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Spain and Greece Push for Teen Social Media Bans Amid Rising Safety Concerns

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Spain and Greece are moving toward banning teenagers from using social media, reflecting growing concerns across Europe about the impact of online platforms on children. Spain plans to restrict social media access for users under 16, while Greece is expected to introduce a similar ban for those under 15. These proposals follow Australia’s landmark decision to block social media access for children under 16 and signal a broader global shift toward tighter digital safety rules.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government would also introduce laws to hold social media executives personally accountable for hate speech and illegal content on their platforms. Spain has joined a group of European countries working together on cross-border digital regulations, aiming to enforce stronger content moderation and introduce effective age-verification systems to protect minors from harmful online exposure.

The debate has intensified due to concerns over excessive screen time, mental health risks, and the rapid growth of AI-generated content, including harmful or inappropriate material involving minors. While supporters argue the measures will improve child safety and social development, critics warn the rules could lead to censorship and restrict freedom of expression. Public opinion in Spain largely supports stricter controls, with surveys showing strong backing for banning younger children from social media.

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Hungary’s Tisza Party Leads Poll Ahead of Crucial Election

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Hungary’s opposition Tisza party has taken the lead over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party ahead of the April 12 parliamentary elections, according to a recent opinion poll. The survey showed Tisza gaining stronger voter support, signalling a significant challenge to Orban’s long-standing leadership. Another poll also indicated that the far-right Our Homeland party is likely to secure enough votes to enter parliament.

The 21 Institute poll found that Tisza secured 35% support among all voters, slightly increasing from the previous month, while Fidesz stood at 28%. Among decided voters, Tisza gained majority support, further strengthening its position ahead of the election. Meanwhile, the Our Homeland party crossed the minimum 5% vote threshold required for parliamentary representation.

Tisza is led by former government insider Peter Magyar, who has promised to tackle corruption, revive Hungary’s economy by unlocking frozen European Union funds, and strengthen ties with the EU and NATO. Despite Tisza’s growing support, the election outcome remains uncertain as a significant portion of voters is still undecided, making the upcoming vote highly competitive.

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France Probes X as Musk Summoned in Expanding Cybercrime Case

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French authorities have raided the Paris office of Elon Musk’s social media platform X as part of an expanding cybercrime investigation. Prosecutors have also summoned Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino to provide evidence in April. The probe, which began in early 2025, initially focused on allegations of algorithm misuse and fraudulent data extraction, and could further strain relations between Europe and the United States over regulation of big technology firms and free speech.

The investigation has now widened to include complaints related to X’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok. Authorities are examining potential involvement in the circulation of illegal content, including sexually explicit deepfake images and violations of image rights. The probe is being conducted by the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit in coordination with French police and Europol. Musk had previously denied the allegations, describing the investigation as politically motivated.

Officials said the inquiry aims to ensure that X complies with French laws while operating in the country. The summons issued to Musk and other company staff is mandatory, though enforcement may be difficult for individuals residing outside France. Meanwhile, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced it will stop using X and shift its official communications to platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram.

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France Passes 2026 Budget After Months of Political Deadlock

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France’s 2026 budget has finally been approved after two no-confidence motions failed in the National Assembly, bringing an end to months of political uncertainty. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, leading a weak minority government, secured the passage of the budget with targeted concessions to Socialist lawmakers, including delaying an unpopular pension reform. Lecornu emphasized that the budget reins in public spending without raising taxes for households or businesses.

The delayed budget, which had unsettled markets and alarmed European partners, now provides a period of stability ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Despite a still-high deficit of 5% of GDP, investor confidence has improved, and the French debt risk premium has returned to pre-election levels. Lecornu’s flexibility and compromise have preserved Macron’s legacy of attracting foreign investment.

With domestic reforms largely stalled, President Emmanuel Macron is now focusing on foreign policy, including reducing Europe’s dependency on foreign powers and addressing trade disputes with the U.S. Meanwhile, the centrist bloc faces uncertainty with no clear successor, while former prime ministers Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, along with Lecornu, position themselves for the upcoming presidential race.

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Norway’s Royals Face Scrutiny as Stepson Faces Rape Trial

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Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, has gone on trial in Oslo district court, facing 38 charges including rape, assault, drug offenses, and property damage. The court has banned photography during the seven-week trial, and the royal family, including his mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon, will not attend. Høiby has admitted to some lesser offenses, but denies the most serious sexual assault allegations.

The case has put Norway’s royal family under an intense media spotlight, despite Høiby not being an official royal. The trial involves testimonies from multiple women, including former girlfriend and social influencer Nora Haukland, highlighting serious allegations of physical abuse and sexual assault. Norwegian media describe the case as the biggest scandal the royal family has faced in recent history.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit is battling pulmonary fibrosis, limiting her public engagement, while other senior royals continue to support victims and navigate the delicate balance between family loyalty and public responsibility. The monarchy remains widely respected in Norway, with polls showing 73% of citizens continue to support the royal institution despite the ongoing trial.

