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Nine signs your child is addicted to social media that you shouldn’t dismiss as ‘teen behaviour’

Published

2 hours ago

20 June 2026

Nine signs your child is addicted to social media that you shouldn't dismiss as 'teen behaviour'

Is your child’s phone always in their hand? (Picture: Getty Images)

When the news broke this week that under 16s would be banned from social media sites like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, children were in uproar.

When one Lancashire schoolgirl was asked what she would do without her social accounts, her deadpan response went viral.

‘Stare at a wall,’ she said, her face solemn.

Many argued this reaction was exactly why the ban was needed, because of the addicting nature of social media algorithms.

Of course, this ban won’t be implemented until spring 2027, so as a parent, how do you tell if your child is truly addicted to their phone, or they’re simply annoyed they’ve been banned from a global network?

Nick Dunkley, 47, an operations manager for UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT), the biggest private addiction treatment provider in the country has been seeing an increasing number of under-18 year olds accessing treatment to combat their reliance on social media.

How to spot if your teen has a social media addiction

Your child’s love for their phone and social media accounts becomes an addiction when they experience an overwhelming urge to take part in it again and again, even when it’s causing them harm, according to UKAT.

This urge isn’t a simple craving, like the urge to eat chocolate, an addiction can leave those struggling unable to function without the behaviour.

Your child’s reaction to losing their social media privileges may come with tell tale signs
(Picture: Getty Images/Maskot)

It’s little wonder this has happened when Nick says ‘these short, sharp videos are made of instant dopamine, [they’re] flicking through and not absorbing anything’.

So, how can you check if this applies to your child? ‘To see the acute symptoms, just try to take a phone off a 15-year-old,’ Nick explains.

Once you’ve done this, keep an eye out for these signs. ‘It’s the lack of eye contact, struggling to engage in face to face conversations, physical agitation and their eyes darting to where their phones are,’ he adds.

‘These might be written off as teenager behaviour, but it becomes pronounced.’

Even when your teen or child does have their phone or tablet, there are other behaviours to look out for. Nick explains you’ll notice a lack of sleep from doom-scrolling, your child might have persistent headaches and maybe even worsening eyesight.

It could also result in a ‘decreased attention span and IQ’, according to the expert.

Children can become so desperate that when they attend UKAT’s rehab for social media addictions, they sneak in second phones or refuse to surrender their devices.

Many will also do anything they can to avoid attending in the first place.

The one thing parents shouldn’t do when the ban comes in

Once all under 16s are banned by spring 2027 and under 18s have had their curfews implemented, parents should expect there to be some teething problems.

He says withdrawals are to be expected. If you’re child is struggling with the ban you’ll see mood changes, and they may be more agitated and argumentative, but parents and schools should support young people through this.

‘I’m hopeful,’ Nick says. ‘Give it six months or a year, and it won’t be this massive impact on the youth – they’ll bounce back.

‘We’re not depriving them now – we already did, now we’re trying to give them their childhood back.’

Portland, OR, USA - Nov 11, 2024: Some of the most popular social media apps by number of monthly active users, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, WeChat, Telegram, Messenger, and Snapchat, are seen on an iPhone. — Certain apps will be banned for those under 16 (Picture: Getty Images)

He suggests the biggest threat to the ban’s success will be parents bending the rules to allow their children access when they shouldn’t have it.

But, ultimately, parents should use this ban to empower themselves.

‘We know the harm social media does for children – now this ban enables parents and schools to say no without the peer pressure,’ Nick explains.

‘I know what I’d rather my child be doing rather than living in a world that doesn’t exist, and aspiring to things they can never reach.’

Confidential help, information and support with social media addiction is available on UKAT’s website .

MORE: South Asian couple lose custody of baby born to white couple after IVF mix-up

MORE: Should social media be banned for adults, too? Readers discuss

MORE: Graham Norton forces Meta to reveal identity of troll posting ‘deeply upsetting’ abuse

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Warsh risks unnerving financial markets with less communication from the Fed

Published

1 minute ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Warsh risks unnerving financial markets with less communication from the Fed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve has for decades moved steadily from a remote, opaque government agency that shared little about what it did or why to a more transparent institution willing to explain how it makes decisions and what it thinks about the economy.

But in his first press conference Wednesday, new chair Kevin Warsh began to reverse some of those steps. Warsh, like many economists, thinks the financial markets have become too dependent on Fed guidance, and that such direction is more effective in financial crises or economic downturns.

