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Explosion at Amsterdam Jewish School Condemned as Deliberate Attack

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An explosion damaged a Jewish school in the Buitenveldert district of Amsterdam overnight, with city officials describing the incident as a deliberate attack targeting the Jewish community. Mayor Femke Halsema said the blast caused limited damage to the building’s outer wall, and fortunately no injuries were reported.

Emergency services, including police and firefighters, quickly responded to the scene. Authorities are now reviewing CCTV footage that reportedly shows a suspect placing explosives near the school before the blast occurred. An investigation has been launched, though police have not yet confirmed the motive behind the attack.

The incident comes amid rising concerns about antisemitic acts in the Netherlands, following a suspected arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam a day earlier. Mayor Halsema said Jewish residents are increasingly facing hostility and stressed that Amsterdam must remain a city where the Jewish community can live safely.

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Austrian Glaciers Rapidly Disintegrating Due to Climate Change

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Scientists say glaciers in the Austrian Alps are not only shrinking but also breaking apart due to the growing impact of climate change. A new report from the Austrian Alpine Club found that 94 of the 96 glaciers monitored in the past year have reduced in size, with researchers warning that many are entering a phase of “structural disintegration” where ice sections collapse and rock surfaces become exposed.

The report highlights severe losses in several glaciers, including the Alpeiner Ferner in Tyrol, which retreated by more than 114 meters, and the Stubacher Sonnblickkees in Salzburg, which shrank by nearly 104 meters. Austria’s largest glacier, the Pasterze in Carinthia, is also rapidly shrinking, with scientists warning that its lower section could soon break away and split the glacier in two.

Researchers attribute the accelerated melting to unusually warm conditions, including a winter with little snowfall and an early summer with temperatures almost 5°C above average. Experts warn that rising temperatures in the Alpine region are increasing extreme weather events and natural hazards, while the disappearance of glaciers is already transforming landscapes and threatening mountain infrastructure.

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Russia Labels Khrushchev’s Great-Granddaughter a ‘Foreign Agent’

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Russia has officially designated U.S.-based academic Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, as a “foreign agent,” a label commonly applied to critics of the Kremlin. Khrushcheva, a professor at The New School in New York, was added to a growing list of individuals accused by Moscow of engaging in anti-Russian activities, bringing the total number on the registry to more than 1,100.

Khrushcheva said she was not surprised by the decision, noting what she described as historical irony given her great-grandfather’s role in denouncing Joseph Stalin in 1956. The designation comes amid renewed debate in Russia over Soviet history and leadership legacies, as Stalin’s reputation has seen a resurgence while criticism of state policies has faced tighter scrutiny.

Russian authorities claim Khrushcheva spread false information about government policies and opposed the country’s military actions in Ukraine. Individuals labeled as foreign agents must comply with strict reporting rules and attach disclaimers to publications and social media posts, a requirement critics say stigmatizes and restricts their professional activities.

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France Returns Sacred Talking Drum to Ivory Coast

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France has repatriated a sacred talking drum, the Djidji Ayôkwé, to Ivory Coast more than a century after it was looted during colonial rule. Seized by French colonial authorities in 1916 and later displayed in Parisian museums, the drum was welcomed back by the Ebrié community at Abidjan International Airport, still in its protective crate. The 3-metre-long, 430kg drum is carved from iroko wood and holds deep cultural and ceremonial significance.

The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé is part of France’s broader effort to repatriate African cultural artefacts, a process initiated in 2017. Ivory Coast’s Culture Minister Françoise Remarck called it a historic moment of justice and remembrance, highlighting the drum’s central role in mobilizing communities, warning of danger, and summoning villagers for ceremonies.

This drum marks the first of 148 objects Ivory Coast is seeking to reclaim from France and other countries. The French government has previously returned Abomey royal treasures to Benin and a historic sabre to Senegal, and a new framework law aims to streamline the restitution of colonial-era artefacts from national collections.

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Pope Leo Urges Confession for Christians Who Start Wars

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Pope Leo XIV on Friday suggested that Christian political leaders who engage in armed conflicts should examine their conscience and go to confession, emphasizing adherence to Jesus’ teachings without naming specific leaders or wars. Speaking to priests at a Vatican conference on the practice of confession, he highlighted the importance of humility and moral reflection for those bearing grave responsibilities in conflicts.

The pope’s remarks come amid his repeated calls for an end to the ongoing Iran war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. While the Catholic Church generally opposes war, it evaluates conflicts through the just war tradition, assessing whether actions like repelling an unjust invasion are morally justifiable. Cardinal Robert McElroy recently criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as failing to meet these criteria.

Pope Leo stressed that the sacrament of confession not only allows individual Catholics to seek forgiveness but also fosters peace and unity in society. By encouraging self-examination and repentance, the pope linked spiritual reflection with broader ethical responsibility, urging leaders and faithful alike to align their actions with Christian teachings on non-violence.

