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Local News

• Bee Network bus changes to boost services in Bury and Rochdale

  New and improved bus services are set to be introduced across Bury and Rochdale as part of a wider upgrade to the Bee Network later this year.

• Gabrielle to headline Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026 with Ash and Starsailor

  Rochdale Feel Good Festival has announced its main stage headliners for summer 2026, with Gabrielle set to perform in the town centre.

• Two men arrested after Rochdale shooting as police continue investigation

  Two men have been arrested following a shooting in Rochdale earlier this month. Officers say enquiries are ongoing and patrols have been increased in the area.

• Rochdale council invests £900000 to expand children’s homes for young people with complex needs

  Rochdale Borough Council has approved £900000 to create four new solo children’s homes in the borough. The move aims to help more cared for children and young people live closer to home.

• Community Iftar brings Rochdale organisations and residents together at Unity House

  A community Iftar in Rochdale brought together residents, civic leaders and local organisations to mark the holy month of Ramadan and share the breaking of the fast.

• Tony Walsh to host Rochdale poetry event celebrating town’s cultural year

  Performance poet Tony Walsh will host an afternoon of live poetry in Rochdale as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. The event will take place at Number One Riverside on Saturday 21 March and will also launch two poetry anthologies created by local writers.

• Rochdale theatre company tours schools programme tackling child criminal exploitation

  A Rochdale production company is touring a theatre programme designed to help primary school pupils recognise the signs of grooming and child criminal exploitation.

• All seven dogs recovered after van theft

  The final dog taken when a dog walker’s van was stolen in Oldham has now been found, bringing the total number of recovered animals to seven. Police said the dogs were abandoned after the vehicle was taken from Medlock Road in Failsworth.

• Creative messages for mums go on display at The Rock for Mother’s Day

  More than 100 people entered a Mother’s Day competition at The Rock Shopping and Leisure Centre, with ten winners seeing their messages displayed on floral themed boards in the centre.

• Rochdale Music Stories presents Kenion Street at Heywood Civic

  Manchester is known by many for its historically renowned music scene; however, the scenes and sounds of Madchester, Oasis and the likes commonly overshadow the notable influence of surrounding towns within Greater Manchester. Rochdale, Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2026, is one of those towns whose musical influence is understated and a lot of the time, unknown.

• Six-bed HMO approved despite local anger

  A six-bed HMO in Royton has been given the greenlight by councillors, despite ‘anger and upset’ in the local community. Property owner Footlong (UK) Ltd can extend a house at 3 Kevin Avenue to create a six-person house of multiple occupation.

• Councillor Ashley Dearnley looks back on his 44 years of service

  Rochdale’s longest serving councillor is due to step aside in May after 44 years in the job. Coun Ashley Dearnley’s cheeky smile has been a constant in the council chamber since 1982, when he was elected at the age of 21.

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Local Sports

• Sheffield Eagles score eight tries to defeat Rochdale Hornets in Championship clash

  Rochdale Hornets suffered a 44 to 20 defeat against Sheffield Eagles as the visitors maintained their unbeaten start to the Betfred Championship season. The South Yorkshire side ran in eight tries in an entertaining contest.

• Bury’s unbeaten run ends with 2–0 home defeat to Vauxhall Motors

  Bury’s long unbeaten run came to a sudden and underwhelming end defeated 2-0 at home to playoff chasing Vauxhall Motors.

• Whitehaven score four first half tries to beat Rochdale Hornets 20 0

  Rochdale Hornets were beaten 20 0 by Whitehaven in Cumbria after four first half tries secured the home side’s first win of the Betfred Championship season.

• Shakers maintain perfect run with emphatic win in top-of-the-table clash

  In a Friday night top of the table clash Bury emerged victorious over Lower Breck. A storming second half saw the Shakers score three goal casting off their demons and beating the Merseyside club for the first time in Liverpool.

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Lifestyle

• Gabrielle to headline Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026 with Ash and Starsailor

  Rochdale Feel Good Festival has announced its main stage headliners for summer 2026, with Gabrielle set to perform in the town centre.

• Tony Walsh to host Rochdale poetry event celebrating town’s cultural year

  Performance poet Tony Walsh will host an afternoon of live poetry in Rochdale as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. The event will take place at Number One Riverside on Saturday 21 March and will also launch two poetry anthologies created by local writers.

• Creative messages for mums go on display at The Rock for Mother’s Day

  More than 100 people entered a Mother’s Day competition at The Rock Shopping and Leisure Centre, with ten winners seeing their messages displayed on floral themed boards in the centre.

• Rochdale Music Stories presents Kenion Street at Heywood Civic

  Manchester is known by many for its historically renowned music scene; however, the scenes and sounds of Madchester, Oasis and the likes commonly overshadow the notable influence of surrounding towns within Greater Manchester. Rochdale, Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2026, is one of those towns whose musical influence is understated and a lot of the time, unknown.

• OMD to play first ever Rochdale show at Town Hall Square this summer

  Synth pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will perform their first ever live show in Rochdale this August at Town Hall Square.

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Greater Manchester

• Green MP Hannah Spencer delivers maiden speech in Parliament during International Women’s Day debate

  Green Party MP Hannah Spencer has delivered her first speech in the House of Commons, reflecting on her journey from training as a plumber to representing her community in Parliament.

• Oldham manufacturer accelerates shift to automated production with regional support

  An Oldham manufacturer is expanding its use of robotics and digital systems as part of a major transformation aimed at boosting productivity and opening new markets.

• Greater Manchester businesses invited to join June trade mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong

  Businesses across Greater Manchester are being invited to join an official trade mission to Shenzhen and Hong Kong this summer aimed at building new international partnerships.

• Bernard Manning’s World Famous Embassy Club set to be demolished for health centre

  The World Famous Embassy Club in Harpurhey is set to close down this month and be demolished, Manchester council says.

• Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’

  Civil war has erupted within Labour as activists in Gorton and Denton accused the party of ‘not being willing to change’ during its by-election campaign. It comes as Labour suffered a bruising defeat in the race which saw it lose the seat to the Green Party despite having a 13,000-vote majority in the 2024 general election.

• Greater Manchester Police prepare for Brit Awards debut in Manchester

  Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a comprehensive policing operation is in place as the Brit Awards take place in Manchester for the first time. The ceremony will be held tonight at the Co Op Live arena.

• Hannah Spencer elected new MP for Gorton and Denton

  Hannah Spencer has been elected the new Green MP for the constituency of Gorton and Denton. Spencer succeeds former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who resigned on health grounds earlier this year.

• Lucy Powell appears to concede defeat in Gorton and Denton by-election

  Labour’s Deputy leader Lucy Powell has appeared to concede defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election. 

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Local Entertainment

• Review: The Battle: Blur v Oasis (1995) at the Manchester Opera House

  I was 13 in 1995, right in the middle of the whole Blur vs Oasis era, and like most Manchester teens at the time, I loved both, but let’s be honest, Oasis had the edge.

• Gabrielle to headline Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026 with Ash and Starsailor

  Rochdale Feel Good Festival has announced its main stage headliners for summer 2026, with Gabrielle set to perform in the town centre.

• Tony Walsh to host Rochdale poetry event celebrating town’s cultural year

  Performance poet Tony Walsh will host an afternoon of live poetry in Rochdale as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. The event will take place at Number One Riverside on Saturday 21 March and will also launch two poetry anthologies created by local writers.

• Rochdale Music Stories presents Kenion Street at Heywood Civic

  Manchester is known by many for its historically renowned music scene; however, the scenes and sounds of Madchester, Oasis and the likes commonly overshadow the notable influence of surrounding towns within Greater Manchester. Rochdale, Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2026, is one of those towns whose musical influence is understated and a lot of the time, unknown.