Warsh quickly made changes: The Fed’s statement on its interest-rate decision was slashed to 132 words, from 341 in April. And Warsh pointedly noted that the statement excluded any hints, or “forward guidance,” about what the Fed’s next moves might be.

In short, Warsh rapidly delivered on a promise to slash the Fed’s communications, particularly the guidance it gives to financial markets about its next interest-rate moves. Yet such an approach carries the risk of more violent swings in stock and bond prices, analysts say, and ultimately could lead to higher interest rates for consumers and businesses.

“Forward guidance in general has served to suppress volatility and anchor market expectations,” said George Pearkes, global macro strategist at Bespoke Investment Group. “And that has led to lower borrowing rates, relative to alternatives.”

Still, the impact on consumers is likely to be modest, Pearkes added, with mortgage rates perhaps a quarter-point higher than they would be otherwise.

Financial markets see-sawed, then fell Wednesday after the statement and news conference. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which strongly influences mortgage rates, jumped Wednesday to 4.49% from 4.43%, though it fell back in Thursday trading. The yield on the 2-year Treasury, which closely tracks expectations for Fed action, was 4.16% Thursday, up sharply from 4.05% before the Fed’s meeting. The broad S&P 500 stock index dropped 1.2% Wednesday.

Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, June 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Warsh may be headed back to 1990s

Such swings could be a sign of things to come. Previous chairs have signaled the Fed’s next moves clearly enough that financial markets have largely anticipated the central bank’s actions. But Warsh has frequently cited as a model former chair Alan Greenspan, whose circumspect comments often kept investors guessing.

Greenspan, who served as chair from 1987 to 2005, did usher in the statement the Fed now issues after each meeting announcing its decision. The first statement was issued Feb. 4, 1994, and said the Fed would increase its key rate for the first time in five years. The move caught investors off-guard and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 2.4% that day.

The paring back of Fed communications is part of a larger package of potential reforms to the central bank’s operations that Warsh signaled Wednesday. He announced that the Fed will set up five task forces to examine the Fed’s communications, its balance sheet, how it analyzes and gathers economic data, the impact of AI on productivity and jobs, and the frameworks it uses to analyze inflation.

Warsh said the communications task force would consider changes to the quarterly economic projections the Fed issues as well as look at other recent innovations, including press conferences. Former chair Ben Bernanke was the first to hold them, though he did so only after every other Fed meeting. Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, shifted to holding them after every meeting.

Such steps are a sharp contrast with the 1990s, when Greenspan never explained a Fed decision, on the record, to reporters. Warsh could ultimately dial back some of the Fed’s increased transparency.

“This is a big change in how the Fed has conducted itself since the (2008-2009) global financial crisis,” Matthew Luzzetti, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, said. “Since then there has been a one-way train to greater communication, more transparency, and more forward guidance. Warsh has now put that train in reverse.”

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's press conference appears on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) — Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s press conference appears on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Fed chairs have seen benefits to forward guidance

Previous Fed chairs, starting with Bernanke, have seen a clear benefit to more communication: It helps guide the markets in the direction the Fed wants. Fed officials control a short-term interest rate, but the rates that affect the economy — such as the yield on the 10-year Treasury — are heavily influenced by investors’ expectations for inflation and economic growth. By telegraphing their next moves, policymakers can cause those longer-term rates to change even before the Fed adjusts its own benchmark rate.

Yet Warsh’s view is that financial markets have become too dependent on Fed guidance. Instead, he wants investors to gauge where the Fed may move next by examining economic data and making their own judgments, which the Fed can then consider as part of their assessments of where the economy is headed.

“Financial market prices are probably the most important source of information to guide central bankers,” Warsh said at Wednesday’s news conference.

Guidance can help with unexpected events

David Andolfatto, an economics professor at the University of Miami and former economist at the St. Louis Fed, said he agreed with Warsh that forward guidance has flaws. It can be easily upended by unexpected events, he said, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the Iran war.

But the chair should set out guidelines for how the Fed will react to unexpected events, Andolfatto said, or to challenges such as the persistent inflation it is grappling with now, yet Warsh so far hasn’t done so.

“I’m with him on dispensing with forward guidance, but you have to replace it with a contingency plan,” Andolfatto said. “It’s not enough to say, trust me, we’ll keep inflation at target.”

Ironically, Warsh’s decision to drop forward guidance may empower the other 18 members of the Fed’s rate-setting committee, Pearkes said. Those officials — six members of the Fed’s governing board, plus the presidents of the 12 regional Fed banks — frequently give public speeches, and their remarks will get even more attention as financial markets seek clues about what the Fed may do next.

