Welcome to the Manchester Evening News breaking news service.
We’ll be making sure that you are the first to know what’s happening across the Greater Manchester region.
Throughout the day we will be bringing you constant updates on news across the area.
We’ll also be bringing you crime, travel, health, sport, politics and education stories from the M.E.N team.
And the CityLife journalists are working hard to bring you the best reviews, celebrity gossip and information on going out in the city.
Some of the stories happening today include reports of a security breach at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court.
An elderly woman is said to have tailgated a number of JPs after they walked into the court.
Residents in Moss Side claim they were kept awake by last night’s Beyonce concert in Old Trafford.
People living miles away from the venue said they could hear the concert in their homes.
A boy was taken to hospital in a serious condition after a collision with a car in Bolton.
At the moment everything seems to be running smoothly on the Metrolink.
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then feel free to get in touch - call us on 0161 211 2323 or tweet @MENnewsdesk
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then feel free to get in touch - call us on 0161 211 2323 or tweet @MENnewsdesk
Key Events
Woman driving and playing Rubik's cube
Video footage shows the shocking moment a motorist drives along a motorway and completes a Rubik’s Cube at the wheel of a car. It seems that only when the person filming her has passed her car she notices she is caught on camera. But incredibly the driver continues to play with it.
Macauley Stephens, 21, says he filmed the bizarre incident on the M61, travelling from work in Manchester to his home in Bolton.
A valiant effort..
But Wales slide out of the Euro 2016 tournament. Portugal put 2 past them, something they just couldn’t respond to.
10 minutes to go...
And Wales are down 2-0. Can they pull it back?
Half time and it's all square
It’s currently a stalemate in the Portugal v Wales semi final at the Stade De Lyon tonight.
Wales and Portugal were unable to strike a telling blow as their Euro 2016 semi-final reached half-time goalless. This was unchartered territory for Chris Coleman’s side yet they stood up manfully to the Portuguese in the opening period.
Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated not to win an early penalty having felt upended by James Collins but Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale was shining brighter, producing a wonderful run from which Rui Patricio was called into action.
Two women sexually assaulted in Alexandra Park
Police are appealing for witnesses after two women were sexually assaulted in separate incidents in Manchester.
The first incident happened at about 6.25pm on Tuesday, July 5, when a 42-year-old woman was running in Alexandra Park, on Alexandra Road South.
She was approached from behind by a male who sexually assaulted her.
He ran away but returned a few minutes later and sexually assaulted her again, before fleeing towards Hulme.
A 27-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the same park around an hour later.
The offender fled from the park and the woman chased him onto Wellington Road, but he got away.
Police believe the same person is responsible for both incidents and are appealing for the public’s help to trace him.
The offender in both incidents is described as black, 14-15-years-old, about 5ft 5in tall, of medium, and had short black hair.
Detective Inspector Gareth Davies of GMP’s City of Manchester Team said: “The two women were understandably upset by what happened.
“Everyone has the right to go about their daily lives without fear of being attacked and we will not tolerate this. Help and support will always be there for victims who want to come forward and report sexual offences.
“I want to reassure people that we have extra officers on patrol in the area and a team of detectives is working to catch the offender.
“I would urge you to come forward if you witnessed either of the incidents or have any information about who is responsible.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 6158, 101 quoting the incident number 2007 of 5/7/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Found
The couple who went missing from Bolton have been found.
Police say Victoria Henerty, 27, and Sam Taylor, 41, have now been located.
Man and woman still missing from Bolton
Police have released new images of the missing pair.
Victoria Henerty, 27, and Sam Taylor, 41, were last seen together at around 3pm on Sunday, June 26 at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
Victoria is white and around 5ft 5ins tall, of a slim build with blonde hair.
It is believed she was wearing a grey sweatshirt with a cowl neckline and grey trousers.
Sam is white and around 5ft 8ins tall, of a slim build with a bald head.
It is believed he was wearing a grey hoody with a blue cord, grey shorts and grey trainers with a blue trim.
Detective Sergeant Patrick Wood of GMP’s Bolton borough, said: “We are concerned for the welfare of Victoria and Sam and have released more images of them in the hope that someone recognises them.
“Neither their families or friends have had any contact from them since Sunday 26 June and are very worried.
“We can’t be certain but there is a possibility Victoria may be in the Merseyside area.
“If you have seen them or know where they are, please contact police as soon as possible.
Anyone with any information about Victoria or Sam’s whereabouts should contact police on 101.
Do you know this woman?
Police have released an image of a woman they want to speak to after a woman was savagely attacked with a shoe in Manchester city centre.
The 22-year-old victim was on Portland Street when she saw a man being attacked by a woman between 3.30-4am on Sunday, May 8.
She tried to intervene but the offender turned around and started to attack her.
In an attempt to defend herself, the victim punched her back, but was further attacked by the woman and four others.
They repeatedly hit and kicked her; at one point using the heel of a shoe.
The victim was treated in hospital for a two inch cut to her ear and bruising and swelling to both eyes, ribs, legs and stomach.
Police have launched an investigation and have released an image of a woman they want to speak to in connection with the attack.
Det Const Rachel Christian of GMP’s City of Manchester team said: “The victim was savagely attacked after she tried to help a man who was being assaulted.
“I’m hoping that someone recognises the woman in the photo and will come forward.
“If you saw what happened, you may have information that could help us track down the person that did this.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4436, 101 quoting the incident number 1333 of 09/05/16, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
One man in hospital and another arrested following stab attack in Glossop
Police say they are treating the incident near Hadfield train station as an assault.
It’s understood the victim was stabbed, and paramedics were called to the scene at 10.20am.
Crash on Kingsway
A woman has been taken to hospital after two cars crashed on Kingsway.
