expecting the sentencing to start around two o'clock this afternoon. it will begin with statements from the prosecution and defence. the prosecution will be outlining reasons why it feels that thomas cashman should be given a severe sentence, so any aggravating factors in the case, and the defence will be able to put any mitigating factors they feel should be taken into account. we may also get what are called victim impact statements, so members of olivia's family who turned up today will speak in court and be able to talk about the impact that olivia's death have had on them, and for that to be taken into account thejudge when them, and for that to be taken into account the judge when it comes to the sentencing. thomas cashman was found guilty of murder. that is an automatic life sentence. the question will then be around how long he has to serve in prison before he is eligible for release, the so—called tariff you can be given. for murderfor an adult, that starts at 30 years, but there are potential aggravating factors which

could lead to an even longer sentence. thomas cashman is 3a, so evenif sentence. thomas cashman is 3a, so even if he gets a 30 year minimum, that will mean he is in his mid—60s by the times he gets out of prison. can you remind us of the background of what happened? this can you remind us of the background of what happened?— can you remind us of the background of what happened? this goes back to au:ust last of what happened? this goes back to august last year- _ of what happened? this goes back to august last year. it _ of what happened? this goes back to august last year. it was _ of what happened? this goes back to august last year. it was august - of what happened? this goes back to august last year. it was august 22 i august last year. it was august 22 when thomas cashman was lying in wait to try and kill a fellow drug dealer. that drug dealer had been watching a football match around 10pm in the evening when he started walking down the road where 0livia pratt—korbel lives. thomas cashman came after him with a gun, shot him, and stood over him with a gun. he tried to fire at him to kill him, which gave the other man the chance to escape. 0livia pratt—korbel�*s mum heard the commotion, the man ran

towards the home. cheryl, 0livia's mum was trying to struggle to get the door shut. thomas cashman pulled out his gun and fired again, and the bullet went through the front door of the family home, through cheryl korbel�*s hand, and fatally injured 0livia. that was in august last year. we have just 0livia. that was in august last year. we havejust had 0livia. that was in august last year. we have just had a three and a half week trial, at the end of which thomas cashman is convicted of murdering 0livia, attempting to murdering 0livia, attempting to murder the other man, and two firearms charges.— murder the other man, and two firearms charges. some difficult details to listen _ firearms charges. some difficult details to listen to, _ firearms charges. some difficult details to listen to, but - firearms charges. some difficult details to listen to, but thank i firearms charges. some difficult. details to listen to, but thank you for that. we will have full coverage of that sentencing in the next hour or so. to afg hanistsan now. the taliban has been in power for over 18 months — and although income from poppy production helped fund their insurgency — they're now trying to get a grip of the drug problem in kabul. thousands of addicts have been rounded up from the streets

and forced into rehab. and although the taliban government has imposed a complete ban on poppy production — the un says opium cultivation increased by 32% in 2022. yalda hakim reports from kabul. hundreds of men rounded up by their new taliban rulers. but this is not what it seems. and this is where they have come from. they used to live under this bridge in western kabul. the taliban say they are cracking down. they are among afghanistan's more than 3.5 million drug addicts. now the bridge has been cleared. this particular part of the bridge used to be packed with addicts. they were often huddled together, high and shooting up. it was a frightening sight for those trying to get past. this is where they are bringing them, to a former us military base in the capital. now, a makeshift rudimentary

rehabilitation centre where conditions are squalid. 28—year—old mohammed 0mer was a former flight attendant. one night i was in tajikistan, one night i was in iran, in delhi, dubai, turkey. in the confusion following the taliban takeover, he lost his job. always i am thinking lots, because i lost all of my things, all my life. it was lots of pressure in my head. when the taliban ran the country in the 1990s, they all but stamped out poppy cultivation. but they returned to the drugs trade to fund their 20 year insurgency. the taliban have taken local journalists to poppy fields to show they are determined to eradicate the trade.

