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Featured

• Bury Lecturer urges Oldham MPs to attend debate on sick pay for women with endometriosis

  A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

• Winners at Rochdale Culture Awards ceremony

  Artists, organisations and community groups have been recognised at the Rochdale Culture Awards held at Rochdale Town Hall. Seven winners were selected from 19 finalists during the borough’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme.

• Lodge Mill fire destroys historic Middleton site as community launches urgent fundraiser

  A major fire has caused extensive damage to Lodge Mill in Middleton, leaving the building largely destroyed and prompting an urgent community fundraising appeal.

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Local News

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• The Allergies and Alex Spencer added to Rochdale Feel Good Festival line up

  Two more acts have been confirmed for Rochdale Feel Good Festival, with The Allergies and Alex Spencer set to perform on Saturday 8 August. They join previously announced headliners Gabrielle, Ash and Starsailor.

• Rochdale development agency delivers £14.30 return for every £1 invested

  An independent report has found Rochdale Development Agency generates £14.30 for every £1 spent, significantly exceeding national value for money benchmarks.

• Dad of two completes 100km run to support local hospices

  A Greater Manchester father has raised nearly £5,000 after running 100 kilometres in a single day to support hospice care across the region.

• Moorside election in May cancelled following death of Reform UK candidate

  The Moorside ward election in Bury has been cancelled after the death of a candidate standing in the poll. A new date will now be arranged within the legal timeframe.

• Highest paid council bosses in Greater Manchester revealed in ‘town hall rich list’

  More than 170 council staff across Greater Manchester have six-figure salaries, according to a new town-hall ‘rich list’.

• Oldham Coliseum refurbishment delayed as more asbestos discovered during works

  Construction workers are still finding ‘pockets of asbestos’ at Oldham Coliseum as renovation work continues.

• Kirkholt Man ordered to repay covid grant after false cafe claim uncovered in Rochdale

  A Rochdale man has been sentenced after fraudulently claiming a ten thousand pounds covid business grant. He pleaded guilty at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

• Car crashes through gym wall in Bury as emergency services flood town centre

  Emergency services are at the scene in Bury after a car crashed through the wall of a JD gym. Roads in the town centre have been closed while crews respond.

• Eviction notice served after Heywood flat linked to anti social behaviour

  An eviction notice has been issued after a flat in Heywood became a hotspot for anti social behaviour within weeks of a tenant moving in.

• Fire service rolls out body worn cameras after Arena Inquiry recommendations

  Firefighters across Greater Manchester are now being equipped with body worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The rollout aims to improve decision making, safety and transparency during incidents.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

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Local Sports

• Late comeback keeps Rochdale in title race after win over Wealdstone

  Rochdale came from behind to beat Wealdstone 2 to 1 and remain two points behind York City at the top of the National League. Late goals from Ian Henderson and Luke Hannant secured the turnaround at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Harvey Gilmour and Kyron Gordon lead Rochdale AFC end of season award winners

  Rochdale AFC presented their end of season awards after Saturday’s 2 to 1 win over Wealdstone at the Crown Oil Arena. Harvey Gilmour, Kyron Gordon, Casey Pettit and Sophie Coates were among the main winners.

• Shakers two points clear at the top after narrow win over Nantwich Town

  Tom Carr picked the perfect time to score his first Bury goal as the Shakers emerged victorious over Nantwich Town 1-0 at Gigg Lane.

• Rochdale AFC Colour Dash brings crowds together for community event

  Hundreds of people took part in the Rochdale AFC Colour Dash, with families and supporters coming together for a day of colour, activity and community spirit. The event took place near the Crown Oil Arena ahead of the club’s fixture against Wealdstone.

• Rochdale Mayfield announces Joseph Parr as main advertising board sponsor

  Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC has confirmed a new partnership with Joseph Parr, which will see one of the club’s stands renamed as part of the agreement.

• Radcliffe football club secures sponsorship boost for youth team

  A youth football team in Radcliffe has received a £1000 sponsorship from a Greater Manchester housebuilder for the current season.

• Bury stage rapid comeback with four goals in eleven minutes to beat Congleton

  Anthony Johnson had his substitutes to thank as Bury turned a one goal deficit into a 4-1 lead in just eleven minutes. Luca Navarro and Lewis Rawsthorn both came off the bench to claim a brace each as Bury started their Easter weekend with a win.

• Rochdale beaten at home as Morecambe claim 4 2 win

  Rochdale suffered their first home defeat since October despite taking an early lead and mounting a late response against Morecambe.

