This was because the Rose and Crown on Bolton Road, Westhoughton, was finally reopening after a major, five-week, £275,000 renovation.
So, from midday onwards, regulars old and new flocked to Bolton Road to see for themselves what all the fuss was about.
(Image: Dan Dougherty)
We managed to finish all the refurbishments on time – just!” said Derek Cooper, the pub’s owner.
“We’ve been pretty hectic all day. We’ve had locals coming back in after five weeks away, we’ve even had old regulars coming in that haven’t been in nine or ten years.”
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The pub was indeed very busy by the time I arrived just before 6pm, spurred on both by a sense of occasion and, no doubt, by the fine weather.
New dartboards and, in the foreground, the pool table (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“We asked for the sun, and the sun came out.” said Derek.
“We planned it so we’d open just in time for the bank holiday weekend, especially with Bolton in the final on Sunday.”
Derek showed us around the pub.
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“We’ve been on-site for about five weeks and we’ve done a full refurbishment,” he explained.
“Basically, everything is new except the layout, though we have moved the men’s toilets.
The new section of beer garden with booths to the right and children’s play area in the background (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“We’ve got new darts areas, new counters, new furniture, and the outside has been totally repainted and redecorated.”
But the biggest change is outside. The back garden has been completely revamped, with new decking and benches installed.
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There are also several roofed booths for people to use during the rainier months, as well as an outside TV, just in time for the World Cup.
New too is the large outside children’s play area, with brand-new play equipment and a soft, wood-chipped floor.
“We’ve touched up everywhere, basically,” said Derek.
Arguably, the most important aspect of a pub is how it serves as a focal point for the community.
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It is for this reason that news of a pub closing down can be so upsetting to people. It’s for this same reason that news of a pub reopening often creates such a buzz.
Part of the beer garden with the TV in the background (Image: Dan Dougherty)
This is why the community element is such a strong focus for Derek.
“We’re sorting out a food truck that will be in the car park,” he said, “So that’s a local business.
“She’ll serve takeaways and food for customers, and we’ll also do theme nights.
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“We’re also in the process of setting up a darts team, and we’re looking for people to join a pool team.
Derek and Ray underneath the pub’s sign (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“We’re raising money for a defibrillator as well, so we can install one in the pub.
“It’s good to have the pub back up and running for the community.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service shot a person near the White House on Saturday, and a bystander also was shot, a law enforcement official said.
Both individuals were said to be in critical condition, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.
Journalists working at the White House on Saturday reported hearing a series of gunshots and were told to seek shelter inside the press briefing room.
On X, the Secret Service said it was “aware of reports of shots fired near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW” — one block from the White House — and was “working to corroborate the information with personnel on the ground.” It said it will have an update shortly.
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In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said officers were responding to shots fired and said he would “update the public as we’re able.”
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time.
In a post shared on X, Selina Wang, the senior White House correspondent for ABC News, shared dramatic video of the moment she said she heard what “sounded like dozens of gunshots” and ducked for cover. Writing that she had been performing a task that reporters at the White House do day in and day out — filming themselves on a cellphone, for a social media post — Wang’s video shows her speaking for a few seconds about Trump’s statements earlier Saturday about a potential Iran deal.
As the sounds of gunfire are heard in the background, Wang’s eyes grow wider, and she ducks down in the media tent, which is among those situated in a line along the White House driveway where broadcasters film their reports. On X, Wang’s video had been shared thousands of times as of Saturday evening, and viewed at least 3 million times.
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The Metropolitan Police Department said on its X Account that the Secret Service was working the scene and cautioned people to avoid. The scene is near where a gunman ambushed two members of the West Virginia National Guard last November.
U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her wounds. Andrew Wolfe, then 24, was critically wounded. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged in that incident.
The gunfire Saturday comes nearly a month after what law enforcement authorities said was an attempted assassination of the president on April 25 as he attended the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at a Washington hotel. Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, recently pleaded not guilty to charges that he attempted to kill Trump and remains in federal custody.
