A report highlighted there were 286 casualties in total during 2025, down from 378 in 2024 which is a reduction of 24 per cent.

Road casualties have fallen by nearly a quarter across South Lanarkshire in 2025.

Councillors on the Roads Safety forum this morning (June 16) heard that there’s been a significant reduction in road accident casualties, with new provisional figures revealing that 92 fewer people were injured on the area’s roads in 2025 compared to the previous year.

A report highlighted there were 286 casualties in total during 2025, down from 378 in 2024 which is a reduction of 24 per cent.

The figures, which remain provisional until final publication by the Scottish Government later this year, also show improvements across several key categories.

Fatalities fell from eight in 2023 to six in 2025, while serious injuries decreased from 134 to 107. Slight injuries also saw a notable decline, dropping from 236 to 173.

The reduction marks a positive step forward after two consecutive years in which overall casualty numbers had returned closer to 400 following the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Councillor Robert Brown (Rutherglen South), welcomed the report, and said: “I’d just like to make a comment on how good the figures actually are in terms of the general downward trend.”

Council officials said the latest figures demonstrate progress but stressed that further work is required to meet ambitious national road safety targets.

South Lanarkshire continues to contribute to Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, which aims to halve the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads before ultimately achieving a vision of no deaths or serious injuries by 2050.

There have been no child fatalities for the seventh consecutive year.

Councillor Julia Marrs (Clydesdale North), said: “Thank you for the report, the fact we have no child fatalities is something that should be valued.”

However, serious injuries among children rose slightly from eight to 11 during 2025, with most involving pedestrians aged between 11 and 15.

The report also highlights that driver behaviour remains the biggest contributing factor in road collisions. The most common causes were failing to look properly, careless or reckless driving, loss of control and failing to judge another road user’s speed or path.

The council said it will continue working with partners including Police Scotland, the NHS, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to improve road safety.

Planned measures include enhanced road markings, better warning signage, high-friction road surfaces, speed reduction measures and targeted road safety education programmes.

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Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) has been given even more bad news about his health in Emmerdale.

Way back in January, during the crossover event Corriedale, Cain was sent to hospital after being shot. While he was there, he was told that a lump discovered inside of him needed to be tested for cancer.

While waiting for the results, Cain and Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) entire world was turned upside down when Celia Daniels and Ray Walters (Jaye Griffiths and Joe Absolom) reign over the village came to an end.

The drama for the couple hasn’t really stopped, so here’s everything that you need to know about what they’ve faced in 2026 so far, including Cain’s diagnosis, and why Moira was in prison.

What has happened to Cain and Moira so far this year?

Following his hospital trip, Cain returned home with Moira and faced an agonising wait for the results of his cancer test.

Focus then turned to Moira, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting Celia with her modern slavery operation.

Moira protested her innocence but as she was unable to explain how the ID cards got in her house, and that she also had history of working with Celia from a farming perspective, she didn’t look innocent.

As this was happening, Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) had learnt about refugee Anya potentially being dead. She managed to find her burial spot and called the police, not realising she was on Moira’s farmland.

To her horror, Ruby watched the police pull Anya’s body out of the ground, and someone else’s.

Moira was immediately arrested for double murder, as the other body turned out to be Celia’s.

While she was behind bars, Cain received his cancer diagnosis. He kept it to himself for quite a while, believing that Moira didn’t need to know as she had enough stress to deal with in prison.

Everything changed at the start of March though, when Cain headed to the police station to tell Moira everything.

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It was an emotional episode, as Cain broke down and admitted how terrified he was for the future.

Since then, Cain and his sons have moved into Wishing Well with the rest of the Dingles. Moira is now out of prison as well, following the discovery of some new evidence that ultimately proved her innocence and freed her.

Adjusting to life in the village has been difficult for Moira, as she’s had to get her head around the fact she no longer lives at Butler’s Farm.

Reconnecting with Cain was also a challenge, as he was quietly worrying about how his cancer operation would impact his marriage.

Cain had his surgery last month, and has spent the past few weeks adjusting to the side effects. This has been hugely challenging for the character, as his pride has taken a knock whenever he’s suffered with incontinence while out in public.

Is Cain Dingle leaving Emmerdale?

In yesterday’s episode, Cain and Moira arrived at the hospital for a meeting with Ms Rhodes. They discovered from the consultant that – while Cain’s surgery was in fact a success – she suspects the cancer has spread and thus further tests will need carried out.

If her suspicions are proven correct, Cain will then require radiotherapy, with possibly side-effects being permanent impotence and incontinence.

It was absolutely devastating news for the couple, but at the moment, there hasn’t been any confirmation stating Jeff Hordley is leaving his role as Cain Dingle.

It certainly gives us hope for the future…but anything is possible in the world of soap.

