Welcome to the Manchester Evening News breaking news service.

We’ll be making sure that you are the first to know what’s happening across the Greater Manchester region.

Throughout the day we will be bringing you constant updates on news across the area.

We’ll also be bringing you crime, travel, health, sport, politics and education stories from the M.E.N team.

And the CityLife journalists are working hard to bring you the best reviews, celebrity gossip and information on going out in the city.

Some of the stories from overnight include a report of a 6ft python found in the city centre.

The RSPCA have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following the incident.

In the US three police officers have been killed, and another three injured, following a protest in Louisiana.

There are also reports Jose Mourinho’s house was subjected to a break in. We’ll bring you an update on this as soon as possible.

In terms of the weather...looks like today could be another scorcher!

At the moment everything seems to be running smoothly on the Metrolink.

If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then feel free to get in touch - call us on 0161 211 2323 or tweet @MENnewsdesk

Trams suspended between Bury and Queens Road

There is still disruption on the Metrolink due to a problem with the overhead lines near Prestwich.

It’s now also affecting services on the Ashton as well as the Bury line.

Tickets are being accepted the 135, 98, 42, 59 and 524 bus services.

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Man spotted on bridge taken to hospital

Police haven now confirmed that the man brought down safely from the bridge and has been taken to hospital for treatment

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All lanes re-opened on the M60

All lanes have now re-opened on the anti-clockwise M60 after the man on Barton Bridge was brought to safety.

However motorists are being warned it may take a while for queues, which stretched back to junction 18 and the M61, to clear.

Drivers have also reported an accident within the queue which has now been moved to the hard shoulder.

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Man 'brought down safely' from Barton Bridge

Good to hear.

It’s understood the man spotted on the bridge has been brought down safely and is being attended to.

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Map shows gridlock

An updated map showing of the situation on the motorway network this evening.

Black means stationary traffic which means a huge stretch is currently at gridlock.

As you can see, delays on the anti-clockwise M60 stretch right round to close to junction 17 for Prestwich and back to junction 4 on the M61.

There are also queues on the M62 and on the opposite carriageway of the M60 close to Barton Bridge.

Specialists police officers are still with the man spotted on the bridge and urging drivers to continue be patient and find an alternative route if possible.

(Image: Highways Agency)
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Broken down tram

Appears this is the problem causing the Metrolink delays on the Bury line

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Traffic IS passing on Barton Bridge

Traffic is passing but police are urging drivers to be patient

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Part suspension of Metrolink Bury line

There are also problems on the trams.

There are no services between Bury and Queens Road after an overhead line failure at Prestwich.

Passengers can use their tickets on bus services 135, 98, 59 and 42 bus service Metrolink say.

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Barton Bridge update

Police say they are still dealing with the incident involving a man who was spotted on the wrong side of the barriers on Barton Bridge earlier.

Initially all traffic was stopped but now lane has been closed on the anticlockwise stretch of the M60 between junctions 10 and J11.

Traffic is passing but at very low speed and it is causing long delays on the network.

Congestion is stretching right round to junction 16, Pendlebury and to junction 4 on the M61.

Drivers are asked to be patient or find an alternative route if possible.

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M60 delays

This is the current situation on the M60 either side of Barton Bridge.

Remember red means severe delays and black means completely stationary traffic.

(Image: Highways Agency)
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Barton Bridge lane closure

Police say traffic is passing, but at low speed

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Lane closed after man spotted on Barton Bridge

One lane is closed, with a rolling road block in place, after a man was spotted on the wrong side of the barriers on Barton Bridge.

Specialist officers have been dispatched to the scene on the anti-clockwise stretch between junctions 10 and 11 after calls were made expressing concerns for his welfare.

Drivers are asked to be patient whilst police deal with the incident.

We’ll bring you any updates on the situation as we get them.

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Possible Barton Bridge closure

Traffic offciers say they have to close the anti-clockwise stretch of the M60 near Barton Bridge due to an incident.

We are speaking to the police now and will bring you more on this as soon as we get it

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Airport immigration delays

Some pictures posted by travellers of the situation at the passport gates in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1

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Airport apologise for delays at passport control

The airport say: “We’re working closely with our partners to ensure everyone is processed as quickly as possible.”

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Schools out

Don’t think that’s going to go down too well

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Police warning over abandoned mill

GMP are warning to people to stay away from an abandoned mill in Oldham.

They say people are still entering and the fire service have had to put out several fires despite it being in a dangerous state and awaiting demolition.

The building on Block Lane in Chadderton has laid derelict since being after a mail order warehouse ceased operation there in 1992.

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M6 congestion easing

It follows a carvan overturning earlier

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Crime

Five criminals from the Greater Manchester area have been jailed for their roles in a ‘brazen’ £1 million drugs plot

Involving a total of 18 men and women, the conspiracy was masterminded by serving prisoner Patrick White who used illegally held mobile phones.

He directed a band of trusted lieutenants, dealers and couriers from his jail cell in Cheshire.

White, 25, and originally from Manchester, used smuggled mobile phones to direct the transportation of illegal substances from the Manchester and Liverpool areas into Cumbria by road and rail.

