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Local News

• M66 traffic stopped southbound due to ongoing Police incident

  Traffic was stopped this evening on the M66 southbound between the A56 and Junction 1.

• Snow and ice warning extended across Greater Manchester

  A severe weather warning is now in place for all parts of Greater Manchester, as the Met Office updates its forecast to include the entire region in its snow and ice alert.

• Three custody officers hospitalised after Manchester Airport incident

  Three members of Greater Manchester Police staff, including two sergeants and a custody officer, were injured on New Year’s Day while processing a suspect at Manchester Airport.

• Man charged with murder after Joe Burton, 23, stabbed in Bury

  A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of 23-year-old Joe Burton, who died following a fatal incident in Bury on New Year’s Eve.

• Man charged with murder following fatal stabbing in Bury

  A man has been charged with murder after a 24-year-old was found dead in Bury on New Year's Eve.

• Fire crews tackle commercial building fire on Rooley Moor Road in Rochdale

  Firefighters spent over three hours at the scene of a commercial building fire on Rooley Moor Road in Rochdale on Thursday evening.

• Man arrested after three seriously injured in Middleton assault

  A man has been arrested following a violent incident in Middleton that left three people seriously injured in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

• Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Bury

  A man in his 20s has died following a stabbing at a residential address in Bury on New Year’s Eve. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

• United Utilities urges residents to protect pipes ahead of freezing weekend

  Residents and businesses across Rochdale and Greater Manchester are being urged to protect their water pipes as temperatures are forecast to plunge this weekend, raising the risk of bursts and flooding.

• Bolton Mountain Rescue Team pays tribute to long serving volunteer Geoff Seddon

  Bolton Mountain Rescue Team has announced the death of veteran volunteer Geoff Seddon, saying the team is devastated following what it described as a short but brutal battle with cancer.

• Three floors of iconic town centre building could be turned into flats

  Three floors of an iconic building at the heart of Bury’s nightlife ‘strip’ could be turned into flats. Developers plan to renovate the upper levels of the former Silver Chambers at 8 to 12 Silver Street into nine apartments.

• Community walking group 'Mayfield Movers' set to start in 2026 to promote active living

  A new community walking initiative called Mayfield Movers is set to launch in 2026, with the goal of improving physical health, reducing isolation, and strengthening community ties across the borough.

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Greater Manchester

• M66 traffic stopped southbound due to ongoing Police incident

  Traffic was stopped this evening on the M66 southbound between the A56 and Junction 1.

• Snow and ice warning extended across Greater Manchester

  A severe weather warning is now in place for all parts of Greater Manchester, as the Met Office updates its forecast to include the entire region in its snow and ice alert.

• Three custody officers hospitalised after Manchester Airport incident

  Three members of Greater Manchester Police staff, including two sergeants and a custody officer, were injured on New Year’s Day while processing a suspect at Manchester Airport.

• Hopwood Hall College Principal among North West recipients of OBE in King's Honours List

  The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Hopwood Hall College has been named in the King’s New Year Honours List, recognising her long-standing contribution to education in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester.

• Bolton paedophile 'inappropriately' restrained before prison death report finds

  A paedophile from Bolton who died in custody was “wrongly” handcuffed despite being unable to walk unaided, a prison watchdog has found.

• Crime falls and justice rises as GMP pledges safer 2026 for Greater Manchester

  Greater Manchester Police has reported a drop of 10,000 crimes in the past year, alongside a sharp rise in solved cases, as the force sets its sights on delivering a safer 2026.

• Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancashire Railway in 2026

  One of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotives is making a highly anticipated return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) next summer, with the Flying Scotsman confirmed for a special run of events in June 2026.

• Teletubbies, traffic cones and blind mice take over Edgworth in charity race

  Teletubbies, blind mice, and Top Gun pilots brought festive chaos to the streets of Edgworth on Sunday as the village’s annual charity three-legged race returned, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

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Local Entertainment

• 2025 was the year Roch Valley Radio became your newsroom

  When Rochdale Online closed its doors earlier this year, Roch Valley Radio stepped up to ensure the stories from the boroughs we serve didn’t go untold.

