Monday News Roundup

Some quick items:

Roger Atwood has a great op-ed in the New York Times about the importance of involving local people in anti-looting efforts.

Another op-ed by Uri Avnery on the political repercussions of the excavations of “David’s Town” in Jerusalem by an ultranationalist group.

Vermont Archaeologists protest changes that could gut the state’s contract archaeology industry.

As the LA Times reports, Egypt has cut ties with the Louvre over its refusal to return five fresco fragments allegedly stolen from a tomb in Luxor in the 1980s – including suspension of the museum’s excavations at Saqqara. But is it revenge for Egypt’s candidate being rejected as UNESCO head?

Meanwhile, Egypt is increasing penalties for antiquities smuggling: the maximum is now life imprisonment.