Cats seem to love oblongs in general

All current Community Councillors will stand down from their respective Community Councils at this time. They are eligible for re-election under the amended terms and conditions.

The next General Election for all established Community Councils across South Lanarkshire will be held on Thursday, October 22.

The Community Council Elections will be carried out in terms of the amended Scheme for establishment of Community Councils.

All current Community Councillors will stand down from their respective Community Councils at this time. They are eligible for re-election under the amended terms and conditions.

You can find out if there is a community council active in your area using your postcode.

Residents of voting age who are on the electoral register and meet the qualifying criteria can be nominated by a proposer and seconder for membership of their Community Council by completing a nomination form and returning it to the Community Council Liaison Officer no later than 4pm on 10 September 2026.

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The letter, also signed by Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Waitrose and Co-op, charities including Barnardo’s, Amnesty International UK and WWF-UK, health campaigners, investment companies and farming organisations, warns that the next “food shock” is “not a question of if, but when”.

The region will go to the polls on Thursday

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has thrown his weight behind Bev Craig as he urges voters to vote Labour in the contest to elect his successor.

More than two million residents are to go to the polls tomorrow (July 30) to elect who will only be Greater Manchester’s second ever metro mayor since the post was created in 2017.

Every major party has put forth a candidate – and there was little surprise when it was announced that Labour’s would be Bev Craig, who has served as leader of Manchester City Council since 2021 and had a close working relationship with Burnham.

Click here for the latest on Greater Manchester’s politics in our newsletter

Mr Burnham has called his almost nine-year tenure as mayor an ‘immense privilege’ as he came first in all ten boroughs in 2017, 2021 and 2024.

In a new statement he has urged voters to back Ms Craig, saying she will make sure “every town, every borough” shares in the region’s success.

He said: “After years working alongside Bev Craig, I have no doubt that she will work every single day to build on the progress we’ve all made together.

“Bev will focus on putting more money in your pocket, giving families more breathing space on the cost of living and making sure young people across every borough have the opportunities they need to thrive.

“Bev will do this by working in lockstep with every community across our city region so we can shape our future together.

“She is the only candidate who will make sure every town, every borough and every person shares in Greater Manchester’s success.

“Together, for our future, vote Bev Craig today to be our next mayor of Greater Manchester.”

Other candidates, Reform’s Sian Astley and Lib Dem Richard Kilpatrick also sit on the council. Both Conservative and Green candidates, Phil Eckersley and Geraldine Coggins, are Trafford councillors.

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Ms Coggins argued Greater Manchester needs “full-fat devolution, not semi-skimmed”, adding: “Labour in Greater Manchester has been a developers’ paradise, handing over large sums of money to developers to build unaffordable flats.

“I will be demanding powers to take them back and to impose tough financial penalties for land banking.”

Mr Eckersley has previously said “as a business owner, father and local councillor, I understand the challenges facing families, businesses and communities across our city-region”.

Restore’s Mr West works as a mental health nurse but he was given an 18-month suspension earlier this month by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following comments he made on social media about sexual grooming by Pakistani men.

Mr West has co-written a book, In Plain Sight, with his daughter, Scarlett, about rape and sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of Asian men.

Restore Britain’s leader, Rupert Lowe, said Mr West “is the best qualified candidate for any mayoral race for a very long time”, adding: “He has lost so much in his fight, including just being struck off nursing because he spoke out about his daughter’s rape. It’s scandalous.”

Mr Farmer, an independent candidate, previously stood against Mr Burnham in 2021, receiving just under 1% of the vote. He also stood in 2017.

Polls will open at 7am and close at 10pm on Thursday. Votes will not be counted until Friday, with the result likely to be announced in the afternoon.

The Sportsmans Inn, located on North Bondgate and a short walk from the Market Place, is on the market for £295,000.

The inn was purchased by its current owners in 2001 and has been leased out to different tenants ever since.

(Image: Sidney Phillips Limited)

This famous venue, formerly known as ‘The Merry Monk’, is renowned for being Bishop Auckland’s go-to late-night venue for local residents.

It is home to a big open bar, with space for 90 people, plus a first-floor apartment with two double bedrooms.

The establishment is currently owned by a landlord who is open to granting a new lease, with possible terms ranging from seven to fifteen years, with annual rent set at £25,000.

(Image: Sidney Phillips Limited)

The bar was recently vacated by tenants who rented it for £30,000 per annum.

The first-floor flat was partially refurbished to function as an Airbnb-style accommodation before its tenants’ departure.

It also carries a staff room with kitchen facilities, a basement cellar, and an outdoor patio area with stairs leading down to Wear Chare Road.

Due to its prime location and proximity to numerous ongoing regeneration projects, the inn is poised for potentially increased trade.

(Image: Sidney Phillips Limited)

Situated near the local market square, it overlooks the town centre and lies directly opposite the newest project led by The Auckland Project – a 59-bedroom hotel.

