Global Pulse

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  • France returns a sacred drum looted during the colonial era to Ivory Coast

    France returns a sacred drum looted during the colonial era to Ivory Coast

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — In a landmark ceremony symbolizing post-colonial reconciliation, France has officially repatriated the sacred Djidji Ayôkwé drum to Ivory Coast, marking the first such restitution between the nations. The massive carved wooden artifact, looted by French colonial authorities in 1916, was received Friday at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport amid emotional celebrations.

    The drum, measuring 11.5 feet long and weighing approximately 950 pounds, served as a vital communication tool for the Atchan people of the Abidjan region. Historians note its critical historical role in warning villages about forced labor recruitment during colonial occupation. Its name translates to “panther-lion” in the local language.

    This restitution forms part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s broader initiative launched in 2018 to return cultural artifacts to African nations. The effort followed a comprehensive academic report recommending such repatriations. Last year, the French Parliament passed special legislation enabling the drum’s removal from national collections.

    The process involved meticulous coordination with Atchan traditional leaders, who traveled to Paris to perform sacred rituals lifting the drum’s spiritual status for restoration and transport. Ivory Coast Culture Minister Françoise Remarck characterized the event as “a historic day and a moment of justice and remembrance.”

    The artifact will now undergo a month-long acclimatization process in a controlled environment to gradually adjust from Paris’s dry climate to Abidjan’s tropical humidity, preventing damage to the centuries-old wood. It is scheduled for public display in April at the newly renovated Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan.

    This return represents one of at least 140 artifacts Ivory Coast has formally requested from France, signaling a growing movement among European nations to address colonial-era cultural appropriations.

  • German museum celebrates famed Japanese artist Kusama in vast new exhibit

    German museum celebrates famed Japanese artist Kusama in vast new exhibit

    COLOGNE, Germany — The Museum Ludwig has inaugurated a spectacular retrospective honoring Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, marking the institution’s 50th anniversary with a transformative exhibition. Opening Saturday for a nearly five-month engagement, “Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective” presents over 300 works spanning the nonagenarian artist’s revolutionary eight-decade career.

    The comprehensive exhibition guides visitors through Kusama’s artistic evolution from her earliest childhood drawing in the mid-1930s to a specially commissioned “Infinity Mirror Room” created exclusively for this presentation. Now 97, Kusama has achieved global recognition through her distinctive visual language characterized by vibrant polka dots, organic shapes, and immersive installations that have made her work a social media phenomenon.

    Curator Stephan Diederich describes the exhibition as “very diverse, wide-ranging, and depicts an immensely rich, creative life spanning more than eight decades, still looking ahead.” The collection includes seminal pieces such as her ongoing series “My Eternal Soul” (2009-2021), featuring an expansive patchwork of paintings, and the breathtaking “The Universe as Seen from the Stairway to Heaven” constructed from mirror, glass and acrylic sheets.

    Notable installations include the iconic 2009 “Pumpkin” sculpture greeting visitors at the museum entrance, while the rooftop display presents painted-bronze sculptures “Flowers That Speak All about My Heart Given to the Sky” (2018). The immersive environment “I’m Here, but Nothing” (2000) transforms domestic spaces through fluorescent stickers and ultraviolet lighting.

    Kusama’s artistic journey mirrors her personal transformation from patriarchal postwar Japan to New York’s avant-garde scene, where she engaged with Flower Power and anti-Vietnam war movements during the 1960s before returning to Japan in 1973. Her multifaceted works frequently draw inspiration from nature, reflecting her childhood in her family’s seed nursery in Matsumoto, where she began experiencing vivid hallucinations involving polka dots and proliferating flowers.

    Despite living in relative seclusion in a Tokyo clinic, Kusama maintains daily artistic practice “as far as her health allows” and has actively participated in curatorial planning for the exhibition through indirect communication. The retrospective continues through August 2, offering an unprecedented examination of one of contemporary art’s most influential visionaries.

  • ‘Get me out of here’: Alex Johnston reflects on record-breaking moment and the wild scenes that disappointed his coach

    ‘Get me out of here’: Alex Johnston reflects on record-breaking moment and the wild scenes that disappointed his coach

    In an unprecedented spectacle at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has cemented his legacy by shattering Australian rugby league’s most enduring record. During Friday night’s clash against the Roosters, Johnston scored his 213th career try, surpassing the legendary Ken Irvine’s benchmark of 212 set in 1973—a feat many believed would remain unbroken.

    The historic moment arrived just one minute into the second half when Johnston received a precision pass from teammate Latrell Mitchell and raced across the try line. This triggered an extraordinary pitch invasion as thousands of euphoric fans—including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese—swarmed the field in spontaneous celebration, halting play for 16 minutes.

