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Local News

• Mum of two makes urgent plea for kidney donor as transplant options run out

  A mother from Rochdale is appealing to the public to consider becoming a living kidney donor as she faces an increasingly desperate wait for a life-saving transplant.

• Rochdale man walks 4,200 miles from Azerbaijan to raise money for homelessness charities

  A 34-year-old man from Rochdale has completed a 233-day trek across 17 countries, walking over 4,200 miles from Baku to raise money for two Manchester homelessness charities.

• Children lead the way as Freehold estate praised for pioneering police partnership

  Pupils at Broadfield Park Primary School have been hailed for their role in helping Greater Manchester Police tackle organised crime on the Freehold estate.

• Exhibition train marking 200 years of rail travel to stop in Bury

  A free family-friendly exhibition train celebrating 200 years of modern railway history is set to arrive in Bury in January as part of a nationwide tour.

• Emergency road closure on Milnrow Road for final phase of major gas works

  A key section of the A640 Milnrow Road in Rochdale has been closed to allow urgent gas mains upgrade work, as part of a £75 million project by Cadent.

• Middleton residents share bold ideas for town’s future at MMDC event

  Residents in Middleton took part in a community event at the Edgar Wood Rooms to share ideas for the town’s future. The session followed the launch of the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation, introduced the night before by actor Steve Coogan and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

• Middleton hits reset as Mayoral Development Corporation launches with community backing and call for change

  Middleton’s regeneration took a major step forward tonight, Wednesday 19 November, with the launch of the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation, known as MMDC, a new public body that promises to transform the town through investment, housing and community-led development.

• New maternity membership offers discounts for mums across Greater Manchester

  A Rochdale mother has launched a new discount membership platform to support women during pregnancy and maternity leave.

• Hundreds of homes on Littleborough’s countryside set for approval

  Hundreds of new homes are set to be built on the Littleborough countryside near a popular beauty spot.

• Town to get ‘real boost’ from major planning reforms

  Housebuilding next to train stations being given a default ‘yes’, will be a real boost for Castleton, says the town’s MP.

• Plans for battery storage plant on green belt next to country park approved after ‘knife edge’ vote

  A battery energy storage plant is to be built on green belt land close to a country park.

• Hotel expansion approved

  A hotel on the edge of Bury and Heywood will be expanded to create space for 30 new bedrooms.

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Greater Manchester

• Middleton hits reset as Mayoral Development Corporation launches with community backing and call for change

  Middleton’s regeneration took a major step forward tonight, Wednesday 19 November, with the launch of the Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation, known as MMDC, a new public body that promises to transform the town through investment, housing and community-led development.

• New maternity membership offers discounts for mums across Greater Manchester

  A Rochdale mother has launched a new discount membership platform to support women during pregnancy and maternity leave.

• Acosta Danza brings Carlos Acosta’s Carmen to Manchester Opera House in 2026

  Acclaimed ballet star Carlos Acosta will bring his powerful new interpretation of Carmen to Manchester next spring, as part of a nationwide tour marking the tenth anniversary of his dance company, Acosta Danza.

• Pensioner’s battle over her blue bin

  A pensioner who struggles to lug her bins from her garage to the pavement said she has been left dumbfounded by a string of missed collections.

• Fraud specialists to support residents during Black Friday and Christmas shopping period

  Greater Manchester Police’s Economic and Cyber Crime Unit (ECCU) will be running pop-up fraud advice events in the run-up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas, including a session at Virgin Money in Rochdale on Tuesday 19 November.

• Police investigate fatal collision at Simister Island after GMP pursuit

  A 19-year-old man has died after being hit by a car on the junction between the M60 and M66 following a police pursuit in north Manchester.

• GMP pays out nearly £9,000 after unlawful arrest of former soldier

  A former military police officer has been paid almost £9,000 in damages by Greater Manchester Police after being locked in custody for almost 12 hours.

• Andy Burnham launches major Atom Valley scheme in Rochdale

  A major project that will bring 20,000 jobs, employment space and new homes over a ‘decade of growth’ has finally started.

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Local Entertainment

• Exhibition train marking 200 years of rail travel to stop in Bury

  A free family-friendly exhibition train celebrating 200 years of modern railway history is set to arrive in Bury in January as part of a nationwide tour.

• Jeff Hordley to DJ at Chorlton’s Garden Bar in tribute to ‘lovely soul’ Mani

  Emmerdale actor and former Revolution 96.2 Presenter set to headline bar’s new event series

• Local theatre group is staging Oscar-winner's dark thriller in Ramsbottom

  A local theatre company is taking on one of the most challenging works by a modern Oscar-winning writer, with a week-long run at The Theatre Royal in Ramsbottom.

