An 81-year-old man and 80-year-old woman were taken to hospital with serious injuries

An investigation has been launched following a crash that left two people with “serious injuries” in Cambridgeshire. The crash involved a silver Ford Kuga and a white DAF lorry at about 11.20am on Monday (March 9).

It happened on the roundabout on the A1139 Fletton Parkway at the junction with Boongate, Peterborough.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Officers and paramedics attended and the driver of the Ford Kuga, an 81-year-old man from Whittlesey, and the passenger, an 80-year-old woman from Whittlesey, were taken to hospital with serious injuries, where they remain.”

Firefighters also attended the scene as two casualties were trapped inside the car. The driver of the lorry was uninjured and remained at the scene to help officers with their enquiries.

Police are appealing for witnesses and have urged people to report information online quoting Operation Harlesden or incident 163 of 9 March. Call 101 if you do not have internet access.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters used specialist equipment to release the casualties from their vehicle, before they were left in the care of the ambulance services. Crews returned to their stations by 12:30pm.”

Balance and coordination problems on stairs can be an early sign of dementia, according to leading charities Alzheimer Scotland and the Alzheimer’s Society

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Dementia refers to a deterioration in mental function significant enough to disrupt everyday activities. Rather than being a single condition, it’s a collection of symptoms resulting from various neurological disorders.

Alzheimer’s disease represents the most prevalent form of dementia, though other types exist, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. While dementia is frequently linked with forgetfulness, disorientation, and struggles with routine activities, there’s one often-missed warning sign that can manifest in an unexpected manner while navigating stairs.

Specialists are highlighting this less recognised early indicator of dementia, which may emerge before substantial changes in behaviour become apparent.

Alzheimer Scotland, a prominent dementia charity, has emphasised the necessity of identifying symptoms that extend beyond memory problems, reports Surrey Live.

The organisation explained: “People often assume that memory loss and dementia are one and the same, but there are other key symptoms and signs to look out for.

“Every person with dementia is different. How their illness affects them depends on which areas of their brain are most damaged.”

The condition manifests differently across individuals, and while forgetfulness, reduced cognitive speed, decreased mental acuity, and language challenges are widely recognised indicators, additional signs may suggest its development.

Alterations in balance, coordination, and spatial perception can serve as an early warning sign that something is wrong, yet many individuals brush aside these nuanced changes as a natural consequence of growing older.

Beyond cognitive deterioration, dementia can also substantially affect physical mobility due to the sufferer’s weakened ability to gauge distances, likely resulting from the brain’s reduced capacity to interpret spatial data.

The illness can result in compromised visuospatial perception, rendering activities such as climbing or descending staircases more challenging. People may struggle to raise their legs and become increasingly susceptible to slipping or tumbling.

Alzheimer Scotland cautions that dementia can transform how we engage with our surroundings, potentially resulting in a heightened risk of stumbles and tumbles.

The Alzheimer’s Society has emphasised that modifications in a person’s gait, such as dragging feet rather than raising them, could be an early indicator of dementia.

“Things like slips, trips and falls might become more common. You might start to notice that a person is shuffling as opposed to lifting their legs when they are walking,” the charity notes.

Should someone be experiencing trouble with staircases and displaying other symptoms of dementia, it’s advisable to arrange a GP consultation for them. To enhance safety on stairs, the organisation recommends discussing modifications with landlords or letting agents where appropriate and participating in strength and balance training.

“You can reduce your risk of falling by doing strength or balance exercises twice a week. These include sitting, standing and walking exercises. Your GP could also refer you to a physiotherapist.”

The charity also recommends inspecting your home for possible hazards such as loose rugs and obstacles. The NHS further highlights additional key dementia warning signs to watch for, including difficulties with memory and communication challenges.

Dementia UK states there are various other physical indicators of the condition.

Dementia symptoms impacting mental function

• Difficulty understanding time and place, e.g getting up in the middle of the night to go to work
• Difficulty with choosing what to buy and paying when shopping
• Struggling with decision-making and reasoning
• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Restlessness such as pacing, fidgeting and trying to leave the house

Initial signs of dementia

• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Finding familiar daily tasks difficult or confusing
• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
• Being confused about time and place
• Mood changes

The NHS notes these typically represent the earliest symptoms of dementia, though the condition manifests differently in each individual.

