A person has been rushed to hospital after a crash on the M11 this afternoon (February 16). Drivers are facing severe delays along the major road after the crash, which occurred just before 3pm.
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There is one lane closed along M11 southbound between Saffron Walden and Bishops Stortford this afternoon. This is affecting traffic up to Duxford.
National Highways shared in a recent update: “We continue to report delays of at least 90 minutes on the M11 south between J9 and J8 due to a collision. Recovery are en route to scene to remove the vehicles involved. Road users are advised to expect disruption and to allow extra journey time.”
It has now been confirmed that one person was rushed to hospital following the incident. They were taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called just after 2.45pm to a road traffic collision on the southbound M11 between junctions 9 and 8. Two ambulances and an ambulance officer vehicle were sent to the scene. One patient was transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
The Guardian also leads with the government’s climb down, focusing on the angry reaction from Labour MPs. “Most councillors feel devastated … many didn’t want to cancel elections. They felt pressurised into it,” a Labour MP for one of the affected areas is quoted saying. Meanwhile, Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor who has died aged 95, makes the lead image.
The infection can be prevented by having the MMR vaccine.
If you do get measles, it’s worth knowing the symptoms to look out for, when you need to call for medical help and how to avoid spreading it further.
The NHS website explains: “Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.”
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‘Big measles outbreak’ reported in London in 2026
A “big measles outbreak” in parts of London is affecting unvaccinated children under the age of 10, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
It said the outbreak in schools and nurseries in north-east London had left some children requiring hospital treatment.
The agency had previously reported 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield from January 1 to February 9.
Now, more than 60 suspected cases of measles have been reported by seven schools and a nursery in Enfield, the Sunday Times reports.
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What are the measles symptoms you should know about?
Cold-like symptoms can include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough or red, sore and watery eyes.
You might start to notice small white spots in the mouth, including inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips. It’s not unusual for these spots to last for a few days.
Once you’ve had the cold-like symptoms for a few days, you will probably start to develop a rash, which usually starts on the face and behind the ears. It then spreads to the rest of the body, the NHS explains.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child has measles and:
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have a seizure (fit)
severe difficulty breathing – you’re gasping, choking or not able to get words out (babies may make grunting noises or their stomach may suck under their ribcage)
are unable to stay awake – cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds
suddenly become confused – your child may be very unsettled, behaving differently, or crying non-stop
your child is limp, floppy or not responding normally – their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head and focus on your face
a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
a stiff neck or find light uncomfortable or painful
How is measles spread?
Measles will spread when a person who is infected coughs, sneezes or breathes.
The NHS said: “You’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash.”
Recommended reading:
If you have measles, it’s advised that you wash your hands often using soap and warm water, use tissues to cough and sneeze into and throw them away in the bin when finished with them.
It’s important that you avoid sharing cutlery, cups, towels, clothes and bedding.
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You can find out more about measles via the NHS website (linked above).
This comes after Sarah Ferguson appears to say to Epstein, “I am at your service. Just marry me”, in files released last month.
Six companies linked to Sarah Ferguson, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife, are being wound down in the wake of the publication of the Epstein files, according to Companies House documents. Sarah was the sole director of all six companies, none of which have much public profile.
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According to Companies House, an application to strike off each company was filed after new revelations about Sarah’s contact with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light with the publication of millions of documents by US authorities. In documents released last month, the former duchess appears to say to Epstein: “I am at your service. Just marry me.”
In an email exchange from September 21 2011, she apparently wrote: “Don’t know if you are still on this bbm but heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy. Even though you never kept in touch, I still am here with love, friendship and congratualtions (sic) on your baby boy. Sarah xx”
The email is then followed up with a message saying: “You have disappeared. I did not even know you were having a baby. It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply (sic). More than you will know.”
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Many of the exchanges are dated after Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a child. The companies being wound down by the former duchess of York are: S Phoenix Events, Fergie’s Farm, La Luna Investments, Solamoon Ltd, Philanthrapreneur Ltd and Planet Partners Productions Ltd, none of which appear to have been very active.
According to the Government website, applying to strike a company off the register is also known as “dissolving” a company, and is a way to close down a company that has not traded in three months. Late last year, after she lost her courtesy royal divorcee title, Sarah submitted an official change to her details for all the firms from Sarah Duchess of York to Sarah Margaret Ferguson.
