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Banning under-16s from social media was one of Keir Starmer’s last acts as prime minister before he stepped down in July 2026. Following Australia’s ban on under-16s in 2025, which turbocharged the debate globally, the UK ban is timetabled for early 2027.

As Meta’s $18bn (£13.2bn) recent settlement over teen addiction to its online platforms demonstrates, there is growing recognition that social media poses real risks to young people.

Thinking around this issue is constantly developing. Popular platforms such as Instagram and TikTok offer an endless stream of algorithm-driven material tailored specifically to each consumer. And while the full effect of social media use on developing brains is unclear, parents, teachers and politicians have all expressed concerns around the social and emotional impact of this consumption on young people.

Social media feeds off a portrayal of real life that is fundamentally unreal. And in an age of filters, AI and engagement farming (using manipulative and often misleading tactics to boost engagment), the distinction between performance and reality online is increasingly blurred. In the face of this targeted barrage, children and teenagers are ill-equipped to distinguish between reality and the performance of that unreality flickering across their screens.

I’m a classicist and theologian with an interest in how culture and performance shape our ideas of what it is to be human. It strikes me that there is a fascinating parallel for this contemporary debate in the Greco-Roman obsession with theatricality and drama. The great dramas of classical Athens remained popular for a millennium, inspiring new genres and theatrical styles throughout the Mediterranean world.

Imitating life, imitating Fear

As research, including my own, into this breadth of ancient media production has developed over time, one theme has emerged again and again: as theatrical performance grew into a cultural staple, it was accompanied by the fear that just as art imitates life, so art could overcome reality itself.

This “theatrophobia” – a fear of the theatrical – appears throughout the literary record. This was a genuine anxiety, yet one that clearly fascinated ancient audiences.

Drama embodied the artistic imitation of life, and in doing so spoke to contemporary debates, offering moral or emotional exemplars. But how was the audience to best respond? What if the “wrong” lesson was learned? The potential impact was enormous. As theatrical events spread beyond the theatre and into homes, marketplaces and political spaces, the boundary between performance and reality had to be continuously renegotiated, lest performance overtake reality itself.

The second-century satirist Lucian of Samosata experimented with this anxiety. In a text defending the popular genre of pantomime (don’t picture the local am-dram Christmas production here, but rather a single actor/dancer staging a one-man play, accompanied by a singer and surrounded by delighted crowds), Lucian includes a story of an actor playing the Trojan war hero Ajax who was consumed by his role:

In dancing Ajax going mad immediately after his defeat, he so overextended himself that it might well have been thought that instead of acting insane he was insane, for he tore the clothes of one of the men that beat time with the iron beater, and snatching a flute from one of the accompanists, with a vigorous blow he cracked the crown of Odysseus, who was standing near and exulting in his victory. Indeed, if his helmet had not offered resistance and borne the brunt of the blow, poor Odysseus would have lost his life through falling in the way of a crazy dancer. The whole theatre, however, went mad with Ajax, leaping and shouting and flinging up their garments …

“Ajax” here forgets his mania is only performed and wreaks violent havoc on stage. But his actions corrupt his audience too, who enthusiastically pile into the ensuing chaos.

In another text, where Lucian parodies contemporary history writers, the satirist recalls a similar scene in the city of Abdera, where the whole populace is overcome by “tragedy madness” after enjoying a performance of Euripides’ Andromeda in the heat of summer. The Abderians descend into a kind of tragic apoplexy, sick with fever and reciting endless quotations.

Lucian’s exaggerated anecdotes were lighthearted, but they only amused because they resonated with his readers. The boundaries between performance and reality were porous. This made drama exciting, but it also made it dangerous. How could one ever truly know where the boundary lay? For the unsuspecting audience, this could have disastrous results.

Modern anxieties around social media represent the latest iteration of this ancient theatrophobia. We are dealing with an online dimension that privileges performance and exploits the sense that art can imitate and even hyper-realise life itself. The ancients continually returned to this anxiety because it really mattered: one could take performance too far, with real-world consequences.

