The EU has announced plans to restrict social media access for under-15s across its member states, in a bid to increase wellbeing and tackle online safety.

Under the plans, there would be a gradual approach to children using social media which would include banning under 13s from accessing platforms.

Those aged 13 to 15 would only be able to access platforms for an hour per day via “mini accounts” set up through their parent or guardian’s social media account.

The European Commission said social media companies would need to prove their platforms were safe by design, while EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the move would “put parents back in the driving seat”.

She added the legislation – called the EU Kids Act – would give parents “the tools to help their children navigate a safer world”.

“Too many children are being exposed too early to an online world they are not ready to navigate – an environment where bullying can follow you home, where every mistake can be recorded forever,” von der Leyen said.

Under the act, only children aged 15 and over would be able to set up their own social media accounts.

But von der Leyen told the EU Parliament on Thursday that “an age limit does not mean letting tech companies off the hook for the content on the platform”.

She added that under the legislation – if it is approved – companies would be required to submit detailed child safety plans.

“For every person under 18, the platforms must follow the principal of safety by design, no toxic or addictive features, no traps, etc,” she said.

The proposal sets out that age would be verified using the EU’s preexisting age verification app.

Von der Leyen had previously proposed a social media “delay” for children in Europe, saying in May that “the discussion about a minimum age for social media can no longer be ignored”.

The policy, formally outlined on Thursday, was also trailed in the EU chief’s annual address on Wednesday.

Some individual EU countries have already announced their own separate plans to restrict social media for children, including France and Spain.

Any potential EU-wide legislation would supersede those, but it would be possible for individual EU members to then go further than the bloc’s action.

It is not clear which platforms the proposed bloc-wide measures would apply to, but von der Leyen said the Commission had “looked at Australia” when putting together the proposal.

Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok were banned for under-16s in Australia in December last year.

The ban has been difficult for the country to enforce, with its Communications Minister Anika Wells admitting earlier this month that so far no tech firm had been fined despite research showing many under-16s were still on platforms.

A similar ban for under-16s is set to come into force in the UK in spring next year.

Whether they’re inside or outside, rats are known for their ability to cause disruption and costly damage.

The home insurance experts at Tiger have urged property owners to remain vigilant against the pests and follow important steps now to prevent an infestation before the autumn weather drives rodents indoors.

It is then that rats will be looking for warm and dry spots to settle in during the cooler months, and with the summer bringing record-breaking temperatures, there were ideal opportunities for breeding.

Rats can reduce the value of a property by up to 20%, with figures potentially reaching up to £53,663 based on average property prices, an expert told The Intermediary.

Since you must legally declare the presence of rats when selling a property, it is best to prevent a problem from occurring where possible rather than acting too late and being met with a huge infestation issue.

How many rats are there in the UK?

It is estimated that there are between 10.5 and 120 million rats in the UK, says the British Pest Control Association (BPCA).

So, it’s important that homeowners know what to watch out for, especially since an increase in rat numbers, also described as a “plague” by the experts at Tiger, is expected.

Does home insurance cover rat infestations in the UK?

If you have a rat infestation, Kara Gammell, home insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said you might not be covered by your insurance policy.

She said: “Rats may be small, but the damage that they can cause can be huge.

“These pests can chew through almost anything – from floorboards and plasterboard to pipes and electrical wiring – leaving you facing structural issues, burst pipes, or even a fire risk.

“And here’s the sting in the tail: standard home insurance typically won’t cover pest infestations because insurers view it as a maintenance issue rather than a sudden, unforeseen event like a fire or storm.

🐀 Britain’s rats are getting bigger — and so are the rubbish piles feeding them.

Pest controllers say overflowing bins, reduced collections and fly-tipped food waste are helping rats thrive, with some reportedly reaching 16 inches.

When rubbish is left sitting around, it’s not…

— Waste Crime UK (@WasteCrimeUK) September 12, 2026

“That means the cost of removing rats – or repairing the damage they leave behind – will likely come straight out of your own pocket.