A big challenge to Warsh’s approach will come if there is a sharp financial downturn or economic crisis, as occurred during the COVID pandemic. In those circumstances, economists said, forward guidance can play an important role calming markets.

“Whether it will stand the test of time and he will behave this way for five years is a very different question, but one that we’re going to have to wait for events to unfold to get an answer to,” Pearkes said.

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Jeremy Clarkson issues cancer update after revealing ‘aggressive’ diagnosis on Clarkson’s Farm

Published

8 minutes ago

20 June 2026

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Jeremy Clarkson issues cancer update after revealing 'aggressive' diagnosis on Clarkson's Farm

The presenter recently underwent surgery to remove part of his prostate (Picture: Instagram/Getty)

Jeremy Clarkson has issued an update on his cancer diagnosis, in a new video shared to his social media.

In the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm, the presenter, 66, revealed that doctors had discovered a particularly ‘aggressive’ form of cancer.

However, he also said that it had been caught early, and that he had undergone surgery to remove part of his prostate.

Posting a follow-up video to his Instagram account on Saturday, Clarkson began: ‘The more observant among will have noticed I’m not dead.

‘I’m not just not dead, I’m perfectly fine,’ he continued, joking: ‘My eyebrows in particular are looking very lustrous.’

He finished: ‘The reason why I’m fine is because the doctor’s caught the prostate cancer early and they caught it early because I got tested.’

Jeremy Clarkson ahead of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, Great Britain on July 6, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) — Clarkson urged his followers to ‘get tested’ (Picture: Getty Images)

Prime Video Pics show: In a hospital bed with Nil By Mouth signs , Clarkson tells viewers his treatment has ???gone awry??? and he might not make a season 6. Earlier Jeremy Clarkson told co stars Caleb and Charlie he has cancer in latest episode of Clarkson???s Farm Prostate cancer. Caleb wipes away tears, Charlie shocked. Amazon Prime supplied by Pixel8000 — Clarkson’s diagnosis was revealed during an episode of his show (Picture: Amazon Prime Video)

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GAA star who ‘brought joy and laughter to room’ dies suddenly as tributes pour in

Published

15 minutes ago

20 June 2026

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Ben Kane passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, June 13

Carrington Walker Live News Journalist and Ruairi Scott Byrne

18:08, 20 Jun 2026

Tributes have poured in for a young GAA star from Dublin “who brought so much joy and laughter into any room he entered”.

Ben Kane, from Glasnevin, died “suddenly and unexpectedly” on Saturday, June 13, according to a death notice published by his family on RIP.ie.

Ben, known as ‘Kaner’ amongst friends, was the cherished son of Mary and Dermot, adored brother of Amélie and treasured grandson of Danny, Rita, Dan and the late Margaret and nephew of the late Linda, Dublin Live reports.

He will be deeply mourned by his extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours, friends, teammates and fellow club members. Ben was an exceptionally gifted GAA player who remained a devoted member of CLG Na Fianna in Glasnevin throughout his life.

The Dublin club have shared a moving tribute to the well-loved young man in a statement posted on social media.

“On behalf of CLG Na Fianna, we extend our deepest condolences to Dermot, Mary and Amélie on the passing of Ben Kane,” they said. “Kaner was a valued player, teammate and friend whose spirit, dedication and kindness touched everyone at the club.”

“We mourn the loss of a vibrant young life and will always remember his commitment on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kane family at this heartbreaking time. Ar dheis Dé a raibh a anam.”

Ben studied at Trinity College and proved an integral part of their GAA squad, playing a crucial role as they secured the Senior Football Division 2 League title in 2024, while also helping guide the side to victory in the 2025 Trench Cup as the college reclaimed the trophy for the first time since 2012.

In tribute to the gifted sportsman, Trinity College Dublin G. A.A. stated: “TCD GAA extend our deepest condolences to Dermot, Mary and Amélie on the passing of former TCD footballer Ben Kane.

“Kaner was a valued teammate – a caring, sound and all round gent. He was a key player in the 2024 League success, 2025 Trench Cup run and 2022 All Ireland Fresher victory. We mourn the loss of this life taken too early. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kane family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.”

Ben remained extremely popular amongst teammates and fellow students at both Trinity College and Ardscoil Rís secondary school, with numerous tributes flooding in for the accomplished footballer, who has been fondly remembered as being “ten times the man off the pitch that he was on it”.