As young people’s lives are played out as much on TikTok feeds as in reality, the distinction between performance and real life continues to blur. While the blunt instrument of an age-graded ban will go some way to addressing the dangers posed by this new world of performance, it doesn’t necessarily address the root issue.

A simple ban cannot be the end of the public debate on this matter. Instead, we must recognise – and challenge – the theatricality and explicit performativity of social media. It is not too late to avoid getting lost in the production.

A £1.3 million project to safeguard Whitby’s historic Grade II* listed Old Town Hall and bring it back into public use was completed this month and was officially reopened on Tuesday (August 25), as long-standing market traders joined councillors, local businesses and stakeholders to celebrate its revival following a major restoration project that has secured its future “for generations to come”.

The Historic Grade II Listed Whitby Old Town Hall Has Been Safeguarded For Future Generations Following The Completion Of A £1.3 Million Restoration Project.

The reopening marks the completion of extensive renovation works to the 18th-century landmark after significant deterioration caused by age and weathering had left parts of the building at risk.

The transformation has been welcomed by market traders who were temporarily relocated to Dock End while the renovation works were carried out. They are due to return to the Market Place on Thursday, August 27.

Whitby Old Town Hall Market Day. BFF, NYC

Artist Gary Jamieson has traded in the town for the last 16 years and believes the new-look marketplace has transformed the area.

He said: “The restoration of the Old Town Hall has given Whitby’s historic marketplace a breathtaking new lease of life.

“As the resident caricaturist, I’m thrilled to be back sketching under these iconic arches and welcoming locals and visitors back to our creative hub.”

Ross Powdrell, who has been a trader in Whitby since 2010, said: “After 20 months trading in our temporary location on New Quay Road, we are looking forward to returning to the Old Town.

“Whitby Market is unlike other markets. It is small, with only a handful of traders, but absolutely steeped in atmosphere and history. I’m very much looking forward to trading in such beautiful surroundings, especially now the renovations are complete.”

The project was launched in early 2025 after the condition of the building deteriorated significantly, with further structural issues uncovered once restoration works got underway.

Without major investment, its condition would have continued to worsen, placing the Old Town Hall at increasing risk, the council said.

As a result, major repairs were carried out to the building’s distinctive clock tower and roof, while stonework and mortar on its façade and columns have been carefully restored.

The first floor, which has been unoccupied since 2017, has also been refurbished and modernised.

The project has been funded by money awarded to Whitby as part of the Government’s Towns Fund, as well as by North Yorkshire Council.

North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader Cllr Mark Crane said: “This is a proud day for Whitby and it’s great to see one of the town’s most historic landmarks restored and brought back into full use.

“The Old Town Hall is situated in the heart of the town’s historic marketplace, and this investment has not only protected an important building for future generations but also created a high-quality venue that can support cultural and community activities, and help attract more people into the town centre.

“The scale of deterioration uncovered during the project showed just how important this investment was. Without intervention, its future would have become increasingly uncertain.

“It is therefore pleasing to see it restored to such a high standard and to hear such positive feedback from market traders, businesses and the wider community about the difference it will make to the town.”

Whitby town councillor Linda Wild, a member of the project’s steering group, cut the ribbon alongside Cllr Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division, to mark the Old Town Hall’s reopening.

Whitby Old Town Hall. Cracking To Lintel. NYC/BFF

Mrs Wild said: “It was lovely to see the Town Hall officially come to fruition and be renovated. It has been standing there in the market square since 1778 and now it has been completed it will stand for a long time to come.”

Cllr Trumper said: “I was honoured to cut the ribbon with Cllr Wild after the fantastic restoration. Everyone involved should be so proud of what they have achieved.”

Cllr Neil Swannick, who represents the Whitby Streonshalh division on North Yorkshire Council, also welcomed the completion of the project. He said: “I’d like to thank the project team and everyone who has played a part in this restoration.