“Some insurers do offer home emergency cover as an optional extra, and this can sometimes include pest removal.

“But don’t assume you’re fully protected.

“This type of cover generally won’t pay out for any damage rats cause to your property.

“Outbuildings such as sheds and garages are also often excluded too.

“Taking preventative steps to keep rodents out is far cheaper – and far less stressful – than dealing with an infestation once they’ve moved in.”

Have you ever had a rat problem in your home or garden? Let us know in the comments below.

Michelle Keegn was seen back in her old stomping ground as she headed back to Manchester for her latest fashion campaign

Michelle Keegan has been seen strutting her stuff around her old stomping ground as she headed back to Manchester for her latest fashion campaign, which comes as she’s been seen back up North filming her Netflix return.

Some may be aware that, aside from her acting career, which launched when she joined Coronation Street as Tina McIntyre back in 2008, Stockport-born Michelle is known for releasing several clothing collections with online retailer Very.

This week, the actress has launched the first part of her Autumn/Winter collection, City Edge, which was shot on the streets of Manchester and saw her showcase her iconic wardrobe staples for the season.

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According to Very, the first instalment delivers accessible style with refined fabrications, flattering cuts, and outfit-building essentials, with prices starting at £18 for Capri Trousers and rising to £75 for the Knitted Stripe Hanky Hem Dress, which is modelled by Michelle herself.

Michelle said of the new 30-piece collection: “I want the collection to feel effortless with pieces you can throw on in the morning and still love by evening. We focused on fit, fabric, and those little details that show the outfit has really been thought through. The blazer and trouser suit in chocolate brown is a favourite of mine, and I love how the stripe knit dress can be styled for every occasion.”

She added of returning to her Manchester roots, with her now residing in Essex with her husband Mark Wright and their daughter, Palma, the 39-year-old added: “Shooting the collection in Manchester was so special – the streets, the energy, the people. It made the whole campaign feel even more personal.”

Meanwhile, Michelle was recently seen back up North as she’s set to feature in her second Harlan Coben series for Netflix. It was announced earlier this year that she’ll lead the cast of the best-selling author’s next offering for the streaming giant, which comes after she won plenty of praise from fans and critics alike for her role in Fool Me Once, a gripping adaptation of one of the best-selling author’s books, back in 2024.

More than a year on, and at the end of last month, Michelle was named as one of the first cast members, alongside Tom Bateman. Sharing the news on social media, Netflix announced: “Michelle Keegan and Tom Bateman for his latest Netflix adaptation, THE WOODS.”

According to the synopsis for the new eight-episode limited series adaptation of Harlan’s 2007 novel, which has been filmed locally, read: “20 years ago, Paul Copeland’s sister Camille vanished from a summer camp in the woods, a loss that tore his family apart. When a murder victim is revealed to have disappeared along with Paul’s sister, Paul’s hope rises… could his sister still be alive?”

Simply Red have announced details of their Summer Funk ’27 UK and European tour, which will include a date at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (OAT).

Simply Red’s headline Summer Funk ’27 tour comes to Scarborough Open Air Theatre in North Yorkshire in 2027, with Soul II Soul. (Image: Cuffe & Taylor)

Simply Red is set to perform at Scarborough OAT on Tuesday, August 17, 2027. They will be joined by UK soul and funk legends Soul II Soul.

Tickets for the concert will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday, September 24.

Simply Red’s 2027 tour at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. (Image: Cuffe & Taylor)

Simply Red’s 2027 appearance at Scarborough OAT marks a return to a venue they have performed at twice before, in 2016 and 2022.

Fans can expect a show full of the band’s big hits, including Fairground, Something Got Me Started, and Money’s Too Tight (To Mention).

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The band features Mick Hucknall, who is renowned for his distinctive blue-eyed soul vocals.

