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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.

• Social prescribing service in Bury supports thousands of patients with community based care

  More than 5,800 patients in Bury have benefitted from social prescribing over the past year, with participants describing the service as life changing and in some cases life saving.

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Local News

• 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.

• Tech firm celebrates milestone with smart speaker donation to tackle loneliness in Bury

  Avoira has donated 50 voice activated smart speakers to Age UK Bury to help tackle loneliness and digital exclusion. The donation marks the local technology firm’s 50th year in business.

• 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.

• 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.

• Young talent shines at Rochdale youth arts festival

  More than 1,500 people attended Rochdale’s first FAB Youth Arts Festival, celebrating creativity led by young people across the town.

• Labour councillor defends WhatsApp remarks about Reform and workers rights

  A Labour councillor standing for re election in Smallbridge and Firgrove has responded after a WhatsApp message appeared to suggest Reform policies could benefit his business.

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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.

• Four men arrested after violent disorder involving vehicles in Heywood

  Four men in their 20s have been arrested after a violent disorder involving two vehicles in Heywood. Police also arrested two of the men on suspicion of drugs offences.

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Local Sports

• 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.

• Bury extend lead at top with dominant win over Runcorn Linnets

  Through high winds, hail and rain a maelstrom of Bury attacks saw the Shakers overwhelm hosts Runcorn Linnets. Three first half goals from Jordan Lazenbury, Mo Touray and Bebeto Gomes gave Bury a win that strengthens their position at the top of the table.

• FC St Helens 1-2 Ramsbottom United

  Rams had to dig deep but first half strikes from Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and Richie Baker, the latter direct from a corner kick, proved just enough for all three points.

• AFC Liverpool 0-2 Ramsbottom United

  Ramsbottom United had the opportunity to show what they're made of as they travelled to the Atlantic Coast and the hinterland of the docks to play the ‘non-league Reds,’ AFC Liverpool, at Bootle on Tuesday evening.

• Ramsbottom United 1-1 Litherland REMYCA

  Ramsbottom faced table propping Litherland at home under the lights on Tuesday evening, a glorious spring-like day led to a green pitch prepared by hard working volunteers. Litherland, clad in red, are enduring a torrid time this season, going through three managers but notched an impressive four-one victory at the weekend.

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Lifestyle

• 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.

• Active Bolton takes over borough leisure centres under new council arrangement

  A new operator is now running leisure services across Bolton after a transfer agreed by the council. The change covers centres, parks and community sessions across the borough.

• 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.

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Greater Manchester

• 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.

• Man dies after collision on M61 near Bolton as police appeal for witnesses

  A 24 year old man has died after being struck by a vehicle on the M61 in the early hours of Friday. Police are appealing for information following the incident.

• Suspected human trafficking uncovered after house collapse

  A building collapse in Oldham has sparked fears over potential human trafficking after it displaced more than 40 people living in flats neighbouring the property, we understand.

• Active Bolton takes over borough leisure centres under new council arrangement

  A new operator is now running leisure services across Bolton after a transfer agreed by the council. The change covers centres, parks and community sessions across the borough.

• Collapsed house update

  A council surveyor said that a building in Oldham town centre was in ‘no immediate danger’ – just three weeks before it dramatically collapsed.

• Greater Manchester Housing First worker joins European training programme

  A housing worker from Greater Manchester has joined a European training programme aimed at expanding expertise in tackling homelessness.

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Local Entertainment

• 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.

• A foray into the glorious Savoy operas of Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan

  The 1,177th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured Rochdale’s own Phoenix Opera Company.

• Creativity is a right, not a privilege

  Creativity is a right, not a privilege is a statement proudly proclaimed by Tracing Steps, a dance studio in Rochdale, championing the underrepresented.

• Madama Butterfly at Manchester Opera House led by standout performance

  A touring production of Madama Butterfly at Manchester Opera House delivered a visually rich and emotionally driven interpretation of Puccini’s classic opera.

• Tony Walsh joins Rochdale poets to launch community anthology

  A new poetry anthology featuring work from more than 80 local writers has been launched in Rochdale, marking the borough’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

• Ellen Kent’s Carmen brings traditional opera experience to Manchester stage

  A production of Carmen directed by Ellen Kent has been staged at Manchester Opera House, offering audiences a traditional interpretation of Bizet’s well known opera.

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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

• 'Warning lights for a coming war are flashing red – and Britain is not prepared'

  Almost all warnings and indicators that a wider war is coming are flashing red and it is "breathtaking" that the UK government is failing to better prepare, a top academic has warned.