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Lifestyle

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• Rochdale AFC Colour Dash brings crowds together for community event

  Hundreds of people took part in the Rochdale AFC Colour Dash, with families and supporters coming together for a day of colour, activity and community spirit. The event took place near the Crown Oil Arena ahead of the club’s fixture against Wealdstone.

• Hopwood Hall College students support Rochdale families with Easter food drive

  Students who are part of the Friendship Group at Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale organised a food drive to support residents in need over the Easter period.

• Bury Lecturer urges Oldham MPs to attend debate on sick pay for women with endometriosis

  A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.

• Garden centre event brings together women in horticulture across Greater Manchester

  More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

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Greater Manchester

• City centre brought to standstill as major police operation surrounds Britain First far-right protest

  Hundreds of police officers were deployed across Manchester city centre as rival protest groups gathered on Saturday. Three arrests were made during the operation.

• Rochdale development agency delivers £14.30 return for every £1 invested

  An independent report has found Rochdale Development Agency generates £14.30 for every £1 spent, significantly exceeding national value for money benchmarks.

• Dad of two completes 100km run to support local hospices

  A Greater Manchester father has raised nearly £5,000 after running 100 kilometres in a single day to support hospice care across the region.

• Fire service rolls out body worn cameras after Arena Inquiry recommendations

  Firefighters across Greater Manchester are now being equipped with body worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The rollout aims to improve decision making, safety and transparency during incidents.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

• Garden centre event brings together women in horticulture across Greater Manchester

  More than 40 people attended a community event at a garden centre in Failsworth celebrating women working in and entering the horticulture sector.

• Three arrested after police find suspected theft equipment in early morning stop in Royton

  Three men have been arrested on suspicion of going equipped after officers stopped a vehicle and recovered suspected theft equipment in Royton.

• Six jailed for major drug import plot after claiming money was for goats

  Six people have been sentenced to more than 60 years in prison following a Greater Manchester Police investigation into a drug importation conspiracy worth over £1 million.

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Local Entertainment

• Skylight Circus Arts secures £125990 to upgrade Rochdale base and expand community access

  A Rochdale based circus organisation has been awarded £125990 to improve its facilities and widen access to creative activities across the borough and Greater Manchester.

• The Allergies and Alex Spencer added to Rochdale Feel Good Festival line up

  Two more acts have been confirmed for Rochdale Feel Good Festival, with The Allergies and Alex Spencer set to perform on Saturday 8 August. They join previously announced headliners Gabrielle, Ash and Starsailor.

• Oldham Coliseum refurbishment delayed as more asbestos discovered during works

  Construction workers are still finding ‘pockets of asbestos’ at Oldham Coliseum as renovation work continues.

• Kilfest returns to Bolton with three day festival supporting anti hate charity

  The alternative community have been rocking out in Bolton this weekend, all in aid of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

• Community run theatre will get makeover

  A theatre in Rochdale will get a revamp to mark its centenary. The Curtain Theatre will get a new design for the building’s façade, inspired by its signature red colour.

• Snooker club must tighten rules after assault

  Bosses at a Bury snooker club were hauled before councillors after a customer was knocked unconscious after hours.

• Organists at large … in Middleton

  In a week when there was much media attention to pipe organs becoming an endangered species, organists were at large in the borough - Middleton to be precise.

• Cancer choir calls for new members as rehearsals resume in Bolton

  A Bolton choir for people affected by cancer is inviting new singers to join as it begins rehearsals for the new year.

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Elections

• All candidates for Bury local election 2026

  In less than a month, Bury locals will be called to polling stations to vote in new council representatives for their local areas. Exactly 17 of the 51 seats in the borough’s wards are up for grabs in the poll on May 7. 

• All the candidates standing in the local elections in Rochdale

  Rochdalians will head to the polls on Thursday, May 7 with a total 120 candidates vying for a position on the council.

• Reform UK wins Tottington by-election

  Reform UK has secured victory in the Tottington by-election, gaining a seat on Bury Council. 

• LIVE from Tottington as by election result expected overnight

  Polling stations in the Tottington by election closed at 10pm, with counting getting under-way and a result expected we believe at about 1.30am.

• Tottington by-election Results

  Voters across Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside went to the polls today, Thursday 2nd April, to elect a new representative to Bury Council following the resignation of former councillor Luis McBriar.

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UK

• Counter terror police investigate 'Iran link' to attempted 'firebomb' attack at London synagogue

  Counter terror police are investigating whether "Iranian proxies" are behind a string of arson attacks in London.

• Car crashes into pedestrians in busy part of central London - as woman arrested

  A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car hit pedestrians in London in the early hours of Sunday.

• Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson's car stolen with children's essential hospital kit inside

  Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has said her car was stolen with her daughters' vital hospital equipment inside.

• Firefighters battle 'devastating' fire in historical building in Northern Ireland

  Dozens of firefighters have been tackling a blaze throughout Sunday evening at a derelict historical building in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.

• Reform's Richard Tice responds to reported failure to pay £100,000 tax

  Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he is "always happy to put things right" if he hasn't paid the right amount of tax.

• Free delivery trick on Amazon; why are there two state pensions? | Money newsletter

  More than 185,000 people have now signed up to our free Money newsletter, which brings the kind of content you enjoy in the award-winning Money blog directly to your inbox every week.

• Police hunt 'dangerous' missing man last spotted at scene of woman's 'suspicious' death

  Police are warning the public not to approach a "dangerous" missing man who they are urgently searching for.

• King Charles to be royal patron of new charity in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

  The King will be named as the royal patron of the Queen Elizabeth Trust - a new charity commemorating the late Queen.

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Entertainment

• Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson's car stolen with children's essential hospital kit inside

  Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has said her car was stolen with her daughters' vital hospital equipment inside.

• Kanye West's FC Basel concert cancelled

  Another Kanye West concert has been cancelled amid a furore over his past antisemitic comments.

• D4vd: Singer held on suspicion of murdering teen girl found dead in his Tesla

  US singer D4vd has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 14-year-old girl who went missing last year.

• Fans feeling 'neglected and ripped off' over ticket price laws

  The government has been urged to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value after fans reported feeling "neglected and ripped off". 

• Live Nation and Ticketmaster ran a monopoly over big US venues, jury finds

  Concert giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have had a harmful monopoly over big music venues, a jury in the US has found.

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Sport

• RBC Heritage: Matt Fitzpatrick pips Scottie Scheffler in play-off to claim second PGA Tour victory of the season

  Matt Fitzpatrick secured a second PGA Tour win of the season after overcoming a final-round wobble to claim play-off victory over world No 1 Scottie Scheffler at the RBC Heritage.

• European Darts Grand Prix: Gerwyn Price picks up record-making 10th European title with 8-6 win over Ross Smith

  Gerwyn Price became the second player ever to win double figures of European titles by claiming European Darts Grand Prix victory with an 8-6 victory over Ross Smith in Sindelfingen.

• Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

  "Panic on the streets of London," read the Manchester City banner at full-time. With his hair down, Erling Haaland was singing Flo Rida's: "Oh, sometimes, I get a good feeling.". We've all heard those songs before.

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Strange

• Trio sentenced over 'bear costume' insurance fraud scam in California

  Three people have been jailed for insurance fraud after claiming their cars were damaged by a bear - only for the assailant to be somebody dressed in a bear costume. 

• Chinese man jailed after trying to smuggle 2,000 live ants out of Kenya

  A Chinese man has been jailed after trying to smuggle more than 2,000 live ants out of Kenya.

• Woman given 14 shots of tequila on Carnival cruise awarded £220,000 in damages

  A cruise passenger who was overserved alcohol and suffered a possible traumatic brain injury after falling down some stairs has been awarded £220,000 in damages.

• Jonathan, the giant tortoise, the world's oldest living land animal 'is alive' after getting caught up in alleged crypto scam

  A giant Seychelles tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and well after claims he had died turned out to be part of an alleged crypto scam.

• Barbie event issues refunds after comparison with infamous Glasgow convention

  The organiser of a Barbie event in Florida is issuing refunds after photos from attendees drew mockery on social media – and a very unflattering comparison.

• Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor during German football match

  A masked fan unplugged a VAR monitor during ‌a German second division football match.

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Videos

• Iran war: Everything you need to know about peace talks

  Donald Trump has renewed his threat to "knock out" Iran's power plants and bridges, unless the Iranian regime reaches a deal to end the war, adding: "NO MORE MR NICE GUY."

• Counter terror police investigate 'Iran link' to attempted 'firebomb' attack at London synagogue

  Counter terror police are investigating whether "Iranian proxies" are behind a string of arson attacks in London.

• 'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis set to pass close to Earth, says NASA

  A large asteroid named after a god of chaos is on track for a historic close pass of Earth, according to NASA.

• Six killed in Kyiv shooting, as interior ministry says gunman also dead

  At least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire in Kyiv.

• What really happened with Peter Mandelson, and how Olly Robbins did PM two favours

  What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

• 'Very interesting documents' related to UFOs will be released 'soon', says Trump

  Donald Trump has promised some "very interesting documents" related to UFOs will be released by the US defence department "very, very soon".