However, police smashed the supply ring, which ran between April and September last year, and brought the perpetrators to justice.

Officers intercepted couriers as they attempted to flood the streets of Carlisle and other Cumbrian towns with class A drugs, along with cannabis and methcathinone (Mcat).

Read the full story here.

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Stolen car rams police vehicle in city centre

These dramatic images show the moment after a stolen car ploughed into the front of a police vehicle carrying armed officers

(Image: @AndyD1701)

The silver Vauxhall Vectra rammed into the police Land Rover at on Portland Street, at the junction of Princess Street, shortly after 1pm on Monday.

Officers managed to arrest one man at the scene. But another man fled from the collision in the direction of China Town.

The armed officers were not responding to any incident at the time of the collision and just happened to be in the city centre as the stolen car was passing. Witnesses said they saw a man fleeing from the car with blood on his face.

Any witnesses to the incident can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Car fire on the M60

A car has caught fire on the M60 near junction 22, in Oldham

Traffic has been halted while emergency services attend the incident.

Smoke can be seen pouring from outside the vehicle.

Take care if you are driving in this direction.

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Keyboard warrior

A man has been arrested after two workers fought each other with keyboards in an office

Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a brawl taking place in a meeting room, on Lloyd Street, in the city centre, at 12.45pm on Monday.

The workers were apparently hitting each other with keyboards.

Police arrested one man on suspicion of assault.

He remains in police custody for questioning.

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Pokemon Go arrest

A teenage boy has been arrested after three students were robbed of their mobile phones as they played Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go players have to ‘find’ and capture characters roaming around, cleverly blending virtual reality with real-life

The students were robbed of their phones on Friday night while they searched for Pokemon in Hulme.

A 15-year-old was arrested the next day following a police pursuit through the city centre.

Police chased the youngster from Oxford Road onto the Mancunian Way where he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the robbery and cannabis dealing.

He was questioned by officers has since been released on police bail.

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M6 closure to last at least half an hour

Drivers are being warned to avoid the northbound M6 near Lymm with a crash causing long delays.

The smash between junctions 20 and 21 has seen a caravan overturn and police say they are not able to move it on their own.

It means three lanes (of four) will have to be closed for at least half an hour with long queues of more than two and a half miles starting to build.

North West Motorway Police say: “Please delay your journey or plan an alt route to avoid J20-J21.”

We’ll bring you more on this as we get it

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All lanes on M6 set to be closed

Police are making their way to the M6

All lanes will have to be closed soon to recover the caravan. Be prepared for delays.

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Overturned caravan on the M6

We’re getting reports of an overturned caravan on the M6 causing some traffic problems

Drivers heading towards Wigan have been affected.

Three lanes have been closed between junction 20, Lymm Interchange, and junction 21, Woolston.

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Education

A charity has warned more than a third of boys in Manchester, Tameside and Salford will struggle to speak a full sentence by the time they start primary school

The study by Save the Children found boys are nearly twice as likely than girls to have fallen behind by the time they start school.

Save the Children has warned that unless action is taken to ensure all youngsters have access to early education, almost a million young boys could be left behind in the next 10 years.

Manchester was listed as the sixth place in the UK with the biggest gender gap in education standards, with 33% of boys not meeting standards compared to 18% of girls.

In Tameside 34% of boys were found to be lagging behind, while only 19% of girls were found to be failing.

Salford was listed as the tenth place in the UK with the biggest gender gap.

Read the full report here.

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Firefighters warning following kitchen blazes

Firefighters are warning people to take care when cooking following a number of kitchen fires over the weekend

(Image: GMFRS)

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to three fires in kitchens on Sunday in Chorlton, Hulme and Rusholme.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Coun David Acton, said: “In Greater Manchester more than half of the house fires we attend start in the kitchen. It is vitally important that people don’t leave pans unattended, or cook while under the influence of alcohol. These are among the many safety messages we issue around kitchen safety.

“We are committed to reducing fire deaths and injuries by ensuring that every home in the county has a working smoke alarm. To make certain this happens, we carry out free Safe and Well visits, which often include the fitting of smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can give you vital time which can save your life. To arrange a Safe and Well visit people can call 0800 555 815.”

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Road closure following collision in Moss Side

A road in Moss Side has been closed following a collision involving a taxi and Mercedes

The black Mercedes and taxi collided with each other at the junction of Moss Lane West and Princess Parkway at 10.30am.

A passenger in the taxi has suffered from leg and chest injuries, while a woman driving the Mercedes is suffering from shock.

There are no reports of any serious injuries.

Moss Lane West has been closed at the junction of Princess Parkway while police recover the damaged cars.

The traffic lights are also damaged.

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Protesters hang banners over Princess Parkway Bridge

Members of the Greater Manchester District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament have placed banners over a bridge at Princess Parkway

The protesters appear to be demonstrating against the Trident nuclear programme.

Theresa May is expected tp tell MPs not to gamble with the safety of British families ahead of a Commons vote on whether to renew the Trident nuclear deterrent. MPs are set to vote tonight on renewal, which is estimated to cost around £40 billion.

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