    Security personnel made several arrests during the chaotic scenes that followed, with Johnston himself describing the experience as overwhelming. “I enjoyed it for about a minute and then I was like ‘get me out of here’,” the record-breaker recounted. “It was pretty crazy. I honestly was struggling to breathe—it was so hot in there, with so many people tugging and pulling.”

    Despite the interruption, the Roosters ultimately secured a 26-18 victory, though the night belonged to Johnston. The 31-year-old expressed profound relief at achieving the milestone early in the season, calling it a “massive monkey off my back” that had been weighing on him throughout preseason preparations.

    Opposition coaches paid tribute to Johnston’s achievement, with Roosters mentor Trent Robinson acknowledging the significance despite his team’s competitive stance. “To see a milestone like that in our game is legendary,” Robinson stated. “How humble he is and how beautiful he is at his craft—the man knows how to score tries.”

    Veteran Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans compared the scenes to Australian Rules football icon Buddy Franklin’s record-breaking moment, noting: “We saw something very special—a rugby league record that we thought may never be touched.”

    Johnston’s record-breaking pursuit had gained additional narrative tension after Mitchell notably declined to pass to him in the previous week’s match when a try seemed certain. The winger’s resilience through a serious Achilles injury in 2024 makes his accomplishment particularly remarkable, with coach Wayne Bennett affirming that “the game is blessed to have a player like him.”

  • Cuba says it will release 51 prisoners in the coming days

    Cuba says it will release 51 prisoners in the coming days

    In a significant diplomatic gesture following Vatican-mediated discussions, the Cuban government announced it will release 51 prisoners in coming days. While authorities confirmed these individuals had “served substantial portions of their sentences and maintained good conduct,” they notably omitted whether any were incarcerated for political reasons.

    The prisoner release unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States and a severe energy crisis gripping the island nation. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel revealed that bilateral talks with US officials are underway to address longstanding differences, though he emphasized these negotiations remain in preliminary stages and must proceed “on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states.”

    Cuba’s fragile energy situation has reached critical levels, with President Díaz-Canel confirming no fuel shipments have reached the island in three months. This shortage has triggered widespread blackouts and rendered the national electricity grid increasingly “unstable.” The crisis stems from tightened US sanctions, including intercepted oil shipments and threats of tariffs against nations supplying Cuba with petroleum.

    Venezuela previously supplied approximately 35,000 barrels of oil daily—covering half of Cuba’s needs—but this arrangement collapsed following Washington’s January raid and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In response, Cuba has accelerated domestic crude production, expanded gas extraction, and increased solar generation capacity.

    US President Donald Trump intensified pressure by declaring Cuba in “deep trouble” and threatening a “friendly takeover” of the Caribbean nation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, has advocated for systemic change in Cuba, asserting this represents “the only chance to improve the quality of life for its people.”

    The prisoner release continues Cuba’s pattern of humanitarian gestures, with the foreign ministry noting 9,905 pardons since 2010 and an additional 10,000 releases through “various forms of relief” over the past three years. The timing coincides with the upcoming Holy Week in the Christian calendar and follows recent meetings between Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and Pope Leo at the Vatican.

  • Zelenskyy says US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is ‘not the right decision’

    Zelenskyy says US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is ‘not the right decision’

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized the United States’ decision to grant a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions, warning that the move would funnel approximately $10 billion to Moscow’s war efforts. Speaking at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday, Zelenskyy characterized the sanctions relief as counterproductive to peace negotiations.

    “This easing alone by the United States could provide Russia with about $10 billion for the war,” Zelenskyy stated. “I believe that lifting sanctions will, in any case, lead to a strengthening of Russia’s position. It spends the money from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then used against us.”

    The U.S. Treasury Department announced the temporary waiver on Thursday, citing the need to address Russian oil cargoes stranded at sea and mitigate supply shortages resulting from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Analysts note that rising oil prices due to production disruptions in the Persian Gulf have inadvertently benefited Russia’s economy, which relies heavily on energy revenues to finance its military operations.

    The decision has drawn international criticism beyond Ukraine’s leadership. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the waiver “the wrong decision” during his visit to Norway, revealing that six G7 members had expressed opposition to sanctions relief during recent discussions. “There is currently a price problem, but not a supply problem,” Merz noted, questioning the underlying motivations for the U.S. action.

    President Macron sought to contextualize the waiver as “limited” and “exceptional,” emphasizing that broader sanctions against Russia remain intact. Meanwhile, U.S.-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv remain suspended due to regional instability, though Zelenskyy indicated potential resumption next week.

    In a strategic pivot, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has received requests from six nations, including the United States and Jordan, for combat drone assistance. Having emerged as a global leader in drone interceptor technology, Ukraine now offers its battlefield expertise to international partners in exchange for advanced weaponry it cannot domestically produce. Zelenskyy stressed that effective drone defense requires integrated systems beyond interceptors alone, noting “There must be proper, systematic work with radars and with the entire air defense system.”

