He went on: “However, this was a second successive monthly contraction as concern over the implications of the situation in the Middle East weakened consumer confidence and as households came to terms with higher outlays on water charges, council tax, and at the petrol pump.

Curtis Bihari will take on the role in 2026/27, having previously served as mayor in 2023/24.

He succeeds councillor Angus Ferguson, with councillor Craig Johnson now serving as deputy mayor.

Mr Bihari said: “Ferryhill has given me so much throughout my life, from my childhood and education to my career and public service.

Curtis Bihari, pictured, has been elected mayor of Ferryhill for 2026/27, succeeding Angus Ferguson, with Craig Johnson appointed as deputy mayor (Image: Ferryhill Town Council)

“To now serve the town again as Mayor is a huge honour.

“I’m incredibly proud of where I come from and I’m determined to give everything I can to the role and to our community.”

Born and raised on Bertha Street in Ferryhill, Mr Bihari attended Broom Cottages Primary School, Ferryhill Comprehensive, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form, and later graduated from Newcastle University with a first-class degree in politics and sociology.

After university, he returned to Ferryhill and worked at the town’s Sport and Education Centre, helping to keep the facility running alongside his family.

He has also served as a county councillor for Durham.

Outside of his professional and public life, Mr Bihari is involved in local sport, having played cricket for Mainsforth Cricket Club since childhood and football for Ferryhill Miners United.

The new mayor is currently considering which charities to support during his term and plans to announce his decision along with details of fundraising events.

Further details about the mayor’s chosen charities and upcoming events will be announced along with details of fundraising events.

Mark Wright was selected from a competitive pool of nominees submitted by business owners who have directly benefited from the guidance, expertise and commitment of Business Gateway’s dedicated advisers.

A Lanarkshire business adviser has been chosen to receive a Business Gateway Impact Award for the second year running.

The Impact Awards, which took place at Business Gateway’s recent all-staff conference in Edinburgh, celebrated the exemplary service, commitment and impact made by Business Gateway’s local staff in supporting business owners across the country.

Mark Wright was selected from a competitive pool of nominees submitted by business owners who have directly benefited from the guidance, expertise and commitment of Business Gateway’s dedicated advisers.

Business owners praised Mark for “consistently going above and beyond with practical, knowledgeable and patient support”, with several people saying he had helped them secure funding, navigate complex processes and build confidence from start-up through growth.

Councillor Gail Macgregor, COSLA Spokesperson for the Environment & Economy and Chair of the Business Gateway board, said: “The Impact Awards were designed to shine a light on those who empower the local business community in Scotland, helping individuals and organisations to navigate challenges, reach new milestones and achieve lasting success.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to Mark on receiving an Impact Award. Mark and the rest of the Business Gateway network go above and beyond every day to help businesses thrive, and these awards are a testament to their dedication and the tangible difference they make.

“We’re delighted to have been able to recognise and celebrate their achievements.”

With around 350 staff located around the country, Business Gateway’s teams are the backbone of Scotland’s business support system.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Provost joins local childminders and families at Teddy Bear Picnic

Available free of charge to anyone looking to turn their idea into reality or grow their business, Business Gateway offers online and in-person support on everything from building the foundations of a strategy to setting up an e-commerce website, to help with marketing and budgeting.

In 2025-26, Business Gateway supported over 50,000 customers, managed over 30,000 enquiries and celebrated the launch of over 7,200 new businesses.

For more information on Business Gateway and its services, please visit https://bgateway.com.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: Wishaw electrician sent photo of private parts to young female customer

Which? found Waitrose to be the cheapest for several of the products included in the analysis, including Dolmio Bolognese Sauce Onion And Garlic 450g, which was £1.50 on average in Waitrose compared with £2.60 at most other supermarkets, including Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco for those without a loyalty card – a difference of 73%.

A rare strain of hantavirus broke out on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius as it sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde.

A small number of people in Scotland have been linked to the hantavirus outbreak, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).

A rare strain of hantavirus broke out on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius as it sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde.

The national public health body said it will remain in close contact with those who have been exposed to the virus and will continue precautionary testing, as well as ongoing care and support.

Health bosses added that there are currently no known cases of hantavirus in Scotland and the risk to the general public is very low.

Three people died on the voyage and nine cases confirmed by tests have been identified. The health body said it is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS boards in Scotland to “take appropriate action”.

Samples from those who have been contacted by health authorities will be sent to a high security lab in Glasgow for analysis.

A PHS statement read: “Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and colleagues across the UK, to respond to the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak and take appropriate action. This includes well established protocols around contact tracing and isolation measures where necessary.

“PHS and NHS boards in Scotland are working to follow up with a small number of individuals who had potential contact with cases and will remain in close contact with these individuals for up to 45 days from the last potential exposure. Contacts will continue to receive precautionary testing as required, as well as ongoing care and support. There are currently no known cases of hantavirus in Scotland and the risk to the general public is very low.”

