Weather: Sunny with light rainpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
A sunny and mostly clear evening with some light rain possible. Cloudy overnight. Highs of 21C.
Summary
Latest updates on Friday 25 May
Weather: Sunny with light rainpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Judge says children in petrol bomb murders died "a terrible death"published at 17:59 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
The judge in the petrol bomb murder trial has said "the four children died a terrible death".
Image source, POLICE HANDOUTZak Bolland, 23, was given life with a minimum of 40 years, with David Worrall, 26, sentenced to life with a minimum of 37 years following the death of the children as a result of the blaze in their Walkden home.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice William Davis said it wasn't necessary to describe the course of the fire, instead saying it was "swift and it was deadly".
Demi Pearson, 15, her brother Brandon, aged eight, and sister Lacie, aged seven, died in the fire in December last year. Three-year-old Lia died in hospital two days later.
Eight reindeer born at Blackpool Zoopublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
The sun may be shining but it feels a bit like Christmas over at Blackpool Zoo - where eight reindeer have been born.
Image source, Blackpool ZooSay hello to Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
Reindeer calves are typically born in May and June - and in native countries, such as Finland, they arrive when the snow has started to melt and the weather is getting warmer.
Image source, Blackpool ZooAssistant head keeper Johnpaul Houston said:
Quote MessageWe have everyone apart from Rudolf….so we do wonder if Santa will be getting in touch later in the year!
Quote MessageThey are all absolutely gorgeous and are already running round enjoying this glorious weather.”
Johnpaul Houston, Assistant Head Keeper, Blackpool Zoo
Reindeer calves are well developed when they are born with lots of fur for insulation.
Their birth weight doubles during the first month and antlers start to grow in the first weeks.
Robber in drag jailed over sex shop raidpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
A robber who held up a sex shop at gunpoint while wearing make-up, a wig, and a bright red dress has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.
Image source, PAImage caption, Graham Perryman made off with cash from the till
Graham Perryman, 50, threatened staff with a handgun at Nice 'n' Naughty in Liverpool before escaping with cash.
He was arrested after police issued CCTV footage of the robbery, which happened in August 2016.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Perryman, of Jacob Street, Toxteth admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Liverpool-Roma semi-final: Italian man admits violence chargepublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
An Italian man has pleaded guilty over the violent incident before Liverpool's Champions League game against Roma in which a Liverpool fan was left seriously injured.
Daniele Sciusco, 29, admitted violent disorder which happened ahead of the first leg semi-final at Anfield.
Filippo Lombardi, 21, has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and another of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
He was remanded in custody for trial at Preston Crown Court in October.
Liverpool fan Sean Cox, 53, from Dunboyne, County Meath, Republic of Ireland, remains in a critical condition after being attacked on 24 April outside The Albert pub on Breck Road, Walton.
Image source, Family handoutUPDATED: Men handed life sentences for children's petrol bomb murderspublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Two men have been given life sentences for the murder of four children in a petrol bomb attack at their house in Walkden last year.
Image source, GMPZak Bolland, 23, was given life with a minimum of 40 years, with David Worrall, 26, sentenced to life with a minimum of 37 years.
Demi Pearson, 15, her brother, Brandon, aged eight and sister, Lacie, aged seven, died in the blaze. Three-year-old Lia, died in hospital two days later.
Courtney Brierley, 20, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter following the blaze and sentenced to 21 years in a young offenders institution.
Woman jailed for manslaughter over petrol bomb murderspublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
BreakingCourtney Brierley, 20, has been sentenced to 21 years in a young offenders institution after being found guilty of manslaughter following the blaze.
Second man jailed for minimum of 37 years over petrol bomb murderspublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
BreakingDavid Worrall, 26, has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 37 years after being found guilty of murder.
Man jailed for minimum of 40 years over petrol bomb murderspublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
BreakingZak Bolland, 23, has been given four life sentences at Manchester Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of 40 years for the murders of four children in a petrol bomb attack on a house in Walkden, Greater Manchester.
Manchester MP says online hate abuse is 'moving offline'published at 16:17 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Online abuse has become "so normalised" that it has now moved offline and is "happening on the street", Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell has said.
The Labour MP said some social media sites are being used as "platforms for hate", and that being abused in the street was not uncommon.
She called for the law to be changed, saying social media platforms and group administrators must be held to account.
Digital Secretary Matt Hancock said new laws should tackle the "Wild West culture" which exists online.
Champions League final flights cancelledpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
BreakingThree flights to Kiev ahead of the Championship League final have been cancelled - plunging plans made by hundreds of Liverpool fans into uncertainty.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn a statement, Worldchoice Sport, externalsaid: "Due to so many flights going into Kiev, Kiev Borispyl [airport] has been unable to allocate times for aircraft."