Bishop Auckland is currently in the middle of a massive remodelling spree, encompassing projects like a £26.6 million leisure centre, new STACK leisure and social hub, plus modern upgrades to its surrounding cultural sites.

The Auckland Project, a local regeneration charity, is behind most of these projects, which are expected to buoy local tourism.

(Image: Sidney Phillips Limited)

The establishment carries an active premises licence, authorising it to sell alcohol from 9am-1am on Mondays to Wednesdays, extending to 2am on Thursdays, and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday hours run from 12pm until 2am.

The building is not listed but falls within a conservation zone on the meeting point of North Bondgate, Market Place, and Wear Chare.

Despite the premise historically being tenant-run, the current owners have not directly managed the business and, as such, no trade is sold or warranted.

A major incident has been declared as around 90 firefighters tackle a large heathland blaze on the Suffolk coast at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston

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A major incident has been declared as firefighters tackle a substantial heathland fire at a National Trust site on the Suffolk coast.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The blaze is moving south-west towards St James’ Church, off Westleton Road, the service confirmed, with a major incident declared “due to the size and complexity” of the fire.

In a subsequent update, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dan Davis encouraged the public to stay away from the area where possible and keep windows and doors shut.

“Crews from Leiston attended the scene and were met with what is a large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire,” he said.

“The incident has subsequently been upgraded to a major incident.

“We currently have approximately 90 firefighters on scene working incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.”

Mr Davis added: “I’d like to provide reassurance that we are going to remain on scene until we bring this fire under control.”

This comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London.

The alert remains in force until 9am on Thursday, with the agency having previously cautioned that rising temperatures may pose increased health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, in Scotland, emergency services reported they were making “significant progress” in controlling a wildfire in the Cairngorms which ignited a fortnight ago.

Several properties in the isolated area were evacuated as columns of smoke rose into the air, leaving extensive areas of woodland, heather and grassland scorched and blackened.

At the scene on Wednesday, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys informed the Press Association that firefighters are advancing in their efforts to contain the blaze.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that the danger of flare-ups continues to be substantial.

“It’s been an absolutely devastating fire for wildlife and for the local community who have come out in force to really support us, which we really do appreciate,” he said.

“To control this fire, what we’ve had to put in place is a significant number of fire breaks.”

It has been claimed that Elisabeth’s phone was being used up folllowing her death until she was identified by media.

The phone of a Scottish woman who was found stuffed in a suitcase and dumped in an abandoned building in Greece was reportedly being used after she died to make it appear as though she was still alive.

The remains of 38-year-old Elisabeth Jane Ross were discovered by a homeless man on Evelpidon Street in the neighbourhood of Kypseli, Athens around 1pm on July 18.

Elisabeth, who is understood to have been born in Scotland in February 1988, had been dead for approximately eight days. No visible wounds of any clear signs of struggle were found on the body, according to police.

It has now been claimed that Elisabeth’s phone was being used in an attempt to cover her death. As reported by the Daily Mail, a local police officer alleged messages were sent from her mobile in the days after her death up until she was identified by media.

The Greek officer said: “The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive. We are treating the building as a crime scene.”

Elisabeth couldn’t be identified at first by attending officers at the scene because she reportedly had no identification on her. She was believed to be around 30 years old, 5ft 4in tall, with reddish hair tied in a bun and wearing black shorts, with a French university insignia on them, and a T-shirt.

The rough sleeper who found her said he followed a foul smell inside the deserted building which had lain empty for two years. It is understood he saw a human limb visible from the outside of a suitcase.

An autopsy is due to be carried out in the coming days. Interpol and US investigators have been called in by the Greek authorities to assist with the probe. On Monday, Interpol notified the Hellenic Police that DNA testing revealed that the body belonged to a British woman.

Elisabeth is understood to have travelled to Greece on June 29 via Cyprus after coming from the US. Officers are now speaking with anyone who may have come in contact with her prior to her death as well as trying to find out her final movements. Two photos of Elisabeth smiling have been released by Greek outlet Cretalive.

One local who lives near the scene previously told Greek media outlets the building where Elisabeth’s body was found was used by rough sleepers. The resident added that one man stayed there regularly but that he had not been seen for a number of days.

Police Scotland are liaising with authorities in Greece regarding the probe. Officers are also providing support to her family in Scotland. No suspect has been identified at this time.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the death of Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”

A UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Transform Your Training has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for careers advisers across England.

The training is designed to help advisers better support young people who experience some of the most significant barriers to progress.

Tammy Banks, co-founder and CEO of Transform Your Training, said: “Careers advisers make a difference every single day, helping young people to recognise their strengths and open doors to opportunities that can shape the rest of their lives.

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“That impact can be amplified if – through their own professional development – we are able to support careers advisers to understand and respond to the needs of young people who face barriers – whether they’re young people in the care system or people who have experiences trauma or adversity.

“Every young person deserves access to high-quality careers guidance, whatever their background or circumstances.”