Following that scare, Secret Service officers shot a suspect they said had fired at officers near the Washington Monument, also near the White House. Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was charged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in connection with the May 4 shooting. A teenage bystander was wounded in that incident.
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Associated Press photojournalists Jose Luis Magana and Alex Brandon and AP writers Gary Fields, Meg Kinnard and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.
The historic windmill still stands in Cambridgeshire today
In the past, windmills were a hive of activity with many in use across the country. However as years went on, the work at windmills started to decrease, leaving just the building behind.
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Across Cambridgeshire, there are many windmills that still stand today and are popular with locals. What people may not know about these windmills is the history behind them.
Madingley Windmill in Cambridge has a very interesting history as there was once a time when the windmill was in a completely different place. Originally built in the 16th century, the mill was built with timber frames and weatherboarded on brick plinths. It also has a boat cap and four patent sails.
It was originally known as Ellington Mill, as it was based in Ellington near Huntingdon. In 1936, Walter Ambrose Harding of Madingley Hall in Cambridge purchased the mill.
He wanted to replace the former Madingley Mill, which was destroyed by a storm in July 1909. The former Ellington Mill was dismantled and moved around 20 miles down the road. Since then, the mill has been known as Madingley Mill and still stands today.
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The windmill is now on private land, which means it is not open to the general public. However, with its fascinating past, the windmill is still something to admire as part of Cambridge’s rich history.
Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his crown against one of the best kickboxers in history in Rico Verhoeven in front of the pyramids
00:09, 24 May 2026Updated 00:23, 24 May 2026
Oleksandr Usyk clung on to his heavyweight world title by the skin of his teeth with a controversial late stoppage of Rico Verhoeven.
Boxing ruler Usyk took on kickboxing legend Verhoeven in front of the pyramids in what was sanctioned as a title defence. And Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, dominated large swathes of the bout and appeared to be ahead on the scorecards heading into the penultimate round.
But Usyk dropped Verhoeven with an uppercut in the dying embers of the session and although Verhoeven beat the count, the referee stopped the fight with a second remaining following another flurry. “Rico, you are an amazing fighter,” said Usyk. “It was a hard fight, it was a good fight.” Verhoeven added: “It was an early stoppage but it’s not up to me. I believe the referee knows we’re almost at the end of the round, or let me go out on my shield.”
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Verhoeven drew a cheer inside 30 seconds when his right hand landed the first shot of the night. Usyk was content to work his way into the fight but shipped a right hand to the body as the underdog snatched the opening session. Verhoeven attempted to make his size advantage count in the second round but Usyk began to land his uppercut.
Verhoeven landed another thudding right at the start of the third stanza before switching to the body. But Usyk finally woke up, landing a right of his own to remind Verhoeven of the task at hand. But it was the Dutchman who ended the round with another backhand.
Usyk suddenly came to life in the fourth round when an uppercut sparked a combination which rocked Verhoeven. The underdog recovered well and answered back with his trusty right. Verhoeven continued to bowl forward in the fifth but Usyk landed a clubbing left.
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Verhoeven was still more than holding his own by the midway point and landed a looping right to start the seventh session. Usyk answered back with a left hook but he was soon on the back foot again as Verhoeven refused to wilt, landing a right hand on the bell. The same shot thudded home in the eighth round but even that wasn’t enough to shake the champion from his slumber.
Verhoeven switched his attention to Usyk’s body in the ninth, landing hooks with both hands. And still the challenger marched forward, smothering Usyk and outworking the unbeaten man. But a flurry from Usyk at the end of the session served as a reminder of his threat.
Usyk took that danger into the penultimate session as he rattled off another combination. And finally the challenger hit the canvas before a controversial stoppage from referee Mark Lycett who appeared to call off the fight after the bell had rung.
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On the undercard, Hamzah Sheeraz was crowned WBO super-middleweight world champion after a devastating second -round stoppage of Alem Begic. Sheeraz dominated from the opening bell and dropped his German opponent with a left hook from which he failed to recover.
