In their letters, they said the issue is about accountability as much as history, “This is not only about the past…until the remains of our ancestors are accounted for and returned, the suffering continues,” the Guardian quotes.

The families say they were dismayed after the museum and Cambridge said in 2022 they had not identified any remains in their collections as belonging to the resistance fighters, an answer the descendants and some Zimbabwean officials say is hard to accept without deeper research.

Among those seeking answers is Chief Makoni, Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, who fought British settler forces and was later captured, executed and beheaded. “We are very aggrieved…for the dehumanisation that took place,” he said, adding that British institutions “should be honest and return those things that they took.”

The renewed push comes as wider scrutiny grows over the scale of human remains from Africa held in UK institutions. A Guardian investigation found at least 11,856 items of human remains from Africa across UK universities, museums and councils, with Cambridge and the Natural History Museum among the largest holders.

ArtReview’s Power 100 is an annual ranking that identifies the individuals considered most influential in shaping the contemporary art world. Compiled by the UK-based magazine ArtReview, the list reflects impact across artistic practice, institutions, markets and cultural debate, rather than commercial success alone.

Images from Accra show sacks filled with coloured rocks and stones, labourers assembling large textile installations, and visitors moving through museum spaces where Mahama’s work is on display. His work is best known for monumental textile-based pieces made from repurposed jute sacks and industrial materials, which frequently address themes of labour, history and exploitation.

Mahama has argued that producing ideas from Africa inevitably shapes how those ideas resonate globally. He noted that while artists and students have traditionally looked towards the West for knowledge, the conditions on the continent also generate forms of understanding that cannot be created elsewhere.

The art ist said his decision to base his practice in Tamale was deliberate. Using a metaphor, he compared art to sugar that attracts ants wherever it is placed, explaining that building his studio there was less about location and more about contribution, learning and long-term engagement.

At 38, Mahama climbed from 14th place in the 2024 ranking to the top position this year. Over the past decade, his large-scale installations have brought him international attention, positioning his work at the centre of discussions about labour, responsibility, memory and the social implications of artistic production.

The sculptures, collectively known as the Prasat Phokhon Chai group, date back more than 1,200 years and are among the earliest surviving bronze religious works from the region. They include three Bodhisattva figures and a Buddha image, all traced to sites in what is now Buriram province.

For decades, the statues circulated abroad with incomplete or misleading provenance . Thai authorities have long argued that the works were removed illegally during a period when site protection and export controls were weak or poorly enforced.

Momentum toward their return gathered earlier this year after investigators from US Homeland Security confirmed the objects’ origins and advised the museum that they could not be lawfully retained under current standards governing cultural property.

Following internal review, the museum’s board voted to relinquish the sculptures, clearing the way for their transfer back to Thailand. 

A formal handover ceremony was held in San Francisco in early December, attended by Thai diplomats and senior museum officials.

Thailand’s Ministry of Culture said the bronzes had been on the country’s official recovery list since 2018, after scholars and investigators linked them conclusively to temple ruins in Buriram’s Phokhon Chai area.

Thai officials described the repatriation as the result of sustained documentation, cross-border cooperation and growing international recognition of source countries’ ownership rights.

The four sculptures are expected to arrive in Thailand before the end of the month, where they will be placed under the care of the Fine Arts Department and prepared for eventual public display.

The case adds to a growing number of restitutions involving Asian antiquities, as governments and museums confront the legacy of decades of unregulated excavation, smuggling and collecting.

“This unity is what I'm trying to build up. At the end of the day, we'll have a beautiful Africa for us to live in,” Akeiti said. “This is ‘Gbomo Adesa’, a human being who does not have the external force influencing him or his natural resources being touched.”

The festival also highlights innovation in sustainable fashion, amongst others. Pearl Tetteh, a fashion student, showcased dresses made from plastic bags and broken CDs.

“I want to show everybody that when it comes to the fashion industry, nothing is useless,” she explained.

Other artists explored creative reuse of everyday materials like paper.

Nii Lomotey, a student at the University of Education, Winneba, used discarded exam papers to make sculptural works.

