BBC Midlands Today

Hundreds of free meals are being provided to university students in Wolverhampton to mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

The Sant Zora Singh Lopon Charitable Trust is giving them to those living in halls of residence and some international students who are self-isolating.

The indian food parcels have been given out at the City Campus on Lomas Street.

"Although, celebrations may look very different this year, we’re happy to bring some joy and tradition to the festivities this year,” the charity said.

Betty Meredith misses her husband of 71 years so much she moves into the care home to join him.

Coventry Live

Here are three stories from the Coventry Live website today:

• Entire school closed due to coronavirus, external
• Teen threatened with knife by gang, external
• Suspects in court over £1m cannabis factory, external

BBC Business News

Caffè Nero has been forced to restructure its business following the second lockdown as it faces insolvency.

The coffee chain operates about 40 stores and employs hundreds of staff in the West Midlands.

Image source, Getty Images

The firm is launching a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) which will allow it to renegotiate terms with its landlords and other creditors.

Caffè Nero, which employs 6,000 workers in all, said "the pandemic has decimated trading".

Read more

BBC Weather Watchers

While it's a bit chilly outside, we're seeing some brilliant blue skies from the BBC Weather Watchers today.

These photos were taken near Stoke Prior, Kenilworth and Barlaston.

Image source, OggySnaps

Image source, Jon

Image source, Rakmans

A woman has had a chemical thrown at her, while she was out walking in Market Drayton.

West Mercia Police said two men on bikes threw it at her at about 10:45 yesterday on Berrisford Road, causing minor injuries to her hands.

Image source, Google

The force said at this stage it believed the chemical was a chlorine mixture and didn't pose a threat to anyone else in the area.

Kidderminster Harriers have confirmed their Vanarama North game against York City tomorrow has been postponed because York have had a positive Covid-19 test in their squad.

Harriers will next be in action on Tuesday evening when they head to Brackley Town.

Image source, Getty Images

York's scheduled trip to Hereford on 24 November has also been postponed.

A woman has had her car stolen by a group of men armed with machetes in Lichfield.

Staffordshire Police said the 55-year-old was out shopping yesterday afternoon when the four men, who were driving a black Toyota people carrier, hit her car on the A453 at the junction with Slade Road.

Image source, Google

When she pulled over they threatened her with weapons and forced her out of her car before driving off towards Tamworth.

The victim was not injured in the robbery but was left very shaken, police said.

Murtaza Nazir, 26, died on Bagshaw Road, in Stechford, Birmingham, in August.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A beech tree in Wolverhampton is likely to keep its protected status, despite complaints that it is damaging the foundations of a nearby church.

It stands near the driveway into Oxley Park Golf Club, next door to the Polish Catholic Centre and Church on Stafford Road.

The church said its roots were affecting its drains, causing flooding in the community centre boiler room and it might not be able to afford future repairs.

Image source, Google

Wolverhampton's Tree Officer James Dunn said the tree was in good condition and was "visually pleasing for visitors to the church and the golf course".

He said that was grounds for a Tree Preservation Order remaining and suggested the church fits fibreglass liners to its drains to protect them.

While he accepted the roots were damaging a wall, he said there was "no evidence to show that it is causing a safety issue".

Wolverhampton Council’s planning committee is expected to vote in favour of his recommendations when it meets on Monday.

A school in Shropshire is to close entirely for more than a week after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

Bishop's Castle Community College, which has 472 pupils on roll according to Ofsted, said 11 members of staff were having to self isolate.

Image source, Google

As a result, it said pupils would be sent home until 24 November.

Year 11 pupils will still be allowed in to take their mock exams, and for revision sessions.

BBC Radio Stoke

New fast-result Covid-19 tests are being trialled in Stoke-on-Trent from today as the virus reached a new peak in the city.

There were 1,184 new cases in Stoke-on-Trent in the seven days up to 8 November, up from 957 a week earlier.

The lateral flow tests being trialled at the Dimensions Leisure Centre in Burslem can give results in about 30 minutes.

People with symptoms are being urged to book a slot on the city council's website, external.

West Midlands Police says no-one else is being sought in connection with the incident.

Events to mark the 80th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz are being held online this weekend.

More than 1,200 people died in the raids, with the worst of the attacks coming on 14 November.

A number of events that were to be staged have had to be cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions, but the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Cathderal and Herbert Museum all have events online.

A school in Coventry is to close for more than a week after a series of cases of coronavirus left it short-staffed.

Willenhall Community Primary School said it would reopen on 23 November.

Image source, Google

Figures show 101 officers from West Midlands Police have tested positive for Covid-19 since the pandemic began.

Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the PA news agency show 849 officers across 24 of the UK's 45 forces have tested positive for the virus.

Image source, Getty Images

The Police Federation said officers across the country were in "constant worry" when faced with offenders who may spit, bite and cough while being dealt with.

Hereford Times

Here are three of the stories from the Hereford Times website today:

• Dismay at plan to demolish historic rectory, external
• Learner driver fined after lorry crash, external
• Couple lose bid to host weddings at £3m venue, external

Paint was thrown at a firefighter as she was on her way to help a vulnerable person in Kenilworth last night.

It happened while she was cycling, in uniform, on Kenilworth Road to assist a person through the Hospital to Home scheme.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said a car pulled alongside and threw the paint before speeding off towards Kenilworth and the people in the car were heard laughing.

She was left shaken, but unhurt and had to end her shift early because of the paint on her uniform.

The Chief Fire Officer, Kieran Amos, called the assault "abhorrent".

He said it "had implications on our crewing for the rest of the evening".

A community bid to buy land off developers has failed.

More than 50 people in Ludlow raised £130,000 to buy a plot on Castle View Terrace, but Shropshire Homes, which wants to develop the land, said it wanted £250,000.

Image source, Google

A decision on whether to allow six homes at the site will be made in the next few months.

BBC Radio Shropshire

A stand at Bridgnorth Football Club has been damaged by fire.

Firefighters were called to the Crown Meadow last night and said half a 40m (131ft) stand was affected, along with 50m (164ft) of hedge.

Image source, Google

It's not yet known how the fire started.