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Local News

• GMP pays out nearly £9,000 after unlawful arrest of former soldier

  A former military police officer has been paid almost £9,000 in damages by Greater Manchester Police after being locked in custody for almost 12 hours.

• Seized designer trainers redistributed to help survivors of modern slavery

  Hundreds of pairs of trainers seized by Greater Manchester Police as part of a money laundering investigation are now supporting survivors of modern slavery and trafficking across the North.

• Rochdale man jailed for 16 years after fatal stabbing on New Year’s Eve

  A man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Alberto Ursu, who died following a stabbing at a New Year’s Eve party in Rochdale.

• William Howarth jailed for nine years and eight months for abusing girls online

  William Howarth, a registered sex offender, has been jailed for nine years and eight months after pleading guilty to 35 offences involving the online grooming and abuse of girls under the age of 16.

• Two arrested and over 400 cannabis plants seized in Rochdale town centre raid

  Two men have been arrested after police uncovered a large-scale cannabis farm in the heart of Rochdale early on Friday morning.

• Highway to Littleborough or highway to hell? as MP slams roadworks nightmare

  Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has condemned the “chaos” caused by uncoordinated roadworks across Littleborough, warning that congestion is reaching breaking point for local residents, schools and businesses.

• Fire tears through Rochdale garage as residents told to avoid area

  A large emergency response remains in place after a commercial garage fire in Rochdale forced major road closures early on Friday morning.

• Valley Thai Boxing Club fighters bring home 15 gold medals for Team GB

  A group of young athletes from Valley Thai Boxing Club in Rochdale have returned from Italy with 15 gold medals, after representing Team Great Britain at the WTKA World Championships.

• Historic Rochdale manor house transformed into homes for veterans

  A Victorian manor house in Rochdale has been restored and converted into accommodation for armed forces veterans as part of a council-led project to bring the heritage site back into community use.

• Bury personal adviser shortlisted for national care leaver award

  A personal adviser from Bury Council’s Next Chapter Leaving Care Team has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award recognising exceptional support to young people transitioning out of care.

• Ignite Fire Festival returns to Rochdale with fiery spectacles and family fun

  Three-night event leads into town’s Christmas lights switch-on

• Tributes paid to popular community activist from Milnrow

  A staunch Labour activist and local community legend has died after giving decades of her life to the people of Rochdale.

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Greater Manchester

• GMP pays out nearly £9,000 after unlawful arrest of former soldier

  A former military police officer has been paid almost £9,000 in damages by Greater Manchester Police after being locked in custody for almost 12 hours.

• Andy Burnham launches major Atom Valley scheme in Rochdale

  A major project that will bring 20,000 jobs, employment space and new homes over a ‘decade of growth’ has finally started.

• Charity shop given festive makeover by UK's biggest preloved bookseller

  A Chadderton charity shop has been given a high-end festive window transformation thanks to World of Books, the UK's largest preloved book retailer.

• Start of Atom Valley project marks ‘big day’ for Greater Manchester

  The groundbreaking of a new manufacturing and research facility signals the start of a ‘new decade of growth’ in Greater Manchester, says mayor Andy Burnham.

• Security guard jailed after raping woman who asked for help in Manchester

  A woman who asked a security guard for directions ended up being raped inside his security booth, now he’s been jailed for over seven years.

• Bikers form ‘ring of red’ on M60 to honour Remembrance Sunday

  Thousands of bikers took to the M60 on Sunday afternoon to form a striking ‘ring of red’ tribute, marking the 13th annual motorcycle memorial ride in honour of the UK’s Armed Forces.

• Grandpa Greene’s cafe to be redeveloped

  A viral ice cream parlour and cafe in Saddleworth is due to get a major makeover. Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream parlour off Ward Lane in Diggle will be fully demolished and replaced with a swanky new building.

• Chart-topping musical Jersey Boys heading back to Manchester in 2026

  20th anniversary UK and Ireland tour to bring the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to the Palace Theatre

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Local Entertainment

• Ignite Fire Festival returns to Rochdale with fiery spectacles and family fun

  Three-night event leads into town’s Christmas lights switch-on

• Hundreds gather for magical lights switch-on at The Rock’s first Christmas parade

  A festive celebration brought hundreds of local families to The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury as it hosted its first-ever Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade.

• Inclusive Cinderella pantomime breaks barriers on stage in Chadderton

  A North West care provider is putting on a reimagined Cinderella pantomime featuring a cast made up entirely of people with complex needs

• J Star Academy locked out of studio amid rent dispute as parents and donors demand clarity

  Prestwich community shocked after landlord changes locks on performing arts academy despite crowdfunder effort to save space.

