'Australia plus' social media ban and 'Russian incursion'

5 hours ago

News image — A number of the papers preview an announcement from Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, where he is expected to announce a ban on social media for under-16s. Describing the ban as "Australia plus", the Guardian says the "major policy shift" is expected to be "far tougher" than previously briefed. The World Cup also features on the front page, which includes a photograph of delighted Scotland fans celebrating the nation's win against Haiti.

The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: “PM to announce 'Australia plus' social media ban for under-16s”. — A number of the papers preview an announcement from Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, where he is expected to announce a ban on social media for under-16s. Describing the ban as "Australia plus", the Guardian says the "major policy shift" is expected to be "far tougher" than previously briefed. The World Cup also features on the front page, which includes a photograph of delighted Scotland fans celebrating the nation's win against Haiti.

The headline on the front page of the Independent reads: “Starmer to unveil social media ban for under-16s”. — Similarly, the Independent also leads with Sir Keir's social media ban announcement, which it characterises as an "attempt to crack down on online harm to young people". The paper says the "sweeping change" comes after 90% of parents called for action, and will go further than its Australian counterpart by including chatbots and imposing a curfew on 16- to 18-year-olds.

The headline on the front page of the Metro reads: “Starmer is 'gambling with young lives'”. — The father of a teen who took her own life after seeing harmful content online warns in the Metro that Sir Keir is "gambling with young people's lives". Ian Russell, father of Molly, has accused the prime minister of "rushing in" a "sledgehammer" policy, telling the paper that he is "dismayed" by Sir Keir's decision to ban children from social media rather than police the platforms themselves.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Star reads: “They think it's oil over...”. — The "Russian incursion" on Sunday morning is the biggest story for the Daily Star, after a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker was boarded by Royal Marines in the English Channel. The prime minister warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that his allies "cannot hide", the paper reports, following confirmation from the ministry of Defence that the vessel will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue.

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: “Raid on Russian shadow vessel 'just the beginning'”. — The raid on the tanker is also the main story for the Times, which says that the Royal Marines are "primed to take further action" against sanctioned Russian vessels. The Sunday morning operation was "just the beginning", the paper says, noting that it took place despite a Russian warship being stationed near the UK. Elsewhere on the front page, the Times includes a nod to the death of artist David Hockney, and a political piece that focuses on the forthcoming Makerfield by-election.

The headline on the front page of the i Paper reads: “Burnham: I'll keep triple lock and look at tax cut for pensioners if I become PM”. — The i Paper details the operation to seize "Putin's oil tanker" while leading on the Makerfield by-election.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph reads: “Starmer: No more money for defence”. — British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is splashed across the Telegraph, after he claimed his maiden victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The paper also reports on defence spending, writing that Sir Keir will not commit any more money to the military despite a pledge from the the newly instated Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvius, that the armed forces would have "what they need". The Telegraph says that it was suggested that the resignation of John Healey last week would force the prime minister to commit more funding, but the paper now understands that Jarvis has been told to supplement his existing budget by finding savings within the Ministry of Defence.

The headline on the front page of the Express reads: “Stop treating pensioners as an easy target”. — Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being warned to stop treating pensioners as an "easy target", according to the Daily Mail. It reports that Parliament will consider a mass petition demanding assistance for OAPs on Monday, following the announcement that tax thresholds would be frozen until April 2031.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: “3 lions on alert”. — The Sun reports that the England team were forced into lockdown on Saturday because of a tornado warning in Kansas City where they were staying. The headline of the paper reads: "3 lions on alert".

The headline on the front page of the Financial Times reads: “Trump expects deal with Iran despite Israeli hit on Beirut”. — "Trump expects deal with Iran despite Israeli hit on Beirut" suggests the front page of the Financial Times, which went to print just hours before Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that a peace deal had been reached. The paper also carries an image of the White House lit up ahead of Donald Trump's 80th birthday, which was to see a much-anticipated UFC fight take place in the grounds of the presidential property.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mail reads: “Restore is the 'new home for neo-Nazis'”. — The Daily Mail features an obituary for former Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley, who died at the age of 93 on Sunday. Much like other papers, the front page also covers the Makerfield by-election.

The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: “Scale of teacher shortage crisis in schools revealed”. — The front page of the Mirror is dominated by its own water safety campaign, and features an interview with the parents of a child who drowned during last month's heatwave.

The Guardian says Sir Keir Starmer's plan for social media restrictions is "far tougher than previously briefed". The paper says the decision to opt for stricter measures is likely to draw criticism from some MPs and campaigners. The Daily Mail says that Sir Keir had "previously opposed a crackdown on apps", and calls the ban "yet another u-turn". The Daily Express quotes the Conservatives, who say it's "shameful" it has taken the "prime minister's job to be on the line" for him to act. In its editorial, the Daily Mirror calls the ban a "win for parents".

The Telegraph says the new defence secretary is expected to get the same settlement for military spending that prompted his predecessor, John Healey, to quit. Whitehall sources tell the paper that Dan Jarvis could look to rebalance the Defence Investment Plan in favour of funding more modern equipment, including drones.

The Times has been told that the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is now preparing to launch an immediate Labour leadership challenge if he wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday. Burnham tells the i Paper that if he becomes prime minister he will keep the state pension triple lock and will look to resurrect the northern leg of HS2. A full list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election can be found on the BBC News website.

Another potential contender for the Labour leadership, Wes Streeting, has used an article in the Financial Times to argue that the UK should attract more leading scientists and engineers. The former health secretary writes that a "global talent programme" is needed to bring in 20,000 of the "best and brightest" over the next three years. He says "voters concerned with high migration aren't so worried about tomorrow's Nobel prize winner's discovering the future here in Britain".

"3 Lions on Alert" declares the Sun on its front page. It says England's football stars in the US for the World Cup were put "in lockdown" as their hotel in Kansas City was "battered by an electrical storm amid tornado alerts". The paper says the players were watching Scotland take on Haiti when their phones lit up with warnings.

'Australia plus' social media ban and 'Russian incursion'

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