Ancient Roman Mosaic Returns Home to Spain After 8,768-Mile Journey

The Spanish town of Belchite, a site emblematic of the Spanish Civil War, has been selected by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) as one of 25 global locations in need of urgent preservation efforts. WMF's selection comes in light of the site's significant deterioration, projected to lead to the loss of its remaining ruins within 20 years. Belchite is known for its pivotal role during the 1937 battle, which claimed approximately 5,000 lives and attracted notable journalists such as Ernest Hemingway. According to Marta Beltrán, head of the Belchite Tourist Office, the town drew 38,000 visitors in 2024, highlighting its cultural significance. The WMF, which has raised around $300 million for heritage conservation since its establishment in 1965, seeks funds to stabilize Belchite's ruins and address urgent needs, such as establishing a visitor center. Other sites sharing this precarious status include Gaza's Historic Urban Fabric and Kyiv's Teacher’s House. The WMF emphasizes the importance of both private and public financial support in safeguarding these cultural landmarks for future generations.

Spanish National Police successfully rescued an unnamed man who was abducted in Sabinillas, Málaga, after he sent a photo of his abductors' car's steering wheel to his girlfriend. This crucial image, which included the logo of the vehicle, helped authorities locate the victim within 16 hours of being informed about the kidnapping on January 23, 2025. The victim was taken by a group of men while walking along a seafront public street and forced into the trunk of a vehicle. He managed to communicate with his girlfriend, sending both images and videos that showcased him being threatened with a gun regarding a debt linked to an alleged drug deal worth 30,000 euros (approximately $32,000). Police quickly tracked down the victim by following leads from the images and geographic coordinates. Four suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons. Fortunately, authorities reported that the victim was found healthy and unharmed.

In a dramatic turn of events, Spanish police successfully rescued a kidnapped man in Málaga, thanks to his quick-thinking actions. On January 23, authorities received a report regarding the abduction of a man who had been taken from the promenade in Sabinillas two days earlier. The victim was seized by a group of assailants driving two vehicles, who were allegedly seeking information about a third individual involved in a drug-related fraud amounting to €30,000. While in captivity, the victim managed to send a photo of the car's steering wheel and geographic coordinates to his girlfriend, unbeknownst to his captors. This crucial information enabled Policía Nacional officers to narrow down the location to a street in Torre del Mar. Upon arriving at the site indicated by the coordinates, police identified a parked car matching the description provided in the photo, along with another vehicle linked to the kidnapping. Shortly thereafter, police observed the victim being transferred from one car to another. Following this, officers intercepted the vehicle on the A7 motorway towards Málaga. The victim was rescued unharmed and in good health, and four individuals were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, belonging to a criminal organization, and illegal possession of firearms. The successful operation took less than 16 hours from the initial report of the abduction.