British Museum Acknowledges Long-Term Loss from Theft of Artefacts Despite Recovery Efforts

British Museum Acknowledges Long-Term Loss from Theft of Artefacts Despite Recovery Efforts

Stolen Greek and Roman items are being traced for a new exhibition, yet the museum admits many artefacts may never fully recover.

The British Museum is optimistic about recovering stolen items, but officials acknowledge that even if the artefacts are returned, the damage caused by the thefts will result in a long-term loss. A new exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, will display some of the recovered artefacts, including classical Greek and Roman items, many of which had been stolen and later tracked down.

In August, the museum shocked the world by revealing that nearly 2,000 artefacts had been stolen or damaged, with the thefts linked to a staff member who was later dismissed. As the recovery effort continues, the museum has managed to recover 357 items from six collectors. Tom Harrison, keeper of the museum’s Greece and Rome department, described the process as “painstaking” and “very slow,” as the stolen artefacts are “very widely scattered” around the globe.

The museum has expressed gratitude for the support it has received from dealers who have helped trace the missing items. However, Harrison cautioned that even if all the stolen objects are recovered, there will be an inevitable “net loss,” due to damage such as the removal of gold mounts from artefacts, which have caused irreversible harm to some pieces. He pointed out that while some items can be restored, others will remain damaged beyond repair.

Five months after the thefts were made public, Harrison acknowledged that the museum’s staff remained “optimistic,” but he also recognised the significant impact the incident had, which included the resignation of the museum’s director, Hartwig Fischer. Harrison also stressed the importance of improved documentation for the museum’s collection, which has been strengthened by the recovery process.

The museum is also showcasing gems that were once part of a scandal involving the sale of forgeries in the 19th century. Claudia Wagner, a senior research associate in gems at the museum, highlighted how these engraved gems, once popular in the 18th century, were crucial in identifying symbols of power in the ancient Roman era. She compared the significance of these gems to modern political symbols like the “Make America Great Again” hat, stating that they were tools of “propaganda.”

Rediscovering Gems will be open to the public until June 15 at the British Museum, where visitors can explore both the recovered artefacts and others of a similar nature used in Roman society for sealing documents and decoration.

Mississippi University for Women Proposes New Name Change Amid Alumni Concerns

Mississippi University for Women Proposes New Name Change Amid Alumni Concerns

The university seeks to rebrand itself as Wynbridge State University of Mississippi, while retaining its beloved “The W” identity.

Mississippi University for Women (MUW) has once again proposed a name change, this time suggesting the institution be renamed Wynbridge State University of Mississippi. The goal is to maintain the school’s well-loved “The W” identity, while addressing the challenges that come with its current gender-specific title. If the proposal is approved by state legislators, the name change could take effect by July 1.

This marks the second attempt this year by the university’s leadership to address concerns about the gendered name. Since admitting male students in 1982, approximately 22% of the current 2,230 students are men. However, university officials have stated that the term “women” in the name complicates recruitment efforts, particularly in attracting male students.

The proposed new name, Wynbridge, has been met with a positive reception from university leaders. Amanda Clay Powers, co-chair of the university’s naming task force, explained that “Wynbridge” is derived from an Old English word for “W,” symbolising a bridge between the institution’s history and its future. “This name reflects both our past as the first publicly supported university for women and our commitment to an inclusive, forward-looking future,” Powers remarked.

In January, the university had proposed the name Mississippi Brightwell University, but strong backlash from alumni led to the abandonment of that idea. Alumni have consistently voiced their resistance to changing the name, with previous efforts to remove “women” from the title dating back to 2009. That year, then-president Claudia Limbert suggested renaming the school Reneau University, in honour of Sallie Reneau, a 19th-century advocate for women’s higher education. However, the suggestion was quickly met with resistance and was ultimately scrapped.

Despite the controversy, MUW President Nora Miller expressed gratitude to alumni for their enduring connection to the institution, stating, “Our identity as ‘The W’ has both an enduring legacy and the flexibility to carry our institution into the future.”

