France has moved toward restricting children’s use of social media, with its lower house of parliament passing a bill to ban access for those under 15. The measure still requires approval from the Senate before becoming law. In response, the European Union is considering similar action, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supporting the idea of setting a minimum age limit. The Commission plans to form an expert panel early this year to advise on possible steps for all 27 member states.

The EU already enforces the Digital Services Act, which bans advertising targeted at children and allows regulators to require structural changes to online platforms. France, Denmark, and three other countries are testing an age verification app designed to protect minors from harmful online content, with the Commission expecting a full rollout by the end of the year.

Although no EU-wide ban is yet in place, regulators anticipate initial decisions on child protection measures during the first half of 2026.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Europe cannot ensure its own security without the United States. Speaking before European lawmakers in Brussels, Rutte urged NATO members to increase military spending, strengthen nuclear defense, and maintain the ultimate guarantee of freedom. His remarks followed recent tensions over Greenland, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to seize the autonomous Danish territory but later withdrew the threat following discussions with Rutte.

Rutte praised Trump for pressing European nations to raise defense budgets and rejected proposals for a separate European defense force, arguing such a move would complicate matters and please Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said NATO would take greater responsibility for Arctic defense but emphasized that Greenland’s security remains a matter for Greenland and Denmark.

Referring to NATO’s sacrifices in Afghanistan, Rutte reminded that for every two U.S. soldiers lost, one allied or partner soldier also did not return home, underscoring America’s gratitude for allied contributions.

European football fans witnessed a night of mixed fortunes across three major leagues on January 25, 2026. Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga after defeating Villarreal 2–0, thanks to two second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé. The French forward scored in the 47th minute and added another from a penalty in stoppage time, bringing his tally to 21 goals in 20 league matches. With 51 points from 21 games, Real overtook Barcelona, who have 49 points from one game fewer.

In the Premier League, Liverpool fell 3–2 to Bournemouth due to defensive lapses. Virgil van Dijk’s error allowed Ivanilson to open the scoring, followed by Alex Jimenez doubling the lead. Although Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai equalized, Amin Adli’s stoppage-time goal sealed Bournemouth’s victory.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season, losing 2–1 to Augsburg at home. Augsburg scored twice in the final six minutes, ending Bayern’s 27-match unbeaten league run. Despite the loss, Bayern remain top with 50 points from 19 matches, while Augsburg climbed to 13th with 19 points.

A new survey conducted across seven European Union countries shows that most Europeans consider U.S. President Donald Trump an enemy rather than a friend. The poll, which included over one thousand respondents from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Poland, found that 51 percent of participants see Trump as an enemy of Europe, while only 8 percent regard him as a friend. About 39 percent said he is neither an enemy nor an ally.

The survey was carried out following Trump’s threat to seize Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark. Among Danish respondents, 58 percent described Trump as an enemy. Across the seven countries, 44 percent said he behaves like a dictator, another 44 percent believe he has authoritarian tendencies, and only 10 percent think he respects democratic principles.

Although Trump has withdrawn his plan to take control of resource-rich Greenland by force, European nations remain cautious about his next moves. On Wednesday, Trump stated that Europe is “not moving in the right direction.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the world is entering a new era dominated by economic, military, and geopolitical power. Speaking before the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said the 27-member European Union must rapidly strengthen its economy and defense to maintain global influence. Von der Leyen cautioned the United States that disputes among allies over Greenland would only empower rivals of the Western world.

She described U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European allies as a mistake and said escalating conflicts and retaliatory actions would harm both Europe and the United States strategically. Addressing the European Parliament, she emphasized that current global shifts are permanent, citing tensions over Greenland, Russia’s continued attacks in Ukraine, and instability from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.

Von der Leyen urged Europe to move beyond its traditionally cautious stance, asserting that the EU must act decisively to protect its interests. Her remarks came ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels to form a unified response to Trump’s statements.

