Birmingham Live

These are some of the stories Birmingham Live is covering today:

• Birmingham student stuck in Afghanistan evacuated in tense airlift after going to Kabul 'on holiday', external
• Malala Yousafzai calls on UK to open borders to Afghanistan refugees, external
• Birmingham tourist planning to propose to girlfriend on glamping trip ends up in police cell, external

BBC Weather

It should be largely overcast but dry today but the odd spot of light rain or drizzle is likely in areas where the cloud is thickest. A moderate westerly breeze. High: 18C (64F).

It should stay overcast for many throughout the night, remaining largely dry, but spots of light rain are likely to drift through at times. A few patches of mist or fog may form. Low 14C (57F).

You can stay up-to-date on the latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

A photographer from Coventry says she is "begging" British forces to help her vulnerable mother return to the UK safely from Afghanistan.

Image source, PA Media

Fereba said her 79-year-old mother Layloma, who is a dual Afghan-British national, flew to Kabul last month to attend a funeral and has been unable to return.

"My mother is low on medication which was provided by the NHS. It's not available in Afghanistan," Fereba said.

"Once the Taliban enter the airports, there will be no hope for them, they will be slaughtered. All I'm asking for the world to do is to show some compassion for the Afghan nation."

The government has deployed hundreds of troops to Kabul to assist with the evacuation of British nationals.

Isaac Bowry is from a Manchester council estate and wants to show that "dancing is for everyone".

Mark Chilman set his victim's car on fire in a bid to make it look like suicide, the court hears.

Nobel peace laureate, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012.

One man was knocked unconscious in an attack which began with abuse being shouted from inside a car.

Rob and Patrick faced homophobic abuse and were hit with bottles during a night out in Birmingham.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

A nightclub is at risk of losing its licence after a doorman was seen attacking a group of men with a machete on CCTV.

Image source, Google

One of the men suffered a two-to-three-inch gash to his forehead in the assault outside Pavo, in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, last month, while the other two were left with hand injuries.

West Midlands Police said the men and doorman were seen speaking outside the club at about 04:00 BST before the member of staff went into the venue and returned with a machete.

Birmingham City Council suspended the venue's licence after police branded the events "unacceptable". However, a final decision will be made next week.

Speaking at an earlier meeting before the licensing committee, the owner argued the doorman had "acted independently" and his actions could not have been foreseen by the club or its staff.

A football fan was knocked out and left with a broken nose after an attack before the Birmingham City game with Stoke City.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The 23-year-old man, from Stoke-on-Trent, was assaulted on Saturday at about 14:30 BST in Barwell Road, Small Heath, within a mile of St Andrew's stadium.

The man was discharged from hospital later the same day and West Midlands Police said officers were treating the attack as linked to the football., external

They have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the assault.

Junior Thompson was driving at twice the speed limit and had been smoking cannabis, police say.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

A landmark could return to Coventry city centre next summer after more than two years in storage.

Image source, Coventry City Council

The Coventry Cross was removed from Cuckoo Lane in 2019 as part of plans for a restaurant behind Cathedral Lanes.

The original Coventry Cross dated back to the 14th Century and was located at the top of Ironmonger Row.

The second cross was situated in the market area until it was demolished in 1781. The latest replica was build in 1976.

The current proposals are to place it near the city centre's Primark, overlooking Holy Trinity Church with artist impressions showing the bottom half reconstructed with glass.

However, the city council said options had not been finalised but some restoration work would be needed and the total cost had not been confirmed.

BBC Radio Shropshire

A music venue owner has said managing to keeping his business going has been a "miracle" as a number of staff have been "pinged" by the NHS app and forced to self-isolate.

Image source, Google

People in England no longer have to isolate if they have had two Covid vaccinations and come into contact with someone who tests positive for the virus.

David Gregg runs Albert's Shed, which has venues in Shrewsbury and Telford, and said the changes were welcome.

"We are certainly not out of the woods yet, we still have quite a journey to go on but any further lifting of the restrictions has got to be welcomed by hospitality."

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The Stoke-on-Trent Live website is covering these stories today:

• Stand-off as ex-copper confronts council over being called 'British', external
• Staffie saved from hoarder's house fire in need of home in Stoke-on-Trent, external
• Boy heading to court to fight Walleys Quarry 'poisoning' doctor fears will shorten his life, external

Two people are arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Port Vale sign Bolton Wanderers midfielder Dennis Politic on a season-long loan deal.

Dawid Kurdziel died after allegedly being attacked in a park in Telford, police say.

Bacca was given the award after suffering slash wounds while bringing an armed man to the ground.

Express and Star

From the Express and Star:

• Fewer than six in 10 GP appointments held face-to-face in Black Country and Staffordshire, external
• Officers assaulted while responding to West Midlands incident, external
• Repair works set to start on church, external

BBC Weather

It should be cloudy and mainly dry today with just the odd spot of rain around mixed with an occasional brighter spell. High: 17C (63F).

It should stay cloudy and largely dry tonight with a few brief spells of rain at times. Low: 13C (55F).

You can stay up-to-date on the latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.