Earlier this year, Jeff told us that the prostate cancer storyline was conceived as ‘The story of a man who doesn’t normally talk about his feelings. It’s bad enough having cancer but the possible side effects of this particular illness are really damaging to males and their egos. Having to talk about that and confront it is, I think, where we want to go down.’ 

He insisted that, alongside this, the entire situation is ‘a big love story’ between Moira and Cain. 

‘That was underpinning all this. How they get all these adverse challenges and how they deal with them – Moira being inside prison, Cain being told he’s got this illness and how bad it is.’ 

When asked whether their current ordeals could break Cain and Moira’s marriage apart or make them stronger, Jeff said he genuinely didn’t know – and it could go either way.  

‘I think that’s what’s good about this story, for Cain and Moira,’ he reflected. ‘There’s a series of obstacles and hurdles that lay in front of them that I think are really going to challenge them as a couple.

‘As to whether it makes or breaks them, I don’t think I even know just yet but it’s going to be really interesting to see.’ 

This article was originally published on February 17, 2026 and has been updated.

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MORE: I suffer from incontinence – Emmerdale’s Cain is the best character to change perceptions

Gemma Smith, a consultant in elderly care and stroke, and Lesley Charman, a physiotherapist, completed the one-mile Great North Swim in Windermere on Sunday, June 14, to raise funds for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

The pair are aiming to raise at least £1,000 to help furnish a comfortable hospital quiet room for patients and their families.

Gemma and Lesley before the swim (Image: Supplied)

Dr Smith said: “We bring them into a room to talk but it needs much more comfortable surroundings, perhaps artwork for the walls, to improve conditions at one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“Stroke is a devastating thing, life-limiting, often brings profound disabilities, and leads to some very difficult conversations with relatives.”

Funds raised will support enhancements on Ward 4 at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Ward 2 at University Hospital of North Durham.

Gemma (Image: Supplied)

Dr Smith, who has worked with the NHS trust since 2017 and trained in the North East, said the idea for the swim came from her colleague, who encouraged her to try outdoor swimming.

She said: “Lesley does a lot of outdoor activities and got me into swimming.

“I saw a sign for the Great North Swim and am really excited about it.

“I did the Great North Run in 2003, and I remember how fantastic the camaraderie was.

“So, we will see how much money we can raise.”

Left, Gemma at work (Image: Supplied)

Although she has swum since childhood, Dr Smith admitted she’s not the fastest in the water.

She said: “My husband Andrew is a keen swimmer, he used to swim for county, but he laughs at my technique.

“I am very slow; in fact, I was once asked to move from the medium to the slow lane by a lifeguard.

“One time when I was swimming outdoors, I was overtaken by my own tow float.”

Despite this, after a 12-week training plan, she completed the swim in one hour and six minutes, while Ms Charman finished in 51 minutes.

Dr Smith said: “It was a great event, such a lovely atmosphere.

“Our fundraising is sitting around £1,600 at the moment, which is fantastic.”

She also praised the support from colleagues, former staff, patients, and the Stroke Association.

Dr Smith said: “Stroke is so multi-disciplinary, and the support has come from right across the trust, even staff who have left and some patients, and the Stroke Association, which is amazing.

“I fell in love with working with stroke patients after being on a placement.

“It is very fast paced as it’s time-dependent.

“The quicker we can act the more we can prevent disability.

“Then it moves into a phase similar to elderly care and it is lovely to see patients come out of the other end and hear about their little triumphs.

“We are there to help people, so it doesn’t take over their lives.”

Rich Jones, charity manager at the trust, said the funds would make a meaningful difference to patient care.

Mr Jones said: “We are incredibly grateful to Gemma and Lesley for taking on the Great North Swim in support of our stroke services.

“As a consultant and physio working closely with patients and their families every day, they understand how important it is to provide comfortable, welcoming spaces during some of the most difficult moments people face.

“The funds Gemma and Lesley raise will help us improve facilities on our stroke wards, creating environments that offer greater comfort, privacy, and dignity for patients and their loved ones.

“We’d also like to thank everyone who has supported their fundraising efforts so far.”

Supporters can donate via their GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/swim-for-durham-stroke-service.

Donations can also be made by texting YOURNHS to 70480 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.

The eco-friendly characters, created in 1968 by children’s author Elisabeth Beresford, will relaunch this summer as part of a full-scale global revival that includes new YouTube content blending original 1970s episodes with contemporary live-action and influencer-led shows.

Originally made famous by the BBC’s 1973 stop-motion series, the loveable Wimbledon Common dwellers became cultural icons for their environmental message about reusing and recycling objects they found.

Neil Blair, founding partner and agent at The Blair Partnership, which now manages The Wombles’ rights, said: “The Wombles is an iconic British brand with strong cultural appeal, distinctive characters with core values that translate and resonate globally.

