Over 5,000 artifacts smuggled out of Iraq since 2003 — Culture Ministry

CultureOver 5,000 artifacts smuggled out of Iraq since 2003 — Culture Ministry Iraq's deputy culture, tourism and antiquities minister Qasem al-Sudani noted that the agency was monitoring the appearance of Iraqi artifacts "at state and private auctions"RABAT, August 7. /TASS/. Thousands of artifacts have been smuggled out of Iraq since the spring of 2003, when the international coalition invaded the country under the pretext of discovering weapons of mass destruction, said deputy culture, tourism and antiquities minister Qasem al-Sudani. "Iraq has been subjected to looting in various ways since the coalition’s invasion with more than 5,000 items with registration numbers from Iraqi museums illegally smuggled out of the country since spring 2003," al-Sudani said. He noted that the agency is monitoring the appearance of Iraqi artifacts "at state and private auctions; [the work is carried out] through the foreign and interior ministries, Interpol, intelligence services, and Iraqi embassies." According to al-Sudani, these efforts have yielded results, and "thousands of artifacts have been discovered." The deputy minister explained that it is more difficult to track and determine even an approximate number of ancient artifacts that are "acquired through illegal excavations or private archaeological expeditions and then smuggled abroad." In this area, al-Sudani added, organized criminal groups are active, and their operations are monitored by the National Security and Intelligence Services in coordination with the Antiquities Authority. Al-Sudani said that the Iraqi government has included returning ancient artifacts illegally removed from the country in its program for the coming years. He said that Iraq "needs to make efforts at the national level, not just at the ministerial level, to restore the cultural wealth that the country possesses. Work in this direction is ongoing, and the authorities will inform about the artifacts found at each stage of the process of returning them to Iraq.". TagsCultureSpain’s Ceuta migration crisisSpain threatens Italy with 'proportional measures' over border controls — ReutersThe Spanish government urged Italy to lift border controls no later than August 9Read moreMoscow sees Yerevan's attempts 'to blackmail' Russia — Foreign MinistryThis policy, according to the Russian MFA, "includes harassment of pro-Russian figures, threats of arbitration proceedings against Russian companies operating in Armenia"Read moreKiev loses 80% of its ports, using remaining ones to deliver military cargoes — expertAccording to Vitaly Kiselyov, Kiev uses civilian port infrastructure to deliver fuel and NATO-issued uniforms, since maritime transport is "the shortest and cheapest route"Read moreWestern countries may follow US in reducing Ukraine arms aid — Russian lawmakerAccording to the earlier media reports, US President Donald Trump declined Vladimir Zelensky’s request for additional Patriot interceptorsRead moreKiev suffering enormously due to Russian strikes on port logistics — expertVitaly Kiselyov said the Russian army’s strikes against the enemy’s logistics, including port facilities, have reduced the enemy’s capabilities in the southern and central directionRead moreRussia says Japan has to be plainspoken about US bombing of its citiesAlexey Fadeyev noted that the politicians were trying to link this topic with anti-Russian narratives in connection with the situation in UkraineRead moreOver 470 Ukrainian troops found guilty in Russia over Kursk incursionThe convicted individuals include 36 foreign mercenaries from 13 countriesRead moreUkraine ruined its military-industrial complex to please the West — Russian senatorAlexander Voloshin said the more outspoken members of the Ukrainian elite become, the more difficult it is for Western politicians to sustain their previous illusionsRead moreRussia calls on US to focus on resolving situation in UkraineAlexey Fadeyev emphasized that Moscow would be able to achieve its goals under any circumstancesRead moreWest increasingly reluctant to transfer air defense interceptor missiles to Kiev — NYTAccording to The New York Times, Kiev's allies are taking into account ongoing conflicts around the world, including in the Middle EastRead moreKiev complains about pause in negotiation process involving USActing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga emphasized Kiev’s desire for "greater involvement" from the United States in the peace talksRead moreRussia’s Smolensk Region declares state of emergency after severe weather