A close friend of Ben’s shared: “I was lucky enough to know Kaner through GAA from nursery right through to adult football. I’ll never forget the years of him cheekily dinking the ball over my head in shooting drills, and running off laughing with that big smile on his face.

“He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, and I will always remember working nights with him, spending hours laughing and joking, while also having the kind of conversations that helped me with life. He was so intelligent, caring, and always had time for others.

“Looking back at the photos and videos from all of the nights out with the team, he was the life and soul of every night and someone who made every occasion better just by being there.

“My thoughts are with Dermot, Mary, Amelie, and all his family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

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A fellow Trinity teammate paid tribute, saying: “When I met Ben playing football in first year in college, I was struck by what an amazing player he was. I learnt over the next few years that he was ten times the man off the pitch that he was on it. He was the kindest, funniest and most genuine lad in the dressing room, and he always lit the place up with his grin.

“I’d like to offer my sincerest condolences to Ben’s family, friends and club mates. He’ll be sadly missed by everyone lucky enough to have known him.”

A further teammate also paid his respects, adding: “I was genuinely privileged to have met Ben playing freshers GAA in TCD in 2021. I am even more privileged to have become good friends over the following years together.

“Ben had the jokes to make an entire dressing room laugh, but he was also extremely kind, and always had a genuine interest in what a friend had to say, with a few words of advice always provided.

“He was truly a lovely person, as well as a fabulous footballer, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Meanwhile, a classmate from Ben’s time at Ardscoil Rís shared: “I was fortunate enough to spend 6 years in ASR with Ben and a significant amount of time in BESS with him too.

“He was truly a larger than life personality who brought so much joy and laughter into any room he entered. My lasting memories of him all centre around him having everyone in stitches laughing – either in a classroom, college lecture hall or a football pitch.

“I am truly at a loss for words – my deepest condolences and thoughts go to his family at this time. Fly high Kaner.”

Ben’s funeral took place at Our Lady of Dolours Church on Botanic Road on Friday, before he was laid to rest at Glasnevin Cemetery.

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Partner of Coronation Street star had to re-learn to walk following devastating diagnosis

Published

22 minutes ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

He said complications during major surgery left him wondering if he would survive

The partner of Corrie and I’m A Celebrity star Sair Khan thought he would die after undergoing major surgery to remove part of his pelvis.

Nathan Chilton, 39, from Stockport, was diagnosed with with chondroblastoma – a very rare, non-cancerous bone tumour – in 2013 after complaining of pain in his groin.

An MRI scan found a squash-ball sized lesion which was removed. Years later the tumour returned and he needed much more extensive surgery.

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In 2022, Nathan had an internal hemipelvectomy, an eight-hour operation that involved removing 75 per cent of the right side of his pelvis and replacing it with a titanium plate.

During the surgery, he lost so much blood, he wondered if he would survive. “I thought it was lights out,” he said. “It was a very unreal place to be.”

He spent three weeks at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and, after the operation, had to retrain how to walk.

His ordeal was not over. Following the surgery, he was told the tumour had spread to his lungs. The nodules on his lungs are now said to be stable and there has been no recurence in his pelvis.

“Living with a benign bone tumour has been an absolute rollercoaster,” added Nathan, who has a two-year-old son with Sair who plays Alya Nazir in the ITV soap.

“Multiple surgeries, a lot of physical and mental pain, and even more uncertainty. But I’ve learned that you don’t have to let your struggles define you. Rather they help create a better version of you.

“Adversity and obstacles create character, develop resilience and give you skills that are transferable in all areas of your life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a tough ride, but it’s made me who I am today.

“I want to negotiate challenges with grace and humility and leave a legacy of footage or videos showing people, especially my son, what is possible – especially after facing challenge after challenge of me living my life and doing the best I can.”

Nathan, a chiropractor originally from Derbyshire, was also diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes in 2018.

He said he began hiking as an ‘outlet’ and that it ‘changed [his] perspective on life’. He is now to take on the Peak District Ultra Challenge – a gruelling 75km trek – on July 4 and 5.

He will be raising funds for Sarcoma UK, a charity that supports people with sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts in the soft tissue.

Even though Nathan’s tumour was not classed as a sarcoma, he went through the same medical route as many sarcoma patients – same specialists, scans and the same major operation

“I want to bring hope and inspire people who have had surgery,” he said.

