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EU Plans Social Media Restrictions for Under-15s

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The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, which would introduce EU-wide restrictions on children’s access to social media. Under the proposal, children under 13 would not be allowed to access social media platforms, while those aged 13 to 14 could use supervised “mini accounts” with limited features and time restrictions.

The proposal would also set 15 as the minimum age for creating an independent social media account. The rules would extend beyond social media to video-sharing platforms, online games and AI chatbots, while platforms would have to demonstrate that their services are safe by design.

If approved, companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover for violations. The proposal still needs approval from EU member states and the European Parliament before becoming law.

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Large Crowd Protests in Malta Over Journalist’s Murder Case

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A large crowd marched through Malta’s capital, Valletta, demanding justice for investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in a 2017 car bombing. The protest followed the recent acquittal of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who had been accused of complicity in her murder.

Civil society groups and rights activists criticised the verdict, with protesters calling for accountability, stronger anti-mafia laws and greater protection for journalists. Three men who planted the bomb and two others involved in making it are serving prison sentences, while Fenech was acquitted after a two-month trial.

Malta’s attorney general is expected to appeal the acquittal, although any appeal would be limited to points of law. The government has urged caution in public statements while the legal process is considered.

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French Fishermen Block Ports Over Rising Fuel Costs

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French fishermen blocked access to several ports in southern France on September 17, protesting soaring fuel prices and worsening working conditions. Demonstrations along the Mediterranean coast have entered their third day, adding to a wider wave of protests across the country.

Facing pressure from the fishing and other sectors, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu extended emergency fuel subsidies for agriculture, fishing and construction through the end of the year. The protests come as energy costs continue to put pressure on households and businesses.

The fuel-price crisis is also complicating France’s efforts to finalise its 2027 budget, which is expected to be presented later this month. The government is seeking spending cuts to reduce the deficit while navigating a deeply divided parliament and rising borrowing costs.

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Thales Calls for Global Framework to Govern AI Development

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France-based defence technology company Thales has called for an international framework to govern the development of artificial intelligence. CEO Patrice Caine said AI can be kept under control through technical safeguards backed by government oversight.

The comments come amid a wider debate over how quickly AI should develop and what regulatory guardrails should be introduced. Caine said the issue requires government-level action alongside technical protections.

AI is also becoming increasingly important in defence, including the analysis of drone footage and satellite imagery. Thales is developing its own AI-enabled Hexaforce system, as European defence companies seek greater technological autonomy following NATO’s selection of Palantir’s Maven Smart System for command operations.

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French Former Minister Rachida Dati Goes on Trial Over Alleged Renault-Nissan Lobbying

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French former culture and justice minister Rachida Dati has gone on trial in Paris over allegations that she accepted €900,000 from Renault-Nissan in exchange for political influence. Dati, who served as a European Parliament member between 2009 and 2019, says the payments were for legal services and denies wrongdoing.

Prosecutors allege that the contract was used to disguise lobbying activities on behalf of Renault-Nissan and that former CEO Carlos Ghosn recruited Dati to lobby in the European Parliament and help establish contacts with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Ghosn is also on trial but will not appear in court, as he has been living in Lebanon since 2019.

If convicted, Dati could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine and a five-year ban from public office. The case could also affect her position as mayor of Paris’s 7th district, a role she has held since 2008. Anti-corruption groups involved in the case are calling for stricter rules on political lobbying in France.

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Putin Links Parliamentary Election to Support for Ukraine War

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged citizens to participate in the country’s upcoming parliamentary election, presenting voter participation as a measure of national support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The three-day election begins on Friday and will determine the 450 seats in the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament.

The election is the first parliamentary vote since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It comes as polls indicate growing anxiety among some Russians over the impact of the war, while the economy faces pressure. Many anti-war candidates have also been excluded from the ballot, according to Reuters.