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Games With Loot Boxes to Receive PEGI 16 Age Rating Across Europe

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Video games that include loot boxes will soon receive a minimum age rating of 16 across Europe under new rules introduced by Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). The updated rating system, which will come into effect in June, aims to better inform parents and players about games that include paid random item systems. Loot boxes allow players to spend real or virtual currency for mystery rewards, a feature critics say blurs the line between gaming and gambling.

Under the revised guidelines, any game featuring “paid random items” will automatically receive a PEGI 16 rating, though some titles could be classified as PEGI 18 depending on their mechanics. Popular titles such as EA Sports FC could see their ratings increase under the new rules. PEGI ratings—3, 7, 12, 16, and 18—are used across 38 European countries, including the UK, to indicate age suitability rather than gameplay difficulty.

The changes also introduce new classifications for other in-game systems. Games with paid battle passes will receive at least a PEGI 12 rating, while titles that include non-fungible tokens will be rated PEGI 18. Meanwhile, games without options to report or block other players online may also receive an adult rating. Experts say the update is a step toward recognising gambling-like mechanics in modern games, although some critics argue the rules should also apply to existing titles to better protect young players.

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Legal Abortions Rise in Poland as Complaints Over Refusals Drop, Says European Rights Body

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Legal abortions in Poland doubled in 2024 while complaints about hospitals refusing procedures on conscience grounds have stopped, according to the Council of Europe. The European rights body said recent government measures appear to be improving access to legal abortion services in the country, where strict laws have been in place since 2021. Official health ministry data showed nearly 900 legal abortions were carried out in Polish hospitals in 2024, compared with 425 the previous year.

Poland introduced a near-total abortion ban in 2021 after a court ruling declared terminations due to foetal abnormalities unconstitutional. Since coming to power in 2023, the government led by Donald Tusk has pledged to ease the restrictions, but political divisions have slowed legislative change. President Karol Nawrocki has signalled he would block any major liberalisation of the abortion law.

Despite the political deadlock, the government has issued new guidance to hospitals and prosecutors clarifying that abortions on the grounds of a woman’s mental health are legal and must be provided by public hospitals. The Council of Europe noted that since the introduction of an unconditional obligation for hospitals to offer the procedure as part of contracted medical services, authorities have not received new complaints about refusals based on the “conscience clause.” However, the organisation also expressed concern over the lack of progress in passing broader legislation on safe termination of pregnancy.

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Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone Over Use of Her Name in Zara Collaboration

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British perfumer Jo Malone is facing a lawsuit from Estée Lauder Companies over the use of her name in a fragrance collaboration with Zara. The dispute centres on packaging for a product created under Malone’s newer brand Jo Loves, which included the phrase “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.” Estée Lauder claims the use of her name violates agreements made when it purchased the original fragrance brand Jo Malone London in 1999.

Under the terms of that deal, Malone sold the rights to the brand and her name for commercial fragrance use. The company argues that referencing “Jo Malone” on packaging could confuse customers and potentially lead them to believe the products are linked to Jo Malone London. As a result, Estée Lauder has filed legal action against Malone, Jo Loves and Zara’s UK division, citing trademark infringement, breach of contract and passing off.

Malone founded her perfume business in the early 1990s, building a reputation for distinctive fragrances inspired by British botanicals. After selling the brand in 1999, she later launched Jo Loves as a new venture. Legal experts say the outcome will depend on the specific wording of the original agreement, though courts often enforce such contracts even when they restrict individuals from using their own names in commercial activities.

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US Launches Trade Probe Into Major Global Partners

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The United States has launched a new investigation into several major trading partners, including China, European Union and India, following a court ruling that struck down part of former tariff policies introduced by Donald Trump. The probe, announced by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will examine alleged unfair trade practices and could lead to new import taxes on goods from the targeted countries. Officials said the investigation could be completed by summer.

The inquiry is being carried out under Section 301 of US trade law and covers a wide range of economies including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The administration argues the move is necessary to protect American manufacturing from what it calls excess production and unfair competition from overseas markets. Notably, Canada, the second-largest US trading partner, was not included in the probe.

The investigation follows a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that found earlier global tariffs introduced in 2025 unlawful. After the decision, Trump imposed a temporary 10% tariff on imports worldwide and signalled it could rise to 15%. The probe also comes ahead of expected talks between US officials and representatives from China in Paris, which may pave the way for a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

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EU Warns Venice Biennale Over Russia Pavilion Return

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The European Commission has warned it may withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale if organisers allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at this year’s art exhibition. Russia’s pavilion was closed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which led to the exclusion of Russian artists and institutions from many cultural events across Europe. The EU said institutions must comply with sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who support the Kremlin’s war.

The commission said it could review measures including suspending a current EU grant to the Biennale Foundation, which organises the event in Venice. The EU currently provides about 2 million euros for film-related projects over three years, while the festival also receives major funding from the Italian government. Culture and foreign ministers from more than 20 European countries have also written to Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco calling Russia’s participation unacceptable.

Buttafuoco defended the exhibition as a global space for dialogue without censorship, saying it should remain open even to countries involved in conflicts. However, Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s culture minister, said the government does not support the decision. Ukrainian officials also urged the international art community to stay alert to what they described as Russia’s use of culture for propaganda during the ongoing war.

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