Netherlands to Return Stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

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.

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.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned US President Donald Trump's recent sanctions against its staff, describing them as detrimental to its essential role in investigating severe global atrocities, including crimes against humanity and genocide. The sanctions, signed into law on Thursday, aim to impose economic penalties and travel bans on ICC personnel, a move Trump justified by claiming the ICC has conducted "illegitimate and baseless actions" against the US and its ally Israel, particularly concerning an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. In response, the ICC called for solidarity among its 125 member states to oppose the sanctions, asserting that it remains committed to delivering justice for victims worldwide. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized the sanctions as a hindrance to an institution established to protect human rights and discourage dictatorial actions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the ICC's critical role in giving victims a voice. The United Nations also urged the reversal of Trump's executive order, citing concerns over its potential impact on global justice.