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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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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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

• 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.

• 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.

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Greater Manchester

• 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.

• 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.

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Local Entertainment

• 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.

• 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.

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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

• Two people arrested after attempted arson attack on synagogue in north London

  Two people have been arrested following an attempted arson attack on a north London synagogue, the Metropolitan Police said.

• BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

  The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years.

• Two police officers charged after death of pregnant woman

  Two police officers have been charged after the death of a heavily pregnant woman in a car crash.

• Small boat migrant 'tried to break into London's Israeli embassy as revenge for deaths in Gaza'

  A man who twice entered the UK by small boat tried to break into the Israeli embassy in London with two knives to "exact revenge" for the killing of children in Gaza, a court heard.

• 179 prisoners freed 'in error' in England and Wales in single year

  A total of 179 prisoners were freed "in error" in England and Wales between April 2025 and March 2026, or three every week, government figures show.

• Student filmmaker was 'surrounded and kicked on floor before being stabbed'

  A student filmmaker allegedly stabbed to death at a popular north London viewpoint was surrounded and kicked on the floor before he died, a court heard.

• Trump swings from gushing praise for King to scathing criticism of Starmer in five-minute call with Sky News

  The president and I spoke an hour after Buckingham Palace announced details of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the United States.

• UK 'can't succeed', says Trump - read full transcript of his Sky News interview

  Donald Trump characterised Britain's immigration policies as "insane" and lamented the "sad" state of America's special relationship with the UK in his latest call with Sky News.

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Entertainment

• BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

  The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years, according to reports.

• Kanye West postpones concert indefinitely - a week after UK ban

  Kanye West has postponed a concert in France - a week after he was denied a visa to perform at Wireless Festival in the UK.

• Record number of British stars to be inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

  A record number of British musicians have made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year - including Oasis and Iron Maiden.

• Britney Spears checks into rehab after DUI arrest

  Britney Spears has gone into rehab, five weeks after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

• Paddington Bear crowned big winner at the Olivier Awards - alongside Hollywood stars including Rachel Zegler

  Paddington Bear has triumphed at this year's Olivier Awards - alongside Hollywood stars including Rachel Zegler and Rosamund Pike.

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Sport

• Hugo Ekitike injury: Liverpool striker suffers suspected Achilles injury with fears he could miss at least six months

  Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has suffered a suspected Achilles injury and there are fears he could be out for at least six months.

• Liverpool need to sell before buying this summer, says Arne Slot as pressure mounts after Champions League exit

  Arne Slot says Liverpool will need to raise funds through sales before they can make any new signings this summer.

• Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager admits he is on 'fire' as he responds to claims his team are bottling their season

  Mikel Arteta has called for Arsenal to have "no fear" and "pure fire" in an extraordinary rallying cry ahead of the biggest week of his career at the club.

• Bournemouth: Kieran McKenna on shortlist but Marco Rose believed to be frontrunner to replace Andoni Iraola

  Marco Rose is believed to be the frontrunner for the Bournemouth job.

• Hugo Ekitike injury: Liverpool boss Arne Slot gives worrying update after France international stretchered off in PSG defeat

  Arne Slot described Hugo Ekitike's injury as "really bad" after the France international was stretchered off during Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

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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

• BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

  The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years, according to reports.

• Government YouTube drive to fight 'conspiracy theorists and keyboard warriors'

  The UK government will build a central YouTube content channel featuring influencers and everyday people in a bid to better communicate its policies to the public.

• Student kills nine people in Turkey's second school shooting in two days

  A student has killed nine people and wounded 13 others in Turkey's second school shooting in two days, officials said.

• Journalist detained in Kuwait after posting Iran war video, activists say

  A journalist has been detained in Kuwait after posting videos related to the war in Iran, according to a press freedom advocacy group.

• Customers to get refunds as AA driving schools fined £4.2m in first clampdown on illegal online pricing

  Customers of BSM Driving School and The AA Driving School - both owned by the AA - are to receive refunds following an investigation by the competition regulator.

