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EU Clarifies Social Fund Can Support Cross-Border Access to Safe Abortions

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The European Commission has clarified that member states may use the European Social Fund to provide free abortion services to women traveling from EU countries with restrictive laws. The announcement followed the “My Voice, My Choice” citizens’ initiative, which gathered over one million signatures urging the bloc to ensure equal access to safe and legal abortion care. While the Commission stopped short of proposing a new funding tool, it confirmed that existing resources could be reallocated to support women, particularly those in vulnerable situations, seeking procedures abroad.

The move comes as countries such as Poland and Malta maintain near-total abortion bans, and access remains limited in nations including Italy and Croatia. Supporters argue that women across the 27-member bloc should have equal healthcare rights regardless of national restrictions. Campaign coordinator Nika Kovac welcomed the clarification, calling it the first clear confirmation that EU funds can be used to guarantee safe abortion access across borders.

However, critics — including conservative lawmakers and far-right groups — say the decision interferes with national sovereignty over health policy and undermines traditional values. Opponents argue that using EU social funds for abortion-related services effectively bypasses domestic laws. The clarification reflects broader tensions within Europe, where abortion access has expanded in countries such as France and the UK, even as far-right parties opposing abortion gain political ground.

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Sweden Says Russian Drone Jammed Near French Carrier in Malmö

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Sweden’s armed forces have confirmed that a drone jammed near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Malmö was Russian. The drone was detected about seven nautical miles from the carrier and was seen taking off from a nearby Russian intelligence-gathering vessel in Swedish territorial waters. The Swedish Navy acted quickly to disrupt the drone using jamming technology, which interferes with its control signals. The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation as “absurd.”

The Charles de Gaulle, visiting Sweden for the first time, is set to participate in NATO exercises across the Baltic and Atlantic regions under the La Fayette 26 mission. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the incident as serious but not unexpected, suggesting it fit a broader pattern of Russian behavior. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called any confirmed Russian involvement a “ridiculous provocation,” while French military officials emphasized that the incident did not affect the carrier’s operations.

The episode comes amid months of reported drone sightings near military facilities across NATO member states, including Denmark and the Baltic countries. Sweden’s coast guard has also launched a separate investigation into a fuel spill in Malmö’s port, though authorities say it is unrelated to the carrier’s visit. The carrier strike group’s deployment signals France’s strengthened military engagement with northern European allies in response to growing tensions with Moscow.

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Voll Stars as Australia Clinches ODI Series in Healy’s Farewell

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Georgia Voll scored her second international century to help Australia women’s cricket team defeat India by five wickets in the second ODI, sealing the series with a game to spare. Voll’s 101 off 82 balls, supported by Phoebe Litchfield’s 80, powered Australia’s successful chase of 252 runs despite early setbacks with the loss of captain Alyssa Healy for six.

The Australian pair added 119 runs for the second wicket after Healy’s dismissal, breaking the backbone of India’s bowling attack. Voll later added 82 runs in 67 balls with Beth Mooney before being dismissed by Kashvee Gautam. Ash Gardner finished the innings, ensuring victory with 83 balls to spare. India had earlier posted 251-9, led by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 54 and a 78-run opening stand between Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana.

India’s innings suffered a mid-innings collapse, losing four wickets for 40 runs, while Australia’s bowlers, including Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, and Alana King, shared six wickets between them. The win marked a fitting farewell series for Healy, leaving the squad and fans celebrating Australia’s dominant performance in her final ODIs.

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Bedrooms for Sale Underscore Europe’s Deepening Housing Crisis

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A growing number of unconventional property deals across Europe are highlighting the severity of the region’s housing crisis, particularly for young buyers. In Spain, startup Habitacion.com is selling individual bedrooms in shared flats for up to 80,000 euros — roughly a third of the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Buyers are matched through compatibility tests and must rely on personal loans rather than traditional mortgages. The company sold 200 rooms last year and has a waiting list of 32,000, reflecting strong demand as property prices have far outpaced wage growth.

Elsewhere, similar creative solutions are emerging. In London, developer Fairview offers a “Buddy Up” scheme that helps friends jointly purchase homes and contributes toward legal fees. Banks in countries including Britain, France, Germany and Italy are also reviving low- or zero-deposit mortgages that largely disappeared after the 2008 financial crisis. While these loans come with higher costs and stricter income requirements, they offer an entry point for buyers struggling to save for down payments amid soaring rents.

Analysts say such measures underscore how traditional home ownership is increasingly out of reach for younger Europeans. Over the past decade, house prices in the European Union have risen significantly faster than incomes, squeezing affordability in major cities. Some renters are even turning to fractional property investments through firms like PropHero to help offset rent costs. Experts warn that these complex arrangements reflect worsening affordability, with prospective buyers forced to accept higher risks and legal complexities simply to secure a foothold in the property market.

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Two Killed, Dozens Injured as Tram Derails in Central Milan

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Two people were killed and about 40 others injured after a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday, local firefighters said. The accident occurred on Vittorio Veneto street near the city’s Central Station, when one of the newest trams in operation came off the tracks and crashed into a shop window.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, deploying 13 ambulances to assist the injured. Civil protection teams set up a temporary tent nearby to provide medical support, according to eyewitness accounts. Images from the site showed rescue workers attending to passengers and securing the damaged area.

Milan’s public transport operator, Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), said it was “deeply shocked” by the incident and expressed sympathy for those affected. The company added it was cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the derailment.