• Your Trust celebrates record 1.6 million engagements across Rochdale borough

  More than 1.6 million people took part in Your Trust’s community programmes last year, marking a record high for the Rochdale-based charity.

• Flying Scotsman to return to East Lancashire Railway in 2026

  One of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotives is making a highly anticipated return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) next summer, with the Flying Scotsman confirmed for a special run of events in June 2026.

• Teletubbies, traffic cones and blind mice take over Edgworth in charity race

  Teletubbies, blind mice, and Top Gun pilots brought festive chaos to the streets of Edgworth on Sunday as the village’s annual charity three-legged race returned, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

• Heywood AODS and Heykids secure 19 nominations at NODA District 7 awards

  Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and its youth section Heykids have been recognised with a total of 19 nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association District 7 awards.

• Peine Square transformed in £1m Heywood regeneration project

  A major upgrade to Peine Square in Heywood town centre has been completed, delivering new performance spaces, greenery and public seating as part of a £1 million investment.

• Rochdale to be transformed by immersive nighttime storytelling experience

  Rochdale will host a major public art installation this winter, as the town’s streets become the stage for a free, after-dark audio-visual experience led by local voices.

• OMD to headline major music event at Rochdale Town Hall Square in 2026

  Synth-pop pioneers to return to their roots with all-star line-up as part of Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

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Local Sports

• Radcliffe commentator Clive Tyldesley honoured with OBE in New Year list

  Veteran football broadcaster Clive Tyldesley, who grew up in Radcliffe, has been awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026.

• Stepans and Graham strike as Shakers seal Boxing Day victory

  Goals either side of halftime from Rustam Stepans and Leo Graham saw Bury run out 2-0 winners over Clitheroe on Boxing Day despite being reduced to ten men late on.

• From survival to belief as Rochdale AFC look ahead to 2026

  Just over 18 months ago, the future of Rochdale AFC looked bleak, with the club facing an uncertain existence after years of instability both on and off the pitch.

• Young sporting stars honoured in school Hall of Fame

  SPORTING superstars who are excelling in cricket and gymnastics have had their photographs added to their school’s Hall of Fame.

• Bury FC part company with Michael Jolley days after managerial appointment following backlash

  Bury Football Club has confirmed that Michael Jolley has been relieved of his duties as first team manager by mutual consent just days after taking up the role.

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UK

• Snow warnings upgraded with bitterly cold weather expected to grip UK this weekend

  A bitter cold snap is sweeping across the UK and is expected to grip the country over the weekend, with some places already seeing roughly 10cm of snow.

• Search for missing third person called off after two people drown in the sea near Yorkshire

  Searches for a missing person were called off on Saturday evening after two bodies were pulled from the sea off the East Yorkshire coast.

• Son of British couple detained in Iran describe 'criminal' government response

  The son of a British couple held in an Iranian jail has described the response of the British government as "criminal", as he delivered a 70-thousand-strong petition to Downing Street.

• Murderer among two prisoners at large after absconding on New Year's Day

  Two prisoners are being hunted by police after absconding from jail on New Year's Day.

• Recruitment drive launched for new magistrates

  The government is launching a drive to recruit thousands of new volunteers to serve as magistrates in England and Wales, as it seeks to get a grip of the courts backlog.

• Hundreds of jobs to be lost in TGI Fridays insolvency plan

  Hundreds of British hospitality workers face losing their jobs in the coming days as the owner of TGI Fridays finalises plans to buy back a slimmed-down version of one of Britain's best-known casual dining chains.

• Deal to nationalise 'ferry fiasco' harbour at 'advanced stage', says Scotland's first minister

  Ardrossan Harbour, once a vital link to the Isle of Arran, is set to be bought by the Scottish government and upgraded so ferry services can resume.

• The Voice Of Hind Rajab: Brad Pitt-backed film about death of child in Gaza set for UK release

  A film based on the death of a five-year-old girl during Israel's war in Gaza is set to hit UK cinemas this month.

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Entertainment

• The Voice Of Hind Rajab: Brad Pitt-backed film about death of child in Gaza set for UK release

  A film based on the death of a five-year-old girl during Israel's war in Gaza is set to hit UK cinemas this month.

