Give yourselves a pat on the back, you lot — we’ve started off the new year in style just like we knew we would, as Manchester has officially been voted one of the best places in the world to visit in 2024, according to the only and only New York Times.
No. 12, to be specific. How’s that for repping the North?
That’s right, we were already comfortably named among the best places in the UK to visit in 2024 but year after year, the rest of the world is slowly but surely starting to realise what we’ve always known to be true: Manchester is mint, be it to live, work or play, sing and dance; eat, drink and everything in between.
Penned by Andy Haslam and Nora Walsh specifically when it came to our entry, Manchester was picked out on account of its arts scene — music being the standout — as well as its overall “revitalisation” over the past few years.
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Defining us as a “music-mad city” with new artists and venues popping up left, right and centre, The NYT picked out just a few highlights in what we know is going to be another massive year for 0161.
It starts off by stating that “music has long been at the core of Manchester’s gritty soul, from Joy Division and the Stone Roses to Oasis and, now, Harry Styles, who is backing Britain’s largest new music arena, Co-op Live, set to open in April.
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“Stars like Liam Gallagher, Eric Clapton and Barry Manilow are booked to inaugurate the 23,500-capacity space, which will complement the reopening of concert halls like the post-punk incubator Band on the Wall and New Century, where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner have all graced the stage.”
The column then goes on to shine a light on emerging talent, detailing how “the city will host two major music conferences this year, including Worldwide Music Expo, a behemoth packed with concerts, speakers, films and an awards ceremony, as well as Beyond the Music, which made its debut in 2023.
Following on from its inaugural warm-up event, they describe the festival as a “smorgasbord of performances, parties, workshops and more”.
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They also give a shout-out to Aviva Studios, naming Laurie Anderson as one of their top picks, as the American writer, director, visual artist and vocalist is set to headline the Factory International Arts Centre’s 2024 programme with ‘ARK‘ — a multimedia “dark comedy for the end of the world.”
Believe us, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what this city has to offer.
To be honest, we don’t need some New York Times writer bigging us up; we already know how lucky we are not just to be able to visit and enjoy this city, but to be able to live here and soak up every ounce of the culture that Greater Manchester as a whole is brimming with each and every day.
But it is nice of them — cheers, folks.
And as for the world-famous Manc music scene in 2024, they couldn’t be more right: it’s going to be a massive year and this little corner of the internet is exactly where you need to be if you want to make sure you don’t miss a single second of it.
Featured Image — The Manc Group/Anthony Mooney (supplied)/Manchester Pride
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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)
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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 -
13th January 2024 
