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Austria Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 14

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Austria has announced plans to ban social media access for children under the age of 14, joining a growing list of countries considering tighter online restrictions for minors. The proposal comes after negotiations within the coalition government, with Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler stating that authorities must act against the harmful and addictive effects of social media on young users.

The move reflects a broader trend across Europe and beyond, with countries like France, Spain, and Australia already proposing or implementing similar restrictions. In the United States, a recent court case also found major platforms had designed addictive algorithms that negatively impacted young people’s mental health, adding momentum to stricter regulations.

While Austrian officials say the ban will include age-verification measures and could align with EU systems, critics argue it may limit freedom of expression. Despite opposition concerns, analysts suggest the policy is popular among parents and part of wider government efforts to address social and educational challenges.

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Russian Man Jailed After Assault Witnessed by Barron Trump

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A Russian man has been sentenced to four years in prison by a UK court after assaulting a woman, an incident witnessed by Barron Trump during a video call. The attack took place in London in January last year, when Barron, calling from the United States, saw the woman being beaten and immediately alerted emergency services.

The attacker, identified as 22-year-old Matvei Rumiantsev, had been in an on-and-off relationship with the victim. During the assault, he reportedly held the phone and filmed the incident in an attempt to humiliate her. Judge Joel Bennathan of the Snaresbrook Crown Court praised Barron Trump’s actions, noting that he acted responsibly by contacting authorities despite being overseas.

The victim suffered multiple injuries, including bruising, scratches, and hair loss. Rumiantsev was found guilty of assault and perverting the course of justice, though acquitted of more serious charges. He received two consecutive two-year sentences for the offences.

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German Chancellor Merz Doubts U.S.-Israel Strategy in Iran War

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed doubts about whether the military actions by United States and Israel against Iran will achieve lasting success. Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Merz said he was unconvinced that there was a clear endgame to the conflict, which began with joint strikes on February 28 and has since escalated across the region.

Iran has responded with attacks on Israeli territory, U.S. bases, and Gulf states, while also disrupting vital oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. European countries, including Germany, have largely avoided direct involvement, a stance that has reportedly frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump. Merz emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts through the G7 and regional talks but admitted limited influence over Israeli decisions.

Merz also clarified that the conflict is not a mission for NATO, noting he conveyed this position in a recent call with Trump. While Germany may consider future roles such as securing maritime routes or clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, he stressed that any such involvement would depend on international approval and would only be considered after hostilities end.

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Austria Approves Fuel Price Relief Measures

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Austria’s lower house of parliament has approved draft legislation aimed at easing rising petrol costs, triggered by heightened tensions in the Gulf. Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, coupled with Iran’s threat to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have pushed global oil prices higher, prompting the government to act.

The ruling three-party coalition plans to return extra revenue from higher fuel prices to consumers through tax cuts on petrol and diesel, alongside capping profit margins for refiners and petrol retailers. The government estimates these measures could initially lower fuel costs by around 10 euro cents per litre starting next month.

The opposition Greens supported the bill, giving the government the necessary two-thirds majority, but cautioned that the measures may be ineffective if retailers simply raise prices further. Greens leader Leonore Gewessler stressed that the government must improve the plans to genuinely bring fuel prices down.

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Ex-RAF Militant Charged Over 1990s Attacks in Germany

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German prosecutors have charged former Red Army Faction (RAF) member Daniela Klette with attempted murder and multiple violent attacks carried out in the early 1990s. The 66-year-old suspect, arrested in Berlin in February 2024 after more than three decades on the run, is accused of bomb attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and aggravated robbery, with charges filed in a Frankfurt court.

Klette was allegedly part of the RAF’s third generation, a far-left militant group responsible for dozens of killings between 1970 and 1991. Prosecutors say she was involved in a 1990 car bomb plot targeting a Deutsche Bank building, a 1991 shooting attack on the U.S. embassy in Bonn, and a 1993 prison bombing in Weiterstadt that caused major damage.

The Frankfurt court will now decide whether to proceed with a full trial, a process expected to take months. Klette is already facing a separate trial in Celle for armed robberies carried out between 1999 and 2016, where prosecutors accuse her and accomplices of stealing millions of euros and attempting violent cash van heists.

