The freight train was approaching the crossing at 75mph when the signaller raised the traffic barriers
A train signaller at a level crossing who ‘forgot’ a 75mph freight train was approaching and raised the barriers caused a ‘near miss’, a report has found. The incident occurred at 8.16am on October 21, 2025, at the manually controlled barrier in Helpston, near Peterborough.
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A report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found the on-duty train signaller had ‘forgotten’ a freight train was approaching the crossing. They used the ‘raise barriers’ control, which fully raised the barriers and extinguished the road lights while the freight train was still on the crossing.
A waiting motorist started to drive their car towards the crossing after the barriers started to rise, according to the RAIB. The report said: “There is conflicting witness evidence about how far the car moved. The train driver did not report seeing any road vehicles enter the crossing as the train approached and no road vehicles were struck by the passing train.”
The incident happened after two passenger trains passed on the fast line. The signaller looked out of the crossing windows to check both directions of the fast line but failed to check the Stamford line for approaching trains.
As a result, the crossing barriers were not lowered in time for the approaching freight service. Signalling data later showed that the signaller attempted to raise the barriers after the two passenger trains had passed.
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The system prevented this after detecting the approaching freight train. The signaller assumed the system had detected a fault, partly due to recent barrier failures, and responded using the sealed release plunger to manually raise the barriers.
Signalling data shows the sealed release was used as the freight train approached the crossing. After looking to their left and noticing the approaching train, the signaller immediately activated the control to lower the barriers.
A local operations manager, who was present, reported the incident and took over the signal box’s operations. The RAIB report said: “Helpston signal box is normally staffed by a single signaller. Witness evidence indicated that, at the time of the incident, it was possible that the signaller was distracted by the presence of the LOM in the signal box.”
Kirstin Baker, chairwoman of the independent group appointed by the CMA, said: “We’ve rejected most of the bill increases water companies asked for but allowed limited extra funding where that’s genuinely needed, balancing concerns about affordability with the need to secure our water supplies and cut pollution.
Eberechi Eze was Arsenal’s matchwinner in their FA Cup tie against Mansfield (Picture: Getty)
Eberechi Eze is confident Arsenal have unearthed a ‘special’ talent in Max Dowman and has backed the teenager to thrive in the Gunners’ first team.
The Hale End Academy graduate became the youngest player in Arsenal’s history back in August when he made his Premier League debut against Leeds United when he was still just 15 years old.
An ankle injury had curtailed his progress, but Dowman was promoted to the starting XI on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s side progressed to the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
While the majority of his senior teammates struggled to cope with the treacherous conditions, Dowman displayed a maturity beyond his tender years and produced a stunning man of the match display.
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‘Max Dowman is very different to a lot of players, but he is someone that is confident.
‘He believes in his ability a lot. He is a special player, but also a special person. You can see that he is maturing well and he’s a good guy. It’s fun to be around.
‘To be fair, that is the same with a lot of the players coming through the academy these days.
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Max Dowman shone in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield (Picture: Getty)
‘Once they come to train with the first-team, they believe in themselves. It is a positive energy to be around.’
While it was Dowman who attracted most of the post game plaudits, it was Eze who turned out to be the matchwinner.
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With the League One side pressing for an unlikely winner, Arteta summoned the England international from the bench and it didn’t take Eze long to produce the moment of magic that ultimately separated the two sides.
The former Crystal Palace star has a habit of coming alive at the business end of the season and the 27-year-old hopes it is a case of history repeating itself after Eze inspired the Eagles to an unlikely FA Cup triumph last season.
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Eze said: ‘I am trying every single game to perform, to score goals and to win.
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‘It just seems to fall more so at this time of the year. I hope it is the same this year.
‘This is where it matters. These are the end points that you want to arrive in.
‘For sure, I will be working as hard as I can – like the team – to push for it.
‘I just pray that we continue to build the team, to keep working and winning games.’
Some of the UK’s first homes to meet new energy efficiency standards are proving kinder to the electricity grid than expected. A real-world study of social housing in Birmingham, UK found that peak electricity demand from heat-pump-equipped homes was: “lower than we would expect,” said Dr Monica Mateo-Garcia, academic lead at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Future Homes. The analysis of carbon savings is still being finalised.
Researchers at Birmingham City University tracked seven all-electric homes over the course of a year. The results show that efficient design and smart energy use can avoid spikes in demand that strain infrastructure, easing concerns that widespread electric heating could overwhelm the network. The research compared electricity use across a year and found overall consumption far below typical UK homes.
