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L’Oréal Seeks Earlier Access to Gucci Beauty Licence as Kering and Coty Hold Talks

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French cosmetics giant L’Oréal would welcome taking over the Gucci beauty licence before its current 2028 expiry, chief executive Nicolas Hieronimus said, confirming that discussions are under way between Gucci owner Kering and present licence holder Coty. Speaking at an analyst conference, Hieronimus said L’Oréal would be “happy to get the brand sooner,” but stressed that negotiations do not directly involve his company.

The Gucci beauty licence was a key element in a broader deal struck last year between Kering and L’Oréal, sources have said. While Gucci is one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, analysts view its beauty segment as underdeveloped. The licence currently remains with Coty until 2028, though Coty’s new chief executive has said the company is open to value-creating deals for shareholders. Both Kering and Coty declined to comment on the ongoing talks.

Kering sold its beauty division, centred on fragrance brand Creed, to L’Oréal for €4 billion last October, a transaction widely seen as paving the way for closer cooperation around Gucci. Industry sources have said L’Oréal’s main strategic interest lay in securing the Gucci beauty licence rather than Creed itself. Earlier attempts by Kering to buy out Coty’s licence were rebuffed, and the issue remains unresolved as all sides work towards a potential agreement.

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Albanian Actor Sues Government Over Use of Her Image as AI “Minister”

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An Albanian film and theatre actor has filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming her face and voice were used without consent to create an AI-generated “virtual minister.” The case centres on Anila Bisha, whose likeness was used for an avatar named Diella, unveiled when Prime Minister Edi Rama began his fourth term last September. The AI figure was presented as a cabinet member overseeing government contracts, a move billed as part of efforts to combat corruption.

Bisha says she had agreed for her likeness to be used only as a virtual assistant on a government website to help citizens access documents, not as a political figure. She told Reuters the unexpected transformation has led to online abuse and unwanted attention in public, with people referring to her as a government minister. The government denies wrongdoing, calling the lawsuit baseless and saying it is prepared to resolve the matter in court.

The dispute comes as Albania’s government faces heightened scrutiny following corruption allegations involving senior officials. Diella’s image appears prominently alongside cabinet members on the official website, adding to the controversy. A court in Tirana is expected to rule on whether the government must stop using Bisha’s image, while her lawyer says she is seeking €1 million in damages for the alleged violation of her personal data rights.

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Two Britons Killed in French Alps Avalanche Near Val d’Isère

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Two British men and one French national have died after an avalanche swept through the Manchet valley near Val d’Isère in the French Alps. The Britons were part of a group of five skiing off-piste with an instructor when the avalanche struck on Friday morning, while the French victim was skiing alone, according to local prosecutors. Another British skier sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the deaths and was in contact with French authorities to provide consular assistance. Albertville prosecutor Benoit Bachelet confirmed that a manslaughter investigation has been opened and will be handled by specialist mountain rescue police. The ski instructor involved was unharmed and tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

The avalanche followed heavy snowfall linked to Storm Nils, which dumped up to a metre of snow across parts of the Alps, leaving the snowpack highly unstable. Météo-France had issued a red alert for avalanche risk in the Savoie region a day earlier, warning of dangerous conditions. Authorities say several fatal avalanches have occurred this winter, underscoring the ongoing risks of off-piste skiing despite lifted alerts.

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Merz Warns Rules-Based World Order Has Collapsed at Munich Security Conference

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Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the rules-based world order “no longer exists,” urging Europe to prepare for sacrifices in an era dominated by great-power politics. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Merz said Europe’s freedom was no longer guaranteed and acknowledged a “deep divide” between Europe and the United States, citing growing tensions over trade, values, and security.

His remarks came amid strains in transatlantic relations following actions and rhetoric by US President Donald Trump, including threats to annex Greenland and the imposition of tariffs on European goods. Merz rejected protectionism and criticised the ideological influence of the Maga movement, while still appealing for renewed cooperation with Washington. He also revealed confidential discussions with Emmanuel Macron on the possibility of a joint European nuclear deterrent.

The conference, attended by around 50 world leaders, is also focused on the war in Ukraine, relations with China, and questions over US commitment to NATO. Addressing delegates later, Macron urged Europe to accelerate rearmament and become a stronger geopolitical actor, calling Russia’s war against Ukraine an “existential challenge.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the moment as a “new era in geopolitics,” underlining the scale of global realignment now under way.

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Eighth Storm Claims Life in Spain as Extreme Weather Batters Iberian Peninsula

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A 46-year-old woman has died in Barcelona after being struck by debris from a warehouse roof torn off by powerful winds, as the eighth major storm of the year swept across Spain and Portugal, according to officials. The woman succumbed to her injuries in hospital early Friday. Repeated bouts of heavy rain, strong gales, snow, and thunderstorms have caused widespread damage, forcing mass evacuations and disrupting daily life across the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain’s Agriculture Minister Luis Planas described the succession of storms as “truly extraordinary,” warning that authorities must assess whether such events could become more frequent. Around 14,000 hectares of farmland—including berries, citrus fruits, and olives—have already been damaged. Data from AEMET shows Spain has received 38% more rainfall than average since October, heightening concerns over infrastructure resilience and agricultural losses.

