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Local News

• Photography exhibition opens in Rochdale to mark 25 years since KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo

  A powerful new photography exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo has opened at Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre.

• Tudor Court care home pilots smart sensor technology to improve resident safety

  A care facility in Heywood is trialling new technology that could transform how support is delivered to vulnerable people across Rochdale.

• Legal battle over Hopwood Hall Estate to be decided in High Court this spring

  A long-running dispute over the future of Hopwood Hall in Middleton is heading to trial, as American actor and writer Hopwood DePree launches legal proceedings against Rochdale Council.

• New mural 'Healey Angel' unveiled as tribute to mental health and community strength

  A striking new mural celebrating mental health awareness has been unveiled outside Healey Deli in Whitworth, sparking praise from local residents and campaigners alike.

• Rochdale's Curtain Theatre set for makeover

  A 1920s Rochdale theatre could get a makeover as part of a huge regeneration project.

• New ‘gather and grow’ garden coming to Birch Hill Hospital

  A disused patch of land at Birch Hill Hospital is set to be transformed into a therapeutic green space for patients, staff, and the wider Wardle community, thanks to a £32,600 grant from the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund.

• Council tax expected to rise by 4.99% in Rochdale this year

  Council tax in Rochdale is expected to go up by 4.99 per cent in April. The local authority is due to vote on the budget at the end of next month, an annual requirement for every council.

• Young singer takes home Girlguiding talent title after surprise win

  A CHRISTMAS present of singing lessons helped Alice Kowal win the Guide section of the Girlguiding North West England talent competition.

• Bus unveiled to commemorate Arena Bombing victim

  A special bus carrying the name of Olivia Campbell-Hardy, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, was unveiled outside Tottington High School this morning, Monday 19 January.

• Bury Council proposes takeaway restrictions

  Public consultation to follow after approval of policy to curb fast food outlets near schools and on high streets

• Search for casualties after fire at former Heywood pub

  Emergency services comb building as derelict White Lion pub catches fire again

• Plans for derelict pub sparks fears

  Villagers fear trucks could be rattling through their roads if plans to transform a derelict pub go ahead.

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Greater Manchester

• Man jailed after years of coercive control and violent abuse

  A man from Stockport has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for a sustained pattern of abuse that left his victim fearing for her life.

• Review: The Bodyguard brings Whitney’s biggest hits to life in Manchester

  Based on the 1992 film, the stage version follows global music star Rachel Marron, who is assigned a personal bodyguard after receiving threats from a mysterious stalker.

• Greater Manchester tops England’s public building fire stats as experts call for urgent safety checks

  Greater Manchester has recorded the highest number of fires in public buildings in England over the past five years, according to new figures released by fire safety consultants.

• Bus unveiled to commemorate Arena Bombing victim

  A special bus carrying the name of Olivia Campbell-Hardy, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, was unveiled outside Tottington High School this morning, Monday 19 January.

• Police issue dispersal order across Greater Manchester to prevent dangerous car meets

  A dispersal order is now in place across Greater Manchester as police prepare for a series of illegal car cruise events this weekend, following a deadly collision in Bolton last week.

• How each council ranked in dealing with potholes

  They are the source of frustration for many motorists across Greater Manchester and it’s the job of our councils to fix them.

• Flooding on M60 sparks morning traffic chaos in Heywood and Middleton

  Commuters faced severe disruption this morning as flooding forced the closure of a key section of the M60, bringing widespread gridlock across Heywood and Middleton.

• Chadderton town hall offering a ‘free’ wedding for a lucky couple

  A beautiful Grade-II listed building in Oldham is offering one lucky couple the chance to win a free wedding ceremony. Chadderton Town Hall, a recently renovated baroque-style town hall, will host a free draw for those attending their wedding fair on Sunday, January 25.

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Local Entertainment

• Photography exhibition opens in Rochdale to mark 25 years since KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo

  A powerful new photography exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo has opened at Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre.

• Review: The Bodyguard brings Whitney’s biggest hits to life in Manchester

  Based on the 1992 film, the stage version follows global music star Rachel Marron, who is assigned a personal bodyguard after receiving threats from a mysterious stalker.

• Rochdale's Curtain Theatre set for makeover

  A 1920s Rochdale theatre could get a makeover as part of a huge regeneration project.

• Dolly Parton at 80 and how the queen of country still sets the gold standard

  Dolly Parton has turned 80. For fans of country music and lovers of storytelling, it’s not just a milestone, it’s a celebration.

