ICC Condemns Trump's Sanctions as Threat to Justice

Europol has issued a warning about the increasing influence of dangerous online cults that are targeting children and adolescents through chat groups and social platforms. These groups aim to manipulate young people, leading some to engage in self-harm or even suicide, according to a recent statement from the agency. The warning highlights the recruitment of vulnerable youth, particularly those aged 8 to 17, on gaming platforms and streaming services. Europol's Director, Catherine De Bolle, noted that these online communities often operate similarly to cults, employing charismatically manipulative leaders who initially present as caring figures—an approach referred to as "love bombing." As the manipulation progresses, members are coerced into sharing explicit content, self-harm, or contemplating suicide. The agency emphasized that these activities pose a significant risk to public safety. Europol urges parents and educators to remain vigilant for signs of distress in young people, including secretive behaviors or increased interest in violent content.

The Netherlands has announced plans to return 119 Benin Bronzes, looted by British troops during the 1897 sack of Benin City in modern-day Nigeria, to their rightful home. These artefacts, which include sculptures, figurines, and an ivory mask, hold significant spiritual and historical value for the people of Nigeria, particularly those from the Edo state. This repatriation is deemed the "largest" of its kind, according to Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The agreement for the return is set to be formalized on Wednesday. Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science Eppo Bruins stated that this action contributes to redressing historical injustices stemming from colonial exploitation. The Benin Bronzes represent a painful legacy of colonial violence, and Nigeria has been actively seeking the return of such artefacts from institutions worldwide, including a significant number held by the British Museum. Nigeria plans to house the returned artefacts in the upcoming Edo Museum of West African Art, set to open in 2026, designed by architect Sir David Adjaye.

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have developed a groundbreaking textile recycling method that significantly reduces clothing waste and supports the circular economy. According to a news release from the university, the process effectively separates cotton from polyester in polycotton textiles, yielding usable glucose from cotton while preserving the integrity of polyester. The technique utilizes super-concentrated hydrochloric acid to transform cotton into a glucose solution, facilitating a full recycling pathway for both materials. This advancement addresses a key challenge in the textile recycling industry, as fibers are notoriously difficult to disentangle, noted ScienceDirect. With Americans discarding approximately 21 billion pounds of clothing annually, this method presents an essential solution to textile waste. Gert-Jan Gruter, head of the industrial sustainable chemistry department, emphasized the importance of recovering glucose, a vital bio-based feedstock currently derived from crops like corn and wheat. The glucose obtained can be used in manufacturing polymers, supporting high-yield industrial applications. This initiative aims to establish the first industrial facility dedicated to polycotton textile recycling and the production of commercially available non-food glucose.