web: Woman's throat slashed, court hearspublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Birmingham LiveThese are some of the Birmingham Live headlines today:
- Woman's throat slashed in Birmingham city centre by robber, court hears, external
- Two men hurt as Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf wrecked in horrific crash, external
- Police hunting woman after pitbull-type dog attacks three people in Handsworth Park, external
‘BAME review should be public inquiry'published at 15:23 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Mark CardwellAn urgent public inquiry should be held into the rising toll of coronavirus cases among black, Asian and minority communities, a city health chief has said.
Image source, Getty ImagesPaulette Hamilton, Birmingham's cabinet member for health and social care, said the government’s plan to investigate the number of black and minority ethnic (BAME) deaths does not go far enough.
It was reported on Friday that the death rate among British black Africans and British Pakistanis from coronavirus in hospitals across England is more than 2.5 times that of the white population.
The government’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has commissioned Public Health England to conduct a review into BAME deaths, but the scope of the review has not yet been announced.
Councillor Hamilton called on the investigation being carried out by UK health chiefs to be upgraded into a public inquiry.
The people spending lockdown up a 30ft treepublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Protesters against HS2 are still trying to save threatened forests during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreFormer leader resigns from councilpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA former Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader's resigned as a councillor, external and said it's after the lockdown made him want to focus more on his job and his family.
Mohammed Pervez was first elected for Labour in 2006 and went on to lead the local authority for five years from 2010 before becoming leader of the opposition.
“During this lockdown period I have reflected on my work-life balance and have decided to step down as a councillor to focus more on my daytime job and family," he said.
Councillor Paul Shotton will take over as leader of the Labour group while the council's said a by-election would take place next year, due to the pandemic.
Care home residents 'distraught' at burglarypublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
BBC Radio StokeResidents at a care home have been left upset and distraught after a burglary at the weekend, a manager's told the BBC.
Image source, GoogleThe break-in happened on either Friday or Saturday night when thieves forced their way into the garage at Doddlespool Care Home, near Crewe, Cheshire, and took all the power tools.
Manager Mandy Dennis told BBC Radio Stoke the theft's hit even harder given how much they are doing to protect the elderly during the current outbreak.
"We're all very upset and for some of the staff who have worked here for many years, they are distraught. The garden is the residents' pride and joy," she added.
The home said police were investigating but they can't replace the tools at the moment as they are prioritising getting personal protective equipment.
Your photos: Colourful bloomspublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Our local BBC Weather Watchers have been busy photographing the many flowers in bloom across the West Midlands today.
Here are three, from users BoardWalk in Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire, Suttonwalker in Sutton Coldfield and Terry Eyre in Alton, Staffordshire:
Image source, BoardWalk
Image source, Suttonwalker
Image source, Terry EyreOnline students would still face full tuition feespublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
BBC News EducationUniversity students in England will still have to pay full tuition fees even if their courses are taught online in the autumn, the government has said.
"We don't believe students will be entitled to reimbursement if the quality is there," universities minister Michelle Donelan said.
Image source, AlamyBut the university sector's request for a £2bn bail-out has been rejected.
Universities had warned of financial danger from a reduction in overseas students because of the coronavirus.
University campuses have been closed by the pandemic - and there is uncertainty for students whether there will be in-person teaching in the autumn or whether courses will be taught fully or partly online.
The universities minister said no formal decision had been taken on the next academic year, but if courses are taught online and "students are really getting the quality, and they're getting a course which is fit for purpose", they would not get a discount on fees.
CCTV issued after shop worker 'spat at'published at 14:16 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
A CCTV image has been released of a woman police would like to speak to after a shop worker was spat at.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceThe worker was allegedly told "you’ll get the disease now" in a store at Gallagher Retail Park in Coventry, police said.
The incident happened on 24 March, said West Midlands Police.
The worker has fortunately shown no symptoms of Covid-19, the force added.
Star Wars bears keeping neighbours amusedpublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Surely these bears could do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs?
If you've no idea what we mean - afraid you can't escape Star Wars references online as it's May the fourth (be with you).
Image source, Richard CrispStill, you have to love bears dressed up during the lockdown and Richard Crisp's sent this photo in from Childs Ercall, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
He said his wife Jan's been keeping local families amused during lockdown by having a daily window scene with these bears.
Richard added: "Today's photo is possibly the best!"
Thousands of businesses losing out on grantspublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Mark CardwellAs many as 5,000 Birmingham businesses could be missing out on grants of up to £25,000 because the council is missing payment details, it has said.
