birminghammail--2020-06-02--Enquiries made as West Brom look to arrange friendly matches

West Bromwich Albion are hopeful of arranging a friendly match or two before their season resumes later this month .
The EFL announced over the weekend that a provisional date of June 20 has been agreed for the return of Championship football amid the coronavirus pandemic , provided there is not a second wave of positive cases , and most clubs in England ’ s second tier have welcomed the development .
Albion are now back in full contact training on Tuesday as Slaven Bilic and his players step up their preparations for the beginning of their nine-match mini-campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the second attempt .
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Google Play Store and App Store As part of those preparations , tentative enquiries have already been made with other clubs , whose squads are equally eager to test their fitness levels after a long lay-off where competitive matches have been absent .
Some clubs have presented offers of a friendly to Albion , too .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albion either welcome to the Black Country or visit will either be a Premier League team , or one of the Championship sides that the Baggies have already played twice this term - there are 14 of those clubs to choose from .
Of course any agreements with other clubs in regards to friendlies taking place will be required to pass a multitude of health and safety regulations .
Measures have been taken at Albion ’ s training ground , and training grounds nationwide , to ensure that the spread of coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact training hasn ’ t been possible until this week .
Players have had to bring in their own kit and food and drink each day , while all concerned have been undergoing Covid-19 tests .
Such protocols will need to be applied to any friendly matches that are arranged , with more than 25 players likely to be involved in any given match .
For that reason , Albion are for the time being cautiously optimistic that they 'll successfully arrange competitive minutes for their players who have been starved of action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first match once the season resumes will be the welcoming of West Midlands rivals Birmingham City to The Hawthorns .

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West Bromwich Albion are hopeful of arranging a friendly match or two before their season resumes later this month.
The EFL announced over the weekend that a provisional date of June 20 has been agreed for the return of Championship football amid the coronavirus pandemic, provided there is not a second wave of positive cases, and most clubs in England’s second tier have welcomed the development.
Albion are now back in full contact training on Tuesday as Slaven Bilic and his players step up their preparations for the beginning of their nine-match mini-campaign, during which time they’ll hope to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the second attempt.
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As part of those preparations, tentative enquiries have already been made with other clubs, whose squads are equally eager to test their fitness levels after a long lay-off where competitive matches have been absent.
Some clubs have presented offers of a friendly to Albion, too.
It’s understood that any opponent that Albion either welcome to the Black Country or visit will either be a Premier League team, or one of the Championship sides that the Baggies have already played twice this term - there are 14 of those clubs to choose from.
Of course any agreements with other clubs in regards to friendlies taking place will be required to pass a multitude of health and safety regulations.
Measures have been taken at Albion’s training ground, and training grounds nationwide, to ensure that the spread of coronavirus is minimised - it’s meant that contact training hasn’t been possible until this week.
Players have had to bring in their own kit and food and drink each day, while all concerned have been undergoing Covid-19 tests.
Such protocols will need to be applied to any friendly matches that are arranged, with more than 25 players likely to be involved in any given match.
For that reason, Albion are for the time being cautiously optimistic that they'll successfully arrange competitive minutes for their players who have been starved of action for almost three months.
Albion’s first match once the season resumes will be the welcoming of West Midlands rivals Birmingham City to The Hawthorns.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Conservative club that hosted PM accused of lockdown breaches

A Sedgley Conservative Club which hosted national party celebrations could be stripped of its alcohol licence after an alleged breach of lockdown rules .
West Midlands Police has asked licensing councillors to review the premises ’ permit to sell beer and spirits after officers visited the Hall Street venue last month .
Two years ago the club was chosen by the then Prime Minster Theresa May to celebrate the Tories ' local election success after winning control of Dudley council .
Since March , all pubs and clubs have been closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
A police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sedgley Conservative Club on Hall Street , Sedgley , at about 8.15pm on Saturday 2 May after a member of the public suspected a breach of Covid-19 regulations taking place at the location .
“ Officers found three people inside the premises and advised them to move on .
“ Due to a suspected breach of coronavirus restrictions and licensing objectives , the matter has been referred to Dudley Council ’ s Licensing Committee to review.
” Cllr Karen Shakespeare , Dudley Council ’ s cabinet member for licensing , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensing , it will be referred to the licensing committee to be dealt with through the normal licensing channels.
” Previously , the local authority issued a stern warning to licensed businesses found breaching the rules that they could close permanently .
At the time , Cllr Nicolas Barlow , cabinet member for public health and wellbeing , said : “ We will not think twice about acting against those premises who think the rules don ’ t apply to them .
This is a final warning to them all.
” “ Any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dudley borough will not only face legal action but also the revocation of their alcohol licence , meaning that the business will be closed permanently.
” Two weeks ago councillors shut down The Pendulum pub in Pendeford after it was caught serving booze in ‘ deliberate defiance ’ of the law .
The pub ’ s licensee , Mr Soran Rostam , was also stripped of his personal licence by Wolverhampton council .
Sedgley Conservative Club has been contacted for comment .

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A Sedgley Conservative Club which hosted national party celebrations could be stripped of its alcohol licence after an alleged breach of lockdown rules.
West Midlands Police has asked licensing councillors to review the premises’ permit to sell beer and spirits after officers visited the Hall Street venue last month.
Two years ago the club was chosen by the then Prime Minster Theresa May to celebrate the Tories' local election success after winning control of Dudley council.
Since March, all pubs and clubs have been closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
A police spokesman said: “We were called to Sedgley Conservative Club on Hall Street, Sedgley, at about 8.15pm on Saturday 2 May after a member of the public suspected a breach of Covid-19 regulations taking place at the location.
“Officers found three people inside the premises and advised them to move on.
“Due to a suspected breach of coronavirus restrictions and licensing objectives, the matter has been referred to Dudley Council’s Licensing Committee to review.”
(Image: Google Street view)
Cllr Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for licensing, said: “As with any potential breach of licensing, it will be referred to the licensing committee to be dealt with through the normal licensing channels.”
Previously, the local authority issued a stern warning to licensed businesses found breaching the rules that they could close permanently.
At the time, Cllr Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “We will not think twice about acting against those premises who think the rules don’t apply to them. This is a final warning to them all.”
“Any premises found to be in breach in Dudley borough will not only face legal action but also the revocation of their alcohol licence, meaning that the business will be closed permanently.”
Two weeks ago councillors shut down The Pendulum pub in Pendeford after it was caught serving booze in ‘deliberate defiance’ of the law.
The pub’s licensee, Mr Soran Rostam, was also stripped of his personal licence by Wolverhampton council.
Sedgley Conservative Club has been contacted for comment.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Alison Hammond breaks down on This Morning over 'seeing son' in George Floyd

This is the emotional moment Alison Hammond broke down over the death of George Floyd live on This Morning .
Brummie Alison , who rose to fame on Big Brother in the 2000s before becoming This Morning 's entertainment correspondent , broke down over seeing her son in Mr Floyd .
The death of Mr Floyd has triggered widespread protests across the US after footage showed a white police officer continuing to kneel on his neck during an arrest , even after he pleaded he could not breathe .
Alison , fighting back tears on the ITV1 daytime programme today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schofield : `` Firstly , can I say I think it 's wonderful you 've given this a platform on national television .
I think it 's absolutely wonderful . ''
She continued , while clearly getting emotional : `` Firstly , I 'm a mother to a black boy .
I get emotional already .
Sorry . ''
Trying to maintain her composure while appearing via a phone call , Alison added : `` When I saw that image of George Floyd ...
I saw my brothers , my father , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was disgusted to my core .
It hurt me to the pit of my stomach . ''
This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have joined a `` blackout '' in protest against the death of George Floyd in the United States .
At 11am the ITV daytime show went dark , showing a black screen with the words `` Black Lives Matter '' in white lettering .