• Ferringo Fest’s final show smashes target and honours Steve’s legacy

  A festival organised in memory of one of its founding members has raised over £33,000 for charity, marking a powerful end to the Ferringo Fest story – at least for now.

• Roch Valley Radio awarded £20,000 National Lottery grant to boost community impact

  We’re proud to announce that Roch Valley Radio has been awarded £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

• Poetry that packs a punch as Rochdale Poet Laureate hosts live spoken word events

  A series of free poetry performances is set to bring bold voices and fresh perspectives to Rochdale as part of its Greater Manchester Town of Culture year.

• KFOR +25 a Rochdale exhibition marks 25 years of peacekeeping in Kosovo

  A major new photography exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo is set to open at Number One Riverside in Rochdale town centre.

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Local Sports

• Rochdale Hornets edge Swinton Lions in gritty derby opener

  Rochdale Hornets kicked off their Betfred Championship season with a hard-fought 12-8 win away at Swinton Lions in a tense local derby.

• Inclusive rugby group at Rochdale Mayfield continues to grow with new players always welcome

  A disability rugby group at Rochdale Mayfield RLFC is going from strength to strength since its launch in 2024, with new players encouraged to join its inclusive monthly sessions.

• Tributes pour in for ‘deeply respected and passionate’ community football hero

  Tributes are flooding in following the sudden death of ‘deeply respected and passionate’ community hero Dale Harris. The 31-year-old, well-known in the community for supporting youngsters into football and championing local sports, passed away at Royal Oldham Hospital on Monday, January 12

• Rochdale sign striker Manny Duku on short-term deal

  Rochdale AFC have completed the signing of forward Manny Duku, who joins the club on a contract until the end of the season.

• Draw made for Wheelchair Challenge Cup

  Rochdale Hornets' wheelchair team will host Edinburgh Giants in the Wheelchair Challenge Cup round of 16.

• Tamworth 1 - 1 Rochdale (Tamworth won 7 - 6 on penalties)

  Dale were knocked out of the FA Trophy on penalties by Tamworth at the fourth round stage.

• Humbles goes on loan

  Dale midfielder Liam Humbles has joined Altrincham on a loan deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.

• Rochdale teen earns prestigious Dojo Instructor title after completing coaching programme

  A dedicated Rochdale teenager has officially qualified as a karate instructor after completing an intensive coaching programme, earning the title of Sensei.

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UK

• £20,000 reward offered to catch 'Beast of Birkenhead' who murdered Diane Sindall

  It's a brutal crime that's haunted the streets of Merseyside for decades. 

• Huge rise in UK adults using ADHD medication

  The use of medication to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has risen sharply in the UK, largely due to growing prescription rates among adults - particularly women.

• Thousands more speeding cases could be overturned due to faulty cameras

  Thousands of motorists could have their speeding convictions overturned after National Highways extended an investigation into a technical fault with its cameras.

• The group fighting back amid Kent's 'water limbo' - which they blame on South East Water

  Water fights are supposed to be fun - but the anger, indignation, and exasperation in Tunbridge Wells mean this one will be feisty.

• Warning of floods and damage to buildings as heavy rain soaks parts of UK

  Heavy rain is likely to cause flooding and disruption in parts of the UK, the Met Office has said. 

• Prince Harry becomes emotional after day of dramatic evidence against Mail publisher

  Prince Harry became emotional as he finished an intense day of evidence against the publisher of the Daily Mail - telling the High Court his wife Meghan's life had been made an "absolute misery".

• Prince Harry v Daily Mail: A huge day, but a surprisingly short time on the stand in his case against Associated Newspapers

  This was billed as a huge day for Prince Harry, the emotional enormity of it all immediately clear as he gave his evidence, from his visible frustration to his audible final moment of upset.

• Logging off: Kids' social media ban now feels almost certain

  The House of Lords has backed a ban on under-16s using social media.

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Entertainment

• Prince Harry becomes emotional after day of dramatic evidence against Mail publisher

  Prince Harry became emotional as he finished an intense day of evidence against the publisher of the Daily Mail - telling the High Court his wife Meghan's life had been made an "absolute misery".

• Brit Awards 2026: The full list of nominations - with Olivia Dean and Lola Young dominating

  Brit School graduates Olivia Dean and Lola Young dominate the nominations for next month's Brit Awards, with five each, while indie giants Pulp have been put forward for Best Group for the first time in 30 years.

