In an interview at Easter, the President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner (CDU) criticised the churches for commenting too frequently on current issues. Instead of 'behaving like NGOs' they should concentrate on pastoral care, she said. In the wake of the death of Pope Francis, the international press asks whether and to what extent churches should take a political stance.

Donald Trump has announced that Washington and Moscow have agreed on terms for ending the war in Ukraine: "I think we have a deal with Russia," the US president said on Wednesday, adding that Russia was making a big concession by agreeing to end the warow rather than seizing the whole country. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Russia was in principle ready to conclude an agreement. Trump had previously lambasted Zelensky for refusing to cede on his country's right to keep Crimea.

In Romania, the government plans to raise the retirement age for judges and prosecutors from 48 to 65 and cut their pensions. The Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), their professional association, immediately launched a complaint against the reforms. The draft law proposed by the ruling camp's presidential candidate Crin Antonescu faces several hurdles before it can be implemented. Commentators take stock.

The Spanish government has announced that it is backing out of a contract with an Israeli company to purchase ammunition for the Guardia Civil (the Spanish military police). The move comes after left-wing coalition partner Sumar condemned the plan to purchase 15 million bullets worth 6.6 million euros on the grounds that the cabinet had pledgedot to enter into any arms deals with Israel.

Sweden's government has announced plans to set up a commission to examine how to combat fraud in LSS services - which encompass services such as healthcare, children's homes and transport for the disabled - more effectively. Fourteen people received prison sentences in Gothenburg in 2021 for fraud involving the use of fake patients, carers and documents which amounted to roughly four million euros. Since then, 85 care services have lost their licences.