Tougher laws on antiquities crimes

Italy’s populist government is to introduce tough new penalties for art and antiquities crimes as it aims to crack down on cultural theft as part of its nationalist agenda. The announcement comes after several highprofile restitutions of antiquities taken to London and New York and recovered only after being put up for sale. An ancient wine carafe, a decanter for precious oils and a soup tureen were among the latest of 16 precious art and archaeological artefacts recovered in the US over the last two years and returned to Italy this week.