The other members include Ian Kirkham on sax and brass, Kenji Suzuki on guitar, Kevin Robinson on trumpet, horns and percussion, Roman Roth on drums, Gary Sanctuary on keys, and Orefo Orakwue on bass.

Mick Hucknall said: “We can’t wait to get back out on the road again in summer 2027 to perform at some incredible and historic venues across the UK and Europe.

“You can expect a set full of Simply Red upbeat hits to get you on your feet having fun in the sun with friends and family.”

Simply Red’s Summer Funk ’27 tour will be their first since their 2025 40th-anniversary celebration tour, which sold out almost 50 venues across the UK, Europe, and Latin America.

The tour was captured in the live album, film, and box set, Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago.

Simply Red have enjoyed an illustrious career, maintaining their status as one of the UK’s biggest bands.

Their track record includes five number-one albums, a number-one single, nine other Top 10 hits, three BRIT Awards, two Ivor Novellos, and the MOBO Award for Outstanding Achievement.

In North America, they achieved two number-one hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 and received multiple Platinum certifications and three Grammy nominations.

Their 1991 classic Stars was the best-selling album for two consecutive years in Britain and Europe, and every Simply Red studio album has reached the UK Top Ten.

Julian Murray, from promoters Cuffe and Taylor, the venue programmers at Scarborough OAT, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Mick Hucknall and Simply Red back to Scarborough OAT for their third headline show here.

“They are one of Britain’s most enduring bands and their previous headline shows in 2016 and 2022 were sensational.

“Joined by Soul II Soul, this is going to be another incredible night here on the Yorkshire coast.”

Simply Red will join Jack Savoretti and James Morrison as part of the first wave of 2027 headliners announced for Scarborough OAT which is the UK’s largest purpose-built open-air concert arena.

The 2026 Scarborough OAT season featured performances from global stars like Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Hollywood Vampires, and Teddy Swims, attracting music lovers from 64 countries.

For more information about the event, visit scarboroughopenairtheatre.com.

Residents across Cambridgeshire are calling for immediate road maintenance after describing local routes as ‘dangerous’ and ‘atrocious’

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Readers of CambridgeshireLive have voiced their concerns about the condition of the county’s roads, with many reporting crumbling surfaces, faded markings, and routes they consider hazardous.

Motorists have described the state of one Cambridgeshire road as “atrocious”, with serious questions raised over road safety. Several roads across Cambridgeshire are laid on peat soil, making them particularly vulnerable to subsidence and rapid deterioration.

In Ramsey, Wells Bridge, a road built on peat soil, has been branded by local residents as “diabolical” and “dangerous”.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of Wells Bridge Road.

“We are regularly monitoring the road for safety defects and will make repairs to keep all road users safe. As a precaution, a reduced speed limit and warning signs are currently in place. Our highways design team are also assessing the most appropriate way to stabilise and repair the road to ensure a longer-term solution.

“As part of this year’s budget, £2.5m will be spent on repairing peat soil affected roads across the county. This includes £700,000 towards reconstruction of Wells Bridge Road. These major repairs are anticipated to be delivered in the summer of 2027.”

One commenter, Riccy, writes: “Councils waste money on the Cambridge Market Square, you can see there it would all be better spent on the road. Why don’t the councils get their priorities right?”

Whynot2 feels: “Filling holes in isn’t chic, wasting money is.”

Calumen Nomen adds: “This ‘built on peat’ excuse is wearing a bit thin. How come they were OK for the past fifty years? We haven’t suddenly invented heavy lorries full of sugar-beet etc.”

Poppythecat believes: “It’s because people are driving around in gigantic SUV’s. They need to pay more tax. Glad you’ve finally identified the reason!”

Rootintootinredux joins in with: “EVs weigh more than SUVs. Focus on the proper problem.”

Topcat13 says: “Global warming has been affecting things at an ever increasing rate recently. Drying out the soil.”

Djexpat says: “This is just like Madingly, Earith and maybe dozens of roads in my area. Also, they seem to have stopped painting road markings years ago as well, and they’re all worn away. Chaos.”

