The summer window has been and gone, but Premier League clubs remain active in the transfer market with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham still exploring potential deals ahead of January. Arsenal are believed to be closing in on the signing of Vincent Joseph – a young striker from Liverpool – and remain interested in Kenan Yildiz and Eli Junior Kroupi, amid shock links Rio Ngumoha.

By EVE SIMMONS HEALTH EDITOR

Published: 07:55 BST, 17 September 2026 | Updated: 07:59 BST, 17 September 2026

Waterbeach train station is planned to close as a new station is being built to accommodate thousands of new homes

Village residents have described plans to close a train station as “disgraceful”, saying it will leave them feeling “isolated” and make life “an absolute misery”. A new station is set to open in Waterbeach next year to replace the existing one about a mile and a half, or 2.4km, further north along the track.

The project is being funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) alongside Homes England to serve the village as thousands of new homes are built.

South Cambridgeshire District Council approved up to 4,500 homes as part of the Waterbeach New Town development in 2024 under the condition that no houses are to be built until a new station opens. The station is planned to open in summer 2028 and the GCP said no closure will take place until the new station is open.

Dr James Dennison, a resident and parish councillor, said the new location will force people to drive there, calling it a “massive inconvenience” and a “disgrace”.

The professor of social and political science produced a report after surveying residents that estimates rail usage could fall by 50 per cent whislt car usage will rise – causing traffic congestion and an increase in emissions.

One resident, aged between 18 and 29, said the closure would make their life and those around them “an absolute misery”. They said they would have to rely on lifts from friends and family as the new station would be “too far away to be convenient for someone who doesn’t drive”.

Another resident called it “disgraceful” to move the station to serve “new homes which hardly anyone wants to or can afford to live in”.

A widow said it would “seriously impact” her life as her “lifeline will be cut off” since she doesn’t drive and most of her family lives away.

Dr Dennison, 40, said: “People are very worried and it’s pretty heartbreaking stuff. This is part of the village and it’s people’s connection to the outside world. This is a modern village that will only survive with this station – otherwise it declines.”

He said the homes nearest the new station won’t even be built until the mid 2030s, on land that is still empty fields, and the current station is closer to those that have been built so far. He said the developers had conducted a “careful PR exercise to sell it to the village” with promises of a new cafe at the new station.

He said: “Of course people come to the train station to catch the train, not to have coffee in a field. There are stations closer together on this line. We aren’t opposed to the new station – what we are saying is just don’t close our station.”

Dr Dennison added that if the station closes, it will cause a drop in the value of homes for residents living closest to it.

He said: “Everyone who moved here has moved here for the station – a lot of their land value will disappear into the air.”

Cllr Chris Boden, chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s transport committee, said the impact of a closure would be “properly considered”.

Answering a question from Dr Dennison at last week’s meeting, he said: “The combined authority will continue to engage with partners as the scheme progresses and will expect decisions relating to the future of the existing railway station to be supported by robust efforts.”

A spokesperson for GCP said the new station will be “modern, accessible, fit-for-purpose and future-proofed” and “will support the growth of the community”.

They said: “The new station will have wider platforms, an accessible footbridge and lifts, 100 cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging points. The station is part of a package of transport projects being delivered in Waterbeach by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, including a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway.

“Together, these projects will provide sustainable and convenient ways for people to travel into Cambridge. The Department for Transport will lead the consultation process on whether to close the existing station.”

A spokesperson for the DfT said that a public consultation will take place on the station’s closure once the new station is open. They said Network Rail, as infrastructure manager, would weigh the costs and benefits of keeping the station open before submitting a closure proposal to the secretary of state for a final decision to be made.

BBC Morning Live’s Rav Wilding has warned of WhatsApp username fraud risks because of the new rule and what to avoid

A BBC security expert has highlighted a significant change coming to WhatsApp users, warning that it could pose a considerable risk. WhatsApp is introducing a feature that will allow people to communicate without needing to disclose their phone number, instead exchanging unique usernames.

However, former detective Rav Wilding cautioned that this could leave people vulnerable by sharing keywords linked to their identity, potentially enabling fraudsters to impersonate them. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, he said: “This is about a rollout that’s coming out to users of WhatsApp where you can actually have a username rather than give out your number. So it could be unique to you a bit like an email address but you give that out.

“The problem that I could potentially see with this, though, is that scammers could use a username which is very similar to a business name, for example, perhaps with a few changes, such as an underscore or swapping an I for a number one or something, and they could use that in order to try and defraud people.

