Junior doctors in Birmingham are set to go on strike for five days from Friday as they seek a 35% increase in pay. The Government has offered a 13.5% increase. The strike will affect non-emergency services at Birmingham University Hospitals Trust.

A court heard that a cheating husband killed his girlfriend and their unborn child to solve the "complication" of having a pregnant mistress. Filmon Andmichaen is accused killing Liwam Bereket last August. He denies murder and destruction of a child.

The HS2 could boost the West Midlands economy by £10 billion over the next 10 years, according to new research. Since Royal Assent was granted, the number of planning applications seen in a 1.5 mile radius around the three major HS2 hubs has increased by two-thirds.