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This is the emotional moment Alison Hammond broke down over the death of George Floyd live on This Morning.
Brummie Alison, who rose to fame on Big Brother in the 2000s before becoming This Morning's entertainment correspondent, broke down over seeing her son in Mr Floyd.
The death of Mr Floyd has triggered widespread protests across the US after footage showed a white police officer continuing to kneel on his neck during an arrest, even after he pleaded he could not breathe. Watch Alison Hammond's powerful video above.
Alison, fighting back tears on the ITV1 daytime programme today, told presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: "Firstly, can I say I think it's wonderful you've given this a platform on national television. I think it's absolutely wonderful."
She continued, while clearly getting emotional: "Firstly, I'm a mother to a black boy. I get emotional already. Sorry."
Trying to maintain her composure while appearing via a phone call, Alison added: "When I saw that image of George Floyd... I saw my brothers, my father, my son. Everybody's son.
"I was disgusted to my core. It hurt me to the pit of my stomach."
This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have joined a "blackout" in protest against the death of George Floyd in the United States.
At 11am the ITV daytime show went dark, showing a black screen with the words "Black Lives Matter" in white lettering.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Solihull MP opposes Commons rules that will stop ill MPs voting

Solihull MP Julian Knight is helping lead opposition to House of Commons rules that will prevent some MPs from voting .
The Conservative MP is trying to block Government proposals , drawn up by Tory Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg , to force every MP to vote in person .
Mr Rees-Mogg wants to scrap the so-called `` hybrid Parliament '' which has operated since the lockdown and allowed MPs to deliver speeches via video-conferencing , and to vote from home .
It would mean returning to a system similar to the one that operated before the Covid-19 outbreak .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been told to `` shield '' because of coronavirus , which means not leaving their homes , will be unable to represent their constituents by voting .
Mr Knight , Chair of the Commons Culture , Media and Sport Committee , said : `` We need to do everything we can to accomodate those who have a disabiity or are shielding or ill .
The government needs to be aware of that and a little flexibility to support remote voting does n't do any harm at all .
`` I do agree that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Westminster .
But we should also set an example by ensuring that nobody is excluded .
`` It wo n't do any harm to Parliament if some people are allowed to vote remotely . ''
Mr Rees-Mogg is to propose a motion calling for a return to the traditional system and Mr Knight is one of the proposers of an amendment calling for MPs to be allowed to vote remotely .
MPs who would be excluded by Mr Rees-Mogg 's plans include Tory Robert Halfon , the chairman of the Education Select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shielding .
Mr Halfon told the PA news agency : “ Clearly in this case sadly Jacob and the powers that be are being harsh and unbending .
The MPs who genuinely can not come in , our democratic rights are being snipped away and we ’ re being turned into parliamentary eunuchs .
“ They take the attitude of President Bolsonaro that Covid is just the sniffles and , if you can ’ t come in , tough luck , we don ’ t care .
And that to me is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hundreds of MPs , who for one reason or another will not be able to come in because they are affected by Covid , will not only be denied their fundamental rights but their constituents will not have a voice in Parliament because they will not be able to vote .
“ I genuinely am mystified why they will not even allow proxy voting.
” Even if MPs do return to voting in person , there will have to be changes .
In the past , they walked through crowded corridors known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now make this impossible .
Instead , MPs will have to queue to vote .
As there are 650 MPs and they will have to stand two metres apart , it means the queue could be more than 1km long .

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Solihull MP Julian Knight is helping lead opposition to House of Commons rules that will prevent some MPs from voting.
The Conservative MP is trying to block Government proposals, drawn up by Tory Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, to force every MP to vote in person.
Mr Rees-Mogg wants to scrap the so-called "hybrid Parliament" which has operated since the lockdown and allowed MPs to deliver speeches via video-conferencing, and to vote from home.
It would mean returning to a system similar to the one that operated before the Covid-19 outbreak. However, it also means MPs that have been told to "shield" because of coronavirus, which means not leaving their homes, will be unable to represent their constituents by voting.
Mr Knight, Chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: "We need to do everything we can to accomodate those who have a disabiity or are shielding or ill. The government needs to be aware of that and a little flexibility to support remote voting doesn't do any harm at all.
"I do agree that we should set an example by returning to Westminster. But we should also set an example by ensuring that nobody is excluded.
"It won't do any harm to Parliament if some people are allowed to vote remotely."
Mr Rees-Mogg is to propose a motion calling for a return to the traditional system and Mr Knight is one of the proposers of an amendment calling for MPs to be allowed to vote remotely.
MPs who would be excluded by Mr Rees-Mogg's plans include Tory Robert Halfon, the chairman of the Education Select Committee, who has cerebral palsy and is shielding. Mr Halfon told the PA news agency: “Clearly in this case sadly Jacob and the powers that be are being harsh and unbending. The MPs who genuinely cannot come in, our democratic rights are being snipped away and we’re being turned into parliamentary eunuchs.
“They take the attitude of President Bolsonaro that Covid is just the sniffles and, if you can’t come in, tough luck, we don’t care. And that to me is entirely wrong.
“Not only will the hundreds of MPs, who for one reason or another will not be able to come in because they are affected by Covid, will not only be denied their fundamental rights but their constituents will not have a voice in Parliament because they will not be able to vote.
“I genuinely am mystified why they will not even allow proxy voting.”
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Even if MPs do return to voting in person, there will have to be changes. In the past, they walked through crowded corridors known as lobbies, but social distancing rules now make this impossible. Instead, MPs will have to queue to vote.
As there are 650 MPs and they will have to stand two metres apart, it means the queue could be more than 1km long.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--This Morning makes major change as Holly and Phil show solidarity to BLM

This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have joined a `` blackout '' in protest against the death of George Floyd in the United States .
At 11am the ITV daytime show went dark , showing a black screen with the words `` Black Lives Matter '' in white lettering .
The death of Mr Floyd has triggered widespread protests across the US after footage showed a white police officer continuing to kneel on his neck during an arrest , even after he pleaded he could not breathe .
At least 5,600 people have been arrested as protests continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Mr Floyd , a black man , had been pleading for air as a while police officer pressed a knee on his neck .
In the US , the protests over the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have shaken cities from New York to Los Angeles , with many of the demonstrators not wearing masks .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo expressed concern that the protests in New York City could endanger the long , hard fight to contain the pandemic in a worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the TV and you see these mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything that we have done , '' Mr Cuomo said .
`` We have to take a minute and ask ourselves : 'What are we doing here ? ''
'

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This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have joined a "blackout" in protest against the death of George Floyd in the United States.
At 11am the ITV daytime show went dark, showing a black screen with the words "Black Lives Matter" in white lettering.
The death of Mr Floyd has triggered widespread protests across the US after footage showed a white police officer continuing to kneel on his neck during an arrest, even after he pleaded he could not breathe.
At least 5,600 people have been arrested as protests continue across the United States following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Mr Floyd, a black man, had been pleading for air as a while police officer pressed a knee on his neck.
In the US, the protests over the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have shaken cities from New York to Los Angeles, with many of the demonstrators not wearing masks.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo expressed concern that the protests in New York City could endanger the long, hard fight to contain the pandemic in a worldwide hot spot.
"You turn on the TV and you see these mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything that we have done," Mr Cuomo said. "We have to take a minute and ask ourselves: 'What are we doing here?"'


