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America returns over 40 ‘stolen’ antiquities to Italy

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New York authorities on Tuesday returned to Italy several dozen stolen antiquities worth nearly $3.5 million, as the American megapolis strives to shake off the reputation as a key global hub for illicit art trade.

Investigators handed back 42 exceptional pieces – some 2,500 years old – to Italian officials during a ceremony in New York, according to a statement from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

“We continue to undo the damage wrought by decades of well-organised antiquities smuggling networks throughout Italy,” Bragg said, adding that more than 200 antiquities have been repatriated to Italy since he took office in 2022.

Vincenzo Molinese, commander of the Italian government’s so-called Carabinieri Art Squad, hailed “the great success of the investigation” thanks to a collaboration between the United States and Italy.

Among the works found and returned was a vase from the region of Apulia in southern Italy that dates back to 335 BC. It was stolen from a burial site before being smuggled abroad by Giacomo Medici, a notorious trafficker of Italian antiquities, according to prosecutors.

After passing through London, the bowl, which was used to mix water and wine, was seized in July from a private collection in New York last month.

Since 2017, New York prosecutors have repatriated pieces that were looted from around 20 countries between the 1970s and 1990s.

They have included works from ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine empires, Iraq, China, India and Southeast Asia.

AFP

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International

Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom – Tinubu replies Trump

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of genocide against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.

In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

”Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.

”Read the full statement below:

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.

The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.

Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.

BOLA AHMED TINUBUPRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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Trump orders US Military to resume nuclear weapons testing

Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the United States military to resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year break.

The announcement came on Truth Social, minutes before he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

” Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

”The move appears aimed at both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia recently carried out a series of nuclear-related tests, though the Kremlin said none involved actual nuclear explosions.

“Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Russia would only test in response to another country doing so.

No nuclear power other than North Korea has conducted explosive testing in over 25 years. The U.S. last tested in 1992, Russia in 1990, and China in 1996.

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UK: King Charles strips his brother, Andrew of ‘Prince’ title, mansion

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

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Britain’s King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Andrew, of his title of prince and ordered him to vacate his Windsor home, Buckingham Palace.

The move seeks to further distance the royal family from Andrew’s ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

Earlier this month, he was directed to stop using his title of Duke of York.

The king has now taken tougher measures by removing all of Andrew’s remaining titles, meaning he will henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

According to the palace, a formal notice has been issued requiring him to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate. He is expected to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.

The decision, which comes as King Charles continues cancer treatment, is seen as one of the most decisive actions taken against a senior royal in modern British history.

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