Scientists at the Centre for Virus Research (CVR) have already received samples from about 20 people who were on the ship, with the team now looking into how the virus has spread as well as potential treatments.

Centre director Prof Emma Thomson said: “The symptoms are classically of respiratory illness, rather like a severe influenza infection or Covid-19 – people get very breathless.

“Unfortunately, the consequences of the Andes strain can be very severe, and one in three people might be expected to die.

“So that makes it a very serious infection and that’s why we need ongoing research to look for new treatments and vaccines.”

Six people evacuated to the UK on Wednesday were able to return home or to suitable accommodation to complete a 45-day isolation period.

They had already isolated at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, Merseyside, for 72 hours and tested negative for the virus.

In total, 22 passengers and crew had been isolating at the hospital – the rest will remain but are asymptomatic and have tested negative for the virus. It has not been revealed for how long the remaining patients will stay in hospital.

Two Brits with confirmed cases are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa. The head of the UN health agency previously said there was “no sign” of a larger hantavirus outbreak.

Researchers at the CVR are now looking at blood and nasal samples from passengers, crew and traced contacts.

Thomson said the main aim is to investigate potential treatments and a vaccine.

She added: “We are working on improving our understanding of how the virus divides, transmits, and thinking about how current antiviral treatments can be used as a new treatment.

“For example, some vaccines that have been designed to fight against other types of hantavirus might also work against the Andes strain.”

A number of cases have been seen in Scotland in the past, involving a different type of hantavirus which can only be transmitted from rodents.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, is available on the Scottish Sentencing Council website and organisations and people from all backgrounds, legal or otherwise, are encouraged to have their say on the guideline to help ensure it is fit for purpose.

The Scottish Sentencing Council has launched a public consultation to seek views on a draft sentencing guideline for domestic abuse offences.

The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, is available on the Council website and organisations and people from all backgrounds, legal or otherwise, are encouraged to have their say on the guideline to help ensure it is fit for purpose.

Domestic abuse is an area of great concern to the public and accounts for a significant number of cases across courts in Scotland.

The sentencing of such cases is complex and can prove challenging for judges, particularly due to the broad range of circumstances involved in domestic offending and the need to give careful consideration to the protection of victims.

Research also shows that victims want greater clarity on the processes and reasons behind court decisions.

The guideline is designed to be of use to the courts and court users, as well as the general public, by clearly setting out the information which should be considered by judges in deciding sentences.

Lord Beckett, Lord Justice Clerk and Chair of the Council, said: “This guideline will assist the court in selecting what can sometimes be challenging sentencing decisions, thereby enhancing consistency.

“It will also aid public awareness by helping people better understand what domestic abuse can involve, and what is considered by the courts when reaching a sentence.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Provost joins local childminders and families at Teddy Bear Picnic

“The public consultation is a vital stage in developing a sentencing guideline. In order for it to be useful to the court, court users and the public, we are seeking as wide a range of views as possible and I encourage everyone to take the time to respond to the consultation.

“Every response will be carefully considered by the Council before the guideline is finalised.”

The draft guideline makes clear that these offences can cause particularly damaging harm to those impacted by abuse, including children, and can inflict lasting trauma.

It sets out some of the behaviours domestic abuse can entail, such as coercive control like isolating a victim from family or friends, as well as economic abuse or physical or sexual abuse.

A list of factors which can make offences more serious, and may lead to a more severe sentence, are also detailed in the guideline – for example, using a child to direct offending behaviour at a victim or preventing a victim from obtaining assistance.

READ MORE: Domestic abuse victim choked she struggled to breathe and saw ‘black dots’ in front of her face

The draft guideline also includes a section explaining the legislation on non-harassment orders.

The deadline for responding to the consultation is August 6. All responses will be carefully considered before the guideline is finalised and submitted to the High Court for approval.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: Jail for thief who broke into same supermarket twice

As the US President has headed to China for a key summit chaos has erupted behind the scene, with a US staffer trampled and members of Trump’s Secret Service involved in a standoff

Behind the scenes of the high-stakes China summit, tensions are reportedly erupting as all eyes are on the US and China leaders.

President Trump and Xi Jinping have held talks discussing divisive issues such as the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan.

Trump claimed in a toast at the state banquet that the US and China have a “deep sense of mutual respect” but the off stage relations between the nations have seemingly continued to worsen as the state visit continues.

With a reported ‘standoff’ and one US staffer trampled by a horde of Chinese journalists backstage of the trip has been labelled a “s***show”.

The first incident occurred on Thursday morning when a group from the Chinese press reportedly stormed into Trump’s meeting with President Xi, knocking over and stepping on a White House staffer.

As the aide was knocked over Americans protested at the actions, but thankfully they were not seriously injured.

Members of Trump’s Secret Service also reportedly had confrontation with Chinese officials after being barred from entering a historic Beijing temple due to one of the agents possessing a firearm.

Advertisement

A journalist claimed the “intense” standoff took place during Trump’s first full day of the state visit which caused delays.

According to the White House press pool, the agent accompanying reporters was stopped by Chinese security and refused entry to the temple’s compound due to his firearm.