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Businesses can now get free bike parking racks for their staff

Up to one hundred organisations from across the West Midlands are being encouraged to switch to cycling , with the offer of free bike parking .
The West Midlands Combined Authority ( WMCA ) is offering to deliver free bike racks to up to 100 businesses , education centres , health establishments and community organisations looking to adapt to Covid-19 .
Workers across the country are being asked to cycle or walk to work where they can , with public transport and the use of private cars being discouraged wherever possible .
And , in partnership with Park that Bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people make the transition .
Organisations wishing to apply will each be eligible for four cycle stands free of charge , and will be asked to choose between conventional bike racks , heart-shaped stands , wall-mounted rails , PlantLocks ( a combined planter and bike rack ) and free-standing “ toast-racks ” .
Once they have chosen their preferred design , experts at Park That Bike will be available to support organisations find the best location for their new parking , with the only qualifier that it needs to be located on private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be sent out to successful applicants , which will then have ten weeks to install them .
The scheme has already received support from across the political spectrum , with Cllr Waseem Zaffar , Birmingham City Council cabinet member for transport and the environment , tweeting his support for it last week .
And mayor Andy Street has also given his backing to the scheme , saying : “ As people begin to return to work we are encouraging them to walk and cycle wherever possible .
`` To help support this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at introducing a range of measures , including the addition of new cycle parking .
“ I would strongly urge any businesses and organisations which are reopening following lockdown to consider whether cycle parking would help their staff make that switch and , if they meet our criteria , apply to our scheme .
“ The scheme will form just a small part of our cycling and walking plan for the region , which I hope we will be able to make public very soon .
”

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Up to one hundred organisations from across the West Midlands are being encouraged to switch to cycling, with the offer of free bike parking.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is offering to deliver free bike racks to up to 100 businesses, education centres, health establishments and community organisations looking to adapt to Covid-19.
Workers across the country are being asked to cycle or walk to work where they can, with public transport and the use of private cars being discouraged wherever possible.
And, in partnership with Park that Bike, the WMCA is trying to help people make the transition.
Organisations wishing to apply will each be eligible for four cycle stands free of charge, and will be asked to choose between conventional bike racks, heart-shaped stands, wall-mounted rails, PlantLocks (a combined planter and bike rack) and free-standing “toast-racks”.
Once they have chosen their preferred design, experts at Park That Bike will be available to support organisations find the best location for their new parking, with the only qualifier that it needs to be located on private land.
Following this the cycle racks will be sent out to successful applicants, which will then have ten weeks to install them.
The scheme has already received support from across the political spectrum, with Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for transport and the environment, tweeting his support for it last week.
And mayor Andy Street has also given his backing to the scheme, saying: “As people begin to return to work we are encouraging them to walk and cycle wherever possible.
"To help support this shift and make journeys easier TfWM is looking at introducing a range of measures, including the addition of new cycle parking.
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“I would strongly urge any businesses and organisations which are reopening following lockdown to consider whether cycle parking would help their staff make that switch and, if they meet our criteria, apply to our scheme.
“The scheme will form just a small part of our cycling and walking plan for the region, which I hope we will be able to make public very soon.”


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Latest Cannock Chase blaze sparked by 'camp fire'

A camp fire is believed to have caused the latest blaze at Cannock Chase .
Firefighters were tackling the fire at the beauty spot , which started just before 7am .
Pictures from the scene show a small fire had been started in a pebbled area , just off Marquis Drive .
A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said : `` We 're currently dealing with a fire at Cannock Chase .
`` Crews from Cannock and Rugeley are in attendance having been called to a location off Marquis Drive shortly before 7am this morning .
`` Early indications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a small camp fire . ''
People have hit out at the culprit on social media , with one person saying : `` People need to start being held to account on this !
Ruining the best parts of Staffordshire . ''
`` Once again , when will the people who light these fires understand the danger they put our fire and rescue and others plus the wildlife at risk of loss of life , '' another said .
A third wrote : `` What is the matter with people ?
Makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our beautiful Chase . ''
This is the latest in a spate of fires at Cannock Chase over the last few weeks .
An arson investigation was launched after a large fire broke out on May 4 .
Residents were also urged to close their windows and doors after huge plumes of black smoke were billowing into the sky from another large fire at Severn Springs on May 22 .

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A camp fire is believed to have caused the latest blaze at Cannock Chase.
Firefighters were tackling the fire at the beauty spot, which started just before 7am.
Pictures from the scene show a small fire had been started in a pebbled area, just off Marquis Drive.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said: "We're currently dealing with a fire at Cannock Chase.
"Crews from Cannock and Rugeley are in attendance having been called to a location off Marquis Drive shortly before 7am this morning.
"Early indications suggest it's started as a result of a small camp fire."
(Image: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue)
People have hit out at the culprit on social media, with one person saying: "People need to start being held to account on this! Ruining the best parts of Staffordshire."
"Once again, when will the people who light these fires understand the danger they put our fire and rescue and others plus the wildlife at risk of loss of life," another said.
A third wrote: "What is the matter with people? Makes me so angry, the total disregard for our beautiful Chase."
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This is the latest in a spate of fires at Cannock Chase over the last few weeks.
An arson investigation was launched after a large fire broke out on May 4.
Residents were also urged to close their windows and doors after huge plumes of black smoke were billowing into the sky from another large fire at Severn Springs on May 22.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Cannabis farm uncovered in raid

Cannabis farm uncovered in raid

Cannabis plants were seized during a drugs bust in West Bromwich .
Police raided the property in Bagnall Street , Hill Top , on Tuesday , June 2 after a tip-off .
It 's believed around 20 plants were seized after officers entered the building just after 7am .
No arrests have been made but enquiries are continuing .
Wednesbury Police tweeted : `` Officers from Wednesbury town team conducted a drugs search at an address in Hill Top this morning , acting on information from the public .
The find comes just days after it was revealed two men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and forced to look after around half-a-million pounds worth of plants ' in Lower High Street , Wednesbury .
Anyone who suspects a property is being used to grow drugs is urged to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101 .
Key warning signs include blacked out windows , a pungent smell and strong , constant lighting throughout the day and night .
Cannabis is categorised as a class B drug in the UK and those convicted for supplying or production could face up to 14 years in prison @

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Cannabis plants were seized during a drugs bust in West Bromwich.
Police raided the property in Bagnall Street, Hill Top, on Tuesday, June 2 after a tip-off.
It's believed around 20 plants were seized after officers entered the building just after 7am.
No arrests have been made but enquiries are continuing.
Wednesbury Police tweeted: "Officers from Wednesbury town team conducted a drugs search at an address in Hill Top this morning, acting on information from the public.
"Approximately 20 cannabis plants have been seized."
The find comes just days after it was revealed two men had been 'locked inside a cannabis farm and forced to look after around half-a-million pounds worth of plants' in Lower High Street, Wednesbury.
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Anyone who suspects a property is being used to grow drugs is urged to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101.
Key warning signs include blacked out windows, a pungent smell and strong, constant lighting throughout the day and night.
Cannabis is categorised as a class B drug in the UK and those convicted for supplying or production could face up to 14 years in prison.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--McDonald's sends message to Birmingham customers after city snubbed

McDonald 's has issued an update to customers in Birmingham after snubbing the city in its latest full list of drive-thrus re-opening .
Maccies shuttered all restaurants in the UK back in March amid the coronavirus crisis , but has now re-opened 168 eateries today .
Unfortunately , Birmingham - despite boasting more restaurants than anywhere in the country - has been snubbed .
There are two re-openings in Redditch , in Worcestershire , and four in Warwickshire , from Alcester and Stratford-on-Avon to Rugby and Dunchurch .
Now , McDonald 's has told fans : `` This week we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the UK and Ireland , tap below to find your nearest reopened restaurant .
If your local restaurant isn ’ t on the list yet , don ’ t worry we ’ ll be announcing more tomorrow . ''
The fast food chain closed the doors to its UK restaurants in March to prevent the spread of , but last week CEO Paul Pomroy revealed McDonald ’ s would “ slowly , but safely , begin to resume serving McDonald ’ s customers again.
” Since the announcement last week that McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 975 drive-thrus across the country , fans have been anxiously waiting for the release of which stores would reopen .
From 11am today , 168 restaurants will be open for drive-thru only , while a further 22 will open for delivery .
Unfortunately , breakfast items , Chicken Legends and milkshakes remain unavailable for now , but we 'll be sure to update you if and when they return to the menu .