kills twoAbout 15,000 consumers remain without electricity across the Smolensk RegionRead moreIran, Oman discussing transit fee of 3% to 7% for Strait of Hormuz — ReutersThe Iranian side insists on introducing a fee of 5-7%Read moreRussian deputy PM states need to establish railway link to Indian OceanRussia’s construction industry currently demands long-term financing, the official stressedRead moreNATO directly involved in strikes on Russian territory, hackers say citing filesAccording to available information, a NATO intelligence-linked hybrid warfare specialist, Bart de Wachter, provided the coordinates of oil and gas terminals in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions to Ukraine’s Security ServiceRead moreRussia hits three dry cargo ships, destroys Ukrainian army train: results of new strikesA Geran drone destroyed a locomotive of the Ukrainian military train in the Kharkov RegionRead moreUS imposes sanctions on Cuba's military attache in RussiaRestrictions have been additionally imposed on Cuba's military attache in ChinaRead moreGroupings in Iraq intend to attack neighboring countries within next 48 hours — televisionSources cited by Al Hadath said that the warning was issued at a special meeting with Prime Minister Ali al-ZaidiRead moreTrump admits US Army needs to replenish its weapons stockpilesThe US president made the corresponding statement, commenting on the rationale behind the administration’s request to Congress for $87.6 billion in additional funding, of which $21 billion is needed to purchase ammunition and strengthen the country’s industrial baseRead moreThai school shooter commits suicide — newspaperAccording to the report by Khaosod, two people were killed, and updated figures indicate that 15 were injuredRead moreRussia cripples Ukraine’s 'southern gateway,' Kherson Region official saysSince July 10, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted ports in Greater OdessaRead moreRussia successfully launches Elektro-L weather satellite into operationCurrently, the satellites Elektro-L No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 constitute the Russian orbital weather satellite clusterRead moreAbout 16,000 mercenaries from 72 countries fighting on Kiev’s side — authoritiesNearly 40% of them are citizens of Latin American countriesRead moreWest completely fails in its attempts to defeat Russia — senior diplomatAlexander Grushko said 'Russophobia' is used to cover up disagreements and divisions in Europe on economic and migration issuesRead moreRussian, Armenian parliamentarians discuss referendum on Yerevan's accession to EUYerevan has recently been declaring its course towards integration with the EURead moreTwo people killed, over 20 injured in school shooting in Thailand — newspaperAccording to the report by Khaosod, law enforcement and emergency services are at the sceneRead moreUS reduces oil imports from Saudi Arabia to zero for first time in 40 years — BloombergAccording to the report, US refiners were buying more than 600,000 barrels of Saudi oil a day earlier this yearRead moreRussia’s Investigative Committee reveals details of Ukraine’s Kursk Region incursionAccording to Russian Investigative Committee Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, 640 civilians were killed and over 560 were woundedRead moreSaudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan to consider attack on one country as attack on allA joint statement issued after the Mecca summit emphasizes that the agreement is aimed at strengthening joint deterrence against any aggressionRead moreHiroshima mayor criticizes Russia, makes no mention of US in bombing anniversary speechKazumi Matsui began his speech by accusing Russia of allegedly "using nuclear weapons as a tool of intimidation"Read moreLeaks about depletion of US ammunition stocks anger Trump — TV channelAccording to CNN's sources, the US president's anger stemmed from the fact that the leak occurred at what he considers a pivotal moment in the conflict with TehranRead moreHouthi attack on Saudi Arabia injures 11 civilians — coalitionSaudi-led coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said that the Houthis struck civilian targets in the Najran regionRead moreUS would like Russia to release convicted Gilman — news agencyA source told Reuters that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the Gilman case during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in ManilaRead moreRussia’s Oniks missile can overcome virtually all modern air defenses — Pacific FleetDuring the ongoing naval drills, Bal and Bastion shore-based missile