Over on our Facebook page, Kevin S comments: ” You should try the one between Haddenham and Earith Bridge – practically impassable.”

Roger H says: “Try riding these roads on a motorbike!!”

Steve B writes: “Unfortunately, the Highways don’t have a money tree. I’m not supporting the lack of maintenance, but Fen Roads are built on peat, which has a tendency to shrink when it dries out and squash and subside. To make the roads perfect, they would need to strip the peat back, put sand and crushed hard-core down and start again. The Fen Roads were never meant to be arterial routes, but farmers’ tracks between villages and hamlets. With the invention of the motor car and heavy lorries, the paved tarmac just breaks up. The main roads have had money spent on them and are designed and built for longevity, and they follow the raised topography of clay soil. Unfortunately, Fen Roads are on or below the water table, and you can see how much the fields have sunk over the years.

“Highways spend millions on resurfacing, but it will never be permanent, a few years if you’re lucky, before it breaks and cracks again. It’s a choice of driving for the conditions of the road surface or speeding and hitting a pot hole or a divot. I have driven along Queen Adelaide Way from the Mildenhall Roundabout to A142 at Ely to work for years and have seen it resurfaced many times, but alas, it’s again falling away. Temporary traffic lights to divert you to the other side of the road( this was all resurfaced when the Boat Race was held during Covid), so they haven’t lasted long. Another route I take is across the Fen from Littleport to Mildenhall across Shippea Hill Crossing, again a 30mph speed limit and a 40mph limit. All Highways does is fill the dips with tons of tarmac. The other issue is an increase in traffic from the explosion of developments, people move to the countryside and think the A10 is as fast as the train and try to drive as such. The amount of fatalities on the roads is criminal. The speed limit may be 60 mph, but the road isn’t capable of supporting it. Some ask if it will be a dual carriageway. I think the construction and engineering challenges are going to be difficult to achieve, and I doubt it would follow the existing route. I guess we will have to wait and see.”

Do you think that the worst-affected roads need to be relaid completely? Comment HERE or below to have your say.

Even with a British and Irish Lions tour in 2029, New Zealand Rugby are expecting to make major losses in the next five years

An alarming document has revealed that New Zealand Rugby are predicted to lose £28m over the next five years, despite expecting to bring in record revenues from the 2029 British and Irish Lions tour.

Media in New Zealand have unearthed a confidential NZ Rugby document titled ‘Rugby System Programme’ which spells out the sport’s financial woes. The document has been designed for stakeholders ahead of a rugby summit next week.

Despite the commercial power of the All Blacks, the bleak financial picture painted by the document is set to usher in a complete overhaul of the professional game in New Zealand.

That summit is set to review the entire structure of the game in the country, starting with men’s competitions – such as the five Super Rugby franchises and 14 provincial unions that play in the NPC.

“Current five-year projections have NZR continuing to lose a combined $66m across 2027–31,” the document states, according to The Post in New Zealand. “That includes the 1-in-12-year profit from the 2029 Men’s Lions tour. NZR is incurring significant losses on women’s elite competitions – $8.5m a year.”

The document also reveals that NRL is the most-watched competition in New Zealand, showing the threat faced by rugby league in the country.

“NRL now draws 28m NZ viewing hours against Super Rugby’s 19m and NPC’s 14m,” the document states.

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The New Zealand Herald report that NZ Rugby currently remains in a strong financial position – with NZ$150m in cash reserves.

They add that there is a NZ$62.5m legacy fund remaining from the sale of an small stake in its commercial operations to private equity firm Silver Lake back in 2022.

The Lions tour in 2029 is expected to exceed the NZ$40m made from the previous tour of Aotearoa in 2017.

And while Lions tours have tended to underpin the finances of SANZAAR nations, with Australia clearing a £32m debt after hosting Andy Farrell’s side last summer, there’s only so much one tour every 12 years can write off.