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McDonald's has issued an update to customers in Birmingham after snubbing the city in its latest full list of drive-thrus re-opening.
Maccies shuttered all restaurants in the UK back in March amid the coronavirus crisis, but has now re-opened 168 eateries today.
Unfortunately, Birmingham - despite boasting more restaurants than anywhere in the country - has been snubbed.
There are two re-openings in Redditch, in Worcestershire, and four in Warwickshire, from Alcester and Stratford-on-Avon to Rugby and Dunchurch.
Now, McDonald's has told fans: "This week we are reopening Drive Thrus and McDelivery restaurants across the UK and Ireland, tap below to find your nearest reopened restaurant. If your local restaurant isn’t on the list yet, don’t worry we’ll be announcing more tomorrow."
The fast food chain closed the doors to its UK restaurants in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus , but last week CEO Paul Pomroy revealed McDonald’s would “slowly, but safely, begin to resume serving McDonald’s customers again.”
Since the announcement last week that McDonald’s would be reopening a further 975 drive-thrus across the country, fans have been anxiously waiting for the release of which stores would reopen.
From 11am today, 168 restaurants will be open for drive-thru only, while a further 22 will open for delivery.
Unfortunately, breakfast items, Chicken Legends and milkshakes remain unavailable for now, but we'll be sure to update you if and when they return to the menu.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--McDonald's reopens - here's where you can grab a Big Mac

McDonald 's fans will have to wait a while longer to grab a Big Mac in the Black Country .
The fast food giant has re-opened 168 restaurants across the country today , Tuesday , June 2 , as lockdown measures are eased across the country .
A further 22 have opened for delivery only .
But the closest are in Alcester , Redditch and Stratford-Upon-Avon .
The full list can be found here .
It 's not known when Black Country branches will reopen - but when they do , things will be different .
Customers will only have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening hours will be reduced and spending will be capped at £25 .
A McDonald 's spokesman said : `` We are glad to be back but it will look a little different and may take a little longer , so please bear with us .
`` We have fewer employees in our kitchens to enable our teams to social distance and work safely .
`` We will have a limited menu ( no breakfast or shakes for now ) and will open for reduced hours ( 11am-10pm ) .
`` We encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap your spend at £25 .
`` For those visiting our drive thrus , you can browse the menu , order and pay ahead using the My McDonald ’ s App - we ’ ll start preparing your order when you ’ re near the restaurant . ''

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McDonald's fans will have to wait a while longer to grab a Big Mac in the Black Country.
The fast food giant has re-opened 168 restaurants across the country today, Tuesday, June 2, as lockdown measures are eased across the country.
A further 22 have opened for delivery only.
But the closest are in Alcester, Redditch and Stratford-Upon-Avon. The full list can be found here.
It's not known when Black Country branches will reopen - but when they do, things will be different.
Customers will only have a limited menu to choose from, opening hours will be reduced and spending will be capped at £25.
A McDonald's spokesman said: "We are glad to be back but it will look a little different and may take a little longer, so please bear with us.
"We have fewer employees in our kitchens to enable our teams to social distance and work safely.
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"We will have a limited menu (no breakfast or shakes for now) and will open for reduced hours (11am-10pm).
"We encourage you to use contactless payment methods and cap your spend at £25.
"For those visiting our drive thrus, you can browse the menu, order and pay ahead using the My McDonald’s App - we’ll start preparing your order when you’re near the restaurant."


birminghammail--2020-06-02--The McDonald's restaurants in Worcestershire opening from 11am today

Two McDonald 's restaurants in Worcestershire have re-opened to serve customers drive-thru burgers and fries today .
From 11am , two branches of the global fast food chain will start welcoming customers in Redditch .
The eateries are among 168 re-openings from the fast food chain today , with four re-opening in Warwickshire too .
But McDonald 's capped the West Midlands re-openings at just six , with none in Staffordshire , Birmingham , or Coventry .
Thankfully for fans of fries and Big Macs in Worcestershire , two Redditch sites are now operating .
But customers will need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast food restaurant chain , including capped spending limits of £25 .
Limited menus are also on offer , with social distancing measures in place too , as customers are urged to pay via contactless payment methods .
McDonald 's wo n't be selling breakfast items , or some popular wraps and vegetarian options , as it looks to streamline its experience .
This is to make things easier for staff who have returned to work today , as well as customers flocking to get their fill .
Maccies shuttered each and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of the coronavirus crisis but has now re-opened over 180 sites nationwide .
The re-openings come after a successful trial , with a limited number of stores - situated in the south of the country , near the chain 's distribution centres - given the green light to serve customers earlier this month .
The two restaurants back open in Worcs are the Oakenshaw Clews Road/Coldfield Drive eatery , at B98 7ST , and the Moons Moat Black Soils Road eatery , also in Redditch .

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Two McDonald's restaurants in Worcestershire have re-opened to serve customers drive-thru burgers and fries today.
From 11am, two branches of the global fast food chain will start welcoming customers in Redditch.
The eateries are among 168 re-openings from the fast food chain today, with four re-opening in Warwickshire too.
But McDonald's capped the West Midlands re-openings at just six, with none in Staffordshire, Birmingham, or Coventry.
Thankfully for fans of fries and Big Macs in Worcestershire, two Redditch sites are now operating.
But customers will need to follow strict new rules imposed by the fast food restaurant chain, including capped spending limits of £25.
Limited menus are also on offer, with social distancing measures in place too, as customers are urged to pay via contactless payment methods.
(Image: McDonald's)
McDonald's won't be selling breakfast items, or some popular wraps and vegetarian options, as it looks to streamline its experience.
This is to make things easier for staff who have returned to work today, as well as customers flocking to get their fill.
Maccies shuttered each and every UK restaurant back in March in the wake of the coronavirus crisis but has now re-opened over 180 sites nationwide.
The re-openings come after a successful trial, with a limited number of stores - situated in the south of the country, near the chain's distribution centres - given the green light to serve customers earlier this month.
The two restaurants back open in Worcs are the Oakenshaw Clews Road/Coldfield Drive eatery, at B98 7ST, and the Moons Moat Black Soils Road eatery, also in Redditch.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Live updates as McDonald's re-opens Midland drive-thrus

Drivers queued up as as the nearest two McDonald 's drive-thrus to Birmingham welcomed back diners weeks on from the @ @ @ @ @ branches in Redditch , in Oakenshaw South and Moon 's Moat , re-opened today ( @ @ @ @ @ for collections .
The fast-food chains , which are on a list of 168 openings @ @ @ @ @ customers from 11am .
And lengthy queues of customers desperate to get their hands on @ @ @ @ @ KFC drive-thru openings previously sparked chaos across the UK .
Though none of the branches @ @ @ @ @ re-open just yet , more are set to follow in further announcements from the fast-food @ @ @ @ @ and Stratford-upon-Avon also welcomed drive-thru diners back today .
We will be continuing to update @ @ @ @ @ new information .

Police officers were sent to a McDonald's branch as traffic clogged the streets as drive-thrus reopened.
Two uniformed officers were pictured near a restaurant in Redditch as hungry drivers returned following lockdown.
Both drive-thru branches in the town, in Oakenshaw South and Moon's Moat, re-opened today (Tuesday, June 2) for collections.
The fast-food chains, which are on a list of 168 openings this morning, opened to customers from 11am.
And lengthy queues of customers desperate to get their hands on a Maccies quickly grew after KFC drive-thru openings previously sparked chaos across the UK.
Though none of the branches in Birmingham are planning to re-open just yet, more are set to follow in further announcements from the fast-food chain.
Branches in Alcester and Stratford-upon-Avon also welcomed drive-thru diners back today.
This blog has now ended for today.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--McDonald's reopens six restaurants near Birmingham - find your nearest

Six McDonald 's restaurants near Birmingham have re-opened from 11am on Tuesday , June 2 .
But no Maccies restaurants in Birmingham itself have been given the green light to start re-operating just yet .
Six drive-thru restaurants , situated in Warwickshire and Worcestershire , are back open amid a swathe of re-opening from the fast food giant .
McDonald 's confirmed 168 restaurants were back open for drive-thru and delivery services from today , with six in the West Midlands .
Among the restaurants re-opening are two in Redditch , in Worcestershire , and four in Warwickshire .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
924 Drive Thrus are set to reopen between today and 4 June .
75 new restaurants will reopen for McDelivery through either Uber Eats or Just Eat .
Announcing the changes , McDonald 's said : `` This is only possible following the hard work of the teams in our 44 pilot restaurants .
`` Over the last fortnight , our employees , franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that we can now help all parts of the UK and Ireland to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The six sites re-opening near Birmingham :