“So it’s just a bit of a word of warning when this is rolled out. Treat it like an email address. Like we say on Morning Live all the time, just really make sure it’s genuine before you react to anything you’ve been sent.”

WhatsApp confirmed the feature is being rolled out globally to the platform’s three billion account holders. The company added that users would be able to remove or change their usernames at any time.

Once fully rolled out, WhatsApp users will be able to connect with one another simply by exchanging usernames. Options to block or report unwanted messages will remain in place.

Usernames are capped at 35 characters and restrictions will be minimal, with the exception of certain high-profile officials and celebrities, whose names will not be made available for others to use.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product, said she had heard from users that they didn’t always want to share their phone numbers in order to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats.

She added that she hoped the feature would “give users control over how they choose to show up” on the app.

According to Meta, users will receive a notification once their username has been activated. Those wishing to secure a username on WhatsApp can do so through their account or profile settings within the app.

The option to reserve a username will appear once it becomes available, though this cannot be done via WhatsApp Web or Desktop.

Meta has confirmed that creators, small businesses and organisations will have the opportunity to claim the same username they use on Instagram or Facebook, ensuring consistency across platforms.

However, anyone else wishing to align their WhatsApp username with those held on other Meta platforms will need to link it to their existing accounts through Accounts Centre. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power, has remarked: “It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall.

“It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes.

“We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy.”

Pupils watched on as the headteacher of the primary school in the North West was taken off in an ambulance

A headteacher of a North West primary school was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack during an Ofsted inspection.

Sarah McFarlane, who leads Chapelhill Primary School in Moreton, Wirral, became unwell on Wednesday morning (September 16). The medical emergency happened on the second day of an Ofsted inspection at the school.

Worried pupils watched on as she was taken off in an ambulance. Following the headteacher falling ill, the inspection by the education regulator was suspended, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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The school, which forms part of the Leading Learners Trust, released a statement to parents and children regarding the incident. Trust leaders confirmed that Ms McFarlane was making good progress in hospital.

The message, issued by trust leaders Yvonne Brown and Sam Quigley, said: “We just wanted to write to you all to update you on our brilliant headteacher, Mrs McFarlane, and the Ofsted inspection. As many of you have already heard, Mrs McFarlane was taken ill at the start of the second morning of the inspection.

“She left the school in an ambulance, and is now being treated in a local hospital for a suspected heart attack. We have passed on the significant number of good wishes we have received for Mrs McFarlane. She is receiving lots of care and, from our early understanding, things are looking positive.”

The message said that several pupils witnessed Ms McFarlane departing the premises by ambulance. School leaders stated they had been doing ‘all they can to reassure them throughout the day’. The message went on: “However, we are conscious that there might be questions at home tonight – which is why we wanted to let you as much as we are able at this stage.”

The announcement went on to say: “The Ofsted inspection has also been paused. Whilst it was understandably challenging, the comments from parents and the children were both uplifting and heartening.”

It concluded: “We will keep you updated, and your thoughts and well wishes are hugely appreciated.”

An Ofsted representative commented: “Our thoughts are with Mrs McFarlane and the school community. We wish Mrs McFarlane a speedy recovery.”

They added: “We began an inspection of Chapelhill primary school yesterday. Upon hearing the news this morning, we immediately paused the inspection.”

Stephen Cottrell will visit the Diocese of Sodor and Man from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27, walking around 25 miles with Bishop Patricia Hillas and others as part of Faith in the North’s pilgrimage programme across the Province.

Archbishop Cottrell said: “There is massive interest in pilgrimage at the moment.

“I think it’s because in a fast-moving world in thrall to things shiny and new, many of us are looking for something slower and tested by time.

“Pilgrimage can’t be hurried. It doesn’t happen on a screen.

“It takes the time it takes.”

The pilgrimage will follow routes from the Sound Café to Cregneash, parts of the Triskelion Way and the route from Ramsey to Maughold.

There will be evening prayer on Friday and Saturday, followed by a special service at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel at 10.30am on Sunday, where Archbishop Cottrell will preach and preside.

A drop-in reflection event will also be held at St Andrew’s URC Church on Saturday.

Concerns regarding safe staffing levels, appropriate training and policies at a mental health unit for children were raised in a report in the months prior to the death of a West Belfast teenager.

The second day of the inquest into the death of Annaleece McAlorum took place on Wednesday, September 16, at Banbridge Courthouse. She passed away on April 8, 2022, and had been receiving treatment at the Beechcroft Unit in South Belfast in the days prior to this.