The university was founded in 1884 as the Industrial Institute and College, originally housed at the Columbus Female Institute. The mission at the time was to provide higher education and vocational training specifically for women. In 1920, the name was changed to Mississippi State College for Women, before it became Mississippi University for Women in 1974.

The name change proposal continues to be discussed, with university leaders hopeful that this new approach will strike the right balance between tradition and modernisation.

Lakewood Church Shooting: Disturbing Criminal Background and Social Media Footprint of Genesse Moreno Revealed

Lakewood Church Shooting: Disturbing Criminal Background and Social Media Footprint of Genesse Moreno Revealed

New details uncover the criminal history and troubling online presence of the Lakewood Church shooter, raising questions about gun access and mental health issues.

The Lakewood Church shooter, identified as 36-year-old Genesse Moreno, had a long and troubling criminal history before she carried out a deadly attack at the megachurch. Her actions, which left her dead and her seven-year-old son critically injured, are now being closely examined in light of her previous run-ins with the law and disturbing online activity.

On Sunday, Moreno entered the church, located in Houston, Texas, with her young son and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle. The incident prompted a quick response from two off-duty officers, who returned fire, fatally wounding Moreno. Her son and a 57-year-old man were also injured, though the latter has since been released from hospital. The child remains in critical condition.

Prior to the shooting, Moreno had accumulated a significant criminal record spanning nearly 20 years. Despite her violent past, authorities revealed that she legally purchased the AR-15 rifle in December 2023, raising questions about how she managed to acquire the weapon. In early 2023, she had been arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon, although it remains unclear how this affected her ability to buy firearms.

Police discovered that Moreno had used multiple aliases throughout her life, including male names, although she was identified as female in all current records. Despite being arrested multiple times in the past for various crimes such as assault, theft, and evading arrest, her criminal history did not seem to have stopped her from obtaining weapons.

Moreno’s personal life added further complexity to her profile. She married a registered sex offender in 2015, and the two later divorced in 2022 after a tumultuous relationship, marked by accusations of abuse from both sides. She also had a documented history of mental health issues, with her ex-husband citing her schizophrenia in divorce records. Her former mother-in-law, Rabbi Walli Carranza, revealed that Moreno had been taking medication for schizophrenia, raising concerns about her mental state at the time of the attack.

Moreno’s social media activity also adds to the disturbing portrait of her life leading up to the shooting. Although her accounts have been taken down, it was reported that she posted images of firearms, including a photo of an AR-15, and expressed interest in learning how to clean the weapon. In 2020, she also shared a letter from Lakewood Church acknowledging her donation, which later took on a chilling significance given the events that unfolded there.

Investigators have also found troubling writings linked to Moreno, including antisemitic remarks, and noted that the word “Palestine” was written on the gun used in the attack. Police suggest there may have been a familial dispute with her ex-husband’s family, some members of which are Jewish. However, her former mother-in-law stressed that the incident had more to do with Moreno’s untreated mental illness and systemic failures than any religious or political motivation.

Carranza blamed Texas’ legal systems for failing to intervene in Moreno’s life despite her history of mental health issues, calling out the lack of strong gun control laws that could have prevented her from obtaining a firearm. “The fault lies in the state’s laws,” she wrote.

As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the full story of who Genesse Moreno was and what led her to commit such a violent act. Child Protective Services (CPS) is also involved in the investigation, and their spokesperson confirmed that specific details remain confidential.

The ongoing probe aims to shed light on the motivations behind the attack and what could have been done to prevent such a tragedy.

Republican Lawmaker Sparks Outrage After Claiming Her Father Was a Slave

Republican Lawmaker Sparks Outrage After Claiming Her Father Was a Slave

Jennifer Decker’s controversial statement on her white father stirs debate and criticism over DEI programs.

Jennifer Decker, a Republican state representative from Kentucky, made a startling and highly controversial claim during a February 1st NAACP meeting, stating that her white father, born in the 1930s, was a slave. The comment, which was made in the context of discussing her sponsorship of a bill to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, quickly sparked widespread backlash.