system crews deployed launchers to designated positioning areas along the coast in the Primorye Region, Kamchatka, Chukotka, and the Kuril IslandsRead moreTrump reports progress in settling Russia-Ukraine conflictThe US president did not specify what kind of progress he was referring toRead moreBrent crude oil price on the ICE exchange rises by more than 3%The price of WTI crude oil futures for September delivery rose by 2.5%Read moreWildberries logistics facility catches fire in Yekaterinburg following attackEight hundred people were evacuated from the facility in advanceRead moreRussia may begin using tanks equipped with FPV drones — expertAccording to Dmitry Kuzyakin, if active operations begin and the line of contact collapses, traditional drones cease to be the ultimate weaponRead moreBaltic states pursuing suicidal policy by manufacturing drones for Ukraine — expertAlexander Stepanov commented on the Lithuanian government’s decision to begin producing drones for the Ukrainian armyRead moreUS denies Kiev Patriot system to protect image of military-industrial complex — lawmakerAccording to Viktor Vodolatsky, "the Patriot system doesn’t work very well" against Russian weaponsRead moreThree civilians injured in Ukrainian drone attack in Gorlovka, DPRMayor Ivan Prikhodko said the UAV dropped an explosive on a civilian vehicleRead moreRussian Geran UAVs hit railway locomotive with cargo for Ukrainian army in Kharkov areaThe Russian Defense Ministry also released live-recording images of a Geran UAV hitting the Ukrainian army’s infrastructureRead moreHead of The Vatican’s diplomatic service to visit Moscow late August — sourceThe specific itinerary has not been disclosedRead moreEmbassy denounces new UK government’s anti-Russian stanceThe diplomats noted that the sanctions exacerbate the erosion of international trade, freedom of navigation, and financial stabilityRead morePassage through Strait of Hormuz not to be subject to fees pending final agreement — APAccording to the US diplomats, Washington views the agreement between Iran and Oman as temporary and insists that shipping in the Strait of Hormuz must remain free of duties and feesRead moreTrump squashes rumors he's unhappy with HegsethThe US president also claimed that fighting in the conflict with Iran is "going very well"Read moreService fees for transit through Strait of Hormuz to depend on services provided — agencyThe source dismissed recent reports of disagreements between Iran and Oman over the percentage of cargo valueRead morePashinyan says Armenia understands simultaneous membership in EAEU, EU impossibleThe Armenian prime minister said the strategic goal of adopting the law initiating the process of the republic’s accession to the EU is to create an alternative for the countryRead moreConcerned Ukrainians help Russian troops deliver more accurate strikes — undergroundAccording to the activists, people have begun to take a greater interest in underground movementsRead moreIraqi prime minister orders army to increase combat readiness — news portalThe readiness level will be increased in all security force camps and army basesRead moreTotal Ukrainian military casualties amount to nearly 2.5 million — Russian commanderApty Alaudinov said that the Kiev regime buries the bodies of Ukrainian servicemen handed over by Russian forces without forensic examination and do not return these bodies to their families and loved onesRead moreNATO specialist supplies Ukraine with coordinates of Russian oil terminals — hackersAccording to the information obtained by hackers, Bart De Wachter currently is affiliated with Hybrid Analyze Vigilant Network, an organization connected to Special Operations Forces and NATO intelligenceRead moreKalashnikov Group begins signing contracts with customers for next yearThe product range that has attracted buyers includes modern combat automatic and sniper small arms, high-precision anti-aircraft guided missiles, guided munitions and guided loitering munitionsRead moreKiev’s attempts to interfere in Moscow-Beijing dialogue to fail — Russian Foreign MinistryThe ministry said that Russian-Chinese relations "are at an unprecedentedly high level and continue to develop dynamically in accordance with the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries"Read moreNew US strategy increases risk of global nuclear war — Chinese expertThe US shift towards making nuclear weapons battlefield ready is extremely dangerous, Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe emphasizedRead moreWest has no need for strong, independent Ukraine — lawmakerAccording to Alexander Krierenko, the