International News Roundup: Louvre Crown Damaged, Iberian Peninsula Floods, Olympics Impacted, US Aid to Cuba, and Dutch Queen Joins Army Reserves
International headlines this week include the aftermath of a major art heist, severe weather in Europe, Olympic disruptions, diplomatic tensions eased by aid, and a royal commitment to national service.
The Louvre Museum in Paris released photos Friday of the crown of French Empress Eugenie, which was damaged during a daring heist last October. Jewels worth an estimated €76 million were stolen on October 19, 2025, in a raid that occurred while the museum was open to visitors, according to Sky News. Despite the damage, the museum stated that the crown remains largely intact and will be restored.
Meanwhile, Storm Leonardo brought torrential rain and strong winds to the Iberian Peninsula, resulting in tragedy. Sky News reported that a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters in the Alentejo region. In Spain, rescuers were searching for a missing girl. Thousands were evacuated as roads and towns flooded, damaging homes and forcing residents to flee.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy faced disruption as a women's ice hockey match between Finland and Canada was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak. The preliminary match, originally scheduled for Thursday, was delayed after medical professionals identified cases within the Team Finland camp. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the decision was made following consultations with medical professionals. The rearranged match is scheduled to be played on February 12 at the Rho Arena, a temporary venue built specifically for ice hockey, Sky News reported.
Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the United States announced Thursday an additional $6 million in aid to Cuba, Euronews reported. The aid is primarily intended for those in Cuba's eastern region, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa late last year. The US continues to urge Cuba to negotiate a deal to end tensions, even as Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accuses the US of an energy blockade.
In the Netherlands, Queen Máxima, the Argentine-born wife of King Willem-Alexander, has begun training to become a reserve member of the Dutch army, Euronews reported. The move comes as the incoming Dutch coalition government plans to significantly boost the nation's military from approximately 80,000 to 122,000 personnel. The Ministry of Defence stated that "because the security of the Netherlands can no longer be taken for granted, Máxima has decided to become a reservist." Queen Máxima is expected to be sworn in later this month.
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