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Greece to Ban Social Media Access for Under-15s from 2027

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Greece has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 15 starting January next year, aiming to address rising anxiety, sleep problems, and excessive screen time among young people. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the move targets the addictive design of social media platforms while ensuring technology remains a tool for learning and creativity.

The proposed law places Greece among a growing number of countries taking action to limit children’s exposure to online platforms. Nations such as Australia, France, Austria, and Spain have introduced or are considering similar restrictions, while the UK, Ireland, and Denmark are exploring comparable measures. Greece is also pushing for a unified European Union framework with mandatory age verification and regular checks on user ages.

Social media companies have opposed blanket bans, arguing they may be difficult to enforce and could isolate vulnerable teenagers. The debate has intensified globally following growing evidence linking heavy social media use to mental health issues, with recent legal cases in the United States highlighting concerns over addictive platform designs and their impact on young users.

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Russia Welcomes Iran Ceasefire, Urges US to Resume Ukraine Peace Talks

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Russia has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the development will allow Washington to refocus on efforts to restart peace negotiations on Ukraine. The Kremlin said the truce was a positive step that could reduce global tensions and create space for diplomatic engagement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia was satisfied with the ceasefire decision and hopes the U.S. will soon resume trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Previous negotiations had been paused following the escalation of conflict involving Iran, which diverted international attention and diplomatic efforts.

Peace talks on Ukraine began last year in Istanbul and continued with trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, but progress has remained slow due to disagreements over territory. Russia is demanding that Ukraine give up the remaining parts of the Donbas region, while Kyiv continues to reject any proposal that involves surrendering land, keeping negotiations at a standstill.

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Airlines See No Immediate Relief Despite Iran Ceasefire

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Global airline and travel industries are unlikely to see immediate relief despite the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, as jet fuel supply disruptions and refinery damage continue to strain operations. Aviation leaders warn that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, it could take months for jet fuel supplies to stabilize due to ongoing disruptions in Middle East refining capacity.

Airlines are already facing rising operational costs, with fuel prices more than doubling since the conflict began. Carriers are cutting flights, increasing fares, and adjusting routes to manage higher expenses, while major airlines expect billions in additional fuel costs in the coming months. Fuel remains the second-largest expense for airlines, making recovery slower despite falling crude oil prices.

Although airline stocks surged on hopes of improved supply and safer travel routes, the broader travel and tourism sector will take longer to recover. Cruise ships remain stranded in key Middle East ports, and experts say tourism sentiment could take several months to return as safety perceptions gradually improve.

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TikTok Plans Second €1 Billion Data Centre in Finland

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TikTok will invest €1 billion to build a second data centre in Finland, expanding its efforts to store European user data within the region and strengthen data protection measures. The new facility, planned in Lahti, will begin with a capacity of 50 megawatts and could expand to 128 MW, forming part of the company’s broader €12 billion European data sovereignty initiative covering more than 200 million users.

Finland has emerged as a preferred destination for data centres due to its cool climate, low-cost and low-carbon energy supply, and stable regulatory environment. Major technology firms have increasingly chosen the country to reduce energy costs and meet sustainability goals while supporting growing digital infrastructure needs across Europe.

However, TikTok’s expansion continues to face scrutiny over data security and transparency concerns linked to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Despite earlier political criticism surrounding its first Finnish data centre, local authorities have welcomed the new investment, highlighting its economic significance and expected completion timeline, with operations targeted for 2027.

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Italy Turns to ‘Silver Housing’ as Elder Care Model Shifts

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Italy is witnessing the rise of “silver housing” — residential communities designed for independent seniors — as longer life expectancy and changing family structures weaken traditional elder care systems. These developments, already common in the United States and northern Europe, are gaining popularity among active older Italians seeking community living, services, and independence without the medical intensity of nursing homes.

The trend is driven by Italy’s rapidly ageing population, with more than 24% of citizens aged 65 or older and projections suggesting this could reach 30% by 2035. Smaller households, delayed parenthood, and working families have made intergenerational care harder to sustain, placing growing pressure on public finances and welfare systems. Experts say encouraging autonomy among older adults is essential to maintaining long-term social and economic sustainability.

Investors are increasingly targeting the sector, seeing strong demand from relatively affluent retirees despite monthly costs ranging from €1,500 to €4,000, making such housing inaccessible to many pensioners. Projects backed by financial institutions and real estate groups are expanding across major cities, while operators report waiting lists as cultural attitudes gradually shift toward organised senior living as a viable alternative to family-based care.

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Train Driver Killed in High-Speed Crash with Lorry in Northern France

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A train driver was killed after a high-speed passenger train travelling at around 160 km/h (99 mph) collided with a lorry at a level crossing in northern France on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred between Béthune and Lens, leaving two people initially critically injured—though later reported to be recovering—and 13 others with minor injuries.

