The Mayor leads Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which was formed in 2011 by the ten councils that make up Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Each council has one seat on the GMCA, usually held by the council leader. The mayor is the eleventh member and the chair of the GMCA.

The role of Greater Manchester mayor has one of the broadest regional remits across the UK, with the person in power also holding the post of police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the area.

This means that the mayor is “the public’s voice on policing matters” and has a statutory duty to hold the Chief Constable and GMP to account for their performance, according to GMCA. Other duties as the PCC include setting the policing budget and agreeing priorities through the Police and Crime Plan.

Other powers held by the mayor include responsibility for the fire and rescue service. The mayor sets the budget and strategic priorities for the service, while the Chief Fire Officer is responsible for operational matters.

They also oversee a wide range of policy areas that affect people’s everyday lives, which includes transport, such as how money is spent on infrastructure like new tram lines or roads, as well as planning and housing.

The Mayor also works with businesses to promote economic growth and oversees budgets devolved from central Government, including a £630 million integrated settlement.

Grandiose, gripping and glorious flick full of wonderful performances.

To call The Odyssey Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece would really be saying something given this is the man behind Inception , Oppenheimer , Interstellar and The Dark Knight .

But I think this epic, old-school filmmaking take on Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his dangerous voyage back to Ithaca just might be the crowning glory in his colossal CV.

This a blockbuster in the truest sense of the word – and should be seen on as big a screen as possible – which encompasses many different genres that all fit given the ancient world of magic, monsters and gods Nolan welcomes us into.

As a horror fan, it was particularly pleasing to see the director hint at how special his move into that genre could be with a standout sequence that sees Cyclops chomp down on soldiers, and the unforgettable image of a dead army chasing our heroes in Hades .

There’s also a scene involving Sirens which does more with what it doesn’t show, amid the pulsating, immersive sound design found throughout the movie, than any amount of special effects could’ve achieved.

The cast is as wonderful as it is fittingly gigantic, with no weak links to be found.

Damon is in career-best form as a fierce soldier whose loyalty is tested and mind and body are taken to several extremes as he longs for a return home.

There are far too many amazing turns to mention but Tom Holland ( Telemachus ) visibly grows into a leader before our eyes, Robert Pattinson’s Antinous is an odious, conniving coward, Anne Hathaway ( Penelope ) commands respect and a desperate will to be reunited with Odysseus , and John Leguizamo’s loyal Eumaeus is enchantingly endearing.

And Samantha Morton chills like never before as Circe , using wacky and weird witchcraft-like torture on unsuspecting soldiers.

Everything about The Odyssey , from the writing and action to the personal relationships, is grandiose, gripping and glorious, right up until the crowd-pleasing climax.

This is god-tier filmmaking.

● What are your favourite Christopher Nolan films?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

●The Odyssey is showing in cinemas now.

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Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs has had his release date moved a month earlier, in spite of a prison brawl that landed him in solitary confinement.

After a hotly publicized trial, Diddy, 56, was acquitted last July of the most serious charges against him, sex trafficking and racketeering, but was found guilty on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Although his sentence was initially scheduled to end on May 8, 2028, his release was pushed back to June 4, 2028 over allegations denied by his attorney that Diddy drank moonshine and made an unauthorized three-way phone call.

He was granted a reprieve last October when the date was moved to April 25, 2028 owing to the FIRST STEP Act, a prison reform law from Donald Trump’s first presidency that was famously championed by Kim Kardashian and has resulted in the early release of tens of thousands of criminals.

The date was later adjusted to April 15, 2028, and last month it emerged his sentence had been slashed again to conclude February 23, 2028.

Now, yet another change has been made, and Diddy is slated to emerge from jail on January 24, 2028, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.

In response to an inquiry from the Daily Mail, the Federal Bureau of Prisons stated: ‘For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not comment on the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual, including release plans or specifics regarding why a release date changes.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted Diddy’s representative for comment.

News of the modification circulated a week after Diddy got into a fight with another inmate at New Jersey‘s Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Fort Dix.

Multiple sources claimed the disgraced rap mogul lashed out at the other inmate after he insulted the rap mogul, according to TMZ. 

A spokesman for FCI Fort Dix declined to share information about the alleged incident.

‘For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not release information regarding the conditions of confinement for any inmate, including housing assignments, nor do we discuss whether a particular inmate is the subject of allegations, investigations, or sanctions,’ the representative told the Daily Mail.

Sources claimed that Diddy and the other inmate began pushing each other at first, before punches started flying between the two.

