Author: Sarah Walsh

A large number of antiquities have been smuggled out of India before the ratification of 1970 UNESCO Convention, which are now housed in various museums, institutions and private collections across the world. India and the US on Friday signed their first ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’ on the sidelines of the 46th World Heritage Committee being hosted by India this time. The agreement was signed to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the US. Culture secretary Govind Mohan and Eric Garcetti, US ambassador to India, signed the agreement in the presence of Union minister of culture…

There are many factors to consider when buying a home, and evaluating factors like cost of living, crime rate, climate change, local issues and property taxes can help you save money. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, waiting for mortgage rates to fall or planning a big move in the next few years, researching the market now can help you decide where to invest later. “While no one can predict the market with absolute certainty, the patterns we’re seeing now offer some valuable clues,” said Yawar Charlie, estates director of Aaron Kirman Group at Christie’s International Real Estate and cast member…

Any hopes that falling borrowing costs would stem the pain from the US office downturn were swept away last week. Deutsche Bank set aside more money for souring US commercial real estate loans, while a Blackstone mortgage trust slashed its dividend. New York Community Bancorp’s shares then plunged the most since the last bout of CRE-related turmoil in March after provisions for losses came in at more than double the average expected by analysts. The announcements signal that lenders may not be able to just amend and extend loans in the hope that lower interest rates will ease borrowers’ pain and allow…

Farm Journal uses data intelligence to help U.S. agriculture become more sustainable and resilient Farming has always been a high-risk proposition. And more recent challenges—including farmland consolidation, technological advances, and evolving consumer expectations—have made running a farm more complicated than ever. At the same time, amid international conflicts and an increasingly fragile global supply chain, the role of American agriculture in feeding a growing population is more crucial than ever. Farm Journal, an agricultural information and intelligence company with a long history of providing trusted news to U.S. agricultural producers, has observed firsthand the growing list of challenges farmers are…

Kiev (8/6 – 17). The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s announcement about the personnel losses suffered by Moscow in May underscores the toll the conflict has taken on the Russian side. The reported figure of 38,940 personnel losses for Moscow as stated by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, indicates a significant escalation in the conflict’s intensity. Such a high monthly casualty count underscores the severity of the situation and the toll it’s taking on the Russian side. Ellie Cook’s report in Newsweek highlights a critical aspect of conflict reporting the difficulty in accurately determining battlefield casualties. Analysts often caution against…

Across the United States, universities have become focal points for demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war. Today, students at Columbia University in New York barricaded a building on campus – further fuelling tensions as they demand their university divests financially from Israel. While many of the protests against the war by students have been peaceful, some have descended into chaos. Riot police pepper sprayed students at the University of Texas and arrested dozens, as Texas state governor Greg Abbott said ‘no encampments will be allowed’. The demonstrations have been ongoing for months as students attempt to stop university support for Israel, and oppose US funding…

“A concrete kennel, measuring 2.5m x 3m. Most often, it is unbearable due to the cold and dampness. Water collects on the floor, and the window is tiny. The walls are thick, stifling any airflow, and not even the cobwebs stir. There is no ventilation, leaving one feeling suffocated at night, akin to a fish out of water. An iron bunk, reminiscent of those found on sleeper trains, is bolted to the wall.” This is how Alexei Navalny described the cell in which he spent 308 out of 1125 days in solitary confinement. His imprisonment amounted to both physical and…

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) late Sunday recommended airlines operating Boeing 737-900ER jets inspect door plugs, opens new tab to ensure they are properly secured after some operators reported unspecified issues with bolts upon inspections. The recommendation follows the FAA’s grounding of 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes after the January 5 mid-air cabin blowout of a door plug on an eight-week-old Alaska Airlines MAX 9 jet. The 737-900ER is not part of the newer MAX fleet but has the same optional door plug design that allows for the addition of an extra emergency exit door when carriers opt…

New York and Wisconsin are bracing for major decisions over the fate of their election maps in the coming weeks ahead of a critical 2024 election.  In New York, Democrats are looking to get another shot at having an independent commission redraw the state’s congressional maps after it deadlocked last cycle. A court-appointed special master ultimately drew maps in which Republicans were able to flip a handful of seats. In a separate case, Democrats are also seeking to have Wisconsin’s state legislative maps redrawn, arguing they’re “extreme partisan gerrymanders” and violate the state constitution. The rulings in both cases, which could come as…

Massachusetts has now become the fifth state in the US to allow inmates to make phone calls for free, thanks to a new bill signed into law by Governor Maura Healey. The new law went into effect on Friday and includes all 14 correctional facilities in the state, according to a news release from the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The change will “provide equitable access to sustained communication between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones,” says the news release. There is no limit to the number of calls each inmate can make, according to the release. Source : CNN