“This project was about ensuring that one of the town’s most important and historic buildings will still be standing for future generations – and it’s great to see the end result.”

The design was led by architects and engineers at Align, the council’s property consultancy.

(Image: Newsquest)

Janette Manrara candid glimpse into her life after leaving her role on Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off show, It Takes Two

Janette Manrara has given fans a candid glimpse into her life after leaving her role on Strictly Come Dancing, which comes after she recently revealed she’d landed two new jobs.

The dancer and presenter joined the BBC One dance show back in 2013 as a professional dancer, before leaving in 2020. The following year, she took over from Zoe Ball as the host of It Takes Two, alongside Rylan Clark and then Fleur East.

But, amid a number of changes to Strictly ahead of the 2026 series, Janette confirmed in June that she had left Strictly’s spin-off series in a video posted on her YouTube account.

She said at the time: “Strictly Come Dancing has changed hugely, and I am no longer a part of It Takes Two or the main show. I’ll still be involved in other ways. But that just means that I’m free to pursue and do many other projects that I’ve always wanted to do and never really thought about doing.”

It was last week that Janette was confirmed to be in the cast of the world premiere of Affluenza, which begins performances at Riverside Studios in London on September 26 as part of the Mainstage Season. She’ll star alongside Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, who makes his stage debut, as well as stage and screen stars Juliet Cowan and Wallis Currie-Wood.

It came after Janette also revealed that she’ll be starring in her first-ever pantomime this Christmas. Last week, she announced that she’ll be taking on the role of Tink in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

But the mum-of-one has now taken to social media and given fans a glimpse at what she said were “things that humbled me lately”. In the post, Janette included a look at what it’s like looking for new work, as she admitted to going to three auditions, but booking none of the jobs. “We carry on,” she said.

Janette also admitted she questioned “whether I was good enough for a job”, which she said knocked her confidence, but she also included other life moments, including losing arguments with her three-year-old daughter, Lyra Rose, when it came to eating her dinner and watching TV.

Captioning her post, Janette wrote: “#TinyDancerBIGthoughts A little reality check because Instagram is a highlight reel. So here are some of my ‘outtakes’. Turns out being humbled is… humbling. Your turn — what humbled YOU lately?”

Top Gear is to return to TV, the BBC has confirmed, four years after the show was “rested” when co-host Andrew Flintoff was injured in a crash during filming.

The long-running motoring programme has been off air since 2022, when the former cricketer suffered serious facial and rib injuries when his open-topped three-wheeled car overturned at the show’s test track.

He was one of three presenters at the time along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.

The hosting line-up for the comeback has not yet been announced, although the Sun newspaper last week reported that comedian Jimmy Carr was in talks to join. BBC Studios told the newspaper at the time that they did not comment on speculation.

(Image: Harper Green School)

Rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted, Harper Green continues to build on the progress it has made in recent years. The school is also celebrating another successful set of GCSE results this summer, with students achieving success across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell MP joined students and staff at Harper Green on Results Day as they celebrated their achievements.

The school’s broad and ambitious curriculum combines academic study with a strong vocational and technical offer, giving students opportunities to develop practical skills and explore different pathways into further education, training and employment.

(Image: Harper Green School)

This includes Harper Green’s dedicated Construction Hub, which supports its Construction and the Built Environment course and was officially opened by Andy Burnham during his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Hub gives students hands-on experience and an insight into careers across the construction sector, alongside specialist facilities including purpose-built dance and drama studios and extensive sports facilities.

Outside the classroom, students can get involved in a wide range of activities including sport, performing arts, educational visits, student leadership and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

(Image: Harper Green School)

Headteacher Ms Heppenstall said:

“The response to our free blazer and tie initiative last year was incredibly positive, so we’re delighted to be continuing it for a second year. It’s one of the many ways we can support our families and help make the transition to secondary school as positive as possible.

