Officials announced the repatriation of 30 looted antiquities to Cambodia. AP
Officials announced the repatriation of 30 looted antiquities to Cambodia. AP
One of the Cambodian antiquities recovered by the US Attorney's Office, in New York. AP
One of the Cambodian antiquities recovered by the US Attorney's Office, in New York. AP
Some of the Cambodian antiquities recovered by the US Attorney's Office on display. AP
Some of the Cambodian antiquities recovered by the US Attorney's Office on display. AP
The South-East Asian country's archaeological sites, including Koh Ker, a capital of the ancient Khmer empire, suffered widespread looting in civil conflicts between the 1960s and 1990s. AP
The South-East Asian country's archaeological sites, including Koh Ker, a capital of the ancient Khmer empire, suffered widespread looting in civil conflicts between the 1960s and 1990s. AP
Looted artefacts on display. AP
Looted artefacts on display. AP
This 10th century sandstone statue depicting the Hindu god of war, Skanda, riding on a peacock will be returned to Cambodia. AP
This 10th century sandstone statue depicting the Hindu god of war, Skanda, riding on a peacock will be returned to Cambodia. AP
The works were voluntarily relinquished by US museums and private collectors after civil forfeiture claims were filed. AP
The works were voluntarily relinquished by US museums and private collectors after civil forfeiture claims were filed. AP
Some of the artefacts are made from gold and bronze. AP
Some of the artefacts are made from gold and bronze. AP

World

US

US will return to Cambodia 30 antiquities looted from sites

A Bangkok dealer created fake documents to conceal that the items had been stolen and smuggled

Reuters

August 08, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The US will return to Cambodia 30 looted antiquities, including bronze and stone statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities carved more than 1,000 years ago, US officials said on Monday.

The South-East Asian country's archaeological sites, including Koh Ker, a capital of the ancient Khmer empire, suffered widespread looting in civil conflicts between the 1960s and 1990s.

Cambodia's government has since sought to repatriate stolen antiquities sold on the international market.

Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in New York, said the items being returned were sold to western buyers by Douglas Latchford, a Bangkok dealer who created fake documents to conceal that the items had been stolen and smuggled.

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Mr Williams said the antiquities, including a 10th century sandstone statue depicting the Hindu god of war Skanda riding on a peacock, were voluntarily relinquished by US museums and private collectors after his office filed civil forfeiture claims.

"These statues and artifacts … are of extraordinary cultural value to the Cambodian people," he said at a ceremony announcing the return of the antiquities.

US prosecutors in 2019 charged Latchford, a dual citizen of Thailand and the US, with wire fraud and smuggling over the alleged looting. He died in Thailand in 2020.

Restored art pieces by renowned Iraqi artists are on display at Iraq's Ministry of Culture in Baghdad. All photos: AFP
Restored art pieces by renowned Iraqi artists are on display at Iraq's Ministry of Culture in Baghdad. All photos: AFP
Many of the works disappeared in 2003 when museums and other institutions were pillaged in the chaos that followed the US-led invasion to topple dictator Saddam Hussein.
Many of the works disappeared in 2003 when museums and other institutions were pillaged in the chaos that followed the US-led invasion to topple dictator Saddam Hussein.
Visitors look at paintings by renowned artist Faiq Hassan.
Visitors look at paintings by renowned artist Faiq Hassan.
The 'maternal statue', a work by Iraqi artist Jawad Selim, that was rediscovered in a district known for its antiques and second-hand goods shops is on display. The painting on the right is by Shakir Hassan Al Said.
The 'maternal statue', a work by Iraqi artist Jawad Selim, that was rediscovered in a district known for its antiques and second-hand goods shops is on display. The painting on the right is by Shakir Hassan Al Said.
Visitors look at paintings by Iraqi artists Suad Al-Attar, left, and Rafa Al Nasiri.
Visitors look at paintings by Iraqi artists Suad Al-Attar, left, and Rafa Al Nasiri.
A wooden sculpture of a gazelle with undulating curves.
A wooden sculpture of a gazelle with undulating curves.

The antiquities will be displayed at the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's ambassador to the US, Keo Chhea, told Reuters at the ceremony.

In 2014, federal prosecutors returned the Duryodhana, a looted 10th-century sandstone sculpture, to Cambodia after settling with auction house Sotheby's, which had acquired it.

Last year, the Manhattan district attorney's office returned 27 other looted antiquities to Cambodia.

France to return looted artifacts to Benin -- in pictures

The Quai Branly Museum in Paris is exhibiting over a dozen colonial-era treasures taken from Benin, the last time they will be shown in France before being returned to the African nation. AP
The Quai Branly Museum in Paris is exhibiting over a dozen colonial-era treasures taken from Benin, the last time they will be shown in France before being returned to the African nation. AP
Artworks from the collection on display inside the Quai Branly Museum. The 26 pieces, from a trove of objects taken by French forces in 1892, are being shown for only six days at the museum before being shipped to Benin. EPA
Artworks from the collection on display inside the Quai Branly Museum. The 26 pieces, from a trove of objects taken by French forces in 1892, are being shown for only six days at the museum before being shipped to Benin. EPA
The treasures are from the kingdom of Dahomey in the south of present-day Benin. EPA
The treasures are from the kingdom of Dahomey in the south of present-day Benin. EPA
The 19th century throne of King Ghezo, left, and the throne of King Glele, from Benin, are part of the exhibit. AP
The 19th century throne of King Ghezo, left, and the throne of King Glele, from Benin, are part of the exhibit. AP
A close-up view of the detail on one of King Glele's palace doors. AP
A close-up view of the detail on one of King Glele's palace doors. AP
A statue of Benin's 19th century King Behanzin on display. AP
A statue of Benin's 19th century King Behanzin on display. AP
A sculpture entitled 'Royal Seat'. EPA
A sculpture entitled 'Royal Seat'. EPA
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0DMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Lightweight%20Title%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAmru%20Magomedov%20def%20Jakhongir%20Jumaev%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERany%20Saadeh%20def%20Genil%20Franciso%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWalter%20Cogliandro%20def%20Ali%20Al%20Qaisi%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERenat%20Khavalov%20def%20Hikaru%20Yoshino%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Nunes%20def%20Nawras%20Abzakh%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20def%20Sanzhar%20Adilov%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullo%20Khodzhaev%20def%20Petru%20Buzdugen%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20139%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERazhabali%20Shaydullaev%20def%20Magomed%20Al-Abdullah%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ECong%20Wang%20def%20Amena%20Hadaya%20-%20Points%20(unanimous%20decision)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKhabib%20Nabiev%20def%20Adis%20Taalaybek%20Uulu%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBartosz%20Szewczyk%20def%20Artem%20Zemlyakov%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: August 08, 2022, 10:35 PM`
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