Jack Catterall won a portion of the WBA welterweight world title when he comfortably outpointed Shakhram Giyasov. The Brit had his opponent down in the opening round from a sharp left hand and dominated the next two sessions. Giyasov had his moments in the fourth and fifth but Catterall reasserted his authority and controlled the rest of the bout with all three judges giving him the nod. He could now clash with ‘super’ champion Rolly Romero
Rising American heavyweight star Richard Torrez Jr was knocked out by Frank Sanchez as the Cuban punched his ticket to a world title shot with a stunning second-round stoppage.
ABC News correspondent Selina Wang took to social media to share footage of her first-person experience of the shooting that happened near the White House on Saturday.
In the video, Selina, 33, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, she was filming a selfie news report for ABC’s social channels, and as she was recording, shots rang out. A man in the background can be heard yelling “no,” as she ducked for cover, with her cellphone falling amid her trying to get to safety.
While some offer open space, clear paths and varied scenery, others can be overcrowded, difficult to navigate, or simply not suited to four-legged walkers.
Now, one scenic route on the edge of Greater Manchester has been named among the UK’s very best dog-friendly hikes, and it’s less than an hour away for Lancashire residents.
The Dovestone Reservoir Circular, near Oldham in the Saddleworth Moors, ranked sixth in a new nationwide study analysing Britain’s top-rated walking routes for dogs.
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Outdoor retailer Millets examined more than 114,000 walker reviews, scoring trails based on popularity, user ratings, accessibility and terrain difficulty.
The results showed that the UK’s best dog-friendly walks aren’t necessarily the longest or most challenging; instead, walkers favour routes that combine beautiful scenery with manageable paths and enough open space for dogs to properly enjoy themselves.
The Dovestone route scored highly thanks to its accessible circular paths, waterside scenery and easy terrain, earning an average user rating of 4.7 stars from more than 1,600 reviews.
Stretching around the reservoirs and moorland above Saddleworth, the walk has become increasingly popular with families, casual hikers and dog owners looking for an easy countryside escape close to the city.
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Walkers can expect sweeping water views, dramatic hills, stone paths and woodland sections, with plenty of stopping points along the route.
One of the biggest appeals is how accessible the trail feels compared to more demanding Peak District hikes.
While the scenery still delivers rugged northern landscapes, the route itself remains manageable for beginners and dogs alike.
According to Emma Johnson from Dog Owner’s Guide, the best hiking experiences for dogs often come from building up gradually rather than attempting difficult all-day treks immediately.
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“You wouldn’t go from a short stroll to a full day hike overnight,” she explained.
“And it’s the same for dogs.”
That balance appears to be exactly why Dovestone Reservoir continues to attract walkers year after year.
The wider study found that Britain’s highest-rated dog-friendly walks typically feature well-maintained paths, varied scenery and moderate difficulty levels, whether through woodland, waterfalls, lakesides or coastal trails.
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For walkers in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, however, Dovestone offers something particularly appealing: a scenic countryside route that feels far removed from urban life without requiring a long-distance journey.
And with summer approaching, it may soon become even busier.
Spain, Palma, May 02, 2024 – Low angle view of starting Easyjet Airbus (Credits: Getty Images)
A London-bound EasyJet was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger left their charging bank inside their suitcase.
EasyJet flight EZY2618 from Hurghada in Egypt took off on Tuesday evening but diverted to Italy after the crew were informed that a power bank was charging in a passenger’s luggage.
The airline told Sky News it made the landing as a ‘precaution’.
Passenger Paul Casterton, 57, told The Sun: “No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.
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‘It was stressful until we landed. Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold. Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted. It was quite an ordeal, but mostly relief that everyone was OK.’
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They said: ‘The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations.
‘The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely and we provided hotel accommodation and meals where available.
‘As some customers remained in the airport, they were provided with refreshments.
‘The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.
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‘We would like to apologise to all passengers for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay.’
In February a Jet2 flight diverted after a passenger made ‘racist remarks’ before getting into a fight 30,000 ft in the air.
The flight, which was travelling from Antalya, Turkey, to Manchester, England was diverted to Belgium over the ‘appalling behaviour’ of two passengers.
