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British Museum Director Resigns over Stolen Items

24 August 2023, United Kingdom, London: Signage at the British Museum. (dpa)
24 August 2023, United Kingdom, London: Signage at the British Museum. (dpa)
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British Museum Director Resigns over Stolen Items

24 August 2023, United Kingdom, London: Signage at the British Museum. (dpa)
24 August 2023, United Kingdom, London: Signage at the British Museum. (dpa)

The director of the British Museum said on Friday he was stepping down with immediate effect after admitting to failings in the museum's investigation into the theft of items from its collection.

Hartwig Fischer, who was due to leave his post next year, said the failings "must ultimately rest" with him.

"Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them," he said in a statement.

"It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have."

The British Museum, one of the most visited in the world, said last week a member of staff had been dismissed after items including gold jewellery and gems dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD, had been found to be missing, stolen or damaged.

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Saudi Arabia Launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris

Saudi Arabia launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris

Saudi Arabia launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris. (SPA)

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday inaugurated the first Arab Week at UNESCO initiative in Paris in an event organized by the Arab Group at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The event was attended by Saudi Arabia’s permanent Arab representatives, several ambassadors, Arab and international diplomats in France, and a group of UNESCO officials and leaders.
Marking the first of its kind in the Arab world in over half a century, the event was officially launched by Jordanian Ambassador to France Leena Al-Hadid, who also serves as the chair of the Arab Group at UNESCO.
Al-Hadid emphasized that the event provides a unique opportunity to spotlight the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world that spans centuries, referring to the region's extensive contributions to science, philosophy, literature, and arts.
During the launch, Al-Hadid extended the Arab Group's appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its valuable initiative and to Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan for his efforts and support in making this exceptional event possible for the Arab countries, which drew significant cultural participation from various nations.
Throughout Arab Week at UNESCO, 22 booths representing the Arab countries are showcasing their cultural heritage, history, and elements of their civilizations, interacting with visitors, engaging audiences, and boosting cultural ties among organizers and attendees from around the globe.
The event also features seven seminars covering topics such as language, calligraphy, Arabic literature, artificial intelligence, education and fine arts, intangible cultural heritage, and world heritage. The seminars attracted academic institutions, experts, and specialists from the fields of education, culture, and science, aiming to reach ambitious ideas based on deep research rooted in Arab experiences tied to centuries-long heritage, civilization, and history.