Birmingham and Liverpool go head to head next month for the British nomination to host the games

A man, in his 40s, remains in a stable condition in hospital after he was shot by an armed officer.

Repair work on the M5 in Oldbury is stepping up this weekend.

As part of the multi-million pound project, a contraflow is being introduced on the northbound carriageway between J1 for West Bromwich and J2 for Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Only two lanes will be operating in each direction, with a 30mph speed limit.

A man is jailed after throwing a bottle that struck a man on the head leaving him badly hurt.

Birmingham Metropolitan College has announced one of its buildings has failed new fire safety tests being carried out in the light of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Cladding and insulation on the Matthew Boulton College was found to be more combustible than it's meant to be.

Image source, Google

Fire safety officers say the college buildings are still safe to use.

The BBC understands it's one of at least 60 tower buildings that have failed the new tests.

The college said in a statement: "The Fire and Rescue Service has already conducted a precautionary fire safety check of the college.

"They are satisfied that the college has in place appropriate fire safety measures to mitigate the risks from fire and the college has declared the building safe for continued use."

A man who was shot by an armed police officer on Wednesday night is in a stable condition in hospital, the West Midlands force says.

Image source, PA

The victim, said to be in his early 40s, was shot in Hereford Close, Rubery.

A 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of firearms offences has been bailed under strict curfew conditions.

Two other men, aged 17 and 20, and a 53-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of drugs offences have been released under investigation.

A fire was deliberately started at an industrial unit on Wombourne Enterprise Park in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire Police says.

The force is appealing for witnesses.

The blaze at Wombourne Windows is thought to have begun late on Wednesday evening or in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The force said the fire was contained. A joint investigation is under way between its officers and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Image source, Google

A man who was out celebrating his recovery from leukaemia was rushed to hospital for a "lifesaving" blood transfusion when a thug threw a bottle at his head.

Luke Pinder's victim was left with a "deep gash", West Midlands Police said.

The 21 year old from Millfield Close, Hawkinge, Kent, attacked as the man, 25, was leaving the Three Horseshoes pub in Stirchley, Birmingham, at closing time in September 2016.

Image source, West Midlands Police

CCTV footage of Pinder was circulated and he was identified.

He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to eight years in prison.

Walsall Advertiser

Three people were arrested after police officers stormed, external a property in Walsall.

It has been mixed with household waste as piles of rubbish are cleared during a strike.

Bristol City sign Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Fresh talks to settle the dispute between striking refuse collectors and Birmingham City Council are possible, the union Unite says.

Unite said in any renewed negotiations it would be represented by its assistant general secretary and hoped the council leader would be on the local authority's team.

The council said: "Positive discussions are continuing to take place with the unions and we hope to be able to resolve this sooner rather than later."

Bags of uncollected rubbish are building up on Birmingham streets.

The union said its members' daily, two-hour stoppages - upgraded to three hours from today - were about vehicle safety, threats to jobs, and a loss of income. The council maintains planned changes to the operation are necessary to make it more modern and efficient, saying "changes to the service involve no job losses, no cuts to basic salary and 220 permanent new jobs".

To clear the backlog of rubbish building up on Birmingham streets amid a continuing industrial dispute, waste put out for recycling is being mixed with general household material - and incinerated.

The measure - under which used cardboard, plastic and glass won't see new life - is temporary and due to exceptional circumstances, the local authority says.

The Green Party in Birmingham has condemned the move, with chairman Rob Grant saying: "I am appalled that Birmingham City Council [thinks] it's OK to do this.

"It's completely unacceptable for the council to just decide to burn the lot without telling anybody. It's just irresponsible - I'm quite shocked."

Members of the Unite union are from today stepping up strike action from two hours a day to three. They're protesting over the council's planned changes to refuse collection, which the authority says are necessary to make its operation more efficient.

Waste has been piling up on the city's streets since the walkouts began at the end of June.

The men have been held for seven weeks without charge and dispute claims they were racing.

We told you earlier that eight people were rescued from a fire last night at flats in Tipton. Here's some more information:

About 40 residents had to be evacuated from Greenlawns flats, a four-storey block on St Mark's Road.

Steve Eling, leader of Sandwell Council, said: "Three people stayed overnight in the Tipton Sports Academy.

"Fortunately the rest of the residents were able to arrange accommodation with friends and families."

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

A man has been found lying unconscious with a serious head injury in a Birmingham city centre street.

Police were called to Lower Essex Street at 01:30 and suspect the man was assaulted. He's in a critical condition in hospital.

Image source, Google

West Midlands Police said it arrested a 26-year-old man from Erdington on suspicion of wounding, adding he was known to the victim.

A councillor in Sparkbrook says she can smell the "stench" of uncollected rubbish when she is driving in her car - even with the windows up.

While chairing Birmingham City Council's Housing Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Victoria Quinn described it as the "biggest waste disaster the city has seen".

In dispute with the authority over planned changes to working practices, members of the Unite union have been refusing to do overtime and have been carrying out daily two-hour stoppages, and from today, they will rise to three hours.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

The Bears new signing Adam Hose could make his debut in the T20 Blast against the Yorkshire Vikings tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

The 27-year-old batsman's signed a three-year deal to move from Somerset.

He played 31 games for Somerset, having joined them in 2015, making his maiden one-day hundred in May.

You can find live commentary here from 18:55.

MK Dons sign midfielder Aaron Tshibola on a season-long loan from Championship side Aston Villa.

CCTV footage has been released of a "key witness" to whom police want to speak over a machete attack on 25 June.

The West Midlands force says a confrontation began near to Morrisons petrol station on Chester Road, Birmingham, with the actual assault happening on Firs Lane, Haseley, Warwickshire - approximately 30 miles away - at about 20:00.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The force says it believes the man pictured goes by the nickname "Bobby" and witnessed part of the attack.

DConstable Neil Wilson said: "A man has been arrested and charged in connection with this incident.

"However we believe 'Bobby' is a significant witness and are keen to speak to him as soon as possible."