Council leader Ian Ward has issued a plea for businesses struggling from the impact of coronavirus to come forward with up-to-date payment details.
The government has given the city council £231m to be given out to businesses identified as being most severely affected by the pandemic.
Anyone looking for more information on the grant funds, or to submit business details for payment can find them on the council's website. , external
Around the web: Tight guidelines for reopening tipspublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
A few of the stories making the headlines in the Shropshire Star today:
Man arrested on suspected drugs charges after house struckpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
A man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs after a car smashed into the side of a property in Sutton Coldfield.
Image source, West Midlands Fire Service
Image source, West Midlands Fire ServiceThe structure of the building was damaged during the incident which happened at about 22:45 last night at the junction of Upper Holland Street and Coleshill Road, said the fire service.
The property was made safe by the service's technical rescue team before being left in the hands of the occupier and police.
The driver of the car, a man in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion and taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries, said West Midlands Police.
BBC radio presenter Nonny James dies with Covid-19published at 13:07 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
BBC ShropshireA former BBC radio presenter's died after contracting Covid-19.
Nonny James passed away on Friday and had been ill for some time, BBC Shropshire reports.
The 69-year-old had presented an evening music show called Fretwork for BBC radio in the West Midlands and the Sunday breakfast show on BBC Shropshire.
She was a seasoned performer, writing and singing her own songs, studied music and composing, and had taught at various schools.
Police van windscreen 'smashed with paving slabs'published at 12:57 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
Paving slabs are believed to have been used by masked men to smash a police van's windscreen.
Image source, Cheshire PoliceCheshire Police said , externalit happened on Thursday night on West Street, Crewe, while officers were dealing with a separate case.
They heard a loud bang and, when they found the glass had been smashed, saw two masked men running off towards Preece Court.
Will bikes be put away when lockdown ends?published at 12:46 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
FacebookPlenty of people wanted to have their say on Facebook on fears people who have started cycling under lockdown may struggle when restrictions are lifted.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents told BBC Midlands Today it was concerned at the change from quiet roads to heavy traffic and how that could affect new cyclists.
On the Facebook page, Stu Willetts wrote, external: "I don’t think cyclists will struggle... of course some cyclists may decide that when the roads are busy they do not enjoy the experience but I would imagine that will be a small percentage."
Tanya Draper posted, external: "You can tell the new riders because they don’t wear helmets! No idea of road safety either."
Jason Edwards typed, external: "Use my bike everyday it will never stop me it's what I do keep on cycling!"
While Rachel Perry thought, external: "It’s nothing to worry about, when lock down is lifted the bikes will go back in the garage to get rusty again."
Charity faces closure over coronavirus funding clausepublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
A charity in Staffordshire says it is facing closure due to restrictions in the government's coronavirus charity bailout measures.
Newlife provides specialist equipment such as beds, hoists and wheelchairs to disabled children enabling them to be discharged from hospital.
It said because it provided a "statutory service", which is meant to be provided by local councils and the NHS, it is not eligible for support, external.
Image source, ThinkstockCEO and founder Sheila Brown said: "It's heartbreaking to know we've got children waiting for equipment from us and I just don't have the money to make it happen."
She said demand for its equipment had increased 80% on the same time last year.
Newlife spends £3m a year on the equipment which it funds through sales in its charity stores, all of which have closed since the lockdown.
The government says new guidance on support for charities helping those with disabilities will be released this week.
Teen charged over Lichfield stabbingpublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
A teenager's been charged after a man was reportedly stabbed in Lichfield at the weekend.
Staffordshire Police were , externalcalled to reports of a fight on Reynolds Close on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old victim is still in hospital where officers said his condition is stable.
The 19-year-old man, from Sutton Coldfield, has been charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article and is due to appear in court in June.
Three people originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder have all been released with no further action, the force added.
Staggered work times considered when lockdown easespublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
BBC Business NewsBusinesses could be asked to stagger employees' working hours when the coronavirus lockdown eases, the transport secretary has said.
Grant Shapps told the BBC that the move would help to prevent crowded commutes.
He said more buses and trains would run but he hoped to encourage cycling and walking.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said a "staged" easing would mean measures could be reintroduced to tackle "localised" outbreaks.
The government is expected to announce the next steps in its response to the epidemic next Sunday.
Around the web: Hunt for vegetable farm pickerspublished at 12:04 British Summer Time 4 May 2020
The Worcester News is covering these stories today:
