News

Featured

• Social prescribing helping Bury patients rebuild their lives

  Patients across Bury say social prescribing has played a vital role in improving their mental and physical health, as NHS leaders encourage more people to seek support through talking therapies and community based help.

• EXCLUSIVE first look inside the transformed Heywood Civic

  Roch Valley Radio has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Heywood Civic ahead of the official launch, offering the first look at a landmark redevelopment that will see the venue reopen as a fully accessible cultural and community hub.

• More than 100 volunteers power Roch Valley Radio as World Radio Day 2026 is marked

  World Radio Day is today, 13 February 2026, and is a moment to celebrate the impact of broadcasting across the globe, it is also a chance to recognise the people behind the microphone who keep local radio alive every single week.

• The immersive tour of Rochdale, revealing hidden secrets

  Culture, music, religion and the history of the town centre Wetherspoons. Only Rochdale could weave tales of these things together into a compelling intertwing web.

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Local News

• 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.

• Observers report high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton by election

  Accredited election observers have reported what they describe as unusually high levels of family voting during the Gorton and Denton Westminster Parliamentary by election.

• By-election called in Tottington

  An April by-election will take place in Bury after the shock departure of a Tottington councillor, the local authority has confirmed.

• Tottington voters to choose new councillor in April by election

  Voters in Tottington will go to the polls on Thursday 2nd April 2026, following the resignation of Councillor Luis McBriar.

• Bury Council sets budget to protect services amid ongoing financial pressures

  Bury Council has approved its budget for the year 2026 to 2027, setting out plans to safeguard key public services while managing a reduced but still significant funding shortfall.

• People in Rochdale will see council tax bills go up – but it’s not all bad news

  People in Rochdale will see their council tax bills go up from April. But it’s not all bad news. 

• Middleton man jailed after CCTV shows axe attack that left victim with collapsed lung

  A 38 year old man has been jailed for more than 12 years after carrying out a planned axe attack on a man in Middleton, leaving him with life threatening injuries.

• Three teenage boys charged after knifepoint robbery in Prestwich

  Three teenage boys have been charged with a series of offences following a knifepoint robbery on Bury New Road in Prestwich on Tuesday evening.

• Dancing to She’s Electric and waving banners from a bus, Labour make one final push to stop the unthinkable

  As ‘She’s Electric’ blared from an open top bus, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell started dancing to gee her up activists one final time. It’s the Labour Party’s last day of campaigning ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election, and the mood has been surprisingly jolly.

• Three-way fight goes to the wire in Gorton & Denton

  As polling day draws closer, the contest in Gorton & Denton appears to be a tight three-way race. Polling by Opinium Research, released on Tuesday evening, shows the Greens and Labour with a narrow lead, both sitting on 28%, with Reform just a point behind on 27%. Some will have already cast their vote through postal voting, but many will be heading to one of the 45 polling stations that are in the constituency.

• Bury councillor Glyn Marsden defects to Reform UK

  A serving Bury councillor has defected to Reform UK, becoming the party’s second representative on the local authority.

• Teachers begin strike action at St Cuthbert’s High School over safety and staffing concerns

  Members of NASUWT at St Cuthbert’s RC High School in Rochdale have begun nine days of strike action in a dispute over staffing levels, safety and working conditions.

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Local Sports

• Rochdale Hornets beaten by Hunslet as Faraimo scores five at Crown Oil Arena

  Rochdale Hornets suffered their first league defeat of the 2026 Betfred Championship season as Hunslet ran in eight tries in a 42 to 6 win at the Crown Oil Arena.

• Rochdale extend unbeaten run with comfortable win over Woking

  Rochdale remain top of the Enterprise National League after a 3 to 0 home victory against Woking on Saturday, extending their unbeaten start to 2026.

• Bury cruise past Sporting Khalsa as Stepans and Touray record fifth straight win

  First half goals from Rustam Stepans and Mo Touray were enough to complete a comfortable victory for Bury over Sporting Khalsa at Gigg Lane.

• Managing director Andy Duff to step down at end of 2025 to 2026 season

  Rochdale AFC has confirmed that managing director Andy Duff will leave his role at the end of the current 2025 to 2026 campaign.

• Hornets fight back to maintain unbeaten start with win over Keighley

  Rochdale Hornets came from behind to secure a 24 to 10 victory over Keighley Cougars and preserve their 100 per cent start to the new Betfred Championship season.

• Bury Council approves £4.5 million investment in leisure centres

  Bury Council has approved £4.5 million of investment to improve its leisure centres in Ramsbottom and Bury town centre.

• Rochdale and York MPs back campaign for extra National League promotion place

  The MPs for Rochdale and York have joined forces to support a national campaign calling for two automatic promotion places from the National League, as they joked about which of their clubs will finish top this season.

• Anthony Johnson named Bury FC first team manager in statement move

  Anthony Johnson has been appointed as Bury Football Club’s new First Team Manager with immediate effect, marking what the club has described as a ‘clear statement of intent’ for its future.

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Lifestyle

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• Whitefield women’s-only gym helping community cohesion

  It’s an experience that will be familiar to many women. You’re at the gym, minding your own business, maybe belatedly trying to put some of those new year’s resolutions into action.

• Beloved community and cafe to be broken up by Prestwich demolition

  It’s the end of the morning rush at You & Me cafe in Prestwich’s condemned Longfield Centre.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

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Greater Manchester

• 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. 

• 🟥 LIVE: Updates from the Gorton and Denton by election count

  Voters in Gorton and Denton will decide their next Member of Parliament tonight, with the result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

• Dancing to She’s Electric and waving banners from a bus, Labour make one final push to stop the unthinkable

  As ‘She’s Electric’ blared from an open top bus, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell started dancing to gee her up activists one final time. It’s the Labour Party’s last day of campaigning ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election, and the mood has been surprisingly jolly.

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Gorton and Denton voters are ‘fed up’ with the by-election and so much more

  A biting wind howled through Haughton Green as anxious faces watched for an expected bus.

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Local Entertainment

• REVIEW: Sequins, sass and survival as Priscilla struts into Manchester

  The 30th anniversary tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert has arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, bringing disco anthems, striking costumes and a story rooted in love and resilience to the city until 28 February 2026.

• Review: Operation Mincemeat turns wartime deception into a five star musical

  Just as the real Operation Mincemeat was a plan that shouldn’t have worked, the idea of turning it into a musical feels equally improbable.

• Rochdale Culture Awards finalists revealed ahead of Town Hall ceremony

  Nineteen individuals, creatives and organisations have been shortlisted for this year’s Rochdale Culture Awards, with winners set to be announced at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 27 March.

• Heywood 1940s Day is at risk without urgent call for volunteers

  Organisers of Heywood 1940s Day have warned the popular event may not go ahead this year unless more volunteers come forward within the next five days.

• EXCLUSIVE first look inside the transformed Heywood Civic

  Roch Valley Radio has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Heywood Civic ahead of the official launch, offering the first look at a landmark redevelopment that will see the venue reopen as a fully accessible cultural and community hub.

• Crowdfunder launched to create mural honouring Stone Roses and Primal Scream legend Mani

  A community crowdfunder has been launched to create a large scale mural in Failsworth honouring Gary Mani Mounfield, the former bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, while raising money for Maggie’s Centre in Manchester.

• More than 100 volunteers power Roch Valley Radio as World Radio Day 2026 is marked

  World Radio Day is today, 13 February 2026, and is a moment to celebrate the impact of broadcasting across the globe, it is also a chance to recognise the people behind the microphone who keep local radio alive every single week.

• Review: Single White Female, Manchester Opera House

  Single White Female is one of those films loads of people remember from the 90s, the kind of thriller you’d stick on with friends and end up shouting at the screen by the end.

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Elections

• 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. 

• Observers report high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton by election

  Accredited election observers have reported what they describe as unusually high levels of family voting during the Gorton and Denton Westminster Parliamentary by election.

• The count begins as polls close in Gorton and Denton by-election

  The polls have officially closed in the Gorton and Denton by-election. It follows a dramatic campaign, full of twists and turns. 

• 🟥 LIVE: Updates from the Gorton and Denton by election count

  Voters in Gorton and Denton will decide their next Member of Parliament tonight, with the result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

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UK

• 'Miracle' boy expected to be paralysed due to spina bifida able to walk after ground-breaking surgery in the womb

  A three-year-old boy who would almost certainly have been born paralysed because of a severe spinal abnormality is able to walk after having ground-breaking stem cell surgery while still in the womb.

• YouTuber accused of murdering pregnant girlfriend 'recorded livestream alibi four days earlier'

  A YouTuber accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend recorded the livestream he used as an alibi four days earlier, a court heard.

• Vegetarian diet can slash risk of five cancers by up to 30%, study finds

  A vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of five types of cancer by as much as 30%, a study has found.

• Plaid warns 'Reform government would set Wales back decades' - as Rhun ap Iorwerth casts Senedd election as two-horse race

  Rhun ap Iorwerth has said May's Senedd election is now a "two-horse race" between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, declaring Labour is "over" in Wales.

• Driver who crashed while gambling on mobile is jailed after pregnant woman suffered premature birth

  A driver has been jailed after crashing into the back of a car while gambling on his mobile phone, and causing a pregnant woman to go into labour.

• Police apologise to second parliamentary Speaker in two days over Mandelson arrest leak

  The Metropolitan Police has apologised to a second parliamentary Speaker in two days after he was incorrectly named as the person who passed on information about Lord Mandelson, which led to his arrest.

• Woman who fell from window to flee Nottingham attacker warned by police 'he could have killed her'

  A woman who broke her back falling from a window trying to flee Nottingham attacker Valdo Calocane was warned by police he could have killed her, an inquiry heard.

• Assisted dying bill will almost certainly fail due to a lack of time

  Controversial legislation to permit assisted dying in England and Wales is set to fail because of a lack of parliamentary time, Sky News can reveal.

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Entertainment

• The UK's delicate deal to get the Bayeux Tapestry loaned from France - a diplomatic coup or cultural gamble?

  When the Bayeux Tapestry goes on show at the British Museum later this year it will be the culmination of one of the most impressive cultural exchanges this century.

• BBC investigating 'serious mistake' after racial slur shouted during BAFTAs broadcast

  The BBC says it is carrying out a "fast-tracked" investigation after failing to cut a racial slur shouted by a Tourette's campaigner, from its BAFTAs broadcast on Sunday.

• Battle for Warner Bros heats up as Paramount's best and final offer submitted

  Paramount Skydance has offered even more money for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), adding pressure on the media giant to accept a bid it has so far rejected.

• Rob Reiner's son Nick pleads not guilty to murder of his parents

  Rob Reiner's son Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of the actor-director and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

• Government confirms broadcast‑style regulation for Netflix, Disney+ and more

  The UK's biggest video-on-demand services will have to follow the same rules on content and accessibility as traditional broadcasters, under new legislation being implemented.

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Sport

• Super League in Las Vegas notebook: Freemont street takeover - featuring personality, flair, and Erasure performance!

  Las Vegas is known for doing things bigger- extra large portions, extra large hotels, extra large casinos. Now, it was rugby league's turn to take control of Fremont Street on an extra large scale.

• Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party 'can't happen again' says promoter Frank Warren ahead of Fabio Wardley world title clash

  The pre-fight ‘party’ that took place ahead of Daniel Dubois’ defeat to Oleksandr Usyk “can’t happen again”, says promoter Frank Warren.

• George Russell: Mercedes driver 'ready' to challenge for first F1 title in 2026 if Mercedes car able says Martin Brundle

  George Russell is "ready" to fight for a first F1 world championship in the 2026 season, says Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle.

• IFAB AGM: The end for long throws? New five-second time limit proposal on agenda as football's lawmakers set to meet

  Football's lawmakers are expected to discuss the idea of a new five-second time limit for goal-kicks and throw-ins, which could put an end to the current long-throw trend in the Premier League.

• Europa League and Conference League: Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace to learn last-16 opponents in Friday's draw

  The Europa League and Conference League knockout draws take place on Friday with 16 teams left in each competition, including three Premier League clubs.

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Strange

• 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.

• 'Britain's loneliest sheep', Fiona, gives birth for first time

  "Britain's loneliest sheep" has given birth for the first time.

• Fire-juggling unicyclist caught performing on crossing

  Police have caught a man juggling fire while riding a unicycle on a pedestrian crossing.

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Videos

• 'I'm not the best father,' admits Volodymyr ​Zelenskyy as president says Ukraine hit by harshest winter for decades'

  Ukraine's president has spoken of personal challenges, after several years of conflict with Ukraine, admitting "I'm not the best father" in a Sky News interview.

• Energy price cap to fall in April but threat of war hangs over outlook

  This week has seen the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• UFOs and Pizzagate: Hillary Clinton attacks line of questioning over Epstein

  Hillary Clinton has denied knowledge about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and attacked US politicians for their line of questioning.

• Assisted dying bill will almost certainly fail due to a lack of time

  Controversial legislation to permit assisted dying in England and Wales is set to fail because of a lack of parliamentary time, Sky News can reveal.

• Green Party wins Gorton and Denton by-election

  The Green Party have won the Gorton and Denton by-election.

• Pakistan in 'open war' with Afghanistan, Pakistani defence minister says

  Pakistan's defence minister has said that the ​country ‌is in an "open ​war" with neighbouring Afghanistan, after both nations launched strikes overnight.

• Netflix withdraws Warner Bros bid as Paramount offer declared 'superior'

  Paramount Skydance is on course to win the Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) takeover battle after rival Netflix stepped away.

• AI bubble remains intact for now as Nvidia continues to defy expectations

  The world's most valuable company has reported another series of expectation-defying results, lessening fears, for now, of an AI bubble bursting.

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Politics

• Green Party wins Gorton and Denton by-election

  The Green Party have won the Gorton and Denton by-election.

• Plaid warns 'Reform government would set Wales back decades' - as Rhun ap Iorwerth casts Senedd election as two-horse race

  Rhun ap Iorwerth has said May's Senedd election is now a "two-horse race" between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, declaring Labour is "over" in Wales.

• Assisted dying bill will almost certainly fail due to a lack of time

  Controversial legislation to permit assisted dying in England and Wales is set to fail because of a lack of parliamentary time, Sky News can reveal.

• Police apologise to second parliamentary Speaker in two days over Mandelson arrest leak

  The Metropolitan Police has apologised to a second parliamentary Speaker in two days after he was incorrectly named as the person who passed on information about Lord Mandelson, which led to his arrest.

• How a century-old Act could help assisted dying supporters override the Lords

  While rare, the Parliament Act can technically be used to pass a private members' bill if the House of Lords rejects it, provided the bill passes the Commons in two successive sessions and one year elapses.

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Technology

• AI willing to 'go nuclear' in wargames, study finds - amid 'stand-off' between Pentagon and leading AI lab

  As the deadline looms for a leading AI lab to hand over its tech to the US military, a study has appeared suggesting AI models are more than willing to go nuclear in wargames.

• Vegetarian diet can slash risk of five cancers by up to 30%, study finds

  A vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of five types of cancer by as much as 30%, a study has found.

• 'Miracle' boy expected to be paralysed due to spina bifida able to walk after ground-breaking surgery in the womb

  A three-year-old boy who would almost certainly have been born paralysed because of a severe spinal abnormality is able to walk after having ground-breaking stem cell surgery while still in the womb.

• Sky News forms consortium to drive push for AI standards

  Sky News has formed a consortium with other major news organisations to develop industry standards for AI's fair use of their material.

• Is social media messing up our kids? Spain's battle against doomscrolling schoolchildren

  Is social media messing up our kids?

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World

• Pakistan in 'open war' with Afghanistan, Pakistani defence minister says

  Pakistan's defence minister has said that the ​country ‌is in an "open ​war" with neighbouring Afghanistan, after both nations launched strikes overnight.

• Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells Sky News he's ready to meet Putin for peace talks but won't give up territory

  In a wide-ranging interview, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Sky News he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin for talks and will do anything to bring about peace.

• AI willing to 'go nuclear' in wargames, study finds - amid 'stand-off' between Pentagon and leading AI lab

  As the deadline looms for a leading AI lab to hand over its tech to the US military, a study has appeared suggesting AI models are more than willing to go nuclear in wargames.

• The UK's delicate deal to get the Bayeux Tapestry loaned from France - a diplomatic coup or cultural gamble?

  When the Bayeux Tapestry goes on show at the British Museum later this year it will be the culmination of one of the most impressive cultural exchanges this century.

• NASA reveals details of medical incident that led to historic evacuation from ISS

  NASA has revealed details of an incident aboard the ISS that prompted the first medical evacuation in the space station's 25-year history.

• American jailed over suitcase murder deported from Bali

  Indonesia has freed and deported an American man after he spent 11 years in jail for the premeditated murder of his then-girlfriend's mother, in a case known as the Bali "suitcase murder".

• Schengen rules will apply at Gibraltar border under post-Brexit deal

  Gibraltar will remain British, but dual Gibraltarian-Spanish passport checks will be required for those arriving by air and sea, according to a new post-Brexit deal.

• 'I'm not the best father,' admits Volodymyr ​Zelenskyy as president says Ukraine hit by harshest winter for decades'

  Ukraine's president has spoken of personal challenges, after several years of conflict with Ukraine, admitting "I'm not the best father" in a Sky News interview.

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Business

• Netflix withdraws Warner Bros bid as Paramount offer declared 'superior'

  Paramount Skydance is on course to win the Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) takeover battle after rival Netflix stepped away.

• Ocado to cut 1,000 jobs under restructuring plan

  Ocado is to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a plan to slash costs and restructure its operations.

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

• EU not doing enough to stop Russian shadow fleet, European Parliament president says

  European countries are continuing to fund Russia's war in Ukraine by buying oil and gas, the president of the European Parliament has admitted.

• Cheapest day of week to travel has changed - and it could save you 18% on flights | Money newsletter

  More than 160,000 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.

• AI bubble remains intact for now as Nvidia continues to defy expectations

  The world's most valuable company has reported another series of expectation-defying results, lessening fears, for now, of an AI bubble bursting.

• AI is developing so fast it is becoming hard to measure, experts say

  Some days it can seem as if the whole of the tech world is hanging on the latest update to one graph.

• Sky News forms consortium to drive push for AI standards

  Sky News has formed a consortium with other major news organisations to develop industry standards for AI's fair use of their material.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

• Council leader’s column: Why Middleton’s regeneration and this year’s budget matter for our borough

  When I became leader of the council in 2021, I set out my vision for the borough, key priorities and the services local residents want and expect the council to deliver.

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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