“It is a rich content opportunity and, with rights now aligned plus a clear development pipeline in place, the property is ideally positioned for expansion across multiple platforms and categories.

“We see significant potential to build The Wombles into a multiplatform international franchise for a new generation of audiences.”

The relaunch will see the original 1970s episodes made available on a new official YouTube channel, alongside fresh content in live-action and digital formats.

This will include collaborations with social media influencers and young presenters, who will explore themes of reuse and sustainability through arts, crafts, cooking, and gardening.

The Wombles are coming back!

If they emerged from Wimbledon Common this morning, what piece of rubbish do you think they’d be most shocked to find?

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A first-look image from the new content reveals updated versions of some of the most familiar characters.

These include Orinoco in his trademark red hat, Wellington the scientist, and Alderney, named after the Channel Island where Beresford spent her later years.

Unlike the classic stop-motion series narrated by Bernard Cribbins, the new Wombles will be brought to life using digital animation.

Plans for the franchise go well beyond YouTube.

The Blair Partnership has consolidated all intellectual property rights for The Wombles and is developing an interactive digital game, audio productions featuring celebrity casts, new storybooks, and expanded merchandise.

There are also opportunities for television, film, theatre, live events, and mobile apps.

This is not the first attempt to modernise The Wombles.

In 2020, the characters were redesigned to reflect greater diversity, including a darker-skinned Wellington and a social media presence that promoted International Women’s Day and climate action.

The reboot was dubbed the “Woke Wombles” by some.

At the time, Beresford’s son Marcus Robertson criticised the changes, calling them “insulting to her memory.”

Recommended reading:

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Despite previous efforts, including a series announced in 2023 that never materialised, the latest relaunch has the backing of a unified rights structure and a comprehensive content pipeline.

The original series ran on the BBC from 1973 to 1976.

In the new programmes, influencers will join the Wombles to demonstrate how to reuse everyday objects through arts and crafts, cooking, and gardening.

Are you happy to see the return of The Wombles? Let us know in the comments

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island architect who lived a secret life as New York’s Gilgo Beach serial killer is being sentenced Wednesday after admitting in court that he murdered eight women.

Rex Heuermann faces the likelihood of a life prison sentence when he goes before a judge in Riverhead, New York. Family members of his victims are expected to address the court.

The sentencing caps an extraordinary investigation that solved one of New York’s most perplexing mysteries — one that began as a series of seemingly unconnected, and largely unmarked disappearances of young women, but became the focus of true-crime documentaries, books and podcasts after police began discovering the victims’ skeletal remains in the sandy scrub along a coastal parkway.

Heuermann, who has remained largely silent through multiple court appearances since his 2023 arrest, will also have a chance to speak Wednesday, but it’s not immediately clear if he will. His lawyers didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.

Asa Ellerup, his ex-wife, and their two grown children have said through their lawyers that they won’t be attending the sentencing out of respect for the victim’s families.

Heuermann, 62, of Massapequa Park, pleaded guilty in April to charges that he murdered seven women: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Valerie Mack, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.

Though he was never charged in her death, he also admitted in court to killing an eighth victim, Karen Vergata. Heuermann said he strangled his victims, many of them sex workers, and dismembered some of their bodies.

Most of the women disappeared between 2000 and 2010, and most of their remains were found on a desolate parkway not far from Long Island’s Gilgo Beach, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Manhattan.

But two of the killings took place years earlier. Costilla’s remains were found in 1993, more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) away in the Hamptons, while Vergata’s remains were found in 1996 on Fire Island, more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Gilgo Beach.

The case spilled into view in 2010, when investigators started to find remains along Ocean Parkway while looking into the disappearance of another sex worker, Shannan Gilbert, whose death was ultimately ruled an accidental drowning.

Eventually, they matched DNA from a pizza crust Heuermann had discarded in a Manhattan trash can to genetic material extracted from highly degraded hair fragments found on the women’s remains.

Investigators amassed other evidence against Heuermann, including cellphone and tracking data showing Heuermann arranged meetings with some of the victims shortly before their disappearances.

Then in 2024, after Heuermann’s arrest, prosecutors recovered what they described as a “blueprint” for the killings from his computer files. Among the documents was a series of checklists with reminders to limit noise, clean the bodies and destroy evidence.

As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann has agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit to help catch other serial killers.

He’s been housed in the county jail in Riverhead since his arrest in July 2023, but will serve out his term in a state prison to be determined later.

Heuermann has spent the past three years alone in a segregated cell, reading crime novels, occasionally being visited by his lawyers or family, and striking up a brief correspondence with the infamous “Happy Face Killer,” according to Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, who oversees the Riverhead jail.

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Follow Philip Marcelo at https://x.com/philmarcelo