The train, which was en route from Dunkirk to Paris, continued for several hundred metres after the impact before coming to a halt. Authorities confirmed the lorry was carrying military equipment, and its driver has been taken into police custody as investigations begin into possible aggravated manslaughter. Officials stated it was too early to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Jean Castex, head of France’s state-owned railway, paid tribute to the 56-year-old driver and praised onboard staff for assisting passengers during the emergency. Regional officials described the incident as a “terrible tragedy,” while rail services between the affected areas remain disrupted. Though such accidents are relatively rare, France recorded dozens of level-crossing collisions in recent years, raising ongoing safety concerns.

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Euro Zone Growth Slows to Nine-Month Low Amid Rising Costs

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Economic growth across the euro zone slowed sharply in March as rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions weighed on business activity. According to data from S&P Global, the composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the region fell to 50.7 from 51.9 in February, marking its lowest level in nine months, though still marginally indicating expansion.

The slowdown was largely driven by weakening demand, with new business declining for the first time in eight months. Analysts from S&P Global Market Intelligence highlighted that the ongoing Middle East conflict has pushed up energy prices and disrupted supply chains, erasing earlier signs of recovery. Export orders also dropped, with international demand for services seeing its steepest fall in six months.

Business confidence and employment levels weakened, raising concerns about future growth. While countries like Spain showed resilience, major economies such as France and Italy contracted, and Germany’s growth slowed significantly. Rising input costs, now at a three-year high, have forced companies to increase prices, pushing inflation above the European Central Bank target and complicating the balance between controlling inflation and sustaining economic growth.

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Germany’s Service Sector Growth Slows to Seven-Month Low

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Germany’s service sector growth lost momentum in March, with business activity slowing sharply due to weakening demand linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The latest survey by S&P Global showed that the services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 50.9 from 53.5 in February, marking its lowest level in seven months, though still slightly above the 50 threshold that indicates growth.

The slowdown has been attributed to rising costs, particularly fuel prices, and increased economic uncertainty. According to analysts at S&P Global Market Intelligence, service providers are struggling to pass on higher costs to customers due to weaker demand. New business inflows declined for the first time since September, highlighting the immediate impact of geopolitical tensions on the sector.

Business confidence has also taken a hit, with expectations dropping to a three-month low. The overall composite PMI, which combines manufacturing and services, slipped to 51.9 in March from 53.2 in February, largely driven by the downturn in services. Analysts warn that elevated energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and ongoing uncertainty could continue to weigh on Germany’s economic growth in the coming months.

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Romanian Court Lifts Judicial Controls on Andrew Tate Amid Ongoing Probe

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A Romanian court has removed all preventative judicial control measures imposed on internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan while criminal investigations against them continue. The ruling ends requirements such as regular police check-ins that had been in place following their detention in late 2022 over allegations including human trafficking. The decision is final and cannot be appealed, according to the court.

The brothers were initially held in police custody for several months before restrictions were gradually eased to house arrest and later judicial supervision. They have consistently denied all accusations. Their defence lawyer said the ruling supports their long-standing claim that the case relied on questionable evidence and argued that the court’s decision restores fundamental legal protections.

Although restrictions have now been lifted, prosecutors are continuing investigations related to alleged organised crime, trafficking offences, and money laundering involving the Tates and other suspects. Earlier court decisions had returned parts of the case to prosecutors after excluding certain evidence deemed inadmissible. The brothers also face a British arrest warrant and could be extradited following the conclusion of Romanian legal proceedings.

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ECB Warns Inflation Expectations Could Rise Quickly Amid Energy Shock

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A European Central Bank policymaker has warned that inflation expectations in the euro zone could climb faster than previously seen, urging the ECB to remain ready to raise interest rates if price pressures persist. Dimitar Radev said rising energy costs linked to the Iran conflict have pushed inflation above the ECB’s 2% target, increasing risks that higher prices could spread across the broader economy.

Radev noted that the balance of economic risks has shifted in an unfavorable direction, with the likelihood of a more adverse scenario increasing due to ongoing uncertainty and energy market disruptions. Policymakers are concerned that consumers and businesses, still influenced by the inflation surge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, may quickly adjust wage and pricing behavior, potentially triggering a self-reinforcing inflation cycle.

While inflation expectations remain broadly anchored and no strong second-round effects are visible yet, the ECB cannot assume stability will continue, Radev said. Financial markets already expect multiple rate hikes this year, though it remains too early to determine whether action will come at the April meeting. The ECB will closely monitor wages, energy prices, economic sentiment, and the duration of geopolitical tensions before making policy decisions.

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