Adding: “This walk is about showing what’s possible after all of that. Not just for me, but for anyone facing something similar. I want to show my son that limitations are the ones we put on ourselves and that mindset is everything.” You can find out more and donate HERE.

Sarcoma UK’s Support Line Adviser, Carly McDonald, said: “Nathan’s story is really extraordinary. His experience, the surgeries, the uncertainty, the sheer determination to rebuild his life, mirrors what so many of the people we support go through every day.

“The fact that he’s now walking 75km on a pelvis that is largely titanium is just remarkable. At Sarcoma UK, we’re incredibly grateful that Nathan has chosen to raise funds for us, and we know his story will bring real hope to patients and families facing similarly daunting diagnoses.”

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Jeremy Clarkson reveals he has met up with David Cameron to discuss cancer

Published

28 minutes ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Jeremy Clarkson reveals he has met up with David Cameron to discuss cancer

“So now there’s a group of us, (food writer) Giles Coren, David, me, one or two other people, and we meet for lunch every so often. Everybody has different Gleason scores, and everybody has different Stockholm and PSA scores. We all compare notes and I actually get muddled with what mine were.

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Iran-US war latest: Tehran declares Strait of Hormuz is closed after Trump deal due to ‘ceasefire violations’

Published

41 minutes ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Iran-US war latest: Tehran declares Strait of Hormuz is closed after Trump deal due to ‘ceasefire violations’

US military denies that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz

The US military has denied Iran’s claims that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying the critical waterway remained open.

⁠US Central Command spokesperson ‌Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told the news agency Reuters that US forces were “monitoring the situation” to ensure that ships could pass.

He said: “Traffic continues to ‌flow, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the ⁠case.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz shut earlier on Saturday and warned ships not to approach the waterway, ‌casting new doubt on the future ‌of a ceasefire agreement ⁠between the US ⁠and Iran meant to pave ‌the way for in-depth peace ‌talks.

Holly Bancroft20 June 2026 18:15

Read Trump’s 14 point Iran peace deal in full after US announces signing of agreement

Nearly four months after the U.S. started its war with Iran, Donald Trump has signed a long-awaited deal to end the war, restore global shipping and resolve an abiding dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Details of a 14 point plan were previously released by US officials, with an official signing ceremony expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday. However, it emerged on Wednesday evening that it had already been signed by the US president and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.

James C Reynolds reports:

Maira Butt20 June 2026 17:58

Watch: Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over ‘ceasefire violations’ days after Trump deal

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz over ‘ceasefire violations’ days after Trump deal

Maira Butt20 June 2026 17:20

Netanyahu will try and undermine Trump’s Iran peace plan despite president’s warnings: report

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely try to undermine Donald Trump’s deal with Iran, U.S. intelligence officials have reportedly warned the administration.

Current and former U.S. officials told The Washington Post Netanyahu is intent on continuing operations in Lebanon despite an agreement signed by President Trump earlier this week.

Maira Butt20 June 2026 16:50

Pakistan says follow-up talks between US and Iran set for June 21

Pakistan’s foreign ministry has said on Saturday that follow-up technical-level talks between Iran and the US will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June.

It said US and Iranian representatives would participate, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar in order to continue discussions following a ceasefire deal signed this week.

It added in a post on X that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the process in its role as mediator as per previous negotiations.

Maira Butt20 June 2026 16:15

Watch: JD Vance sends warning to Israel as he defends Trump’s Iran deal

JD Vance sends warning to Israel as he defends Trump’s Iran deal

Maira Butt20 June 2026 15:45

Trump lashed out at Vance telling him, ‘Everyone just needs to copy what I say’ on Iran, book reveals

“Trump vented to others that Vance hadn’t repeated his own new phrase that Iran’s nuclear program had been ‘totally obliterated,’” according to an excerpt obtained by Politico of the forthcoming Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, from New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.

Maira Butt20 June 2026 15:15

Israeli strikes kill five people including a child in Gaza

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least five people, including a child, in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, health officials said.

Four Palestinians, including two women and a child, in an apartment building in Gaza City, were killed in the Israeli attack, health officials said.

The attack on the building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City destroyed the apartment and wounded several other people, medics added.

In another incident, Israeli forces shot and killed a woman in Beit Lahiya town further north, said medics.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either incident.

An October ceasefire may have halted major fighting between Hamas and Israel, but it has failed to end Israeli attacks.

Gaza’s health ministry said more than 1,010 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire. Four Israeli soldiers were killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.