• Chart-topping musical Jersey Boys heading back to Manchester in 2026

  20th anniversary UK and Ireland tour to bring the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to the Palace Theatre

• Free Santa’s grotto returns to The Rock with festive magic and charity cheer

  Families in Bury invited to enjoy a free festive experience with Santa, chocolate treats and a land train this Christmas

• Justin Moorhouse brings hit stand-up tour to Manchester Opera House in 2025 homecoming show

  Critically acclaimed show ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ returns to the North West as tour extended into 2026

• Karate Kid musical kicks off UK tour with Manchester dates ahead of West End run

  The 80s cult classic reimagined for the stage will bring martial arts, music and mentorship to Palace Theatre in May 2026

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Local Sports

• Valley Thai Boxing Club fighters bring home 15 gold medals for Team GB

  A group of young athletes from Valley Thai Boxing Club in Rochdale have returned from Italy with 15 gold medals, after representing Team Great Britain at the WTKA World Championships.

• Rochdale sisters strike gold at World Martial Arts Championships in Norway

  Two young sisters from Rochdale have returned from Norway as world champions after an extraordinary medal haul at the World Martial Arts Championship Games.

• Pedro’s tenth not enough as Shakers share spoils in Bootle stalemate

  Despite a second half comeback Bury had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw away to Bootle.

• Holland‑Wilkinson hat trick inspires Ramsbottom United to 4–0 win over Abbey Hey

  Jacob Holland-Wilkinson’s first half hattrick did the damage for the Rams before Harvey Whyte’s stoppage time penalty put the icing on the cake with the last kick of the game.

• Holland‑Wilkinson double fires Ramsbottom United back to the top at Prestwich

  A first half stalemate was in stark contrast to a second half where strikes from Matt Dudley and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson (2) secured all three points at Adie Moran Park.

• Ramsbottom United hit top form as Whyte double sinks Prestwich Heys 3–0

  Ramsbottom United hosted neighbours Prestwich Heys on Tuesday evening at the Riverside, the rain and drizzle meant that the ball fizzed along the pitch under the floodlights, until becoming increasingly heavy.

• Last-gasp winner sparks wild celebrations as Ramsbottom United edge past spirited Glossop

  Persistent rain meant this fixture was in some doubt until a late easing of conditions led to drying of the pitch and going ahead.

• Bury back to winning ways with home win against Kidsgrove

  Back at home and back to winning ways Bury comfortably swept aside Kidsgrove Athletic 2-0 at Gigg Lane thanks to second half goals from Tyler James and Kai Evans.

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UK

• Changes needed to fix 'broken system', as illegal migration 'creating division across our country', says home secretary

  Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has denied that her plans to clamp down on illegal immigration are "racist" - instead describing them as a "moral mission".

• Labour MPs fear wipe out at next local election - as chancellor's career is 'toast'

  Many Labour MPs have been left shellshocked after the chaotic political self-sabotage of the past week.

• Shabana Mahmood is the new hard woman of British politics - and potential successor to Starmer

  We're told that Shabana Mahmood, the still new home secretary, is "a woman in a hurry".

• Kidlington fly-tipping: Drone footage shows scale of 'revolting' 60m-long mountain of waste next to river

  A local MP has called on the government to take action over hundreds of tonnes of "revolting" illegal waste, fly-tipped in a field next to the River Cherwell near Kidlington in Oxfordshire.

• Man charged with murder of 17-year-old girl

  A teenager has been charged with murder and attempted murder following the death of a 17-year-old girl, police have said.

• Extensive search off Ireland's coast for missing Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailor ends

  An extensive multi-agency search off Ireland's coast for a missing sailor linked to the Royal Navy has ended without success, the Ministry of Defence has said.

• Brazil 'surprised' UK not investing in new rainforest fund it helped design

  Brazil was "a bit surprised" Britain hasn't contributed to a new investment fund to protect tropical forests, despite having helped to design it, a senior official has told Sky News. 

• 'This ends here': Benn rules out third fight after dominating Eubank Jr

  Conor Benn claimed revenge over Chris Eubank Jr in their highly anticipated rematch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

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Entertainment

• Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch's 'very odd job' - acting opposite an enormous bird in The Thing With Feathers

  He's played Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange, and even voiced The Grinch but acting opposite a seven-foot (2.1m) crow may be one of the strangest roles Benedict Cumberbatch has taken on. 

• Hollywood icons meet Pope Leo - after agents were assured invites were not a hoax

  The Pope met with film stars and directors at a special Vatican audience to celebrate cinema.

• 'I felt really scared and I felt alone' - Wicked star Jonathan Bailey on growing up gay in school

  "I felt scared and I felt alone and I felt entirely limited at various points in my life", actor Jonathan Bailey says of growing up gay in school.

