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Water company rejects takeover bid
Severn Trent, which supplies 4.2 million households and businesses across the Midlands and parts of Wales, has rejected a takeover approach from an overseas consortium, saying the proposal "completely fails" to recognise the water company's value.
Celebrities raise £1.5m for charity
Tamara Ecclestone, the Duchess of York and Joan Collins were among the guests at a ball in London which raised more than £1,500,000 for Stoke-on-Trent-based charity Caudwell Children.
Couple's adoption plea rejected
A High Court judge has blocked an attempt by a couple from the Birmingham area to adopt their 14-year-old Pakistani nephew after immigration officials said they were suspicious.
Off-road lions experience unveiled
A new off-road safari in the West Midlands is bringing visitors face-to-face with a pride of lions in what is thought to be a UK first.
Girl's body returned minus organs
The bereaved parents of an eight-year-old Birmingham girl are demanding answers from the authorities in India after she was returned to the UK with her organs missing.
HS2 faces £3.3bn funding gap: NAO
The HS2 high-speed London to Birmingham rail project has an estimated £3.3 billion funding gap which the Government has yet to decide how to fill, a report from a Whitehall spending watchdog said.
Prince visits disused institute
The Prince of Wales has indulged his passion for Britain's architectural heritage by paying a visit to a Victorian institute in Stoke-on-Trent originally erected to make art and literature available to all.
Ukip man faces axe for Muslim jokes
A Ukip county councillor in Worcestershire could be removed from the party after admitting to sharing offensive material about Muslims on his Facebook page.
Cocaine found in cakes at airport
Two people from the West Midlands have been charged with drug trafficking offences after cocaine worth up to £1 million was found hidden inside cakes at Gatwick Airport.
Caution over Muslim centre comments
A man has been cautioned by police after racist and offensive comments opposing plans for a Muslim prayer centre in Shrewsbury were posted on a social media site.
Unemployment rate rises by 16,000
Unemployment in the West Midlands increased by 16,000 in the three months to March, official figures have revealed.
Helicopter show wins opera award
A six-hour live performance by the Birmingham Opera Company which included four helicopters and flying musicians was given a leading opera award.
Police slammed over excessive force
The police watchdog has criticised West Mercia Police for its handling of a case where an officer used excessive force on a 65-year-old man.
Art and craftivism to go on display
Art created by young people is to be used to spark a conversation about mental health and wellbeing when it goes on display in Birmingham.
Minister warns of 'climate of fear'
If individual NHS staff face prosecution for failing to provide care for patients, as urged by the chairman of the public inquiry into serious failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, it could create a "climate of fear and blame", Lord Howe said.
Ancient woodland 'irreplaceable'
Dozens of "irreplaceable" ancient woods could be hit by the planned high speed rail link between London and Birmingham, campaigners have warned ahead of the publication of a key environmental assessment of the scheme.
Networking to help dream appeal
Two businessmen from Lichfield are launching a networking group to support local businesses while also helping 25 children with life-limiting conditions to get the holiday of a lifetime.
£5.5m for frontline advice services
Seventeen advice services in the West Midlands will benefit from a £5.5 million share of a support package which aims to provide help to projects during challenging times.
Consortium eyes Severn Trent water
One of the UK's biggest water companies, which covers the West Midlands, was in the takeover sights of an overseas consortium in a move that could value the firm at more than £5 billion.
Witnesses sought after cygnet death
A cygnet has been found dead after being reportedly pelted with bricks and stones by yobs in Shropshire.
Appeal on mistaken identity murder
The cousin of a father-of-two who was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity in Birmingham has appealed for witnesses to help police catch his "mindless" killer.
Bedroom tax blamed for gran's death
A grandmother from Solihull who killed herself left a note blaming the Government for her death.
Free blood pressure checks given
Almost 100 people were given free blood pressure checks at a West Midlands supermarket to help raise awareness about high risk factors for stroke.
OAP stab probe police revisit scene
Detectives investigating the murder of a pensioner who was stabbed near his home in Birmingham two weeks ago are revisiting the scene to encourage more witnesses to come forward.
Five arrested over man's death
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a man who collapsed at a pub in Stoke.