• Starmer facing almighty clash as critics look to finish him off

  "Absolutely furious", "unforgivable" and "completely unacceptable". Sir Keir Starmer is normally not one to show emotion, but he was near apoplectic on Friday as he insisted he was not told Peter Mandelson's security vetting had failed.

• Autonomous robo-taxis now driving themselves on British streets

  Autonomous taxis are now driving themselves around London streets, the American company behind the technology has announced.

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Politics

• Reform's Richard Tice responds to reported failure to pay £100,000 tax

  Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he is "always happy to put things right" if he hasn't paid the right amount of tax.

• Louise Haigh to set out economic polices that can 'unite Labour' in new intervention

  Former transport secretary Louise Haigh will outline an economic agenda to help voters with the cost of living in one of her most significant interventions since being forced out of cabinet 18 months ago.

• What really happened with Peter Mandelson, and how Olly Robbins did PM two favours

  What do I think really happened with Mandelson and vetting?

• Mark Kleinman blog | Reeves calls in bank chiefs for talks amid deepening Iran war fallout

• Starmer facing almighty clash as critics look to finish him off

  "Absolutely furious", "unforgivable" and "completely unacceptable". Sir Keir Starmer is normally not one to show emotion, but he was near apoplectic on Friday as he insisted he was not told Peter Mandelson's security vetting had failed.

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Technology

• Briton admits role in plot to steal $8m in virtual currency

  A British man has pleaded guilty to plotting to hack into the computer systems of 12 companies to steal at least $8m (£5.9m) in virtual currency from US victims.

• 'God of chaos' asteroid Apophis set to pass close to Earth, says NASA

  A large asteroid named after a god of chaos is on track for a historic close pass of Earth, according to NASA.

• Autonomous robo-taxis now driving themselves on British streets

  Autonomous taxis are now driving themselves around London streets, the American company behind the technology has announced.

• Sam Altman: Man charged with attempting to murder OpenAI boss

  A man who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been charged with attempted murder.

• Two thirds of underage Australians still have access to social media despite ban, new research suggests

  More than 60% of underage Australians are still using social media despite the country's world-first ban introduced four months ago, new research suggests. 

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World

• Iran war: Everything you need to know about peace talks

  Donald Trump has renewed his threat to "knock out" Iran's power plants and bridges, unless the Iranian regime reaches a deal to end the war, adding: "NO MORE MR NICE GUY."

• Rat poison found in jars of baby food in Austria, police say

  A baby food brand is recalling its products sold in Austrian SPAR markets after some tested positive for rat poison.

• Six killed in Kyiv shooting, as interior ministry says gunman also dead

  At least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire in Kyiv.

• North Korea launches missiles into the sea in latest show of force

  North Korea has been urged to "stop the provocative acts" after firing missiles from its east coast early on Sunday morning.

• Max Verstappen pays tribute to driver Juha Miettinen after Nurburgring crash

  Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has paid tribute to a driver who died on a track he was preparing to race on. 

• Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier, denies Afghan war crimes

  Australia's most decorated soldier, charged with war crimes related to Afghanistan deployments over a decade ago, has publicly denied the allegations ‌against him.

• 'Very interesting documents' related to UFOs will be released 'soon', says Trump

  Donald Trump has promised some "very interesting documents" related to UFOs will be released by the US defence department "very, very soon".

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Business

• Mark Kleinman blog | Reeves calls in bank chiefs for talks amid deepening Iran war fallout

• Free delivery trick on Amazon; why are there two state pensions? | Money newsletter

  More than 185,000 people have now signed up to our free Money newsletter, which brings the kind of content you enjoy in the award-winning Money blog directly to your inbox every week.

• Fans feeling 'neglected and ripped off' over ticket price laws

  The government has been urged to ban the resale of concert tickets above face value after fans reported feeling "neglected and ripped off". 

• Tesco swapping barcodes for QR codes in UK 'first' - here's why

  Tesco is swapping barcodes for QR codes on a range of its own-brand products in a move the supermarket chain is describing as a UK "first". 

• GDP grows by surprising amount but it could be last uptick for a while

  The UK economy grew far more than expected in the month before the war in Iran began, latest official figures show.

• Huge rise in workers tipping off HMRC about bosses underpaying staff

  More people are reporting their employers for underpaying staff, data shared exclusively with Money has shown.

• Live Nation and Ticketmaster ran a monopoly over big US venues, jury finds

  Concert giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have had a harmful monopoly over big music venues, a jury in the US has found.

• The curious link between Helen Mirren's garden and food prices

  What do an Oscar-winning actress and your grocery bill have in common? More than you might think.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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