Days after the new details emerged about the former duchess’s friendship with Epstein, Sarah’s Trust, a charity she had founded, also announced it would close “for the foreseeable future”.
A representative for the former duchess has been contacted for comment.
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A spokesperson for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, which provides payroll services to NHS staff in Wales, said “in line with NHS Wales recovery of overpayments guidance, debt collection agencies may be used as a last resort when all local attempts to recover outstanding public monies have been exhausted”.
CONCORDIA, Mexico (AP) — Deep in the coastal mountains above the sparkling Pacific resort of Mazatlan, towns spaced along a twisting road appear nearly deserted, the quiet broken only by the occasional passing truck.
Most residents of these towns have fled out of fear as two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have been locked in battle since September 2024, said Fermín Labrador, a 68-year-old from the nearby village of Chirimoyos. Others, he said, were “invited” to leave.
The abduction of the mine workers under still unclear circumstances has raised fears locally and more widely generated questions about the security improvements touted by President Claudia Sheinbaum. She signaled her more aggressive stance toward drug cartels in Sinaloa with captures and drug seizures after she took office in late 2024. It has been one year since she sent 10,000 National Guard troops to the northern border to try to head off U.S. tariffs over the cartels’ fentanyl trafficking, much of which comes from Sinaloa.
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In January, Sheinbaum held up a sharp decline in homicide rates last year as evidence that her security strategy was working.
“What these kinds of episodes do is demolish the federal government’s narrative that insists that little by little they are getting control of the situation,” said security analyst David Saucedo. He said Sheinbaum had tried to “manage the conflict” while the Sinaloa Cartel’s internal war spread and split the state by obliging people “to take a side with one of the two groups.”
Fleeting security
The mine workers’ disappearance in late January brought more troops into the mountains as they searched by air and on the ground for signs of them.
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Soldiers stand guard near a church in El Verde, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Juvencio Villanueva)
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Soldiers stand guard near a church in El Verde, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Juvencio Villanueva)
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Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch came to coordinate the operation. Several arrests were made and from information gleaned from suspects, authorities found the clandestine graves.
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But the increased security presence has not brought peace of mind to residents.
Roque Vargas, a human-rights activist for people displaced by violence in the area, said that “all of the hubbub has scattered the organized crime guys” but he worries they could return. He and others are also concerned about being mistaken for bad guys and attacked by security forces when they leave their town, because it has happened elsewhere in the state.
“We’ve practically been abandoned,” he said.
Cartel infighting triggered violence
Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, when Sinaloa was entering a new spiral of violence following the abduction of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada by a son of former cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Zambada was handed over to U.S. authorities and his faction of the cartel went to war with the faction led by Guzmán’s sons.
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Relatives and friends of 10 mine workers who were abducted last month in neighboring Sinaloa state, march demanding justice, in Hermosillo, Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Gutierrez)
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Relatives and friends of 10 mine workers who were abducted last month in neighboring Sinaloa state, march demanding justice, in Hermosillo, Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Gutierrez)
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Initially, residents of the state capital, Culiacan, were caught in the crossfire, but the conflict eventually extended statewide. U.S. President Donald Trump took office last year and designated the Sinaloa Cartel, among others, a foreign terrorist organization, upping the pressure on Sheinbaum’s administration to get tough with the cartels.
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By last April, Vizsla Silver Corp., the Vancouver, Canada-based mine owner, announced it was halting activities at the mine because of security concerns in the area. The pause lasted a month.
García Harfuch said this month that the suspects arrested were part of the Sinaloa Cartel faction loyal to Guzmán’s sons, known as “los Chapitos,” and had mistaken the workers for belonging to the other faction. There has not been an explanation for how the confusion could have occurred since Vizsla said the workers were taken from their site.
Mines and crime
Mines, along with other businesses like avocado groves and pipelines carrying gasoline, have long attracted organized crime’s attention in Mexico as a source of extortion payments or to steal the extracted material.
