Rape cases reported to West Midlands Police have doubled in four years – with just a fraction of suspects being charged, new figures show.

An investigation is underway after a man died on the car park of a supermarket.

Bus company Rotala, which has its headquarters in Tividale, returned to profit in its latest financial year.

People across the Black Country have welcomed the new scheme announced by the UK government to house Ukrainian refugees, but many people do not have the money or room to take refugees into their own homes.

Robert Plant has been voted the greatest rock star of all time, has travelled the world, and spent more than five decades living a life of unabashed excitement and hedonism.

The number of jobless people in the UK has dropped below levels seen before the pandemic struck for the first time, but earnings continue to fall behind rocketing inflation, according to official figures.

Wedge Group Galvanizing has helped to galvanize the student experience by sponsoring a teaching space at the University of Wolverhampton’s new £45 million School of Built Environment and Architecture.

The Institute of Export and International Trade as announced that it has made more than £1 million of funding available to help British businesses to export.

A&M EDM, precision engineers in Smethwick hosted Andrew Mair, chief executive of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance to commission new manufacturing equipment.

Almost 1,000 potential slavery victims were referred to police in Staffordshire and West Midlands last year – and around half of referrals involved children, figures show.

Two brothers accused of attempting to murder two police officers became violent after being followed during an anti-knife crime operation, a court was told.

Visitors are to be allowed back into hospital wards in Wolverhampton and Walsall - but all visits will have to be booked in advance apart from in exceptional circumstances.

Deaths linked to prescription drugs for treating anxiety and insomnia are at the highest level in the West Midlands for a decade, analysis suggests.

A selfless 90-year-old man from Walsall asked for charitable donations instead of gifts for his birthday this year.

Staff and youngsters at a school in Walsall raised more than £1,600 by staging a week of fun-filled fundraising activities in aid of a hospice.

An artist has said the stealing of two of his artworks won't stop his message about unity.

An operatic society will be staging a musical in Stourbridge this week.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move will ‘mean greater freedom in time for Easter’.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has added to what was already going to be a year of high energy prices, one expert said.

Former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko shared a video of the blast’s aftermath on Twitter.

Russian and Ukrainian officials held further peace talks, but the death toll continued to mount on Monday.

Businesses on a Black Country high street were evacuated after a bomb scare at a bank.

A former student police officer who was caught with child sex images has been given a community order and had his phone and iPad confiscated.

Sean Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died after being shot in the chest during a pre-planned police raid in 2019.

Police found a £95,000 cannabis farm as rival drug gangs caused mayhem during a night of violence.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has helped bring 21 Ukrainian children with cancer to the UK to receive care through the NHS.

How do you apply to help a refugee? How long will Ukrainians stay in the country? How much money will be paid for hosting a family?

A Staffordshire couple have taken on a colossal task of collecting and distributing donations to Ukraine.

A man who went on the run after firing a BB gun and driving into a crowd has been locked up for five years.

A “much-needed” regeneration of fly-tipped plagued Walsall land will go ahead after a proposed housing development was approved.

The squatters broke into the property in Belgrave Square at around 1am on Monday and declared that it ‘belongs to Ukrainian refugees’.

The findings highlight the need for a policy focus on attracting and retaining the best teachers in challenging schools, say experts.

The two companies said they will sharply reduce their use of storm overflows as part of five commitments.

Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on Sunday was 163.5p, while diesel was 173.4p.

Cabinet minister Sajid Javid warned against a ‘single Russian toecap’ setting foot on a Nato members’ territory.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Downing Street said there is no way for Boris Johnson to turn down the pay rise given to all MPs.

Downing Street said that in the first instance visa and sponsorship schemes should be used but ministers were open to all options.

A county councillor at the centre of a funding row says he’s changed his mind about resigning.

Motorists have been warned about the dangers of carrying heavy loads on top of their cars after a car was pulled over by police.

A woman was dragged off the streets and bundled into a car in a suspected kidnapping in the Black Country.

Boris Johnson says the UK will ‘pursue more options for bolstering Ukraine’s self-defence’ after an attack on a military base near the Polish border.

The West Coast Main Line will be closed between London Euston and Milton Keynes over the entire four-day bank holiday weekend.

A man who suffered burns in a major barn blaze near Bridgnorth had a 'lucky escape' fire chiefs said today as crews returned to the site.