• Actors' union offered better deal over AI protections

  Artificial intelligence protections for performers could be implemented for the first time, as union negotiations to establish a framework progress.

• Actor Timothy Busfield released from jail pending child abuse trial

  A judge has agreed to release actor Timothy Busfield from jail in New Mexico, where he is facing child sex abuse charges.

• Sir David Beckham refuses to answer Sky News questions in Davos

  Sir David Beckham has refused to answer questions on his relationship with his son at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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Sport

• Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer news: Crystal Palace striker tells club he wants to leave amid Aston Villa, Juventus interest

  Jean-Philippe Mateta has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave the club this January, amid interest from Aston Villa and Juventus.

• Marc Guehi: Man City sign defender from Crystal Palace for an initial £20m as spending reaches £425m in 12 months

  Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £20m.

• Thomas Frank: Under-pressure Tottenham boss says 'magic' Borussia Dortmund win shows 'we're on same page'

  Under-pressure Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank hailed their "magic" Champions League home win over Borussia Dortmund as evidence that everyone at the club is "on the same page".

• McLaren will attempt to simplify racing rules for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri during 2026 F1 season, says team boss Andrea Stella

  McLaren boss Andrea Stella says the team will attempt to make managing competition between their drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri "simpler" during the 2026 Formula 1 season.

• Why finishing in top eight European places means Premier League sides avoiding a February fixture pile-up

  Premier League clubs participating in Europe face ultra-congested fixture lists should they fail to finish in the top eight of their respective league phases, with some facing the prospect of nine games in a 29-day period.

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Strange

• Stolen Fabergé pendant passed to police - quite literally

  A Fabergé pendant has been recovered - after police spent six days closely monitoring the man accused of swallowing it.

• 'Drop and cover' earthquake alert turns out to be false alarm

  An earthquake alert preparing people to "drop, cover, hold on" buzzed on phones in the US on Thursday - but turned out to be completely false.

• Spirit animal: Raccoon gets drunk as a skunk in a booze store - and sleeps off hangover in the toilet

  A raccoon has gotten as drunk as a skunk.

• Is Die Hard a Christmas film? The public have spoken - and you might not like the result

  It's a debate that's torn families apart for years - with selection boxes thrown in rage, and stony silences around the dinner table.

• Oxford Dictionary publisher reveals Word of the Year 2025 - do you know it?

  Don't get too upset, but 'rage bait' has been named by Oxford University Press as this year's Word of the Year, beating other online terms.

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Videos

• What is Trump's Board of Peace - and is it going to replace the UN?

  Donald Trump says "a lot of great people" want to join his Board of Peace - but some world leaders are clearly worried the controversial initiative could undermine the United Nations.

• The reality behind Trump's Greenland 'deal'

  European governments and their diplomats here in Washington are as relieved as they are exasperated by this extraordinary Greenland show and latest act which played out in the Swiss Alps over the past 24 hours.

• Is a new world 'without rules' emerging? What global leaders have said

  The world order is in the "midst of a rupture", leaders have warned - telling how international law is being "trampled underfoot" and "imperial ambitions are resurfacing".

• £20,000 reward offered to catch 'Beast of Birkenhead' who murdered Diane Sindall

  It's a brutal crime that's haunted the streets of Merseyside for decades. 

• Prince Harry becomes emotional after day of dramatic evidence against Mail publisher

  Prince Harry became emotional as he finished an intense day of evidence against the publisher of the Daily Mail - telling the High Court his wife Meghan's life had been made an "absolute misery".

• Logging off: Kids' social media ban now feels almost certain

  The House of Lords has backed a ban on under-16s using social media.

• Kemi Badenoch issues warning to Tory MPs at emergency meeting

  It was billed as an emergency meeting of Tory MPs after a trio of defections to Reform UK, but judging by the noise that greeted Kemi Badenoch it could have been a victory rally.

• Inside the new breed of 'zero bills' homes where you pay nothing for your energy

  Elliott Wood has something you're probably going to want.

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Politics

• Logging off: Kids' social media ban now feels almost certain

  The House of Lords has backed a ban on under-16s using social media.

• Kemi Badenoch issues warning to Tory MPs at emergency meeting

  It was billed as an emergency meeting of Tory MPs after a trio of defections to Reform UK, but judging by the noise that greeted Kemi Badenoch it could have been a victory rally.

