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France Returns Sacred Talking Drum to Ivory Coast

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France has repatriated a sacred talking drum, the Djidji Ayôkwé, to Ivory Coast more than a century after it was looted during colonial rule. Seized by French colonial authorities in 1916 and later displayed in Parisian museums, the drum was welcomed back by the Ebrié community at Abidjan International Airport, still in its protective crate. The 3-metre-long, 430kg drum is carved from iroko wood and holds deep cultural and ceremonial significance.

The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé is part of France’s broader effort to repatriate African cultural artefacts, a process initiated in 2017. Ivory Coast’s Culture Minister Françoise Remarck called it a historic moment of justice and remembrance, highlighting the drum’s central role in mobilizing communities, warning of danger, and summoning villagers for ceremonies.

This drum marks the first of 148 objects Ivory Coast is seeking to reclaim from France and other countries. The French government has previously returned Abomey royal treasures to Benin and a historic sabre to Senegal, and a new framework law aims to streamline the restitution of colonial-era artefacts from national collections.

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Pope Leo Urges Confession for Christians Who Start Wars

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Pope Leo XIV on Friday suggested that Christian political leaders who engage in armed conflicts should examine their conscience and go to confession, emphasizing adherence to Jesus’ teachings without naming specific leaders or wars. Speaking to priests at a Vatican conference on the practice of confession, he highlighted the importance of humility and moral reflection for those bearing grave responsibilities in conflicts.

The pope’s remarks come amid his repeated calls for an end to the ongoing Iran war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. While the Catholic Church generally opposes war, it evaluates conflicts through the just war tradition, assessing whether actions like repelling an unjust invasion are morally justifiable. Cardinal Robert McElroy recently criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as failing to meet these criteria.

Pope Leo stressed that the sacrament of confession not only allows individual Catholics to seek forgiveness but also fosters peace and unity in society. By encouraging self-examination and repentance, the pope linked spiritual reflection with broader ethical responsibility, urging leaders and faithful alike to align their actions with Christian teachings on non-violence.

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Games With Loot Boxes to Receive PEGI 16 Age Rating Across Europe

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Video games that include loot boxes will soon receive a minimum age rating of 16 across Europe under new rules introduced by Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). The updated rating system, which will come into effect in June, aims to better inform parents and players about games that include paid random item systems. Loot boxes allow players to spend real or virtual currency for mystery rewards, a feature critics say blurs the line between gaming and gambling.

Under the revised guidelines, any game featuring “paid random items” will automatically receive a PEGI 16 rating, though some titles could be classified as PEGI 18 depending on their mechanics. Popular titles such as EA Sports FC could see their ratings increase under the new rules. PEGI ratings—3, 7, 12, 16, and 18—are used across 38 European countries, including the UK, to indicate age suitability rather than gameplay difficulty.

The changes also introduce new classifications for other in-game systems. Games with paid battle passes will receive at least a PEGI 12 rating, while titles that include non-fungible tokens will be rated PEGI 18. Meanwhile, games without options to report or block other players online may also receive an adult rating. Experts say the update is a step toward recognising gambling-like mechanics in modern games, although some critics argue the rules should also apply to existing titles to better protect young players.

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Legal Abortions Rise in Poland as Complaints Over Refusals Drop, Says European Rights Body

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Legal abortions in Poland doubled in 2024 while complaints about hospitals refusing procedures on conscience grounds have stopped, according to the Council of Europe. The European rights body said recent government measures appear to be improving access to legal abortion services in the country, where strict laws have been in place since 2021. Official health ministry data showed nearly 900 legal abortions were carried out in Polish hospitals in 2024, compared with 425 the previous year.

Poland introduced a near-total abortion ban in 2021 after a court ruling declared terminations due to foetal abnormalities unconstitutional. Since coming to power in 2023, the government led by Donald Tusk has pledged to ease the restrictions, but political divisions have slowed legislative change. President Karol Nawrocki has signalled he would block any major liberalisation of the abortion law.

Despite the political deadlock, the government has issued new guidance to hospitals and prosecutors clarifying that abortions on the grounds of a woman’s mental health are legal and must be provided by public hospitals. The Council of Europe noted that since the introduction of an unconditional obligation for hospitals to offer the procedure as part of contracted medical services, authorities have not received new complaints about refusals based on the “conscience clause.” However, the organisation also expressed concern over the lack of progress in passing broader legislation on safe termination of pregnancy.

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Estée Lauder Sues Jo Malone Over Use of Her Name in Zara Collaboration

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British perfumer Jo Malone is facing a lawsuit from Estée Lauder Companies over the use of her name in a fragrance collaboration with Zara. The dispute centres on packaging for a product created under Malone’s newer brand Jo Loves, which included the phrase “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.” Estée Lauder claims the use of her name violates agreements made when it purchased the original fragrance brand Jo Malone London in 1999.

Under the terms of that deal, Malone sold the rights to the brand and her name for commercial fragrance use. The company argues that referencing “Jo Malone” on packaging could confuse customers and potentially lead them to believe the products are linked to Jo Malone London. As a result, Estée Lauder has filed legal action against Malone, Jo Loves and Zara’s UK division, citing trademark infringement, breach of contract and passing off.