The UEFA Champions League group stage has reached its final phase, with several decisive matches scheduled tonight. European giants Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are among the teams fighting for crucial points that could reshape the standings. Matches include Galatasaray vs Atlético Madrid and Qarabag vs Frankfurt at 11:45 p.m., followed by Marseille vs Liverpool, Newcastle vs PSV, Slavia Prague vs Barcelona, Juventus vs Benfica, Chelsea vs Pafos, Bayern vs Union Saint, and Atalanta vs Athletic Bilbao at 2:00 a.m.

Barcelona’s clash with Slavia Prague is one of the night’s highlights. Slavia recently won 4–3 in their last competitive match, while Barcelona, with three wins, one draw, and two losses in six games, sit 15th with 10 points, two behind the top eight. For Slavia, winless in six matches and four points off the playoff zone, victory is vital. Bayern are clear favorites against Union Saint, while Liverpool face a tough test away to Marseille’s passionate crowd.

By the end of this round, the future of many teams in the tournament could become clearer, marking a decisive moment for both big and smaller clubs.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has warned that the European Union will take retaliatory action if the United States enforces its threatened tariffs against European allies over the Greenland issue. Speaking to Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ on Sunday, Martin said the situation has escalated dramatically and rapidly, and that any tariff imposition could lead to a very serious global scenario. He emphasized that while the EU has a strong protective law known as the Anti-Coercion Instrument, it would be premature to invoke it at this stage.

Martin stressed that dialogue should remain the main path to avoid a trade war, noting that discussions are essential to prevent escalation and that no concrete steps have yet been taken. He added that although applying the Anti-Coercion Instrument now would be early, it could remain on the table for future consideration.

Analysts cited in the report expressed concern that the growing tension between Europe and Washington over the Greenland-related tariff threat could negatively affect the global trade system.

A group of European Parliament lawmakers has called for the immediate suspension of the approval process for a proposed US trade deal following comments by US President Donald Trump about taking control of Greenland. In a letter sent to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the Conference of Presidents, the lawmakers urged a halt to the deal, which involves several EU countries. The letter was made public by Danish lawmaker Per Clausen, who expressed hope that the Parliament’s leadership would respond swiftly.

According to Anadolu Agency, the lawmakers also asked the European Parliament to clearly inform the European Commission, EU Council, and Washington that the EU would not consider agreements with partners posing threats to its territorial integrity. The letter referenced recent statements by Trump and his administration expressing intent to “take” Greenland, describing such remarks as a threat to the international rules-based order. The lawmakers warned that rewarding such behavior would be worse than remaining silent.

The trade deal, which includes tariff adjustments and quotas for US goods, was agreed last summer between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump and is scheduled for full approval in February.

Heavy snowfall and blizzards have caused widespread travel disruption across Europe, leaving at least six people dead. Five fatalities were reported in different regions of France due to road accidents, while one woman died in Sarajevo, Bosnia, after a tree collapsed under heavy wet snow. In France’s Landes area, three people were killed in two separate accidents, and two others died in the Paris region in weather-related crashes.

The severe weather has also led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights across the continent. Thousands of passengers were stranded at airports in Paris and Amsterdam. More than 400 flights were canceled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Wednesday, while Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport temporarily suspended about 40 percent of its flights, and Orly Airport canceled roughly one-quarter of scheduled departures.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned of further snowfall and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home if possible. France’s national meteorological agency issued orange alerts in 38 districts, with conditions expected to persist through Wednesday.

The European Union has designated seven countries—Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as 'safe countries of origin,' marking a major shift in its asylum policy. Under the new framework, asylum applications from these nations will no longer receive the same priority and will likely face higher rejection rates unless applicants can individually prove a credible threat to their safety. The decision, announced on International Migrants Day, follows the EU’s broader asylum system reform approved in 2024.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move as an attempt to sidestep international legal obligations and endanger vulnerable migrants. Critics such as French MP Mélissa Camara and the Danish Refugee Council warned that the policy could lead to unmonitored deportation centers and increased risks of mistreatment. EU officials, however, argue that the classification will streamline migration management and strengthen border control.

