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Featured

• Andy Burnham says Labour got it wrong as he unveils business rates shake up for pubs and small firms

  Andy Burnham has called for major changes to business rates, including a 20 per cent cut for pubs and music venues and the removal of business rates for thousands of small family run high street firms.

• Ramsbottom Duck Race draws record crowds as event sells out

  Thousands of ducks were sold at the Ramsbottom Rotary Duck Race as organisers reported their busiest year since the event began. Organisers said both cash prize races sold out and hundreds of children also took part in the day.

• 🟥 LIVE on Day Two from Vintage Vibes 2026 at the East Lancs Railway

  We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

• RECAP from Vintage Vibes 2026 at the East Lancs Railway on Day One

  We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

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Local News

• Government plans longer closures for illegal shops after Rochdale campaign

  Shops linked to the sale of illegal tobacco, banned vapes and counterfeit goods could face closure for up to a year under proposed government changes welcomed by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh.

• Thousands enjoy food, music and sunshine as Street Eat returns to Rochdale

  More than 3,000 people attended Rochdale's Street Eat food and drink festival as the event returned to Town Hall Square with a day of international cuisine, live entertainment and family activities.

• Number of businesses forced to close over flooding

  A flood at an old mill in Rochdale has left several businesses facing financial ruin – with no choice but to close.

• The housing estate with a parking nightmare about to be sorted

  A housing estate in Rochdale has been overrun by cars for years, according to members of the community. But that is all about to change following a successful campaign to find an alternative to cars clogging up the pavements.

• Quick thinking PCSO praised after saving man’s life

  A Greater Manchester Police community support officer has been praised after helping save the life of a man found unconscious in a van while on patrol in Saddleworth.

• Rochdale Masters launches women’s section as club continues to grow

  Rochdale Masters Rugby League has announced the creation of a Women’s Masters Section as the club continues to expand and encourage greater participation in the sport.

• Rochdale Sea Cadet returns from Royal Navy training camp in Cornwall

  Able Cadet Olivia Mason enjoying the District Camp at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall

• Forty unclaimed and seized bicycles donated to youth cycling project in Bury

  Forty bicycles previously held by Greater Manchester Police have been donated to a Bury cycling project that teaches young people bike repair skills and encourages healthy activity.

• Andy Burnham pledges more powers for councils to tackle anti social behaviour

  Andy Burnham has said local councils should be given greater powers and resources to tackle anti social behaviour and regain control over the future of high streets.

• The dangerous road everyone wants safety improvements on

  Cars hurtle down Grimshaw Lane at ‘breakneck’ speeds with a ‘woosh’ and a ‘zumph’. And according to locals, it’s hard to believe the speed limit here is 30mph.

• Rochdale Pride returns on 18 July as we invite the community to get involved

  Rochdale’s annual Pride celebration will return on Saturday 18 July, and we're inviting local people, groups and businesses to get involved in this year’s event.

• Political expert says by-election could define Andy Burnham’s 25 years in politics

  A leading political scientist has said an upcoming by-election could determine how Andy Burnham’s quarter-century in politics is remembered.

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Local Sports

• Rochdale Masters launches women’s section as club continues to grow

  Rochdale Masters Rugby League has announced the creation of a Women’s Masters Section as the club continues to expand and encourage greater participation in the sport.

• Jimmy McNulty leaves Rochdale to join Stockport County

  Rochdale have confirmed Head Coach Jimmy McNulty has left the club to join League One side Stockport County.

• Donation boost for Rochdale Mayfield from local business and charity

  Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC has received a donation from a local retailer and charitable organisation to help support players, equipment, and community programmes.

• Jos Buttler signs new three year Lancashire Lightning deal

  England white ball star Jos Buttler has signed a new three year Vitality Blast contract extension with Lancashire Lightning. The agreement keeps him linked with the club through to the end of the 2028 season alongside his existing ECB central contract.

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Lifestyle

• Thousands enjoy food, music and sunshine as Street Eat returns to Rochdale

  More than 3,000 people attended Rochdale's Street Eat food and drink festival as the event returned to Town Hall Square with a day of international cuisine, live entertainment and family activities.

• Rochdale Masters launches women’s section as club continues to grow

  Rochdale Masters Rugby League has announced the creation of a Women’s Masters Section as the club continues to expand and encourage greater participation in the sport.

• Littleborough Band celebrates prize winning Whit Friday performances

  Littleborough Band enjoyed a successful Whit Friday, collecting five prizes across a series of contests in Saddleworth.

• La Latte Lounge opens new community space and women’s workshop

  La Latte Lounge Community Cafe CIC has opened a new community space and women’s workshop on Bank Street aimed at supporting people facing isolation, mental health challenges and abuse.