West wants a territory that could be used to exert constant pressure on RussiaRead moreUAV with explosives found at Leipzig Airport equipped with 5G antennas — TVSources in security agencies told ZDF that this indicates drone control via mobile communicationsRead moreReferendum on Armenia’s EU membership impossible at present — PMNikol Pashinyan said there is no subject for the referendumRead morePress review: US halts Iran strikes as Pentagon develops nuclear plan for Russia, ChinaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 6thRead moreKiev’s bet on West’s ‘wonder weapons’ against Russia expectedly fails — govenorAccording to Vladimir Saldo, Russia is growing stronger and finding countermeasures for everythingRead moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreWhat is known about UK’s latest sanctions against RussiaTwelve companies, including seven banks, one individual, and six vessels, were added to the listRead moreTrump signs executive order banning ‘birth tourism’ in USWhite House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said that the number of people ineligible for automatic US citizenship had been extendedRead moreMedia reports on depletion of US ammunition stocks ‘driving Trump crazy’ — newspaperAccording to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, media leaks have been troubling the US president for several weeks nowRead moreIceland, Montenegro could join EU together in 2028 — mediaThe European official said simultaneous accession was a highly likely scenarioRead moreWestern attempts to undermine Russia-Kazakhstan relations doomed to failure — diplomatMikhail Galuzin has characterized Russia's relations with Kazakhstan as a comprehensive strategic partnership and allianceRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian army’s infrastructure sites, logistics centers in past dayThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,395 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreSeoul warns UK sanctions on Russia threaten its energy securityThe South Korean side noted that the European Union had previously granted an exemption for Seoul when adopting its 21st package of sanctions against RussiaRead morePutin signs law regulating digital currencies, digital rights in RussiaThe document establishes operational frameworks for crypto exchanges, digital depositories, and market participantsRead moreRussian air defenses nearly match single-day record for downed Ukrainian UAVs — TASS tallyThe highest number of drones in a single day – 1,158 – was destroyed by Russia’s air defense facilities on August 2Read moreWest wants to use Moldova as pawn in its geopolitical chess game — MFAAlexey Fadeev noted that Moldova’s population strongly opposed being drawn into the West’s militaristic adventuresRead moreRussian troops eliminate 148 Ukrainian UAV control centers over past dayAccording to Battlegroup West Spokesman Ivan Bigma, 62 enemy UAV control centers have been destroyed in the area of battlegroup's responsibilityRead moreRussia identifies Polish mercenaries by NATO uniforms in battles for KrasnoyarskoyeRussia's UAV operator said the mercenaries tried to escape from Krasnoyarskoye as soon as Russian troops entered the areaRead moreUkrainian army mired in chaos, corruption — Rada memberAnna Skorokhod declined to offer specific detailsRead moreBattlegroup North artillery eliminates 92 Ukrainian soldiers, 12 vehicles overnightThe battlagroup's artillery crews carried out over 200 fire missions in the Kharkov and Sumy Regions over the past nightRead moreRussia's Geran drone destroys Ukrainian locomotive in Kharkov RegionThe destruction of the target has been successfully documentedRead morePutin removes Sheremetyevo airport from list of strategic enterprisesThe presidential decree was published on the official portal of legal informationRead moreTransit through Strait of Hormuz falls by third this week — ReutersThe decline is taking place against the backdrop of progress in negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding shipping in the straitRead moreWest gives Kiev carte blanche to commit crimes, becomes complicit in them — Russian MFAAccording to the statement, leaders from Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement openly praising Ukraine’s innovative use of drone technology to strike deep into Russian territoryRead moreHouthis launch missile strike on displacement camp in Yemen’s Marib Governorate — TVAl Arabiya said eyewitnesses had seen missiles launched from the Yemeni capital before the strikeRead morePress review: NATO expands Black Sea presence and raises