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The wife of Antonio Jimenez, one of 10 mine workers who was abducted last month in neighboring Sinaloa state and whose body was identified by authorities, weeps at the conclusion of a memorial Mass for her husband, in Hermosillo, Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Gutierrez)
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The wife of Antonio Jimenez, one of 10 mine workers who was abducted last month in neighboring Sinaloa state and whose body was identified by authorities, weeps at the conclusion of a memorial Mass for her husband, in Hermosillo, Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luis Gutierrez)
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Saucedo, who has researched cases in Guanajuato, Sinaloa and Sonora, said he has also seen cases where mines take advantage of armed groups to control mine opponents.
The Mexican government has said it has no reports that Vizsla was extorted. Sheinbaum said that her administration would talk with all mining companies in Mexico “to offer the support they require.”
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Vizsla did not respond to questions emailed by The Associated Press, but has said in statements that its focus is on finding the remaining workers and supporting the affected families. Relatives of one of the workers declined to comment.
The company also added in a statement last week that it was thoroughly reviewing the circumstances around its workers’ abduction, noting that it complies with Mexican and Canadian laws. “A zero-tolerance approach is maintained toward bribery, corruption, extortion, and any form of unlawful or unethical conduct,” it said in a statement.
Search for the missing
In the community of El Verde, in the foothills that rise between the ocean and the mountains, Marisela Carrizales stood beside banners bearing the photographs of missing people. The road leading to a site where clandestine graves were discovered was blocked by a police car. The surrounding town was silent.
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Members of a group that searches for missing people walk alongside soldiers in El Verde, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Juvencio Villanueva)
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Members of a group that searches for missing people walk alongside soldiers in El Verde, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Juvencio Villanueva)
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“I’m here waiting for answers,” said Carrizales, who belongs to one of the many search collectives that have spread all over Mexico to look for the missing. She has been looking for her son, Alejandro, for 5 ½ years and had come to El Verde with more than 20 others also looking for missing relatives to monitor authorities’ work and demand that they help them look in other places, too. “We have information that there are a lot more graves here … we have to come to look for them.”
It was here in the first week of February that authorities found a clandestine grave and then more in the days that followed. The attorney general’s office said 10 bodies were found in one location, five of which have been identified as the missing mine workers. But the Sinaloa state prosecutor’s office also said additional remains were found in four other grave sites around the community.
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There are many missing. In Mazatlan, a Mexican tourist was taken from a bar in October. In January, a business owner disappeared. In February, six other Mexican tourists were abducted from a ritzy part of the resort city. A woman and a girl who were part of that group were later found alive outside the city, but the men who were with them have not appeared.
While the government has strengthened security in Mazatlan ahead of carnival celebrations, back in the mountains, teachers, doctors or even buses are not coming to many of the communities out of fear, Vargas said.
Labrador, the man from Chirimoyos, said that when he is lucky, he borrows a friend’s motorcycle to go to his job in a highway toll booth. When he can’t borrow it, he has to walk more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) through the mountains, because the person in charge of local public transportation disappeared in December.
The 24-year-old has also been ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to land owners
A man has been banned from setting foot on private land after a hare coursing event last year. John Lee, 24, of Fen Road, Cambridge was found guilty last Thursday (February 12) at Peterborough Magistrates Court of attending a hare coursing event on January 25, 2025.
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Lee was issued a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which prevents him from:
Entering or being present on any part of private or agricultural land within England and Wales, without the written permission of the owner, which can be presented to an officer upon request
Driving any vehicle with a sighthound breed dog, whilst outside of a five mile radius of his home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment, proof of appointment to be provided to an officer upon request and except when travelling to and from the land the defendant owns or rents and must provide written proof of ownership or rental agreement to present to any police officer if required.
He was also ordered to pay a £400 fine and compensation to the land owners with £1,000. The charge comes after a wider operation looking into hare coursing and associated criminal investigation on January 25, 2025.
The operation resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals charged with a total of 39 offences.
You’ve just returned home after a dreamy cruise vacation on glistening blue waters with nothing but sunshine — but it’s been a day or two back on land and you can still feel the ship moving.
Then, you return to work and have trouble concentrating on even the simplest task all while feeling the motion of the ocean in your head.
It’s not just wishful thinking about being back on vacation or even the post-trip blues — it may actually be a medical condition.
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome, also known as Disembarkment Syndrome, affects the body’s balance system. Translating directly to “sickness upon disembarking,” research per the MdDS Foundation — founded in 2007 to find a cure — suggests that the central vestibular disorder often occurs after a cruise vacation or flight when the brain struggles to re-adjust to a stable environment following exposure to passive motion.