• OMD to play first ever Rochdale show at Town Hall Square this summer

  Synth pop pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark will perform their first ever live show in Rochdale this August at Town Hall Square.

• Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale

  Tenpin Rochdale has a brand new look following the major refurbishment due completion on 13 March 2026, bringing new attractions and upgraded facilities to the town.

• Local performers to take centre stage at BBS on Tour 2.0 in Bury

  An evening of live music and performance will bring together visually impaired performers, volunteers and students in Bury this month. BBS on Tour 2.0 takes place at The Met on Market Street on 12 March at 7.30pm.

• 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

• Green Party selects Tottington resident Chloe King as candidate for Bury by election

  The Green Party has selected Tottington resident Chloe King to stand as its candidate in the upcoming Tottington ward by election in Bury.

• Conservatives select Emma Lee as candidate for Tottington by election

  The Conservative Party has selected Walshaw resident and business owner Emma Lee as its candidate for the Tottington by election on Thursday 2nd April. The party said protecting the local Green Belt and strengthening community representation would be central to her campaign.

• Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’

  Civil war has erupted within Labour as activists in Gorton and Denton accused the party of ‘not being willing to change’ during its by-election campaign. It comes as Labour suffered a bruising defeat in the race which saw it lose the seat to the Green Party despite having a 13,000-vote majority in the 2024 general election.

• Together for Bury selects Greg Keeley as Tottington by election candidate

  Together for Bury has confirmed that former councillor Greg Keeley will stand for the party in the forthcoming Tottington by election.

• Hannah Spencer elected new MP for Gorton and Denton

  Hannah Spencer has been elected the new Green MP for the constituency of Gorton and Denton. Spencer succeeds former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who resigned on health grounds earlier this year.

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UK

• 'Incredibly brave' man traps armed robber inside shop he tried to raid

  Police have paid tribute to the bravery of a shop worker who was assaulted and threatened with a large knife by an armed robber, but managed to trap him so he could be arrested.

• Unemployment stuck at five year high as youth rate climbs

  UK unemployment has remained at its highest rate in five years, new official figures show.

• 'Hellish' scenes and body bag shortages: What we could learn from COVID report today

  A new 400-page report into the preparedness of the UK's healthcare system for a global pandemic will be published today, examining if it helped or hindered the country's COVID response.

• Exclusive poll reveals what officers, public and victims think about UK policing

  "I've had someone pull a knife on me outside the shop. Six times we've been broken into."

• Nottingham attack victim's mum 'validated' as officer says he felt killings 'were murder'

  The mother of one of the Nottingham attack victims has told Sky News it "felt like validation" to hear police themselves had believed the killings were murder rather than a lesser charge.

• Apple issues iPhone spyware alert and tells users to update iOS operating system

  Apple is urging users to update their iPhones after the discovery of new spyware that can take over phones running older versions of the iOS operating system.

• Three charged with murder after man found dead in wheelie bin

  Three people have been charged with murder after a man's body was discovered in a wheelie bin, police have said.

• Man who raped girl, 14, after picking her up from Aberdeen taxi rank jailed

  A man who raped a 14-year-old girl after offering her a lift home at an Aberdeen taxi rank has been jailed for 12 years.

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Entertainment

• Plans to let AI firms use music without permission abandoned by government

  The UK government has scrapped plans to introduce copyright law exceptions which would allow AI firms to use the work of songwriters without their permission.

• Inside the Oscars winners' room: Standing ovations, party plans, and media bingo

  After Oscar winners collect their golden statuettes on stage at the Dolby Theatre, they are brought into rooms outside to have their photos taken and answer questions from journalists.

• Oscars 2026: Bridesmaids, Baby Yoda and ballet bites back - the bits of the Oscars you might have missed

  One Battle After Another led the night, taking six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best supporting actor.