“We currently seem to be overpredicting how much power we need in new-build housing,” said Professor Richard Fitton of the University of Salford, who was not involved in the study.
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Each property was equipped with an air-source heat pump for heating and hot water, as well as high levels of insulation and solar panels. Critics of heat pumps have expressed concern that the extra load would burden the grid, but findings show that electrified homes used less energy at peak times, because peak usage timings varied between properties, and were spread across the homes, helping to reduce pressure on the grid.
In several cases, electricity used for heating and hot water was also lower than Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) estimates, reflecting well-documented concerns about the accuracy of EPC ratings. Total energy consumption over the year was between 40% and 67% lower than the UK average for each property creating “a huge saving over the typical household”.
“We’re finding that all those reasons not to go ahead with a heat pump are slowly but surely falling away,” said Professor Aaron Gillich of London South Bank University.
The results add weight to the upcoming Future Homes Standard, expected in 2027, which will require new properties to be built with heat pumps and solar panels.
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Analyst Cornwall Insight, the leading independent authority on household energy prices, currently predict that the cap will rise by about 10%, adding around £160 a year to typical household bills, bringing the annual total to around £1,801 per year for a dual fuel customer.
Kartal said she will prioritise recovery for her back before she meets Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, in the last 16.
“It [the back] was a pretty big hindrance,” Kartal added.
“I didn’t really practise yesterday so I gave it as much recovery as I could, so I think now it’s about getting recovered and doing the same exact thing to get back on the court in the next couple of days.”
Kartal was not the only player to cause an upset on Monday with a comeback win.
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Czech Katerina Siniakova, the world number 44, knocked out defending champion and Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in a gruelling 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 win that lasted two hours and 48 minutes.
Meanwhile, third seed Rybakina claimed her fourth-round spot with a hard-fought 6-4 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.
World number two Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, overcame Greece’s Maria Sakkari, while American fifth seed Jessica Pegula fought back from a set down against Jelena Ostapenko to reach the last 16.
Supporters of the Australian-style ban said parents are in ‘an impossible position’ over the online harms their children are being exposed to (Picture: Getty)
MPs have voted against a proposal to ban social media for under-16s.
The age limit, influenced by the Australian-style ban on sites like Tiktok, Instagram and Snapchat, was supported by people arguing that parents are in ‘an impossible position’ over the online harms their children are being exposed to.
Others, including the NSPCC, warned a prohibition could drive teenagers into unregulated corners of the internet.
MPs voted 307 to 173, majority 134, against the proposed change to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which was brought forward by Conservative former minister Lord Nash.
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However, a ban could still come in future after the Commons supported a Government bid to give additional powers to the Secretary of State.
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Under the amendment in lieu, Science Secretary Liz Kendall could ‘restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chat bots’.
She could also limit children’s VPN use, restrict access to addictive features, and change the age of digital consent in the UK, education minister Olivia Bailey told MPs.
Lord Nash described the Commons’ vote as ‘deeply disappointing’ and pledged to do ‘all that we can’ to revive the amendment in the upper chamber.
MPs voted 307 to 173, majority 134, against the proposed change to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Picture: AFP via Getty)
As MPs considered the changes proposed by the upper chamber, Ms Bailey said: ‘Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s.
‘Others, including children’s charities, have warned that a blanket ban could drive children towards less regulated corners of the internet or leave teenagers unprepared when they do come online.
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‘That is why, last week, the Government launched a consultation to seek views to help shape our next steps and ensure children can grow up with a safer, healthier and more enriching relationship with the online world.’
The consultation will look at whether social media platforms should come with a minimum age requirement and whether platforms should switch off addictive features such as autoplay.
Education Committee chairwoman Helen Hayes said she supports ‘robust measures to protect children from social media harms, including raising the age of digital consent and a ban on some social media apps for under-16s and I support a statutory ban on schools’.
‘There are important differences of opinion between stakeholders on the best ways to regulate young people’s access to smartphones and social media. So I believe it is right for the Government to consult,’ the Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood added.
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Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell rebelled against the Government on Monday, voting in favour of the Lords amendment.
Meanwhile, 107 Labour MPs abstained, including North Somerset’s Sadik Al-Hassan.
Mr Al-Hassan had earlier said: ‘Parents like me are locked in a daily battle that they simply cannot win alone, fighting platforms that have been specifically designed to keep children hooked.
‘As a pharmacist, I know if a drug were causing such measurable harm for 78%, it would be withdrawn, reformulated or placed behind a counter with strict controls on who could access it.
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‘We would act, because that is what the evidence demanded. The same logic must apply here.