    The Ukrainian president confirmed that White House approval is pending for a bilateral agreement on producing battle-tested drones, potentially marking a significant advancement in Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

  • ‘Feeling embarrassed’: Trent Robinson gives update on Billy Smith after mystery e-bike crash

    ‘Feeling embarrassed’: Trent Robinson gives update on Billy Smith after mystery e-bike crash

    In a dramatic prelude to a record-breaking National Rugby League clash in Sydney, the Sydney Roosters secured an epic victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs despite the last-minute absence of center Billy Smith. Smith was ruled out of Friday night’s blockbuster match at Allianz Stadium following an e-bike accident near the club’s Moore Park headquarters, sparking internal discussions about player safety protocols.

    Roosters coach Trent Robinson addressed the unusual situation post-match, revealing Smith was feeling ’embarrassed’ but otherwise okay after suffering a head knock in the incident. The accident has prompted calls for revised transportation arrangements for players, who currently face a lengthy walk from the Entertainment Quarter parking lot to their training facility. The area surrounding their Centre of Excellence is reportedly filled with e-bikes and scooters used by players and staff due to limited parking availability.

    Team captain James Tedesco contextualized the incident, noting that ‘scootering and biking to and from training’ had been standard practice since the club’s establishment in Moore Park. Despite the pre-game disruption, the Roosters delivered an impressive performance, rebounding strongly from their previous disappointing loss in New Zealand.

    The match marked a significant milestone as Rabbitohs’ Alex Johnston became the game’s leading try-scorer, though the Roosters ultimately spoiled the celebration. Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans particularly stood out, silencing critics with an exceptional performance that included scoring the opening try and setting up the decisive play for Tedesco. Coach Robinson praised Cherry-Evans’ strategic gameplay, noting his improved distribution and angle-changing abilities that represented ‘a really good step forward’ for the player.

  • Two long-lost episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ have been found. Fans will soon be able to watch them

    Two long-lost episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ have been found. Fans will soon be able to watch them

    In a remarkable discovery for television history, two long-lost episodes from the iconic British sci-fi series “Doctor Who” have been recovered after being missing for nearly six decades. The Film is Fabulous! charity announced the find on Friday, revealing that the 1965 episodes were located among the collection of a deceased film enthusiast.

    The recovered installments, titled “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” feature William Hartnell as the original Doctor in adventures against the show’s infamous Daleks. The episodes were found preserved in film cans wrapped in plastic bags and have since undergone professional restoration by BBC archivists.

    This discovery reduces the number of still-missing episodes to 95 from the classic series that originally aired from 1963 to 1989. The loss of these historical television artifacts stems from the BBC’s former practice of discarding or reusing film recordings and video tapes during the 1960s-1980s, a period when broadcasters routinely disposed of content they considered disposable.

    Justin Smith, cinema professor at England’s De Montfort University and chair of Film is Fabulous!, described finding missing “Doctor Who” episodes as “the holy grail of classic TV discoveries.” The charity confirmed the collector’s estate wishes to remain anonymous despite the significance of the find.

    Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s companion Steven Taylor in 46 episodes, expressed both delight and melancholy at the discovery. “Twenty-seven of mine still are missing, but I’m delighted that two have been found,” the 87-year-old actor told the BBC.

    This marks the first major recovery of lost “Doctor Who” episodes since 2013, when nine installments were discovered in a Nigerian television relay station. The newly found episodes form part of a 12-part storyline, much of which remains missing, though preservationists remain hopeful that additional episodes may surface in private collections.

    The cultural phenomenon of “Doctor Who” has endured through its innovative premise allowing the time-traveling alien protagonist to regenerate into new forms, with Ncuti Gatwa currently portraying the fifteenth incarnation of the Doctor in the series that was revived in 2005 after a 16-year hiatus.

  • Robotic traffic police commander debuts in South China’s Shenzhen

    Robotic traffic police commander debuts in South China’s Shenzhen

    Shenzhen, China’s premier technology hub, has unveiled a groundbreaking robotic traffic police commander that began active duty on March 6th in the city’s Longgang district. This advanced humanoid robot represents a significant leap in urban management technology, operating during morning rush hours at a busy Bantian intersection where it performs real-time traffic direction through sophisticated high-precision joint modules.

    The robotic officer employs visual AI recognition technology to continuously monitor intersection activity, creating an integrated ‘identify-warn-persuade’ management system. When detecting violations such as cyclists without helmets or vehicles crossing stop lines, the unit immediately issues warning whistles and corrective hand signals. This innovation marks an evolution from its previous function as a stationary safety awareness promoter to an active traffic management role.

