GOVERNMENT VOWS TOCRACKDOWNON THEFT OF ANTIQUITIES

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 high-profile restitutions of antiquities taken to London and New York were recovered after being put up for sale, sometimes for millions. An ancient wine carafe, a decanter for precious oils and a soup tureen were among the latest of 16 artifacts recovered in the U.S. over the last two years and returned to Italy this week. Italian government officials say they will soon be ratifying the Nicosia convention, an international agreement establishing penalties for offences such as unlawful excavation and sale of cultural artifacts.