Source: CNBC
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Wednesday 10 July 2019 16:35:32
Tutankhamen Sculpture Sold for $6 Million Despite Egypt’s Outcry
A 3,300-year-old sculpture of Tutankhamen’s head sold for almost $6 million at auction, defying calls from Egyptian authorities for the artifact to be returned to its native country.
Auction house Christie’s said the “rare, beautiful and important work” achieved a price of £4,746,250 ($5,968,058) in London on Thursday, where it was purchased by an unnamed buyer.
The 11-inch artifact, carved from brown quartzite, portrays the Ancient Egyptian “Boy King” wearing the crown of the god Amun.
Christie’s went ahead with the auction despite demands from Egypt for the relic to be returned.
“I believe that it was taken out of Egypt illegally ... (Christie’s) have not presented any documents to prove otherwise,” Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Reuters before the auction.
He reportedly added that Egypt would press the buyer for the sculpture to be returned.
A spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.
Christie’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in a press release Thursday the auction house said: “We recognize that historic objects can raise complex discussions about the past; yet our role today is to work to continue to provide a transparent, legitimate marketplace upholding the highest standards for the transfer of objects.”
“We believe it is in the public interest that works come out into the open with the opportunity for them to be researched, as well as seen and enjoyed by global audiences,” the statement continued.
Prior to the sale, the relic had been kept as part of a German art collection since 1985. It had previously been owned by German aristocrat Prinz Wilhelm von Thurn.
Tutankhamen, one of Egypt’s most famous kings, ruled for nine years and died before his 20th birthday. His tomb was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter with its contents intact.
Earlier this year, British authorities returned an ancient artifact to Egypt that had been illegally smuggled out of the country and was headed for auction.