Diddy was said to have ‘held his own’ in the fight, though guards quickly separated the men and Diddy was reportedly sent to solitary confinement in response to the brawl.

Sources claimed that Diddy, real name Sean Combs, lashed out at the other inmate at New Jersey’s Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Fort Dix, after he insulted the rap mogul

Sources alleged that Diddy and the other inmate began pushing each other at first, before punches started flying between the two. Diddy was said to have ‘held his own’ in the fight, though prison guards quickly separated the two men. Above, in 2000

The latest conflict for Diddy comes after a disturbing clip resurfaced that showed him inviting the late child star Daveigh Chase, then 12, to an ‘afterparty.’

The clip went viral in the wake of the Donny Darko actress’s death from AIDS last month.

Chase, who previously appeared in the 2003 horror film The Ring, died in hospital from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV infection, on June 16.

Following her death, a one-minute clip from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards began circulating again on social media and showed Daveigh being presented with the award for Best Villain by Diddy, who was 33 at the time.

The Daily Mail has also revealed this week the devastating family turmoil that may have contributed to Daveigh’s fatal spiral. You can read the full story here.

Diddy was previously found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution in violation of the federal Mann Act. 

In October 2025, he was sentenced to four years and two months in federal prison, along with five years of supervised release and a $500,000 fine.

In the clip, which was filmed backstage after the awards, Diddy is seen speaking with Chase and asking whether she is ‘coming to the after-party tonight.’

Chase nods in response, after which Combs reacts with laughter and an audible ‘Yeah!’

The clip has sparked huge backlash online, with many users sharing their reactions in the comments to a version posted on Reddit.

Guards reportedly sent Diddy to solitary confinement in response to the brawl, though it’s unclear if he is still being held there

As of Friday, he’s scheduled to be released on February 8, 2028, but the brawl could potentially push back his release date

They wrote: ‘God, please keep your kids away from the entertainment industry. Vultures in human form. She’s a child. 

‘Why have these 2 men with her on the podium at all? It could be given by someone her own age or an older teen.’

‘This is so incredibly disturbing.

‘I’d also like to point out that Daveigh was so talented – she scared the absolute s**t out of me as a child. 

‘The Ring will forever be one of the greatest horror flicks ever, and that is largely because of her performance. I’m very sorry that her life ended the way it did, and that she was evidently surrounded by creeps from a young age.

‘Hindsight is 20/20. Shewww.’

Other users said on X: ‘No one that young is prepared to handle what she experienced. It’s heartbreaking

‘Poor girl. Diddy was creepy back then as he is now;’

The latest conflict for Diddy comes after a disturbing clip resurfaced that showed him inviting the late child star Daveigh Chase, then 12, to an ‘afterparty’

The clip went viral in the wake of the Donny Darko actress’s death from AIDS on June 16

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‘When I look at the clip as an adult, it’s more disturbing and sick.’

A representative for Combs previously addressed the resurfaced footage in a statement to Page Six in 2024, denying wrongdoing and describing the exchange as misinterpreted.

‘It’s disappointing to see the media and social media commentators twist moments into something they were not,’ the statement said.

The team maintained that the interaction was part of a scripted onstage segment and not inappropriate in nature.

Chase never publicly commented on the clip.

Following her death, a one-minute clip from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards began circulating again on social media

It showed Daveigh being presented with the award for Best Villain by Diddy, who was 33 at the time, and Ashton Kutcher

It has not been confirmed whether Chase attended the after-party in 2003 or any other events hosted by Diddy. 

Daveigh’s mother has also shared her ‘guttural’ reaction to her daughter’s tragic passing with the Daily Mail. You can read the full story here.

The actress died in hospital from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), per an autopsy report by the LA County Medical Examiner.

Chronic polysubstance use – the repeated use of more than one drug over a short period of time – was also listed as a significant condition contributing to her death.

Her manner of death is listed as natural. 

Chase found fame as a child star in 2002 with her haunting portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring.

She later appeared in a number of film and television projects, including Lilo & Stitch, Donnie Darko, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, and Big Love.

She gradually stepped back from the public eye after 2013, with her final social media activity in 2017 and her last red carpet appearance at a Vogue dinner in April 2013.

In the clip, which was filmed backstage after the awards, Diddy is seen speaking with Chase and asking whether she is ‘coming to the after-party tonight’

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Over the following years, she had several reported run-ins with the law, including an arrest in 2017 in Los Angeles in connection with joyriding in a stolen vehicle.

