International
America returns over 40 ‘stolen’ antiquities to Italy
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
International
FG hails Elias’ election to UN International Law Commission
Elias emerged successful in a competitive election conducted to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Kenya’s representative, Professor Phoebe Okowa. Candidates from Ghana and Botswana also contested the seat.
The Federal Government has hailed the election of Nigerian international legal expert, Taoheed Elias, into the United Nations International Law Commission during the commission’s 77th session held in Geneva.
Elias emerged successful in a competitive election conducted to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Kenya’s representative, Professor Phoebe Okowa. Candidates from Ghana and Botswana also contested the seat.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government described the election as a recognition of Nigeria’s contributions to the development of international law and multilateral diplomacy.
The government said Elias brings decades of experience in international legal affairs to the commission, having previously served as Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals with the rank of United Nations Assistant Secretary-General.
CNN’s founder Ted Turner / AFP
Ted Turner, the flamboyant US entrepreneur who transformed television news with the creation of CNN in 1980, has died at the age of 87, the network said Wednesday.
The mustached southerner, yachting enthusiast and philanthropist, whose empire also included sports clubs, had been suffering from the degenerative disease Lewy Body Dementia.
Cable News Network upended established broadcasting with its dedication to around-the-clock breaking news and shot to global recognition with its coverage of the Gulf War in 1990-91.
The 24-hour network was the first in the United States to run non-stop news and quickly built a worldwide footprint.
Correspondents brought live coverage from major events ranging from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the Chinese crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests.
CNN’s decision to keep reporters in Baghdad amid US bombing on the Iraqi capital cemented the network’s reputation as an indispensable source of breaking news.
International
Explosion at China fireworks factory kills 21 people
Authorities deployed nearly 500 personnel to conduct search and rescue operations and treat the injured, while robots were used to help find those trapped within the building.
A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and left 61 wounded, according to state media.
The explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks plant happened at around 16:40 local time (08:40 GMT) on Monday, in the city of Liuyang, leading rescuers to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9mi) radius of the plant.
Authorities deployed nearly 500 personnel to conduct search and rescue operations and treat the injured, while robots were used to help find those trapped within the building.
Police, who are investigating the cause of the blast, have taken “control measures” against the person in charge of the fireworks company, Chinese state media reported.
Authorities said that two gunpowder warehouses within the factory area posed a high risk amid rescue efforts, state media reported.
Rescue teams had to evacuate everyone within a 3km (1.9mi) radius of the fireworks plant.
They also implemented measures like humidifying the area to “prevent secondary accidents during the rescue”.
The companies making billions from the Iran war – BBC
Instagram drops end-to-end encryption for private messages
For stable electricity, should Nigeria invite China to manage Power Sector for 20 years ?
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News3 days agoFG Bans Use of ‘Dr’ Title by Honorary Degree Holders
-
News2 days agoBenue Assembly Suspends Auditor General over ₦4.6BN Fraud Allegation
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: Court Stops NBC from Sanctioning Broadcasters for Expressing Opinions
-
Business2 days agoDangote unveils ambitious plan for 20,000MW power project
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: Former Power Minister Mamman Convicted of N33.8bn Fraud
-
News3 days agoAkume Calls For Religious Tolerance, Grassroots Peace Ahead of 2027 Elections
-
News3 days agoAkpabio threatens to throw Oshiomhole out of Senate, like Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Youths earnestly asking Jonathan to contest for president