The new asylum and migration pact is set to take effect in June 2026. The EU has indicated that the list may expand further, depending on future legislative reviews and geopolitical assessments.

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan worth $105 billion over the next two years. The decision, announced by European Council President António Costa, aims to support Ukraine’s defense and budget needs without relying on frozen Russian assets. The financing will instead be raised from capital markets and secured against the EU budget, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the EU, noting that the funds will help cover Kyiv’s budget deficit and strengthen its defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The agreement was reached after lengthy late-night negotiations on December 18, marking a significant show of unity among EU leaders.

By opting for market-based financing, the EU temporarily steps away from the contentious plan to use seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. Analysts say the move could ease internal divisions within the bloc while ensuring continued financial backing for Ukraine through 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the European Union to reduce its economic overdependence and strengthen its global competitiveness through a wider network of free trade agreements. Speaking in Brussels ahead of the European Council summit, she emphasized the strategic importance of finalizing the proposed trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, describing it as a gateway to a market of 700 million consumers.

However, the Mercosur agreement has sharply divided EU member states. France and Italy, led by Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, oppose the deal over concerns about environmental standards, agricultural safeguards, and regulatory clarity. Germany and Spain, in contrast, argue the pact would boost exports and diversify trade ties at a time of weak growth. Farmers’ unions across Europe have also voiced strong resistance, fearing cheap imports could undermine domestic producers.

Thousands of farmers were expected to protest in Brussels as leaders met, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the deal. The outcome of the summit may determine whether the EU can balance trade expansion with internal protectionist pressures.

The European Union is preparing to withdraw its landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, a move expected to be part of a broader reform package aimed at supporting Europe’s struggling automotive sector. The European Commission may instead propose a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from new vehicles, replacing the full ban initially adopted under the EU’s Green Deal.

The shift follows intense lobbying from car manufacturers and member states such as Germany and Italy, who argue that slow electric vehicle (EV) adoption and competition from China make the original target unrealistic. According to industry data, only about 16% of new cars sold in Europe during the first nine months of 2025 were battery-powered. Environmental groups warn that relaxing the ban could undermine climate goals and discourage EV investment.

The Commission is also considering new incentives for small and affordable EVs and measures to green corporate fleets. The final proposal is expected to test the EU’s balance between industrial competitiveness and environmental commitments.

European Union Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has warned that Russia could create a real conflict scenario in Europe within the next three to four years. Speaking after a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Kubilius described the situation as a potential 'conflict test' for Europe and urged rapid strengthening of the continent’s defense capabilities.

Kubilius emphasized that Russia’s economy has effectively become a wartime economy, posing a long-term security threat to Europe. He identified two major challenges: the potential for Russian aggression and the United States’ call for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security as Washington shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific. He noted that while progress is being made through new financial tools and strategic planning, Europe still heavily depends on U.S. intelligence and satellite systems.

Kubilius also proposed initiating discussions on a European Defense Union that could include the UK, Norway, and Ukraine, stressing that Europe must prepare for greater responsibility within NATO and consider the long-term goal of a unified European army.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member state within the next five years. Speaking in Germany on December 11, Rutte said Moscow has already intensified covert operations against the alliance and urged members to prepare for a type of conflict reminiscent of past generations. His remarks underscore growing anxiety within NATO about Russia’s long-term intentions following its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pursues diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, recently stated that Moscow has no plans to engage in war with Europe but would respond if provoked. European leaders remain skeptical, recalling similar assurances before the Ukraine invasion. Diplomats suggest that despite Trump’s mediation, current negotiations may ultimately favor Russian interests, prompting European allies to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance.

Analysts believe Rutte’s caution reflects NATO’s strategic reassessment amid uncertain peace talks and persistent hybrid threats from Moscow.