• Oscars 2026: Full list of Academy Award winners

  One Battle After Another has taken the top prize at this year's Oscars, winning six gongs including best picture.

• Oscars fashion: A look back at iconic looks that broke the rules

  The Oscars celebrate the craft and creative excellence behind the best movies of the year – but the red carpet ahead of the ceremony is quite a different matter.

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Sport

• Liverpool boss Arne Slot defies doubters as Mo Salah inspires 'best performance of the season' in Champions League win

  Liverpool delivered their “best performance of the season” at the crucial time for Arne Slot. Finally, we saw why they are Premier League champions and Anfield got its team back.

• Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing sign landmark multi-year broadcast deal including action-packed cards on UK soil

  Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have announced a new ground-breaking multi-year UK broadcast deal.

• Senegal stripped of AFCON title with Morocco crowned winners: Key questions answered and potential ramifications

  The extraordinary ruling to strip Senegal of their AFCON title and award it to Morocco two months later is unprecedented. Here we answer the key questions and examine the potential ramifications...

• Chelsea beat Brighton to move second as Man Utd frustrated in goalless draw away at West Ham - WSL round-up

  Chelsea leapt above Manchester United to go second in the Women's Super League table as teenager Lexi Potter scored the winner against Brighton on her first senior start.

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Strange

• 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.

• The energy habits that cause the most family arguments

  On a day when energy bills are making headlines, we thought we'd share new research on the energy habits that lead to the most household arguments.

• Obama says aliens 'are real' - but he hasn't seen any

  Barack Obama has said aliens are "real" in an interview, before later taking to social media to clarify his comments.

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Videos

• Inside the Oscars winners' room: Standing ovations, party plans, and media bingo

  After Oscar winners collect their golden statuettes on stage at the Dolby Theatre, they are brought into rooms outside to have their photos taken and answer questions from journalists.

• Oscars 2026: Bridesmaids, Baby Yoda and ballet bites back - the bits of the Oscars you might have missed

  One Battle After Another led the night, taking six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best supporting actor.

• US central bank predicts inflation rise from Iran war as oil prices surge again

  The US central bank has raised its forecast for inflation as the Iran war-linked surge in global energy prices threatens self-inflicted damage on the world's largest economy.

• Angela Rayner eyeing frontline politics return - with allies confident tax probe will end by May elections

  Angela Rayner's return to frontline politics began in earnest this week as the former deputy leader set out the challenge in the upcoming May elections.

• Iranians out in strength as thousands attend funeral for security chief Larijani and crew of sunken navy ship

  As Iran's government buried its fallen heroes, its supporters came out in strength.

• What we know about Joe Kent - the top US counterterrorism official who has resigned over Trump's Iran war

  Donald Trump's most senior counterterrorism official has resigned, saying he "cannot in good conscience" support the Iran war and claiming the country posed "no imminent threat" to the United States.

• 'Incredibly brave' man traps armed robber inside shop he tried to raid

  Police have paid tribute to the bravery of a shop worker who was assaulted and threatened with a large knife by an armed robber, but managed to trap him so he could be arrested.

• North Sea oil - is it time to reconsider drilling?

  It is easy to forget that not all that long ago, Britain was one of the world's biggest oil producers.

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Politics

• Angela Rayner eyeing frontline politics return - with allies confident tax probe will end by May elections

  Angela Rayner's return to frontline politics began in earnest this week as the former deputy leader set out the challenge in the upcoming May elections.

• Labour's left unite behind 'major reset' call in fresh challenge to Starmer

  Labour's left-wing factions have united behind a call for a "major reset" – warning the party will "only survive if it chooses a different path".

• Rwanda demands more than £100m from UK over failed migrant deportation deal

  Rwanda has demanded the UK pay more than £100m over the failed migrant deportation deal which Sir Keir Starmer scrapped in 2024 when Labour came to power.

