Headlines: Council appoints first female leader, teen in court on terrorism charges

🗳️ Sefton Council has confirmed the appointment of Cllr Marion Atkinson as its new council leader. The Labour councillor is the first female council leader in Sefton's history and is now the only female council leader in the Liverpool City Region. The appointment comes after former council leader, Cllr Ian Maher made the surprise announcement he would be stepping down from the position he has had held since 2015.

⚖️ A teenager from Liverpool has appeared in court charged with terrorism offences. 19-year-old Jacob Graham from Norris Green denies two counts of the preparation of terrorist acts and four counts of possession of information for terrorist purposes. The trial at Manchester Crown Court is expected to last up to six weeks.

🏟️ Planning for the city of Liverpool's role in hosting the Euro 2028 football tournament could begin this summer. It was confirmed in October that Everton FC's new home at Bramley-Moore Dock will host matches with the UK and the Republic of Ireland officially being announced as hosts of the European Championships.