translation: as you know, the emir has ordered - a complete ban on conception, cultivation and trade of drugs. and we are implementing the ban. afghanistan will be drugs free soon. but i was in helmand and they were still cultivating there. i can't comment on this because i haven't seen it, but there are orders of complete prohibition. but the un says that since the taliban swept to power in 2021, drug cultivation has increased. these men will be kept at this facility for six weeks. resources are limited. more than 3,000 addicts have been crammed in a space with 1,000 beds. this is a country where drugs had been readily available and cheap. the likelihood that these addicts will relapse when they're out again is high. as the taliban learn how to transition from insurgency to governing a country, it's challenges like this

that they have to grapple. yalda hakim, bbc news, kabul. let's get some of the day's other news from around the world. doctors in the occupied west bank say two palestinians have been killed in a gun battle with israeli forces. the deaths occurred during a military raid on the city of nablus to arrest two palestinians suspected of being involved in a drive—by shooting. they come at a time of simmering unrest in the build—up to muslim and jewish holidays which overlap this year. the new york times newspaper has lost its blue tick on twitter after it said it would not pay to remain verified. twitter has started removing verification badges from accounts which already had a blue tick, after announcing they would be part of a paid subscription from the ist of april. people living in paris have voted overwhelmingly to end on—street rentals of electric scooters, after being one of the first places in the world to introduce them. the referendum was called in response to a rising number of people being injured and killed on the electric vehicles in the french capital.

but operators argue they make up a small proportion of overall traffic accidents in the city. in just over a month from now, millions of viewers around the world will be watching as liverpool hosts the eurovision song contest. today, the arena is officially handed over to the event organisers — the bbc eurovision team — so they can build the stage and the set. ben boulos was given special access to get a first glimpse of how it is taking shape. verities. that is the stage that will be at the centre of the eurovision song costliest. hello from inside the the arena in liverpool on the day the bbc eurovision team take this place over and start building the set for that song competition. let me show you what you have. we have the main stage over there. in the middle,

where the purple and red boxes are, is where the oval stage will be built, the second stage. a bit further along at the back is where the green room will be. this is where the acts will be able to rest and watch the show after their own performances, and right up there with the scaffolding is is where the commentary boxes will be, where the likes of graham norton will be watching and giving their take on the show. this is a huge dealfor liverpool. there will be thousands of people in the arena to see the song contest as it happens, but millions more will be watching around the world. it is a daunting task for those responsible for making it all happen. let speak to them now. we will start with james, who is in charge of the creative side of building the stage and set. where do you begin when you have a blank canvas and a show on the scale of eurovision? we blank canvas and a show on the scale of eurovision?— of eurovision? we have a team bracket bbc — of eurovision? we have a team bracket bbc studios _ of eurovision? we have a team bracket bbc studios of - of eurovision? we have a teamj bracket bbc studios of creators of eurovision? we have a team - bracket bbc studios of creators who have been working on this. first of all, it is a contest, so we are building something that has to work

practically and get 37 delegations on and off, but then their opening act and interval act and fibrous, so we put together a team of production designers, tv designers to look at what we have to do practically, i'm in myjob is to put the team together. myjob is putting a team of experts to deliver this. we have people from bbc studios who have done shows like strictly before, but we also have people who have done the mtv awards, the brits, the baftas, commonwealth opening and closing ceremonies, for example. the biggest part of it is the team, and the team of experts, the process has been amazing so far. that the team of experts, the process has been amazing so far.— been amazing so far. that is the maaic been amazing so far. that is the magic you _ been amazing so far. that is the magic you are — been amazing so far. that is the magic you are trying _ been amazing so far. that is the magic you are trying to - been amazing so far. that is the magic you are trying to create. i been amazing so far. that is the - magic you are trying to create. gary is responsible for making all the construction stuff happen. how much does this benefit people in liverpool in terms of the jobs that this is creating? we liverpool in terms of the “obs that this is creating?* this is creating? we have a huge team of peeple. _ this is creating? we have a huge team of people, rigours, - this is creating? we have a huge team of people, rigours, crew, l team of people, rigours, crew, caterers, — team of people, rigours, crew, caterers, lighting technicians,