“Our Open Evening is a fantastic opportunity for families to see how Harper Green continues to grow and develop, meet our staff and students and discover the wide range of opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom. We look forward to welcoming families in September.”

(Image: Harper Green School)

Families attending the Open Evening will be able to register for their child’s free blazer, ready for the start of Year 7 in September 2027.

To register for the Open Evening, visit www.harpergreen.net/openevening.

By WILL STEWART and ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 11:13 BST, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 11:30 BST, 27 August 2026

A senior Russian military officer was killed in a suspected car bomb attack on Thursday in St Petersburg.

The colonel died instantly when the blast tore apart his Chinese-made Geely car at 10am, severing his legs as he drove along Kolpinskoye Highway, according to reports. 

His wife was left fighting for her life in intensive care after reportedly suffering catastrophic injuries, including the loss of both legs.

Haunting images from the scene show the mangled wreckage of the torn-apart vehicle scattered across the cordoned-off street. 

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Russian media said the car was blown apart by an ‘improvised explosive device’.  

The victim is believed to be a 53-year-old lieutenant colonel and military pilot in the Russian Air Force and Air Defences. 

The high-ranking officer was driving out of a paid car park when the ‘bomb’ detonated, it is understood. 

Multiple Russian military figures and others linked to the war have died in car explosions, many of which have been blamed on Ukrainian secret services. 

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A senior Russian military officer was killed in a suspected car bomb attack on Thursday in St Petersburg (pictured)

Haunting images from the scene show the mangled wreckage of the vehicle scattered across the road 

Russian media said the car (pictured) was blown apart by an ‘improvised explosive device’

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There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday’s attack.

There were reports the blast occurred after the couple picked up a package from Ozon – a Russian-style Amazon giant that is currently targeted by Ukraine in drone strikes. 

Bomb disposal experts worked at the scene, while Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over the incident.

The Slavyanka district, where the car exploded, has many homes allocated to senior Russian Defence Ministry officers.

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In recent events, a Russian military officer was blown up in a bomb attack in Russian-annexed Crimea on August 13. 

A woman was later detained on suspicion of carrying out the assassination for Ukrainian special services. 

The attack came on the same day Russian leader Vladimir Putin told Britain to reverse its ‘hostile line’ on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets.

The warning comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham was told Britain could face Russian retaliation over its support for Ukraine and to be prepared for a ‘direct response’ from Moscow.

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On Monday, the new premier swapped blueprints for the long-range Scalp missile with Moscow’s enemy in a visit to Kyiv, that would allow Ukraine to build their own weapons, rather than rely on imports.

Moscow accused the UK of ‘participating’ in his war with Ukraine and warned that their forces were intent on identifying ‘the production sites of such missiles, the production sites of other military equipment’ in order to destroy them.

As such, UK security chiefs have been primed for a Kremlin attack on Britain – either towards Mr Burnham or by targeting defence sites.

Putin’s warning comes a day after CIA director John Ratcliffe made a surprise trip to Moscow where he issued a warning to the Kremlin not to escalate the conflict in Ukraine, either by using a nuclear weapon or targeting Kyiv’s Western allies.

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The ‘just don’t do it’ advice was based on US intelligence that Russia is primed to act immediately and dramatically after its campaign on the battlefield stalled again.

Following the visit, the Kremlin hinted it was not looking for peace with the West, warning ‘it is too early to say if the deep crisis in US-Russia relations can be overcome,’ before boasting ‘Ukraine is definitely losing the war.’

Before departing No10, Sir Keir Starmer had warned Russia could launch an attack on a Nato country in the next four years, western intelligence assessments had indicated.

Putin had earlier been advised the new incumbent in No10 would be ‘softer than [Sir Keir] Starmer’ but the despot’s hopes were dashed by the PM’s efforts to fortify the UK-Ukraine military alliance in recent weeks.

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Two police officers died from head and neck injuries after their marked vehicle was hit by a car going the wrong way down a dual carriageway, an inquest opening has heard.

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Today, inquests into their deaths were opened and adjourned at Teesside Coroner’s Court.