Decker, 68, was addressing a question about her family’s involvement in the slave trade when she insisted that DEI programs were unnecessary. She argued that her father, who grew up in poverty, had experienced a form of enslavement because he worked on land that was not his. “My father was a slave, just to a white man, and he was white,” Decker claimed, sparking confusion and anger among those in attendance.

The bill Decker is sponsoring seeks to cut funding for DEI-related training and scholarships in the state. In her speech, she recounted her father’s upbringing, saying that he was born on a dirt farm and that his mother was the illegitimate child of a prominent person who “was kind enough to allow them to work for him as slaves.”

Despite the fact that slavery was abolished decades before Decker’s father was born, she insisted that his upbringing in poverty mirrored the hardships faced by enslaved people. However, she later backtracked, admitting that her comparison was “probably” an exaggeration, acknowledging that her father did not suffer the same abuses or the same violent conditions experienced by enslaved Black people. She also clarified that her family had not been forcibly taken from their homeland and sold into servitude.

The remark has been widely mocked and criticised on social media. Dr Ricky L. Jones, a professor at the University of Louisville, responded on Twitter, saying, “A white slave in the mid-20th century? Talk about recreating history!” He further criticised the claim as a distortion of facts, calling it a reflection of an “alternate supremacist reality.”

The controversy surrounding Decker’s statement comes as Republicans continue to oppose DEI initiatives, arguing that they provide unfair advantages to non-white, non-straight, immigrant, and differently-abled individuals. Decker’s bill, known as House Bill 9, claims that DEI initiatives make higher education more divisive, expensive, and less tolerant.

The backlash against her comments has reignited debates over the role and impact of DEI programs in education and public policy.

Happy Valley’s Final Season Wins Big at TV Choice Awards

Happy Valley’s Final Season Wins Big at TV Choice Awards

Sarah Lancashire takes home Best Actress as the crime series bags Best Drama.

The final season of Happy Valley has emerged victorious at the TV Choice Awards, clinching the Best Drama trophy while its leading star, Sarah Lancashire, was honoured with the Best Actress award for her portrayal of the tough and determined Sergeant Catherine Cawood. The Yorkshire-set crime thriller, created by Sally Wainwright, has already collected numerous accolades for its swansong season.

At the ceremony, Lancashire was presented with her award by The Traitors stars Wilfred Webster and Paul Gorton. The actress’s performance in the gritty series has been widely praised, and this recognition solidifies her status as one of the UK’s most accomplished talents.

Meanwhile, the spin-off of Death in Paradise, titled Beyond Paradise, claimed the Best New Drama award. The series, which debuted last year, sees Kris Marshall reprise his role as DI Humphrey Goodman, now adjusting to life with his fiancée, Martha Lloyd, portrayed by Sally Bretton, in the scenic Devon coastline. Marshall, 50, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We’re absolutely thrilled and it means so much because it’s the viewers who voted.”

Other notable winners include Martin Clunes, who was named Best Actor for his role in Doc Martin, and the BBC One hit Call The Midwife, which triumphed as the Best Family Drama. Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Patrick Turner in the series, reflected on the enduring popularity of the show, saying, “It’s really surprising to still be loved the way we are by people.”

Emmerdale took home two awards: Best Soap and Best Soap Actor for Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle. Hordley, 53, expressed his honour at being recognised among such esteemed company, saying, “There are so many great actors out there in the soap world.”

The Best Comedy award went to Mrs Brown’s Boys, and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! was named Best Reality Show for the 18th time. Animal Park was crowned Best Daytime Show, beating out This Morning, and Gogglebox took the prize for Best Entertainment Show.

In the newly introduced Best Game Show category, The Chase was named the winner. The night also saw Dame Maureen Lipman win Best Soap Actress.

The event, hosted by comedian Tom Allen at The Hilton on Park Lane, celebrated a range of British TV excellence, with a nod to both long-running favourites and emerging hits.