Successful celebrity dentist Dr Steven Lin was killed by police after violently assaulting two women, Chloe Paul and Christine Campeau, at their Sydney flat complex

Two women have told how they were left fearing for their lives after being brutally targeted by a disgraced celebrity dentist who was shot dead by police while hopped up on drugs.

Chloe Paul and Christine Campeau were violently beaten by Dr Steven Lin, 41, a successful Australian dentist who had taken part in several TED talks, owned two surgeries, and was a health podcast staple. He had wandered into their flat complex at the St Neot Ave building in Potts Point in Sydney, Australia, at around 10.50pm on Tuesday morning while armed with a knife.

Lin stabbed Ms Campeau in the face after encountering her in the laundry room, and left her badly beaten before forcing his way into Ms Paul’s unit, where he demanded the mum-of-three hand over cash before holding her down, beating and choking her.

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Ms Campeau told 9Now Australia she feared she was “going to die” as Lin’s blows rained down on her, adding that she felt up to a dozen “nonstop” hits. She said: “He went to pretend to hand me the keys and that’s when he just smashed my face so hard. There was about maybe 10 to 12 blows, they were nonstop … my forehead hit the wall and that’s when I thought, s**t, I’m going to die.”

Ms Paul remembered the dentist’s “two hands on my neck”, but celebrity photographer, who is also a trained boxer, remembered key directions from her instructor to “go for the balls”.

She said: “But my coach has always said, ‘If you can’t win a boxing fight, you go for the balls!’ So I did. Whatever I did, he got off me.” Police arrived at her home and initially attempted to Taser Lin, but this proved “ineffective”, and an officer was forced to shoot at Lin as he lunged at the responders.

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Describing the moment he was gunned down, Ms Paul said there was “relief” as an eerie silence descended over the scene. She said: “When I heard the gunshot … there was this relief.”

The two women, who have since been dubbed “super mums” were rushed to hospital, where they underwent surgery for their extensive facial injuries, including a broken nose. They bravely took to Instagram in a joint post a week following the attack, and have since declared Lin “picked the two strongest woman in this building”.

Ms Campeau told A Current Affair: “You know when people say, ‘wrong time, wrong place’? I don’t believe [that]. We were chosen. He’s picked the two strongest women in this building just so he’ll never, ever hurt any other woman again.”

Dentist Lin’s death at the hands of police followed a notable downward spiral for the celebrity dentist, who had a massive social media following, large family with six children, and lived in a AUD$5million (£2.6million) home. He faced eight separate court hearings in the year before his death, having been accused of stalking, choking and assault while being addicted to methamphetamine.

Network Rail have said it will not be possible to open the main part of Glasgow Central Station for a number of days.

Low level services at Glasgow Central can now stop at the station, three days after the devastating Union Street fire but high level trains will remain cancelled for a number of days. Network Rail confirmed the main station concourse won’t reopen this week due to the “high level of instability” of the facade of the fire-damaged Union Corner building, also known as Forsyth House.

It said assessment work needs to be carried out to determine the safety of the building, and experts will then be able to assess whether there has been any damage to the high level station. After a full site assessment, the low level station, which is below the main concourse of the high level station, reopened for train services from Wednesday morning.

Services on the Argyle Line, which runs from Dalmuir and Milngavie to Larkhall and Motherwell via Glasgow Central Low Level, had been able to pass through the station without stopping following the fire. The fire began in a vape shop in Union Street on Sunday, and spread through the building and around the corner, where only the facade of the B-listed Victorian building at the junction with Gordon Street has been left standing.

Network Rail route director Ross Moran said: “We are grateful to Scottish Fire and Rescue teams who have been working tirelessly to contain the fire on the Union Corner site. I am pleased to advise passengers that we will be able to open Glasgow Central low level station from Wednesday morning.

“Unfortunately, further work is required to ensure the high level station is safe for trains to operate. Our priority is to make sure that we can reopen Glasgow Central as soon as it is safe to do so and we will continue to work with emergency services, the local council and our train operators to restore services.