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Six McDonald's restaurants near Birmingham have re-opened from 11am on Tuesday, June 2.
But no Maccies restaurants in Birmingham itself have been given the green light to start re-operating just yet.
Six drive-thru restaurants, situated in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, are back open amid a swathe of re-opening from the fast food giant.
McDonald's confirmed 168 restaurants were back open for drive-thru and delivery services from today, with six in the West Midlands.
Among the restaurants re-opening are two in Redditch, in Worcestershire, and four in Warwickshire.
But Birmingham was cruelly snubbed from the full list.
924 Drive Thrus are set to reopen between today and 4 June.
(Image: PA)
75 new restaurants will reopen for McDelivery through either Uber Eats or Just Eat.
Announcing the changes, McDonald's said: "This is only possible following the hard work of the teams in our 44 pilot restaurants.
"Over the last fortnight, our employees, franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that we can now help all parts of the UK and Ireland to enjoy the return of the Big Mac."
The six sites re-opening near Birmingham:
RUGBY - LEICESTER ROAD JUNCTION ONE RETAIL PARK RUGBY WARWICKSHIRE CV21 1RW
ALCESTER BIRMINGHAM ROAD ALCESTER WARWICKSHIRE B49 6PQ
DUNCHURCH LONDON ROAD RUGBY WARWICKSHIRE CV23 9LG
STRATFORD UPON AVON WESTERN ROAD STRATFORD-UPON-AVON WARWICKSHIRE CV37 0AH
REDDITCH - OAKENSHAW CLEWS ROAD/COLDFIELD DRIVE REDDITCH WORCESTERSHIRE B98 7ST
REDDITCH - MOONS MOAT BLACK SOILS ROAD REDDITCH


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Jude Bellingham is counting down the days to Blues' return

Jude Bellingham is as excited by the prospect football ’ s return as all Birmingham City supporters .
The teenager , who is enjoying his breakthrough season under Pep Clotet , is back training with the rest of the Blues squad at Wast Hills ahead of the proposed resumption of the Championship campaign next month .
Blues are set to make the short trip to rivals West Bromwich Albion when games get back underway , and Bellingham will be looking to pick up from where he left off prior to the campaign ’ s suspension in March .
Bluenose Bellingham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ midfield engine room have attracted inevitable interest from the likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund ahead of the summer transfer window , is fully focused on the task in hand , however .
Indeed , for the youngster the countdown is very much on .
Accompanied with a selection of photos of himself back in training , Bellingham tweeted : “ Great start to week 2 .
Only 19 days to go # KRO # JB22 ” Bellingham has grabbed his opportunity with both hands this term , and he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from various clubs both around the UK and abroad .
His potential is there for all to see ; Bellingham will only turn 17 later this month and he already has 35 senior appearances to his name .
Boss Clotet said recently of the interest : “ Why I ’ m very happy now is that Jude is here with us and that all the players are here with us as well .
“ We focus on that really , but I understand that there will be more speculation when the games come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16th , eight points above the relegation zone and nine points off the play-offs , but they have - on paper , at least - a favourable run-in .
You can read a comment on the future of Bellingham by our writer Shane Ireland by clicking here .

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Jude Bellingham is as excited by the prospect football’s return as all Birmingham City supporters.
The teenager, who is enjoying his breakthrough season under Pep Clotet, is back training with the rest of the Blues squad at Wast Hills ahead of the proposed resumption of the Championship campaign next month.
Blues are set to make the short trip to rivals West Bromwich Albion when games get back underway, and Bellingham will be looking to pick up from where he left off prior to the campaign’s suspension in March.
Bluenose Bellingham, whose high class performances in Blues’ midfield engine room have attracted inevitable interest from the likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund ahead of the summer transfer window, is fully focused on the task in hand, however.
Indeed, for the youngster the countdown is very much on.
Accompanied with a selection of photos of himself back in training, Bellingham tweeted: “Great start to week 2. Only 19 days to go #KRO #JB22”
Bellingham has grabbed his opportunity with both hands this term, and he’s been watched many times by scouts from various clubs both around the UK and abroad.
His potential is there for all to see; Bellingham will only turn 17 later this month and he already has 35 senior appearances to his name.
Boss Clotet said recently of the interest: “Why I’m very happy now is that Jude is here with us and that all the players are here with us as well. “We focus on that really, but I understand that there will be more speculation when the games come back.”
Blues are currently down in 16th, eight points above the relegation zone and nine points off the play-offs, but they have - on paper, at least - a favourable run-in.
Their fixture in full reads: Albion (A), Hull City (H) Huddersfield Town (H) Fulham (A), Swansea City (H), Stoke City (A), Charlton Athletic (H), Preston North End (A), Derby County (H)
You can read a comment on the future of Bellingham by our writer Shane Ireland by clicking here.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Live chat service for domestic abuse victims in Tamworth and Lichfield extended

Domestic abuse victims can benefit from an extended online chat service thanks to a cash injection boost .
The £500 , raised by customers at the Lichfield Co-op convenience store giving up their dividends , will enable the Pathway Project , which helps victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse living in the Lichfield and Tamworth area , to buy a licence to continue the service for the next year .
The organisation introduced the facility after calls to its 24-hour helpline dropped due to many victims being unable to ring the number while locked in with their abusers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s head of operations , described the donation as ‘ absolutely brilliant , ’ saying it had come ‘ just at the right time.
’ “ The lockdown has caused domestic abuse victims to be at increased risk due to the perpetrator being at home 24 hours a day with all the trigger factors magnified , ” she said .
“ These include the opportunity to increase coercive control , being in isolation and with no family or friends to witness abuse .
`` Children may be at home with the increased pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and either the victim or the perpetrator may use alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism .
“ Reports and referrals of domestic abuse will have decreased as the opportunity to call and speak to a service is reduced .
`` Pathway found that the first four weeks of lockdown impacted greatly on the helpline .
However , the calls have begun to increase , and we have also launched the live chat facility to help those who can not make a phone call to reach out to us in another way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the trial and , due to its success , have decided to keep it going long term .
`` The £500 will fund the licence for the live chat service for one year , so we are extremely thankful to the Co-op and its customers for this invaluable support .
“ We anticipate that there will be a huge surge of demand when lockdown ends .
`` For now the victims are living in fear and experiencing more control , more abuse and more trauma .
`` We are gearing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder .
We are also looking for funding to provide more support in groups and with face to face meetings for those with mental health issues , living with increased risk , or suffering from lengthy isolation.
” In just under three weeks , the Pathway Project conducted 76 conversations on the live chat which has been extended to five days a week , from Monday to Friday , 9am-5pm .
Calls to the helpline averaged 77 a week in March , 72 in April and 107 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those calls , three were from men .
It is run by 26 full and part-time staff and 18 volunteers and has 21 units of accommodation .
Both of its refuges are running at full capacity .
Nicky Gilbert , manager of the Tamworth Co-op owned store in Marks Walk , off Eastern Avenue , said : “ This chat service has proved to be a lifeline to people suffering from domestic abuse during the pandemic and it ’ s wonderful that it will be extended for a year .
“ We ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserving group to donate their dividends to and this time they nominated the Pathway Project because it provides such critical support locally.
” The grant is from the Tamworth Co-operative Society ’ s Community Dividend Fund .
Each year the Society hands out thousands of pounds to good causes on the doorstep of its branches .
The helpline number is 01543 676 800 .
The live chat service can be accessed at https : //direct.lc.chat/11892150/ There is also a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/pathwayprojectcovid19fund

