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Van Gogh painting ‘may have increased in value’ after protest
Climate activists may have “increased” the value of a Vincent Van Gogh painting after gluing themselves to its frame at a London art gallery, their lawyer has suggested. Just Stop Oil supporters Emily Brocklebank, 23, and Louis McKechnie, 22, are accused of causing just under £2,000 of criminal damage to the frame. Jonathan Bryan, prosecuting, said the activists used super glue to attach themselves to Van Gogh’s 1889 work Peach
Trees In Blossom at the Courtauld Gallery, on the Strand, on 30 June.
But Francesca Cociani, defending the pair at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, questioned Karen Serres, a curator at the gallery. She said: “It’s possible that this very painting has now increased in value because of the protest it was subject to by the defendants.” Ms Serres replied: “Absolutely not.” The witness said she believes the painting cannot be sold.
CCTV footage showed the activists walking in the building at about 3.30pm after purchasing tickets for an exhibition. They then took off their jackets to reveal orange Just Stop Oil T-shirts and attached themselves to the artwork. The trial continues.
More than 350,000 cats caught Covid during pandemic
Some 350,000 cats caught Covid during the pandemic, according to a new study. It was already a known fact that cats could catch coronavirus but levels of infection among felines have been measured for the first time. Swabs were taken from 2,309 cats taken to the vets in the UK between April 2020 and February 2022.
Virologists and vets from Glasgow University then analysed the swabs and found that 3.2 per cent of the samples were positive for Covid. The highest infection levels came at the end of 2021 and the start of 2022 as one in 20 cats were testing positive. Experts believe cats are only infectious for a few days and don’t spread much of the virus if they catch it.
Red Arrows commander suspended over affair with colleague
The commander of the Red Arrows has been removed from his post while an alleged relationship he had with a junior team member is investigated. Wing Commander David Montenegro, known as Monty, allegedly had an affair in 2017, which is reported to have resulted in the colleague’s pregnancy.
According to reports, Wing Cmdr Montenegro has been sent home from a Red Arrows tour of the Middle East. The allegations refer to a period when Mr Montenegro was in a previous role in the team. An RAF spokesman said: “All RAF personnel are expected to maintain the highest standards of behaviour.”
Tesco is latest supermarket to ration eggs due to supply issues
Tesco has become the latest supermarket giant to ration eggs for customers because of supply chain issues. Shoppers will only be able to buy a maximum of three boxes, and this will be monitored when they get to the checkout. Farmers are currently facing two major issues affecting egg supplies, including soaring costs and an outbreak of avian flu.
Tesco’s decision follows that of Aldi and Lidl, which started rationing eggs for customers last week. Tesco, Britain’s largest supermarket chain, said it made the decision as a precautionary measure at this stage. It added that it’s working hard with its suppliers to prevent a shortage of eggs but has brought in the restriction as a precaution.
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