In the afternoon session, Dr Sarah McGivern, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, gave evidence and said she had worked with Annaleece for a number of years prior to her admission to the unit in March 2022. She said she was aware of the teenager’s history of self-harm, trauma and complex needs, with her saying she also had a “turbulent homelife” and had been living in a children’s home at the time of her admission.

She said Annaleece’s behaviour and moods could be unpredictable with “rapid emotional shifts” with moods that were either elevated or depressed. Dr McGivern said this made care for Annaleece challenging but her behaviour was similar to that of other patients at the unit.

Dr McGivern said Annaleece had been anxious about the prospect of moving from children’s to adult mental health services, along with her future accommodation, as she would have to leave the children’s home when she turned 18. However, she was aware Annaleece was going to be getting news regarding her next steps in the coming days.

The doctor said she was made aware of an incident on April 4 where Annaleece had snatched medication from a nurse, which prompted a search of her room the following day. The hearing heard Annaleece was upset about this but was cooperative with staff.

Dr McGivern had her last formal discussion with Annaleece later that day on April 5, where Annaleece told her that she had batteries hidden but was “calm, pleasant and future orientated”.

The doctor was asked why Annaleece was kept on general observation, where she would be checked by staff every 15 minutes, following the admission about the batteries and the medication incident instead of moving to 1-1 observation. She said that despite these incidents, Annaleece’s wider behaviour did not lead to increased concern as she was engaging with staff and exhibited high-risk behaviour openly in front of them in the past.

The doctor said Annaleece has been deemed a high risk of self-harm or suicide throughout her admission on the ward in risk assessments.

Dr McGivern was also asked about a RQIA report that was released following an inspection in March 2021 which raised significant concerns regarding the Beechcroft Unit. This noted concerns about staffing levels, staff training and knowledge, restraint practices and unit policies.

The doctor told the hearing that at the time of Annaleece’s admission in 2022, she did not have any concerns regarding staff levels or their training.

She was asked if there was anything she would have done differently with regards to Annaleece’s care on April 5 and she said she would not. Dr McGivern was also asked if she believed Annaleece intended to take her own life and she said she could not say what her intention was.

With regards to Annaleece’s observations, Dr McGivern was asked if someone with experience of the mental health unit would be able to know the times they are likely to be checked on every 15 minutes, which would give them a window to harm themselves.

She said this could be the case and it is now policy on the ward to constantly change checking times during general observation.

The hearing continues.

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EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday’s (September 17) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.

If you clicked into this article hoping to find out that Max Branning (Jake Wood) was held to account over how he treated Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) in her final moments on this earth then I’m afraid I’ve got bad news for you.

If anything, it’s the opposite as Max reverts to form and puts his own needs above those of everyone else’s – including those of a grieving mum, who just lost her eldest child.

A nation mourned the loss of legendary Walford character Zoe, who died in emotional scenes last week after sustaining a blow to the head.

Her final scenes saw her row with Max, who was so wrapped up in his desire to make sure she kept shtum about the latest in a long line of secret relationships that he failed to recognise she was in a seriously bad way.

Zoe begged him for help as the effects of her head wound took hold but Max, believing that she was drunk, left her to die.

Kat (Jessie Wallace) was heartbroken by the loss of her beloved Zo but the situation escalated in the latest episode when she was told by the police that Zoe had made a 999 call – and, though incoherent, they were able to confirm that she’d said: ‘He left me’.

Horrified at the notion of Zoe being left alone to die, Kat desperately tried to find out who it was that her daughter was referring to in her call. Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) advised her to ask Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) to investigate – and he managed to get the call log from Zoe’s phone.

Kat came to believe that Zack Hudson (James Farrar), whose number was on the list, was the man who abandoned Zoe in her final moments but the chef reiterated that it wasn’t him.

Max, who witnessed the showdown from afar, proceeded to play the supportive neighbour, offering Kat advice about how to cope with her grief, suggesting that she simply let her quest for the man in question go.

Kat, however, made it clear that she had no intention of letting this nameless culprit off the hook, branding him ‘dead’ when she gets her hands on him.

Max looked shaken. Will he pay for what he’s done? Will Kat get answers and uncover that Max left Zoe to die?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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MORE: How Zoe died confirmed and new Penny twist as EastEnders spoilers reveal what’s next

MORE: Exit for Priya ‘confirmed’ in EastEnders as vengeful Cindy drives her out of Walford

MORE: New scandals confirmed after Zoe death as EastEnders spoilers reveal what happens next

Turton School posted a message on its social media channels just minutes ago warning parents the school was unable to open.

Due to the leak the school had been left without gas as it’s turned off.