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Domestic abuse victims can benefit from an extended online chat service thanks to a cash injection boost.
The £500, raised by customers at the Lichfield Co-op convenience store giving up their dividends, will enable the Pathway Project, which helps victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse living in the Lichfield and Tamworth area, to buy a licence to continue the service for the next year.
The organisation introduced the facility after calls to its 24-hour helpline dropped due to many victims being unable to ring the number while locked in with their abusers.
Wendy Dee, Pathway Project’s head of operations, described the donation as ‘absolutely brilliant,’ saying it had come ‘just at the right time.’
“The lockdown has caused domestic abuse victims to be at increased risk due to the perpetrator being at home 24 hours a day with all the trigger factors magnified,” she said.
“These include the opportunity to increase coercive control, being in isolation and with no family or friends to witness abuse.
"Children may be at home with the increased pressure this causes, finances may be reduced and either the victim or the perpetrator may use alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism.
“Reports and referrals of domestic abuse will have decreased as the opportunity to call and speak to a service is reduced.
"Pathway found that the first four weeks of lockdown impacted greatly on the helpline. However, the calls have begun to increase, and we have also launched the live chat facility to help those who cannot make a phone call to reach out to us in another way.
“We have just come to the end of the trial and, due to its success, have decided to keep it going long term.
"The £500 will fund the licence for the live chat service for one year, so we are extremely thankful to the Co-op and its customers for this invaluable support.
“We anticipate that there will be a huge surge of demand when lockdown ends.
"For now the victims are living in fear and experiencing more control, more abuse and more trauma.
"We are gearing up for providing increased counselling for people with mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder. We are also looking for funding to provide more support in groups and with face to face meetings for those with mental health issues, living with increased risk, or suffering from lengthy isolation.”
In just under three weeks, the Pathway Project conducted 76 conversations on the live chat which has been extended to five days a week, from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Calls to the helpline averaged 77 a week in March, 72 in April and 107 so far in May. Out of those calls, three were from men.
It is run by 26 full and part-time staff and 18 volunteers and has 21 units of accommodation. Both of its refuges are running at full capacity.
Nicky Gilbert, manager of the Tamworth Co-op owned store in Marks Walk, off Eastern Avenue, said: “This chat service has proved to be a lifeline to people suffering from domestic abuse during the pandemic and it’s wonderful that it will be extended for a year.
“We ask our shoppers every year to choose a deserving group to donate their dividends to and this time they nominated the Pathway Project because it provides such critical support locally.”
The grant is from the Tamworth Co-operative Society’s Community Dividend Fund. Each year the Society hands out thousands of pounds to good causes on the doorstep of its branches.
The helpline number is 01543 676 800. The live chat service can be accessed at https://direct.lc.chat/11892150/ There is also a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/pathwayprojectcovid19fund


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Euromillions results: Winning National Lottery numbers for Tuesday

It ’ s an exciting night for Euromillions players as Camelot plans to dish out multiple prizes to players across the UK .
The EuroMillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 8pm .
The two special draws are being held to celebrate changes to the EuroMillions game which Camelot says will give players the chance of winning bigger jackpot prizes more often .
A spokesman for Camelot said : “ More prize money will go into the jackpot - plus there will be a prize cap increase to 200M Euros ( up from 190M Euros ) - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more often .
“ The changes , which will also see more special promotional draws in the year , came into effect from 1 February , with the first draw on Tuesday 4 February 2020 .
“ EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker guarantees to create a millionaire in every draw , but in the EuroMillions draw on Tuesday , February 4 , an additional 19 lucky winners will be able to look forward to becoming an overnight millionaire .
For every EuroMillions line played , UK players automatically receive a EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the EuroMillions draw are 49 , 22 , 12 , 26 , 10 .
UK Millionaire Raffle Selection - one UK millionaire has been created : VHSW76206

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It’s an exciting night for Euromillions players as Camelot plans to dish out multiple prizes to players across the UK.
The EuroMillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday at approximately 8pm.
The two special draws are being held to celebrate changes to the EuroMillions game which Camelot says will give players the chance of winning bigger jackpot prizes more often.
A spokesman for Camelot said: “More prize money will go into the jackpot - plus there will be a prize cap increase to 200M Euros (up from 190M Euros) - meaning an increased chance of bigger jackpots more often.
“The changes, which will also see more special promotional draws in the year, came into effect from 1 February, with the first draw on Tuesday 4 February 2020.
“EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker guarantees to create a millionaire in every draw, but in the EuroMillions draw on Tuesday, February 4, an additional 19 lucky winners will be able to look forward to becoming an overnight millionaire. For every EuroMillions line played, UK players automatically receive a EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code printed on their ticket.”
Winning numbers in the EuroMillions draw are 49, 22, 12, 26, 10.
The Lucky Star numbers are 11, 07.
Tonight's estimated jackpot is £15 million.
UK Millionaire Raffle Selection - one UK millionaire has been created: VHSW76206
The National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are 10, 11, 14, 19, 29.
The Thunderball is 01.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Aston Villa set for fixture reveal within 24 hours - report

Aston Villa will discover their fixture list fate 'within 24 hours .
The remaining Premier League fixtures that will lay out Villa 's roadmap after they complete their game in hand is due to be released imminently according to reports .
Villa will kick off Project Restart by playing out their game in hand , as they face Sheffield United on June 17 .
The Villans ' Carabao Cup final appearance put them a game behind other Premier League teams , including their relegation rivals .
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Google Play Store and App Store Victory in the key fixture would see Dean Smith 's side climb out of the relegation zone .
Carabao Cup final opponents Manchester City will face Arsenal in the other game on the curtain-raising date .
Dates for the other games to be played have not been revealed yet , with fixture dates still to be confirmed .
Clarification could be right around the corner though , as Miguel Delaney of The Independent says the full Premier League TV schedule is likely to be disclosed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s added that the delay is due to the negotiations between broadcasters on sharing the coverage , with the match on Friday , May 19 , expected to be Tottenham vs Manchester United , causing issues as they decide who gets to show the match .
All 92 matches remaining in the Premier League will be shown on live TV , with Sky Sports showing 64 games , with 25 free-to-air on their channels - starting with the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool .
Meanwhile , BT Sport have 20 allocated matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Premier League .
Amazon Prime , who made their debut with two full rounds of action in December , will have another four games as well as the BBC , with the latter showing coverage of the Premier League for the first time since the league ’ s inception in 1992 .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Josh Challies, James Rushton)

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Aston Villa will discover their fixture list fate 'within 24 hours.
The remaining Premier League fixtures that will lay out Villa's roadmap after they complete their game in hand is due to be released imminently according to reports.
Villa will kick off Project Restart by playing out their game in hand, as they face Sheffield United on June 17.
The Villans' Carabao Cup final appearance put them a game behind other Premier League teams, including their relegation rivals.
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Victory in the key fixture would see Dean Smith's side climb out of the relegation zone.
Carabao Cup final opponents Manchester City will face Arsenal in the other game on the curtain-raising date.
Dates for the other games to be played have not been revealed yet, with fixture dates still to be confirmed.
Clarification could be right around the corner though, as Miguel Delaney of The Independent says the full Premier League TV schedule is likely to be disclosed by Wednesday at the latest.
It’s added that the delay is due to the negotiations between broadcasters on sharing the coverage, with the match on Friday, May 19, expected to be Tottenham vs Manchester United, causing issues as they decide who gets to show the match.
All 92 matches remaining in the Premier League will be shown on live TV, with Sky Sports showing 64 games, with 25 free-to-air on their channels - starting with the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, BT Sport have 20 allocated matches to show due to their contract with the Premier League.
Amazon Prime, who made their debut with two full rounds of action in December, will have another four games as well as the BBC, with the latter showing coverage of the Premier League for the first time since the league’s inception in 1992.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--'I'll guide you' - The message that sealed key Aston Villa transfer

Former Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham has revealed the part John Terry played in bringing the Chelsea forward over to Villa Park last season .
Abraham scored twenty-five goals under both Steve Bruce and current head coach Dean Smith to fire help Villa to promotion last season - but his spell at the club was n't always destined to finish in glory .
The hotshot was scouted by Wolves as January transfer target , and could 've left the club without an intervention by Jack Grealish early last year .
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It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from across the region .
Google Play Store and App Store However , it was another intervention that brought Abraham to Villa Park in the first place .
Speaking to ex-Villan Micah Richards on ‘ Micah Phones ’ , Abraham praised the influence of Chelsea legend Terry - and current Blues boss Frank Lampard .
`` Oh , what a guy .
Similar to Frank Lampard , John Terry used to be always at youth team games , the U21s games , any competitions , he was there , '' said Abraham .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was always nice to have that support , you know , the Chelsea captain supporting us . ''
And support he did - offering a hand to Abraham as he considered a key proposal .
Terry , who actually rejoined Villa after Abraham 's arrival , urged the striker to consider Villa when choosing from a list of potential loan moves .
“ I remember before I came to Aston Villa , he spoke to me saying , ‘ Come to Villa , we ’ ll help you , I ’ ll guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they say , is history - but the relationship goes both ways , with the Villa assistant happy to speak about Abraham 's development .
`` You knew he was going to come over and put himself about – run the channels , score goals , be hungry , be passionate , '' said Terry to Villa club media about his time training Tammy at Chelsea .
`` Tammy always posed a big threat and I knew he ’ d go on and do well . ''
Abraham has continued excelling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the top tier .