‘We have an identifiable source, we have overwhelming evidence of harm, and we have the power to act.’
Under the amendment in lieu, Science Secretary Liz Kendall could ‘restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chat bots’ (Picture: Parliament TV)
Lord Nash said: ‘It is deeply disappointing that the House of Commons has chosen to gamble on a process which may lead to half-measures – doing little to avert the damage of social media – with no fixed timeline and no opportunity for proper parliamentary scrutiny.
‘There is huge demand across the country to raise the age limit and protect children from the catastrophic harms of social media.
‘Our medical professionals, intelligence community, senior police officers, teachers and parents are all clear: we are not short of evidence, we are just short of action.
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‘The Lords passed this amendment overwhelmingly once before.
‘It would raise the age limit for harmful social media within 12 months, written into law by the summer, and I will now work with colleagues across the House to do all that we can to pass it again.’
Liberal Democrat education, children and families spokesperson Munira Wilson said: ‘The Government’s failure to commit to a ban on harmful social media is simply not good enough – families need concrete assurances now.
‘We need the Government to confirm that their consultation will not result in yet more dither and delay.’
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During the debate, shadow education secretary Laura Trott pressed the Government to introduce a ban on phones in schools, saying: ‘Polling out today shows 40% of children are shown explicit content during the school day.
‘That’s happening right now. This is an emergency. No more guidance, no more consultations. Legislate, do something about it.’
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will now return to the House of Lords to be further considered by peers.
It will only become law if the final draft is agreed by both Houses.
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If passed, the legislation will also require councils to ‘assess the child’s home environment within 15 days’ of them being listed on a register of children not in school.
This forms part of the Government’s response to the death of Sara Sharif, 10, who was murdered by her father Urfan Sharif and stepmother Beinash Batool in 2023.
Ms Bailey also confirmed that Benedict’s law, which aims to strengthen allergy safety guidance in schools, would be put on the statute book.
The price of Guinness is among a number of changes made for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
The price of Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival has been slashed following an outcry from racegoers. A pint of the black stuff is the go-to tipple for many of the tens of thousands who descend on the Cotwolds for the four-day extravaganza, which straddles St Patrick’s Day.
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Last year, however, the ‘cheers’ turned to jeers for many punters when they spotted how much a pint of the Irish stout would set them back – a whopping £7.80, while the alcohol-free version was just 40p less.
Lagers and ales were barely cheaper, with a ‘premium larger’ £7.40, with a Doom Bar the same as a regular Guinness. Refreshingly, bosses appear to have listened to the complaints, with the price of a regular Guinness dropping to a slightly more reasonable £7.50 for the 2026 Festival.
Meanwhile, a non-alcoholic Guinness will cost slightly less at £7.30. Premium lager and Doom Bar prices remain unchanged from 2025.
As an added bonus for Guinness drinkers, for the first time, punters will be allowed to consume alcohol in front of the grandstand along the rails, meaning spectators won’t need to gulp down their drinks before watching the action.
Guinness is one of a few things coming down in price at Cheltenham, although accommodation costs remain sky-high. An average five-night stay is now £3,772, according to Booking.com, while renting a three-bed townhouse near the course for the four days costs £8,812.
At the cheaper end of the spectrum, Airbnb prices ranged from a one-bedroom cottage nine miles from the course for £579 to a single-bedroom apartment less than two miles away for £2,500. The cheapest Booking.com option was a guest house four miles from the track for £1,033.
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Organisers have introduced measures to make the Festival more fun and affordable to the average punter. Ladies Day is back after being shelved seven years ago.
Bosses expected the move to trigger an invasion of female fans with £10,000 in prizes on offer to the most stylish race-goer. Meanwhile, the daily capacity has also been cut by 2,500 to 66,000 to give the crowd a more comfortable experience, with less-packed stands and smaller queues for food and drink.
Multi-ticket offers were available to reduce the entrance price. The moves are the biggest revamps in Cheltenham’s 166-year history. Though the event may be cheaper to attend, the extra interest has driven up the cost of staying in the area, which is beyond the control of racing chiefs.
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The changes have been given the thumbs up by legendary-jockey-turned pundit Ruby Walsh, who said: “I’m very impressed with the changes. I think less is always more, so bringing down the capacity to me is a no-brainer.
“There has to be a customer experience. People have to walk out thinking, ‘I want to go there again’. Ladies’ Day? I’m all in a dither. I have no idea what hat I’m going to wear! I am a man with a girl’s name so I’d better make an effort.”