• Major attacks Trump on Iran and Starmer's 'tiptoeing' approach to president

  Sir John Major has attacked Donald Trump over the Iran war and accused Sir Keir Starmer of a "demeaning" policy of "tiptoeing" around the president.

• Angela v Shabana: Who will win?

  ?Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app?

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Technology

• Apple issues iPhone spyware alert and tells users to update iOS operating system

  Apple is urging users to update their iPhones after the discovery of new spyware that can take over phones running older versions of the iOS operating system.

• This is how many times toddlers get sick at nursery - and what can be done

  Researchers have revealed how many illnesses children get in their first year of nursery - and why it makes them more resilient to bugs when they start school.

• Plans to let AI firms use music without permission abandoned by government

  The UK government has scrapped plans to introduce copyright law exceptions which would allow AI firms to use the work of songwriters without their permission.

• Ad for AI editing app which said it could 'erase anything' banned for sexualising women

  An advert for an AI video editing tool which said it could "erase anything" - implying users could remove a woman's clothing - has been banned.

• Weight loss jabs may help with anxiety and depression, study finds

  Drugs used for weight loss could help reduce anxiety and depression, a new study revealed.

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World

• Iranians out in strength as thousands attend funeral for security chief Larijani and crew of sunken navy ship

  As Iran's government buried its fallen heroes, its supporters came out in strength.

• Inside Lebanon: Strikes, displacement and Israeli troops

  More than a million people in Lebanon have been displaced and over 900 killed as Israel intensifies its offensive against the militant group Hezbollah.

• Senegal vows to appeal 'unfair, unacceptable' ruling stripping it of African football trophy

  Senegal says it will appeal the "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision" to strip it of its Africa Cup of Nations title after a chaotic final against host Morocco.

• Senegal stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations

  Senegal has been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations for misconduct in the tournament final, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled.

• Five sporting results which were overturned - after Senegal drama

  The Senegal national football side has just been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations.

• Apple issues iPhone spyware alert and tells users to update iOS operating system

  Apple is urging users to update their iPhones after the discovery of new spyware that can take over phones running older versions of the iOS operating system.

• What we know about Joe Kent - the top US counterterrorism official who has resigned over Trump's Iran war

  Donald Trump's most senior counterterrorism official has resigned, saying he "cannot in good conscience" support the Iran war and claiming the country posed "no imminent threat" to the United States.

• King says UK 'blessed' by Nigerian influence as he hosts state banquet for President Tinubu and the first lady

  The King has paid tribute to the contribution of people of Nigerian heritage as he held a state banquet for the country's president.

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Business

• Watershed moment as UK levies steel tariff in new strategy

  There is a small fraction of the population for whom the release of the government's new Steel Strategy represents an extraordinarily fascinating, not to mention important, moment. The chances are you are not one of those people.

• Unemployment stuck at five year high as youth rate climbs

  UK unemployment has remained at its highest rate in five years, new official figures show.

• Mark Kleinman blog | See the latest stories from Sky News' City editor

• US central bank predicts inflation rise from Iran war as oil prices surge again

  The US central bank has raised its forecast for inflation as the Iran war-linked surge in global energy prices threatens self-inflicted damage on the world's largest economy.

• Naval escorts could make tankers a target for Iran, warns UN maritime chief

  Naval escorts will not guarantee safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and could even present a target for Iran as it attempts to leverage control of the vital shipping lane, the head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has warned.

• North Sea oil - is it time to reconsider drilling?

  It is easy to forget that not all that long ago, Britain was one of the world's biggest oil producers.

• Why high UK borrowing costs could be good for pensions | Money newsletter

  More than 175,000 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 Friday.

• Government prepares to sue Roman Abramovich after he missed deadline to release £2.5bn from Chelsea sale

  Sanctioned former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been put on notice that legal action is coming from the UK government after failing "to do the right thing" and release the £2.5bn from the club's sale to help Ukraine.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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