• Free Rocky the Rhino trail launched at The Rock for half term families

  Families visiting The Rock during May half term can take part in a free interactive trail with the chance to win a £150 shopping voucher.

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Greater Manchester

• Andy Burnham says Labour got it wrong as he unveils business rates shake up for pubs and small firms

  Andy Burnham has called for major changes to business rates, including a 20 per cent cut for pubs and music venues and the removal of business rates for thousands of small family run high street firms.

• Massive Simister Island M60 upgrade gets started

  Work on a major M60 motorway upgrade at the notorious Simister Island junction has started.

• Newly elected Reform councillor defends historic black face make up photograph

  A newly-elected councillor has defended a decades old picture of him in ‘black face’ make-up as part of a musical performance.

• Burnham calls water industry 'broken'

  Andy Burnham, the Labour Candidate for the Makerfield By-Election, has called the Water industry 'broken' but fell short of calling for the nationalisation of United Utilities, following a discussion with local residents about how they have been affected by flooding in their local area.

• Who is keeping the lights on at Oldham council?

  A top boss is keeping the lights on at Oldham Council while councillors work out who is going to take over.

• Ramsbottom Duck Race draws record crowds as event sells out

  Thousands of ducks were sold at the Ramsbottom Rotary Duck Race as organisers reported their busiest year since the event began. Organisers said both cash prize races sold out and hundreds of children also took part in the day.

• 🟥 LIVE on Day Two from Vintage Vibes 2026 at the East Lancs Railway

  We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

• Vintage Vibes turns Bury station into something you simply do not see anywhere else

  For one weekend every year, Bury Bolton Street stops feeling like a railway station and starts feeling like something much harder to describe.

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Local Entertainment

• Thousands enjoy food, music and sunshine as Street Eat returns to Rochdale

  More than 3,000 people attended Rochdale's Street Eat food and drink festival as the event returned to Town Hall Square with a day of international cuisine, live entertainment and family activities.

• Littleborough Band celebrates prize winning Whit Friday performances

  Littleborough Band enjoyed a successful Whit Friday, collecting five prizes across a series of contests in Saddleworth.

• Free Rocky the Rhino trail launched at The Rock for half term families

  Families visiting The Rock during May half term can take part in a free interactive trail with the chance to win a £150 shopping voucher.

• Ramsbottom Duck Race draws record crowds as event sells out

  Thousands of ducks were sold at the Ramsbottom Rotary Duck Race as organisers reported their busiest year since the event began. Organisers said both cash prize races sold out and hundreds of children also took part in the day.

• 🟥 LIVE on Day Two from Vintage Vibes 2026 at the East Lancs Railway

  We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

• Vintage Vibes turns Bury station into something you simply do not see anywhere else

  For one weekend every year, Bury Bolton Street stops feeling like a railway station and starts feeling like something much harder to describe.

• RECAP from Vintage Vibes 2026 at the East Lancs Railway on Day One

  We're down at the two-day music festival hosted by East Lancashire Railway and this year we’re fully embracing the stadium scene, with heavy hitting tributes to Queen and Cher, as well as even more Northern Soul and 1980s bangers.

• Vintage Vibes returns to East Lancashire Railway with music and nostalgia packed weekend

  Vintage Vibes is returning to the East Lancashire Railway this weekend with live tribute acts, Northern Soul favourites and all day heritage rail travel included in ticket prices across Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May.

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Elections

• Andy Burnham pledges more powers for councils to tackle anti social behaviour

  Andy Burnham has said local councils should be given greater powers and resources to tackle anti social behaviour and regain control over the future of high streets.

• Andy Burnham says Labour got it wrong as he unveils business rates shake up for pubs and small firms

  Andy Burnham has called for major changes to business rates, including a 20 per cent cut for pubs and music venues and the removal of business rates for thousands of small family run high street firms.

• Makerfield residents voice frustration and excitement as by election campaign intensifies

  People in Ashton-in-Makerfield are starting to get fed up.

• Burnham calls water industry 'broken'

  Andy Burnham, the Labour Candidate for the Makerfield By-Election, has called the Water industry 'broken' but fell short of calling for the nationalisation of United Utilities, following a discussion with local residents about how they have been affected by flooding in their local area.

• Andy Burnham launches election campaign in sunny Makerfield

  Audio

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UK

• Jail for first offenders sentenced under new Channel crossing law

  The first two people to be sentenced under a new offence of endangering others during a Channel crossing have been jailed.

