- UN adopts pact promising to build 'brighter future' for humanity
- Military escalation not in Israel's 'best interest': White House
- Marxist leader declared Sri Lanka's president-elect
- Classes resume at Bangladesh university at heart of protests
- 'Barely anyone left': Sudan's El-Fasher devastated by fighting
- 'Warrior' Joshua vows to fight on despite Dubois mauling
- Martin extends MotoGP lead as Bastianini wins at Misano and Bagnaia crashes out
- New French government instantly under pressure on multiple fronts
- Australia's Brown adds world title to Olympic time trial gold
- Russian strike on Ukraine's Kharkiv wounds 21
- UK's Starmer rules out austerity as Labour conference opens
- Swiss voters reject environment, pensions reforms: projected results
- Israel says 'landed blows' on Hezbollah as Lebanon violence intensifies
- Roma CEO steps down amid anger over club icon De Rossi's sacking
- Incoming French government under pressure on multiple fronts
- Hezbollah rockets strike near Israel's Haifa as UN warns of 'catastrophe'
- Haddad Maia roars back to beat Kasatkina in Korea Open final
- All-rounder Ashwin powers India to 280-run Test win over Bangladesh
- Failed Springbok 'gamble' sets up rugby championship decider
- Lebanon strikes send Israelis to shelters as UN warns of 'catastrophe'
- Far-right AfD eyes new win in east German state vote
- Tony Popovic set to become new Socceroos coach - reports
- All-round Ashwin powers India to big Test win over Bangladesh
- NZ chase 275 to win first Sri Lanka Test after Patel bags six
- Ashwin bags six wickets as India hammer Bangladesh in first Test
- Nascent French government under pressure on multiple fronts
- Angry French cognac makers see red over Chinese tariffs threat
- Protect the prosciutto: Italy battles swine fever
- UN holds 'Summit of the Future' to tackle global crises
- Marxist leader set to become Sri Lanka's next president
- From blades to pull-up bars: UK charity tackles knife crime
- Swiss vote on pensions and environment protections
- No pain, no gain: Chinese pro wrestlers fight for recognition
- UAE leader seeks to deepen 'strategic' ties in US visit during Mideast crisis
- Hezbollah takes heavy hits but still fighting Israel
- Floods, landslides hit central Japan months after major quake
- All Blacks coach Robertson demands better finishing
- Argentina edge South Africa to keep title hopes alive
- Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies
- Dubois destroys Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Guardiola says critics want Man City wiped 'from face of the Earth'
- Biden says 'Quad' is 'here to stay' despite challenges
- Dubois knocks out Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Vinicius helps 'faster' Madrid overturn stubborn Espanyol
- Zelensky to press US on long-range missile strikes inside Russia
- PSG drop first points in draw at Reims
- Vinicius, Mbappe on target as Madrid crush plucky Espanyol
- Jeeno leads Ko by two at LPGA Queen City Championship
- Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G
- Messi, Miami frustrated by New York late leveler
India's Modi thanks Australia for returning stolen artefacts
Australia has returned 29 religious and cultural artefacts to India, among them several stolen or illegally exported from the country, earning thanks from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Monday summit.
New Delhi has pushed Western governments and museums to identify and return objects of India's "stolen heritage", and hundreds of items from overseas collections have already been repatriated.
Thirteen of the works returned by Australia are connected to alleged trafficker Subhash Kapoor, a former Manhattan art dealer who was the subject of a massive US federal investigation known as Operation Hidden Idol.
"I would like to especially thank you for the initiative to return ancient Indian artefacts," Modi told his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison during a virtual meeting of the leaders.
"These include statues and paintings that are hundreds of years old and that have been illegally taken out... now we can return them to the places where they belong."
The objects -- including sculptures, paintings, photographs and a scroll -- date back to the 9th century and were held by the National Gallery of Australia.
The museum first announced the return of works it acquired through Kapoor last July, including a US$5 million bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva that had been stolen from a temple in southern India.
Kapoor was arrested in 2011 and is currently in jail awaiting trial. He denies all charges.
Experts estimate that thousands of artworks are stolen from Indian temples each year and shipped to a thriving international antiquities market.
These artefacts are generally smuggled out under fake documentation and concealed in furniture or garment consignments. Most never return to India.
Barry O'Farrell, Australia's high commissioner to India, said the restitution of the artefacts was a symbol of strong diplomatic ties "built on deep bonds of trust and cooperation".
- 'Distressing backdrop' -
Monday's summit between Modi and Morrison focused on the strategic partnership between their two countries, both members of the Quad alliance alongside the US and Japan, along with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion.
"Our meeting today is, of course, set against the very distressing backdrop of the war in Europe, which must never happen in our own region," Morrison said.
"The tragic loss of life underlies the importance, of course, of holding Russia to account."
New Delhi enjoys historic diplomatic and defence ties with Moscow and has abstained in UN votes deploring Russia's actions in Ukraine, in a break from other Quad members.
Modi did not address the conflict in his comments after the meeting.
India and Australia have also been working to finalise a trade deal that would ease export barriers for Indian pharmaceuticals and cut tariffs on some Australian wines, according to local media reports.
Y.Bouchard--BTB