In a tragic premonition of her own death, she was questioned in 2017 after dropping an unconscious man off outside a hospital and driving away. He later died of a drug overdose. 

Roy Hernandez, Chase’s partner, said the pair were homeless in the years before her death.

In one of his fundraisers, Hernandez pleaded: ‘Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life… But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship.’

‘After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. 

‘Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.’

He continued: ‘Recently, everything changed. Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. 

‘Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. 

‘Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.

‘I understand we all go through things, but if you can help, I will be really grateful for anything.’

Hernandez confirmed her death earlier this month, revealing a painful health battle that involved meningitis, a blood infection and sepsis.

Chase was first admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles in early June.

Prior to her death, Chase had reportedly been out of contact for an extended period, prompting concern from her manager John Ryan and her stepsister Gaia Brown, who had been attempting to locate her for several years.

Heartbreaking footage, circulated online but later deleted, appeared to show the actress emaciated and barely conscious inside a makeshift shelter on Skid Row – her ribs visible, her body shockingly gaunt, according to reports. 

Sources claimed she may have weighed as little as 75 pounds.

Speaking to the California Post, Ryan said their search eventually led them to Skid Row, where he believed Chase may have been staying.

He added that he had previously managed to speak with her by phone and arranged to meet her in person.

Ryan said the initial plan had been to support Chase in regaining her health, with arrangements being explored for possible rehabilitation support in Costa Rica once she was well enough to travel.

However, he said the situation had changed by the time they arrived, claiming she could not be located.

‘We were so close to finding her,’ he said. ‘Daveigh was the sweetest and brightest light in Hollywood. I can’t believe this is real. Her legacy and work will live on forever.’

A petition containing about 1,800 signatures calling for the service provided by the Cauwood Day Service, in Malton, to be protected was today presented to North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area committee.

Senior councillors will decide next week whether to close the centre.

Ahead of the decision, the area committee met to discuss concerns regarding the closure.

They heard from families and supporters of the centre who called for the service to remain open.

Stuart Moss, whose son Matty attends the centre, told the meeting: “For many disabled people, Cauwood is not simply a building. It is a place where they feel safe, where they are understood, where they have friends, purpose, routine, and dignity. It is where they laugh, learn, grow, and belong.

“If Cauwood closes, it is not just a service that disappears. It is a community. It is a vital lifeline.”

Lisa Keenan, from the Ryedale Special Families charity, raised concerns that Malton’s only Changing Places toilet would be lost if the centre was closed.

She added: “The toilet may be used once or twice a week, but it is essential for those disabled people who need that specialist facility.

“Just because it relates to the care of a few disabled people does not mean it is less important.”

In response, Abi Barron, the council’s corporate director for health and adult services, said the council was “passionate” not to lose the identity of Cauwood which she said was created by the staff, service users and their families.

She added: “Whilst the proposal to the executive is to close the existing building, it is not about closing the whole service, and our intention is to retain a refreshed Cauwood service and staff, who currently work within that service.

“This service will provide the flexibility required to meet the wide-ranging needs of the people who currently attend and hopefully others in the future.”

The officer said the council was aiming to secure “local building provision” in the Malton area to operate a new Cauwood service, adding: “There is no intention of us closing the building until those alternative service offers are in place and that people have completed their transition.”

The petition was presented to the committee by Malton councillor Keane Duncan.

He said the aim of the petition was to protect the services which were provided by Cauwood and he felt the report due to be presented to the executive next week showed the authority had changed its position on the centre.

He said: “The (original) report sought approval to close Cauwood from the autumn and to reprovide support through alternative community-based provision.

“At that time, there was, as far as we were aware, no commitment to another Cauwood, no commitment to another dedicated local building, and the report acknowledged that staff could be moved elsewhere and redundant to the seat if possible.”

He added: “I think we should welcome that the new executive report is substantially different from the position we faced in April.”

Other councillors raised concerns about the lack of information surrounding the council’s plans for the replacement service.

Councillor Steve Mason said: “It’s a bit like putting the cart before the horse. I just can’t understand why we have not arranged which building we go to first before we come to the proposal.”

The meeting voted unanimously for a motion calling on the executive to make it expressly clear that the Cauwood building remains open until the alternative site has the support of service users and their families.

Council chiefs have said that the current Cauwood service, in Old Malton Road, which supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical and sensory needs, is no longer sustainable.

They have highlighted a sharp fall in demand in recent years, rising costs and the poor condition of the building as reasons for the closure.

