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California Man Convicted of Illegally Importing an Ancient Mosaic from Syria

This undated photo provided by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California shows an ancient Roman-era mosaic that was illegally imported. (US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California via AP)
This undated photo provided by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California shows an ancient Roman-era mosaic that was illegally imported. (US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California via AP)
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California Man Convicted of Illegally Importing an Ancient Mosaic from Syria

This undated photo provided by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California shows an ancient Roman-era mosaic that was illegally imported. (US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California via AP)
This undated photo provided by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California shows an ancient Roman-era mosaic that was illegally imported. (US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California via AP)

A California man has been found guilty of illegally importing an ancient mosaic from Syria, federal prosecutors said.

Mohamad Yassin Alcharihi, 56, of Palmdale, was convicted by a jury Wednesday on one count of “entry of falsely classified goods,” the US attorney's office said in a news release.

The mosaic, which depicts a tale from mythology in which Hercules rescues Prometheus, dates to the Roman Empire, prosecutors said. Authorities believe it was looted from war-torn Syria, The Associated Press said.

According to prosecutors, Alcharihi purchased the mosaic for $12,000 and falsely classified its value and quality when it was imported through the Port of Long Beach, California.

It arrived as part of a container shipment from Türkiye that was declared as ceramic tiles worth less than $600. The approximately 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) mosaic was trucked to Alcharihi's home, where federal agents seized it from his garage in 2016.

Alcharihi had paid $40,000 to restore the mosaic and a government appraisal expert valued it at $450,000, the US attorney’s office said.

Alcharihi faces up to two years in prison. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Aug. 31.

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Red Sea Destination Announces Opening of Global Resort on Shura Island

The resort offers a comprehensive wellness retreat experience through 180 upscale rooms, suites, and villas - SPA
The resort offers a comprehensive wellness retreat experience through 180 upscale rooms, suites, and villas - SPA
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Red Sea Destination Announces Opening of Global Resort on Shura Island

The resort offers a comprehensive wellness retreat experience through 180 upscale rooms, suites, and villas - SPA
The resort offers a comprehensive wellness retreat experience through 180 upscale rooms, suites, and villas - SPA

Red Sea Global announced that Miraval The Red Sea will begin welcoming guests starting May 15. The launch marks the first international expansion of the luxury “Miraval” brand outside the United States, reinforcing the status of the Red Sea destination as a leading global tourism hub, especially after occupancy rates across the destination reached 82% during the final days of Ramadan, SPA reported.

The resort offers a comprehensive wellness retreat experience through 180 upscale rooms, suites, and villas.

CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano stated that attracting a prestigious brand such as “Miraval” reflects the strong global confidence in the Kingdom’s tourism offerings.

He noted that the momentum witnessed by the destination has been clearly reflected in strong occupancy rates and early bookings for the Eid season.

Resort guests will enjoy a variety of activities and culinary experiences inspired by locally sourced ingredients.

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Czech Police Seek Thief who Stole Saint's Skull

Police officers patrol the Czech-Slovak green border near Stary Hrozenkov, Czech Republic, September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
Police officers patrol the Czech-Slovak green border near Stary Hrozenkov, Czech Republic, September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
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Czech Police Seek Thief who Stole Saint's Skull

Police officers patrol the Czech-Slovak green border near Stary Hrozenkov, Czech Republic, September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
Police officers patrol the Czech-Slovak green border near Stary Hrozenkov, Czech Republic, September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

An unidentified thief stole the skull of Czech saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a glass shrine in a northern Czech church, causing "incalculable" historic damage, police said late on Tuesday.

St Zdislava of Lemberk (estimated 1220-1252), a noblewoman known for her merciful and charitable deeds, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

The theft in the basilica of St Lawrence and St Zdislava in the northern town of Jablonne v Podjestedi was committed after 1600 GMT, said police spokeswoman Dagmar Sochorova.

"An unknown culprit broke a shrine in which the skull was stored and ran away from the site," AFP quoted her as saying.

Police published "low quality footage" depicting the culprit clad "probably" in black and wearing "probably" white shoes, and asked the public for help.

"The value of the stolen skull is currently being investigated. However, its historic value is obviously incalculable," Sochorova added.

Prague Archbishop Stanislav Pribyl, who also heads the Litomerice diocese in charge of the Jablonne church, said the news was "devastating".

Placed on an altar in a side chapel, the skull "was the subject of adoration for pilgrims travelling to Jablonne where Zdislava lived and worked more than 750 years ago," he said.

"I can't believe that someone commits a daylight robbery to steal from a church a relic whose value is above all historic," added Pribyl, who was named Prague archbishop in February.

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Saudi Arabia: KAUST Study Reveals How Plants Protect Photosynthesis During Extreme Heat

The research team identified a protective mechanism within chloroplasts. SPA
The research team identified a protective mechanism within chloroplasts. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: KAUST Study Reveals How Plants Protect Photosynthesis During Extreme Heat

The research team identified a protective mechanism within chloroplasts. SPA
The research team identified a protective mechanism within chloroplasts. SPA

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has completed a research study identifying how plants protect photosynthesis under high temperatures, an outcome that could support the development of more resilient crops in desert climates.

The research team identified a protective mechanism within chloroplasts, lead researcher Professor Monika Chodasiewicz said, noting that it helps preserve and restore the plant’s ability to convert sunlight into chemical energy.

The findings are particularly significant, as heat is one of the main threats to plant productivity, and protecting photosynthesis is essential for sustaining plant growth and crop yields, Chodasiewicz added.

She explained that the chlorophyll protein forms protective granules, revealing their previously unclear functional significance. The findings provide new insights that could be applied for future crop breeding and biotechnology, Chodasiewicz said.

The results also contribute to the emerging field of phase-separated biomolecular condensates in plant biology, while supporting broader priorities related to sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and food security.