AI-Powered Scheduling System Could Help Alleviate NHS Discharge Delays and Waiting Lists

AI-Powered Scheduling System Could Help Alleviate NHS Discharge Delays and Waiting Lists

Cera’s AI platform boosts care visits by a third, offering solutions for staff shortages and hospital bed shortages.

An innovative AI-driven scheduling system is being hailed as a potential solution to tackle NHS discharge delays and long waiting lists, according to the founder of Cera, a healthtech company piloting the technology. The platform, which matches care staff to patients based on their skills, languages, and health needs, has already shown promising results in reducing the time between hospital discharge and home care initiation.

Dr Ben Maruthappu, Cera’s founder, who started the company in 2016 after working as an A&E medic, highlighted the platform’s ability to speed up the manual process of matching carers with patients. Traditionally, this task can take hours or even days, but Cera’s AI scheduler ensures that patients can begin receiving care almost immediately.

The system has been tested in major UK cities such as London, Liverpool, and Birmingham, and is set for nationwide implementation by the end of 2024. Data from a pilot study in Lancashire, which involved over 6,000 care appointments, showed that the AI tool reduced staff travel distances by 57% and increased care visits by 33%.

Dr Maruthappu noted that the platform could also significantly aid in the discharge process, allowing patients to be transferred from hospital to home on the same day – a vast improvement from the days or weeks typically required. The current backlog of 13,000 medically fit patients occupying hospital beds in the UK underscores the urgency of finding a solution to this issue.

With NHS waiting lists reaching a record 7.6 million treatments by December 2024, Dr Maruthappu believes Cera’s technology could make a significant difference in creating more hospital capacity. The AI scheduler not only optimises carer scheduling but also improves the quality of care, as the platform ensures the best possible match for each patient, reducing wasted time and improving efficiency.

Despite concerns about the potential for AI to replace human care, Dr Maruthappu emphasised that the platform doesn’t reduce care time; it enhances it by providing staff with the right tools to do their jobs more efficiently. He added that AI has the potential to transform every aspect of social care, improving both the quality and delivery of services, and addressing some of the industry’s chronic staffing and administrative issues.

Cera’s AI innovations also include predictive tools that can anticipate when elderly patients are likely to fall, allowing carers to intervene before accidents occur. In addition, Cera Voice, an AI-driven service, calls patients daily to monitor their health and determine their risk of illness.

Dr Maruthappu concluded by saying that a comprehensive overhaul of social care would not be achieved by simply increasing recruitment or spending more money. Instead, he believes a major shift is needed in how technology is integrated into care operations to improve service quality and efficiency.

Roy Hodgson Faces Growing Pressure After Crystal Palace’s Latest Setback Against Chelsea

Roy Hodgson Faces Growing Pressure After Crystal Palace’s Latest Setback Against Chelsea

Despite an improved performance, Palace’s defensive frailties and key losses intensify scrutiny on Hodgson’s future.

The pressure on Roy Hodgson continues to mount despite Crystal Palace showing signs of improvement against Chelsea, as their efforts ultimately went unrewarded. Palace fans, already frustrated from a humiliating 4-1 defeat to rivals Brighton, were left feeling aggrieved after former loanee Conor Gallagher’s late strike sealed Chelsea’s win. His celebrations only deepened the pain for the Eagles supporters, who felt their team deserved a better outcome.

Palace’s squad, missing key players such as Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Marc Guehi, put in a better performance overall, especially during the first half, when Jefferson Lerma’s stunning goal gave them a brief lead. Despite being the underdogs, Palace showed heart and grit, especially with the inclusion of talented young players like Matheus Franca and Adam Wharton. Franca, 19, was often dispossessed but posed a real threat with his pace, while Wharton, at 20, showed maturity in his passing and ball recovery.

Yet the game ultimately highlighted Palace’s key issue – defensive fragility. Hodgson’s side had to endure a Chelsea onslaught in the second half, with Gallagher scoring in stoppage time, followed by Enzo Fernandez’s third goal. Palace’s defence, as seen so often this season, was easily breached, and Hodgson’s tactical approach was again questioned.

