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Mary Rand, a trailblazing British athlete, has passed away at the age of 86. She was a dominant force in the sports world during the 1960s, becoming the first British woman to win Olympic gold in athletics at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Rand achieved this remarkable feat with a world record long jump of 6.76 meters, a performance that cemented her status as a national heroine.Rand's achievements in Tokyo went beyond her gold medal in long jump. She also secured silver in the pentathlon and bronze in the sprint relay, making her the first British athlete to claim three medals in a single Olympic Games. This impressive haul of medals not only showcased her versatility but also her exceptional talent.Born in Wells, Somerset, Rand was brought up in a council house by her parents. Her prodigious athleticism was evident from an early age, leading to her being offered a scholarship at Millfield, a leading public school for sports. She won All England Schools titles and broke the British record for the pentathlon at just 17 years old.Rand's career was marked by both triumph and challenges. She faced criticism after finishing ninth in the long jump at the 1960 Rome Olympics, but she used this as motivation to excel in Tokyo four years later. Her performances were praised by her peers, with fellow athlete Ann Packer describing her as “the most gifted athlete I ever saw”.Rand's legacy extends beyond her Olympic achievements. She was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 1964 and was made an MBE in 1965. In 2009, she was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame, a testament to her enduring impact on the sport.Despite facing challenges in her personal life, including two divorces and the loss of her third husband, Rand remained a beloved figure in the sports world. Her daughters survive her, and her memory will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed strong support for curbing addictive social media features that target children, stating that the government 'will have to act' to regulate these features. In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Starmer emphasized that these features 'shouldn’t be permitted' and that the government is committed to taking action.The government's education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, also weighed in on the issue, stating that social media platforms are 'designed to keep you there' and that the government will closely examine how to tackle addictive features. The comments come amid a growing debate about the impact of social media on children's mental health and wellbeing.The UK government's consultation on social media regulation has garnered significant attention, with nearly 30,000 parents and children responding to the digital wellbeing consultation. The government is considering a range of options, including a ban on social media for under-16s, which has already been enacted in Australia.The move comes after a US court ruling found Meta and Google liable for a woman's childhood social media addiction, awarding $6m in damages. The companies plan to appeal the decision. The UK government's consultation will also examine the use of addictive algorithms and algorithmically driven content on social media platforms.As part of the consultation, hundreds of UK teenagers will trial social media bans, digital curfews, and time limits on apps as part of a government pilot. The government aims to introduce significant changes to regulate social media and protect children online.

The childcare system in England is failing to meet its social purpose, with 75,000 childminders lost since the 1990s. While nurseries are often touted as the default childcare solution, they tend to concentrate in wealthier areas, leaving low-income families with limited options.Childminders, on the other hand, can operate in any neighborhood and provide flexible, wraparound care that suits parents working shifts. They have lower overheads and can be a more affordable option in deprived areas. However, without a plan to rebuild this vital workforce, children who need early years care the most will struggle to access it.The article argues that childminders are a crucial part of the solution to England's childcare crisis, but they have been overlooked in discussions about early years care. By supporting childminders, policymakers can help ensure that disadvantaged children receive the care they need to thrive.

El Salvador's emergency decree, implemented to combat gang violence, has had a devastating impact on the country's most vulnerable population: its children. Thousands of minors have been left without parents due to the aggressive measures taken by the government. The decree, which grants the military and police sweeping powers to detain and prosecute suspected gang members, has led to widespread arrests and alleged human rights abuses. Many of those detained have been parents, leaving their children without caregivers. Human rights organizations have expressed deep concern about the welfare of these orphaned children, warning of a potential humanitarian crisis in the making. The situation highlights the need for a balanced approach to addressing gang violence while protecting the rights and well-being of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

The UK government has introduced new guidelines on screen time for children under five, developed by a panel led by the children's commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, and children's health expert Prof Russell Viner. Children under two years old should avoid screen time except for shared activities that encourage interaction, while children between two and five years old should limit screen time to no more than one hour a day. The guidance also advises against fast-paced, social-media style videos and AI tools, which may affect how young children learn to concentrate. Instead, it suggests 'safe screen swaps' such as replacing screens at mealtimes with background music, conversation, table games, or coloring. Parents are encouraged to prioritize activities that promote language, problem-solving skills, self-control, and social understanding, such as reading together, playing simple games, and back-and-forth conversations. The guidance acknowledges that some children with special educational needs or disabilities may need to use screens to help them communicate and participate in everyday activities. Experts warn that excessive screen time can harm children's development, with 90% of brain growth happening before the age of five. The advisory panel emphasizes the importance of parental example, as children's brains are like 'sponges' and will mimic their screen use habits. Examples of shared screen activities include video calls with relatives or looking at family photos together, which represent constructive joint screen use. The guidance also recommends avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime and reading stories together instead. By adopting these guidelines, parents can help promote healthy screen use habits and support their child's overall development.