Maira Butt20 June 2026 15:01

US and Israel breached clause one of ceasefire deal, says Iran

We can bring you more on Iran’s claims that it will close the Strait of Hormuz.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the closure comes in response to the “explicit breach of the first clause of the post-war memorandum of understanding by the United States”.

It said it is also due to Israel’s “continuous and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon”.

Here’s a reminder of what the first clause of the US-Iran MoU stipulated:

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon and other provisions of this paragraph.

Alex Croft20 June 2026 14:42

Vance: No evidence Iran is closing Strait of Hormuz

We’ve just heard from US vice president JD Vance, who has responded to Iranian claims that they will close the Strait of Hormuz.

There is no evidence that such a closure is being carried out, Vance tells Fox News.

Tehran says it is closing the strait due to alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement agreed earlier this week.

Alex Croft20 June 2026 14:39

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Four reasons electric vehicle targets shouldn’t be weakened

Published

48 minutes ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Four reasons electric vehicle targets shouldn’t be weakened

The UK government is preparing to water down its electric vehicle sales targets. Under the existing zero emission vehicles (ZEV) mandate, 80% of all new cars sold in Britain needed to be electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.

Following sustained lobbying from car manufacturers and trade unions, that figure could be revised down to somewhere between 50% and 70%.

While this shift may be described as a pragmatic response to market realities, the rationale for altering EV targets deserves closer scrutiny. There are four key reasons EV targets shouldn’t be weakened.

1. Risk of repeating the industry’s past mistakes

Lobbying tends to make immediate, tangible costs (the £10 billion in discounts, potential job losses) feel more urgent than long-term benefits like minimising climate impacts. But the lobby may overstate these costs.

This framing is not always ideal. The US automobile industry lobbied for decades against tightening Corporate Average Fuel Economy (Cafe) standards meant to improve fuel efficiency, successfully keeping them weak through to the 2000s. The industry argued that consumers didn’t want fuel-efficient cars and that tighter standards would cost jobs.

As a result, US car manufacturers, such as GM and Chrysler, became dependent on fuel inefficient trucks and SUVs for profit margins. Those companies were left exposed when oil prices spiked in 2008 during the financial crisis and required government bailouts.

At the same time, Japanese manufacturers who had developed fuel-efficient vehicles under their own domestic constraints (including the 1973 oil crisis and increasing fuel prices) captured a large market share in the US and globally.

While lobbying protected American autoworkers in the short-term, it contributed to the very crisis that subsequently threatened their jobs.

When unions join manufacturers in lobbying, it becomes very difficult for politicians to not listen. The jobs argument could make it hard for the government to hold firm on its targets.

2. Uncertainty can slow investment

If targets keep shifting every few years, uncertainty can slow the transition as businesses and consumers lose confidence in the policy. This can lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy problem, which results in reduced investment in the sector and further stalling.

If targets keep shifting, uncertainty can slow the transition to EVs.
Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock

3. Jobs need long-term protection

The effect of the EV transition on automotive jobs is more nuanced than lobbying might suggest.

The transition will not reduce the overall scale of vehicle manufacturing. Assembly plants, logistics networks, body shops and much of the broader supply chain will continue to exist.

New employment opportunities from battery cell production, charging infrastructure installation and maintenance, grid upgrades and EV software engineering will also increase. Investments in initiatives such as gigafactories that mass produce EV batteries have already created new jobs.

However, workers making specific internal combustion engine components, such as exhausts, gearboxes, fuel injection systems and other parts that EVs do not use, face real displacement risk. That deserves serious attention to ensure a just transition – that is, the process of moving to a low-carbon society that is green, sustainable and socially inclusive.

What is a just transition? An expert explains.

To protect these jobs, the government and manufacturers need to fund retraining, invest in future skills and support workers through this phase of change. In Germany, unions have negotiated transition funds for workers in legacy auto parts.

Policies aimed at increasing demand for EVs, such as creating a more extensive and reasonably priced charging infrastructure, can give manufacturers economies of scale, bringing prices of EVs down over time. And the positive feedback loop can further accelerate demand and create new employment.

4. Fear of losing UK export edge

Nearly eight of the ten cars produced in the UK are exported to 140 countries. If UK manufacturers and workers fall behind on EV capability because of the slowdown in momentum, they risk losing export markets to competitors.

China now produces highly competitive EVs at scale, and European manufacturers are increasingly producing efficient, long-range EVs. To maintain a competitive advantage, car makers in Britain need to continue investing in skilled workers specialising in technologies such as batteries.

