Former police rep says Andy Burnham must lead culture shift at Greater Manchester Police after force placed in ‘special measures’

Shortly before Walt Disney World closed tonight, guests began posting photos and video of what seemed to be a new water attraction: a lazy river running down Hollywood Boulevard at the resort’s Hollywood Studios park.

Clayton Davis The Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon was a happy occasion full of hugs between stars, but also a sense of trepidation as the first Academy luncheon since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020. With a live, in-person event held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, with remarks from Oscars producer Will Packer and Academy president David Rubin, over 200 guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees for the 94th Oscars, set to take place on March 27.Rubin’s opening remarks acknowledged the war in Ukraine and the Academy’s global support for a peaceful resolution.Some key takeaways from the event1. The Academy wants the show to be fun.Packer emceed the top of the event, praising the year’s crop of nominees.

Queens supporting queens! Nicki Minaj showed up to defend Britney Spears after she called herself “not the best dancer,” reminding the pop star her status in the culture.

Hosted by Dolly Parton alongside by co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards was a the two-hour concert event of the year live streamed globally on Prime Video tonight from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

2022 Academy of Country Music Awards saw the likes of Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton picking up coveted trophies, and performances from Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson.MORE: Kelly Clarkson stuns in bodycon dress during Dolly Parton tribute at ACM AwardsThe ceremony took place on Monday 7 March at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, and viewers enjoyed "wall-to-wall" music during the two-hour show, which streamed coast to coast instead of tape-delayed on Amazon Prime in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.WATCH: Dolly Parton kicks off 2022 ACM AwardsCountry music legend Dolly Parton helmed the ceremony and was joined by co-hosts Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen but HELLO! was behind the scenes and below are several fun moments from your favorite stars...MORE: Carrie Underwood wows in leg-lengthening micro shorts at ACM AwardsCountry stars including Tenille Townes spoke to HELLO! and many of them shared that Dolly Parton was their dream collaborator."I really do feel so inspired that Dolly Parton is in the house, anything around her would be a dream come true," Tenille told us, when asked who she would love to perform with, dead or alive.

Drake is ready for a change after he put his enormous mansion in Hidden Hills, California, on the market.The 35-year-old hitmaker is selling his home for a whopping $14.8 million, but interested buyers can shell out even more for two neighboring properties, TMZ reported on Monday.He's moving on after it was reported earlier this month that he had purchased another mansion in Beverly Hills for and eye-popping $50 million from Robbie Williams. Moving on: Drake is selling his 'YOLO' mansion in Hidden Hills, California, for $14.8 million, TMZ reported on Monday.

bring in new national Covid restrictions within 24 hours as cases continue to rise. He has also called for the government to come up with a plan on children’s learning and for working parents.

direct to your inboxPrime Minister Boris Johnson has said parents should send children back to primary school tomorrow 'in areas where schools are open'.His comments come as pressure mounts on the government to keep schools closed amid concerns over rates of coronavirus transmission.The National Education Union (NEU), the UK's largest teaching union, told its members that it is unsafe for them to go back to work on Monday. And Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham called for the government to delay the reopening of primary schools or give the decision to local leaders to avoid 'chaos'.

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham has called for the government to delay the reopening of primary schools or give the decision to local leaders to avoid 'chaos'. Greater Manchester's mayor outlined his position amid growing pressure on the government to keep schools closed tomorrow.

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham has added his voice to those calling for teaching staff to be vaccinated for Covid-19 ahead of schools reopening next month.The mayor was reacting to the government's decision to delay the return of secondary school pupils until 18 January.Only exam year groups will receive online teaching from January 11, before all pupils return the week after, subject to a review.All primary schools will reopen as planned on Monday, apart from some in Tier 4 areas in London and the south east.

direct to your inboxThe number of coronavirus patients in Greater Manchester hospitals is rising as it emerged 25pc of cases have been identified as belonging to the new strain.The Mayor Andy Burnham said while the current picture of the region's health system is 'challenging but manageable', he is concerned that the fast-spreading variant of Covid-19 could 'overwhelm' it.He therefore welcomed the government's decision to put Greater Manchester in Tier 4, the highest level of restrictions.It means everyone in the region has been told to 'stay at home' and only leave if absolutely necessary.At his weekly press conference today, Mr Burnham said he hoped tighter restrictions would allow Greater Manchester to 'get ahead' of the new strain.The

direct to your inboxUp to 25pc of all new coronavirus cases across Greater Manchester can be attributed to the new strain seen spreading rapidly through southern England.Experts predict there could be even higher number of new cases down to the new variant currently due to a data lag.Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced the figures at a press conference this morning.He said that partly as a result of this new strain, he and Greater Manchester’s leaders are in agreement with the government’s decision to place the city-region under the toughest Tier 4 restrictions, as a ‘preventative’ measure.Mr Burnham said: “What has changed up to now is the prevalence of the new strain of the virus, around 25pc of our cases can be attributed to