The music of Bluey, the beloved Australian TV show, has captured the hearts of both children and adults worldwide. With over 4.8 billion minutes watched in Australia alone and 126 million streams of its theme song, the show's soundtrack has proven to be a crucial element in its success. Composer Joff Bush shares the secret to creating music that 'hits you in the feels.' According to Bush, it's all about seeding elements of music throughout an episode to create a powerful emotional payoff. For example, in the episode 'Sleepytime,' Bush used Gustav Holst's Jupiter from The Planets to convey the idea that a child's parents will always be there to love and support them. The new album, Up Here, features a chamber orchestra and marks a significant milestone in the show's music journey. Bush notes that the use of a chamber orchestra was initially met with skepticism but has ultimately resulted in something truly special. 'It's really ambitious, but having that many adults dedicate their craft to make this music as beautiful as it can be, for children? It was just wonderful.' The music of Bluey is not just emotionally devastating; it's also incredibly joyful. Children who spoke to the Guardian described the opening song as 'making them happy' and perfect for games like musical statues. For adults, the music often evokes strong emotions, with many confessing to watching the show after their kids have gone to bed. Bush's approach to scoring Bluey is rooted in his understanding of the show's themes and his own experiences as a father. 'Watching it now, I get it – why a certain episode hits you in the feels more.' His daughter even got to conduct the orchestra during a recording session, leaving her 'enamoured' by the experience.

Meta, the world's most powerful social media company, has faced a severe public reckoning in recent days, with juries in California and New Mexico delivering back-to-back verdicts that hold the company liable for harming young people. This marks a significant shift in accountability for social media companies, which have long operated with minimal regulation and few consequences in the US.In the California case, a jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages over claims that they deliberately designed addictive products to hook young users. The following day, a jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million in damages over claims that its products led to child sexual exploitation, among other harms.These verdicts are the first to go to court, and they set a precedent for over 2,000 plaintiffs, including families, school districts, and state attorneys general, who have brought lawsuits against Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap. The cases borrow from a familiar playbook, echoing those brought against big tobacco companies in the 1990s, which focused on cigarettes' addictive qualities and their makers' public denials despite knowledge of their products' harms.Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that social media companies have profited from targeting children while concealing their addictive and dangerous design features. The verdicts signal that public perception of social media and its makers is shifting, with jurors now laying blame on the business practices of a multi-trillion-dollar industry.Meta and YouTube have both said they disagree with the verdicts and will appeal. However, the rulings mark a significant turning point in the growing scrutiny of social media companies and their impact on young people.The cases are part of a broader effort to challenge tech companies' practices, with online safety advocates urging Congress to pass regulation, forming coalitions of parents, teens, and advocates, and bringing thousands of lawsuits front and center. The goal is to force social media companies to redesign their products and do more to protect children online.

Sarah Strong, the 6ft 2in UConn forward, is chasing her second championship in as many years with an undefeated squad that hasn’t lost in 52 games dating back to last year. As a freshman, Strong thrived defensively in the 2025 NCAA tournament, while scoring the most points by a freshman in tournament history with 114.In her second season, Strong has been even more dominant. Her impact on both sides of the ball is so deep that she was named the Big East Player of the Year and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award next month.This season Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 steals all while shooting 60.0% from the field. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised her unique ability to play like a guard and play like a big guy.Unlike other collegiate women’s players with similar talent, such as Caitlin Clark, there is nothing flashy about Strong. She plays with certainty and lets her game do the talking. Her media commitments are increasing, but she remains uncomfortable with the spotlight.Strong’s poise, calm, and off-the-charts IQ have produced results impossible to ignore. Her parents, including former WNBA player Allison Feaster, instilled in her a respect for the game and family values.UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott quietly scouted Strong in ninth grade before the hype arrived and she became the country’s top recruit. Auriemma agreed with Elliott’s assessment, noting that Strong already had the skills that great players learn over time.With her star growing rapidly, Strong has inked NIL deals with Jordan Brand, Unrivaled, and Madison Reed. She had 18 points in each game as UConn rolled to first- and second-round wins last week, setting up Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

Ali Ahmed experienced goose bumps watching Canada walk out at the last World Cup, a surreal moment for the winger who had never witnessed his nation compete on football's biggest stage. This time around, he'll not only be at home but at the heart of the action in two cities that hold special significance for him.Jesse Marsch's Canadian side faces Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver after an opener against a potential European playoff winner in Toronto. An encounter with Italy in Ahmed's hometown would carry particular weight, given the city's substantial Italian population and his parents' Ethiopian heritage with their love for Italian football. Football has been ingrained in his family since childhood, a passion that has guided his remarkable journey.On the outskirts of Toronto, a teenage Ahmed used to sneak onto Toronto FC's training pitches before dawn for kickabouts with friends. His persistence and determination eventually led him to professional football, though not through the conventional path. At 17, he turned down a Toronto FC academy spot to pursue opportunities in Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, facing numerous challenges along the way.Now at Norwich City since January, the 25-year-old has established himself as a key player on the left wing, contributing significantly to the team's improved form in the Championship. Ahmed started all seven Norwich matches during Ramadan, waking before 4am for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. His experience fasting during a crucial period of the English season has been a learning curve, though he's noted the exceptional support he's received in England.Ahmed candidly discusses his upbringing in Toronto's Lawrence Heights neighborhood, an area experiencing significant gun violence. Despite the challenges, he describes a close-knit community where people supported each other. Football provided an escape route, leading him to opportunities he never anticipated.His career has seen remarkable highs, including playing against Lionel Messi's Argentina at the Copa América and scoring in the MLS Cup final defeat to Inter Miami. After being knocked unconscious during a Canadian Championship match in 2023, Ahmed's determination only grew.As Canada prepares to host the World Cup, Ahmed sets ambitious goals: "I want to win our group. And then from there, into the knockout rounds. It's important to have that belief that we can play with anybody. Why not?" With home advantage in two cities that mean the world to him, Ahmed sees the perfect setup for both himself and the Canadian team.