• Badenoch calls for Axel Rudakubana's parents to be deported after damning Southport attack report

  Kemi Badenoch has called for Axel Rudakubana's parents to be deported if they don't face criminal action after a public inquiry found they could have prevented the Southport attack.

• Britain's economic prospects downgraded more than any other major economy

  Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world.

• Trump swings from gushing praise for King to scathing criticism of Starmer in five-minute call with Sky News

  The president and I spoke an hour after Buckingham Palace announced details of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the United States.

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Politics

• Badenoch calls for Axel Rudakubana's parents to be deported after damning Southport attack report

  Kemi Badenoch has called for Axel Rudakubana's parents to be deported if they don't face criminal action after a public inquiry found they could have prevented the Southport attack.

• UK military chiefs asked to find £3.5bn in savings - and get ready for war

  UK military chiefs have been asked to find £3.5bn in "efficiencies" and other savings this year, even as Sir Keir Starmer says he is readying his armed forces for war, sources have signalled.

• Mark Kleinman blog | Mandelson's advisory firm collapsed owing taxman six-figure sum

• 'Corrosive complacency' - Lord Robertson tears into Starmer and Reeves in extraordinary intervention on defence spending

  A decision by Lord George Robertson to call out the prime minister and his chancellor over their failure to rearm the UK at speed in the face of growing threats marks the most significant intervention on defence spending since the end of the Cold War.

• Britain's economic prospects downgraded more than any other major economy

  Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world.

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Technology

• 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. 

• Government YouTube drive to fight 'conspiracy theorists and keyboard warriors'

  The UK government will build a central YouTube content channel featuring influencers and everyday people in a bid to better communicate its policies to the public.

• 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.

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World

• Student kills nine people in Turkey's second school shooting in two days

  A student has killed nine people and wounded 13 others in Turkey's second school shooting in two days, officials said.

• Hungary's new PM Peter Magyar tells 'unworthy' president to resign

  Hungary's incoming prime minister has urged the country's "unworthy" president to resign and urged a swift handover of power from Putin-ally Viktor Orban.

• Journalist detained in Kuwait after posting Iran war video, activists say

  A journalist has been detained in Kuwait after posting videos related to the war in Iran, according to a press freedom advocacy group.

• New investigation launched into owners of Swiss bar where 41 died in New Year's fire

  The owners of the Swiss bar Le Constellation, which caught on fire on New Year's Eve, killing 41 young people, have been placed under criminal investigation by Italian prosecutors, Sky News understands.

• Kanye West postpones concert indefinitely - a week after UK ban

  Kanye West has postponed a concert in France - a week after he was denied a visa to perform at Wireless Festival in the UK.

• Harry reveals he needed to deal with 'stuff from the past' before becoming a dad

  Prince Harry has told guests on his four-day tour of Australia he knew he had "stuff from the past" to deal with before having children.

• Britain's economic prospects downgraded more than any other major economy

  Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world.

• How Trump is blockading Iran's ports and ships in the Strait of Hormuz

  The US Navy is blockading Iranian ports after talks between the two countries broke down over the weekend.

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Business

• Mark Kleinman blog | Mandelson's advisory firm collapsed owing taxman six-figure sum

• Customers to get refunds as AA driving schools fined £4.2m in first clampdown on illegal online pricing

  Customers of BSM Driving School and The AA Driving School - both owned by the AA - are to receive refunds following an investigation by the competition regulator.

• BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

  The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years, according to reports.

• Unemployed Britons turning up to job interviews to find the interviewer is an AI robot

  David Gwynn isn't happy with how his job interview at a London hospitality agency went last month.

• Britain's economic prospects downgraded more than any other major economy

  Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world.

• Fuel prices 'should begin to come down' as wholesale costs ease

  Fuel prices "should begin to come down" following 43 days of successive hikes to average costs, according to a leading motoring group amid fears of farmer-led protests hitting the UK.

• Supermarkets 'taking the mickey' out of shoppers with olive oil prices, says Filippo Berio boss

  Supermarkets are "taking the mickey out" of shoppers over their olive oil prices, the boss of Filippo Berio has told the Money blog.

• More than 900,000 pensioners not claiming key benefit | 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.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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