AIG Women’s Open

-7 A Thitikul (Tha); -5 S Kuwaki (Jpn), H Ryu (Kor); -4 Y Noh (US), C Boutier (Fra); -3 C Iwai (Jpn), C Wannasaen (Tha); -2 P Martin (Esp), L Coughlin (US), C Hull (Eng), R Takeda (Jpn), M Saigo (Jpn), L Woad (Eng), S Tan (Sin).

Selected others: -1 A Hewson (Eng), E Rhodes (Eng), A Fuller (Eng), L Ko (NZ), +1 M Yamashita (Jpn), +2 N Korda.

Full leaderboard

World number two Jeeno Thitikul leads the first round of the AIG Women’s Open by two shots after a spectacular seven-under 64 at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s.

The 23-year-old has 11 top-10 finishes in majors but has never won one, and went bogey-free in a fine start to her latest attempt.

South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to claim three majors in a calendar year, is second alongside Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki on five under.

England’s Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are both on two under.

The world’s best golfers performed well in the opening round, with world number one Nelly Korda one of the few stars to fall behind.

Korda remains off the pace after shooting a two-over-par 73 in a round that included four bogeys.

The men remain in custody

Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into arson attacks on two homes and a business in Newtownards.

A bus and car were set on fire in the Victoria Avenue are of the Co Down town on Sunday, July 26, while extensive damage was also caused to a business. A number of properties were also attacked in the Bristol Park and Weavers Grange areas.

Police have now arrested two men aged 43 and 24 as part of their investigation into the attacks with both remaining in police custody at this time.

Detective Sergeant Gray said: “Properties were attacked in the Bristol Park and Weavers Grange areas, while two vehicles – a bus and car – were set alight in the Victoria Avenue area, as well as extensive damage caused to business premises.

“Two men, aged 43 and 24, were arrested today, Thursday 30th July, on suspicion of a number of offences in connection with the reports. They remain in custody at this time as our enquiries continue. We would reiterate our appeal for information, asking anyone who was in these areas, and saw anything suspicious, to call us on 101, quoting reference number 1588 26/07/26.

“Alternatively, you can contact police online using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Hopp on Belfast is offering a new way to get around Belfast

As Belfast prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the Fleadh, Hopp Belfast, a new undocked electric bike service, has officially launched.

The service is available across key areas of Belfast city centre, providing a convenient alternative for short journeys between venues, attractions, hotels and restaurants during one of the city’s busiest weeks of the year.

With increased footfall, temporary traffic restrictions and limited city-centre parking availability expected during the Fleadh, Hopp offers a simple way to move around Belfast with ease.

Brendan Boyd, owner of Hopp Belfast, who has almost 15 years’ experience in the sustainable energy sector, said: “Belfast is a vibrant city with so much to offer, and we wanted to create a transport option that helps people experience more of it in a convenient and enjoyable way.

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“The Fleadh provides the perfect opportunity to introduce Hopp to residents and visitors alike, whether they’re travelling between sessions in the Cathedral Quarter, exploring Titanic Quarter, heading to Queen’s Quarter or discovering other parts of the city.”

The black and bright green e-bikes can be unlocked through the Hopp mobile app, which is available on the Apple Store and Google Play. Unlike traditional bike hire schemes where users may need to pay upfront for a set rental period, Hopp operates on a simple pay-per-minute pricing model, making it a flexible and affordable option for short journeys around the city.

Hopp is an established electric micro-mobility operator headquartered in Iceland, with services operating in more than 70 locations internationally.

The Belfast service has launched with an initial fleet of more than 100 electric bikes. Following the initial launch period, Hopp Belfast plans to expand its fleet and service area in line with customer demand and operational performance.

Brendan Boyd added: “We’re excited to bring Hopp to Belfast and give people another option for how they move around the city. This is about making journeys easier, while supporting a more connected and sustainable Belfast. We’ll continue to listen to users, build on the service and expand as demand grows.”

Safety and responsible use are central to the service. Before taking their first ride, users complete a short in-app safety tutorial covering responsible riding, parking guidance and local road regulations.

The bikes operate within a controlled geo-fenced service area that includes slow-speed zones and preferred parking areas across Belfast city centre. Hopp Belfast does not use traditional docking stations, but users are encouraged to end their journey in one of the preferred parking locations shown in the app.

Riders are asked to park responsibly, ensuring bikes do not obstruct pedestrians, wheelchair users, prams, mobility aids, entrances, crossings or other road users. Using the preferred parking areas helps keep public spaces accessible and ensures bikes are available and easy for the next person to find and use.

