The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of the country as Greater Manchester could be hit with a thunderstorm today (Tuesday, 18 June).
So much for summer getting started.
It looked like Manchester was finally being treated to some patches of sun as we approach the warmer months but it now looks as though the forecast is set to snap back into local normality with the risk of thunderstorms hitting the country this week.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued not just in our area but across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, parts of the East Midlands and various other regions across the UK.
— Met Office – NW England (@metofficeNWEng) June 18, 2024
The warning has been officially set to last from 11am this morning until 9pm this evening across Greater Manchester, with Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside and the city centre all likely to be affected.
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As stated on the Met Office website, the conditions are expected to cause disruption to public transport and travel in general, stating that “there is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus”.
“Short-term loss of power and other services is possible”, as well as “some flooding of a few homes and businesses”, along with the chance of falling debris and damage to buildings/structures.
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Delays to train and bus services are also possible.
Thunderstorms are expected to hit Manchester today. (Credit: Met Office)
The meteorologists went on to explain that “slow-moving thunderstorms and heavy showers may cause some disruption to travel and outdoor activities”, with the heaviest period of rainfall expected from around noon for most areas.
Here in Greater Manchester, however, it is thought that the most significant downpour will take place around 7pm. Meanwhile, heat-wise, they forecast that things are expected to stay “generally cool but feeling warm in any sunshine”, only reaching a top temperature of around 15C.
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We hope you brought your anorak to work today.
That being said, the weather is said to improve from Wednesday onwards, with highs of around 21C predicted for Thursday and Friday.
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Danny Jones -
18th June 2024 