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Whale Freed After Major Baltic Rescue

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A humpback whale stranded on a sandbank near Lübeck on Germany’s Baltic coast has successfully freed itself after days of rescue efforts. The 12–15m-long whale was first spotted near Timmendorfer Strand earlier this week, prompting a large-scale operation by marine biologists, coast guards, and rescue teams to guide it back to deeper water.

Rescuers used diggers to create a channel and worked under floodlights to help the whale move toward open sea. By Friday morning, the whale had swum about 300 meters offshore into deeper waters, raising hopes that it will continue toward safer waters. Marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann said the whale regained strength overnight and managed to free itself from the sandbank.

Experts remain cautious as the whale still has netting lodged in its mouth and could not be fitted with a tracking device due to its weak condition. Authorities are escorting the whale with boats and hope it will swim north toward Denmark and eventually reach the North Sea and Atlantic, its natural habitat.

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Portugal’s Catholic Church to Compensate Abuse Victims with $1.85 Million

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Portugal’s Catholic Church has announced it will pay a total of 1.6 million euros ($1.85 million) in compensation to 57 victims of sexual abuse by clergy, acknowledging decades of harm caused to children and vulnerable individuals. The decision follows findings by a Church-funded commission in 2023 that revealed at least 4,815 people were abused by members of the clergy in Portugal over the past 70 years.

The Portuguese Bishops’ Conference stated that financial compensation cannot undo the damage caused but serves as a step toward accountability and apology for the suffering endured by victims. The Church emphasized its commitment to addressing past abuses and supporting those affected.

A total of 95 people applied for compensation, with 67 deemed eligible and 57 claims already approved, ranging from 9,000 to 45,000 euros per person. Nine additional claims remain under review as authorities finalize compensation amounts and continue the process.

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Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman Explore Merger Amid Industry Slump

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Global spirits giant Pernod Ricard and American whiskey producer Brown-Forman, best known for Jack Daniel’s, have confirmed they are in discussions over a potential merger. The move would combine the world’s second-largest spirits company with a leading U.S. whiskey maker, as both firms navigate a prolonged slowdown in alcohol sales. While Brown-Forman’s shares rose sharply following the news, Pernod Ricard’s stock declined, reflecting mixed investor sentiment about the deal.

The spirits industry has been facing declining demand due to changing consumer habits, rising health consciousness, and pricing pressures from tariffs. Both companies have already initiated restructuring efforts, including cost-cutting measures and job reductions. Analysts note that a merger could deliver operational efficiencies and cost savings, especially given overlapping markets in the U.S. and Europe, though it may not fully address long-term growth challenges.

The proposed deal is expected to include a significant stock component, allowing founding families to retain influence in the combined entity. While Brown-Forman’s controlling shareholders have historically resisted such moves, current market conditions may make them more open to consolidation. The companies stated they will not provide further updates until negotiations are finalized or discontinued.

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Europe Retailers Warn of Price Surge Amid Middle East conflict

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European retailers are warning of rising prices and weakening consumer demand as the ongoing Middle East conflict drives up energy and transportation costs. Companies across the sector say prolonged disruption could fuel inflation, with oil prices already climbing above $100 per barrel and increasing pressure on global supply chains.

Major retailers including H&M and Next have signalled potential price increases in the coming months. While short-term hikes may remain modest, executives caution that prolonged conflict could push prices significantly higher, particularly as manufacturing and freight costs rise. Firms are relying on flexible supply chains to manage uncertainty but acknowledge growing risks.

At the same time, consumer confidence across Europe is weakening, with falling retail sales and declining sentiment in countries such as the UK, Germany, and Italy. Retailers like Co-op warn that households are becoming more cautious amid rising living costs, and further escalation of the conflict could intensify inflationary pressures, dampening spending and slowing economic growth.

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Finland Supreme Court Fines MP Over Remarks on Homosexuality

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Finland’s Supreme Court has fined Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder,” in a landmark ruling that has intensified debate over free speech and minority rights. The court found her guilty of incitement against a group based on statements made in a 2019 social media post and later on her website.

The court ruled that Rasanen’s claims contradicted established medical understanding and that she should have recognised the potential harm of her statements. She was ordered to pay a fine of 1,800 euros. The decision was closely contested, with a 3–2 vote, overturning earlier rulings by lower courts that had acquitted her.

Rasanen, who has served in parliament since 1995, said she was shocked by the verdict and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. The case has drawn international attention, with support from conservative groups and criticism from others, while also prompting renewed calls within Finland for changes to laws governing freedom of speech and incitement.

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