The territories and nations of the Commonwealth were celebrated at a special event as the countdown to the 2022 games continues.

Volunteers at a food bank in the Black Country who have helped the most vulnerable have been recognised for their dedication at an awards ceremony.

More than £2,000 was raised when people gathered for a minute's silence in Stafford to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Growing bars group Nightcap, which includes Luna Springs and Tonight Josephine in Birmingham, saw sales increase by more than 700 per cent in its latest half year of trading.

A schoolboy from Wolverhampton has been awarded an accolade for taking care of his elderly neighbours and raising over £40,000 for 18 different charities.

An apparent U-turn on stopping hunting trophies being imported has "let down the vast majority" of people across the country, an MP has said.

A total of £5,000 has been raised for charity through a boxing competition dubbed Kingswinford's "sporting event of the year" held at a school.

Defence spending should be increased to counter the threat posed by Russia's desire to re-establish its "Soviet territory" through the invasion of Ukraine, an MP has said.

A mother and daughter are set to battle it out in the ring at an upcoming wrestling show in the Black Country.

A new initiative launched by Channel 4 which aims to open up the world of television to young people will come to schools in the West Midlands.

Sajid Javid said that the UK is in a ‘good position’.

Concerns have been raised over the safety of a temporary roundabout made out of cones after a crash which left a man injured.

A survey carried out by a 14-year-old boy has found seven different species of bat living along Lichfield Canal.

Kind-hearted families in Sutton have helped raise more than £1000 for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal after getting together for a sponsored walk with their little ones.

A motorcyclist has died after a crash with a car at a busy junction.

Campaigners are delighted at a decision to remove two parts of the green belt from the Black Country Plan - but other prized areas remain at risk of development.

Some mornings there are 10 homeless people outside Alan Nadir's shop. On others there are as many as 15.

The Government has been urged to use the Spring Statement to help businesses.

Amazon has announced a new general manager for its giant Rugeley fulfilment centre.

A company is amplifying its campaign to drive more female applications for careers in security after seeing interest grow.

Plans have been put forward to build a primary school and nursery in Staffordshire to cater for more than 230 students after a major housing development.

Don't get too sorry for these marching soldiers – they're going on holiday.

Dr Justine Butler, senior researcher & writer for Viva! Health, responds to a recent piece in the Shropshire Star opposing veganism.

Supply chain support and longer-term assistance are at the top of the wish list for UK manufacturing SMEs if they are to make the most of the post-pandemic recovery and the long-anticipated UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The missile strike followed Russian threats to target foreign weapons shipments that are helping Ukrainian fighters defend their country.

The first people making use of the Government’s sponsorship scheme are expected to come to the UK ‘in a week’s time’, Michael Gove said.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the Home Secretary’s management of the ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ has been ‘utterly shameful’.

Russian troops opened fire on the car of Brent Renaud and another journalist in Irpin near the capital, police said.

UK-based scientists studying Siberia’s permafrost, a vast carbon sink, have no idea when they will be able to return to the Russian province.

A man was taken to hospital after his van overturned in a crash at a temporary roundabout made out of cones.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in an armed police raid in Birmingham.

Motorists are being warned to expect delays during roadworks on a Black Country road.

A murder victim who died after being stabbed multiple times has been named as Steven McCarran.

The Chancellor said further action must be taken collectively to ‘inflict maximum economic pain’ on Vladimir Putin’s regime.

The head of British intelligence reportedly held security concerns over Lord Lebedev for as long as a decade.

Britons offering homes to Ukrainian refugees through a new humanitarian route will receive a “thank you” payment of £350 per month, the Government has announced.

Bosses at Severn Valley Railway say they are looking at a number of possible measures in order to conserve stocks of coal.

A taxi driver has died and two other people are injured after an early-hours crash.

A fire crew is still on the scene of a blaze near Bridgnorth which left one person in hospital with burn injuries.

Investigations are ongoing into the cause of a major farm fire which left one person in hospital.

There is a “clear indication” Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone is improving air quality in the city centre, the city’s transport and environment chief has said.

Fifty-seven other people were injured when eight rockets were fired at the Yaroviv military range, the governor of the Lviv region said.

An old Walsall petrol station site is to be transformed into a new apartment block despite fears it could increase traffic problems in the area.

Experts predict the Bank will raise rates to 0.75% on Thursday, but trade more cautiously due to fears over slowing growth.