A town in Greater Manchester with a textile legacy and modern civic role
The King’s Birthday Honours recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his MND fundraising, alongside six Lionesses MBEs and other figures, as part of a broader push to reflect community contributions in honours lists.
The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs has confirmed its phased hearings, with London and several local areas including Oldham, Bradford and Keighley set to be investigated. Baroness Anne Longfield leads the probe, which will compel institutions to explain what they did to protect children and to review past safeguarding failures.
Shabir Ahmed, 73, the Rochdale grooming gang ringleader, has been released on licence and cannot be deported due to Immigration Act provisions. He will face strict license conditions and an exclusion zone around Rochdale, with victims and lawmakers reacting to the decision as details emerge from multiple sources.
Sephora has opened its first Scottish store in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. The launch drew long queues, entertainment, and freebies, signaling strong local demand for prestige beauty and marking a milestone in the brand’s UK expansion.
Wildfires across England and Wales remain at very high to exceptional risk as heatwave conditions continue. North Wales declared a major incident near Conwy Mountain; firefighters are battling blazes in Conwy, Glossop, Tintwistle Moor and other sites as temperatures stay dangerously high. Authorities urge caution and continued vigilance.
Tony Bartlett has been convicted of murder after violently shaking Atticus Bartlett, a 13‑month‑old, in Chard, Somerset, in July 2022. He has received a minimum 18‑year sentence. The case involved heavy drinking, the baby’s fatal injuries, and a trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Bev Craig has been confirmed as the new Greater Manchester mayor after the by-election triggered by Andy Burnham’s move to Parliament. Labour secures a commanding win under the SV system, with Green support rising and Reform UK underperforming in the region. Counts were held amid a regional turnout and a complex second-preference tally.
A locum NHS surgeon performing an emergency bowel operation at Royal Oldham Hospital has been found to have carried out a totally unconventional procedure that connected the small intestine to the stomach, creating a closed loop. The patient endured weeks of pain before another surgeon corrected the error; the tribunal has struck the doctor from the medical register for serious professional misconduct.
A round-up of recent Fringe reviews highlights how new plays and games are probing technology’s reach—from AI ethics in Prove You’re Human to aging and human longing in Lifelong Protocol and Water Colour, with sharp direction and performances shaping urgent conversations.
The Hundred's rebranding under private owners has aimed to broaden appeal with bold branding and new identities, including Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. While ventures like free merchandise activations have boosted engagement, questions remain about sustainability, fan loyalty, and the economics of franchise cricket as competition nears its finals.