everyone _ caterers, lighting technicians, everyone who helps create this competition on behalf of ukraine. the arena — competition on behalf of ukraine. the arena is no stranger to hosting big events, how does this compare with other concerts you have hosted? it is no stranger at all. we will have _ it is no stranger at all. we will have been_ it is no stranger at all. we will have been open— it is no stranger at all. we will have been open for— it is no stranger at all. we will have been open for 15- it is no stranger at all. we will have been open for 15 years, i it is no stranger at all. we will. have been open for 15 years, and with had — have been open for 15 years, and with had a — have been open for 15 years, and with had a lot _ have been open for 15 years, and with had a lot of— have been open for 15 years, and with had a lot of large—scale - have been open for 15 years, and l with had a lot of large—scale global events— with had a lot of large—scale global events from — with had a lot of large—scale global events from the _ with had a lot of large—scale global events from the likes _ with had a lot of large—scale global events from the likes of _ with had a lot of large—scale global events from the likes of the - with had a lot of large—scale global events from the likes of the worldl events from the likes of the world gymnastics — events from the likes of the world gymnastics competition _ events from the likes of the world gymnastics competition to - events from the likes of the world gymnastics competition to the - events from the likes of the worldl gymnastics competition to the bbc sports _ gymnastics competition to the bbc sports personality— gymnastics competition to the bbc sports personality of _ gymnastics competition to the bbc sports personality of the - gymnastics competition to the bbc sports personality of the year. - gymnastics competition to the bbci sports personality of the year. this is the _ sports personality of the year. this is the largest — sports personality of the year. this is the largest we _ sports personality of the year. this is the largest we have _ sports personality of the year. this is the largest we have done - sports personality of the year. this is the largest we have done to - sports personality of the year. thisj is the largest we have done to date, and destroying — is the largest we have done to date, and destroying in _ is the largest we have done to date, and destroying in all— is the largest we have done to date, and destroying in all of _ is the largest we have done to date, and destroying in all of that - and destroying in all of that exuerience _ and destroying in all of that experience. for— and destroying in all of that experience. for context, i and destroying in all of that experience. for context, ai and destroying in all of that - experience. for context, a typical event _ experience. for context, a typical event in _ experience. for context, a typical event in the — experience. for context, a typical event in the arena _ experience. for context, a typical event in the arena takes - experience. for context, a typical event in the arena takes maybe . experience. for context, a typical. event in the arena takes maybe one or two— event in the arena takes maybe one or two days, — event in the arena takes maybe one or two days, this— event in the arena takes maybe one or two days, this is— event in the arena takes maybe one or two days, this is taking _ event in the arena takes maybe one or two days, this is taking five - or two days, this is taking five weeks — or two days, this is taking five weeks that _ or two days, this is taking five weeks. that speaks _ or two days, this is taking five weeks. that speaks of - or two days, this is taking five weeks. that speaks of the - or two days, this is taking five | weeks. that speaks of the size or two days, this is taking five i weeks. that speaks of the size of the scale — weeks. that speaks of the size of the scale and _ weeks. that speaks of the size of the scale and the _ weeks. that speaks of the size of the scale and the impressive - the scale and the impressive spectacle _ the scale and the impressive spectacle that— the scale and the impressive spectacle that is _ the scale and the impressive spectacle that is going - the scale and the impressive spectacle that is going to - the scale and the impressive spectacle that is going to be| spectacle that is going to be eurovision— spectacle that is going to be eurovision 2023. _ spectacle that is going to be eurovision 2023. we - spectacle that is going to be eurovision 2023. we are - spectacle that is going to be - eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting _ eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting it— eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting it on— eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting it on behalf— eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting it on behalf of— eurovision 2023. we are delighted to be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. i be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. thank— be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. thank you — be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. thank you very _ be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. thank you very much _ be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. thank you very much indeed. - be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. | thank you very much indeed. they be hosting it on behalf of ukraine. - thank you very much indeed. they are really up against it. they have just five weeks to transform this place into the stage and set for the eurovision song contest, and just a matter of weeks to go now, the