“Contemporary art has given us the power to collect things in the environment to create,” he said, adding, “Some are creating with plastics, some with rubbers, some with leaves. For me, it’s paper.”

The Chale Wote Festival is a week-long celebration of community-focused art.

It was developed by women barred from formal education , adapting Chinese characters to communicate through letters, songs and embroidery.

Traditionally passed down among women in rural communities, Nushu is now being learned in workshops and schools across China.

“Due to its uniqueness, elegance, and rarity, it seems to be quite highly regarded, especially among many students in the arts ,” said Nushu teacher He Yuejuan in an interview with AFP. 

Student Pan Shengwen said Nushu “essentially creates a sanctuary for us — a safe space where we can express our thoughts, confide in our sisters, and talk about anything.” 

She added that the script allows participants to communicate in an environment where they feel understood and supported.

Some men are also taking up the script. 

Animation student Tao Yuxi said he was learning Nushu to gain inspiration for his creative work despite his family’s initial confusion about why he was studying a script more commonly associated with women.

“It’s something that everyone should work to preserve — regardless of whether they are women or men,” he said.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities echoed this, calling the postponement a move to uphold Egypt’s responsibility to present a world-class event that honours the scale of its heritage. The ministry emphasised that the delay allows time to fine-tune preparations for a ceremony that matches the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Located near the Giza Pyramids, the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum is set to be the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation.

While the official inauguration is delayed, the museum remains partially open to visitors through a soft opening phase, offering access to selected exhibitions.

In 1992, then Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, announced plans to build a new museum to bring together the ancient artefacts scattered throughout the country. In January 2002, Egypt launched a global competition to design a new museum near the Giza Pyramids to house its ancient treasures. A month later, a foundation stone was laid just 2km from the iconic site.

In 2003, Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects won the bid with a striking modern design in which construction began in 2005, but the project faced significant delays due to environmental, financial, and political challenges.

The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been postponed at least five times. Originally scheduled for 2012, the opening was repeatedly delayed, first to late 2020, then to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent rescheduling pushed it to 2022 and then 2023. A soft opening began in October 2024, but the full launch has yet to take place. The most recent delay shifted the planned July 3, 2025, opening to the last quarter of 2025, citing regional instability.

Once formally launched, GEM is expected to become a global cultural landmark, symbolising Egypt’s ancient legacy and its modern aspirations.

The restoration aimed to protect the country’s rich history and cultural heritage, Xinhua news reports.

He said a special police unit has been set up to guard historical sites and artefacts. This step is meant to prevent damage and theft.

In 2024, about 8,200 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan’s historical sites, according to the ministry. The government hopes to attract more visitors in the future.

Afghanistan has a long history with many ancient sites that have faced threats from conflict and neglect.

"The rough Johannesburg canvas serves as an inspiration for me," Rhode explained to the AFP. "It motivates me to come back and inject energy, life, and a new narrative into these decayed spaces. It’s calling for regeneration," he remarked.

During his recent visit to South Africa, Rhode was deeply affected by the collapse of many once-thriving structures. This experience has driven him to use his art as both a form of revitalisation and a critique of the political systems he believes have failed the city.

"Seeing these collapsing structures had a profound impact on me," Rhode said. "It’s motivated me to come back and allow my art to function as a critique of the political systems that are also collapsing."

One of the key pieces in his new collection, titled Block of Flats, which he says mirrors the urban decay found in Johannesburg’s neighbourhoods.

Head of the Gao Cultural Mission, Mamadou Samake, shared the tomb’s significance with the AFP. He said, “The Tomb of the Askia is a historical monument that was built by Askia Mohamed in 1495. It is a very old monument that shows the power and greatness of the Songhai empire, a living proof of it today. So, it is a monument that is also on the national heritage list and on the world heritage list since 2004. "

For the people of Gao, the site is more than a historical landmark - it’s a source of pride. “It’s like a museum for us,” said local resident Oumar Seydou Maiga. “Historians come from all over the world to visit, and it gives a positive image of Gao. We feel proud every time.”