• The most anticipated films coming to cinemas in 2026

  It has once again been a rollercoaster year for Hollywood.

• Trailer released for King Charles documentary on harmony with nature

  A trailer has been released for a landmark documentary on King Charles' lifelong effort to bring nature and humanity into harmony.

• New Year Honours: Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean, and Lionesses among those recognised

  Idris Elba, ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England's victorious women's football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.

• Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor who starred in The Wire, dies aged 71

  Isiah Whitlock Jr., who was best known for his role on The Wire, has died aged 71.

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Sport

• World Darts Championship 2026: Luke Littler to face Gian van Veen in final after Dutchman holds off Gary Anderson in epic semi-final

  Luke Littler will take on Gian van Veen in the World Darts Championship final after the Dutchman came through a tough semi-final battle with Gary Anderson to win 6-3 at Alexandra Palace.

• Declan Rice: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says midfielder among world's best and nearly missed Bournemouth win

  Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice deserves his place among the world's best midfielders after his double helped Arsenal to a 3-2 win over Bournemouth - a match the midfielder nearly missed through injury.

• Liam Rosenior to Chelsea: Who is Strasbourg boss and the leading contender for the Blues job after Enzo Maresca's exit?

  You'd have got good odds on Liam Rosenior becoming Chelsea head coach within two years when he was unceremoniously sacked by Hull in May 2024.

• West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo apologises for 'embarrassing' defeat to Wolves – I never felt so bad on a football pitch

  Nuno Espirito Santo apologised following West Ham's 3-0 defeat to Wolves, describing the result as "embarrassing" and admitting he has never felt worse on a football pitch.

• Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

  Wales back Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a long-term deal with Bristol, having joined the Bears for the 2025-26 season after ending his 18-month spell in the NFL.

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Strange

• Drunk raccoon behind liquor store rampage suspected of other 'break-ins'

  A raccoon that passed out drunk after running amok in a Virginia liquor store is suspected of two other "break-ins".

• 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.

• 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

• Managers of Swiss bar where fire killed 40 during New Year's event face criminal investigation

  The two managers of a Swiss bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire have been put under criminal investigation. 

• New Year Honours: Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean, and Lionesses among those recognised

  Idris Elba, ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, as well as England's victorious women's football and rugby teams, are among 1,157 people recognised in the New Year Honours list.

• Budget 2025: Workers being 'hammered' while pensioners benefit, says analysis

  Rachel Reeves is "quietly hammering" workers with stealth taxes as a result of her budget last year, a think tank has said.

• Recruitment drive launched for new magistrates

  The government is launching a drive to recruit thousands of new volunteers to serve as magistrates in England and Wales, as it seeks to get a grip of the courts backlog.

• Snow warnings upgraded with bitterly cold weather expected to grip UK this weekend

  A bitter cold snap is sweeping across the UK and is expected to grip the country over the weekend, with some places already seeing roughly 10cm of snow.

• Why Trump administration is so annoyed with Europe's online rules

  The row between Europe and Washington about what you can do online just ramped up.

• US general reveals how America captured Venezuela's president

  Months of spying, ground forces and more than 150 aircraft were involved in the daring US operation against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

• Son of British couple detained in Iran describe 'criminal' government response

  The son of a British couple held in an Iranian jail has described the response of the British government as "criminal", as he delivered a 70-thousand-strong petition to Downing Street.

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Politics

• Recruitment drive launched for new magistrates

  The government is launching a drive to recruit thousands of new volunteers to serve as magistrates in England and Wales, as it seeks to get a grip of the courts backlog.

• Nigel Farage giving 'serious thought' to scrapping OBR if Reform wins next general election

  Nigel Farage has said he is giving "serious thought" to scrapping the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) if his party wins the next general election and he becomes prime minister.

• Starmer accused of diverting NHS 'billions' to appease Trump

  Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of diverting £3 billion of NHS funding a year to appease Donald Trump.

• Migrant small boat Channel crossings in 2025 are second highest ever

  A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK in 2025 after crossing the Channel on a small boat - the second-highest annual figure on record.