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Russia’s Gulf Pivot Fuels Surge in Arabic-Speaking Tourists

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Russia is witnessing a sharp rise in visitors from Gulf nations as closer diplomatic and economic ties translate into a tourism boom. From husky sledding near Moscow to hot air balloon rides over snow-covered landscapes, tourists from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are embracing winter experiences unfamiliar in their desert homelands. Attractions around the capital have added Arabic signage and tailored services to cater to the growing influx.

The surge comes amid Moscow’s strategic pivot away from the West during its war in Ukraine, strengthening engagement with Gulf states that have played diplomatic roles in prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts. Increased direct flights, visa-free arrangements and warmer political ties have supported the growth. Saudi Arabia ranked second among foreign visitors last year with nearly 75,000 tourists — a 36% annual increase — while arrivals from the UAE exceeded 59,000. Tour operators say some markets, including Saudi Arabia, have expanded nearly fifteenfold compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Despite sanctions and logistical hurdles, including airport disruptions and cash payment limitations due to suspended Western card services, Gulf tourists are spending heavily on luxury hotels, shopping and premium experiences. Russia recorded 1.64 million foreign visitors in 2025, a modest increase from the previous year though still below pre-pandemic peaks. Industry leaders say demand from Arab countries continues to grow, even as security checks and geopolitical tensions present ongoing challenges.

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Italy’s Bonus-Seat Reform Could Hand Meloni Strong Majority

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A proposed reform of Italy’s electoral system could significantly boost Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s chances of securing a second term, according to new studies. The ruling centre-right coalition has agreed to shift to a fully proportional voting system that includes a seat bonus for any coalition winning more than 40% of the vote. The measure, which still requires parliamentary approval, is designed to ensure governing stability but has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition.

Analysis by polling firm YouTrend suggests that under the current mixed system, neither the centre-right nor the left would likely win an outright majority, raising the prospect of a hung parliament. However, under the proposed rules, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party and its allies — the League and Forza Italia — would secure a clear majority. The winning coalition would receive a 70-seat bonus in the 400-member lower house and 35 extra seats in the 200-member Senate, capped at 60% of total seats.

The opposition Democratic Party has denounced the reform as an attempt to tilt the system in favour of the government, while Meloni’s allies argue it would prevent political gridlock after the 2027 election. A separate poll indicated the centre-right currently leads by about four percentage points, enough under the new rules to translate a narrow vote advantage into a commanding parliamentary majority.

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German Unemployment Remains Above 3 Million Amid Prolonged Slump

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Germany’s unemployment total remained above three million in February, underscoring persistent strain in Europe’s largest economy after two consecutive years of contraction. Labour office data showed 3.07 million people out of work, slightly down from the previous month but 81,000 higher than a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment rose by 1,000 to 2.977 million, while the jobless rate held steady at 6.3%, matching forecasts.

Labour office head Andrea Nahles said the market was still struggling to regain momentum following the winter period. The figures pose a challenge for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has pledged to revive growth through increased infrastructure and defence spending. Analysts said that with the economy stagnating for years and industry facing structural pressures, a gradual weakening in the labour market was largely unavoidable, with no clear turning point yet in sight.

Other data offered mixed signals. Inflation dipped below 2% in several German states in February, pointing to easing price pressures nationally, in line with a broader slowdown across the euro zone. Real wages continued to recover, rising 1.9% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2024, though they remain below pre-2019 levels after inflation shocks linked to the pandemic and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine eroded purchasing power.

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Spain to Check Gibraltar Arrivals Under Post-Brexit Treaty

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The UK has agreed to allow Spanish border guards to conduct passport checks on travellers arriving in Gibraltar under a draft post-Brexit treaty with the EU. The 1,000-page agreement will introduce Spanish-run “second line” Schengen checks at Gibraltar’s airport and port, following initial controls by local authorities. The deal aims to secure an open land border with Spain and provide long-term certainty for the territory ahead of stricter EU border rules coming into force in April.

While Gibraltar will not formally join the passport-free Schengen zone, Spanish officials will be empowered to carry out searches, arrests and interviews when justified during border control procedures. Non-EU nationals, including British passport holders, will face biometric checks under the EU’s Entry Exit System. The arrangement is intended to eventually remove the 1.2km fence separating Gibraltar from Spain — a crossing used daily by thousands of workers — and streamline travel while avoiding disruption to the local economy.

The treaty also brings Gibraltar into the EU customs union, aligning import duties with Spain and introducing a phased “transaction tax” on goods sold locally, though its zero-VAT regime will remain. Fabian Picardo welcomed the agreement as providing certainty for businesses, while the UK government described it as part of a new era of cooperation with the European Union. The draft must still be ratified by both the UK and European Parliaments before taking effect.

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AI Boost No Cure-All for Soaring Public Debt

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An artificial intelligence-driven productivity surge could ease pressure on debt-laden advanced economies, but economists caution it will not solve deep-rooted fiscal challenges. With public debt already exceeding 100% of GDP across most wealthy nations and projected to climb further due to ageing populations, defence spending and climate costs, AI-fuelled growth may only buy governments time rather than repair strained public finances.

Early estimates shared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development suggest that stronger productivity and employment gains from AI could reduce debt levels across member economies by about 10 percentage points from projected levels by 2036. In the United States, some economists see debt rising more slowly — to around 120% of GDP over the next decade — if AI meaningfully lifts growth and tax revenues. However, ratings agency S&P Global Ratings is not yet factoring in a major improvement in public finances.

Demographics remain the biggest constraint. Ageing populations and entitlement spending continue to drive debt higher, and uncertainty surrounds whether AI-led gains will translate into higher wages, employment and tax revenues. Economists warn that without fiscal discipline, even a sustained productivity boom may not offset mounting borrowing costs or prevent market pressure if growth disappoints.

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