“We want to reassure passengers that we are doing everything we can to open the high level station, but we must enable the emergency services and Glasgow City Council to complete their critical work to secure the Union Corner site and make it safe.”

READ MORE: Glasgow fire aftermath LIVE as lower level trains to return at Central Station

No trains have been running to or from the high level station this week, with services passing through the lower level without stopping. However ScotRail said services will call at Glasgow Central low level on Wednesday and all three entrances to the section – one on Hope Street and two on Argyle Street – are open.

Network Rail said it must wait for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Glasgow City Council to complete their work to determine the safety of the Union Corner site. After that work is completed Network Rail engineers will make a structural assessment to determine whether there has been any damage to the station.

It said it will continue to work with the council and SFRS to develop a plan to reopen the station when it is safe for trains and passengers. SFRS said that as of 7.50am on Wednesday there were three appliances, two high-reach appliances and a specialist unit at the scene.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin said: “We understand the disruption this fire has caused, and we are grateful for the patience shown by the public as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion, before the site is handed over to partner agencies.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, who visited the scene on Monday, paid tribute to firefighters and other emergency services who have been dealing with the incident.

Mr Swinney committed to support the rebuild of the area, telling MSPs in Holyrood this week: “Above all else, let me be clear today: the Scottish Government will stand with the city of Glasgow as it recovers from the fire. Given the significant cost the city faces, we will back those costs with cash.

“To get that work started, a ministerial oversight board has been established, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice. We will rebuild, we will restore, and Glasgow will flourish again.”

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The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed a steering group of 12 members with lived experience of disability to lead the first comprehensive review of Personal Independence Payment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that disabled people will be at the heart of the first ever comprehensive review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with the appointment of 12 members to its steering group. The selected members will bring personal experience of disability or long-term health conditions, as well as direct experience of working within Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs).

DWP Minister Sir Stephen Timms informed Parliament on Monday that the PIP review is currently “under way at the moment”. He told MPs: “We have a steering group of 12 individuals, almost all of whom are disabled people, plus me and two other co-chairs, and we had our third full-day, in-person meeting last week.”

The group’s experience spans welfare policy, accessibility and advocacy, and includes members with a background in co-production, governance, and leadership. The group will provide strategic direction and help set priorities and a work plan for the Timms Review, alongside the Review’s three co-chairs – Sir Stephen Timms, Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE.

The group will examine the role of PIP in enabling disabled people to achieve better health and live independent lives, the PIP assessment criteria for daily living and mobility and how the assessment could provide access to the right support across the benefits system.

Claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have surged in recent years. In 2019, there were two million working-age people receiving PIP, but that figure has risen to over 3.9 million by the end of October 2025, reports the Daily Record.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has projected that the number of PIP claimants will surpass four million by the close of the decade.

The aim of the Timms Review is to ensure that PIP is equitable and future-proof – accurately representing individuals’ conditions and their aspirations, whilst considering societal changes since its inception.

The DWP noted that since the introduction of PIP in 2013, there have been evolving trends in long-term health conditions and disability. More individuals are living with a disability, yet the rise in the number receiving disability benefits is twice the rate of increasing prevalence among working-age adults in England and Wales.

It’s crucial to note that in Scotland, PIP has been superseded by Adult Disability Payment, and the Scottish Government has previously declared it has no intentions to reform the devolved benefit.

The Timms Review is set to report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by Autumn 2026, with an interim update anticipated before then.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, recently stated: “Disabled people deserve a system that truly supports them to live with independence and dignity, and that fairly reflects the reality of their lives today.

“That’s why we’re putting disabled people at the heart of this Review – ensuring their voices shape the changes that will help them achieve better health, greater independence, and access to the right support when they need it.

“We’re delighted to announce the appointment of the steering group members, who alongside myself and the Review’s co-chairs will report back to the Secretary of State in the Autumn.”

Co-chair Sharon Brennan stated: “The group we have chosen shows our commitment to ensuring this review is co produced with people from a diversity of backgrounds including lived and living experience, protected characteristics, geographies and professions.