And the scale of NZ Rugby’s deficit forecast has left the governing body with little option but to implement “structural change to the NZ rugby system” to reduce costs.

The document goes on to reveal that the All Blacks are the only side in New Zealand making a profit, with a return of NZ$38m for the 2026 financial year.

The New Zealand Herald recently revealed that the All Blacks’ fourth Test against South Africa in Baltimore generated around NZ$9m for the union.

However, the women’s side, the Black Ferns, cost the governing body NZ$11m.

The document revealed that payments to players in the national and provincial setups cost NZ$95m. NZ$46m was also paid separately to the five Super Rugby clubs and provincial unions.

Earlier this year, Deloitte assessed that no Super Rugby side in New Zealand would have been profitable since 2019 without NZ Rugby funding.

Former New Zealand captain David Kirk, who skippered his side to World Cup glory in 1987, is heading up the strategic overhaul.

Following a review of men’s and women’s competitions, the next stage of the overhaul will reportedly look at the level of investment in professional players and how rugby is delivered to communities.

Options will be drawn up ahead of a final board decision in December.

New Zealand’s financial woes are just the latest among world rugby’s established nations.

The Rugby Football Union are expected to lose £10m this year, while the Welsh Rugby Union are in the midst of trying to cut a professional team, believing they cannot afford four competitive sides.

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.

Classic Hits Radio has confirmed it will no longer play Ed Sheeran’s music after controversy over Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s US tour following his public support for Gaza

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An Irish radio station has pulled all Ed Sheeran tracks from its playlists indefinitely.

Classic Hits Radio announced that from Thursday, 17 September, the English singer’s music will be absent from airwaves following the controversy over Macklemore’s removal from the remaining US tour dates. Several supporting acts, including Aaron Rowe and Irish group Beoga, have pulled out of the tour in solidarity.

At a performance at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last week, Macklemore voiced his solidarity with the people of Gaza. This sparked online backlash and a petition calling for his removal from the tour.

On Monday, Macklemore informed his social media followers that a decision had been taken to drop him from the tour.

Classic Hits Radio stated that “as an independent, Irish-owned radio station” it values its connection with listeners, and following audience feedback, has decided against broadcasting Sheeran’s material, reports Dublin Live.

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Sheeran, who has previously described himself as culturally Irish, issued a statement clarifying that the decision to drop Macklemore from the tour was not his own and that he attempted to find a solution, which the radio station recognises. Dave Kelly, Group Programme Director at Bay Broadcasting, said: “Radio has always been about more than the music we play. It is about the communities we serve, listening to our audience and recognising the conversations that matter to them. We have listened carefully to the reaction from our listeners over recent days. We also respect the decision taken by Irish artists Aaron Rowe and Beoga to step away from the tour on an issue about which they clearly feel very strongly.

“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered. It is not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events. As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.

“Ultimately, our position is a simple one. We believe in peace, humanity and respect, and in the right of people and artists to express and act upon their sincerely held views. In light of the strength of feeling expressed by our listeners and the decisions taken by Irish artists involved in the tour, we believe removing Ed Sheeran’s music from our playlist is the appropriate decision for Classic Hits Radio at this time.”

The programming decision will be kept under ongoing review, with Classic Hits Radio continuing to monitor listener feedback and evaluate developments as they emerge.

A passenger who was duct-taped to his seat following a racist and homophobic outburst on a plane has said that he remembers ‘nothing’ about the incident.

Layne Arthur Lundeen, 67, was arrested after American Airlines flight 618 was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this month following reports of a disruptive passenger on board.

The flight had been travelling from Dallas to Newark on September 3 when it was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Lundeen, an estate agent, was consequently fired from his job after he used the N-word against a member of cabin crew.

According to a police report, officers found Lundeen with his upper and lower body restrained to his seat with duct tape, while his hands had been secured with zip ties.

He was later charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, according to court records.

During his initial court appearance in Annapolis the following day, Lundeen said he could not remember what had happened.