In Portugal, authorities in the historic city of Coimbra warned of possible severe flooding along the Mondego River, with up to 9,000 residents at risk of evacuation as reservoirs neared capacity. Schools and universities were closed, and similar measures were taken in parts of southern Spain, including Andalusia, where thousands have already been displaced. Forecasts also warned of intense rainfall in areas such as Grazalema, underscoring the continued threat of flooding and landslides.

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Spain Detects New African Swine Fever Cases Outside Barcelona Zone

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Spain has confirmed two new cases of African swine fever in wild boar outside the initial outbreak area near Barcelona, marking the first spread beyond the original containment zone. Regional authorities in Catalonia said the infections were detected near the western towns of El Papiol and Molins de Rei in the Barcelona metropolitan area, prompting tighter restrictions on the movement of people and livestock.

The initial outbreak occurred in the Collserola hills north of Barcelona — Spain’s first such incident since 1994 — and has so far not affected any pork farms. Catalan agriculture chief Oscar Ordeig said the spread southward was anticipated, noting that wild boar movement made containment challenging. Authorities emphasized that African swine fever does not pose a risk to humans but spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar.

New measures include intensified disinfection protocols, systematic collection of boar carcasses, drone surveillance, and assessments of wild boar population density in affected areas. Spain, the European Union’s top pork producer, accounts for roughly a quarter of the bloc’s output, with annual exports valued at about 3.5 billion euros. Officials said the latest cases will primarily impact the two affected towns as containment efforts continue.

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Nine Held in Alleged €10m Louvre Ticket Scam

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French authorities have detained nine people, including two officials from the Louvre Museum, in connection with an alleged ticket fraud that may have cost the Paris landmark up to 10 million euros ($11.8 million) in lost revenue. The Paris prosecutor’s office said those in custody also include several tour guides and the suspected organiser of the network. Investigators seized nearly 1 million euros in cash and about 500,000 euros held in bank accounts.

The probe began in December 2024 after the museum flagged suspicious activity involving guides who allegedly reused single-entry tickets to admit multiple groups of tourists. Following more than a year of investigation, police uncovered what they described as a long-running network that may have fraudulently ushered in as many as 20 tour groups per day over a decade, allegedly bribing museum staff to overlook the scheme. Authorities believe proceeds were invested in real estate in France and Dubai.

Prosecutors added that similar fraudulent practices may have occurred at the Palace of Versailles, though details were limited. The case adds to recent challenges faced by the Louvre, including security and infrastructure setbacks. Museum officials said they are strengthening anti-fraud measures as part of broader efforts to protect revenues, particularly after raising ticket prices last month for most non-EU visitors to support renovation plans.

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Rubio Signals ‘New Era’ Ahead of Munich Summit

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described a “defining moment” in global affairs as he arrived in Europe to lead the American delegation at the Munich Security Conference. His visit comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks about annexing Greenland. Rubio said the world was entering a “new era in geopolitics” that would require allies to reassess their roles and priorities within the evolving international order.

European leaders have responded with a mix of caution and resolve. Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to prepare for greater strategic independence from the U.S., while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that transatlantic ties remain vital. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she would meet Rubio to address U.S. comments regarding Greenland, as concerns grow over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO and European security.

The conference agenda includes the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and prospects for a renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the gathering could yield “new steps” for shared European security. Meanwhile, German and British leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to hold key discussions on defence spending and alliance cohesion, as policymakers navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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IOC Faces Backlash Over Nazi-Era Berlin Olympics T-Shirt

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come under criticism in Germany for selling T-shirts featuring the original poster design of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis for propaganda. The shirts, sold through the official Olympic Shop, depict a male figure wearing a laurel wreath, the Olympic rings above, and the Brandenburg Gate below, alongside the text “Germany Berlin 1936 Olympic Games.”

Critics, including Klara Schedlich of the Green Party in Berlin, said the design is inappropriate and insensitive, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the historical context of Nazi propaganda. The IOC defended the sale, stating the shirts are part of its Olympic Heritage Collection, which showcases styles from all editions of the Games and celebrates athletic achievements, such as Jesse Owens’ four gold medals at the Berlin Games that challenged Nazi racial ideology.

The IOC emphasized that only a limited number of the 1936 T-shirts were produced and sold, and the historical context of the Berlin Olympics is explained at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. The collection aims to highlight 130 years of Olympic art and design rather than promote the propaganda of any regime.

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Lufthansa Strike Grounds Nearly 800 Flights, Disrupts 100,000 Passengers

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Nearly 800 Lufthansa flights were cancelled on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged a strike, disrupting travel plans for around 100,000 passengers. The walkout, organised by the pilots’ union VC and flight attendants’ union UFO, affected major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, with departure boards showing widespread cancellations, including long-haul services. Lufthansa said it expects to resume normal operations on Friday and is working to rebook passengers on partner airlines.

The strike comes amid long-running disputes over pensions and cost-cutting measures at the airline’s core brand. Pilots are demanding improved retirement benefits, while Lufthansa argues it has no financial flexibility to meet those demands. Negotiations have resumed intermittently but have yet to yield an agreement, prompting unions to escalate pressure through industrial action.

Separately, cabin crew at Lufthansa’s CityLine subsidiary are protesting the planned shutdown of its flight operations and the company’s refusal to negotiate a collective social plan. Union representatives said the coordinated action aims to pressure management, even as major events such as the Berlinale film festival and the Munich Security Conference begin in Germany.

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