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.

However, a ban could still come in future after the Commons supported a Government bid to give additional powers to the Secretary of State.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

‘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.’

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.

‘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.’

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

‘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!

‘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.

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.

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.’

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.

Queues for petrol stations are mounting, with some stations in Manchester running out – with fears that the situation could worsen as people panic buy.

Jan Rosenow, Leader of the Energy Programme and Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the Environmental Change Institute of Oxford, pointed out that mass panic-buying petrol in the UK is behavioural, but notes that the UK does have petrol stocks for a few weeks to match normal consumption rates.

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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.

“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.

In the 50 years since Panenka brought the dinked penalty to prominence, it has gradually become more common.

A number of top players, including Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Francesco Totti, have successfully used the technique from the spot.

France legend Zinedine Zidane has a claim for taking the most high-pressure Panenka, in the 2006 World Cup final with his penalty hitting the underside of the crossbar and just crossing the line.

It’s probably not what he is most remembered for that night, though.

England have suffered at the hands of the Panenka a couple of times in shootouts, most famously when Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo nonchalantly beat Joe Hart to change the momentum of the shootout in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.

“For me, Hart seemed to be very confident in himself,” Pirlo said. “I needed to do something to beat him.

“Penalties are a very personal thing but, when I saw him move, I decided to do that. It seemed to be a psychological blow for us.”

Similarly in the 2022 EFL Cup final, with Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga making a show of trying to distract the Liverpool players, Fabinho responded by calmly dinking his kick down the middle, much to the delight of the Reds fans behind the goal.

A psychological blow? Well, every Liverpool player proceeded to score as they won 11-10 on penalties.

But for all the notable successes, Ouattara is not the first high-profile miss.

In 1992, Gary Lineker had the chance to match Sir Bobby Charlton’s 49 goals for England in a friendly against Brazil but fluffed his attempted Panenka and ended up one shy of the then-record.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was usually pretty reliable from the spot but was made to look foolish when he attempted a Panenka in May 2021 as Chelsea went on to win 2-1 after the penalty save from Edouard Mendy.

In January, Brahim Diaz attempted a Panenka to win the Africa Cup of Nations in stoppage time for Morocco. His effort was saved and Senegal emerged champions.

The co-ord can be mixed with the matching shirt or bralette

You are most likely starting to pack away your winter wardrobe as the season comes to an end. If you are looking to refresh your wardrobe for the springtime, you might be heading out on a shopping trip soon.

You could head to Tesco, as its fashion brand F&F has just released the F&F Edit Pure Cotton Poplin Stripe Co-ord Midi Skirt in Blue, which can be worn with the matching F&F Edit Pure Cotton Poplin Stripe Shirt in Blue. The co-ord has been “designed with a timeless stripe print” and will create a “flattering fit”.

If you are looking for something you could wear more in the summer, the skirt could also be paired with the F&F Edit Pure Cotton Poplin Stripe Co-ord Bralette in Multi Blue, which costs £12.50. The skirt is currently being sold for £22.50 and the shirt costs £18 and can easily be mixed and matched with items you already have in your wardrobe.

The co-ord was posted in a video to the Tesco F&F Instagram page, which currently has 886K followers. The post was captioned: “Own the moment on a day that celebrates women.”

If you want to get your hands on any of the pieces from the co-ord, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its clothes. You can also go in-person to a Tesco store with a clothing department.

If this set is not quite what you are looking for, Boden has some choices for the springtime. There is this Verity Maxi Skirt that can be worn with the matching Occasion Shell Top or this Elodie Jersey Maxi Dress, which reviews say is “absolutely beautiful”.

New Look also has some options that might be more inline with your style. There is this Light Khaki Soft Touch V Neck Waistcoat, which you can pair with the Soft Touch Khaki Textured Trousers, or this Bright Green V-Neck Button Up Mini Tea Dress that comes in a few different colours.

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.

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.

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.”

‘This isn’t a new idea, or a new motion, in fact it has been campaigned for in the Ards Peninsula since the 1950s’

A call has been made by Ards and North Down councillors for a “feasibility study” into the construction of a bridge from Portaferry to Strangford.

During a meeting of a committee at Ards and North Down Borough Council, a DUP motion calling for a feasibility study into finally realising the dream of a bridge across the pinch point of Strangfor Lough, was passed by the chamber.

The motion states: “The council recognises the huge benefits, to the Ards Peninsula and wider borough, of greater connectivity in terms of tackling isolation, boosting local business and enhancing tourism.

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“Furthermore, the council is concerned about the increased traffic travelling along Ards Peninsula roads, which would be better served by a fixed crossing between Portaferry and Strangford village. (This) may help in addressing congestion in other parts of the borough and assist in improving road safety in roads within the peninsula.”

The committee agreed to write to the Stormont Minister Department for Infrastructure, Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins, to request that she “prioritises funding for a feasibility study” into a bridge across Strangford Lough from Portaferry to Strangford village.

Minister Kimmins has previously said there could be a feasibility study into the project “if there was political will.” The committee decision will go to the full council meeting later this month for ratification, where it is expected to pass.

Alderman Robert Adair, who proposed the motion, said at the meeting there was “overwhelming support” for the bridge in the local areas.

He said: “This isn’t a new idea, or a new motion, in fact it has been campaigned for in the Ards Peninsula since the 1950’s.”

He said: “The Ards Peninsula is one of the most socially cut-off areas in Northern Ireland. A lot of services that people take for granted, we are cut-off from, and we have a long journey.

“We want to boost business, we want to boost tourism, and we want to enhance connectivity. What facilities people in Newtownards and Bangor have access to, we want access to also.

“Hospital waiting times, ambulance waiting times, could all be enhanced through a fixed crossing between Portaferry and Strangford. It would also open business opportunities and business growth.

“Our main link to Belfast is the Portaferry Road, which is not a safe road, and there are a lot of congestion issues with it. You only have to travel along it any morning to see it is not working.”

He referred to the new Narrow Water Bridge, which will increase connectivity between Northern Ireland and the Republic, saying “If they can do it why can’t we?”

Alliance Councillor Patricia Morgan said at the meeting: “I have no particular problem with the council writing to the Minister, but I don’t think it will take her very long to reply, and I think we already know the answer.

“A significant cost has been suggested. I think the figure is in and around £300 million, but I don’t know what date that was (made) and presumably it will move with inflation, and potentially more.

“When we look at the likes of the Narrow Water we see that not all such things remain a pipe dream if there is good support and a strong economic case for it, then why not?”

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“All the gang stuff, the points systems, the AI posters, all of it is totally native and completely legible to the generation it emerged from, and easy to completely misread if you’re outside. That’s how internet culture works. These things develop their own internal logic, their own mythology, and they’re not designed to be understood by parents or police or journalists, they’re a community talking to itself in its own language.”