One passenger described it as one of the most ‘distressing experiences’ they had ever had, with some claiming they could see blood and teeth on the floor.
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The argument reportedly started after one of the men tried to grab the others’ phone, which was playing music loudly.
The attending officer was able to control the dog without it causing injury
An ‘aggressive’ dog trapped an elderly lady and her dog before trying to bite a police officer.
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On Wednesday this week, May 20, at around 9pm, officers responded to reports of an out of control dog at a Shell petrol station on Broadway, Oldham.
The dog, described as a Belgian Malinois, was behaving ‘aggressively’, the force said, and had caused an elderly woman and her dog to become trapped. It also attempted to bite an officer’s leg.
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The attending officer was able to take control of the dog without causing injury. The dog has since been secured and returned to it’s owner.
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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 9pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026, officers responded to an out-of-control dog in Broadway in Oldham.
“The dog – a Belgian Malinois – was behaving aggressively and had caused an elderly female member of the public and her dog to become trapped.
“During this incident, the Belgian Malinois displayed aggressive behaviour towards members of the public and attempted to bite a police officer’s leg.
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“The responding officer brought the immediate threat posed by the dog, to the officers and members of the public, under control and causing no injury to the dog.
“Following the incident, the dog was secured and transported to our kennels. It has since been returned to its owner.”
Donald Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen as part of a peace agreement is “far from reality”, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reports.
“Based on the latest exchanged text, if a possible agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will still be under Iran’s management,” it said. “Although Iran has agreed to allow the number of passing ships to return to the level before the war, this does not at all mean ‘free passage’ to the pre-war situation.”
The new agency added: “The management of the strait, determining the route, time, manner of passage, and issuing permits will remain exclusively under the control and discretion of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, Trump’s claim in this regard is incomplete and does not correspond to reality.”
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Moon’s angle to Mercury in Gemini gives a tense feeling to the day before you. Ideas and concepts could clash with reality.
Gemini, Leo and Capricorn, be realistic today. Whether it’s stretching yourself too thin or overcomitting, avoid putting too much on your plate.
Take on whatever the cosmos throws at you with grace. Know you can get through difficult placements.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday May 24, 2026.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Have an urge to keep checking details that don’t really matter? You could also ignore those that are vitally important. Whatever you’re dealing with, it helps to keep a sense of perspective. Not every fact needs checking, but not every piece of information should be overlooked. If you keep in mind what you want to achieve, you’ll make the right decisions.
The Moon in Virgo angles towards Mercury in Gemini, so finances and resources could be involved in the conversations you have. Ideas and info may come at you from all sides so you’ll need to understand what is essential and what can be ignored. Thinking of investing in a hobby or other fun activity? This aspect encourages you to seek out the best possible deal.
Have a sense of urgency? Decisions don’t need to be instant. With facts, feelings, and perspectives flying around, it might be hard to get your bearings. Mercury in your sign can inspire you to search everywhere except in front of you for the answers. The Virgo Moon is a call to look at the facts and not to get too distracted. Do that, and you really can’t go astray.
It can feel like you’re talking at cross-purposes as your words may be lost in translation. You know you have something important to share, but it might come out muddled. Today’s Moon-Mercury angle encourages you to start with what you know, rather than trying to explain concepts that need a chance to percolate. Take your time, and your message will be clear.
Keen to put energy into a group project or collaboration? Before you promise anything, check that you really do have the time, money, and other resources to make this work. It’s crucial to have this information at the outset otherwise you could end up regretting your decision. The same is true if considering a membership. Be honest with yourself before you commit, Leo.
The Moon in your sign suggests you’re acutely aware of your talents and abilities in key situations. Yet, a lunar tie to Mercury in an ambitious zone means your personal ideas may come up against public expectations. You know what you’re good at, yet others might have comments of their own to make that clash with yours. Be flexible but trust your instincts.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
A desire to know yourself better might collide with the urge to see the bigger picture. Today, both may be helpful in your search for understanding and deeper knowledge. You’ll have a chance to assess how much you’ve grown and whether your beliefs still support your growth. You’ll also be good at spotting ideas and philosophies that can bring out the very best in you.
