'Social media firms hit back' and 'Arson attack on Starmer linked to Russia'

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Social media firms hit back' and 'Arson attack on Starmer linked to Russia'12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleSeveral of Tuesday's papers lead on Sir Keir Starmer's plan to ban social media for under-16s, which was announced on Monday. The Guardian says social media firms have "hit back" at the prime minister, noting that Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, YouTube and Snapchat are among those criticising the moveThe Times looks at some of the specifics, reporting that children will be barred from "livestreaming", while the government is considering a ban on "infinite scrolling and a curfew on night-time use" for 16 and 17-year-olds. The paper adds that ministers have "insisted" enforcement will be tougher in the UK than in Australia, where it reports "the majority of children" are still accessing banned apps"Starmer's social media ban 'a rush job'" reads the headline of the Daily Telegraph.

It is pointing to criticism being levelled at the prime minister by online safety campaigners and political opponents. The paper says officials are "concerned" the government has put itself at risk of legal challenge due to the speed at which the policy was drawn up, adding civil servants had just three weeks to analyse "the biggest public response to a consultation for more than a decade"Similarly, the Metro says Sir Keir has won "praise and condemnation" for the proposal, which it describes as a "social media revolution". Its headline is a quote from the prime minister: "My ban will keep our kids safe" Meanwhile, the i leads on the "plot to burn down Starmer's home", which it says is "linked to Russian mastermind".

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It comes after two men were found guilty of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property and a car connected to the prime ministerThe arson attacks in May 2025 also lead the Independent. The paper reports that the two men - Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27 - were recruited by a Russian-speaking person known on Telegram as "El Money", who used them as "criminal proxies"The Financial Times leads on its own investigation into the arson attacks. Lower down the front page, the paper reports on "stocks surging" as "an agreement between Iran and the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz raised hopes for an end to the energy crisis" triggered by the US-Israel war with IranCampaigners for the assisted dying bill are pictured on the front page of the Daily Express, under the headline: "Our hope has been restored".

Labour MP Lauren is launching a fresh attempt at legalising assisted dying, after the previous iteration of the bill failed to pass through the House of Lords earlier this yearTuesday's edition of the Daily Mirror marks 10 years since Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by. The paper uses the anniversary to launch a campaign called "Britain Talks", which it hopes will "help heal divisions in our society".

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.