Trump claims he was told sinking Iranian naval ships was ‘more fun’
Donald Trump has alleged that Iran’s navy has been effectively destroyed, claiming in a speech that dozens of its ships had been sunk by American forces.
He said he had asked “our people” why the vessels were not captured, but claimed that he was told it was “more fun” to sink them.
“The Navy is gone. It’s all lying at the bottom of the ocean, 46 ships,” he said.
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“I said, why don’t we just capture the ship? Why did we sink.. He said: ‘It’s more fun to sink them.’
“They like sinking them better. They say it’s safer to sink them. I guess it’s probably true, but the Navy is gone.”
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 07:11
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South Korean president says Seoul can’t prevent redeployment of weapons to Middle East
South Korea cannot prevent US forces stationed in the country from redeploying some weapons, president Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday.
His comments come following reports that Patriot missile defence systems were being moved to the Middle East.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee said: “It appears that there is controversy recently over US Forces in Korea shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air-defence weapons, out of the country.”
He said that while Seoul had expressed opposition, it was not in a position to make demands, according to Reuters.
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Lee also said the withdrawal of some US weapons from South Korea “does not hinder deterrence strategy towards North Korea”.
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 07:01
Trump threatens to unleash ‘death, fire and fury’ on Iran if it meddles with flow of oil in Middle East
In a post on Truth Social Monday night, the U.S. president vowed to all but wipe out the Islamic Republic unless it fully re-opens the Strait of Hormuz, a critical sea lane for oil exports from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf petrostates.
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Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 06:31
US orders departure of diplomats from consulate in southern Turkey
On Monday, the US state department ordered the departure of US diplomats and their families from the consulate in Adana in southern Turkey, near Incirlik air base, where US and Nato forces are stationed.
Last Wednesday, Turkey intercepted a missile from Iran that, according to a senior US official, was targeting the base.
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A covered piece of ammunition that fell on Turkish soil after a Nato air defence system intercepted a missile launched from Iran is seen in Gaziantep, Turkey, 9 March 2026 (Ihlas News Agency)
On Monday, Turkey reported shooting down a second Iranian missile that had entered its airspace.
Earlier, US diplomats were instructed to depart from missions in Saudi Arabia, following earlier mandatory departure orders for Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon.
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 05:46
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Macron orders ‘unprecedented’ naval deployment to Strait of Hormuz
French president Emmanuel Macron has ordered an “unprecedented” naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian attacks on ships passing through the crucial narrow passage.
The operation, which includes the flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, aims to “guarantee freedom of navigation and maritime security”, Macron said during a visit to a military air base in Cyprus.
French vessels will join US forces in the region as they seek to reopen the crucial maritime route.
A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world’s oil and gas passes on 1 March 2026 (AFP/Getty)
Macron said: “We are in the process of setting up a purely defensive, purely escort mission, which must be prepared together with both European and non-European states, and whose purpose is to enable, as soon as possible after the most intense phase of the conflict has ended, the escort of container ships and tankers to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our objective is to maintain a strictly defensive stance, standing alongside all countries attacked by Iran in its retaliation, to ensure our credibility, and to contribute to regional de-escalation. Ultimately, we aim to guarantee freedom of navigation and maritime security.”
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Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 05:30
Trump ally Lindsey Graham questions Saudi Arabia
US senator Lindsey Graham has questioned whether the US should uphold its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, criticising the kingdom for refusing to join military operations against Iran.
On X, he said that “Americans are dying and the US is spending billions to dislodge the terrorist Iranian regime. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia seems to be issuing statements and doing things in the background that are marginally helpful”.
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He continued: “Hopefully Gulf Cooperation Council countries will get more involved as this fight is in their backyard.”The post ended with a warning: “If not, consequences will follow.”
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 05:12
Pakistani warships escorting merchant vessels passing through Middle East
Pakistani warships have started escorting the country’s merchant vessels through the Middle East as regional conflict disrupts oil tanker traffic.
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With the nation heavily dependent on energy imports from the Gulf, the government has introduced broad fuel-saving measures, including closing schools, while the war continues.
On Monday, the country’s navy said that the operation was launched to ensure the country’s energy supplies were not interrupted.
“Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime trade. The initiative has been undertaken to ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and the security of Sea Lines of Communication,” a spokesperson for Pakistan Navy said in a Facebook post.
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 05:00
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Trump claims war would go on at least for another week
Donald Trump said on Monday that the war would go on at least for another week, soon after he suggested that the war would end “very soon”.
“We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” he told a gathering of Republican lawmakers in Florida.
“We go forward more determined than ever to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long-running danger once and for all.”