This dispute between US and Chinese officials led to a delay in the press corps entering the temple complex with press officials briefly held while US and Chinese officials engaged in a heated debate about whether they could proceed.

As they were held in the holding room, one American reporter shouted “We have to go!”

Chinese officials the reportedly chased the US delegation as they ran across the square to reach Trump’s convoy of cars.

The unseen dramas of the trip have thus far contrasted the majority of the interactions between the two leaders, with the standoff taking place as a peaceful tour of the historic temple was taken by Xi and Trump.

However, discussing tense issues between the nations Xi warned that the countries could “come into conflict” in a two hour showdown earlier on Thursday.

The Chinese leader said: “If handled properly, bilateral relations can remain generally stable.

“If handled poorly, the two countries will clash or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly dangerous situation.”

Traditional missionary (particularly for the bottom partner)

Doggy style (kneeling)

Halfpoint Images via Getty Images

Legs up over shoulders positions

Cowgirl / reverse cowgirl (on top)

Standing sex

Armagh had 28 points to spare over Down in the Ulster semi-final while Monaghan have lost one of their starting players from the extra-time win over Derry

Kieran McGeeney has, unsurprisingly, named an unchanged starting 15 for Sunday’s Ulster final clash with Monaghan on Sunday.

The Orchard County turned in a devastating when they defeated Down by 28 points in Clones a fortnight ago.

Blaine Hughes retains the goalkeeping jersey ahead of Ethan Rafferty while Ross McQuillan is named in the match-day panel after missing the Down game with a calf strain.

All-Ireland winning captain Aidan Forker is also among the substitutes after tearing his calf ahead of the preliminary round win over Tyrone last month.

Meanwhile, Monaghan have suffered a blow on the eve of the Ulster final with midfielder Louis Kelly ruled out with an Achilles injury.

Monaghan came through a rollercoaster semi-final against Derry with Jack McCarron’s stunning late two-point sideline forcing extra-time before Rory Beggan sealed the win with the final kick of the game.

Darragh McElearney, who was listed to start against Derry comes in to the team with Karl Gallagher moving to midfield.

Gary Mohan and Ryan Wylie have also been added to the match-day squad as has U20 star Max Maguire.

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Peter McGrane, Aaron Mckay, Paddy Burns; Greg McCabe, Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Óg Burns; Joe McElroy, Jason Duffy; Darragh McMullen, Conor Turbitt, Tomás McCormack; Cian McConville, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty.

Subs: Ethan Rafferty, Gareth Murphy, Oisin O’Neill, Ross McQuillan, Daniel Magee, Ciaran Mackin, Barry McCambridge, Ryan Duffy, Aidan Forker, Tomás Galvin, Rory Grugan.

Monaghan : Rory Beggan; Darragh McElearney, Ryan O’Toole, Dylan Byrne; Cameron Dowd, Killian Lavelle, Dessie Ward; Micheál McCarville, Karl Gallagher; Aaron Carey, Mícheál Bannigan, Stephen O’Hanlon; Conor McCarthy, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney

Subs: Kian Mulligan, David Garland, Robbie Hanratty, Bobby McCaul, Gary Mohan, Max Maguire, Ryan McAnespie, Shane Hanratty, Oisin McGorman, Jack McCarron, Ryan Wylie.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here .

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories

A woman in her 60s has been arrested in connection with the 2008 murder of Strabane man Andrew Burns, who was shot dead near Donnyloop Church in Co Donegal

Advertisement

A woman has been detained in connection with the fatal shooting of Andrew Burns in Co Donegal.

Mr Burns, originally from Strabane, was killed by Óglaigh na hÉireann in a dissident-linked killing in which gardaí suspect multiple individuals were involved, reports the Irish Mirror.

The woman, in her 60s, was apprehended in relation to the murder inquiry on Thursday and is currently being detained at a Garda station in the North West region.

The victim was shot twice in the back on a roadway near Donnyloop Church on 12 February 2008.

Martin Kelly, who had connections to the Óglaigh na hÉireann organisation, was found guilty and given a life sentence for Mr Burns’ murder in 2012.

His trial revealed how he had been instructed to transport Mr Burns from his residence in Strabane to Donnyloop in Donegal for a punishment shooting. He drove the victim to the church car park where three individuals were lying in wait in a hedge.

A gunman opened fire on Mr Burns, who attempted to flee but was struck by a second shot which proved fatal. All three climbed into Kelly’s vehicle and he transported them back across the border, pausing to conceal the weapon in a hedge.

Kelly was questioned by gardaí and the PSNI at a hotel in Northern Ireland where he confessed to his involvement.

In a significant development on Thursday evening, gardaí confirmed that the woman had been arrested in connection with the murder investigation and that she is being detained pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

A garda spokesperson stated: “An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to anyone with any information to come forward, in particular, the occupant or occupants of a red van that it is believed to have been in the area of Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co. Donegal, at around 7pm on the evening of Tuesday 12th February 2008.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”