It stated:”Turton School is closed to students today. We have had a gas leak and have no gas currently. We expect this to be sorted today and intend to reopen tomorrow.”

Since Covid schools are geared up to work virtually in case of emergencies or snow days.

More information to follow

The mother of 16 children discovered in an Ohio ‘House of Horrors’ looked to be nursing a protruding bump as she appeared in court on shock charges that she sexually abused a child.

Clad in baggy orange prison garb, Elizabeth Siders, 34, seemed to shield her stomach as she entered the court led by her attorney Tommy Stolley, and flanked by sheriff’s officers.

Siders, who has been pregnant for most of the last two decades, appeared downcast as she clutched her belly and used the arm of a chair for balance as she faced Judge Laina Fetherolf in Vinton County Common Pleas Court in Hamden.

Stolley declined to comment when asked if his client was pregnant, saying: ‘I can’t address that at this time.’

He said she married her husband, Gary Jr., 36, aged 15, and that she had given birth to 18 children since then, including a pair of conjoined twins who died at birth.

Her noticeable bump comes months after she was booked into jail, where she told officers she wasn’t pregnant, contrary to online speculation at the time.

The young mom was arraigned on felony sex charges that she and her husband, Gary Jr., sexually abused a child in their care between January and September 2022, according to indictments seen by the Daily Mail.

The child – who is more than a decade younger than them – is alleged to be their niece or nephew, according to the indictment.

Siders, who has been pregnant for most of the last two decades, appeared downcast as she clutched her belly and used the arm of a chair for balance

She pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual battery and two of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Gary Jr., who remains incarcerated, pleaded not guilty to the sex charges at his arraignment last month and was handed an extra $250,000 onto his jail bond, taking it to $550,000.

Elizabeth remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond, after the judge added a further $250,000 following today’s hearing. 

Both have pleaded not guilty to the separate 19 counts of child endangerment concerning their own children.

Elizabeth is due to undergo a competency evaluation to determine if she can assist in her own defense and stand trial.

Her father-in-law, Gary Siders Sr., 73, was ruled incompetent and unlikely to be restored to competency by a judge. His attorney anticipates the charges will be dropped against him.

Attorneys for Gary Jr. and his mother, Christina Siders, 68, have also sought competency evaluations, the results of which are pending.

On Friday, Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer said that the case that led to the discovery of the 16 children ‘began as an investigation into family child sex abuse.’

The children were found living in a 12-by-12 room inside the home (pictured)

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She pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual battery and two of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

Archer specifically thanked ‘diligent Dollar General clerks,’ who were the first to call authorities ‘with concerns over children they observed.’  

Law enforcement had sought the DNA of Gary Jr. in relation to the child sex abuse case, executing search warrants to secure his DNA for genetic testing, Archer explained. 

When authorities served the search warrants for the alleged sex abuse, they discovered the ‘existence and condition’ of the Siders’ decrepit home on the 180 block of Ohmer Street. 

The children were found living in a 12-by-12 room inside the home. 

The alleged child sex abuse involved ‘intrafamily relations’ and did not pose a risk to the general public, according to Archer.

He also noted that the situation was not a case of human trafficking.

An investigation into the squalid home was launched last December when the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Special Victims Unit began looking into allegations of sexual abuse involving two children, which led to two indictments against two South Bloomingville men.

Joshua David Saunders, 23, was indicted on three counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.

Brandon Scott Henderson Sr., 40, was indicted on a total of 21 charges involving endangering children, gross sexual imposition, sexual battery, and endangering children.

Saunders and Henderson Sr. were arrested by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), as well as the Vinton and Ross County Sheriff’s Offices.

Henderson Sr. is the partner of Saunders’ mother, according to the Columbus Dispatch.  

Saunders’ mom is Virginia Siders Saunders, and he is Siders Jr.’s nephew, per the outlet. 

She married Joshua D. Saunders, who is locked up for murder at incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Center, in May 2003.

Gary Siders Sr. (top left), Christine Siders (top right), Elizabeth Siders (bottom left) and Gary Siders Jr. (bottom right)

Joshua David Saunders, 23, and Brandon Scott Henderson Sr., 40, were indicted after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation began probing into alleged sex abuse involving two children

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Authorities have said the children lived in a home covered with human feces, calling what they discovered inside the property ‘pure evil.’

State Attorney General Andy Wilson said that the children were forced to endure ‘unimaginable conditions’ that were arduous, especially for kids. 

Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain described a small room where investigators believe the kids were kept for about four years.

‘Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,’ Cain said