Briefly

UNITED STATES

11 skydivers, pilot dead in Missouri plane crash

Eleven skydivers and a pilot died in a plane crash on Sunday in Butler, Missouri, aircraft operator Skydive Kansas City said. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash occurred near the Butler Memorial Airport, about 100 kilometers south of Kansas City, Missouri. "Tragically, all 12 individuals aboard lost their lives in the accident," the skydiving company said. The names of those involved will not be released until all next of kin have been notified, the company said. Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and Bates County emergency management director, told Reuters that the single-engine turboprop airplane took off around 11:20 am but failed to gain altitude before making a sharp left turn and crashing about 270 meters from the runway.

UNITED KINGDOM

Social media ban for under-16s announced

The United Kingdom will ban under-16s from using a range of social media apps, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, calling it "a big moment for our country". Starmer told a news conference that he will fight back if technology companies resist the move, intended to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time. He said he is "not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children". The move makes the UK part of growing global movement to tighten online safety for children. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced legislation or announced age-based restrictions or requirements for children's access to social media.

AGENCIES-XINHUA