• Manhunt for prisoner who escaped from van as police release image

  Police hunting a man who escaped from a prison van in southeast London have released an image as part of their search.

• Seven arrested as police investigate Southall murder

  Police have begun a murder investigation and and made seven arrests after a man was knifed to death in Southall, west London.

• Girl, 14, sectioned after two pupils and staff member stabbed at school

  A schoolgirl arrested after three people were injured in a school knife attack has been detained under the Mental Health Act, police said.

• Everton ordered to pay Burnley more than £35m over PSR breaches

  Everton have been ordered to pay Burnley more than £35m in compensation over Premier League profitability and sustainability breaches from the 2021-22 season when the Clarets were relegated.

• British tourist died after falling into Venice canal, inquest hears

  A British tourist on holiday with his partner in Venice drowned after falling into a canal, an inquest has heard.

• Teen 'hitman' pretended to shoot armed police with imaginary gun when arrested

  A Norwegian teenager accused of flying to the UK to murder a stranger for money pretended to shoot armed police in footage played in court.

• Sports Direct owner launches takeover offer for Hugo Boss

  Mike Ashley's retail empire has launched a takeover offer for fashion brand Hugo Boss.

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Entertainment

• Doctor Who Christmas special cancelled as showrunner leaves sci-fi programme

  The Doctor Who special planned for this Christmas has been cancelled and Russell T Davies is leaving the long-running sci-fi series.

• Singer-songwriter to the stars Talay Riley stabbed to death in London

  A singer-songwriter who worked with Dua Lipa, Britney Spears and Zendaya has died aged 35 after he was stabbed in east London.

• Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow reveals Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

  Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow has revealed his Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

• Anthony Head: Actor who starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso and Little Britain dies

  Anthony Head, the British actor best known for his roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has died at the age of 72.

• MOBO Awards founder Kanya King dies aged 57

  Kanya King, the founder of the MOBO Awards, has died aged 57 after "a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer", the MOBO Organisation said.

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Sport

• Kieran McKenna stepping down as Ipswich boss to take a break from football amid Fulham interest

  Kieran McKenna is stepping down as Ipswich manager to take a break from football.

• Everton appeal order to pay Burnley £35m in compensation over PSR breaches in June 2022

  Everton have launched an appeal after being ordered to pay Burnley £35m in compensation after they were sued over Premier League profitability and sustainability breaches from the 2021/22 season when the Clarets were relegated.

• World Cup 2026: Why Thomas Tuchel said England are not favourites to end 60 years of hurt in USA, Canada and Mexico

  Before Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of England, back in March 2025, he said he felt the team had been too full of "fear" to go and win Euro 2024. He said his mission was to try to remove that trepidation. 

• Formula 1 agree engine rule changes for 2027 and 2028 seasons in move away from 50-50 power split

  Formula 1 bosses have agreed to make changes to the sport's engine regulations for the 2027 and 2028 seasons which will see an increase in internal combustion output.

• The F1 Show: FIA decision to grant pace-setting Mercedes engine upgrade questioned by Sky Sports F1's David Croft

  Following the FIA's decision to grant 2026 pace-setters Mercedes with the opportunity to upgrade their engine, David Croft and Craig Slater discuss the situation on The F1 Show podcast.

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Strange

• Wild black bear captured in Japan after multi-day hunt through major city

  Japanese authorities have captured a bear following a multi-day search that saw nearly 100 schools close.

• Viral 'Donald Trump' buffalo spared from Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh

  A viral buffalo nicknamed "Donald Trump" for its blond tuft has been spared from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention.

• Cheese-rolling legend beaten by German YouTuber

  The Gloucestershire cheese rolling contest's most successful ever competitor has been beaten by a German YouTuber. 

• Driver filmed with football net on top of car

  Police say a driver made an "own goal" by dangerously driving with an unsecured football net on top of their car.

• Monkeys eating soil to settle upset stomachs from junk food, says research

  Monkeys in Gibraltar have learned to eat soil to settle their stomachs from all the junk food they consume, research suggests.

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Videos

• Four-man crew named for NASA's next mission in Artemis moon programme

  Three Americans and an Italian have been named as the crew members for NASA's next mission in the Artemis moon programme.

• Growing unease over UK's stuttering efforts to rearm

  The UK could yet unveil all – or parts – of a long-delayed investment plan for defence by Friday, but a disagreement on funding is still unresolved, it is understood.

• Prince William tells tech industry it could help prevent homelessness

  Prince William has told the tech industry that homelessness rarely happens without warning - and technology could help to solve the issue.

• Ukrainian strikes hit arms factory and oil refinery deep inside Russia

  Ukraine says an arms factory and an oil refinery deep inside Russia are among the targets it has hit in a fresh wave of attacks.

