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Spain’s King Acknowledges Colonial-Era Abuses in Rare Remark

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King Felipe VI made a rare acknowledgment of abuses during Spain’s colonial past, noting that while historical laws were intended to offer protection, they often resulted in exploitation and injustice. Speaking in Madrid, he said such actions, when viewed through modern values, cannot be a source of pride.

At its peak between the 16th and 18th centuries, Spain controlled a vast global empire spanning multiple continents, including much of Latin America. The period was marked by forced labour, land seizures, and violence against Indigenous communities, leaving a legacy that continues to shape international relations today.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions with Mexico over historical accountability. While past leaders like Andrés Manuel López Obrador have called for formal apologies, Spain has not issued one. The issue has strained diplomatic ties, with recent disagreements highlighting the continued sensitivity surrounding colonial history.

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Pope Leo Urges Media to Highlight War Suffering, Not Propaganda

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Pope Leo called on journalists to focus on the human suffering caused by war rather than amplifying propaganda or glorifying conflicts. Speaking to broadcasters from Italy’s TG2 news program, the pope emphasized the need to report “through the eyes of the victims” and avoid presenting war like a video game, urging media to act responsibly in portraying the realities of violence.

He cautioned that in times of conflict, information must not become a “megaphone of power” and stressed the importance of verifying news to prevent misleading narratives. While Pope Leo did not specify a particular conflict in his remarks, he has recently called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing the violence as “atrocious.”

The pope’s warning echoes similar concerns voiced by U.S. church leaders, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who condemned a White House social media video that spliced Iran war footage with video game and action film clips, calling the content “sickening.” Both leaders underscored the moral responsibility of media and public figures in shaping perceptions of war.

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Switzerland Opposes Population Cap Initiative

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The Swiss government has urged voters to reject a proposal that would cap the country’s population at 10 million, warning the measure could harm the economy and strain relations with the European Union. The referendum, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), is scheduled for June 14 and comes as Switzerland seeks closer cooperation with the EU to maintain access to its largest trading market.

Supporters of the initiative argue that high immigration levels are driving housing shortages, rising rents, and increased pressure on public infrastructure. The proposal calls for limiting permanent residents to under 10 million by 2050 and ending Switzerland’s freedom of movement agreement with the EU, which critics say could weaken economic ties and labor mobility.

The Federal Council, along with business groups, trade unions, and cantonal leaders, has warned the plan would undermine job markets, security cooperation, and Switzerland’s humanitarian traditions. With the population already exceeding 9 million and foreign nationals accounting for more than 27%, officials say the initiative would create uncertainty during a period of global instability.

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EU to Sanction Nine Over Alleged Bucha War Crimes

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The European Union is set to impose sanctions on nine individuals accused of involvement in alleged war crimes linked to the killings in Bucha, Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The move forms part of ongoing European efforts to hold individuals accountable for actions during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has stated that more than 1,400 civilians were killed in Bucha, a town near Kyiv, during a 33-day occupation by Russian forces in the early phase of the 2022 invasion. The sanctions are expected to target individuals allegedly connected to these events, reinforcing the EU’s stance on accountability and international law violations linked to the conflict.

In addition to the nine individuals, the EU plans to sanction several alleged Kremlin propagandists accused of spreading disinformation. Among them is Franco-Russian national Adrien Bocquet, whom Barrot described as a recruiter of foreign fighters and a figure involved in promoting narratives supporting the war and influencing audiences across Europe and Africa.

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Sweden Detains Captain of Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker

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A court in Sweden has ordered the detention of the captain of a tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports. The unnamed 55-year-old captain was arrested by the Swedish Prosecution Authority and appeared before a court in Ystad on suspicion of using forged documents.

The vessel, Sea Owl One, was intercepted by the Swedish Coast Guard in territorial waters south of Trelleborg. Authorities boarded the 228-metre tanker after suspecting it was sailing under a false Comoros flag. Officials said the ship was travelling from Santos to Primorsk and had previously transported oil between Russia and Brazil.

The tanker is among vessels sanctioned by the European Union and believed to be linked to Moscow’s network of ships with unclear ownership or insurance used to evade sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Swedish authorities said the captain will remain in custody while prosecutors continue their investigation, marking the second seizure of a suspected shadow fleet vessel in the country within a week.

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EU Considers Strengthening Naval Mission Amid Strait of Hormuz Crisis

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Foreign ministers from the European Union are set to discuss strengthening their naval presence in the Middle East as tensions surrounding Iran disrupt global shipping routes. The talks in Brussels will focus on reinforcing the EU’s Operation Aspides, which was launched in 2024 to protect commercial vessels from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in late February, traffic through the strait has been severely disrupted, prompting discussions on whether the EU mission could help restore safe navigation.

However, some European officials remain cautious about expanding the mission’s mandate. Johann Wadephul expressed scepticism about extending the operation to the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the current mission has not been fully effective in its existing role. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has urged major economies to work together to secure shipping routes, though any change to the EU mission would require approval from all 27 member states.

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Italy Monitors Damaged Russian LNG Tanker Drifting in Mediterranean

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Italian authorities are considering how to handle a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas tanker, Arctic Metagaz, which is drifting in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea after an alleged drone strike. The vessel, carrying LNG from Murmansk in northern Russia, was reportedly attacked by Ukrainian naval drones, though Ukraine has not claimed responsibility.

The tanker remains afloat between Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa, with the Italian Navy and support vessels escorting it while monitoring the situation. All 30 crew members were evacuated after the attack, and officials say the ship’s hull is still intact, although it suffered significant damage above the waterline.

Italian officials are reluctant to allow the tanker to dock at their ports due to safety concerns, describing it as a potential hazard because of the gas it carries. Authorities are considering options, including having the ship’s Russian operator hire a specialist company to tow it away, while nearby countries continue to monitor the drifting vessel.

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Paris Mayoral Race Puts Green Transformation to the Test

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The upcoming mayoral election in Paris is shaping up as a key test of public support for the city’s ambitious green transformation. Over the past decade, outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed major changes, including around 1,000 km of cycle lanes, more trees and pedestrian-friendly streets. Supporters say the redesign has encouraged cycling and reduced pollution, while critics argue the changes have disrupted traffic and strained city finances.

Opinion polls suggest the race is mainly between Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire, who supports continuing the environmental agenda, and conservative rival Rachida Dati, who says the city’s traditional character has been harmed by rapid changes. Meanwhile, far-right candidate Sarah Knafo is gaining ground in the polls and could complicate the race if she reaches the second round later this month.

While the green policies have led to more bike use, reduced car traffic and improved air quality, they have also drawn criticism over issues such as rising municipal debt and cleanliness in the city. As voters head to the polls, the election will determine whether Parisians want to continue the push toward a greener, car-free urban model or shift toward a more balanced approach to transportation and city management.

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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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