Europe bulletin: Russian threat warning, Denmark’s teen social ban, FTSE slump
A top German general is sounding the alarm, warning that Russia could launch a limited strike on NATO territory at any moment, even as early as tomorrow.
In Denmark, the government is pushing ahead with a bold plan to ban social media for kids under 15, part of a growing global effort to protect young users from the mental health toll of constant scrolling.
Meanwhile, UK markets ended the week in the red as airline and property stocks dragged the FTSE lower, though ITV made headlines with a potential £1.6 billion media deal.
And in Germany, newly independent auto parts maker Aumovio reported a sharp profit drop but still managed to beat forecasts, a solid debut after its split from Continental.
Here’s a glance at major developments in the region today.
German general warns of possible Russian strike
A top German general, Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, is raising eyebrows with a stark warning: he says Russia could launch a small, limited attack on NATO territory as soon as tomorrow, if it wanted to.
Sollfrank stressed that any such move would likely be quick and confined to a specific region, not a full-blown war, since Russia is still deeply tied up in Ukraine.
Still, he cautioned that Moscow has plenty of firepower left: strong air and nuclear forces, fresh troop reinforcements, and enough tanks to pull off a short, targeted strike.
Whether or not Russia takes that step, he said, really depends on how firm NATO’s deterrence posture is right now.
He also pointed to Russia’s ongoing use of hybrid warfare, things like cyberattacks and disinformation, as part of a wider intimidation campaign against the West.
And while a near-term attack would likely be limited, NATO officials are worried that by 2029, Russia’s growing military buildup could pave the way for something much larger.
Denmark moves to ban teen social media
Denmark is taking a bold step to protect kids’ mental health; the government just announced a plan to ban social media for children under 15.
Parents can make exceptions for 13- and 14-year-olds, but the goal is clear: give kids a break from the endless scroll.
Digitalisation Minister Caroline Stage Olsen is leading the move, echoing concerns from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who says social media is stealing kids’ time and well-being.
On average, Danish children spend about 2 hours and 40 minutes a day on apps like Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
The proposal still needs Parliament’s approval, but it already has wide support across parties. Denmark’s plan follows Australia’s lead, which rolled out a similar social media ban for minors last year.
FTSE falls as IAG and Rightmove slide
UK stocks ended the week on a down note on Friday, dragged lower by weakness in major names.
International Airlines Group (IAG) tumbled 8.4% after warning of soft demand in the US, while the FTSE 100 slipped 0.8% and the midcap index lost 0.5%.
Rightmove shares sank 12.5% after the company signaled slower profit growth ahead, and big banks like HSBC and Barclays each dipped around 1%.
On the brighter side, ITV shares surged 13.9% amid reports of a potential £1.6 billion sale of its media arm.
Meanwhile, the Bank of England kept rates steady at 4%, but traders are already betting on a possible rate cut in December.
Aumovio profit dips but beats forecasts
German auto parts maker Aumovio saw its adjusted operating profit drop 30% in the third quarter, its first earnings report since splitting from Continental.
The company still beat expectations, posting €150 million in profit versus analysts’ €142 million forecast.
Sales slipped 6.4% to €4.5 billion, coming in just below estimates. Despite the dip, CEO Philipp von Hirschheydt said Aumovio is proving its strength as a newly independent company.
Looking ahead, Aumovio trimmed its 2025 sales outlook to €18–€19 billion (down from €18–€20 billion) but kept its profit margin forecast steady at around 5%, signaling confidence in its long-term strategy.
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