Although Palace have only won twice in their last 15 games, Hodgson’s reluctance to trust the club’s promising young talent has become another point of contention. He has, however, recently given full Premier League debuts to Franca and Wharton, a bold decision that nearly paid off. But while their performances were encouraging, Palace were still far too open defensively.

The match also underlined the ongoing issue of slow starts. Palace conceded early goals in both halves, with Gallagher scoring just 81 seconds into the second period. This lack of defensive discipline, coupled with Palace’s inability to hold onto their lead, led to yet another frustrating result for Hodgson and his team.

Currently sitting 15th in the Premier League, Palace are still only five points above the relegation zone. The fans will surely be wondering if Hodgson can turn things around, especially as they face further pressure with each disappointing result. Despite their hunger and desire, the Eagles seem incapable of maintaining consistency, leaving Hodgson’s future at Selhurst Park uncertain.

Ange Postecoglou Slams Proposed Sin Bin Rule, Calls It ‘Destructive’ for Football

Ange Postecoglou Slams Proposed Sin Bin Rule, Calls It ‘Destructive’ for Football

Spurs boss criticises the potential introduction of blue cards and sin bins, warning it could harm the game.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s head coach, has expressed his strong opposition to any plans to introduce blue cards and sin bins in football, describing them as a threat to the sport’s integrity. The proposal, which surfaced earlier this week, would see players penalised with a 10-minute sin bin for dissent and professional fouls, with a blue card being shown for the offences.

While FIFA clarified that the trial will not be implemented in elite football, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, has yet to release any official plans for such a trial. Despite this, Postecoglou made it clear he believes the introduction of sin bins would be disastrous for football.

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s home game against Brighton, the Australian manager said: “One team being reduced to 10 men for 10 minutes? It’s going to destroy our game, mate. Teams would just waste time for 10 minutes, sitting there waiting for the player to return.”

Postecoglou also compared the potential move to other sports that have been working to streamline their rules and make the game more fluid. “All other sports are trying to declutter, and yet we’re heading in the opposite direction for some bizarre reason,” he added.

In the same press conference, Postecoglou addressed concerns over Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, who has faced criticism for conceding from corners in recent games. During a 2-2 draw with Everton, Vicario struggled to deal with a corner kick that resulted in a goal, and a similar situation had occurred in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City the previous month. Postecoglou defended his goalkeeper, highlighting how Vicario had improved after those incidents.

Tottenham have also reached out to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) for clarification on what constitutes encroachment on the goalkeeper. The issue arose after several instances in which players appeared to impede Vicario’s ability to defend, including during set-pieces where the goalkeeper was surrounded by opponents.

“We’ve sent some stuff to get some clarification,” said Postecoglou. “There’s been a shift in the rules, and now it seems players can crowd the goalkeeper and obstruct him before the ball even arrives. I don’t believe that’s right.”

Tottenham’s manager also voiced frustration over the perception that goalkeepers are overly protected, especially in light of video assistant referee (VAR) technology. “If a goalkeeper pushes a player, there’s no chance—you’re going to get a penalty,” he added.

With Tottenham’s star player, Son Heung-min, returning for the match against Brighton, Postecoglou is hopeful that his presence will lift the team’s chances of making a surprise push for the Premier League title. Despite the odds—Opta Analytics give Spurs just a 0.1% chance of winning the league this season—Postecoglou remains optimistic. “What did it say, 0.1%? So we’ve got a chance then. Let’s go for it. No problems with that,” he said with a smile.

Stepmother’s ‘Betrayal Letter’ Comes to Light in Murder Trial

Stepmother’s ‘Betrayal Letter’ Comes to Light in Murder Trial

Kayla Montgomery’s letter raises doubts over her role in the death of five-year-old Harmony Montgomery.

In a dramatic turn of events during the New Hampshire trial, the defence presented a letter written by Kayla Montgomery, the estranged wife of Adam Montgomery, which sheds light on her intentions to betray him. The letter, written while she was in prison, was revealed by defence attorneys as part of their strategy to undermine the prosecution’s case in the trial over the tragic death of five-year-old Harmony Montgomery.

