Author: space4knews

June 15, Kathmandu – The United Kingdom has decided to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described this as a “momentous occasion for the country” and a successful initiative. During a Monday press conference, Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged resistance from social media and technology companies but emphasized that the government is steadfast in its position. He stated that this measure aims to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time. “I will not compromise when it comes to the safety and well-being of our children,” the Prime Minister affirmed.

This step by the UK is expected to strengthen the global campaign to enforce stricter policies on online child safety. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have already implemented age-based restrictions or relevant legislation. Other nations including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are also exploring similar measures. Prime Minister Starmer vowed that the UK will implement this law rigorously and will even surpass Australia’s regulatory framework.

According to reports, the Prime Minister has not yet provided detailed information specifying which apps will be banned. However, The Sunday Times has indicated that platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick, and Reddit will be included in the restriction. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced plans to block strangers from contacting children via gaming and live-streaming platforms. The ban is slated to take effect early next year.

Despite facing accusations of weak leadership and mounting calls for resignation within his party, Prime Minister Starmer is pushing forward with this social media ban legislation. He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of this measure. Nonetheless, some child rights advocates have expressed skepticism regarding its efficacy. Starmer indicated that signs of success would include a “significant reduction in the number of children using social media” and a “cultural shift whereby children grow up differently.”

The government reached this decision following a public consultation that garnered approximately 116,000 responses from parents, industry stakeholders, and children. This constitutes the second-largest response since the consultation on same-sex marriage in 2012. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy revealed that many young respondents supported restrictions on children’s social media use. In an interview with the BBC, Nandy stated, “I don’t believe a ban on social media is the only solution, but the outcomes seen in Australia demonstrate that it can play an important role.”

This ban may also heighten tensions between the UK and the United States. The US Embassy in London warned against infringing on freedom of expression rights and argued that such regulations should be narrowly targeted. Concerns have been raised about potential increased burdens on consumers and additional responsibilities for companies. John Crocroft, a communications technology professor at the University of Cambridge, commented that although the intention behind the social media ban is commendable, the approach is flawed. He explained that it could hinder access to websites providing essential information and services. Crocroft added, “There is a risk that some children might be pushed toward more dangerous websites, and technical monitoring is extremely challenging. Regulatory bodies must pay close attention to make platform control feasible.”

June 15, Kathmandu. Former President Igor Dodon has stated that Moldova will not be able to join the European Union in the upcoming years and that everyone must accept this reality. In an exclusive interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Dodon, leader of Moldova’s main opposition party, the Party of Socialists, made this claim. Although Brussels has assured that the first phase of talks will begin within days, European officials have acknowledged that Moldova’s EU membership process will be challenging and time-consuming, according to Dodon.
He referenced a recent visit by a Moldovan delegation to Brussels to emphasize that the process will not be straightforward. Dodon accused current President Maia Sandu of making integration with Romania part of a political agenda to strategically pressure the European Union. However, he asserted that the EU itself opposes such potential political moves due to the “certain risks” involved.
Moldova, formerly part of the Soviet Union, was officially recognized as a candidate country for EU membership in 2022. Formal negotiations on membership began during the summer of 2024. Previously, Moldova’s Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi had stated that the country is willing to join the EU as a “partial member” with limited rights, even before the presidential elections in 2028.
Meanwhile, both Moldova and Ukraine are about to enter the first phase of talks for EU membership, but no definitive timeline has been set for their accession. For example, Turkey has been in negotiations with the EU since 2005, yet after 21 years, it has still not achieved membership.

Russian missile and drone attacks across various cities in Ukraine have resulted in the deaths of nine individuals. The assaults caused a fire at the 11th-century historic religious site, the Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, inflicting significant damage. In response, Ukraine launched counter drone strikes targeting Russia’s Tula city, where three people were killed. Many others were injured in these attacks.

According to Ukrainian officials, four civilians lost their lives in the attacks on Kyiv. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, five rescuers died while extinguishing fires caused by Russian assaults. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko condemned the attack on the Dormition Cathedral, calling it a “brutal assault on our citizens and cultural heritage.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called for urgent action through UNESCO and other international mechanisms to counter this state-sponsored brutality. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that numerous residential buildings and vehicles caught fire due to the Russian attacks. More than 140,000 Kyiv residents are currently without electrical power.

Aerial attack warnings were issued for most parts of Ukraine on Monday. Neighboring Poland heightened security measures and deployed fighter jets in response. Ukraine also carried out counter drone strikes targeting Russian interior regions, including Tula city, where three fatalities occurred. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 123 Ukrainian drones overnight from various areas.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has defended himself after being criticized for leaving his country’s first World Cup football match to attend a musical event featuring his girlfriend, Katy Perry. Writing on the social media platform X, he stated, “Sometimes the duties of being a supportive partner call. But you all know well who should win the World Cup trophy.”

The 54-year-old Trudeau chose to attend the World Cup opening ceremony held in the United States, where Katy Perry was performing, instead of watching Canada’s first World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last Friday. Following increased criticism on social media, Trudeau issued this explanation on Sunday.

Katy Perry was a major highlight at the Los Angeles opening ceremony of the World Cup, held in the U.S. for the first time since 1994. She performed her popular song “Wonder” before the kickoff of the match between the United States and Paraguay on Friday. Trudeau and Perry’s relationship was first made public in July 2025, and they officially confirmed their relationship in December of the same year.

Trudeau previously ended his 18-year marriage to journalist Sophie Grégoire Trudeau with a divorce in 2023. The couple has three children. Additionally, Trudeau resigned from the leadership of the Liberal Party in January 2025, bringing his nine-year prime ministerial tenure to an end.