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Former Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham has revealed the part John Terry played in bringing the Chelsea forward over to Villa Park last season.
Abraham scored twenty-five goals under both Steve Bruce and current head coach Dean Smith to fire help Villa to promotion last season - but his spell at the club wasn't always destined to finish in glory.
The hotshot was scouted by Wolves as January transfer target, and could've left the club without an intervention by Jack Grealish early last year.
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However, it was another intervention that brought Abraham to Villa Park in the first place.
Speaking to ex-Villan Micah Richards on ‘Micah Phones’, Abraham praised the influence of Chelsea legend Terry - and current Blues boss Frank Lampard.
"Oh, what a guy. Similar to Frank Lampard, John Terry used to be always at youth team games, the U21s games, any competitions, he was there," said Abraham.
"From that young age, it was always nice to have that support, you know, the Chelsea captain supporting us."
And support he did - offering a hand to Abraham as he considered a key proposal.
Terry, who actually rejoined Villa after Abraham's arrival, urged the striker to consider Villa when choosing from a list of potential loan moves.
“I remember before I came to Aston Villa, he spoke to me saying, ‘Come to Villa, we’ll help you, I’ll guide you.'"
The rest, as they say, is history - but the relationship goes both ways, with the Villa assistant happy to speak about Abraham's development.
"You knew he was going to come over and put himself about – run the channels, score goals, be hungry, be passionate," said Terry to Villa club media about his time training Tammy at Chelsea.
"Tammy always posed a big threat and I knew he’d go on and do well."
Abraham has continued excelling, scoring thirteen goals for Chelsea this season in the top tier.


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Coronavirus death rate blamed on early arrival of Covid-19 from Spain and Italy

The UK has a high death rate for Covid-19 because the outbreak started much earlier than thought after being brought in from Spain and Italy , it 's been claimed .
Professor Neil Ferguson says it is clear hundreds if not thousands of people entered the UK in late February and early March , before the Government took tough action to stop the spread of the virus .
Prof Ferguson - who dramatically quit as a Government adviser last month after it was revealed he allowed a woman to visit his home during lockdown - says data shows the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain and , in some cases , Italy .
Prof Ferguson , of Imperial College London , said : `` We had been worrying about import of infections from China ... other Asian countries , maybe the US .
`` But it 's clear that before we were even in a position to measure it , before surveillance systems were set up , there were many hundreds if not thousands of infected individuals came into the country in late February and early March from that area ( Spain and Italy ) .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead than we anticipated .
`` It explains some of the acceleration in policy then , but it also explains to some extent why mortality figures ended up being higher than we had hoped . ''
He said the UK was `` much more heavily affected '' than modellers anticipated , adding : `` That 's one of the reasons we have , if not the largest , one of the largest epidemics in Europe . ''
He continued : `` Going forward , what the models say is that we have limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highly transmissible pathogen .
`` We 've reduced transmission by about 80 % , but to maintain control we need to keep that transmission suppressed by about 65 % or so .
`` So we have a little bit of wiggle room , so it will be a learning experience as to how we allow society to resume while maintaining control of transmission . ''
Prof Ferguson also said he was `` shocked '' at how badly care home populations were protected globally .
Asked about what could be done in future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had done a better job , or did do a better job , of reducing transmission in closed institutions like hospitals and care homes , we would have a little bit more room , wiggle room as it were .
`` The infections in care homes and hospitals spill back into the community , more commonly from the people who work in those institutions .
`` So if you can drive the infection rates low in those institutional settings , you drive the infection lower in the community as a whole . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably remain `` flat '' until September .
He said : `` I suspect that under any scenario , the level of transmission and number of cases will remain relatively flat between now and September , short of very big policy changes or behaviour changes in the community .
`` The real uncertainty is if there are larger policy changes in September , as we move into the time of year when respiratory viruses tend to transmit slightly better , what will happen then ?
And that remains very unclear . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keeling of the University of Warwick , was speaking to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Both scientists were asked by peers what may have been done differently during the course of the epidemic , looking back .
Prof Keeling suggested that modellers had `` dropped the ball '' with regards to how Covid-19 would spread through care homes .
He told the committee ministers were given information leading up to lockdown about what would happen if the epidemic was just allowed to run .
`` In the early stages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very alarmist values that were coming out were really about a worst-case scenario , '' he said .
`` So if we just let the epidemic run , how bad could it be ?
And that 's the sort of information policy-makers needed at that time .
`` If the lockdown had been very strict , if we 'd have thought more about what was happening in care homes and hospitals , as you 've heard , early on maybe that was one of the areas where modellers did drop the ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very easy to say we know care homes and hospitals are these huge collections of very vulnerable individuals , so maybe with hindsight we could have modelled those early on and thought about the impacts there . ''
But he added : `` Considering the amount of information we had at the time , I think the models offer our best estimates of what could happen in the short-term .
`` Long-term predictions are much , much more difficult . ''
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Birmingham has seen thousands of deaths as a result of coronavirus and one hospital trust in the city has recorded higher deaths than anywhere else in the country .
During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , it can be hard to know where to turn for the latest news and information .
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Sign up here or fill in the box at the top of the article , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free and easy way to follow up-to-date developments on the lockdown restrictions , Government guidelines , shop and restaurant reopenings , track and trace initiatives , development of a vaccine and official details of the number of coronavirus deaths .
So you can check through all the day 's headlines in one place every day .
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Find it on Google Play Store and App Store Asked about the approach in Sweden , which rejected a lockdown , Prof Ferguson said he had the `` greatest respect for scientists there '' who `` came to a different policy conclusion but based really on quite similar science '' .
He added : `` They make the argument that countries will find it very hard to really stop second waves ...
I do n't agree with it but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists in any country in the world . ''
Prof Ferguson said Sweden was not , however , now seeing a decline in death rates most European countries are seeing .
`` But nevertheless it is interesting that adopting a policy which is short of a full lockdown ... they 've gone quite a long way to ( achieving ) the same effect . ''
Dr Adam Kucharski , of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , told the committee that `` speed is really of the essence '' with regards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The nature of the evidence we have on transmission is that by the time someone shows symptoms , they have probably been infectious for a day or two already , '' he said .
`` So that means by the time someone has symptoms , reports as a case , their contacts have potentially already been infected , and those people may themselves become infectious three or four further down , so really very soon after .
`` So I think that what that shows is that for these test and trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed is really of the essence . ''