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham has said that Greater Manchester's move into Tier 4 is "justified" but has encouraged a more national approach.The Mayor of Greater Manchester held his final coronavirus press conference of 2020 after the region was placed under the toughest restrictions.From 00.01 on Thursday, millions of people have been subjected to a stay home order with non-essential businesses also forced to close.During his press conference, Mr Burnham confirmed that the new variant of coronavirus, which has seen huge spikes in infection rates in the south, now accounts for 25 percent of new positive cases in Greater Manchester.He said "this is the moment of maximum danger" and that the next two months will be challenging, and

direct to your inboxA massive 35,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have already been distributed across Greater Manchester – and more are set to follow.Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham gave a press conference this morning (Thursday) and announced the plan for the region’s vaccine distribution.He said 12,000 of the vaccines already provided were given at hospital hubs and 23,000 via the region’s primary care network.Mr Burnham said 25 per cent of Greater Manchester’s new coronavirus cases are attributable to the new strain of COVID-19, which is also spreading rapidly through London and the south east.He said Greater Manchester leaders agreed with the government’s decision to place the region under the strict Tier 4 restrictions as a

direct to your inboxThe coronavirus pandemic has exposed the crisis in the "broken" social care system – and it would be "immoral" not to fix it, Andy Burnham has warned.The mayor of Greater Manchester said the only way to cope with an ageing population would be to more closely integrate social care with the NHS.

direct to your inbox Manchester’s first accommodation service catered specifically for homeless people who identify as LGBT+ opened earlier this week. The Riverside Housing project in the city centre consists of six modern flats providing residents with a safe space ‘free from discrimination’ alongside additional support services.

Video: Inside KFC at Christmas leaves viewers divided as famous gravy secrets revealed (Manchester Evening News)Andy Burnham - Tier 4 restrictions would create ‘significant issues for people’ and Greater Manchester's cases 'do not yet justify Tier 4'Latest coronavirus infection rates in Manchester44 parts of England at risk of going into Tier 4Greater Manchester could be asked to send police officers down to Kent in event of no-deal BrexitHome Bargains shoppers love new mirror that looks more expensive than it isLatest coronavirus deaths and cases across the UK - December 22Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes raises fears of Christmas ravesMan City: 2020 in reviewBoris Johnson - 'It is very, very important to get kids and keep kids

direct to your inboxThe number of new Covid-19 hospital admissions in Greater Manchester is rising for the first time since mid-November, as the mayor warns the arrival of a potent new strain to the region is now ‘inevitable’.However Andy Burnham says he does not yet think the time is right for the conurbation to be placed into Tier 4 restrictions.He told this afternoon’s weekly press conference that infection rates here - which are up 1pc in the past week - are still ‘flatlining’ and argued the region is currently in a ‘very, very different’ place to the rest of the country.But tougher measures could not be ruled out if the figures deteriorate, he added.His comments came as data presented at the same press conference showed new hospital

direct to your inboxThe deputy mayor has expressed fears there could be a rise in illegal raves and house parties in Greater Manchester over the Christmas period.Beverley Hughes told a press conference led by Andy Burnham on Tuesday that there is intelligence to suggest the region 'could see a return' of the raves and parties seen over the summer. A series of illegal 'lockdown' events this year saw young people hospitalised due to drug overdoses, reports of sexual assaults, and even resulted in the death of one teenager.

direct to your inboxThis is the man who will take over the top job at Greater Manchester Police - for now - after the resignation today of chief constable Ian Hopkins.Ian Pilling, currently GMP's deputy chief constable, will 'step up' as the force's interim chief, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said.Mr Burnham added he would set in motion the search for Mr Hopkins' permanent replacement in the new year, saying: "Now is the time for new leadership and a new era in our police force."Mr Hopkins, a father-of-two, was named the force's chief constable in 2015, taking over from the retiring Sir Peter Fahy.

Greater Manchester Police's top cop has quit citing poor health after the force was placed under special measures.