The Moon illuminates your networks, while its angle to Mercury in an intense sector suggests conversations with others might reveal deeper layers. Your social world may become a place of thoughtful observation rather than general chit-chat. As you discuss things, insights may emerge that benefit you and others. Something profound could be revealed, Scorpio.
Your professional outlook can clash with that of close ones, friends, or colleagues, so you’ll need to decide what you pay attention to. Others may have ideas that could sharpen your plans – if you’re open to them. You could rush ahead solo, but it may be wise to talk it through, discuss, or even collaborate, as doing so can enrich your ideas, Sagittarius.
The Moon’s angle to Mercury in Gemini suggests that some of your more adventurous ideas could clash with reality. You may be very inspired by an opportunity or challenge but might need to work on the practical side of things. Still, this could be difficult if your priorities keep changing. Commit to one plan at a time, make sound preparations, and enjoy the experience.
Intense feelings may clash with a need for fun and lightness. Reflecting on an issue that needs healing or resolution? The cosmos suggests that tackling it in a playful or creative way could bring the biggest rewards of all. Channelling any feelings into an art project, gardening, or any activity that inspires you can bring revelations that might shift things best of all.
Discussions may reveal issues in family affairs that need to be resolved. A close one could pinpoint areas that have been causing issues in the background, and this might be a chance to weave them into the conversation. It’s also a good time for entertaining. Whether you’re connecting with old friends or making new ones, an informal get-together could be uplifting.
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Jewish leaders are calling on the US tech company to apologise
22:48, 23 May 2026Updated 23:43, 23 May 2026
The Google description of Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman as a ‘fictional character’ has now been changed after being reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Jewish leaders in Greater Manchester reacted with anger at the ‘absolutely disgraceful’ online mischaracterisation of Itzik Alterman. They called on the US tech company to change it immediately – and apologise to his family and friends.
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He survived four Nazi concentration and death camps and was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2023 for his services to Holocaust education and remembrance.
Born in southern Poland, Mr Alterman lost most of his family during the Holocaust.
He was spared as a teenager, but suffered unimaginable cruelty after being sent to the Blyzin concentration camp, where he worked in the kitchen. In 1944, he was transported to Auschwitz and went on to be marched, in the dead of night, to Birkenau – around 3km away.
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Mr Alterman, with others, was liberated from a Nazi camp in the Czech Republic by the Russian Army and eventually flown to the UK, settling in the Lake District with dozens of other young children as a ‘Windermere Boy’. He went on to move to Bury and became a successful businessman.
Previously, if you searched his name on Google, he was described on the search engine as a ‘fictional character’, below images of him and news stories about his life by the Manchester Evening News and other news outlets.
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However, in an update on Saturday evening, Raphi Bloom, who was a close friend of Mr Alterman, confirmed that after sharing the MEN’s previous article on the story on LinkedIn, the description has been removed.
He added that the family of Mr Alterman were ‘really appreciative’. The Manchester Evening News has reached out to Google for comment.
Mr Bloom previously described the misrepresentation as ‘absolutely disgraceful’ – and said tech giants were not doing enough to combat ‘anti-Jewish racism’.
Mr Bloom said: “I knew Ike Alterman in two capacities. First, he was someone like a second father to me, with whom I travelled widely to share his story with thousands of people of all ages across the north west.
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“Second, I knew him as the director of The Fed’s My Voice Project, through which we published his whole life storybook, with a foreword written by Andy Burnham. It is deposited in many prestigious libraries across the world.
“The fact that Google can misrepresent Ike Alterman as a fictional person is absolutely disgraceful. Ike survived four Nazi concentration and death camps, as well as a death march. He bore a death camp number tattooed on his arm, and there is extensive Nazi documentation that proves unequivocally he was a Holocaust survivor.
“In an era where Holocaust inversion and distortion are increasingly used to deny Jewish suffering, this kind of mischaracterisation only reinforces what many Jewish people already feel – that tech giants are failing to do enough to combat anti-Jewish racism.”
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