HS2 compensation claims rejected
Three quarters of families who live near the Government's planned high speed rail link and applied for hardship compensation have been rejected, including a Staffordshire couple, figures showed.
Vehicles damaged in museum fire
A fire at a car museum's site storage area in Warwickshire has damaged several vehicles.
Tory council leader loses to Green
The Conservative leader of Warwickshire Council was unseated in a shock result - as the party lost overall control following big Labour gains.
Birmingham City boss trial begins
The money-laundering trial against Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung has begun with allegations of vast sums of money flowing through the businessman's bank accounts despite his then-meagre income as a hairdresser.
Footy match for Caudwell children
Staff and suppliers at an energy management firm will face each other in a charity football match at Stoke City's ground.
Toddler dies in collision with car
A toddler has died after being hit by a car in Birmingham, police said.
Boy wins protection ruling on cell
A teenager with learning difficulties has won a High Court ruling that child protection rules were breached when he was held in a Birmingham court cell block normally designated for adults and left "incredibly distressed" by his experience.
Child-killer murder trial date set
Two men charged with murdering a convicted child-killer at a maximum security jail in Worcestershire will stand trial in September, a court has heard.
Memorial unveiled for Bevin Boys
The Countess of Wessex has unveiled a memorial in Staffordshire to 48,000 miners who helped keep Britain fighting in the Second World War.
Sports car restored to former glory
A famous West Midlands-built sports car that sold for a record £843,000 at auction has been shown off in its fully restored glory.
Family baffled by pensioner killing
The daughter of a pensioner who was stabbed to death yards from his home in Birmingham has spoken of his family's continuing bewilderment at the "sinister" killing.
New Bills keep HS2 project on track
The Government showed its determination to keep the £33 billion London to Birmingham HS2 rail project firmly on track by announcing proposed legislation.
Cuts blamed for police secrecy
A police force in the West Midlands that has had to backtrack on a new policy of not naming people charged with crimes seemed to blame it on a multimillion-pound cost-cutting plan.
Student team lives below the line
A Hereford student has joined five friends in a challenge to live below the poverty line on £1 a day.
Dad's Peru trek in memory of son
A North Staffordshire man is to trek Peru's Inca Trail to raise money for the hospice which cared for his son.
Poker player jailed for murder
A poker champion from Worcestershire has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the murder of his wife in America 16 years ago.
Memorial unveiled for Bevin Boys
The Countess of Wessex has unveiled a memorial in Staffordshire to 48,000 miners who helped keep Britain fighting in the Second World War.
150,000 sign Amazon tax petition
A Warwickshire couple who run two high street bookshops have handed in a petition signed by more than 150,000 people to Downing Street, calling on internet retailer Amazon to pay their fair share of UK tax.
Boy critical after van accident
A young boy is in critical condition in hospital and another was also airlifted for treatment after they were knocked down by a van in the West Midlands.
IPCC probes hooded man's complaint
An investigation has been launched amid allegations police officers assaulted a suspect they had hooded with a pillowcase during his arrest in the West Midlands.
Cell man 'joked over charity cash'
The "chief financier" of a Birmingham jihadist cell which planned to commit atrocities worse than July 7 joked about stealing money from Muslim charities, a court has heard.
Ex-Stafford chief referred to CPS
The former chief executive and chairwoman of scandal-hit Stafford Hospital are to be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service over allegations of misconduct.
TV show winner admits benefit fraud
A mother from Staffordshire who won £95,000 on the television show Deal Or No Deal has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.
Man faces court over fatal fire
A 56-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murder after a deadly house fire in Birmingham.
Starr rearrested in sex abuse probe
Comedian Freddie Starr, who lives in Warwickshire, has been rearrested over further allegations of sexual offences.
- Police carry out traffic operation in Hillmorton
- Rugby post office in Albert Street to close for two weeks in June
- New interim Chief Fire Officer appointed for Warwickshire
- FAREWELL TO DAVID BARBY: more than 400 fill St Andrew’s Church in Rugby in appreciation of priceless antiques expert
- Boys rocked by three losses
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Weather for Rugby
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