Police and fire crews were called to the crash on the Kingsway roundabout at around 2.30pm today.
Firefighters helped free the woman from one of the cars before she was taken to hospital via ambulance.
Her condition is not believed to be serious.
The road is still partially blocked.
Corrie star in court
Actor Bruno Langley is facing a trial over claims he failed to identify a driver sought by police.
Appeal after 7-year-old left with fractured skull
A seven-year-old boy suffered a fractured skull in a collision in Bolton
Greater Manchester Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash that happened on Tuesday night on Crompton Way around 7.10pm
The boy was crossing the road on a foot-propelled scooter when the collision took place.
He was rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where he was assessed to have suffered a fractured skull, a bleed to the brain and a badly broken left foot.
He was placed in an induced coma, and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Anyone with information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 050716/1959 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Blair: I accept full responsibility for Iraq
Tony Blair has said he takes full responsibility for the failings of Iraq
He said: “For all of this I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you may ever know or could believe.”
He says it’s claimed by some that we caused today’s terrorism and it would have better to leave him.
Pensioner brutally attacked in Oldham
These are the horrific injuries a 70-year-old sustained in an attack in Oldham.
Pensioner Derek Laidlaw saw a man urinating against his partner’s house in Failsworth around 10.45pm on Saturday, July 2.
He asked him to stop but the man punched Derek and pinned him against the wall and continued to punch his head and face repeatedly.
Derek collapsed on the floor - but the attacker continued.
A passer-by intervened and pulled him off but the attacker ran off towards Kew Road, Failsworth.
A full report will be online shortly.
Assault in Glossop
A man has been taken to hospital following an assault in Glossop
Police say he was involved with an altercation with another man near to Hadfield train station this morning.
It’s understood the victim was stabbed, and paramedics were called to the scene at 10.20am.
An air ambulance also attended, but a spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service confirmed he was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary by road.
Derbyshire Police are investigating and have arrested a man in connection with the incident.
Police investigation after baby found in hospital toilets
Police have launched an investigation after a baby was found abandoned in hospital toilets.
Shortly after 12am on Wednesday 6 July 2016 police were called to the Royal Albert Infirmary in Wigan to reports that a new born baby boy had been found in the toilets of A&E.
The baby was found by security staff at the hospital and taken into the A&E ward where he was resuscitated and is now doing well.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
More to come on this shortly...
Fracking protest in city centre
Campaigners are holding an anti-fracking protest in the city centre today.
Various environmental groups have joined forces to hold the peaceful protest on Sackville Street.
Police are at the site monitoring the demonstration.
The campaigners are reported to be there to protest a planning and environment conference by pro-fracking companies.
Train disruptions cleared
The earlier disruptions to Northern Rail services have now cleared
Lane closure on M60 following collision
One lane has been closed on the M60 following a collision
The incident took place close to junction 18, Simister Island.
Drivers heading from Oldham towards Prestwich have been affected.
At the moment traffic is coping well.
Chilcot: Invasion was not 'last resort'
Chilcot is now revealing the main findings of the Iraq enquiry
His remit has been to consider Britain’s Iraq policy between 2001 and 2009 and lessons that can be learned, he says.
The decision to go to war was one of ‘utmost gravity’.
Saddam Hussain was undoubtedly a brutal dictator and was violating UN regulations, he says.
The questions for the inquiry were whether it was right and necessary to invade Iraq; and whether the UK could and should have been better prepared for what followed. It was not a last resort, he says.
And the planning for post-Saddam Iraq were ‘wholly inadequate’.
All Northern train services disrupted from Manchester Piccadilly
All Northern train services from Manchester Piccadilly are disrupted
Northern said this is due to a problem with line-side equipment at the station.
Passengers could be delayed for up to 20 minutes.
Chilcot report live
This morning the long-awaited findings of Sir John Chilcot’s Iraq Inquiry are being published
We will be bringing you live updates on the inquiry’s findings and the response of the key players at the time - as well as both David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn - as the day unfolds.
Train delays between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge
A signalling problem between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge is causing delays of up to 30 minutes
The delays are expected to continue until 12.15pm.
Powercut
Homes in Alderly Edge have also been affected by a high voltage fault
Electricity North West said power has been restored to the majority of homes, but 65 properties are still affected.
Powercut in Stockport
More than 2,000 people have been affected by a power cut in the Romiley area of Stockport
Engineers are on there way to fix the issue.
We’ll bring you an update as soon as possible.
National news headlines
Here are some of the national news headlines from this morning:
Politics - CHILCOT REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED AFTER SEVEN-YEAR WAIT - The long-awaited official inquiry report into Britain’s bitterly contested invasion of Iraq will finally be published today amid calls for Tony Blair to be held to account for taking the country to war. Thirteen years after British troops crossed into Iraq and seven years after the inquiry began work, Sir John Chilcot will deliver his verdict on the UK’s most controversial military engagement of the post-war era.
Politics - MPs TO VOTE ON STATUS OF EU NATIONALS LIVING IN UK AFTER BREXIT - MPs are set to vote on whether the Government should guarantee that European Union nationals can stay in Britain after it pulls out of the bloc. Labour will hold a debate and force a division in the Commons in an effort to ramp up pressure on Theresa May, the frontrunner to succeed David Cameron as prime minister.
Consumer - MASTERCARD FACES £19BN COLLECTIVE ACTION OVER CARD CHARGES - MasterCard is facing a claim of up to £19 billion in damages in a UK collective action over card charges that were passed on to shoppers. The claim - led by former financial services ombudsman Walter Merricks, who has instructed US-based law firm Quinn Emanuel - is to be filed under the new Consumer Rights Act 2015, which allows for collective damages claims.
