In a significant step towards combating illicit art trade, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy.

This move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks.

The repatriation ceremony carried out in collaboration with Italian officials, saw the handover of 42 remarkable artefacts, some of which are over 2,500 years old, as reported by Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Concerted effort for cultural preservation</h2>

The restitution event was officiated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who highlighted the ongoing efforts to reverse the destructive impact of well-established networks engaged in smuggling antiquities out of Italy.

Bragg emphasised the successful repatriation of more than 200 artefacts since his assumption of office in 2022, signalling the commitment to rectifying past wrongs.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-help-greece-reclaim-historical-artefacts-from-uk-reports-british-media-592664">&nbsp;India to help Greece reclaim historical artefacts from UK, reports British media</a>

Vincenzo Molinese, commander of Italy's Carabinieri Art Squad, lauded the collaboration between the United States and Italy, which was pivotal in achieving this accomplishment.

The joint effort showcases the dedication of both nations to safeguard&nbsp;cultural heritage.

<h2>A glimpse into the history</h2>

Among the valuable items returned was a vase originating from Apulia in southern Italy, tracing its origins back to 335 BC.

This ancient artefact was pilfered from a burial site and subsequently smuggled abroad by Giacomo Medici, a notorious dealer in Italian antiquities.

The vase, once used to mix water and wine, was intercepted in July while in possession of a private collector in New York, following its journey through London.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: UK secretly ships stolen artefacts to Cambodia

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<h2>A renewed focus on restitution</h2>

Since 2017, New York authorities have been actively involved in repatriating stolen artefacts, many of which were looted from approximately 20 countries during the 1970s to 1990s.

The recovered items span various historical periods and regions, including ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine empires, Iraq, China, India, and Southeast Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a significant step towards combating illicit art trade, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy.

In a significant step towards combating illicit art trade, New York authorities have taken measures to return stolen antiquities valued at almost $3.5 million to Italy. This move aims to reshape the city's image as a prominent global hub for the illegal trade of artworks. The repatriation ceremony carried out in collaboration with Italian officials, saw the handover of 42 remarkable artefacts, some of which are over 2,500 years old, as reported by Reuters. Concerted effort for cultural preservation The restitution event was officiated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who highlighted the ongoing efforts to reverse the destructive impact of well-established networks engaged in smuggling antiquities out of Italy. Bragg emphasised the successful repatriation of more than 200 artefacts since his assumption of office in 2022, signalling the commitment to rectifying past wrongs. Also read | India to help Greece reclaim historical artefacts from UK, reports British media Vincenzo Molinese, commander of Italy's Carabinieri Art Squad, lauded the collaboration between the United States and Italy, which was pivotal in achieving this accomplishment. The joint effort showcases the dedication of both nations to safeguard cultural heritage. A glimpse into the history Among the valuable items returned was a vase originating from Apulia in southern Italy, tracing its origins back to 335 BC. This ancient artefact was pilfered from a burial site and subsequently smuggled abroad by Giacomo Medici, a notorious dealer in Italian antiquities. The vase, once used to mix water and wine, was intercepted in July while in possession of a private collector in New York, following its journey through London. Also watch | Gravitas: UK secretly ships stolen artefacts to Cambodia A renewed focus on restitution Since 2017, New York authorities have been actively involved in repatriating stolen artefacts, many of which were looted from approximately 20 countries during the 1970s to 1990s. The recovered items span various historical periods and regions, including ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine empires, Iraq, China, India, and Southeast Asia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

New York returns stolen artefacts worth $3.5mn to Italy in effort to combat illicit art trade

The United States aid agency (USAID) stated that the shipments of food, which were being sent to the war-torn Tigray region of Ethiopia, have been paused after they discovered that the aid was being illegally sold in the local market. 
 
The announcement was made by USAID administrator Samantha Power in a statement on Wednesday stating that the food aid was intended “for the people of Tigray suffering under famine-like conditions”. 
 
“We have made the difficult decision to pause all USAID-supported food assistance in the Tigray region until further notice,” said Power.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ethiopias-tigray-had-longest-ever-period-of-internet-shutdown-in-2022-566941">Ethiopia's Tigray had longest-ever period of internet shutdown</a>

She further stated that the matter was investigated by USAID’s Office of the Inspector General and the halt was decided as the “best course of action” for the time. 
 
No major return to fighting took place after a peace deal was signed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government in November. 
 
However, the issue of food security has remained unresolved even after a blockade was lifted by the government on the northern region which was imposed when the fighting broke out in 2020 so that a free flow of aid can take place. 
 
The move by USAID comes days after it was reported by the Associated Press&nbsp;that the remaining aid deliveries were suspended by World Food Programme (WFP) after an internal investigation revealed the theft of food in the war-torn region, where 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian support. 
 
In a statement, Power on Wednesday said that the United States “has raised its concerns with officials from both the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration”. 
 
She stated that both the regional and federal authorities had expressed their willingness to help identify those responsible.

