Rochdale council chief demands 'fair' asylum system as 80 refugees moved into town's hotels 'against our wishes'

Nick Cave has responded to a fan who asked him what he thinks “the point of life” is.The Bad Seeds singer answered Beau on his The Red Hand Files blog earlier this month, laying out his argument that “we must first understand what it is to be human” in order to find meaning.“We are capable of the greatest atrocities and the deepest sufferings, all culminating in a vast, collective grief. This is our shared condition,” part of Cave’s blog post reads.“Yet happiness and joy continue to burst through this mutual condition.

EXCLUSIVE: Keshet International has secured rights to Cuba Libre, a buzzy drama about a follower of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara that’s being billed as one of Portugal’s most ambitious television series ever. The six-part biopic, based on the life of Ana Maria Silva Pais, will form part of KI’s slate at Mipcom Cannes next month.

“The Voice”‘s most-decorated coach, Blake Shelton, is already facing some stiff competition from the show’s newcomer, Camila Cabello!

's most-decorated coach, Blake Shelton, is already facing some stiff competition from the show's newcomer, Camila Cabello!The pair butted heads over a popular singer on Monday's season 22 premiere, as 26-year-old Miami native Orlando Mendez, a self-proclaimed «Cuban Cowboy,» took the stage with his rendition of Luke Combs' «Beer Never Broke My Heart,» earning chair turns from all four coaches.While Blake usually has major pull with 's country singers, Orlando admitted that sharing a hometown and heritage with Camila would make his decision a difficult one.«If Camila and Blake both turn their chairs, it's gonna be a tough choice, man!» he said before taking the stage. «I got my country roots growing up, from Blake Shelton, and then I got Camila Cabello, a pop star from my hometown, someone who I definitely connect with her story. If they're both there, vying for me, that's gonna be a game-time decision.»Things got even tougher after Orlando's performance, as he admitted, «Country music's my passion, I've been listening to [Blake's] songs since I was little, but I come from Cuban roots.».@orlandomendez54 found a home on #teamcamila and it just makes sense pic.twitter.com/wHrKhCfZp7«I've been doing this a long time,» Blake said, pleading his case, only for Camila to chime in, «Too long, some might say!»Ultimately, while John Legend tried to convince Orlando to make an «unpredictable choice,» Orlando went with his roots, choosing to join Team Camila!«It was really exciting to win a country artist, especially over Blake,» the new coach teased.

Uniformed police officers and local leaders stood side by side with family and friends of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes at a memorial service, marking the 10th anniversary of the officers being killed on duty by fugitive Dale Cregan.

The National Fish and Chip Awards has announced the top 40 entries for the Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year category – with several top Scottish chippies making the list.

A Scots mum who was left raging after a house was built so close to hers she could chap her neighbour's door from her bathroom window has been told by the council the property is 'closer than it should have been'.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has questioned whether Avanti West Coast is equipped to deliver services to people wishing to pay their respects to the Queen. His latest attack comes less than two weeks after he said the company was in "the last chance saloon".

Former Stockport council leader Elise Wilson has announced she will not be standing for re-election next year. Coun Wilson, who still heads up the Labour group, plans to step down in May after completing nine years at the town hall - including three as leader of the council.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic Can you imagine anything more delightful than Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin co-starring in a movie with Richard Roundtree and Malcolm McDowell … in 1972? That was the year Fonda won an Oscar for “Klute” and daffy “Laugh-In” star Tomlin released her first comedy album. The two men were riding high with “Shaft” and “A Clockwork Orange,” respectively. Just think what an ensemble film that played to each of their strengths might have yielded 50 years ago. That’s wishful thinking, of course. You can’t go back, and you can’t do things over, but it’s never too late to move on. At least, that’s the message writer-director Paul Weitz is peddling in “Moving On,” a sassy feature-length sitcom with a #MeToo twist in which two estranged friends reunite to settle a decades-old score.

Long-awaited plans to build 223 homes on a retail park on the edge of Rochdale town centre have been submitted. Developer Willmott Dixon has applied for planning permission on behalf of Rochdale council for Central Retail Park off Drake Street.

The start of September has seen newly capped bus fares introduced in Greater Manchester as part of a plan to revolutionise public transport across the city.

Therese Coffey MP, the new Health Secretary and Deputy PM, was interrupted during an interview by her alarm. The Dr Dre tune rang out as she hurriedly reached for her phone during the LBC radio appearance.

CTV National News officially has a new anchor.

EXCLUSIVE: Steve Michaels’ Asylum Entertainment Group is expanding its portfolio.

The managing director of under-fire train operator Avanti West Coast has stepped down from his role, it was confirmed tonight. Phil Whittingham will leave his position on September 15 to 'pursue other executive leadership opportunities'.

Bury Council is seeking a new chief executive after Geoff Little announced a date for his retirement. Mr Little, 62, will leave his role in 2023 after 45 years of local government service.

Nick Cave has announced an audiobook to accompany his new memoir Faith, Hope And Carnage, which he also narrates.The artist’s upcoming work is based on 40 hours of interviews between Cave and his friend, the Observer journalist Seán O’Hagan, and is released on September 20. It’s not clear if the audiobook is released on the same day – you can pre-order it in the UK here.Faith, Hope And Carnage will cover Cave’s perspective and personal life over the six years following the death of his son, Arthur, who died in July 2015 at the age of 15.

After teaming up with Our Pass, young people and their families and friends are getting a chance to see the final game of this seasons The Hundred for free on Wednesday, August 31 when Manchester Originals play Oval Invincibles.

Lil Gnar is under pressure. Sure, he’s already collaborated with plenty of marquee acts — Lil Uzi Vert, Trippie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, Smokepurpp, Lil Skies, and the late Lil Keed, to name a few — but as the inaugural signee to Chicago legend Chief Keef’s new label, 43B, the Atlanta up-and-comer has a lot to live up to.