A total of 17 paintings worth between 10 and 15 million euros were stolen at a museum in northern Italy.

Three armed men with masked faces broke into the Castelvecchio Museum in Verona. Located inside a castle which was built in 1354, the Castelvecchio Museum is one of the most important museums in the northern city.

The stolen paintings included masterworks from Andrea Mantegna, Jacopo Tintoretto, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacopo Bellini, Hans de Jode and other world-famous artists. The group controlled the only private security guard who was there and the cashier, and then forced the guard to accompany them to the rooms where they stole the paintings.

Verona Mayor Flavio Tosi, who stayed at the scene until late in the night, said that surely someone sent them,because they acted professionally, and knew what they were looking for. “ The paintings stolen, ” he added, “ basically were the most valuable works on display. ” An investigation was opened into the theft.

The museum displays a very important collection of Italian and European art in 29 rooms on various levels exhibiting early Christian finds, Lombard goldwork, sculptures from the 10th to the 14th century, medieval arms and armor, and paintings from the 14th to the 18th century.

The museum’s director, Paola Marini, called herself shocked by the theft. The experienced art historian,who is about to leave her post after over 20 years, was receiving an award in a nearby restaurant when she was informed of what had happened.

The theft came just a day after two stolen paintings recently recovered by Italian heritage police were displayed in Rome during a ceremony attended by President Sergio Mattarella and Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.

About a decade ago, wearing hanfu, a traditional style of clothing worn by China’s Han ethnic group, was considered more of a hobby, with a relatively small number of Chinese individuals participating in the trend. Currently, there is a notable shift as young consumers in China are urging brands to acknowledge their heritage and adapt to it to influence the market. The hanfu movement rather suits this rhetoric, advocating cultural autonomy infused with a touch of patriotism.

Many Chinese Gen Zs have come to realize that fashion is not exclusive to Western styles; they have also recognized the allure and appeal of their own traditional garments. Cultural confidence has played a significant role in popularizing these traditional clothing choices.

Jun Baoyuan, a 24-year-old graduate from the Beijing Institute of Technology, said that people who develop an interest in hanfu will in turn learn more about the traditional skills rooted in Chinese culture, including cloth weaving and traditional jewelry handicrafts. She also noted that many of her close friends today had entered her life as a result of their shared passion for hanfu. Jun often shares her hanfu-clad adventures on Douyin, where she has gathered a 60,000-strong following.

As her reputation as a high-flying hanfu model grew, she started collaborating with museums in China and participating in a range of events. But Jun also warned that with the popularity of hanfu events and the rising number of enthusiasts who want to join the movement, some merchants have fueled unfair competition by selling poor-quality hanfu garments at high prices. These days, making sure you get your money’s worth requires a good deal of knowledge.

The hanfu movement is among the most significant currents in the contemporary young Chinese cultural narrative. They have brought a sense of pride and Chinese aesthetics to social media, where overseas Chinese, too, can express their heritage. Psychologically and culturally, the hanfu movement is playing a major role in shaping the new generation of young Chinese, blending modernity with tradition. It is nothing short of remarkable to see China’s Gen Zs coming together to embrace and celebrate their customs. Although the future path of the hanfu movement has yet to unveil itself, it’s surely a phenomenon worth monitoring. The revival of Chinese culture has gained force and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

One of the world’s oldest preserved human settlements has been significantly damaged by heavy rain in Pakistan.

Moenjodaro, a World Heritage site in the Indus River Valley was built in the Bronze Age, some 5, 000 years ago. “Unfortunately we witnessed the mass destruction at the site,” reads a letter from the Cultural, Tourism, & Antiquities Department of Singh state sent to UNESCO and signed by curator Ihsan Ali Abbasi and architect Naveed Ahmed Sangah. The letter adds the site was being used as temporary accommodation for local residents whose own homes had flooded. Currently, around one-third of Pakistan is underwater after downpours combined with water from melting icebergs.

Most of Moenjodaro’s structures, which were discovered in the 1920s, are above ground and easy to be affected by environmental damage. The letter explains some of the immediate actions the site team has taken to reduce the flood damage, like bringing in water pumps, repairing brickwork and cleaning drains (下水道).

But it’s clear that these measures will not be enough. Abbasi and Sangah ended their letter by asking for ＄45 million to cover the costs of full repairs. UNESCO has responded to the request for help, delivering ＄350, 000 from its emergency fund. The funds will go to Moenjodaro and other sites including the Sehwan folk and craft museum, the Amri Museum and the historical monuments at Makli.

Moenjodaro’s significance as a historical and architectural site cannot be underestimated. When it was added to UNESCO’s register in 1980, the organization wrote that Moenjodaro “presents outstanding evidence of the Indus civilization,” making up of “the most ancient planned city on the Indian subcontinent.” During its glorious days, the city was a metropolis. There were markets, public baths, and a sewage system mostly constructed out of sun-baked brick.

In their letter, Abbasi and Sangah express concern that Moenjodaro could be added to the list of UNESCO sites in danger. Sites currently on this list include Florida’s Everglades National Park and the city of Liverpool, England.