• Acosta Danza brings Carlos Acosta’s Carmen to Manchester Opera House in 2026

  Acclaimed ballet star Carlos Acosta will bring his powerful new interpretation of Carmen to Manchester next spring, as part of a nationwide tour marking the tenth anniversary of his dance company, Acosta Danza.

• Ignite Fire Festival returns to Rochdale with fiery spectacles and family fun

  Three-night event leads into town’s Christmas lights switch-on

• Hundreds gather for magical lights switch-on at The Rock’s first Christmas parade

  A festive celebration brought hundreds of local families to The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury as it hosted its first-ever Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade.

• Inclusive Cinderella pantomime breaks barriers on stage in Chadderton

  A North West care provider is putting on a reimagined Cinderella pantomime featuring a cast made up entirely of people with complex needs

• J Star Academy locked out of studio amid rent dispute as parents and donors demand clarity

  Prestwich community shocked after landlord changes locks on performing arts academy despite crowdfunder effort to save space.

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Local Sports

• Late Dudley goal not enough as Ramsbottom fall to West Didsbury in Macron Cup

  West Didsbury and Chorlton visited the Riverside in murky, misty and gloomy conditions on Saturday.  The Macron Cup encounter offered a chance to step away from the league action and enjoy a knock-out contest pitting the top two in the North West Counties Premier Division against each other.

• Ramsbottom United smash City of Liverpool in eight-goal thriller on milestone day for manager

  Travelling supporters braved an icy wind interspersed with torrential rain and freezing conditions but it was well worth the effort for a match which will long live in their memories.

• Mayfield RL’s ‘Movers’ raise over £8,500 for Rochdale charities after 52-mile walk to Blackpool

  A group of dedicated volunteers from Mayfield Rugby League Club have raised £8,556.87 after completing a 52-mile sponsored walk from Rochdale to Blackpool in support of three local charitable causes.

• Valley Thai Boxing Club fighters bring home 15 gold medals for Team GB

  A group of young athletes from Valley Thai Boxing Club in Rochdale have returned from Italy with 15 gold medals, after representing Team Great Britain at the WTKA World Championships.

• Rochdale sisters strike gold at World Martial Arts Championships in Norway

  Two young sisters from Rochdale have returned from Norway as world champions after an extraordinary medal haul at the World Martial Arts Championship Games.

• Pedro’s tenth not enough as Shakers share spoils in Bootle stalemate

  Despite a second half comeback Bury had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to Bootle.

• Holland‑Wilkinson hat trick inspires Ramsbottom United to 4–0 win over Abbey Hey

  Jacob Holland-Wilkinson’s first half hattrick did the damage for the Rams before Harvey Whyte’s stoppage time penalty put the icing on the cake with the last kick of the game.

• Holland‑Wilkinson double fires Ramsbottom United back to the top at Prestwich

  A first half stalemate was in stark contrast to a second half where strikes from Matt Dudley and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (2) secured all three points at Adie Moran Park.

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UK

• Royal Navy intercepts Russian warship and tanker

  A Royal Navy patrol ship has intercepted two Russian vessels off the UK coast, the Ministry of Defence has said.

• David Cameron reveals he has been treated for prostate cancer

  Former prime minister Lord Cameron has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer.

• Eight men arrested after attempted murder of couple in their 60s in Newcastle

  Eight men have been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a couple in Newcastle, police have said.

• 'A real moral failing': Manchester synagogue members still don't feel safe weeks after attack

  Sitting on the benches inside the synagogue, just metres from where last month's attack in Manchester began to unfold, chairman Alan Levy remembers it like it was yesterday.

• Hundreds protest against Crowborough army barracks plan for asylum seekers

  Hundreds of people have protested against plans to move asylum seekers to an army training camp - as speakers encouraged people to "form patrols" and stop paying council tax.

• Sir Keir Starmer 'absolutely' wants Angela Rayner back in cabinet

  Sir Keir Starmer has said he "absolutely" wants Angela Rayner back in his cabinet after she resigned for failing to pay the correct amount of stamp duty.

• Tributes paid to mental health charity worker - as girl, 13, arrested on suspicion of Swindon murder bailed

  A woman who died in Swindon has been remembered as an "incredible person" and "caring" colleague - as a 13-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of murder was bailed.

• Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for Aston Villa game 'based on false hooligan claims'

  West Midlands Police has defended the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending an Aston Villa match after it was claimed that false intelligence was used.

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Entertainment

• Sydney Sweeney on the challenges women face to 'have it all together'

  Sydney Sweeney says she finds it challenging to accept help when it's offered to her, saying it's viewed as a "sign of weakness".