However, natural elements have taken a toll on the tomb over the years. Samake pointed out that water, humidity, and insects have caused significant damage. “First, the factors of degradation on the site are natural factors - it’s water, humidity, and insects, so all the problems we see around that tomb and the pathologies we found came from that. There are the woods that were very fragile, very degraded; others were broken. There were pillars that had fallen in 2011 and 2017, so it is; it is pathologies.”

Historian Mohamed Soumeylou Traore explained, “This renovation is crucial because the tomb serves as the burial place of multiple Askia rulers. In Gao alone, ten Askias have been laid to rest here.”

Published in Time and Mind: The Journal of Archaeology, Consciousness and Culture , the study reveals carvings at Göbekli Tepe, dated to around 12,000 years ago, which may represent an ancient lunisolar calendar. This calendar appears to include 12 lunar months plus 11 extra days, making it the oldest known example of its kind.

Led by Chemical Engineer Martin Sweatman, the research identifies the symbols as records of celestial phenomena. Among the carvings are depictions of a meteor shower lasting 27 days, linked to constellations like Aquarius and Pisces. The study suggests that the people of Göbekli Tepe were tracking solstices and the precession of equinoxes earlier than previously believed.

The pillars, standing about 18 feet tall, are adorned with abstract human figures and animals. Sweatman identified 365 V-shaped symbols on one pillar, interpreted as daily markers, and square symbols denoting lunar months of roughly 29.5 days. A “V” on a bird figure is interpreted as marking the summer solstice.

Sweatman believes the carvings not only mark astronomical events but also reflect Göbekli Tepe’s role as a religious site.

“​​Overall, it appears that naked-eye astronomical capabilities of ancient people were far in advance of what is generally assumed for this time,” Sweatman said .

The painting titled "Unity in Diversity," the painting depicts a map of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups through their unique attire, languages, culture, and artistic expressions.

On July 19, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria), Dr. David broke the previous record and announced his determination to achieve his ultimate goal of covering 1,000 square meters of canvas. In an Instagram post, he shared his excitement: "Congratulations to us all. On Day 4 at 9 p.m., we broke the current record of 629.98 square meters, but we are not yet done! The goal is to get over 1,000 square meters of canvas covered in drawings; we are currently at 689 square meters. Let’s go!"

Throughout his record-breaking attempt, Dr. David has received support from various celebrities and dignitaries, who visited the stadium to witness his artistic feat firsthand. 

Notable among them is renowned Nigerian chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci. 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu also shared in the milestone by congratulating Dr. Fola David on setting the Guinness World Record for the largest drawing by an individual. The president posted to his Instagram account to congratulate him. Tinubu wrote, “Congratulations to Dr. Fola David for completing his attempt at making the world’s largest hand-drawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ We are filled with great pride and admiration for this accomplishment.”

The Governor of Lagos city also added from the challenging days of the pandemic where he was a #COVID19Hero at our Onikan Isolation Centre to breaking world records at our Onikan Stadium (Mobolaji Johnson Arena), Dr. Fola David has been a beacon of excellence and service.  Congratulations on creating the world’s largest hand-drawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ Lagos is proud!  We are happy to have supported this record-breaking feat to showcase the extraordinary talents within our state. Your dedication and creativity inspire us all.

The painting was found in the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi and portrays a narrative scene: a pig stands still with its mouth partly open, surrounded by figures that appear to be interacting with it.

This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the creative explosion that led to the development of art and science began in Europe. Instead, it suggests that art and storytelling have been a part of human culture for tens of thousands of years and that they likely originated in Africa before spreading to other parts of the world.

"This find reinforces the idea that representational art was first produced in Africa, before 50,000 years ago, and the concept spread as our species spread. If that is true, much new supporting evidence from other areas including Africa has yet to emerge,” said Chris Stringer, an anthropologist at London's Natural History Museum.

