A US court has ordered Meta and Google to pay a 20-year-old plaintiff millions in compensation after ruling that tech companies can be held liable for addiction caused by social media use. The two companies have announced they will appeal the decision. Commentators debate whether this hails a fundamental shift.
The US government has reportedly delivered a 15-point plan to the Iranian regime to end the war. Iran has rejected the proposals, which called among other things for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and denies that any negotiations are underway. Claiming that 'very good' talks being conducted, Donald Trump has pushed back his already extended ultimatum – this time until 6 April.
The Danish elections have failed to produce a clear winner and a left-wing coalition government is looking just as unlikely as one on the centre-right. The Moderates, led by former foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, could be the kingmaker, but Løkke is refusing to work with the Danish People's Party (DF), which has recently shifted to the right.
A majority in the European Parliament has adopted the Return Regulation, which, among other things, allows for the establishment of "return hubs" in third countries. Instead of being the result of a parliamentary majority reached by conservative, social democratic and liberal groups, as has been the case with many key votes in recent years, the decision is the result of conservative, right-wing and far-right parties voting together in favour of the regulation.
Oil and gas exports from the Gulf region have plummeted as a result of the war with Iran – triggering price spikes on the global market. Although Iran has now reportedly reopened the Strait of Hormuz to cargo ships from "non-hostile countries", European media discuss the problems associated with the supply crisis and potential remedies.
According to an investigation by the Washington Post, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has been passing on confidential information about the EU to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The newspaper also says that the Russian foreign intelligence agency, the SVR, is backing the Orbán government in the current election campaign. Budapest vehemently denies the allegations. The EU Commission has demanded an explanation. Europe's media call for decisive action.
After eight years of negotiations, the EU and Australia have agreed on a sweeping free trade deal. Once ratified, almost all tariffs and trade barriers will be removed, except for strict upper limits for certain foods such as beef. There are also plans to improve Europe's supply of critical raw materials.
Italy has voted against judicial reform in a referendum. A 54-percent majority rejected the constitutional amendment required for the project for which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had campaigned. Even before the vote, Meloni ruled out stepping down in the event of defeat. Two senior civil servants in the Ministry of Justice have already resigned.
The bitter defeat of the SPD in two state elections will also have repercussions for the ruling coalition in Berlin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) declared that the "working rhythm" would be resumed and announced reforms. SPD leader Bärbel Bas wants to discuss whether her party leadership is on the right course. Commentators debate how social democracy might reinvent itself.
US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by five days, claiming that 'productive talks' with the Iranian regime were underway, although Iran has denied any form of contact with Washington. Meanwhile, attacks by both sides on targets in Iran and Israel continued into Tuesday morning.
Left-wing coalitions have emerged victorious in several major cities in the French municipal elections. Socialists Emmanuel Grégoire and Benoît Payan won in Paris and Marseille, and in Lyon, the Socialists, Communists and LFI helped the Green mayor Grégory Doucet secure re-election. The far-right populist party Rassemblement National (RN) won in some 30 municipalities.