risks as Hormuz deal sparks hopeTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 7thRead moreRussian official calls Western $200 bln funding for Kiev ‘Project Anti-Russia’Corruption is deeply rooted in Ukraine, chairman of Crimea’s State Council Vladimir Konstantinov pointed outRead moreUkrainian energy facilities remain unprotected ahead of winter — lawmakerThe coming winter in Ukraine will be difficult, Alexey Kucherenko saidRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about attack on Uraldronzavod CEO Vladimir TkachukVladimir Tkachuk, whose company produces Upyr drones and specializes in drone manufacturing, was injured in a car explosionRead moreWildberries facility fire, 203 UAVs downed: aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsOn-duty air defenses intercepted Ukrainian drones over 18 Russian regionsRead moreRussian hackers find documents on Ukrainian strikes against oil terminalsAccording to the hackers, the correspondence and documents reveal who supplied the precise coordinates of the facilities and who "incited Ukraine to commit acts of terror" in Russian regionsRead moreHackers obtain files on Ukrainian strikes against oil storage terminals in RussiaThe Russian hackers gained access to communications and files revealing who provided the exact coordinates of the facilities and who "pushed Ukraine toward terrorism in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions"Read moreUkraine has network of underground UAV manufacturing facilities — British TVThe exact location has not been disclosedRead moreThailand school shooter first kills grandparents — mediaThe gunman fired 26 shots during the attack at the schoolRead moreRelocating Russian embassy in Warsaw to rupture in relations — Polish MFAPolish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that no EU or NATO country has yet severed relations with RussiaRead moreRussian naval drones to prevent enemy ships from participating in conflicts — admiralAdmiral Nikolay Yevmenov specified that unmanned maritime systems could perform more than just strike missionsRead moreRussia may demand release of its citizens from US in exchange for Gilman — exchanged pilotThe Russian Civic Chamber said that given the current aggressive US foreign policy toward Russia, the issue of Robert Gilman's release cannot be considered without reciprocal measuresRead moreIran warns Gulf countries of retaliatory strikes in event of US attacks — ReutersAccording to sources in the Persian Gulf, such steps are aimed at exerting additional pressure on the US through its allies to reach a peace agreement acceptable to IranRead moreUS redirects 49 ships after resumption of naval blockade of Iran — CENTCOMThe US military reports that two more vessels have been put out of actionRead moreKey US missile stockpiles run 'extremely low' amid Iran conflict — TVAccording to the source, particular concern was focused on dwindling inventories of long-range offensive missiles, including ATACMS and PrSMRead moreArmenia's blackmail, West’s support of attacks on Russia: Foreign Ministry commentAlexey Fadeyev, deputy director of the information and press department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, added that Kiev had not proposed to resume diplomatic contactsRead moreAt least two US military transport aircraft spotted over Persian GulfA source in Middle Eastern air traffic control circles says that the aircraft are flying in a circular trajectory at an altitude of about 8.5 kmRead moreThree UAVs fall on roof of Wildberries logistics facility in YekaterinburgEmergency responders are working at the scene, while firefighters are extinguishing the blazeRead moreRussian gymnasts to fly national colors at 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World ChampionshipsThe Russian Gymnastics Federation noted that the use of World Gymnastics symbols in the arena is related to the transitional period provided for individual competitions, and this does not mean a return to a neutral statusRead moreAbout 60 Moroccans officially missing after crossing into Ceuta — portalMorocco said that this number may increase and recommended that families who cannot contact or find their loved ones "not rely solely on social media in their search"Read moreKiev loses approximately 40 settlements during its 40-day plan — Russian lawmakerDuring these 40 days, the Kiev regime reshuffled the government, dismissed the defense minister, appointed a new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces, lost hundreds of gas stations and dozens of locomotives, retired Major General Leonid Ivlev recalledRead more