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The disorder can cause the sensation of rocking or swaying, brain fog, confusion, unsteadiness, anxiety, and depression, per the MdDS Foundation. Symptoms may last for weeks, months, or even years, as some cruise passengers have reported, and tend to worsen upon sitting, standing, or lying down — creating a frustrating reality for many.
Some cruise ship passengers may struggle with dizziness after their trip (AFP/Getty)
It’s important to note that the syndrome differs from a case of “sea legs” (transient postural instability), which typically resolves within a matter of hours or days.
If symptoms last longer than 30 days, a visit to a doctor may be needed to receive a Mal de Débarquement Syndrome diagnosis. The foundation advises that specialists — including an otolaryngologists, ENTs and neurologists — can typically provide a diagnosis, though a primacy care physician may also be able to do so.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a singular test that can properly diagnose the syndrome, nor is there a cure. However, doctors are able to issue a diagnosis through patient history and ruling out other possible disorders through testing.
Currently, there is no treatment, though the MdDS Foundation reports that options are being investigated. Some cruise passengers have reported taking motion sickness medicine to treat symptoms, though the Cleveland Clinic suggests doing so won’t actually help.
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Most cases occur in women between the ages of 30–60, the foundation reports, adding that there is a greater chance for recurring symptoms after an initial bout.
If symptoms persist, it’s important to consult with a doctor to ensure a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan.
Cookfella’s has been serving a taste of Europe in Guisborough for 12 years.
Led by a Michelin-trained chef, the team uses locally sourced ingredients to offer a memorable dining experience.
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A customer said on TripAdvisor: “This place came as a bit of a surprise really. We were looking around for somewhere to eat and Cookfella’s had some very good reviews so in we went.”
“We really enjoyed the food – some very different offerings for mains and the sweets were something else. I’d like to go again next time we’re passing and maybe try the tapas menu.”
Badgers Location: 55-57 Church Street, Guisborough Opening times: Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00 | Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 16:00 | Friday to Saturday: 09:00 – 23:00 Rating: 4.7
Nestled in the heart of Guisborough, Badger’s Cafe Bar prides itself on its delicious food and friendly atmosphere.
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The family-run cafe offers a wide range of classic British dishes and seasonal specials made with locally sourced ingredients.
A satisfied customer said: “Amazing breakfast, fabulous friendly service and great vibe. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back.”
The Priory Bistro is a family-run establishment located on popular Chaloner Street.
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It has a welcoming atmosphere where customers can enjoy a fresh cuppa and delicious meals.
One customer said: “We were passing through Guisborough back to Whitby looking for some breakfast and found this excellent place.
“Lovely Warm friendly staff member greeted us and we took a seat. The breakfast menu had lots of choice and there was a breakfast special omelette on the board too.”
The Cross Keys restaurant is celebrated for its cozy atmosphere, with roaring fires adding to the charm.
As a Chef & Brewer countryside pub, it offers a variety of pub classics and seasonal specials.
A fan on TripAdvisor said: “Although I’m not a big ‘Sunday dinner’ fan, the ‘trio of roasts’ dinner I had today was lovely and as requested my veg was served on a side plate as I’m also not a veg fan either.
“The service at the Cross Keys was brilliant the staff (Anthony and Bev) were super attentive to myself my partner and my mother and I know they also said their food was super tasty.”
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Tocketts Mill Country Park & Restaurant Location: Skelton Road, Guisborough TS14 6QA Opening times: Sunday to Saturday: 09:00 – 21:00 Rating: 3.9
This country-style inn features a log fire and an inviting restaurant.
It is known for its Mediterranean-style garden room and large patio providing al fresco dining.
One satisfied customer said: “We visited on with a large group of friends and family, and everything was spot on. The food was excellent, the staff were incredibly friendly, and we were made to feel genuinely welcome.”
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“I don’t normally leave reviews, but I was so impressed with how we were treated and how lovely the food was that it felt only right to leave one. There’s also a really lovely atmosphere, we’ll definitely be back.”
Blue Badges generally remain valid for up to three years, after which a fresh application must be submitted
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter
00:38, 17 Feb 2026
Blue Badges enable those with mobility difficulties to park nearer to where they need to go. Holders and their drivers can access designated disabled bays and sometimes park on specific double yellow lines.
