British owner refuses to hand over Italian painting identified as stolen
A 16th-century Italian painting stolen over 50 years ago has been found and is now at the centre of an ownership battle between a woman in Norfolk, England, and the Civic Museum of Belluno, Veneto, according to Italian media reports.
‘Madonna and Child’ by Renaissance painter Antonio Solario was stolen in 1973 alongside several other artworks displayed in the museum.
The painting was later bought by Baron de Dozsa and taken to East Barsham Manor in Fakenham, England.
Following his death, it ended up in the possession of Barbara de Dozsa, the baron’s ex-wife.
The painting was rediscovered by Italian authorities in 2017, when Barbara de Dozsa tried to sell it through an auction house.
Christopher Marinello, a lawyer specialised in recovering stolen artworks and the head of Venice-headquartered Art Recovery International, said he has repeatedly tried to persuade the current owner to return the artwork to the Italian museum.
But she has so far declined to give up the painting, citing the 1980 Limitation Act, which states that someone who buys stolen goods can be recognised as their legal owner after six years from the date of purchase if the acquisition was "unconnected to the theft".
Paintings by Solario, who worked across northern Italy in the early 16th century, have been sold for several hundred thousand euros in the past.
Ancient Jewish bathhouse found in Rome’s Ostia Antica ruins
An ancient Jewish bathhouse has been uncovered in the archaeological park of Ostia Antica, southwest of Rome’s city centre, the Ansa news agency reported on Tuesday.
The discovery of the mikveh, a bath used for ritual ablutions, was announced by Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni.
The finding in the ruins of the ancient coastal city is "unique in the Roman Mediterranean area," Giuli told reporters, with Di Segni adding that "such an ancient mikveh does not seem to have ever been found in the entire diaspora".
"At this point, Rome has an exceptional archaeological heritage of Jewish history," Di Segni said.
"There’s not only the Arch of Titus; there are the catacombs, there is the synagogue of Ostia and now also the mikveh of Ostia".
Ostia was the port city of ancient Rome, thriving as a commercial hub from the 4th century BCE to its decline in the 5th century CE.
Despite its historical significance and excellent state of preservation, the Ostia Antica archaeological park is often overlooked by both national and international visitors.
The site, which includes important landmarks such as the Ostia Theatre, the Baths of Neptune and the ancient Forum, offers a glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire.
EU chief calls for 'surge' in European defence spending
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday called for a "surge" in European defence spending, as the 27-nation bloc faces Russia’s aggression amid faltering US support.
Addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said Europe's security order was "being shaken," suggesting the continent could no longer rely on "America's full protection".
"The time of illusions is now over. Europe is called to take greater charge of its own defence," von der Leyen told the EU parliament.
"We need a surge in European defence. And we need it now."
Brussels has already sent a clear signal it is moving in that direction, with EU leaders recently endorsing a plan aimed at mobilising up to €800 billion to boost defence spending.
The defence plan proposes to provide members with EU-backed loans of up to €150 billion, easing budget rules to allow states to spend more on military forces.
Von der Leyen indicated on Tuesday that the loans should be directed towards reinforcing "strategic capability" domains within Europe's defence industry.
"These loans should finance purchases from European producers to help boost our own defence industry," she said.
It was not immediately clear whether this would include non-EU producers such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
European governments are under pressure to step up their defence capabilities as US President Donald Trump has thrown into question the future of Washington’s central role in NATO.
Italian defence firm’s net profit soars amid geopolitical tensions
Italian defence group Leonardo on Tuesday reported a jump in its yearly net profit and orders amid growing geopolitical tensions that have prompted European nations to step up military spending.
Defence budgets in Europe have risen following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and are expected to increase further as the EU responds to shifting relations with the US under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Leonardo said its net profit rose by 67 percent to €1.16 billion in 2024, while revenues rose by 16.2 percent to €17.9 billion.
Orders reached €20.9 billion in 2024, up by 16.8 percent against 2023.
Leonardo said that space venture Telespazio alone contributed a capital gain of €366 million to its balance sheet.
The price of Leonardo shares has risen by 47 percent in the past month, according to AFP.
With reporting from Elaine Allaby and AFP.
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