British car manufacturers are asking the government to rethink the ZEV mandate because EV residual values have been volatile. This has made the used market uncertain and dampened enthusiasm for new purchases. Plus, the charging network remains unreliable and EV buyers still suffer from range anxiety (concerns that EVs don’t go far enough on a single charge).

But if paired with solid investment, these are problems that a well-supported mandate could help solve. A target reduction from 80% to 50% or 60% takes pressure off the government and manufacturers to address those issues. And delaying the green transport transition just moves costs from firms and their shareholders to workers and the public.

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Sardines Health Benefits: Good News For Heart, Brain And Bone Health

Published

54 minutes ago

20 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Sardines Health Benefits: Good News For Heart, Brain And Bone Health

2025 saw sardines have their fashion moment (Vogue declared ‘sardine girl summer’ a thing) – and it seems in 2026, they’re gaining popularity on people’s plates, too.

The act of sardinemaxxing (aka cramming sardines into one’s diet) has gained popularity on TikTok, while industry reports suggest the canned sardines market is experiencing “steady expansion” due to “rising global demand for shelf-stable, nutrient-rich seafood”.

And nutrient-rich they certainly are…

“Sardines are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available and punch well above their weight nutritionally,” registered dietitian Dalia Weinreb told HuffPost UK.

We asked the expert about the top three health benefits of this tiny tinned fish – and how many you should be aiming to consume each week to reap the full rewards.

Health benefits of sardines

1. They’re rich in omega-3 fats for heart and brain health

Weinreb notes sardines are an “excellent source” of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA.

“These healthy fats help support cardiovascular health, may help reduce inflammation, and play an important role in brain function and mood,” she explained.

2. They’re also a great source of protein

They may be small, but they’re also mighty.

“A single tin of sardines provides a substantial amount of high-quality protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass, supporting healthy ageing, and helping us feel fuller for longer after meals,” said the dietitian.

3. They’re packed with bone-supporting nutrients

Because sardines are typically eaten with their soft edible bones, Weinreb said they’re a “fantastic source of calcium”.

“They also provide vitamin D, phosphorus and other minerals that work together to support strong bones and teeth,” she added.

The expert noted that an additional benefit of sardines is that they are relatively low on the food trend, “meaning they tend to contain lower levels of mercury [a neurotoxicant] than larger oily fish such as tuna”.

How often should we eat them to maximise on these health benefits?

One to two portions of sardines per week is a “great way” to benefit from the omega-3 content, said Weinreb.

“This aligns well with current recommendations to include at least two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily fish,” she added.

Cheaper supermarket options can start from £1.15, while more premium brands like Ortiz cost around £6.

If you can’t quite stretch to two portions a week, even including them in your diet occasionally can “make a valuable contribution to nutrient intake, particularly for people who don’t regularly eat oily fish”, added the expert.

Sardine alternatives

One thing about sardines is that they can certainly be an acquired taste. For those who don’t enjoy the flavour, but still want to enjoy similar health benefits, the dietitian recommends other oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout, as they “provide similar amounts of omega-3 fats and high-quality protein”.

If you don’t eat fish, she recommends foods such as walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds are beneficial and can contribute to overall omega-3 intake.

That said, it’s worth noting plant-based sources provide ALA, which is a different type of omega-3 “that is converted inefficiently into EPA and DHA”.

The expert added that, as a result, some people might also choose an algae-based omega-3 supplement, which provides DHA and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

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Olivia Wilde Recalls Conversation That Ended Her Engagement To Jason Sudeikis

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20 June 2026

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Olivia Wilde Recalls Conversation That Ended Her Engagement To Jason Sudeikis

Olivia Wilde has said that one post-birthday conversation was enough for her to know that her relationship with her ex-fiancé Jason Sudeikis was over for good.

The actor and filmmaker recently dropped by the Call Her Daddy podcast to promote her new movie, The Invite.

During the conversation, Olivia shared intimate details about a chat she and Jason had prior to their split nearly six years ago.

“Jason and I had been having a rough time for a while,” she recalled. “We had a real bumpy, bumpy ride, and we were driving home from my birthday party that my friends had had, and I said, ‘Did you get me a birthday present?’”

The Ted Lasso star’s response, she said, was telling.

“He said, ‘What would I get you, Olivia? I don’t know you.’ And he wasn’t wrong,” she explained. “We didn’t know each other anymore.