• Cheese-rolling legend beaten by German YouTuber

  The Gloucestershire cheese rolling contest's most successful ever competitor has been beaten by a German YouTuber. 

• Water firm faces £44.7m 'enforcement package' for sewage failings

  Welsh Water has become the latest major utility firm to face financial sanctions over wastewater failings, with a £44.7m "enforcement package" proposed by the industry regulator.

• AI to be used in crown courts to reduce time victims have to wait

  The government is piloting the use of artificial intelligence in the crown court, with a raft of new technology projects aiming to deliver improvements across the justice system and tackle the court backlog.

• Americans are paying a growing financial price for Iran war

  The start of the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on 28 February seem a long time ago now but the impact on people's pockets is only now starting to fully filter through.

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Politics

• Growing unease over UK's stuttering efforts to rearm

  The UK could yet unveil all – or parts – of a long-delayed investment plan for defence by Friday, but a disagreement on funding is still unresolved, it is understood.

• Belfast violence prompts fight on the right

  ?Listen to Politics At Sam And Anne's on your podcast app?

• Accountants linked to collapsed mortgage lender MFS face probe | Mark Kleinman blog

• Hundreds of phones and laptops lost by MoD - at potential cost of more than £1.6m

  More than 1,000 devices have been lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2024, at a potential cost of more than £1.6m. 

• AI to be used in crown courts to reduce time victims have to wait

  The government is piloting the use of artificial intelligence in the crown court, with a raft of new technology projects aiming to deliver improvements across the justice system and tackle the court backlog.

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Technology

• Prince William tells tech industry it could help prevent homelessness

  Prince William has told the tech industry that homelessness rarely happens without warning - and technology could help to solve the issue.

• 'Cutting-edge' prostate cancer treatment to be rolled out by NHS from next week

  Thousands of men with prostate cancer will be offered a more targeted radiotherapy by the NHS which requires just five doses.

• Four-man crew named for NASA's next mission in Artemis moon programme

  Three Americans and an Italian have been named as the crew members for NASA's next mission in the Artemis moon programme.

• AI to be used in crown courts to reduce time victims have to wait

  The government is piloting the use of artificial intelligence in the crown court, with a raft of new technology projects aiming to deliver improvements across the justice system and tackle the court backlog.

• Surgeons in UK use new tool powered by AI for first time during live operation

  A new tool powered by artificial intelligence has been used by surgeons in the UK for the first time.

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World

• Ukrainian strikes hit arms factory and oil refinery deep inside Russia

  Ukraine says an arms factory and an oil refinery deep inside Russia are among the targets it has hit in a fresh wave of attacks.

• Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan kill at least 13 - in escalation of fighting

  Pakistan launched new airstrikes in Afghanistan after months of fighting between the two neighbours that killed hundreds.

• Pro-Europe party wins Armenian election

  A pro-European party has won Armenia's election, despite what watchdogs called blatant "interference" and "pressure" by Russia.

• Inside Putin's Russia: Is the Kremlin getting nervous?

  ?Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim on your podcast app?

• Christian Eriksen back home and 'doing well' after collapsing during match

  Christian Eriksen is back at home and "doing well" after the Denmark footballer's collapse on the pitch during a friendly with Ukraine on Sunday.

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Business

• Sports Direct owner launches takeover offer for Hugo Boss

  Mike Ashley's retail empire has launched a takeover offer for fashion brand Hugo Boss.

• Accountants linked to collapsed mortgage lender MFS face probe | Mark Kleinman blog

• Americans are paying a growing financial price for Iran war

  The start of the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on 28 February seem a long time ago now but the impact on people's pockets is only now starting to fully filter through.

• Prince William tells tech industry it could help prevent homelessness

  Prince William has told the tech industry that homelessness rarely happens without warning - and technology could help to solve the issue.

• Neil Woodford facing City watchdog injunction

  The City regulator is seeking an injunction against the former star fund manager Neil Woodford, claiming he is breaking the terms of a ban related to the collapse of his flagship fund in 2019.

• Water firm faces £44.7m 'enforcement package' for sewage failings

  Welsh Water has become the latest major utility firm to face financial sanctions over wastewater failings, with a £44.7m "enforcement package" proposed by the industry regulator.

• FIFA 'regrets' free World Cup tickets and demands fans pay up

  FIFA has confirmed a website glitch has left dozens of fans getting free tickets for the World Cup 2026.

• British Heart Foundation to close 150 charity shops amid retail slump

  The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will close about 150 shops over the next two financial years because some of its stores are "no longer financially sustainable".

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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