Malone founded her perfume business in the early 1990s, building a reputation for distinctive fragrances inspired by British botanicals. After selling the brand in 1999, she later launched Jo Loves as a new venture. Legal experts say the outcome will depend on the specific wording of the original agreement, though courts often enforce such contracts even when they restrict individuals from using their own names in commercial activities.

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US Launches Trade Probe Into Major Global Partners

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The United States has launched a new investigation into several major trading partners, including China, European Union and India, following a court ruling that struck down part of former tariff policies introduced by Donald Trump. The probe, announced by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will examine alleged unfair trade practices and could lead to new import taxes on goods from the targeted countries. Officials said the investigation could be completed by summer.

The inquiry is being carried out under Section 301 of US trade law and covers a wide range of economies including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The administration argues the move is necessary to protect American manufacturing from what it calls excess production and unfair competition from overseas markets. Notably, Canada, the second-largest US trading partner, was not included in the probe.

The investigation follows a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that found earlier global tariffs introduced in 2025 unlawful. After the decision, Trump imposed a temporary 10% tariff on imports worldwide and signalled it could rise to 15%. The probe also comes ahead of expected talks between US officials and representatives from China in Paris, which may pave the way for a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

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EU Warns Venice Biennale Over Russia Pavilion Return

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The European Commission has warned it may withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale if organisers allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at this year’s art exhibition. Russia’s pavilion was closed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which led to the exclusion of Russian artists and institutions from many cultural events across Europe. The EU said institutions must comply with sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who support the Kremlin’s war.

The commission said it could review measures including suspending a current EU grant to the Biennale Foundation, which organises the event in Venice. The EU currently provides about 2 million euros for film-related projects over three years, while the festival also receives major funding from the Italian government. Culture and foreign ministers from more than 20 European countries have also written to Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco calling Russia’s participation unacceptable.

Buttafuoco defended the exhibition as a global space for dialogue without censorship, saying it should remain open even to countries involved in conflicts. However, Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s culture minister, said the government does not support the decision. Ukrainian officials also urged the international art community to stay alert to what they described as Russia’s use of culture for propaganda during the ongoing war.

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Redzepi Steps Back from Noma After Staff Mistreatment Allegations

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Danish chef René Redzepi has stepped away from daily operations at the renowned Noma following renewed scrutiny over allegations of past mistreatment of staff. The decision came after a report by The New York Times citing dozens of former employees who claimed they experienced physical and psychological harm while working at the restaurant between 2009 and 2017. Redzepi acknowledged that some accounts reflected harmful behavior from his earlier leadership years.

In a statement, the chef said he was taking responsibility for his past actions and believed it was time for new leadership to guide the restaurant forward. Founded in 2003, Noma became one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, earning three Michelin Guide stars and repeatedly topping global dining rankings. Redzepi said the restaurant had taken steps in recent years to improve its workplace culture, including introducing paid internships and better employee benefits.

While stepping away from daily operations, Redzepi is expected to remain connected to the restaurant he co-founded in Copenhagen. In a message to staff shared on social media, he told employees they would now “run the show,” signalling a new chapter for the restaurant while he continues to support it from the background.

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Three Brothers Arrested After Explosion Outside US Embassy in Oslo

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Norwegian authorities have arrested three brothers in connection with an explosion outside the United States embassy in Oslo that caused minor damage but no injuries. Police said the blast, which occurred early Sunday morning, was triggered by an improvised explosive device placed near the embassy’s entrance. The suspects, all Norwegian citizens in their 20s with links to Iraq, are being investigated on suspicion of carrying out a terror bombing.

Officials said the men were previously unknown to law enforcement, and investigators are examining multiple possible motives, including whether foreign actors played a role. Police have been reviewing surveillance material and a now-deleted online video connected to the incident as part of the ongoing inquiry. Authorities emphasised that questioning the suspects would be key to determining the motive behind the attack.

The explosion prompted a large emergency response involving dogs, drones, and helicopters as investigators secured the area around the embassy in Oslo’s Ullern district. Norwegian officials condemned the incident as unacceptable, stressing the importance of protecting diplomatic missions, while the U.S. State Department confirmed it is also investigating the case alongside Norwegian authorities.

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Airline Hedging Fails to Shield Carriers From Jet Fuel Price Spike

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Airlines worldwide are struggling to cope with soaring jet fuel prices that have risen far faster than crude oil costs amid escalating Middle East tensions. Despite using hedging contracts to protect against oil price volatility, many carriers remain exposed because most hedges are tied to crude oil rather than refined jet fuel. The sharp increase in refining margins since the conflict involving Iran has forced airlines to raise ticket prices, introduce fuel surcharges, and cut flight capacity to manage rising operating costs.

Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the conflict began, compared with a roughly one-third increase in crude oil prices, squeezing airline profit margins globally. Industry executives said hedging provides only partial protection, while carriers without hedging arrangements — particularly in the United States and China — face full exposure to rising fuel costs. Analysts warned that low-cost airlines are especially vulnerable because their price-sensitive customers limit how much fares can be increased.

In Europe and Asia, airlines are already adjusting strategies as sustained fuel price increases threaten profitability. Some carriers remain heavily hedged, but coverage declines in future periods, leaving them exposed if high prices persist. Analysts estimate that Asian airline profits could fall significantly with prolonged refining margin increases, highlighting how volatile fuel markets and limited jet fuel hedging options continue to challenge the aviation industry.

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