The Kiev conundrum: Liverpool fans' innovative plans for Champion's League finalpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
BBC SportA Champions League final against Real Madrid is a pretty big deal and some diehard Liverpool fans are willing to do just about anything to get there.
Image source, Tracey MooreImage caption, Tracy Moore and her 11-year-old son Freddie Elsom are embarking on another "mum-son adventure" following their trip to Basel in 2016
From couch-surfing with the locals, to risking your own honeymoon, and detours through Scandinavia - the road to Kiev is proving to be more complex than most anticipated.
Image source, GoogleImage caption, Rameez Tahir is travelling across four countries in four days in order to see Jurgen Klopp's side
BBC Sport spoke to some Reds fans who are going to extremes to see their team play in Ukraine on Saturday.
Liam Gallagher meets his daughter, Molly Moorish, for first timepublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Mark Savage
Music reporter, BBC NewsOasis star Liam Gallagher has met his 21-year-old daughter, Molly Moorish, for the first time.
Image source, Liam Gallagher/InstagramThe 45-year-old revealed the news by posting a photo, external of him standing alongside Molly, who was raised by her mother, the singer Lisa Moorish.
They were joined by Lennon and Gene, Gallagher's sons from his marriages to Patsy Kensit and Nicole Appleton.
Last year the star admitted he had "never got around" to meeting Molly, saying he "didn't get on" with her mum.
North West weather: Dry and finepublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
A fine and dry afternoon ahead with some warm spells of sunshine. Highs of 21C.
Media caption, A fine and dry afternoon ahead with some warm spells of sunshine. Highs of 21C.
Bolton allow seven players to leavepublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Bolton confirm they will not be offering new deals to seven players once their contracts expire at the end of June.
Read MoreGiant moon artwork on display at Liverpool Cathedralpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
A giant 23ft (7m) replica of the moon is on display at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
Image source, Liverpool CathedralCreated by British artist Luke Jerram, the “Museum of the Moon” uses detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface and includes a sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.
The art work forms part of the “Changing Tides” creative programme curated for the Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta and Bordeaux Wine Festival.
The Very Rev Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, said:
Quote MessageWe feel blessed to be able to host this amazing installation at Liverpool Cathedral.
Quote MessageThis artwork enables to us to continue in our mission to be a place of welcome and hospitality for both the spiritual and the secular."
The display runs at Liverpool Cathedral until 31 May, external.
Salford fire: What happened?published at 13:35 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Image source, POLICE HANDOUT- The house in Walkden was torched with petrol bombs in December 2017
- One landed near the stairs, blocking the only exit to the ground floor and trapping the victims upstairs
- Three children - Demi Pearson, 15, her brother, Brandon, aged eight and sister, Lacie, aged seven, died in the blaze
- Lia, aged three, died in hospital two days later
- Their mother, Michelle Pearson, 36, was rescued but remains "very poorly"
- Two men Zak Bolland, 23, and David Worrall, 26, have been found guilty of murdering the children
- The jury heard Bolland launched the fatal attack after being involved in a petty feud with the victims' 17-year-old brother Kyle Pearson
- Along with Worrall they removed a fence panel from the garden, smashed a kitchen window and threw in two lit petrol bombs.
- Courtney Brierley, 20, has been convicted of manslaughter
Salford fire trial: Two men guilty of murderpublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Image source, GMPBolland (pictured left), of Walkden, was also found guilty of the attempted murder of the children's mother Michelle Pearson, their older brother Kyle Pearson, and his friend Bobby Harris.
Worrall (right), of no fixed address, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
The jury at Manchester Crown Court heard Bolland and Worrall threw two petrol bombs through the kitchen window of the family's home during a feud with Kyle Pearson.
Salford fire trial: Two men guilty of murderpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
Two men have been found guilty of murdering four children by torching their home with petrol bombs.
Image source, POLICE HANDOUTZak Bolland, 23, and David Worrall, 26, were found guilty of murdering Demi, Brandon, Lacie and Lia Pearson in Walkden, Salford.
Courtney Brierley, 20, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter over the deaths of the children following the blaze on December 11 last year.
They will be sentenced later today.
Woman critical after St Helens 'car park fall'published at 12:35 British Summer Time 24 May 2018
A woman is in a critical condition in hospital after being found near a multi-storey car park in St Helens.
Image source, GooglePolice were called just after 09:10 this morning and believe she fell from the car park on Exchange Street.
Part of St Helens town centre is cordoned off and people are being asked to avoid the area.