Kayla Montgomery, who is serving an 18-month sentence for perjury after lying to authorities about Harmony’s whereabouts, took the stand last Friday as the prosecution’s key witness. She testified about the death of Harmony in December 2019, allegedly at the hands of her husband, Adam Montgomery. Prosecutors claim that Adam hit Harmony in the head after she soiled herself while in the car where the family was living. Her death went unreported for two years until an investigation was launched in 2021 following attempts by Harmony’s mother to locate her.

Kayla, who is Harmony’s stepmother, was reportedly involved in the disposal and relocation of Harmony’s remains over several months, from a cooler in her mother’s home to a ceiling vent at a shelter. Montgomery then reportedly attempted to destroy the body and dispose of it in March 2021.

In contrast, the defence argues that it was Kayla who was responsible for Harmony’s death, with Adam allegedly trying to protect his wife and their children by agreeing to cover up the murder. In court, defence attorney Caroline Smith read from the letter Kayla had written in prison, dated 2022, where she demanded immunity and custody of her children in exchange for providing information about the murder. Kayla also expressed a desire to see her husband one last time, which Smith used to question her sincerity and challenge the prosecution’s narrative that Kayla had been intimidated by Adam.

Smith further confronted Kayla about the lies she had told to a grand jury in 2021, including details about Harmony’s last known whereabouts. Smith pointed out discrepancies, such as Kayla’s description of what Harmony had been wearing, which contradicted evidence that Kayla had cut the clothing off Harmony’s body.

Kayla testified that she feared for her life and that of her children under Adam’s control, but her testimony raised questions about her involvement in the cover-up. The defence is trying to shift the blame onto Kayla, arguing that she, not Adam, played a more direct role in the girl’s death.

Adam Montgomery, who has waived his right to attend the trial, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection to Harmony’s death. Earlier in the trial, Montgomery indicated that he would plead guilty to charges of abuse of a corpse and falsifying information.

Taylor Swift Laughs Off Near Fall During Tokyo Concert

Taylor Swift Laughs Off Near Fall During Tokyo Concert

Swift jokes about stumbling during her Eras Tour performance before preparing for Super Bowl trip.

Taylor Swift turned a minor mishap into a light-hearted moment as she joked about nearly tripping during her concert in Tokyo on the 9th of February. While performing the “Folklore” segment of her Eras Tour, the singer almost lost her balance while descending from the rooftop cabin on stage. Swift, however, caught herself just in time, and with her signature charm, she shared a laugh with the audience.

“I almost fell off the Folklore cabin, but I didn’t, and that’s the lesson,” Swift told the crowd, as captured in a clip shared on X (formerly Twitter). “My life flashed before my eyes. It’s all good, everything’s fine, everything’s great. I’m just so happy that I didn’t fall off the Folklore cabin, you know what I mean. What a great night in Tokyo.”

This wasn’t the first time Swift has had a slip-up during a performance; she had previously almost fallen off her chair during “Vigilante S**t.” Fans, however, have found her relatability endearing, with one fan commenting, “My new favourite video of Taylor just being real and clumsy like the rest of us.”

As Swift wraps up her shows in Japan, speculation arises about whether she will attend the Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Throughout the NFL season, Swift has been a regular at Kansas City Chiefs games, supporting her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. However, with her tour resuming on the 7th of February and continuing until the 10th, fans are uncertain about her availability for the game.

Fortunately, the Embassy of Japan provided clarity on Swift’s travel plans. In a statement, they confirmed that if Swift departs Tokyo after her concert on the 10th, she should arrive in Las Vegas in time for the Super Bowl, despite the long flight and time difference.

“The Embassy can confidently ‘Speak Now’ to say if she departs Tokyo in the evening after her concert, she should comfortably arrive in Las Vegas before the Super Bowl begins,” they said. They also reassured fans in Japan, stating that Swift’s ability to perform in Tokyo and still make it to Las Vegas exemplifies her dedication to her fans and her multi-faceted career.