‘I don’t remember any of what happened,’ he said, according to audio of the hearing obtained by the Baltimore Banner.

At one point, a district court commissioner read out the charges against him, to which Lundeen asked: ‘I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have glasses.’

He admitted drinking ‘two screwdrivers’ before later adding: ‘Oh my God. What a mess… I don’t remember any of it.’

Police allege that Lundeen became increasingly unruly during the flight, shouting profanities and racial slurs before allegedly striking a female passenger in the arm.

After officers removed the duct tape and zip ties, he then allegedly struck an officer in the chest.

Lundeen has not publicly addressed those allegations beyond saying he does not remember the incident.

Lundeen’s attorney, Anatoly Smolkin, has declined to comment.

Every three years, the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) tests the reading, maths and science skills of 15-year-olds in countries across the world.

Each Pisa cycle other skills are tested: in 2025, computational problem solving and use of AI were two additional topics covered. Pisa, carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), also asks the young people tested questions about their experience of school and their attitude to learning.

The latest Pisa results have recently been released. They are most useful when looking at patterns over time. Because only a sample of pupils in each country are tested each year, any single result for a country on one subject will have some uncertainty about it. East Asian countries continue to get the highest scores, with Singapore and a number of Chinese jurisdictions again in the top spots.

Elsewhere, the overall picture is a troubling decline in reading internationally. Students seem to be struggling with skills such as interpreting information and assessing evidence, with an increase in “hasty reading” (quick but inaccurate). The OECD suggests that this may be an effect of technological distraction and more reading happening on screens, rather than taking place as part of deeper reading.

Against this background, the results for the UK nations are mixed. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all saw slight increases in science results, which reverses a trend of results falling in the UK. This is particularly good news as internationally science scores have continued to fall. The four nations have separate education and examination systems, so why all four have done well in science is not clear and calls for further investigation.

In England overall reading scores have stayed steady over the last 20 years. Because many other countries’ scores have dipped, this means comparatively England is doing better than many. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s reading results in 2018 were nearly identical, but a gap has now opened as Scotland and Northern Ireland’s have declined. The most worrying results in the UK are those of Wales, which started out lower than the other UK nations and have fallen further.

Scotland and Northern Ireland’s governments and schools should feel happier with the maths results. The scores here are basically the same as last time, as are England’s (again the best results of the UK nations). As with reading, maths scores are falling internationally, so keeping steady is a better outcome than most countries.

But Wales has followed the international trend of continuing to drop. When comparing different countries, just like comparing schools, it is important to look at factors such as disadvantages that young people face. Wales has some of the areas with the highest rates of poverty in the UK, and poverty is linked to worse educational outcomes. However, the overall poverty rate in Wales is the same as in England so that does not explain the difference.

Beyond academic achievement

Overall, the UK has shown a strong academic subject performance. However, other Pisa results are more worrying. UK 15-year-olds are less well prepared than others for digital learning or to make careful assessments of AI-generated information.

This outcome is unlikely to come as a surprise to scientific bodies such as the Royal Society, which has called for an overhaul of the maths curriculum to address this. There is also a persistent and growing gap between how well the most advantaged do and the most disadvantaged.

Pisa’s data on young people’s sense of belonging in school is also concerning. In the UK, this is below the international average. This may be part of the reason more young people are missing school. There also seems to be more bullying in schools in the UK than elsewhere.

Pisa’s snapshot surveys cannot show which schools are able to do both: help their pupils do well in exams and enjoy a safe environment where they feel they belong. Even if that is possible in some schools, it may be very hard to achieve at the level of an educational system as a whole.

This means that governments, schools and parents need to consider what the educational priorities should be for schools. Whether Pisa results go up or down does not seem to make much difference to young people’s wellbeing or readiness to face an uncertain future.

“From a galaxy far, far away, everyone at Lucasfilm sends massive congratulations to Destin, Tom, everyone at Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios and the entire team behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day on setting a new domestic box office record and taking the crown from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”