• Woman charged with fraud over 'sale of Oasis tickets'

  A woman has been charged with fraud offences over the alleged sale of Oasis tickets.

• BBC board member resigns - and criticises 'governance issues' at top of corporation

  A BBC board member has resigned as he criticised "governance issues" at the top of the corporation.

• Eurovision to change voting rules after claims of Israeli government 'interference'

  The Eurovision Song Contest is changing its voting system, following allegations of "interference" by Israel's government this year.

• Strictly Come Dancing star arrested on suspicion of rape

  A Strictly Come Dancing star has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

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Sport

• Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham: Thomas Frank apologises to fans as Guglielmo Vicario admits Spurs showed no fight

  Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has apologised to fans for their dismal 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, as Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario admitted they showed no fight against their north London rivals.

• Eberechi Eze gives Arsenal title-winning 'aura' with hat-trick in masterclass performance against Spurs

  Tottenham were close to signing Eberechi Eze during the summer but they could not get near him at the Emirates Stadium. This was a brutal exhibition of what they missed out on, performed by a man seemingly on a mission to hammer home the message.

• Las Vegas GP: McLaren apologise to Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri for disqualifications and reveal cars were damaged

  McLaren have apologised to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for their exclusions from the Las Vegas Grand Prix and revealed both cars sustained "accidental damage".

• Luke Littler clinches Players Championship Finals title with victory over Nathan Aspinall in Minehead final

  Luke Littler's remarkable 2025 continued with an 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall in the final at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead.

• Las Vegas GP: Max Verstappen wins as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified for excessive skid block wear

  Max Verstappen dominated the Las Vegas Grand Prix and has been given a major championship boost after McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified for excessive skid block wear.

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Strange

• Ukrainian sumo wrestler makes history in Japan

  A Ukrainian sumo wrestler who left his homeland after Russia's full-scale invasion has made history in Japan.

• Marks & Spencer defends £195 beef wellington

  M&S has defended the price of a £195 beef wellington made by chef Tom Kerridge.

• Missed congeniality: Beauty pageant organiser accused of calling contestant a 'dumbhead'

  The organiser of Miss Universe has told Sky News he cannot stand down from his position - despite allegations he was aggressive towards a contestant.

• Glasgow Central: Rush-hour delays after swan found on tracks at major UK railway station

  Rail passengers in Scotland faced major delays and cancellations during Monday evening's rush hour after a swan was found on the line at the country's busiest railway station.

• Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal

  Police hunting for a crocodile in Derbyshire have said the search turned out to be "more fluff than fear".

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Videos

• 'COP is a nightmare but best process we've got', says Ed Miliband as climate talks run into overtime

  The UN climate talks are a "nightmare" but the "best process we've got", the UK energy secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News as the COP30 summit ran into overtime, with a showdown on fossil fuels looming.

• Who actually wrote US-Russian peace plan for Ukraine?

  Questions are being raised about the Russia-Ukraine peace plan, after US politicians suggested the proposal's 28 points did not originate from Donald Trump's administration but were put forward by Moscow.

• Chancellor Rachel Reeves hints at more welfare cuts after previous rebellion - but authority on shaky ground

  It feels like the most torturous build-up to any budget in recent history.

• Royal Navy intercepts Russian warship and tanker

  A Royal Navy patrol ship has intercepted two Russian vessels off the UK coast, the Ministry of Defence has said.

• Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for Aston Villa game 'based on false hooligan claims'

  West Midlands Police has defended the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending an Aston Villa match after it was claimed that false intelligence was used.

• TikTok boss insists teens' safety not at risk from AI moderation

  There's a lot going on at TikTok right now. 

• Fierce battle for frontline towns where Ukraine's soldiers are surrounded

  Footage geolocated by Sky News showed Russian soldiers walking through the Shakhtarskyi neighbourhood on the outskirts of Pokrovsk on Thursday.

• Sydney Sweeney on the challenges women face to 'have it all together'

  Sydney Sweeney says she finds it challenging to accept help when it's offered to her, saying it's viewed as a "sign of weakness".

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Politics

• 'I like Angie a lot': Sir Keir Starmer 'absolutely' wants Angela Rayner back in cabinet

  Sir Keir Starmer has said he "absolutely" wants Angela Rayner back in his cabinet after she resigned for failing to pay the correct amount of stamp duty.

• David Cameron reveals he has been treated for prostate cancer

  Former prime minister Lord Cameron has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer.

• Chancellor Rachel Reeves hints at more welfare cuts after previous rebellion - but authority on shaky ground

  It feels like the most torturous build-up to any budget in recent history.