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The UK has a high death rate for Covid-19 because the outbreak started much earlier than thought after being brought in from Spain and Italy, it's been claimed.
Professor Neil Ferguson says it is clear hundreds if not thousands of people entered the UK in late February and early March, before the Government took tough action to stop the spread of the virus.
Prof Ferguson - who dramatically quit as a Government adviser last month after it was revealed he allowed a woman to visit his home during lockdown - says data shows the disease initially arrived in the UK mostly from Spain and, in some cases, Italy.
(Image: PA)
Prof Ferguson, of Imperial College London, said: "We had been worrying about import of infections from China... other Asian countries, maybe the US.
"But it's clear that before we were even in a position to measure it, before surveillance systems were set up, there were many hundreds if not thousands of infected individuals came into the country in late February and early March from that area (Spain and Italy).
"That meant that the epidemic was further ahead than we anticipated.
"It explains some of the acceleration in policy then, but it also explains to some extent why mortality figures ended up being higher than we had hoped."
He said the UK was "much more heavily affected" than modellers anticipated, adding: "That's one of the reasons we have, if not the largest, one of the largest epidemics in Europe."
He continued: "Going forward, what the models say is that we have limited room for manoeuvre, that this is a highly transmissible pathogen.
"We've reduced transmission by about 80%, but to maintain control we need to keep that transmission suppressed by about 65% or so.
"So we have a little bit of wiggle room, so it will be a learning experience as to how we allow society to resume while maintaining control of transmission."
Prof Ferguson also said he was "shocked" at how badly care home populations were protected globally.
Asked about what could be done in future, he said: "If we had done a better job, or did do a better job, of reducing transmission in closed institutions like hospitals and care homes, we would have a little bit more room, wiggle room as it were.
"The infections in care homes and hospitals spill back into the community, more commonly from the people who work in those institutions.
"So if you can drive the infection rates low in those institutional settings, you drive the infection lower in the community as a whole."
Prof Ferguson believes the number of cases will probably remain "flat" until September.
He said: "I suspect that under any scenario, the level of transmission and number of cases will remain relatively flat between now and September, short of very big policy changes or behaviour changes in the community.
"The real uncertainty is if there are larger policy changes in September, as we move into the time of year when respiratory viruses tend to transmit slightly better, what will happen then? And that remains very unclear."
Prof Ferguson, along with Professor Matt Keeling of the University of Warwick, was speaking to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee
Both scientists were asked by peers what may have been done differently during the course of the epidemic, looking back.
Prof Keeling suggested that modellers had "dropped the ball" with regards to how Covid-19 would spread through care homes.
He told the committee ministers were given information leading up to lockdown about what would happen if the epidemic was just allowed to run.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"In the early stages, in the absence of a lockdown, the very alarmist values that were coming out were really about a worst-case scenario," he said.
"So if we just let the epidemic run, how bad could it be? And that's the sort of information policy-makers needed at that time.
"If the lockdown had been very strict, if we'd have thought more about what was happening in care homes and hospitals, as you've heard, early on maybe that was one of the areas where modellers did drop the ball.
"With hindsight, it's very easy to say we know care homes and hospitals are these huge collections of very vulnerable individuals, so maybe with hindsight we could have modelled those early on and thought about the impacts there."
But he added: "Considering the amount of information we had at the time, I think the models offer our best estimates of what could happen in the short-term.
"Long-term predictions are much, much more difficult."
Asked about the approach in Sweden, which rejected a lockdown, Prof Ferguson said he had the "greatest respect for scientists there" who "came to a different policy conclusion but based really on quite similar science".
He added: "They make the argument that countries will find it very hard to really stop second waves... I don't agree with it but scientifically they are not that far from scientists in any country in the world."
Prof Ferguson said Sweden was not, however, now seeing a decline in death rates most European countries are seeing.
"But nevertheless it is interesting that adopting a policy which is short of a full lockdown... they've gone quite a long way to (achieving) the same effect."
Dr Adam Kucharski, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the committee that "speed is really of the essence" with regards to the test and trace strategy.
"The nature of the evidence we have on transmission is that by the time someone shows symptoms, they have probably been infectious for a day or two already," he said.
"So that means by the time someone has symptoms, reports as a case, their contacts have potentially already been infected, and those people may themselves become infectious three or four further down, so really very soon after.
"So I think that what that shows is that for these test and trace, these targeted measures to work, speed is really of the essence."


birminghammail--2020-06-02--Boy robbed at 'knife point' for his bike at playing fields

A teenage boy has been threatened with a 'knife ' after two thugs robbed his bike , which he had spent months kitting out .
The 14-year-old was at King George V playing fields in West Bromwich , on May 24 , when he was stopped by two youths .
The victim claims one thug grabbed the back tyre and the other allegedly held a 'sharp object ' to his back , demanding the bike .
Immediately the terrified teen handed over the bike as he felt the 'weapon ' pressed against his back .
Using his birthday money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February and had spent months doing it up .
Recalling her son 's terrifying ordeal , the boy 's mum - who does n't want to be named - told Black Country Live : `` My son went on his bike around 4.30pm to meet his friend .
`` As he rode down towards the field he noticed two youths looking suspicious so he turned and rode in another direction . ''
The 14-year-old decided to take another route , but he soon came face-to-face with the two lads he was trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He came on to the King George 's playing field from the bottom end , however the youths were hiding in the bushes by the steps .
`` One of the youths held onto my son 's back tyre whilst the other held a sharp instrument to his back .
`` My son said he could n't see the weapon but it was black and silver , either a knife , screwdriver or scissors .
`` The youth holding the tyre said can we have your bike mate ?
He felt the weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The lad with the weapon stayed by my son until the other youth had made his escape on the bike and the lad with the weapon then ran back down the stairs .
`` My son then rang me and I called the police . ''
Since the attack , the mum claims the bike has been spotted numerous times , but still has n't been recovered .
However the incident has knocked the teen 's confidence .
The mum continued : `` He is okay but has lost some confidence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can see it .
He was always at the park with a football , with his bike or taking his sister over there with the dogs .
`` Since the robbery he has n't been over the park without an adult .
`` He is n't even sure he wants another bike .
He bought the bike with his birthday money in February and had just finished having it done up to his taste .
Three days later the bike was taken .
`` I 'm very angry , not so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel sorry for my son having had to go through this and now having no bike .
`` I feel sad and angry that his confidence has been taken away . ''
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said : `` We were called after a 14-year-old boy was robbed of his bike at Sandwell Valley , Salters Lane , on May 24 .
`` He was confronted by two others , also believed to be teenagers , and one of them pushed an unknown sharp object in the victim 's back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike was taken and the boys fled . ''
Anyone with information can contact the police via Live Chat or calling 101 , quoting 20SW/120725R/20 .

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A teenage boy has been threatened with a 'knife' after two thugs robbed his bike, which he had spent months kitting out.
The 14-year-old was at King George V playing fields in West Bromwich, on May 24, when he was stopped by two youths.
The victim claims one thug grabbed the back tyre and the other allegedly held a 'sharp object' to his back, demanding the bike.
Immediately the terrified teen handed over the bike as he felt the 'weapon' pressed against his back.
Using his birthday money, the victim had bought the bike in February and had spent months doing it up.
Recalling her son's terrifying ordeal, the boy's mum - who doesn't want to be named - told Black Country Live: "My son went on his bike around 4.30pm to meet his friend.
"As he rode down towards the field he noticed two youths looking suspicious so he turned and rode in another direction."
The 14-year-old decided to take another route, but he soon came face-to-face with the two lads he was trying to avoid.
His mum continued: "He came on to the King George's playing field from the bottom end, however the youths were hiding in the bushes by the steps.
(Image: Hand out)
"One of the youths held onto my son's back tyre whilst the other held a sharp instrument to his back.
"My son said he couldn't see the weapon but it was black and silver, either a knife, screwdriver or scissors.
"The youth holding the tyre said can we have your bike mate? He felt the weapon and said 'here have it'.
"The lad with the weapon stayed by my son until the other youth had made his escape on the bike and the lad with the weapon then ran back down the stairs.
"My son then rang me and I called the police."
Since the attack, the mum claims the bike has been spotted numerous times, but still hasn't been recovered. However the incident has knocked the teen's confidence.
The mum continued: "He is okay but has lost some confidence. He won't admit it though but you can see it. He was always at the park with a football, with his bike or taking his sister over there with the dogs.
"Since the robbery he hasn't been over the park without an adult.
"He isn't even sure he wants another bike. He bought the bike with his birthday money in February and had just finished having it done up to his taste. Three days later the bike was taken.
"I'm very angry, not so much about the bike but the weapon. I feel sorry for my son having had to go through this and now having no bike.
"I feel sad and angry that his confidence has been taken away."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called after a 14-year-old boy was robbed of his bike at Sandwell Valley, Salters Lane, on May 24.
"He was confronted by two others, also believed to be teenagers, and one of them pushed an unknown sharp object in the victim's back.
"He was unhurt as the bike was taken and the boys fled."
Anyone with information can contact the police via Live Chat or calling 101, quoting 20SW/120725R/20.