• Trump's climbdown, and has January been a wasted month for Starmer?

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

• Plans for new regulations to protect tenants in Scotland from damp and mould

  New regulations to protect tenants in Scotland from damp and mould are to be laid at Holyrood.

• Trump's Chagos broadside leaves Starmer walking an even thinner tightrope

  Donald Trump detonated a series of bombshells on his Truth Social overnight.

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Technology

• Logging off: Kids' social media ban now feels almost certain

  The House of Lords has backed a ban on under-16s using social media.

• Actors' union offered better deal over AI protections

  Artificial intelligence protections for performers could be implemented for the first time, as union negotiations to establish a framework progress.

• Why is Ryanair fighting with Elon Musk?

  Elon Musk has said he could buy Ryanair amid an ongoing public spat with the budget airline's boss Michael O'Leary.

• Inside the new breed of 'zero bills' homes where you pay nothing for your energy

  Elliott Wood has something you're probably going to want.

• Children could be screened for diabetes in NHS clinics after landmark study

  A landmark study has paved the way for type 1 diabetes screening among children to stop them "crash landing" into diagnosis.

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World

• The reality behind Trump's Greenland 'deal'

  European governments and their diplomats here in Washington are as relieved as they are exasperated by this extraordinary Greenland show and latest act which played out in the Swiss Alps over the past 24 hours.

• Trump's Greenland climbdown: Don't let it fool you, this crisis is far from over for NATO

  Donald Trump's grandstanding on Greenland betrays a disdain for NATO that means this crisis for the alliance is far from over despite his sudden climbdown.

• Several missing after New Zealand campsite landslide - with no sign of life detected for hours, official says

  Rescue efforts are under way to free people buried under rubble after landslides hit a campsite and house in New Zealand.

• Texas jury clears police officer accused of failing to stop Uvalde school shooting gunman

  A former police officer has been acquitted of criminal child-endangerment charges related to his role in the flawed law enforcement response to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead. 

• What is Trump's Board of Peace - and is it going to replace the UN?

  Donald Trump says "a lot of great people" want to join his Board of Peace - but some world leaders are clearly worried the controversial initiative could undermine the United Nations.

• US moves 150 Islamic State prisoners out of Syria with thousands more to follow

  US troops have transferred 150 Islamic State (IS) prisoners from Syria to Iraq under plans that could see 7,000 detainees moved across the border.

• Is a new world 'without rules' emerging? What global leaders have said

  The world order is in the "midst of a rupture", leaders have warned - telling how international law is being "trampled underfoot" and "imperial ambitions are resurfacing".

• Why is Ryanair fighting with Elon Musk?

  Elon Musk has said he could buy Ryanair amid an ongoing public spat with the budget airline's boss Michael O'Leary.

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Business

• Trump suffers Supreme Court setback in bid to fire Fed governor

  Six out of nine US Supreme Court justices have indicated support for keeping a central bank interest rate-setter in her job, in defiance of the Donald Trump administration.

• Black Sheep brewery owner set for rescue by rival Saltaire

  The brewery group behind brands such as Black Sheep and Fourpure is to be rescued from the brink of collapse by Saltaire Brewery, a Yorkshire-based rival.

• Inflation ticks up for first time in 5 months to 3.4%, ONS figures show

  The rate of price increases rose again in December, official figures have confirmed, with inflation rising to 3.4%.

• The truth on whether you need to let your car warm up before driving | Money newsletter

  Sky News has a free Money newsletter, bringing the kind of content you enjoy in the Money blog directly to your inbox - and more than 135,000 readers have already subscribed.

• US group Metagenics has healthy appetite for probiotics maker Symprove

  One of Britain’s leading home-grown manufacturers of probiotic supplements is to be taken over by an American peer amid booming demand for gut-health and wellbeing products.

• Why is Ryanair fighting with Elon Musk?

  Elon Musk has said he could buy Ryanair amid an ongoing public spat with the budget airline's boss Michael O'Leary.

• Uncertain future for 33 Russell & Bromley shops after Next buys shoe chain

  High Street Fashion giant Next has snapped up luxury footwear business Russell & Bromley from administration in a rescue deal.

• L&G-backed Salary Finance banks on £460m debt war chest

  A workplace lender which counts the FTSE 100 companies Experian and Legal & General among its shareholders has secured a £460m financing war chest as it seeks to roll out its products to millions more British employees.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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