• Women in public life 'get more abuse and criticism than men', says Keir Starmer

  Women in public life get "much more abuse and criticism than men", Sir Keir Starmer has said after Rachel Reeves claimed she was a victim of mansplaining.

• Rachel Reeves vows to 'grip the cost of living' - despite expectation of tax rises in budget

  Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised to "grip the cost of living" in the budget next week.

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Technology

• Behind the scenes at COP30: how they reached the final deal

  It was the showdown nobody wanted. But in the end, it saved the climate summit.

• TikTok boss insists teens' safety not at risk from AI moderation

  There's a lot going on at TikTok right now. 

• 'COP is a nightmare but best process we've got', says Ed Miliband as climate talks run into overtime

  The UN climate talks are a "nightmare" but the "best process we've got", the UK energy secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News as the COP30 summit ran into overtime, with a showdown on fossil fuels looming.

• What did COP30 achieve after failing to reach deal on fossil fuels?

  Well, it could have been worse.

• Countries agree compromise climate deal at COP30 - but omit mention of fossil fuels

  Countries attending COP30, the biggest climate meeting of the year, have agreed to a compromise deal setting out steps to help speed up climate action.

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World

• Fierce battle for frontline towns where Ukraine's soldiers are surrounded

  Footage geolocated by Sky News showed Russian soldiers walking through the Shakhtarskyi neighbourhood on the outskirts of Pokrovsk on Thursday.

• In full: Europe's 28-point counter proposal to US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine

  Europe has tabled a counter proposal to the US-Russia draft peace plan for Ukraine.

• Israel strikes Beirut for first time in months, killing Hezbollah chief of staff

  An Israeli airstrike has struck Lebanon's capital Beirut for the first time in months, killing Hezbollah's chief of staff.

• Behind the scenes at COP30: how they reached the final deal

  It was the showdown nobody wanted. But in the end, it saved the climate summit.

• Dozens of kidnapped schoolchildren in Nigeria escape as Pope Leo appeals for release of remaining abductees

  At least 50 of the 303 children abducted this week from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped and been reunited with their families, a church group has said, as Pope Leo pleaded for their immediate release.

• Who actually wrote US-Russian peace plan for Ukraine?

  Questions are being raised about the Russia-Ukraine peace plan, after US politicians suggested the proposal's 28 points did not originate from Donald Trump's administration but were put forward by Moscow.

• Torrential rain triggers deadly flooding and landslides in Vietnam

  Torrential rain, flooding and landslides has left more than 100 people dead or missing in Vietnam.

• Ukrainian sumo wrestler makes history in Japan

  A Ukrainian sumo wrestler who left his homeland after Russia's full-scale invasion has made history in Japan.

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Business

• FCA consumer chief Mills to leave City watchdog

  One of the City watchdog's top executives is to step down after an eventful eight-year tenure in which he also applied to run Britain's competition regulator.

• Daily Mail owner in talks to buy Telegraph titles for £500m

  The owner of the Daily Mail is in talks to buy the Daily Telegraph and its Sunday sister title for £500m, a deal that would finally end the more-than two-year hiatus over their future.

• Struggling energy supplier Ovo to axe hundreds of jobs

  Ovo Energy, one of Britain's biggest domestic gas and electricity suppliers, is preparing to take an axe to its workforce next week as part of efforts to convince regulators that it has a viable turnaround plan.

• Energy minister says 'there's no shortcut' to bringing down bills - as price cap rise announced

  Households and businesses will have to wait for energy bills to fall significantly because "there's no shortcut" to bringing down prices, the energy minister has told Sky News.

• Government borrowing third-highest record in October as people not spending - official figures

  Government borrowing was higher than expected and consumers tightened their belts, spending less than anticipated, official figures show.

• Curve investor files legal challenge to block £125m sale to Lloyds

  The biggest external investor in Curve, the digital wallet provider, has filed a legal challenge aimed at overturning its £125m sale to Lloyds Banking Group.

• Money Problem: Dyson in the dock over busted £350 fan - will its fob-off hold?

  The Money team is answering your Money Problems as part of our Consumer Rights Week...

• Why developers are worried about 'jaws of death' in England's housing market

  Housing Secretary Steve Reed wants Britain to "build, baby, build" towards the government's flagship 1.5 million homes target by the next election. But housebuilding in England has slowed to its lowest level in nine years, with the number of homes built falling by 6% to 208,600 in the year to March 2025.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

• Council leader’s column: Unity must prevail as we reject hatred and stand together in remembrance

  Rochdale’s council leader has issued a powerful call for unity and remembrance, condemning hate-fuelled division following an antisemitic terror attack and controversial political protests in Heywood.

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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