World

Governments in over a dozen countries, including France, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with Germany also considering action, are moving to restrict minors' access to social media platforms. Australia became the first country globally to introduce social media bans for users under 16 in late 2025, followed by Indonesia implementing age limits in late March. The stated aim of such legislation is to protect young people, a logical step given that high screen time among children often triggers family conflicts. According to a 2025 study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), half of all 15-year-olds in OECD countries spend at least 30 hours weekly on digital devices.

In recent Dutch local elections, 504 women were elected, a record figure, yet women remain underrepresented in politics. The "Vote for a Woman" (Stem op een Vrouw) campaign encouraged voters to support female candidates lower on party lists through a strategy dubbed "smart voting," which aided candidates like Fatuma Muhumed. Muhumed, ranked 15th on the left-leaning GroenLinks-PvdA party list, secured one of the party's six seats thanks to this preferential voting approach.

A deadly stampede occurred on Saturday during an annual event at the Citadelle Laferriere, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress in northern Haiti that commemorates the country's hard-won independence. The government stated on social media that the incident happened during "a tourist activity bringing together many young people," resulting in at least 30 fatalities and dozens of hospitalizations.

Australian teenage sprinter Gout Gout has shattered the world Under-20 record in the 200 metres, clocking a time of 19.67 seconds to win the race at the Australian Athletics Championships. This achievement made him the first Australian to break the 20-second barrier, showcasing a remarkable performance in Sydney.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced on Sunday that it has restored the key East-West oil pipeline to full capacity, now able to pump approximately 7 million barrels of oil per day. This follows repair work necessitated by attacks during the US-Israel war on Iran that curtailed output. The pipeline's recovery highlights the kingdom's efforts to stabilize energy supplies amid regional tensions.

Police in London have arrested more than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters supporting the Palestine Action group during a sit-down demonstration in Trafalgar Square. Officers removed activists while other demonstrators cheered and clapped, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the ongoing protests.

German football club Union Berlin has made a historic coaching change, appointing 34-year-old Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of its senior men's team until the end of the season. This decision makes Eta the first woman to officially take charge of a men's professional team in Europe's top five leagues—England, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy—marking a significant milestone in the sport.

Asha Bhosle, one of India's most prolific and versatile playback singers, has died in Mumbai at the age of 92. Her death was reportedly due to a chest infection and multi-organ failure. Bhosle recorded over 11,000 songs throughout her career, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-recorded artist in music history.

A survey in Germany reveals that 59% of the population perceives a decline in politeness compared to five years ago, yet 85% consider themselves courteous. Among younger participants, 39% reported a deterioration, while 65% of the Boomer generation noted worsening manners. Hamburg was rated the most polite city by its residents, with Bremen ranking the lowest. Road traffic was identified as the primary hotspot for rudeness by 61% of respondents, while only 15% viewed the workplace as particularly unfriendly.

Lengthy peace talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their ongoing war concluded unsuccessfully on Sunday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. After 21 hours of negotiations, the two sides failed to reach a permanent agreement, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire that had been in place and raising fears of renewed hostilities in the region.

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin's first space flight marked a new era in human history, playing a pivotal role not only in cosmonautics but also in the advancement of science and technology. Today, space exploration has become integral to the global economy, innovation, and national strategies, with Uzbekistan aiming to strengthen its position in this field through ambitious initiatives.

The dawn of a new era in the light heavyweight division began at UFC 327 in Miami, where Carlos Ulberg captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship by defeating former champion Jiri Prochazka. Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) secured the undisputed belt with a knockout at 3:45 of the first round, delivering a perfect left hook that sent Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) to the canvas.