• Donald Trump confirms he will sue the BBC over Panorama edit - despite broadcaster's apology

  Donald Trump has said he will sue the BBC for between $1bn and $5bn over the editing of his speech on Panorama.

• Ariana Grande rushed by red carpet intruder at premiere of Wicked: For Good

  Video footage has shown the moment singer and actress Ariana Grande was accosted by a fan at a film premiere.

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Sport

• DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy beaten by Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off after dramatic finish to Race to Dubai season

  Rory McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai for the fourth year running despite narrowly missing out to Matt Fitzpatrick in a thrilling finish to the DP World Tour Championship.

• Grand Slam of Darts: Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price set up semi-final showdown as Michael Smith's run comes to an end

  Luke Humphries set up a semi-final clash with Gerwyn Price at the Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-8 victory over Michael Smith in Wolverhampton.

• Joseph Parker fails drugs test: Heavyweight tested positive for traces of cocaine on day of Fabio Wardley defeat

  Joseph Parker could face up to a two-year ban from boxing after a failed drugs test.

• Antoine Semenyo: Liverpool, Man City and Spurs monitoring Bournemouth forward ahead of January transfer window

  Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are monitoring Antoine Semenyo ahead of the January transfer window.

• England beat New Zealand 61-58 in second Test match to level series ahead of Wednesday decider

  England beat New Zealand in a closely contested affair on Sunday as the Vitality Roses drew level in their three-match Test series.

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Strange

• Missed congeniality: Beauty pageant organiser accused of calling contestant a 'dumbhead'

  The organiser of Miss Universe has told Sky News he cannot stand down from his position - despite allegations he was aggressive towards a contestant.

• Glasgow Central: Rush-hour delays after swan found on tracks at major UK railway station

  Rail passengers in Scotland faced major delays and cancellations during Monday evening's rush hour after a swan was found on the line at the country's busiest railway station.

• Police in Derbyshire solve mystery of crocodile found in canal

  Police hunting for a crocodile in Derbyshire have said the search turned out to be "more fluff than fear".

• Long-lost Spanish treasure worth $1m discovered off Florida coast

  Long-lost Spanish treasure worth an estimated $1m (£740,000) has been discovered off the coast of Florida.

• Ashraf Mahrous: Egypt's 'strongman' wrestler pulls ship using his teeth

  An Egyptian wrestler is hoping he has set a world record after pulling a 700-ton (635,000kg) ship with his teeth.

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Videos

• Three men and two women in their 20s have died in car crash in Co Louth, Irish police say

  Three men and two women died in a "shocking" and "devastating" road crash involving two cars in Co Louth on Saturday night, Irish police said.

• Budget 2025: Starmer and Reeves ditch plans to raise income tax

  Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have scrapped plans to break their manifesto pledge and raise income tax rates in a massive U-turn less than two weeks from the budget.

• Telegraph future in limbo again as RedBird abandons £500m deal

  The future ownership of the Daily Telegraph has been plunged back into crisis after RedBird Capital Partners abandoned its proposed £500m takeover.

• Missed congeniality: Beauty pageant organiser accused of calling contestant a 'dumbhead'

  The organiser of Miss Universe has told Sky News he cannot stand down from his position - despite allegations he was aggressive towards a contestant.

• Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch's 'very odd job' - acting opposite an enormous bird in The Thing With Feathers

  He's played Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Strange, and even voiced The Grinch but acting opposite a seven-foot (2.1m) crow may be one of the strangest roles Benedict Cumberbatch has taken on. 

• Changes needed to fix 'broken system', as illegal migration 'creating division across our country', says home secretary

  Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has denied that her plans to clamp down on illegal immigration are "racist" - instead describing them as a "moral mission".

• Budget 2025 income tax U-turn: What the hell just happened?

  What the hell's just happened? 

• Labour MPs fear wipe out at next local election - as chancellor's career is 'toast'

  Many Labour MPs have been left shellshocked after the chaotic political self-sabotage of the past week.

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Politics

• Changes needed to fix 'broken system', as illegal migration 'creating division across our country', says home secretary

  Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has denied that her plans to clamp down on illegal immigration are "racist" - instead describing them as a "moral mission".

• Labour MPs fear wipe out at next local election - as chancellor's career is 'toast'

  Many Labour MPs have been left shellshocked after the chaotic political self-sabotage of the past week.

• Shabana Mahmood is the new hard woman of British politics - and potential successor to Starmer

  We're told that Shabana Mahmood, the still new home secretary, is "a woman in a hurry".

• Budget 2025 income tax U-turn: What the hell just happened?

  What the hell's just happened? 