In a televised address, Putin said voting would demonstrate unity and support for Russian soldiers while presenting the election as a response to what he described as external efforts to weaken Russia. The ruling United Russia party, which is backed by Putin, is widely expected to maintain its dominance in the State Duma.

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Turkey Arrests Dozens in Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Activists

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Turkish police have arrested dozens of people amid a widening crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and organisations. The latest detentions took place on Tuesday outside Istanbul’s main courthouse, where protesters had gathered to demand the release of activists arrested during weekend raids on gay bars and private homes.

The government has described the campaign as part of its “My Family is Safe” initiative, which it says is intended to protect family values. Rights groups, however, have reported raids on association offices, website restrictions and arrests across several provinces. Authorities have also restricted access to the social media accounts and websites of LGBTQ+, media and rights organisations.

Same-sex relations are not illegal in Turkey, but LGBTQ+ rights groups say discrimination remains widespread. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty expressed concern over the arrests, raids and online restrictions. Turkey’s Justice Minister said the wider operation targeted 162 individuals, nine associations and 13 businesses across 15 provinces.

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Cohere and Aleph Alpha Merge to Target Enterprise AI Market

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Canada’s Cohere and Germany’s Aleph Alpha have signed a definitive merger agreement to combine their businesses and expand their presence in the enterprise artificial intelligence market. The combined company will operate under the Cohere name, with headquarters in Toronto and Berlin, while Aleph Alpha’s Heidelberg office will focus on research.

Aleph Alpha co-chief Ilhan Scheer will join Cohere as chief operating officer. The companies said the merger is aimed at meeting growing demand from businesses and governments for AI systems that can run within their own infrastructure while meeting local regulatory requirements. The deal was previously valued at around $20 billion, although updated financial terms were not disclosed.

Schwarz Group, the owner of Lidl, will invest €500 million in the combined company and provide computing capacity through its cloud arm, StackIT. Schwarz is investing up to €13 billion in a German data-centre campus expected to accommodate as many as 100,000 AI chips. The merger remains subject to regulatory approval.

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Swiss Voters Show Strong Opposition to Tighter Neutrality Rules

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Swiss voters are showing strong opposition to a proposal that would tighten the country’s constitutional definition of neutrality ahead of a referendum on September 27. A Tamedia and 20 Minuten poll found 68% opposed the proposal, while a separate GFS Bern survey for SRG recorded 63% opposition.

The initiative, launched by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), would restrict Switzerland from cooperating with NATO and imposing sanctions on other countries. Supporters say stricter neutrality rules would protect Switzerland’s neutral status and strengthen its role as a mediator, while opponents argue the changes could limit the government’s ability to respond to international developments.

The Swiss government has opposed the proposal, which will be decided through the country’s direct-democracy system. Switzerland’s neutrality has been internationally recognised since 1815 and incorporated into its constitution in 1848. The latest polls show opposition has increased compared with surveys conducted last month.

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L’Oréal Overtakes LVMH as France’s Most Valuable Listed Company

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L’Oréal became France’s most valuable listed company on Tuesday, overtaking luxury giant LVMH as weaker demand continues to weigh on the global luxury sector. L’Oréal’s market capitalisation reached around €203 billion, compared with about €201 billion for LVMH, marking the first time since 2017 that a non-luxury company has held the top position on the Paris stock market.

L’Oréal shares have risen about 5% this year, while LVMH has fallen 35%. Analysts cited the “lipstick effect,” where consumers facing economic uncertainty may choose smaller affordable luxuries such as cosmetics instead of expensive handbags, clothing and jewellery. LVMH has also faced pressure from weaker demand in China and broader economic concerns.

LVMH, controlled by Bernard Arnault’s family, had become Europe’s most valuable company during the pandemic-era luxury boom in 2021. Its shares fell 2.3% on Tuesday, while the company also dropped out of Europe’s 10 largest companies by market value. Analysts said ongoing economic uncertainty, inflation concerns and changing consumer spending could continue to challenge the luxury sector.

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