Emilian city famed for cheese, ham, art and history
Thieves have taken three panels from Antonello da Messina's San Gregorio polyptych and a small double-sided devotional panel from the Regional Museum in Messina late on Aug. 15 during the city's Vara procession. Two panels were later abandoned near the museum. Authorities are investigating a likely commissioned theft and probing how alarms were circumvented.
Stolen artworks attributed to Antonello da Messina have been taken from the Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina during a late Saturday burglary caught on Assumption Day in the city. Five wooden panels comprising the San Gregorio Polyptych and a small two-sided Virgin and Christ painting have been seized; two panels were left behind near the museum grounds. Authorities suspect the theft was ordered for high-value art trafficking.
Two men have smashed a glass case at Vienna’s MAK museum, seizing a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace designed for an Egyptian royal wedding in 1939. Police say the suspects fled in an unknown direction; the piece is valued at millions. The theft follows a wave of recent European museum heists amid rising security concerns.
Switzerland has named its 25-man squad for Nations League fixtures against Scotland, Slovenia and North Macedonia, with captain Granit Xhaka returning after a strong World Cup and Boteli scoring again for his club. Uncapped defender Sascha Britschgi is included for the first time, and Zachary Athekame is back from loan to Lyon. Matches begin Sept. 29 in Scotland, with home games in Lucerne.
The FIFA president has apologized to the FIFA Council for missteps in a private World Cup sell-off plan that was later scrapped. European critics demand documents and clarity ahead of the March presidential election, with UEFA pressing for answers to 42 questions by November 2.