• Budget 2025: Starmer and Reeves ditch plans to raise income tax

  Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have scrapped plans to break their manifesto pledge and raise income tax rates in a massive U-turn less than two weeks from the budget.

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Technology

• Are we becoming too reliant on AI - or too cautious?

  This week, many of the tech world's glitterati gathered in Lisbon for Web Summit, a sprawling conference showcasing everything from dancing robots to the influencer economy. 

• Brazil 'surprised' UK not investing in new rainforest fund it helped design

  Brazil was "a bit surprised" Britain hasn't contributed to a new investment fund to protect tropical forests, despite having helped to design it, a senior official has told Sky News. 

• COP30: Climate protest in Brazil's city of Belem aims to hold governments' feet to the fire

  Hot, humid, loud and proud: the climate protest in the city of Belem was the embodiment of the Amazonian rainforest that surrounds it.

• High Court rules company liable for Brazil dam collapse - the country's worst environmental disaster

  A judge has ruled that a company can be held liable for a dam collapse which devastated indigenous communities in Brazil and became the country's worst environmental catastrophe.

• Stranded Chinese astronauts return to Earth after space capsule damaged

  Three Chinese astronauts have successfully returned to Earth from their nation's space station after their capsule was damaged.

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World

• Three men and two women in their 20s have died in car crash in Co Louth, Irish police say

  Three men and two women died in a "shocking" and "devastating" road crash involving two cars in Co Louth on Saturday night, Irish police said.

• Inside Jordan warehouse where Gaza aid held 'after being refused entry by Israel'

  Sky News has seen multiple warehouses in the Jordanian capital Amman, packed full of critical aid earmarked for the Gaza Strip.

• Mexico: Thousands march against crime and corruption in Generation Z protests, with 100 police injured

  Thousands have taken to the streets of Mexico City to protest against crime and corruption - with 120 people left injured, according to authorities.

• Arrest over car blast that killed eight in New Delhi

  A resident of Kashmir has been arrested over a car blast that killed eight people and wounded at least 20 others in New Delhi last week, India's National Investigation Agency has said. 

• Iran says it's no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country

  Iran has said it is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country.

• Nearly 70 schools to close in Australia over fears of asbestos in play sand

  Dozens of schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will be closed on Monday following a recall of coloured play sand, which authorities have warned poses an asbestos risk.

• Extensive search off Ireland's coast for missing Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailor ends

  An extensive multi-agency search off Ireland's coast for a missing sailor linked to the Royal Navy has ended without success, the Ministry of Defence has said.

• Brazil 'surprised' UK not investing in new rainforest fund it helped design

  Brazil was "a bit surprised" Britain hasn't contributed to a new investment fund to protect tropical forests, despite having helped to design it, a senior official has told Sky News. 

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Business

• Interpath-owner to kick off £900m sale of Claire’s administrator

  The restructuring firm drafted in to advise Sir Jim Ratcliffe on a radical cost-cutting programme at Manchester United Football Club will this week be put up for sale with a £900m price tag.

• Former chancellor Osborne is shock contender to head HSBC

  George Osborne, the former chancellor, has emerged as a shock contender to become the next chairman of HSBC Holdings, one of the world's top banking jobs.

• Telegraph future in limbo again as RedBird abandons £500m deal

  The future ownership of the Daily Telegraph has been plunged back into crisis after RedBird Capital Partners abandoned its proposed £500m takeover.

• Direct cost of Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack which impacted UK economic growth revealed

  The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which halted production for nearly six weeks at its sites, cost the company roughly £200m, it has been revealed.

• Budget 2025: Starmer and Reeves ditch plans to raise income tax

  Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have scrapped plans to break their manifesto pledge and raise income tax rates in a massive U-turn less than two weeks from the budget.

• Lloyds clinches £120m deal for digital wallet provider Curve

  Britain's biggest high street lender has struck a £120m deal to buy Curve, the digital wallet provider, despite recriminations from shareholders about the distribution of the sale proceeds.

• Budget 2025: The extraordinary impact of a crime on UK growth that Reeves could do without

  We'll get to the actual economics in a moment - to the questions of why the economy is flatlining and what it means for Rachel Reeves' forthcoming budget. But before that, let's take a moment to ponder something rather extraordinary.

• Professional services chiefs join chorus of opposition to Reeves tax threat

  An influential coalition of leaders from Britain's professional services sector has warned Rachel Reeves that a Budget tax raid on the sector would "stunt growth" in the UK's faltering economy.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

• Council leader’s column: Unity must prevail as we reject hatred and stand together in remembrance

  Rochdale’s council leader has issued a powerful call for unity and remembrance, condemning hate-fuelled division following an antisemitic terror attack and controversial political protests in Heywood.

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

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