In short hearings, coroner Paul Appleton said PC Blades was identified by his wife, and PC Clough by his partner.

The provisional cause of death was said to be head and neck injuries for PC Blades, and neck injuries for PC Clough.

Mr Appleton said that in the early hours of August 22 there was a collision on the A66 at South Bank between a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat.

He told the hearing that ‘all occupants of both vehicles were sadly pronounced dead at the scene’.

Mr Appleton said: ‘At this stage it is understood that there had been a police pursuit of the Volkswagen Passat.

‘It entered the A66 carriageway against the flow of traffic, at which stage the pursuit was aborted.

‘A short time after … the Volkswagen Passat collided with a police vehicle, which had not been directly involved in the prior pursuit.’

Later today, inquests will open into the deaths of Cole Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak – who were in the Passat and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police has been alerted after a fake letter claiming that asylum seekers were being moved into homes across Bexley was sent to residents.

The letter, which looked as though it came from Bexley Council’s ‘Deputy Director of Housing’, was posted through some residents’ doors before being shared online.

It falsely claimed the council was converting properties to accommodate asylum seekers under government arrangements.

Bexley Council has since confirmed that the letter is fake and referred the matter to police.

A statement from the council said: ‘We have been made aware of a fake letter posted to some homes, supposedly from our Development Management Team, titled “Neighbourhood Notice – New Residential Occupancy” and dated 24/8/2026.’

The council added: ‘We wish to make it clear that this letter is NOT from the Council and we have referred the matter to the Metropolitan Police.’

The fake notice contains a series of claims, such as that ‘young men aged approximately 19-40 years old’ would be moving into the area.

It also references cultural differences and gives residents instructions about how women and girls should dress when leaving their homes.

The letter states: ‘If they have to venture out, please make sure they are dressed appropriately so as not to tempt the men in any way. Long skirts or trousers are advised, with shoulders covered.’

Residents were also advised to keep pets indoors or consider rehoming them.

Bexley is also claimed to now be an ‘official sanctuary for asylum seekers’ who will now become the council’s ‘guests’.

Louie French, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has hit out at the letter, saying it was an attempt to ‘scare’ residents.

‘It is concerning that someone has gone out of their way to try and scare people like this,’ he said.

‘This is now a police matter so I won’t be sharing the fake letter, but this is another reminder to question things online if they don’t sound right.

‘Sadly we now have fake letters to add to the many fake accounts on Facebook deliberately spreading misinformation in our community.’

Councillor Chis Purfield also confirmed the notice was a hoax, adding: ‘There is a letter that has supposedly been sent to residents from Bexley Council about homing asylum seekers in the area and guidelines to keep safe.

‘This is a hoax to cause panic and upset amongst you all.

‘No letter has been sent out from the housing department. Please do not entertain these scaremongering people, do not share.’

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Requests from the Welsh Government for control over the Crown Estate in Wales will be “given a fair hearing” when leaders of devolved nations meet in October, Andy Burnham has said.

The Prime Minister was asked by reporters if he saw merit in giving Wales’ devolved government control over the company, as the Scottish Government has, which administers the holdings of the Monarch, including the seabed where offshore wind farms are placed.

Mr Burnham replied: “I’ve called the National Economic Council for October, and one of the messages that I will want to give to all of the first ministers, but including the new First Minister of Wales at that meeting, is that No 10 North is as much at your disposal as it is at the disposal of the devolved areas of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and as requests come for further devolution, they will be given a fair hearing.

“I’m not making any commitments today because it needs to be done carefully in a proper way, but obviously, that is what devolution should be about.

“I used to do it as myself, as mayor of Greater Manchester, we would make requests and it’s proper for devolved entities to make those requests. But you know, there then has to be a process for considering the issues involved.

“So that is part of why we’ve called the meeting. But I do also want to consider where we may deepen devolution here to get the growth mission being felt in a real way in all parts of in all parts of Wales.”