• Woman, 19, dies after dog attack in Essex

  A 19-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a dog at a house in Essex, police say.

• Two teenagers dead after car falls off bridge and crashes into minibus on M1

  Two teenagers have died after a car fell off a bridge and crashed into a minibus on the motorway below.

• Two men arrested over fatal stabbing of 21-year-old in London's Primrose Hill

  Two men have been arrested over the death of a 21-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in Primrose Hill on Tuesday.

• I Am Maximus wins Grand National for second time

  I Am Maximus has raced to victory at the 2026 Grand National in Aintree.

• Police review complaint about Reform UK's free energy bills competition

  Police are reviewing a complaint about Reform UK's free energy bills competition.

• British tourist dead and another in serious condition fatal Canary Islands bus crash

  A British tourist is in a serious condition, while another two are stable in hospital, after a fatal bus crash in the Canary Islands.

• Sudanese man charged after four people died trying to cross English Channel

  A Sudanese man has been charged after four people died trying to cross the English Channel.

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Entertainment

• California Schemin': The true story of the Scottish rappers who fooled the industry

  The tale of Silibil'n'Brains is the true story of a great lie.

• BAFTA apologises 'unreservedly' over racial slur broadcast during film awards

  BAFTA has apologised "unreservedly" over an incident which saw a racial slur broadcast during the film awards.

• Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Stefano Gabbana quits as chairman

  Stefano Gabbana, the co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as the brand's chairman.

• Afrika Bambaataa: New York rapper and hip-hop pioneer dies, aged 68

  Rapper Afrika Bambaataa, seen as one of the pioneers of hip-hop, has died from prostate cancer aged 68, his management company has said.

• Sean 'Diddy' Combs case back in court - as lawyers appeal conviction

  Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs have returned to the courtroom to argue his sentence was too harsh, and have called for his conviction to be overturned.

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Sport

• The Masters 2026 leaderboard: Latest golf scores from Augusta National and tee times for opening major of the year

  The latest leaderboard from The Masters, the opening major of the year, held at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia.

• The Masters: Rory McIlroy builds historic halfway lead in title defence at Augusta National as Bryson DeChambeau misses cut

  Rory McIlroy moved a huge step closer to a sensational title defence at The Masters after taking a historic six-shot lead into the weekend at Augusta National.

• Grand National: I Am Maximus wins back Aintree crown for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend

  I Am Maximus made history in the 2026 Randox Grand National, becoming the first horse to regain his title since the legendary Red Rum.

• Arsenal open Premier League title door to Man City as Mikel Arteta describes Bournemouth defeat as 'a big punch in the face'

  Mikel Arteta described defeat to Bournemouth as a "big punch in the face" as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a significant blow following a desperate 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates.

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Strange

• 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.

• Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench among storm names sent to Met Office

  Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench are among the names that have been submitted to the Met Office for UK storms.

• Police officer sacked and banned from profession for using WFH trick

  A police sergeant has been sacked for using a picture frame to weigh down her laptop keys and give the false impression she was working from home.

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Videos

• Oil prices fall sharply after Trump announces two-week Iran war ceasefire

  Oil prices have fallen sharply and stock markets have soared on news of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

• 'I was so scared': Teenage girl whose Snapchat video captured chaos in Beirut as Israeli strikes hit

  After six weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, there was a fragile hope that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might ease tensions in Lebanon.

• 'Warning lights for a coming war are flashing red – and Britain is not prepared'

  Almost all warnings and indicators that a wider war is coming are flashing red and it is "breathtaking" that the UK government is failing to better prepare, a top academic has warned.

• Chagos Islands deal pulled by government after Trump brands it 'act of great stupidity'

  The government's Chagos Island deal has been pulled after US President Donald Trump branded it an "act of great stupidity".

• Prince Harry sued for defamation by his former charity Sentebale, court record shows

  A charity co-founded by Prince Harry is suing ‌the British royal for defamation at the High Court in London, ​a court record shows.

• Russia and Ukraine to hold 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

  Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said their countries will hold a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

• Farage 'leading culture war' with Kanye comments, Harriet Harman says

  Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has accused Nigel Farage of "leading a culture war" after his response to the government's decision to bar Kanye West from the UK.

• Airports Council International warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz not reopened amid US-Iran war talks

  Airports are bracing for mass shortages of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen within the next three weeks, according to a trade body.

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Politics

• Student loans: The government's political dilemma

  It's a conversation that's not going away, but one the government could really do without.

