January 2026

Nearly a third of kids can’t use books when starting school – and try to swipe them like phones

Almost a third of children who started reception last year were not able to use books correctly, sometimes even trying to swipe or tap them like a smartphone, a survey has found. Around one in four were not toilet trained, amid warnings more children are struggling with basic life skills. In an annual survey of […]

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Logging off: Kids’ social media ban now feels almost certain

The House of Lords has backed a ban on under-16s using social media. Peers passed an amendment to the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament. Lords debate as it happened – politics latest The amendment says within 12 months of the act passing, social media sites must

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US moves 150 Islamic State prisoners out of Syria with thousands more to follow

US troops have transferred 150 Islamic State (IS) prisoners from Syria to Iraq under plans that could see 7,000 detainees moved across the border. The new Syrian government under President Ahmed al Sharaa has been trying to reassert its control over the whole country, leading to clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led

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Prince Harry v Daily Mail: A huge day, but a surprisingly short time on the stand in his case against Associated Newspapers

This was billed as a huge day for Prince Harry, the emotional enormity of it all immediately clear as he gave his evidence, from his visible frustration to his audible final moment of upset. Since he left the Royal Family we’ve heard a lot from him about his feelings about the press and, importantly, his

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More incidents to be sent to VAR at World Cup 2026

Matches at this summer’s World Cup are set to see more incidents sent for VAR reviews – but referees have been told to be quicker to stop frustrating fans with long delays. Players will also face more clampdowns on time-wasting as the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the independent global body responsible for safeguarding, compiling

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