“But 15 people can’t represent everyone, which is why our work will be part of a wider engagement process to ensure we hear from many more voices throughout the review.”

Co-chair Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE commented: “Personal Independence Payment plays a vital role in enabling disabled people to live independent lives. This Review will listen closely to lived experience, test whether the system is fair, and ensure PIP reflects the realities of disability in the modern world.”

A coalition of charities has welcomed the inclusion of disabled people in the steering group, but warned “it cannot become about making cuts”.

The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) – a coalition of over 100 charities, including the MS Society, Scope, Parkinson’s UK and Mencap – has stated that the review provides an opportunity for “real change” to a system of assessments which are “not only stressful, they fail to recognise the impact of fluctuating and progressive conditions like MS – often denying people the support they need to live independently”.

Charles Gillies, DBC policy co-chair and senior policy officer at the MS Society, described it as “undeniably positive that most members of the new steering group have lived experience of disability or claiming Pip”.

He further commented: “This review must now engage meaningfully with the steering group and disabled people more generally, and remain laser-focused on improving the fairness of PIP assessments – or we risk this vital opportunity being wasted. And crucially, it cannot become about making cuts.”

One runner who didn’t receive a medal, said that she “won’t be entering again”

Runners in the Cambridge Half Marathon that were left without a medal say the shortage was ‘inexcusable’ and left a ‘dampener’ on event.

Around 15,000 people took part in the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday, March 8 along the 13.1 mile (21.1km) route through the city centre, Trumpington and Grantchester. Those taking part are treated to beautiful landmarks during the run, including King’s College, and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

Many runners have said that they did not get a medal or goodie bag due to a shortage which left a “dampener” on the event.

Sharon Hall, who ran the half marathon, was one of the “unlucky ones” who didn’t get a medal, but she came home to find that her daughter had kindly made her one instead.

Treeza Rayner, who also took part in the event, said that she felt “terribly sad” to have not got a medal or goodie bag at the finish line. Treeza said that it was “inexcusable” especially “for a first and challenging 21km run.”

Another person shared that their partner, who had completed their first ever half marathon, also did not get a medal.

They said: “How can you run out of medals when you know how many runners there are? Very upsetting and left a dampener on the event for my partner.”

Stephanie Emma said that “she won’t be entering again” after not receiving a medal due to the shortage.

The organisers of the event have been approached for comment.

Three fire engines attended the scene

Neighbours watched on in the street after a fire erupted in a Salford house. Crews, police and paramedics attended Ukraine Road, in Lower Kersal, at around 10.35pm last night (March 10).

Images show a crowd watching on in Ukraine Road as firefighters work at the scene. Three fire engines attended the incident for more than an hour.

The property is understood to be a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). One person was treated for smoke inhalation following the fire, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said.

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A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “Shortly after 10:36pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 10 March 2026), three fire engines from Salford and Broughton fire stations were called to reports of a house fire on Ukraine Road, Salford. Crews arrived quickly at the scene.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire and prevent any further spread. One person was clear of the house when crews arrived, and was transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service for treatment of smoke inhalation.

“Firefighters were in attendance for around one hour and 15 minutes and worked with colleagues at Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe.”

The raspberry and white chocolate pastry is back on the menu at Carrs from this week.

And those with a sweet tooth can take advantage of a special officer, with Carrs offering two for £2 which can be mixed and matched with the sweet apple pasty too.

Carrs describe it as the ‘perfect sweet snack’.

The raspberry and white chocolate pasty was first introduced in the summer of last year.

And alongside the savoury treats, the steak pasty, the cheese and jalapeno, their sausage rolls and it is designed to provide the perfect dessert.

Carrs Pasties got the seal of approval from a renowned chef at last year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

Marco Pierre White, who has just this month visited Bolton again, declared the iconic Carrs Pasties “the best in Britain” during his first visit to the town.

The Bolton News reported recently that the family-run business has been chosen as one of 16 ‘extraordinary’ businesses , as part of a campaign to celebrate Greater Manchester as the best place in the UK to do business.

The business has been specially recognised for its efforts to support staff wellbeing and a commitment to creating a great place to be and work.

