From The North

AI. We’ve all heard of it, and we probably all use it in some way, shape or form - even if you don’t even know it. But what happens when the programmes become more than just the odd helpful hand? What happens when we begin to turn to it for advice, seeking solace, or simply a companion? A study by national youth charity OnSide found that 39% of those aged between 11 and 18 turn to AI for just that - for support, advice, and company. So what can we do? Gamal Fahnbulleh chats to three young people from Salford Youth Zone about how their life has been impacted by AI.

On 29 July 2024, a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport, murdering three girls and attempting to kill many more. It is a story with a lot of whys - why did a 17 year old schoolboy murder three little girls and try to kill even more? Why did he target that dance workshop? And why does it seem that no one - not his family, not the police, not social services - could see him for the danger he was? Anna Youssef speaks to Dr Samantha Walkden, a senior lecturer in forensic psychology at the University of Greater Manchester and a chartered psychologist.

This is the story of Farouk, an undercover operative who foiled what police said could have been "one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in UK history". Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, had a “visceral dislike” of Jewish people and wanted to kill as many as they could in their Islamic State-inspired gun attack in Greater Manchester. But the duo were brought down after an undercover operative posed as one of them to gain their trust, tracking their every move for six months before armed officers swooped in to arrest them. Elaine Willcox takes up the story with Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, from Counter Terrorism Policing North West.

We follow Pete McCleave as he travels 6,000 miles to his ancestral home of Macau in an attempt to extend his life. The dad-of-two was diagnosed with rare blood cancer myeloma in 2017 and given just seven years to live. His best hope is a stem cell transplant - but his mixed heritage has made it difficult. DKMS, the largest stem cell registry in the UK, says four out of 10 people looking for an unrelated matching donor worldwide are not able to find a match. https://www.dkms.org.uk/ (Visit their website to sign up to the register).

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot took over from the adored Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024 and delivered a season very few predicted, leading the Reds to their 20th league title, matching Manchester United's record, and celebrating in front of fans for the first time in more than three decades. Sports Correspondent Chris Hall joins fans Abigail Rudkin, Ste Hoare and Gareth Roberts as they delve into the story of just how they did it, and explore whether Slot can build on this success in years to come.