Makana 360 Daily Insights: Global News & Digital Trends
📌 Trump’s “new world order” reshapes Europe’s defense posture
Munich’s city center is now filled with bold drone and defense advertisements, reflecting Germany’s shifting mindset as Europeans feel increasingly threatened by Russia, China, and an unpredictable United States. Bavaria has emerged as Germany’s defense-tech hub, focusing on AI, drones, and aerospace. Berlin’s defense budget is expected to surge, potentially making Germany Europe’s largest single donor of military aid to Ukraine amid stalled U.S. support. At the Munich Security Conference, transatlantic tensions dominated discussions, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offering conditional reassurance tied to Trump-era values. Europe is now exploring more flexible coalitions and concepts such as “NATO 3.0,” while debating costs, autonomy, and dependence.
📌 Hungary’s Russian oil purchases under scrutiny
A report by the Center for the Study of Democracy states that Hungary continues purchasing discounted Russian crude despite viable alternatives through Croatia’s Adria pipeline, with no consumer benefit. In 2025, Hungarian fuel prices averaged 18% higher than in the Czech Republic, even though Czech refiners switched to more expensive non-Russian supplies. The analysis suggests that the roughly 20% discount (Jan 2024–Aug 2025) boosted profits for monopoly supplier MOL, whose operating income has risen about 30% since 2022. Foundations linked to Viktor Orbán reportedly hold 30.49% of MOL. Researchers urge the EU to close exemption loopholes and ban imports; Trump recently granted a one-year sanctions waiver.
📌 German lawmakers push tighter social media limits for children
German legislators are moving toward stricter limits on children’s social media use. A group within the centre-left SPD has joined conservative coalition partners in proposing a formal ban for under-14s. The paper also recommends “youth versions” for ages 14–16 without algorithm-driven feeds, personalized content, endless scrolling, or autoplay. For users over 16, it suggests making opt-outs from algorithmic recommendations the default. Conservatives are advocating a separate proposal to ban social media for under-16s. Implementation may be complex, as media regulation falls under Germany’s states, requiring nationwide coordination. A government commission is expected to report later this year.
📊 Top Global Events – Mentions & Engagement
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Atlético Madrid – 1.9M mentions & engagement
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OpenAI – 518K mentions & engagement
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