“This discovery of very old cave art in Indonesia drives home the point that Europe was not the birthplace of cave art, as had long been assumed. It also suggests that storytelling was a much older part of human history, and the history of art, in particular, than previously recognized,” Griffith University archaeologist Adam Brumm, another of the study’s authors supported.

According to Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist at Australia's Griffith University, the unearthing of the artwork is also significant because it provides evidence of the mental capacity of early humans. Adding that the painting shows a level of sophistication and creativity that was previously unknown in art of this age.

"The earliest Sulawesi rock art is not 'simple'. It is quite advanced and shows the mental capacity of people at the time," Aubert said.

Sarah Guernsey, the museum’s deputy director and senior vice president for curatorial affairs told the Sun-Times , that the museum "Has always said, if we learn new information that leads us to believe we should not have something, we will return it. This is an example of us living up to that commitment.”

The intended repatriation was made possible through ongoing provenance research conducted by the Art Institute of Chicago. A specialist reevaluated the item for nearly eight months, conducting research that included examination, documentation, and a visit to Thailand. Once the specialist determined that the pilaster originated in Thailand, the museum initiated the transfer process.

This is not the first time the Art Institute of Chicago has returned an artefact to Thailand. In 1988 , the museum returned a decorative stone beam featuring the god Vishnu, which had disappeared from a temple in Thailand in the 1960s. The museum subsequently sent two sculptures to the Kingdom of Thailand in 2010, according to the museum.

The latest historical repatriations include the return of 39 artefacts to Uganda by Cambridge University. The university, however, is only lending the artefacts to the owners for three years. Additionally, Oxford University is set to repatriate a venerable bronze sculpture depicting a Hindu poet and saint, dating back half a millennium, to its homeland of India.

The signet ring was discovered by metal detectorist Tom Clark in a pasture for sheep near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

George Grenville during his tenure as Prime Minister wanted customs duties to be enforced strictly and proposed a new set of stamp duties to raise revenue. Unfortunately, the colonists protested vociferously which helped provoke the outbreak of the American War of Independence.

The 18th-century Prime Minister was dismissed by King George III after the acts he introduced caused protests in what were then the American colonies.

His ring was passed to his second son, also a member of parliament, named George, according to Nigel Mills, artefact and coin expert at Noonans.

He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was given the title of Marquess of Buckingham and lived close to where the ring was found.

Illegal Venezuelan migrant Bernardo Raul Castro Mata allegedly shot two NYPD officers at "point-blank range" during a struggle. He was held without bail on charges including attempted murder and possession of a weapon. The officers were investigating a robbery pattern when they confronted Castro Mata, who then allegedly shot them before being apprehended, as reported by Fox News . Authorities believe Castro Mata is a member of the "bloodthirsty" Tren de Aragua gang and was found in possession of a firearm connected to gunpoint robberies. After the shooting, police conducted a crackdown on illegal vehicles in the area.

Monumental rock art discovery along Colombia-Venezuela river

British and Colombian archaeologists discovered monumental rock art along the Colombia-Venezuela Orinoco River, one of the longest rivers in South America. The engravings, some over 40 meters long, are believed to mark the territorial boundaries of prehistoric indigenous peoples, The City Paper Bogota reports. The researchers used advanced drone photography to map the extensive rock art, uncovering several new sites that are at least 2,000 years old. The engravings, including a 42-metre-long snake, served to mark territory and assert dominance over the landscape, according to reports. The researchers plan to deepen their collaboration with local communities and authorities to develop sustainable preservation strategies.

84 illegal mining structures destroyed

The Venezuelan military destroyed 84 illegal mining structures as part of Operation Caura 2024 in the southern part of the country. The structures served as clandestine lodgings and logistical depots for environmental depredation, according to Latin American news agency TeleSur. In a separate operation, the military also seized fuel and dismantled illegal mining equipment in Caura National Park, the largest park in the country. The military continues to conduct operations to control illegal activities in national parks, forest reserves, and watersheds, TeleSur reports.

https://www.telesurenglish.net/venezuelan-military-destroys-84-illegal-mining-structures/

Brazil urges Venezuela to allow election observers

Brazilian President Lula da Silva has urged Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro to allow international election observers for upcoming presidential elections. This comes after Venezuela withdrew an invitation for EU observers, accusing them of interventionist practices. Lula also expressed support for the Barbados agreement and discussed lifting international sanctions on Venezuela, Agencia Brasil reports. The July elections will see President Maduro run for a third term.