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Iran, on the other hand, has refuted Trump’s claim that their missiles are declining and instead claimed that its missiles were getting more powerful.
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 04:50
Body of seventh US service member killed in war arrives at Dover air base
US vice president JD Vance was present as the body of the seventh US service member killed in the war with Iran arrived at Dover Air Force Base on Monday evening.
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Sgt Benjamin N Pennington sustained critical injuries during an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base and later succumbed to those wounds, officials reported.
Earlier, six American troops were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a base in Kuwait.
Vice president JD Vance, defence secretary Pete Hegseth and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Gen Dan Caine salute as a US Army carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt Benjamin Pennington at Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware (AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
According to an Iranian official, US and Israeli operations in Iran have resulted in roughly 1,300 fatalities, while Iranian attacks throughout the Middle East have claimed more than 30 lives.
Maroosha Muzaffar10 March 2026 04:37
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Trump again suggests Iran struck elementary school
Donald Trump has again suggested, without evidence, that Iran bombed an elementary school in Minab on 28 February, killing 175 people, including many children.
Video evidence verified by The New York Times shows a Tomahawk missile struck a naval base near the school.
Tomahawks are developed by the United States, and only a few allies possess them; Iran does not have Tomahawks but has its own distinct domestically produced cruise missiles.
A satellite image, annotated by Reuters, shows the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school and other structures damaged after being struck, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Minab, Hormozgan Province, Iran, 4 March 2026 (Planet Labs PBC)
Earlier, US Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, admitted America “made a mistake” when a girls’ school in Iran was bombed.
US military investigators reportedly believe American forces were likely responsible for the strike in Minab late last month.
Donald Trump has said he thinks the war is ‘complete’, but has warned to unleash ‘fire and fury’ upon Iran if they block the Strait of Hormuz.
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Speaking to CBS News, Trump said: ‘I think the war is very complete, pretty much… very far ahead of schedule.’
Although oil prices have fallen back below $90 per gallon, Trump seems to think the conflict is almost over, even if his own Defence Department thinks it may linger for a while longer.
Despite thinking the war might end soon, Trump took to social media and said that if Iran stops the flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz, the US would make it ‘make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back.’
On Truth Social, he wrote: ‘If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.
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‘Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again – Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them – But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!
Hundreds of ships have come to a halt in the Strait of Hormuz (Picture: Marine Traffic)
‘This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.’
The back-and-forth dialogue from Trump sent oil prices and stock markets see-sawing.
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The war has choked off major supplies of oil and gas to world markets and sent fuel prices rising across the US.
The fighting has also led foreigners to flee from business hubs and prompted millions to seek shelter as bombs hit sites including military bases, government buildings, oil and water installations, hotels and at least one school.
The selection of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as Iran’s supreme leader sent oil prices surging and markets sliding.
Investors saw it as a signal that Iran was digging in, 10 days into the war launched by the United States and Israel.
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Oil prices later fell, and the US stock market closed higher after Trump told a group of politicians at his golf club: ‘We took a little excursion to get rid of some evil. And, I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion.’
Trump told reporters he thinks the war is near ending (Picture: AP)
Still, oil prices topped $100 per barrel yesterday, a price not seen since the summer of 2022 when Russia began its illegal war in Ukraine.
Though China and Russia face risks of energy supply loss after the attacks in Iran, there are ‘greater risks’ for the UK and Europe than for America.
The UK has just 1.5 days of demand, according to new data published by National Gas, and is now paying the highest wholesale gas prices in Europe as supplies from the Middle East dry up.
Draper claimed the first set inside 32 minutes before Cerundolo provided a sterner test in the second, breaking Draper’s serve in the opening game.
A further break meant Cerundolo had the chance to serve for the set at 5-4 up, but Draper resisted and took the next three games to clinch victory on his first match point.
Draper’s win means he will face 38-year-old Djokovic for the first time since he took the first set off the defending champion on his Wimbledon debut in 2021.
“I’ve been watching him since I was a young boy and in my opinion he’s the greatest player of all time,” said Draper.
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“When you come up against him you know he’s going to be there mentally, you know he’s going to make it an incredibly tough match and play some crazy tennis. I’m going to have to be ready for that.”
The victories for Norrie and Draper came a day on from fellow Briton Emma Raducanu being well beaten by American Amanda Anisimova, winning only two games and being ousted in 52 minutes.
Norrie is the 27th seed in the men’s draw but played above that status as he earned three breaks en route to victory over De Minaur.
His next opponent will be Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata, who beat Kazakhstan’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik in three sets.
