Telecom titan Patrick Drahi is buying Sotheby’s for $2.7 billion, taking it private after more than three decades as a public company.

Hundreds of jewels seized from drug gangs, organised crime and tax evaders were auctioned off as part of a "Robin Hood" program to use millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains to aid the poor.

A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 outfitted with special gadgets for James Bond, such as tire slashers, machine guns and a bulletproof shield, sold for $6.4 million at auction, according to RM Sotheby's.

Congolese activist Mwazulu Diyabanza has tried to remove looted art from museums in protest against the theft of African art treasures. Now he is facing trial.

The new owner of "The Spirit of the Rose" could profit from soaring prices, as the mine responsible for the world's largest supply of pink diamonds stopped production due to depletion.

An extremely rare, purple-pink diamond mined in Russia, which Sotheby's described as "a true wonder of nature," sold for $26.6 million Swiss francs on Wednesday (November 11), the auction house said.

Lagos State Government auctions forfeited vehicles

Pastry chef Walter Musco turns his shop in Rome's working-class Tor Marancia district into an art gallery displaying Easter eggs sculpted in hommage to great names from the worlds of art and literature. The creations of the self-taught "pasticciere" are fully edible, although can also be stored uneaten for years, Musco says, provided they are kept cool and out of the sun.

Tennis legend Federer auctions £1m of memorabilia for charity

A painting by Mark Rothko sold for $82.5 million (€72.6 million) making it the most expensive item of the evening. The collection was previously owned by real estate mogul Harry Macklowe and his former wife Linda.

Sotheby's presents in New York a blue diamond valued at 48 million dollars

In Benin, artefacts that were looted by French forces during the 19th century and formally returned to their homeland last year are about to go on display. The objects include sculptures, masks and small pieces of furniture for ceremonial uses. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith reports from the capital Cotonou. Also, French lawmakers pave the way for artworks stolen by the Nazis and currently on display in French museums to be returned to their rightful heirs.