Matt Carr, owner and director of Carrs Pasties said at the time: “Being recognised as ‘extraordinary’ means a lot, especially as it comes from people who know the region and its businesses. Carrs Pasties is only as extraordinary as our people – they are helping us build a place where everyone feels they can do their best.”

Chancellor was responding to questions in the Commons on the issue hitting 60 per cent of homes as residents described ‘in immediate crisis’

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given an update around a crippling 81% increase in a week of home heating oil – used by more than 60 per cent of Northern Ireland homes. At Treasury questions the Chancellor was challenged over her response to the situation which has left thousands struggling to afford to heat their homes.

And she told MPs there was ‘no reason’ a company should have doubled prices – and pledged action. Previously Stormont’s Finance Minister John O’Dowd called for direct support from the UK Government to people in Northern Ireland struggling with the rise in the cost of home heating oil

At the Commons Liberal Democrat John Milne asked: “Even while sitting here, I have had word from a constituent whose heating oil cost has risen, in one go, to 129.9p plus VAT per litre. I recognise that the Chancellor has been pressed by a number of Members on this. Can she assure us of immediate action, as vulnerable residents are in immediate crisis? “

Ms Reeves replied: “While only 4% of people in Great Britain use heating oil, I recognise that this is a particular issue for many constituents, and in Northern Ireland the figure is more than 60%. We are working closely with the Competition and Markets Authority to stop price gouging. There is no reason why a company should be charging twice as much as it was for heating oil; we need to put a stop to those practices.”

Tory John Lamont added: “Over 50% of properties in the Scottish Borders are not on the mains gas grid and are completely dependent on heating oil. They are being hammered by the increase to the price of heating oil over the last week or so, and they need to see concrete action from this Government to stop the excessive prices and the profiteering. What are the Government going to do?”

Ms Reeves said: “I agree with the hon. Gentleman. We are trying to de-escalate the conflict in the middle east, because if we can get vessels moving again through the strait of Hormuz, we will deal with a lot of these problems. I am working closely with both Lloyd’s of London—I met its representatives yesterday—and my G7 colleagues to ensure that those vessels can get moving again.

“At the same time, I think that everybody has heard the stories in this Chamber and from our constituents about the problems of price gouging. “

Paul Waugh, Lab Co-op said: “My constituent in Rochdale, Louise Marshall, wrote to me this weekend because she is worried sick about the massive price rise she is facing for heating oil. Can the Chancellor assure me, notwithstanding the meeting we are all going to have with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, that we can be absolutely crystal clear that under this Government, we will not tolerate price gouging or war profiteering from oil companies that try to rip off their customers?”

Ms Reeves said: “I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The price gouging that we see is totally unacceptable, which is why we have already asked the Competition and Markets Authority to look at this. Whether we are talking about petrol at the pumps or heating oil, there is no excuse for any business to use this as an opportunity to rip off customers.”

The situation has also been raised by personal finance expert Martin Lewis, who said on X: “The home heating oil situation is terrible for many unlucky enough to be about to refill. The solutions of ‘comparison’ and ‘collective buying’ are weak at this time. The outrage is this is an unregulated, unprotected, market (we’ve long called for that to change). We are subserving many, especially those who live in rural communities.”

John O’Dowd said the powersharing Executive does not have the financial “firepower” to fund any relief scheme. The minister said he believed the cost of any such initiative could run into hundreds of millions of pounds.

Mr O’Dowd said he had written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray to ask for direct engagement with the Stormont Executive. He said: “The Executive is best placed to represent the people here and put across the case for supported interventions in that matter.

“The Minister for the Economy (Caoimhe Archibald) has also been in regular contact with ministers both in London and Dublin in relation to the ongoing energy crisis and the call for direct intervention from the British Government in relation to support for businesses and homeowners here in relation to the ongoing crisis in relation to the significantly rising cost of home heating oil.

“We will continue that engagement, it is vitally important that that support comes from Westminster. The Executive simply does not have the ability to intervene at the scale of challenges that are being faced at this stage.”

Mr O’Dowd said he believed a relief scheme was necessary and that it is the “responsibility of the British Government to fund that scheme”.