• Police review complaint about Reform UK's free energy bills competition

  Police are reviewing a complaint about Reform UK's free energy bills competition.

• Sir Keir Starmer: 'I'm fed up' with actions of Trump and Putin causing energy bills to skyrocket

  Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "fed up" with the actions of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin affecting energy prices in the UK, in his strongest comments about the US president yet.

• Ban on step incest porn and 'barely legal' content in government climbdown

  The government will ban so-called "barely legal" pornography of adults role-playing as children and depictions of some step-incest in a further crackdown on harmful online content.

• Farage 'leading culture war' with Kanye comments, Harriet Harman says

  Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has accused Nigel Farage of "leading a culture war" after his response to the government's decision to bar Kanye West from the UK.

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Technology

• NASA's record-breaking Artemis II mission ends with Orion's 'perfect splashdown' in Pacific Ocean

  Artemis II's history-making astronauts have successfully arrived back on Earth with a "perfect bullseye splashdown" off the coast of California.

• Pill for Cushing's syndrome could benefit patients with treatment resistant ovarian cancer, study suggests

  A drug taken to treat a rare condition could also extend the life of some ovarian cancer patients, a trial has suggested.

• Ban on step incest porn and 'barely legal' content in government climbdown

  The government will ban so-called "barely legal" pornography of adults role-playing as children and depictions of some step-incest in a further crackdown on harmful online content.

• What 10 days of space travel could mean for Artemis astronauts' health

  The Artemis II crew are closing in on Earth after a record-breaking mission to the far side of the moon, where they travelled further from their home planet than anyone in history.

• Feed the birds... just not in summer

  Bird lovers need to take care of how and when they feed them to avoid spreading a deadly disease, the RSPB has said.

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World

• 'I was so scared': Teenage girl whose Snapchat video captured chaos in Beirut as Israeli strikes hit

  After six weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, there was a fragile hope that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might ease tensions in Lebanon.

• 'We have to get ready for large-scale conflicts,' says Canada's military chief

  As well as being the first woman to lead Canada's armed forces, General Jennie Carignan is also in command as her country pushes to rearm on a scale not seen since the Cold War.

• Chagos Islands deal pulled by government after Trump brands it 'act of great stupidity'

  The government's Chagos Island deal has been pulled after US President Donald Trump branded it an "act of great stupidity".

• Sudanese man charged after four people died trying to cross English Channel

  A Sudanese man has been charged after four people died trying to cross the English Channel.

• NASA's record-breaking Artemis II mission ends with Orion's 'perfect splashdown' in Pacific Ocean

  Artemis II's history-making astronauts have successfully arrived back on Earth with a "perfect bullseye splashdown" off the coast of California.

• Boy, 9, rescued after being locked in father's van in France since 2024

  A nine-year-old boy has been rescued after being locked in his father's van since 2024, a French prosecutor said.

• Russia and Ukraine to hold 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

  Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said their countries will hold a 32-hour ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend.

• British tourist dead and another in serious condition fatal Canary Islands bus crash

  A British tourist is in a serious condition, while another two are stable in hospital, after a fatal bus crash in the Canary Islands.

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Business

• Mark Kleinman blog | Atom Bank spells end to IPO ambitions with talks about potential sale

• Airports Council International warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz not reopened amid US-Iran war talks

  Airports are bracing for mass shortages of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen within the next three weeks, according to a trade body.

• The 'cancellation' trick for cheaper holidays | Money newsletter

  More than 180,000 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.

• Diesel and jet fuel shortages for some time, IMF warns

  The world will experience diesel and jet fuel shortages "for some time" because of the war in Iran, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• Brits facing extra EU border checks, as 'technical difficulties' hamper new system

  British travellers heading on their spring and summer holidays face changes at borders after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).

• Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Stefano Gabbana quits as chairman

  Stefano Gabbana, the co-founder of Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, stepped down as the brand's chairman.

• Oil prices fall sharply after Trump announces two-week Iran war ceasefire

  Oil prices have fallen sharply and stock markets have soared on news of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

• Iran war: How the crisis in key Strait of Hormuz waterway is affecting fuel supplies for different countries

  Fears of fuel shortages have been sparked recently as the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz was reduced to a trickle amid threats from Iran, which experts say effectively controls the waterway.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

• Mayor reflects on cultural events and community engagement across Rochdale

  My mayoral year is entering its final two months and, as always, the last few weeks have been extremely busy. A key theme of recent events has centred around culture, including musical performances, religious festivals, poetry evenings and sporting occasions.  

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