The programme is part of the Government’s Back to Work commitments and aims to improve support for young people who face challenges such as trauma, care experience or adversity.

Transform Your Training was founded by Ms Banks and Faye Fox, who both have backgrounds in York’s charity sector.

The organisation has worked for the last decade with councils, charities, schools and public services across Yorkshire.

The contract is expected to create seven new roles within the company.

Ms Banks believes the programme is a chance to reach young people who are often overlooked.

She said: “It’s something I am hugely passionate about because of my own experience of navigating adverse experiences and significant challenge as a young person and having to advocate for myself in order to get the life chances I deserved.

“This is a huge opportunity to do things differently and make a massive impact.”

Transform Your Training will use its award-winning Training 4 Influence methodology, which combines trauma-informed, expert facilitation with practical application, collaboration and values-led learning.

The training will be delivered by facilitators with lived experience of the barriers many young people face.

The national CPD programme will launch in October and be available free of charge to careers professionals in schools, colleges, universities and alternative provision settings.

It will include national inspiration conferences, six continuing professional development (CPD) modules, monthly expert panels and a community of practise.

More information and registration details are available at www.transformyourtraining.org/national-careers-adviser-cpd-programme.

Renewed violence from both the United States and Iran now risks a return to full-blown war as the US launches fresh strikes on Iran in response to Tehran’s attack on American forces

The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran tonight in response to Tehran’s attack on American forces in the Middle East.

The latest barrage came after the U.S. partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Iran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers.

Iran’s Islamic Guards unleashed a surprise volley of ballistic missiles at US bases in the Gulf on Tuesday. American missiles, drones and fighter jets have zeroed in on key Iranian port cities in the second phase of the war as they attempt to claw back control of the Strait of Hormuz.

But renewed violence from both sides now risks a return to full-blown war.

Announcing the onslaught on X, US Central Command wrote on Wednesday night: “US forces began launching strikes against Iran at 8pm ET today. The strikes are a powerful response to yesterday’s attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.”

Before the latest eruption, mediators had expressed optimism about bringing the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table. An interim agreement collapsed in recent weeks over renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies that Iranian attacks have again effectively closed.

A regional official said mediators are “still trying with both sides” to restore calm and get the ceasefire back on track. He gave no details on whether progress was being made and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door diplomacy.

Regional countries will continue to push to de-escalate the situation, said an Arab official, adding that prospects for successful mediation were slim as both sides continue to launch attacks on the other and have shown no inclination to stop. “We’re in a very bad place right now,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe an internal assessment of the situation.

The five-month conflict jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the U.S. is further drawing down already diminished stockpiles of sophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases and allies.

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A man suspected of carrying out an arson attack which killed an elderly couple was found dead in a wheelie bin a week later, an inquest has heard.

Paul Smith, 40, known as Smigger, is believed to have started the fire at the home of Sheila Jackson, 83, and her partner, Eric Greener, 77, in St Helens, Merseyside, last July.

The couple were rescued from the blaze but died in hospital from burns and smoke inhalation.

Smith’s body was discovered seven days after the attack, in a bin where it had been moved after he died in a bath, having taken a cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

The hearing at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool was told police were called on July 22 by Steven Wales, who told them a man had either drowned or overdosed in the bath at a property at Coniston Street, Everton, two days earlier.

Senior coroner for Liverpool Andre Rebello said: “Merseyside Police were deployed and located a male, deceased, in a wheelie bin at the rear of derelict properties on Thirlmere Road, which backs on to Coniston Street and is separated by an alleyway.

“The deceased male was identified by police as Paul Joseph Smith.”

Mr Smith, who lived on Lower Breck Road, had last spoken to his family on July 19 and was reported missing by his brother Michael on July 21.

In a report, Home Office pathologist Dr Matthew Lyall said toxicology results showed Mr Smith had taken heroin close to the time of his death, as well as a “relatively large amount of cocaine” and a number of sedatives.

Dr Lyall said drowning could not be proved or excluded.

He added: “Neither can it be entirely excluded that the deceased was held under water by a third party, but pathological findings cannot prove that occurred.”

He recorded the cause of death as mixed drug toxicity.

The court heard that police were satisfied the death was not caused by criminality.

Mr Rebello said it was understood there were criminal proceedings ongoing regarding the disposal of the body.

Recording the death as drug-related, the coroner said: “He died from taking illicit and and sedative drugs which caused respiratory failure.”

Earlier this year Kevin Weetman, 34, Kylie Maynard, 37, and Lee Owens, 46, were jailed for the manslaughter of Mr Greener and Ms Jackson.

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mr Smith had travelled with Owens to the home in South John Street just after 12.30am on July 15.

Weetman was jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years for planning the attack after Mrs Jackson’s son George Jackson, 48, refused to sell drugs for him.

Maynard, said to be the “trusted lieutenant” in Weetman’s drugs line, was jailed for 23 years and Owens was sentenced to 13 years and six months.

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