excitement here as well and truly building. ijust want i just want to mark your card and take you live to manchester, this is a live shot outside manchester crown court, and the reason we are there is because shortly, within the next hour or so, we are expecting the sentencing of the killer of olivia pratt—korbel will stop you will remember, of course, the nine—year—old girl who was shot in her own home by thomas cashman. thomas cashman, a drug dealer. he was chasing another man but fired his weapon into the house of olivia and killed her. she was nine years old. the court case has concluded, he was found guilty, and now we are expecting the sentencing. 0ur correspondent is there for us outside, we will be speaking to him

later. we think there will be filming inside of the sentencing, relatively new development in england and wales inside the court, we are expecting to see the judge out that sentencing will stop we will be carrying foot that for you live here on bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello. good afternoon. we started off on a chilly, frosty note for many earlier on this morning, but there's a lot of sparkling spring sunshine and blue skies around today, as captured by weather watchers here in northeast england and in northern wales. now, as we head through tomorrow, it's more of the same. it's another chilly start to the day with a touch of frost. more sunshine around for most of us tomorrow, at least for part of the day. but it will turn cloudier towards the north and the west with an approaching weather front. but the weather front is quite far out towards the west today. we're dominated by high pressure, of course, out towards the east. it's just sending a bit of an onshore breeze towards north sea facing coast. so here it's always going to feel

a little cooler, but plenty of sunshine around, some high cloud turning the sunshine hazy, especially across parts of scotland. and it's cloudier across northern ireland. but still some sunny spells breaking through here. top temperatures between ten and ia degrees celsius, but maybe a 15 in the moray firth. now, overnight tonight, there'll be lots of clear skies around. temperatures are likely to drop below freezing for many. but we're starting to see our weather front approach the western isles in the far west of scotland. here there will be some outbreaks of rain and more cloud towards irish sea coast as well, where temperatures will tend to be above freezing. of course, milder with the cloud and the breeze out towards the northwest. 0ur weather front continues to move eastwards as we head throughout the day on tuesday, eventually sending some cloud into eastern areas of scotland and northwest england. but here it should stay largely dry. the best of the sunshine again for england and much of eastern wales, where we'll see highs of ii to ia degrees celsius. not quite so much of an onshore

breeze towards those north sea facing coasts on tuesday. now, on wednesday, of course, our weather front just continues to move its way eastwards, eventually introducing some outbreaks of rain, but probably not until the end of the day for the far south east of england and east anglia. we'll start to see some clearance across northern ireland. so maybe some sunny spells here as we head through the afternoon. temperatures again, between 11 and ia degrees celsius where the front continues to just clear its way eastwards, possibly some heavy persistent rain for eastern areas of the uk as we head throughout the day on thursday. some sunshine though, further west, so unsettled through the middle part of the week, but high pressure builds back in again in time for good friday and the easter bank holiday weekend.

live from london, you're with bbc news. finland will officially become a member of the nato military alliance on tuesday — the bloc�*s 3ist member. russian investigators detain this woman — darya trepova — in the hunt for the killers of a pro—war blogger in a blast in st petersburg. donald trump will fly from florida to manhattan in the next few hours to face charges over hush money payments made to a porn star. these are live pictures of his home in mar—a—lago. after his court appearance he'll head back there and address his supporters. we'll be live in florida. and... they say they're overworked and underpaid. teachers in england reject the government's pay offer and call for further strikes.