• Migrant crossing figures for 2025 'politically toxic' for PM

  The government's woken up to quite the new year hangover with the publication of 2025's small boat data - which reveals the number of migrants crossing the Channel increased by more than 4,500 people compared to 2024.

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Technology

• Tesla loses title of world's biggest electric vehicle maker to Chinese rival BYD

  Tesla has lost its crown as the world's bestselling electric vehicle maker.

• Chickenpox vaccine being rolled out on NHS for first time

  A chickenpox vaccine is being rolled out on the NHS for the first time.

• Trailer released for King Charles documentary on harmony with nature

  A trailer has been released for a landmark documentary on King Charles' lifelong effort to bring nature and humanity into harmony.

• From bone damage to solar radiation - inside the lab trying to protect the astronauts of the future

  Space is an alien environment for humans.

• Why Trump administration is so annoyed with Europe's online rules

  The row between Europe and Washington about what you can do online just ramped up.

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World

• Managers of Swiss bar where fire killed 40 during New Year's event face criminal investigation

  The two managers of a Swiss bar where at least 40 people were killed in a devastating fire have been put under criminal investigation. 

• US general reveals how America captured Venezuela's president

  Months of spying, ground forces and more than 150 aircraft were involved in the daring US operation against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

• Everything we know about US strikes on Venezuela

  The US has carried out a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela, and its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been flown out of the country with his wife.

• Venezuelan president Maduro combined swaggering incompetence with ruthless repression

  Few leaders this century have done so much damage to the lives of so many as Nicolas Maduro.

• US strikes on Venezuela: How did we get here?

  After months of rising tensions, a build-up of US warships in the Caribbean and escalating threats of military action, America has struck Venezuela.

• Why Trump's removal of Maduro is unprecedented

  Donald Trump's removal of Nicolas Maduro as leader of Venezuela is completely unprecedented.

• 'The State of South Arabia': Yemen separatists announce plan for independence

  Yemen's southern separatist movement has announced a constitution and aims to hold a referendum on independence from the north.

• Iran threatens Trump after 'locked and loaded' warning

  Donald Trump has been threatened with a "swift, decisive and comprehensive" response by Iran if the US intervenes following growing unrest in the country, with at least 10 people killed and dozens of arrests, according to reports.

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Business

• London estate agent Dexters to hoist £500m 'for sale' sign

  The private equity backers of London's biggest estate agency chain are exploring a potential sale valuing it at more than £500m, despite the looming threat of Rachel Reeves' new "mansion tax".

• Hundreds of jobs to be lost in TGI Fridays insolvency plan

  Hundreds of British hospitality workers face losing their jobs in the coming days as the owner of TGI Fridays finalises plans to buy back a slimmed-down version of one of Britain's best-known casual dining chains.

• Next weighs cut-price swoop on struggling fashion brand LK Bennett

  Next, the FTSE-100 retail behemoth, is among a pack of suitors considering a new year swoop to buy LK Bennett, the struggling fashion retailer.

• FTSE 100 breaks 'historic' 10,000 points mark for the first time in 'best present chancellor could want'

  The UK's flagship stock index has broken the symbolic 10,000 points mark for the first time.

• Major FTSE record as much about companies not in the index as the ones that are

  Passing the 10,000-point barrier is a largely symbolic milestone for the FTSE 100, but it underlines an upward trend for the index of the UK's largest companies and offers some cautious optimism for the year ahead.

• Tesla loses title of world's biggest electric vehicle maker to Chinese rival BYD

  Tesla has lost its crown as the world's bestselling electric vehicle maker.

• Workers being 'hammered' while pensioners benefit, says analysis

  Rachel Reeves is "quietly hammering" workers with stealth taxes as a result of her budget last year, a thinktank has said.

• Private hospitals giant Spire sets deadline for suitors

  Britain's biggest private hospital operator has handed prospective suitors a deadline to pursue a takeover of the company amid shareholder pressure on it to explore a sale.

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Rochdale Council Leaders Column

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Rochdale Council Mayors Column

• A year of listening, learning and lifting others up

  As 2025 draws to a close, I want to offer a few reflections on my first seven months as Mayor of Rochdale.

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