13 h. ago Greater Manchester school issues major new ban as pupils told to surrender their mobile phones at the start of the day

The school said it aims to 'create an environment free from distractions', with kids to be forced to go without their devices for six hours until the end of the day

Politics

24 h. ago Does your child identify as a cat? There’s a man in Texas who can help | Arwa Mahdawi

Are schools really providing litter trays for kids whose pronouns are Puss and Purr? Or is state representative Stan Gerdes just stoking the culture war with his proposed FURRIES Act?Move over, Wagatha Christie: Furlock Holmes is investigating “non-human behaviour” in Texas schools. A Republican state representative called Stan Gerdes recently filed a bill called the Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Educational Spaces (FURRIES) Act, which would ban schoolkids from acting like animals. No hissing during history, no meowing during maths, and absolutely no relieving yourself in a litter box during lunch break, according to the FURRIES Act.Are animal impersonations a serious issue in Texas’s schools? Gerdes insists so, noting in a press release that he had heard reports of a “furry-related incident” in at least one school. When pressed on the issue, however, he was unable to provide any actual evidence of schools providing litter boxes for students who identify as fel...

Politics

25 h. ago The Spin | Phones, sweets and sandpaper: a pocket history of cricketers’ unusual items

The mobile that fell out of Tom Bailey’s trousers when he was batting isn’t the strangest thing players have secreted in their whitesWhen Tom Bailey’s mobile phone fell out of his pocket on Saturday as he was turning for a quick second during Lancashire’s Championship match with Gloucestershire, it brought some cheap laughs, as well as a sharp letter of warning from the ECB’s anti-corruption officer. It was also another chapter in cricket’s pocket history: from sandpaper to sandwiches. What, as Gollum pondered, has it got in its pocketses?For Derbyshire left-arm spinner Fred Swarbrook, the answer was a lucky pebble. After developing the yips, a psychologist had advised him to take a stone on to the pitch and rub it before he was about to bowl. Sadly, it didn’t work and the luckless Swarbrook was forced to retire. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Martin Lewis reveals mobile phone banking trick to beat scammers

Customers can be put in touch with their bank by dialling 159

Politics

30 h. ago Wedding guest trashed Scots hotel room reading messages on partner's phone

Kevin Taylor had been a guest at a wedding earlier in the day before smashing furniture and a mobile phone at a hotel in St Andrews.

Society

30 h. ago Wedding guest trashed Scots hotel room after reading messages on partner's phone

Kevin Taylor had been a guest at a wedding earlier in the day before smashing furniture and a mobile phone at a hotel in St Andrews.

Society

35 h. ago The blanket ban on mobile phones introduced by two Scottish city schools

Edinburgh City Council hopes the move to ban mobile phones during class time will increase the focus on learning.

Politics

2 d. ago Mobile phone rule at airport that could ruin your holiday before you even board

One little-known airport rule could see your holiday ruined before you even reach the departure gate - and it's all down to your phone

Politics

3 d. ago ‘The beauty of this angle is the distortion’: Sanket Khuntale’s best phone photo

The Indian photographer was delighted with the image he captured during a stroll in Pritisangam Gardens with friendsSanket Khuntale describes Pritisangam Gardens in Karad, India as “a go-to hangout spot for everyone in town”. Khuntale lives in Mumbai now, but visits the gardens as a ritual every time he goes home to Karad. On the day he took this photo, in 2017, he was there to meet friends for an evening stroll. The gardens lie against the banks where the Krishna and Koyna rivers meet, and the group walked by the water, talking, admiring their surroundings and stopping for street food.One of the group was Khuntale’s childhood friend Tejali, who had been stopping to pick flowers along the way. Khuntale suggested taking a photo with his mobile phone. He positioned himself behind Tejali’s head to take the shot, then later rotated the image 180 degrees. Continue reading...

Culture

4 d. ago UK tourists warned they could be ‘denied boarding’ because of mobile phone

Holidaymakers could face unexpected disruption before they even reach the departure gate due to a little-known airport rule

Events

4 d. ago ‘These people are disposable’: how Russia is using online recruits for a campaign of sabotage in Europe

Moscow’s intelligence services have launched a new type of attack on the west, violent but piecemeal and hard to proveSerhiy was just about to board a coach bound for Germany when Polish security services detained him at the bus station in the city of Wrocław.In his backpack, the officers found firelighter cubes, a juice bottle filled with paraffin, a lighter, two pocket knives, a mini handsaw and a face mask. Later, when they searched the mobile phone of the 49-year-old Ukrainian refugee, they found a pdf of a Russian-language book called Modern Pyrotechnics. It contained detailed instructions on how to start fires and detonate explosives. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago UK tourists warned they may be 'denied boarding' at airport because of mobile phone rule

The problem is easily avoidable through a couple of precautionary measures

Events

6 d. ago New firebrand teaching union boss suggests he will fight to stay on despite legal challenge to his appointment

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT, claimed the outcry over his post was due to a 'hatchet job' by the media and the Tories.

Economics

6 d. ago Unbelievable moment teen stops on LEVEL CROSSING to text on mobile phone

Shocking footage shows the moment when a teen stops on a train track to gaze at their mobile phone.

Politics

7 d. ago London sixth form among most improved in country after mobile phone ban sees A

Headteacher Omar Deria said the change in his students had been ‘miraculous’ and they had become ‘nicer’ people

Politics

7 d. ago Union boss criticises Labour’s net zero policy in fresh blow to Miliband

Sharon Graham’s attack came as Sir Tony Blair clarified his criticism of Labour’s net zero policies

Events

7 d. ago Sycamore Gap Tree trial: Watch video footage of the beloved tree being cut down as trial underway

Jurors have been shown a video, taken on a mobile phone, of the legendary tree being felled.

Culture

7 d. ago Sycamore Gap Tree trial: Watch video footage of the alleged moment beloved tree cut down as trial underway

Jurors have been shown a video, taken on a mobile phone, which prosecutors say shows the legendary tree being felled.

Culture

7 d. ago Moment iconic Sycamore Gap tree is cut down with chainsaw shown in court

Mobile phone footage was played to jurors showing the famous tree falling on to Hadrian’s Wall.

Events

7 d. ago Sycamore Gap trial: Video of alleged moment tree cut down shown to jurors

The mobile phone footage was played in Newcastle Crown Court at the trial of the two men accused of felling the world-famous tree

Culture