    Shenzhen’s technological ecosystem provides the perfect testing ground for such advancements. The city maintains China’s highest research and development investment intensity at 6.67%, with enterprises contributing over 93% of total R&D expenditure. Bantian, home to tech giants including Huawei, offers an ideal environment for piloting cutting-edge urban solutions.

    This deployment aligns with China’s rapidly expanding humanoid robotics sector, which dominated global shipments with 90% market share in 2025 according to industry analyst Omdia. Financial institution Morgan Stanley projects China’s humanoid robot sales will double to 28,000 units in 2026, indicating substantial growth in practical applications beyond entertainment purposes.

    Public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with local residents applauding the technology’s potential to reduce officer workload and enhance public safety. Future applications may expand to include alcohol checkpoint operations, initial accident response, and intelligent violation detection systems, signaling a new era in smart urban governance and police resource allocation.

  • France returns sacred ‘talking drum’ looted during colonial rule to Ivory Coast

    France returns sacred ‘talking drum’ looted during colonial rule to Ivory Coast

    A monumental artifact of Ivorian heritage, the sacred Djidji Ayôkwé drum, has been ceremoniously returned to Ivory Coast after more than a century in French possession. The massive talking drum, measuring over three meters in length and weighing approximately 430 kilograms, was looted by French colonial forces in 1916 during France’s occupation of West Africa.

    The drum’s journey home began after the French parliament passed special legislation on February 20 authorizing its restitution. It arrived at Abidjan International Airport aboard a specially chartered aircraft, carefully secured in a large wooden crate marked ‘fragile.’ Members of the Ebrié community, the original custodians of this cultural treasure, gathered to welcome the drum home in an emotional ceremony featuring traditional dancers and local chiefs.

    This restitution represents part of France’s broader initiative to return African cultural artifacts, a process formally initiated in 2017. The Djidji Ayôkwé holds particular significance as the first item on a list of 148 works that Ivory Coast is seeking to recover from France and other nations. The drum had been displayed at Paris museums since 1929, first at the Trocadéro Museum and later at the Quai Branly Museum.

    Ivorian Culture Minister Françoise Remarck described the homecoming as ‘a historic day with lots of emotions’ and ‘a moment of justice and remembrance.’ The return coincides with France’s legislative efforts to streamline the restitution process, with the Senate adopting a framework law on January 29 to facilitate the removal of colonial-era artifacts from French national collections.

  • Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe

    Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe

    A sweeping regulatory shift is poised to transform the European gaming landscape as the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system announces stringent new age classifications targeting games with loot box mechanics. Effective June 2026, titles incorporating paid random item systems will automatically receive a minimum PEGI 16 rating across 38 participating nations, including the United Kingdom.

    The decision marks a formal recognition of loot boxes—virtual containers purchasable with real or virtual currency that yield randomized rewards—as potential risk factors in game design. This classification overhaul responds to mounting research indicating these mechanics blur boundaries between gaming and gambling behaviors. Prominent franchises utilizing such systems, including EA Sports FC, face significant rating escalations under the new framework.

    PEGI Director Dirk Bosmans affirmed the changes will deliver “more useful and transparent advice” for consumers, particularly parents making informed purchasing decisions. The sentiment finds support from education advocates like Emily Tofield of the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust, who acknowledged the reforms as “a step in the right direction” while advocating for retrospective application to existing games.

    The regulatory adjustment extends beyond loot boxes. Time-limited systems like paid battle passes will now trigger PEGI 12 ratings, while games incorporating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) face automatic PEGI 18 classifications. Titles employing punitive “play-by-appointment” mechanics that penalize player absence will receive PEGI 12 ratings versus PEGI 7 for non-punitive systems. Notably, games lacking player reporting or blocking features will receive the maximum PEGI 18 designation.

    This industry-led initiative emerges against a complex regulatory backdrop. While the UK government declined to amend the Gambling Act 2005 to encompass loot boxes in 2022, citing insufficient evidence of “causative links” to harm, trade body Ukie subsequently issued guidance restricting underage loot box purchases without parental consent. The Advertising Standards Authority concurrently enforces disclosure requirements for loot box presence in game advertisements.

    Academic perspectives underscore the significance of these changes. Dr. Ruijie Wang of Bournemouth University, whose January 2025 study examined gambling risks for youth, noted loot boxes represent “one of the most studied examples of gambling-like mechanics in games.” She emphasized that recognizing them in age ratings helps “reflect the realities of modern game design” and provides parents clearer harm indicators.

    Despite regulatory progress, implementation challenges persist. Games journalist Vic Hood observed that ultimate protection relies on parental engagement with rating systems, noting effectiveness hinges on parents “educating themselves on why these changes were brought in.” The policy currently applies solely to new releases post-June, leaving existing games with loot boxes unaffected—a gap advocates argue diminishes protection for children already engaged with such titles.