Birmingham Updates

Almost £1bn of investment is being committed to redevelop a part of Birmingham that is set to be transformed by the arrival of HS2 in the city.  , external

Image source, HS2

Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport

In League One Walsall earnt a 1-1 draw away to Bristol Rovers - though boss Jon Whitney thought some big decisions went against his team.

Image source, Rex Features

You can have your say on all of last nights action on the football phone on BBC WM tonight from 17:30, which is followed by full match build-up and commentary of Villa v Brentford.  

The daughter of a Birmingham businessman who was shot dead during a robbery has said she can't bear the thought of his killer getting away with it.

BBC Midlands Today
Hilary McConnell, Producer

We hear from the family of Akhtar Javeed who was killed during a robbery in Birmingham.  

Suraj Mistry, 26, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court ofmanslaughter and possession of a firearm. 

Mistry, of Laundon Way, Leicester, was also convicted of plotting to commit robbery along with Lemar Wali, 19. Both men were found not guilty of murder.

Congestion - how bad is your commute, and has it got worse? We’re investigating why the West Midlands is getting worse for those travelling to work, especially by car.

And we’re catching with wheelchair tennis player Jordanne Whiley who won bronze in the doubles at Rio.  

The family of a shopkeeper who was tied up and shot during a raid on his business are calling for his killer to be found.

Father-of-four Akhtar Javeed, 56, died defending his business in Digbeth, Birmingham, from an armed robbery earlier this year.

Suraj Mistry, 26, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of manslaughter and possession of a firearm. Mistry, of Laundon Way, Leicester, was also convicted of plotting to commit robbery along with Lemar Wali, 19. Both men were found not guilty of murder.

Tahir Zarif, 25, is believed to have fled to Pakistan after shooting Akhtar Javeed in the legs, throat and mouth last February.

The men are due to be sentenced on 27 September.

BBC Weather Watchers

What's the weather like where you are?

Peter Bear Lowe snapped this photo in Birmingham this morning.

Register to become a BBC Weather Watcher online.

Nicola Beckford
BBC Midlands Today

The government is investing £12m in ground-breaking health research in Birmingham. 

The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has been awarded the money alongside the University of Birmingham. 

It will be used to research medical breakthroughs in a number of areas including diabetes and bowel disease.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

The number of people without jobs and looking for work increased in the West Midlands by 17,000 to 176,000 between May and July, external, official figures show.

It's the biggest rise, compared with the previous quarter, for any region in the UK. 

Image source, EPA

Across the country, unemployment fell by 39,000 to 1.63 million for the same period. 

The ONS said the figures, which only cover one month since the result of the EU referendum, show "continuing improvement" in the jobs market. 

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

The number of people out of work across the West Midlands increased by 17,000 between May and July. 

The latest official figures show that unemployment in the region increased to 176,000. 

Nationally, the number of people without jobs and looking for work fell by 39,000 to 1.63 million between May and July, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show, external.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

After some heavy thundery showers yesterday it will certainly be much calmer today. 

We'll see plenty of blue sky and sunshine but there's the chance of the odd spot of rain but nothing like yesterday.

BBC WM Sport

Blues boss Gary Rowett wasn't overly happy with what he called a "below par performance" in the goalless draw at Reading.

Stourbridge News

Frustration were this week mounting and costs spiralling after a borough-wide bid to stop travellers setting up illegal camps across Dudley was rejected.  , external

BBC WM

Almost £1bn will be invested to help Birmingham prepare for the arrival of HS2, it was announced today.

The vast sum will be spent building the new Curzon Street Station, new surrounding neighbourhoods, offices and retail spaces, as well as extending the Midland Metro and building a new connection to Birmingham Airport. 

The joint investment from Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP (GBSLEP) and Birmingham City Council will create 4,000 new homes and 36,000 new jobs over the next 30 years.

Image source, Marketing Birmingham

Steve Hollis, deputy chair of GBSLEP, said: “The Curzon Investment Plan is the first major commitment by a local area to maximise the impact of HS2. 

"It outlines how we will use HS2 as a trigger to transform an area of untapped potential in Birmingham’s city core and create thousands of new jobs, homes and places for businesses to thrive."

BBC Sport

Wolves head coach Walter Zenga accused his players of giving up after their 0-4 home thrashing by Barnsley last night.

All four goals came in the final 17 minutes.

Image source, PA

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

The top stories in the newsroom this morning include:

- MPs say the schedule for the HS2 rail link is "overly ambitious".

- The government's investing £12m in ground-breaking health research in Birmingham

- A tearful Ellie Simmonds fought back tears after losing her 400 metres S6 Freestyle swimming title after finishing third

Radio 4's The Archers has a new editor

After her world record heroics on Monday, Ellie Simmonds relinquished the S6 400m freestyle title she first won in Beijing aged 13, taking bronze in Rio.

The 21-year-old said: "It was just one of those days, I think, after last night maybe, doing a world record and having a late night, but normally I can do that - I just don't know what happened."

The swimmer from Aldridge was tearful after her swim when she spoke to BBC 5Live.

BBC Weather

A very warm and humid day with widespread sunshine and light winds. 

It should be dry for most, but the odd isolated shower in the afternoon remains a possibility - highs of 28C (82F).

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

I'm back in the newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

If you'd like to get in touch with the BBC Local Live team today you can do so on email, by tweeting @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.

The HS2 rail link needs a "realistic timetable", say MPs who believe the current schedule is "overly ambitious".