WATCH | <a>Fighting intensifies, Sudanese flee in thousands</a>

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“USAID stands ready to restart paused food assistance only when strong oversight measures are in place and we are confident that assistance will reach the intended vulnerable populations,” Power said. 
 
She further stated that other “vital assistance not implicated in the diversion scheme will continue, including life-saving nutritional supplements, safe drinking water, and support for agricultural activities and development”. 
 
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the government of Ethiopia and the southern-based Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) concluded the first round of peace talks without any concrete agreements. 
 
The two sides, however, expressed their commitment to continue the talks.

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The United States aid agency (USAID) stated that the shipments of food, which were being sent to the war-torn Tigray region of Ethiopia, have been paused after they discovered that the aid was being illegally sold in the local market.

The United States aid agency (USAID) stated that the shipments of food, which were being sent to the war-torn Tigray region of Ethiopia, have been paused after they discovered that the aid was being illegally sold in the local market. The announcement was made by USAID administrator Samantha Power in a statement on Wednesday stating that the food aid was intended “for the people of Tigray suffering under famine-like conditions”. “We have made the difficult decision to pause all USAID-supported food assistance in the Tigray region until further notice,” said Power. ALSO READ | Ethiopia's Tigray had longest-ever period of internet shutdown She further stated that the matter was investigated by USAID’s Office of the Inspector General and the halt was decided as the “best course of action” for the time. No major return to fighting took place after a peace deal was signed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government in November. However, the issue of food security has remained unresolved even after a blockade was lifted by the government on the northern region which was imposed when the fighting broke out in 2020 so that a free flow of aid can take place. The move by USAID comes days after it was reported by the Associated Press that the remaining aid deliveries were suspended by World Food Programme (WFP) after an internal investigation revealed the theft of food in the war-torn region, where 20 million people are in dire need of humanitarian support. In a statement, Power on Wednesday said that the United States “has raised its concerns with officials from both the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration”. She stated that both the regional and federal authorities had expressed their willingness to help identify those responsible. WATCH | Fighting intensifies, Sudanese flee in thousands “USAID stands ready to restart paused food assistance only when strong oversight measures are in place and we are confident that assistance will reach the intended vulnerable populations,” Power said. She further stated that other “vital assistance not implicated in the diversion scheme will continue, including life-saving nutritional supplements, safe drinking water, and support for agricultural activities and development”. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the government of Ethiopia and the southern-based Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) concluded the first round of peace talks without any concrete agreements. The two sides, however, expressed their commitment to continue the talks. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US alleges illicit sale of food aid in Tigray, pauses shipments

The newly convened Philippine Congress heard a proposal today to re-impose the death penalty for &#39;heinous crimes&#39;, giving priority to President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s push for capital punishment in its first legislative session. 
 
The death penalty bill was received the same day Duterte took office on June 30, and it cites illicit sales and use of drugs as the root cause of &quot;the most perverse and atrocious crimes&quot;. 
 
Introduced by two lawmakers, including a house speaker allied with Duterte, the bill cites the need for a war on crime and argues that existing laws were not a deterrent and had &quot;emasculated&quot; the criminal justice system. 
 
The death penalty was repealed in 2006 following pressure from church groups. 
 
The bill comes as Duterte&#39;s war on crime is in full swing, with at least 200 people killed in the past month, according to police, who say many of the deaths are the work of vigilantes. 
 
Other estimates of the body count are far higher and human rights groups are outraged. 
 
Duterte&#39;s vow to wipe out crime and drugs by the end of the year resonated among millions of locals when he campaigned for election on threats to kill drug dealers who refused to surrender and dump their bodies in Manila Bay. 
 
He will not get everything his way, however, with the bill calling for lethal injection as a method of administering the punishment. Duterte had called for death by hanging, which he described graphically during speeches. 
 
(Reuters)

Philippine Congress discusses death penalty bill that cites illicit sales and use of drugs as the root cause of most atrocious crimes

The newly convened Philippine Congress heard a proposal today to re-impose the death penalty for 'heinous crimes', giving priority to President Rodrigo Duterte's push for capital punishment in its first legislative session. The death penalty bill was received the same day Duterte took office on June 30, and it cites illicit sales and use of drugs as the root cause of "the most perverse and atrocious crimes". Introduced by two lawmakers, including a house speaker allied with Duterte, the bill cites the need for a war on crime and argues that existing laws were not a deterrent and had "emasculated" the criminal justice system. The death penalty was repealed in 2006 following pressure from church groups. The bill comes as Duterte's war on crime is in full swing, with at least 200 people killed in the past month, according to police, who say many of the deaths are the work of vigilantes. Other estimates of the body count are far higher and human rights groups are outraged. Duterte's vow to wipe out crime and drugs by the end of the year resonated among millions of locals when he campaigned for election on threats to kill drug dealers who refused to surrender and dump their bodies in Manila Bay. He will not get everything his way, however, with the bill calling for lethal injection as a method of administering the punishment. Duterte had called for death by hanging, which he described graphically during speeches. (Reuters)

Philippine President Duterte pushes for re-imposition of death penalty in first legislative reform

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