50 years of bilateral ties with China celebrated

Venezuela and China celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed their strategic partnership following the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto in Beijing on June 5. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation in various areas including trade, technology, and space exploration, according to CGTN . Venezuela expressed support for China's one-China principle and its right to national sovereignty. China pledged to broaden cooperation to contribute to Venezuela's industrialisation and economic diversification

Egypt's National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) complained about a German school in Cairo, accusing it of purportedly endorsing homosexuality through biology lessons. The Ministry of Education has initiated an investigation into these allegations, firmly rejecting any advocacy for ideas that oppose societal norms. The backdrop for this controversy includes a wider context of ongoing discrimination and governmental crackdowns on the LGBTQ+ community within Egypt, The New Arab . The country's stance is evident in its ban on films featuring homosexual themes, with any perceived promotion of such content sparking considerable backlash. Despite the religious authorities' disapproval of same-sex relationships in Egypt, there is a growing openness to discussing the topic both within the country and across the Arab world.

Ancient Egypt and the Milky Way galaxy connection

A recent study, reported by LADbible , reveals that ancient Egyptians possessed knowledge of the Milky Way galaxy and its association with the sky-goddess Nut. Conducted by an astrophysicist from the University of Portsmouth, this research sheds new light on the intricate relationship between Nut and the cosmos. In ancient Egyptian artwork, Nut was often depicted as a celestial figure adorned with stars, with her role in safeguarding Earth from floods intricately linked to the portrayal of the Milky Way in the night sky. Furthermore, the study unveils connections between Nut's significance in the afterlife and the annual migration patterns of birds, findings that resonate with how various cultures interpret the Milky Way. This research underscores the universal language of astronomy, showcasing its ability to bridge humanity's understanding across diverse cultures, geographical boundaries, and epochs of time.

Egypt reclaims stolen statue of King Ramses II

Egypt celebrates the return of a 3,400-year-old statue of King Ramses II, which had been stolen and smuggled out of the country three decades ago. According to CTV News , the artefact will undergo restoration before being exhibited at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Originally taken from the Ramses II temple in Abydos, Southern Egypt, in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the statue resurfaced for sale in 2013. With the assistance of Swiss authorities, Egypt successfully reclaimed the piece, establishing its rightful ownership through collaborative efforts with Switzerland and ensuring its repatriation.

Migration governance

On April 22, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasised Egypt's commitment to implementing a comprehensive strategy for migration governance. In a meeting with the Director-General of the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, Shoukry sought the organisation's assistance in supporting this approach. As reported by Ahram Online , Shoukry articulated Egypt's vision for a multifaceted approach that extends beyond security considerations to encompass development factors and the underlying causes of illegal immigration. Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid elaborated that Egypt's strategy aims to address the full spectrum of migration issues. In January, Egypt signalled its intent to commence the documentation of refugees and immigrants residing in the country, estimated at 8-9 million individuals hailing from 133 different nations.

‘False Israeli allegations’ about smuggling weapons

Egypt has strongly denied Israeli allegations of smuggling weapons into Gaza from Egyptian territory. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), declared in a statement on April 22 that all such allegations, including claims about the existence of tunnels between both sides of the border, are entirely false. The statement also called on Israel to stop making false accusations and to respect the peace treaty. As reported by Egypt Today , Rashwan explained that: ‘All countries of the world know well the extent of the efforts made by Egypt in the last 10 years, to achieve security and stability in Sinai and enhance security on the border between Egyptian Rafah and the Gaza Strip, as Egypt itself had suffered greatly from these tunnels during the fierce confrontation with terrorist groups in Sinai after the overthrow of the Brotherhood regime in June 2013 and until 2020, it represented a means for smuggling fighters and weapons to Sinai to carry out terrorist operations that claimed the lives of more than 3,000 martyrs from the army, police, and civilians, and more than 13,000 injured.

