Russia closes Goethe-Institut branches as disputes widen; Dutch move gold reserves from U.S.

Russia is closing branches of Germany’s Goethe-Institut, widening a dispute linked to an attempted explosive attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The move follows Berlin’s announced closure of the Russian House after an explosive drone was found at the airport.

Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger summoned the Russian ambassador on Wednesday. The diplomatic response has added another layer to the tensions surrounding the airport incident.

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Outrageous, not only from the perspective of all taxpayers.

The Netherlands has also shifted part of its gold reserves. Over the past six months, the Dutch central bank moved 86 tonnes from the United States and Canada to London, citing improved tradability and the need to be better prepared for possible crises.

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It is an unreasonable situation for these women themselves.

In Austria, a headscarf ban for female pupils under 14 took effect with the start of the school year. Paul Kimberger, the country’s senior teachers’ representative, said social media users were calling for a boycott and sharing tips on how to evade the ban. Ümit Vural, president of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria, had earlier expressed understanding for resistance to the law in an ORF interview.

The roundup also highlights a dispute over teacher staffing. The Education Ministry says demand in eastern Austria is largely covered before the school year begins, with the situation comparatively strained only in Vorarlberg. The teachers’ union rejects that assessment and speaks of a “huge hidden staff shortage.” Vienna’s tram line 18 is meanwhile set to extend to the Ernst Happel Stadium from Saturday.

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Huge hidden staff shortage.