Politics
Daniel Libeskind in war of words with Berlusconi
The architect has described the Italian Prime Minister as a xenophobe who “hates foreigners” and compares his government to the Fascist regime
Why the US military's proposal to dispose of Saddam Hussein’s Victory Monument is misguided
They represent good and bad aspects of Iraq’s modern history and cannot simply be obliterated
New government in Australia?
Former rock star would be Minister for Arts and Environment
Iran's Saba Cultural Institute announces Russian Orthodox icons show
The news comes as unexpected due to suppression of religion freedom in the nation
An international mission had found no evidence of recent looting at eight sites in south Iraq; some archaeologists were far from pleased
The unwelcome truth
Board games: trustees today have fallen out of love with institutions
Does the trustee system need to be reevaluated?
Israel appoints Arab Muslim culture minister
Ghaleb Majadle has been a member of Israel’s Knesset since 2004.
Italian archaeologists arrive in Iran for citadel of Bam restoration project
The Italian government is giving financial assistance in the 2,000 year-old site's repair, after it was badly affected by an earthquake
Danish artists' group Parallel Action plans Iranian revolution via an appeal to the arts
With the Danish Arts Council's blessing, Thomas Altheimer and Nielsen will travel to the Middle East this autumn
Iran takes first step in reconstruction of Samarra mosque, a casualty of sectarian reprisals in Iraq
The shrine's restoration, which will be paid for by private sector investment, has been the subject of a deal brokered between ICHTO and the Iraqi Ministry of Culture
Louvre gets a taste of US sponsorship as Atlanta's High Museum pays $10m to borrow works by Raphael, Rembrandt and Velázquez
The money will restore the French museum's 18th-century decorative art galleries and the collaboration seeks to improve US-French relations in the wake of the Iraq War
National Portrait gallery plays host to Blair as Tate Modern passes on Labour Party's party
Due to a policy not to allow political events, the Tate declined to host Tony Blair's shindig
Sami Azar reinstated as director of Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art following protests by artists
“This is the only time in Iran that a cultural manager has been supported by artists like this”, he tells The Art Newspaper
Ali-Reza Sami Azar, director of Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art, has stepped down
Whilst the motivation behind his departure is unexplained, his career, driven by his reformist values, has left its mark on Iranian culture
Franco-Iranian accord decrees the two nations will collaborate in archaeological ventures
Two heads are better than one, as the question of how best to preserve historic ruins is yet to receive a definitive answer
National Museum of Iran exhibition to tour five Japanese cities
The costs of bringing "Iranian splendour" overseas will be covered by the Japanese royal family
Zainab Bahrani, cultural advisor to Iraq's provisional government, resigns after three months
In an article Bahrani wrote for the Guardian, she stated “[We have seen the] active destruction of the archaeological and historical record of the land”
Iraq's Ministry of Culture takes reins from Coalition Provisional Authority as Zainab Bahrani is elected as senior consultant
The US-Iraqi academic has turned her attention to addressing the unauthorised excavation of archaeological sites
Under Article 7 of United Nations Resolution 1483, UK citizens who refuse to consign Iraqi artefacts are partaking in criminal activity
If an item is not immediately handed over to a “constable”, its owner could be receiving a prison sentence, even if he has legal title to the object
While Tehran and the West clash over Iran's nuclear programme, their museums keep communication diplomatic
The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago's decision to restitute a set of 300 ancient clays tablets to Iran is proof of strengthening ties
Iran offers to help Iraq protect its heritage
By expressing their wish to join an international cultural task force, Iran acknowledges the mutual cultural history that ties the two countries
Disagreement between France and Spain on cultural protectionism
President Aznar of Spain stated that cultural protectionism was “the refuge of a country whose culture is in decline”
The Coalition Provisional Authority is considering a proposal to send Iraq's Nimrud gold on a global tour
The exhibition could raise money to repair the ransacked National Museum of Iraq
American troop opens fire on senior cultural adviser to Coalition Provisional Authority touring Iraq's archaeological sites
There on an official visit to gauge the level of damage done by looting, Pietro Cordone came out of the incident unscathed, although his interpreter was killed
The British Museum dismisses Parthenon Marbles loan rumours, although they are willing to make alternative concessions to Greece
Athens are still hopeful that the marbles will be returned, to be be housed in the currently unfinished New Acropolis Museum
Disagreement over possible resurrection of Bamiyan Buddhas
Unesco sends out conflicting press releases
"Modernism and Post-Modernism" conference in Teheran at the Museum of Contemporary Art the result of President Khatami's influence
The Art Newspaper speaks to the museum's director Sami Azar about how a more progressive government brought about Iran's increasing acceptance of Western ideas
Republican Congressman proposes bill to cut off aid to Palestinians “for eliminating evidence of Jewish activity on Temple Mount.”
Mount of contention
Environment, as well as buildings, needs protection
A major report stresses the power of place