“You can get to a place in a relationship where you stop engaging in the knowing of each other, in the curiosity of each other, and you find yourself in a place where you’re like, ‘I don’t even know you.’ And that was when we realised it was over.”

Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde split in 2020 after about nine years of dating. The former couple share two children.

Jemal Countess via Getty Images

Jason and Olivia, who share two children, were together between 2011 and 2020.

Their breakup drew heavy media scrutiny, particularly after Olivia began dating Harry Styles, whom she directed in Don’t Worry, Darling, for about two years shortly thereafter.

She and her ex also became embroiled in a high-profile custody battle amid the split, culminating in 2022 when she was served court papers on-stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Describing the CinemaCon incident as “incredibly traumatising”, Olivia said she’s still unsure whether or not Jason was behind the stunt, clarifying that the Emmy winner “has told me that he did not know” about the incident beforehand.

“I know that, whether or not he knew it was going to happen, I know it really hurt him to see it happening to me,” she claimed. “It was undeniable that it was a fucked up thing and I know he felt very bad that it happened to me.”

"We had the loveliest relationship ... like so, so sweet and so beautiful," Olivia Wilde said of her past romance with Harry Styles. — “We had the loveliest relationship … like so, so sweet and so beautiful,” Olivia Wilde said of her past romance with Harry Styles.

Elsewhere in her Call Her Daddy chat, Olivia looked back fondly on her past romance with Harry Styles, despite noting his fans were “fucking pissed” after their relationship was made public.

“We had the loveliest relationship … like so, so sweet and so beautiful,” she said. “I think that we existed in this little bubble, and the judgment never really got into that bubble, which was a miracle and a testament to us making that happen.”

The Invite, which hits cinemas on 26 June, is an English-language remake of the 2020 Spanish film, The People Upstairs.

Directed by Olivia, the comedy follows a San Francisco couple, played by herself and Seth Rogen, whose marriage is tested when they host a dinner party for their enigmatic neighbours, portrayed by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton.

Watch Olivia Wilde’s Call Her Daddy chat for yourself here.

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Criminal Record: Edinburgh ‘knife’ rampage and TRNSMT arrests

Published

1 hour ago

20 June 2026

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Criminal Record has brought together a round-up of today’s biggest crime stories.

17:13, 20 Jun 2026Updated 17:27, 20 Jun 2026

Every day on Criminal Record we will be bringing you a round-up of the biggest crime stories of the day.

If you love to read about crime in Scotland – this is the place to be every day.

Here’s what has been making the news across the country on Saturday.

Five injured in ‘knifeman’ rampage

Five men were injured in Edinburgh after a man allegedly wielding a knife rampaged through the streets.

Police received multiple calls from terrified members of the public about violent attacks, threats, robbery and vandalism across the west of Edinburgh and Leith on Friday, June 19.

Two men were found injured in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh at 8.50pm. The Record understands they were attacked near Broomhill Mosque.

TRNSMT arrests

Four teenagers were among six men arrested on the opening day of the TRNSMT festival. Police Scotland confirmed that the men, aged between 16 and 42, had been arrested in connection with separate incidents at Glasgow Green.

Artists including Nile Rodgers, Becky Hill and headliner Richard Ashcroft took to the stage as the eighth edition of the festival officially got under way on Friday, June 19.

A party atmosphere was enjoyed for much of the music festival’s first day yesterday but it was soured by a number of incidents including a mass which involved 40 to 50 people.

Car torched in gang war

Chilling footage has captured the moment two thugs torched a car after it was used in a ram-raid in Glasgow.

The car crashed into the living room window of the house on Garvel Crescent in Glasgow in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The property is understood to be occupied by people linked to two brothers, Andrew, 32, and James Quinn, 27, accused of plotting murder bids as part of a bloody turf war raging across Scotland.

E-bike hit and run

Nicky Campbell’s daughter was rushed to hospital after being struck by an e-bike.

The BBC broadcaster said Lilla, 26, was with her sisters in the Peckham area of London when the incident unfolded on Friday night.

Taking to Instagram, he said: “‘It’s been a long and emotional night. My daughter Lilla was hit by an e-bike hit-and-run last night in Peckham – hopefully there is CCTV.”

Lilla was taken to A&E at King’s College Hospital for treatment.

Cruise worker dies

A cruise ship worker has died after falling from a ship in the Sound of Mull near Oban. The male worker fell from the Hebridean Princess on Tuesday evening.