Austria plans to ban social media for under-14s amid safety concerns, as glaciers melt fast and a football legend tragically dies in a crash.
Following a decline in vaccination rates, the UK has lost its WHO measles elimination status. Experts warn of major outbreaks, with projections of nearly 400,000 cases and 480 deaths over 20 years. Vaccination coverage remains below the 95% herd immunity threshold, risking further spread.
Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath withdrew from his race after an emotional breakdown linked to personal loss, while Swiss skier Loïc Meillard won gold. British skier Dave Ryding prepares for his final Olympics, aiming for a historic medal amid personal milestones. The stories highlight resilience and personal challenges during the Games.
On 16 February 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a forthcoming three-month consultation on children's online safety, including potential bans on social media use for under-16s, restrictions on addictive features like infinite scrolling, and controls on AI chatbots. The government aims to act swiftly on consultation outcomes, introducing legal powers to preserve children's data post-mortem and regulate AI content. The move follows Australia's 2025 under-16 social media ban and growing international momentum.
An 18-year-old Iowa tight end who played at Northern Iowa has died. He collapsed last week and is survived by his parents and sister. The coach says the team will honor his memory as they move forward.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Slovenian siblings Nika and Domen Prevc won medals in ski jumping, making history as the first brother and sister to medal together. The event highlighted their family’s long-standing ski jumping legacy amid ongoing doping and equipment regulation issues.
Switzerland's right-wing Swiss People's Party has gathered enough signatures to hold a referendum on June 14, 2026, to limit the population to 10 million by 2050. The proposal aims to curb migration and overpopulation, risking conflicts with EU agreements and economic stability.
A suspected Islamic State supporter in Austria planned an attack targeting Taylor Swift's 2024 Vienna concerts. The man, a dual Austrian-North Macedonian citizen, was arrested in August 2024 after authorities uncovered plans to use a shrapnel bomb and purchase weapons illegally. The U.S. shared intelligence that helped prevent the attack, leading to the cancellation of the shows. The suspect faces up to 20 years in prison.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy feature advanced drone tracking for sports and athletes using real-time feedback devices. Athletes also use personalized music to enhance performance, highlighting innovations in sports technology and athlete preparation amid ongoing competition.
Multiple U.S. airports face delays and cancellations due to heavy snow, with over 2,000 flights canceled across major hubs. Meanwhile, European airports like Munich also experienced weather-related disruptions, affecting thousands of passengers. The weather continues to impact travel plans globally today.
Recent avalanches across Europe have caused at least 127 deaths this season, with Italy, France, and Austria most affected. In the US, backcountry skiing accidents near Lake Tahoe and Maine have resulted in fatalities and injuries. Experts link the high death toll to unstable snowpack driven by climate change.
At the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, Russia and Belarus competed under their national flags for the first time since 2014, following bans due to doping and the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Their participation sparked boycotts by seven countries, including Ukraine, and boos from some spectators. Russian athletes have won multiple medals, marking a contentious return amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
On March 11-12, 2026, the International Energy Agency (IEA) coordinated the largest-ever release of 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves to counter supply shocks caused by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. Despite this, oil prices surged above $100 a barrel as Iran vowed to keep the strait closed, disrupting about 20% of global oil shipments and threatening global economic growth.
France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Japan will release a combined 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, the largest coordinated effort in IEA history, to address global energy concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
A new report from the Austrian Alpine Club documents significant glacier retreat in Austria during 2024-2025, with some glaciers shrinking over 100 meters. The retreat reflects ongoing climate change impacts, with implications for water, energy, and ecosystems across Europe.
The EU is implementing stricter migration and deportation measures, including offshore detention centers and faster removal processes, following political shifts and rising far-right influence. Human rights groups warn these policies threaten legal protections and could lead to increased rights violations.
Austria is preparing legislation to ban social media for users under 14, with draft laws expected by June. The move aims to protect children from addictive algorithms and harmful content, following a trend of European countries implementing similar restrictions.
Australia's new law requires 10 major social media platforms to block under-16s or face fines of up to AU$49.5 million. While platforms have deactivated 5 million accounts, concerns remain over compliance and effectiveness, with investigations ongoing into potential non-compliance by major companies like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Alexander Manninger, a former Austrian goalkeeper, has died at age 48 following a traffic accident near Salzburg. He has played for clubs including Arsenal, Juventus, and Liverpool, and has been celebrated as an ambassador for Austrian football. The accident involved his car being hit by a train at a level crossing.
Authorities in Austria have identified rat poison in a sample of HiPP baby food jars sold at SPAR supermarkets. The jars, made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds, have been recalled across Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The tampering is believed to be a criminal act, with no reports of consumption so far. The recall affects over 1,500 stores, and customers are advised not to consume the product and to seek refunds.
Authorities in Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia are investigating tampering with HiPP baby food jars sold at SPAR supermarkets. Samples tested positive for rat poison, believed to be a criminal act. The recall affects products made for 5-month-olds, with ongoing police investigations into the source and motives. No reports of ingestion have been confirmed.
Eurovision 2026 is set to unfold in Vienna with 35 countries competing. Several broadcasters have pulled out in protest of Israel's inclusion amid the Gaza war. Slovenia will not broadcast the contest, opting to show films about Palestine; other countries have made similar decisions or limited coverage. The event maintains a governance framework intended to keep politics off the stage, but tensions remain evident around the competition’s political neutrality.
Fuel prices have spiked amid Gulf tensions, lifting profits for BP and TotalEnergies. Regulators and activists are calling for windfall taxes as governments weigh measures to curb consumer burdens and fund energy transitions. The story draws on multiple readings of the crisis, its economic costs, and policy responses.
HiPP says it is relieved by an arrest in the case of tainted baby-food jars in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Authorities say tampering occurred before distribution and several jars were seized as investigations continue. The recall affects SPAR-brand jars and follows an extortion attempt reported by the company.