Eurotopics.net

In a surprise move, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law during a televised speech on Tuesday evening. He justified the decision by saying that the opposition sympathised with North Korea and was deliberately sabotaging his government. Just a few hours later the country's parliament voted in favour of lifting martial law, and the president subsequently withdrew it. Europe's press takes stock.

Australia has passed a law prohibiting all young people under the age of 16 from using social networks. The providers now have one year to introduce an effective age verification process, otherwise they will face fines. Similar steps are under consideration in Europe – prompting heated debate in the media.

France is facing a government crisis: after Prime Minister Michel Barnier bypassed parliament to push through part of the state budget, the left-wing opposition parties and the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN) have tabled no-confidence motions. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday. Commentators point the finger in several directions.

A few weeks before the end of his term in office, US President Joe Biden has gone back on his word and pardoned his son Hunter Biden. In a statement on Sunday, the president wrote that his son had been treated unfairly and that the charges against him were politically motivated. Hunter Biden had violated gun control laws and pleaded guilty to tax offences. Europe's press takes a critical view of Biden's decision.