Eligibility for a Blue Badge falls into two categories, outlined on MyGov.Scot. The first covers people who ‘automatically’ qualify for the scheme, whilst the second involves applications assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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Should your Blue Badge application prove successful, you’ll need to pay up to £10 in England or up to £20 in Scotland for the permit. In Wales, the scheme is completely free.
Local authorities manage applications, assess eligibility, and determine costs. Blue Badges generally remain valid for up to three years, after which a fresh application must be submitted.
For comprehensive eligibility criteria, see below, where the Daily Record outlines this in full.
Who automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge?
According to MyGov.Scot, some people receiving certain benefits will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge. This includes people who:
Receive the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and have eight points or more in the ‘moving around’ activity, 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ activity or receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component under Special Rules for Terminal Illness
Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA)
Receive the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored eight points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your assessment, scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your assessment, or used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA on an indefinite or lifetime basis
Are appealing a PIP decision
Used to receive the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA
Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Child Disability Payment (CDP)
Are under 16, have a visual impairment and have a letter confirming your eligibility from your care team
Are 16 or over and registered or certified as severely sight impaired
Are receiving a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement – including lump sums from tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. It also includes anyone who has been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability
Are diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
Who else could be eligible?
In addition, several other people may qualify for a Blue Badge. These include those who experience the following:
Cannot walk
Find walking very difficult
Are at risk in traffic
Have a disability in both arms that prevents the use of ticket machines
Are under three years old and either need to get medical treatment at short notice or keep bulky medical equipment close to them
In England, Scotland, and Wales, Blue Badge applications can be made at GOV.UK. Applications can generally be made for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
Upon receipt of all required documentation, your local council will evaluate your suitability for a badge. The processing of your application may take upwards of 12 weeks. For more information you can also visit MyGov.Scot here.
Australia’s prime minister insists his country will not accept women and children from a camp housing people with alleged ties to Islamic State, after Syrian officials attempted to repatriate them.
On Monday, 34 women and children from 11 families were supposed to make their way from Al Roj camp to the Syrian capital, Damascus, and then fly to Australia.
But they were returned to the camp after Syrian officials said the procedures for their departure were not complete, and they would not be able to travel.
Image: Families departing on Monday, believing they were being repatriated. Pic: AP
Image: But families returned to the camp after being told procedures were not complete. Pic: AP
When asked about the attempt to repatriate them, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC News, “we won’t repatriate them”.
He added: “My mother would have said, ‘if you make your bed, you lie in it’. These are people who went overseas supporting Islamic State and went there to provide support for people who basically want a caliphate.
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“We have a very firm view that we won’t be providing assistance or repatriation.”
Arguably, the most well-known resident of Al Roj camp, also known as Roj camp, is Shamima Begum. She was 15 when she and two other girls fled London in 2015 to marry IS fighters in Syria.
Begum married a Dutch man fighting for IS and had three children, who all died. She has lost an appeal against the British government’s decision to revoke her UK citizenship.
In November, a counterterrorism review called for Begum and other British-linked people in Syria to be repatriated, calling the UK an “outlier” in its policy towards such citizens
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Hakmiyeh Ibrahim, the camp’s director, said Monday’s planned repatriations were organised by family members of the returnees and not directly with Australian authorities.
Image: Al Roj camp, where people believed to be linked to the Islamic State militants are held. Pic: Reuters
Al Roj camp houses about 2,200 people from around 50 nationalities, mostly women and children, who have supposed links to the extremist group.
Most in the camp are not technically prisoners and have not been accused of a crime, but they have, in effect, been detained in the heavily guarded camp, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
During an interview with ABC News, Mr Albanese hinted at potential consequences if people returned: “We want to make it clear… to the people involved that, if there are any breaches of the law, then they will face the full force of the Australian law.”
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The fate of the Al Roj camp and the similar but larger Al Hol camp has been a matter of debate for years.
Human rights groups have cited poor living conditions and pervasive violence in the camps, but many countries have been reluctant to take back their citizens who are detained there.
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Mr Ibrahim, the camp director, said 16 families were repatriated last year, including German, British and French nationals. In 2022, three Australian families were repatriated.