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Germany Says It Will Remain Closer to U.S. Than China Despite Strains

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Germany will remain closer to the United States than to China, despite recent tensions in transatlantic relations, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday. Speaking in Singapore, Wadephul stressed that Germany is “not in equidistance” between Washington and Beijing, adding that the U.S. continues to be Europe’s most important partner, particularly when it comes to security.

He acknowledged growing friction with Washington, including criticism from the Trump administration over Europe’s defence spending and reliance on U.S. military support. However, Wadephul warned against turning to China as an alternative, saying it would be the “wrong answer” for Europe to assume that closer ties with Beijing could replace the U.S. relationship, even as some Western countries pursue new trade deals with China.

Wadephul said Europe’s firm and united response to U.S. claims over Greenland showed the continent could defend its interests by clearly defining red lines. He also highlighted the European Union’s expanding network of free trade agreements as a key pillar of rules-based global trade and said the bloc is moving quickly to finalise new deals in the Asia-Pacific region, including with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.

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Tesla Europe Sales Still Struggle in January

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Tesla’s car registrations across key European markets showed little sign of a strong recovery in January, traditionally a slow sales month. While registrations increased in Sweden and Denmark compared to the same period last year, they fell sharply in France and Norway, highlighting uneven demand across the region.

In Sweden, Tesla registrations rose 26% to 512 vehicles, and in Denmark they edged up 3% to 458 units. However, sales dropped steeply in Norway—down 88% to just 83 vehicles—and declined 42% in France to 661 registrations. These figures come after Tesla’s European market shrank by 27% in 2025.

Despite launching cheaper versions of the Model Y and Model 3 to counter an ageing lineup and rising competition from rivals like China’s BYD, Tesla has struggled to regain momentum. Analysts say reputational issues linked to CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations in Europe may also be weighing on the brand’s recovery, even as overall electric vehicle sales in the region improve.

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Obesity Drug Market Outlook Narrows as Prices Fall and Competition Rises

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The long-standing expectation that the global obesity drug market would reach $150 billion within the next decade is becoming less certain as prices for leading GLP-1 treatments from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly decline in the United States. Analysts say intensifying competition, the rise of cash-pay consumers, and the prospect of new drugs and generics have forced a reassessment of how big — and how fast — the market can grow. Forecasts for 2030 are now roughly 30% lower, closer to $100 billion, with the $150 billion milestone pushed further out to the mid-2030s.

Once priced at around $1,000 a month, flagship weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound are now available directly from manufacturers for $149 to $299, reflecting political pressure and pricing agreements. While lower prices could boost volumes, analysts warn that revenue growth will depend heavily on sustained demand. Several banks, including Jefferies and Goldman Sachs, have trimmed their peak market estimates, citing faster-than-expected price erosion and changing patient usage patterns.

Despite the caution, some analysts and industry leaders remain optimistic, arguing that higher volumes, longer treatment durations, and the launch of oral weight-loss pills could still drive substantial growth. Novo and Lilly remain dominant players, and the approval of more convenient pills may expand the patient base rather than merely shift market share. With earnings updates and new clinical data expected in 2026, analysts say the coming year will be critical in determining whether the obesity drug market is truly shrinking — or simply entering a new phase of growth.

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Slovakia Security Adviser Quits After Epstein Email Links Surface

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Slovakia’s national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak has resigned after newly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein revealed the two had exchanged emails discussing young women. The disclosures emerged from a fresh release of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department, triggering political fallout in Bratislava.

Lajcak, a former Slovak foreign minister and seasoned diplomat, denied any wrongdoing and strongly condemned Epstein’s crimes. He said the email exchange from 2018 was informal, light-hearted and without substance, but decided to step down to ensure the issue was not used to politically damage Prime Minister Robert Fico. He stressed that his resignation was not an admission of unethical or criminal behaviour.

Prime Minister Fico said he had accepted Lajcak’s resignation, praising him as an invaluable figure in diplomacy and foreign policy. The controversy centres on correspondence from October 2018, when Lajcak was serving as foreign minister, and is part of a broader release of millions of Epstein-related files that have implicated several public figures globally.

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Musk Says Starlink Curbs on Russian Use Are Showing Results

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Elon Musk said on Sunday that steps taken by SpaceX to prevent Russia from using its Starlink satellite internet system without authorization appear to have been effective. His comments came after Ukraine reported finding Starlink terminals on long-range drones used in recent Russian attacks, raising concerns over misuse of the technology in the conflict.

Ukraine’s military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications and for operating certain drone missions. Kyiv said it is working closely with SpaceX to stop any Russian access to the system. Posting on X, Musk said the measures introduced by the company had worked so far and added that SpaceX would take further action if needed.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said authorities are now developing a system that would allow only authorised Starlink terminals to function within Ukraine. He said initial steps had already delivered quick results in countering Russian drone operations. SpaceX has previously said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia and does not conduct any business with the Russian government or military.

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