A local operations team will monitor bike usage, parking compliance and fleet maintenance to help ensure the service operates safely, responsibly and with minimal disruption to the public.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The father who gave his son and school shooter, Colt Gray, guns that were used to kill four people has received 15 years in prison. 

Colin Gray was sentenced on Thursday, making him one of the few American parents who have also suffered criminal sentences for the actions of their children. 

Colin was found guilty of second-degree murder for the deaths of Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. He received involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of the two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. 

His son, Colt, now 16, was sentenced to life in prison for the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, which saw eight students and one teacher also wounded. 

Colt received a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition from his father as a Christmas present. 

The then-14-year-old carried the weapon onto a school bus with the poster board-wrapped barrel sticking out of his bag. 

During a second-period bathroom break, the teenager pulled the gun out of his bag in the bathroom and began shooting students and teachers in the hallway, investigators said. 

Prosecutors said Colin had missed several signs of deteriorating mental health in his son, including that his son was in a true crime community, where they openly discussed their obsessions with mass shooters, WHSV reported. 

Colt received a sentence of life in prison without parole for killing four at Apalachee High School in September 2024

Colin’s ex-wife, and Colt’s mother, had asked the father to secure all weapons in the house leading up to the shooting, investigators said. 

However, Colin’s attorneys argued that the teenager ‘actively hid the depth of his involvement’ in online communities, and that Colt seemed happy and like a normal teen who liked his video games and going into the woods with his dad prior to the tragedy. 

His lawyers also argued a 15-year sentence would be a death sentence for the 55-year-old, and would be equivalent to giving him the same sentence as Colt. 

Prosecutors, however, said the father received a just punishment for ignoring a ‘substantial and unjustifiable risk.’ 

‘This was the risk that he was ignoring, that there would be a mass shooting of children at a school, and he gave his son the exact tool he would need to accomplish this,’ Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Smith said. 

‘He is the reason four people are dead, seven were injured and countless others were traumatized, and he is the reason a 16-year-old boy was sentenced two days ago to the rest of his life in prison.’ 

Colin joins the ranks of James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021. 

Both Crumbleys were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for their son’s monstrosity. Ethan, like Colt, received a life in prison without parole sentence. 

Colin appeared emotional during the court proceedings on Thursday 

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Last week, during Colt’s sentencing, prosecutors played eerie phone calls between the teen and his mother that occurred while he was at a youth detention center in the months after the shooting. 

During one call on October 14, 2024, he directed his mother to search what people were saying about him online, a month after the killings.

‘Heck yes, because then I can show you all the pictures,’ his mother, Marcee Gray, said. ‘Oh my God, I’ve got so many new pictures that I’ve got to show you.’

He was excited when she described ‘fan art’ drawings depicting him or comments people made about him and the attention he was getting online.

Colt then rejected his mother’s offer to bring him some physical copies of the photos and drawings when she visited him, but Marcee said she was making her own.

A resident from the village spoke to WalesOnline, describing the devastation and heartbreak of such an incident. Speaking on the basis of anonymity, they said: “Breedon quarry in Gwaelod-y-Garth – the blasts have been getting a lot more violent. We do have a sound monitor that had been sent down from the quarry to monitor sound by other neighbours because they have subsidence with their properties but they’re not getting anywhere with Breedon.

“This afternoon at 14.03pm, we had a blast and within 10 minutes we could see cars reverse down Heol Goch (locally known as Pentrych Hill) from our home, just across the road and then all of a sudden, there was a big rush of water. We got about an inch of mud, but the water had subsided now. The police and fire service are here.

“It was like an earthquake. We do expect the quarry blasts quite regularly but normally we hear a siren but today there was no siren. The only reason we could confirm that it was a quarry blast was because the sound engineer guy was in our street at the time recording and he only comes down here when he’s been given guidance to come down because there is a blast.

“The houses at the side of Heol Berry field have been affected the worst. The water has been up to their waist. We’ve got vulnerable people on this side as well, who have been evacuated because fire people have said it’s not safe to stay in their homes due to the quality of the water.

“I’ve just been into a neighbour’s house now and they’ve had budgies and things out in the back and they’re all dead. It’s just heartbreaking.

“A lot of my neighbours are on holidays, I have had to contact one of them who’s actually a firefighter and away in France. Another is in Italy. Another elderly couple had been out shopping when it had happened. We had to just ring around and explain to people what had happened, because when they come home it’ll be a massive shock. Heartbreaking.”