The door emerged as the evening's top lot, ahead of the whip wielded by Indiana Jones in The Temple of Doom, which fetched $525,000, Entertainment Weekly reports.

The film's director, James Cameron, reportedly put the debate surrounding the door's buoyancy to rest during Titanic's 25th anniversary in 2022.

"We have done a scientific study to put this whole thing to rest and drive a stake through its heart once and for all," Cameron revealed in an interview while promoting Avatar: The Way of Water.

"We took two stunt people who were the same body mass of Kate and Leo, and we put sensors all over them and inside them, and we put them in ice water, and we tested to see whether they could have survived through a variety of methods, and the answer was, there was no way they both could have survived. Only one could survive," he added.

Among the items available for auction were Marilyn Monroe's on-screen dress, Jack Nicholson's iconic ax from the "Hereeee's Johnny" scene in The Shining, and an authentic Stormtrooper blaster from the original Star Wars film released in 1977. Additionally, various artifacts from Titanic, such as the ship's helm wheel and Rose's distinctive white, pink, and lavender chiffon dress, were also included in the auction lineup.

The Cooperation of the Colombian Embassy in Italy also helped identify and retrieve these stolen artefacts.

Among the 24 archaeological pieces of pre-Colombian art returned pieces are various cups and sculptures, representing different Columbian archaeological regions such as Muisca, Guane, Quimbaya, and Nariño.

According to local media El Espectador , the items were found during checks at commercial establishments, particularly at an auction house in Florence, where they were being sold by the heir of a deceased collector.

“The assets were identified and confiscated by the TPC Nucleus of Florence in the course of specific prior controls in commercial establishments in the sector, in particular in an auction house in Florence, where they had been put up for sale by the heir of a deceased collector,” El Espectador quoted TPC.

A terracotta sculpture representing a seated dignitary was also seized by the TPC of Turin during an operation targeting a merchant involved in the trafficking of falsified contemporary art.

This animation tells the extraordinary tale of bringing back together pieces of a revered scroll painting, "The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," which were separated over 300 years ago.

The story not only highlights the splendour of ancient Chinese art but also underscores the mainland's steadfast commitment to incorporate Taiwan, which it considers one of its provinces.

In a time when China and Taiwan remain politically estranged, "The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," an invaluable masterpiece of the Yuan dynasty painted by Huang Gongwang, finds itself divided.

One piece, named "The Remaining Mountain," measuring approximately 51 cm in length, resides within the walls of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, China. The other, a substantial 640-cm long section titled "Master Wuyong Scroll," has been safeguarded in Taiwan's National Palace Museum since the 1950s. The separation of these revered pieces mirrors the ongoing political divide between China and Taiwan.

The animated short film, "Dreams Come True on Fuchun River," artfully bridges the cultural divide between China and Taiwan. The storyline revolves around two elf-like characters symbolising the separated sections of the masterpiece.

The painting, tragically torn asunder during the 17th century by one of its owners, serves as a metaphor for the historical and political rift between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. However, in a magical twist of fate, the two characters unite, symbolising the hope for reconciliation and unity.

The actual reunion of the two sections of "The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" took place in 2011. China temporarily lent its fragment to the Taiwanese museum during a period of warmer relations, driven by Taiwan's policy of economic rapprochement.

However, in recent years, diplomatic relations have cooled, and China has escalated military activities in the vicinity of Taiwan. China has proposed ambitious plans for economic integration between its Fujian province and Taiwan, offering joint development opportunities that Taiwan's government has thus far rejected.

While China endeavours to entice Taiwan with promises of economic prosperity and cooperation, the threat of using force to reunify with the island persists. The animated film, during the journey of the two elves, subtly inserts images of formidable aircraft carrier formations and J-20 fighter jets. These scenes serve as a reminder of China's military capabilities and its unwavering stance regarding Taiwan.