Barnaby Phillips
@barnabyphillips.bsky.social
Journalist and author. 'Loot- Britain and the Benin Bronzes' & 'Another Man's War'..I was a correspondent based in Athens, Jo'burg Lagos, Luanda & Maputo..Now back in my native N1 #COYG
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
Glad that someone has finally taken responsibility for the appalling assault on democracy that was the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
November 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Glad that someone has finally taken responsibility for the appalling assault on democracy that was the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
compelling from @arusbridger.bsky.social
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
compelling from @arusbridger.bsky.social
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
Old: The US might illegally attack Venezuela.
New: The US might illegally attack Nigeria.
New: The US might illegally attack Nigeria.
November 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Old: The US might illegally attack Venezuela.
New: The US might illegally attack Nigeria.
New: The US might illegally attack Nigeria.
Extraordinary & beautiful new book on the woodcarvers of Benin City Nigeria, post-1897 British invasion. 'Their works were scattered around the world and, unlike the famous Bronzes, have not been the subject of scrutiny until now.' Michael Graham-Stewart.Abe Books www.abebooks.co.uk/first-editio...
October 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Extraordinary & beautiful new book on the woodcarvers of Benin City Nigeria, post-1897 British invasion. 'Their works were scattered around the world and, unlike the famous Bronzes, have not been the subject of scrutiny until now.' Michael Graham-Stewart.Abe Books www.abebooks.co.uk/first-editio...
A new plaque in the St Paul's Crypt; Kofoworola Abeni Pratt, pioneering nurse. Only the 5th woman in the crypt...and the first Nigerian (unless you count John Hawley Glover). Next to Florence Nightingale.
October 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A new plaque in the St Paul's Crypt; Kofoworola Abeni Pratt, pioneering nurse. Only the 5th woman in the crypt...and the first Nigerian (unless you count John Hawley Glover). Next to Florence Nightingale.
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
Plan for climate levy on shipping emissions shelved as countries bow to US intimidation and bullying
#IMO #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#IMO #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Shipping emissions levy shelved as countries bow to US pressure
Long-planned charge on greenhouse gas emissions postponed as Trump officials accused of intimidation tactics
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Plan for climate levy on shipping emissions shelved as countries bow to US intimidation and bullying
#IMO #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#IMO #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
BBC News - Martian meteorite: Niger's anger that a piece of Mars ended up for auction - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Martian meteorite: Niger's anger that a piece of Mars ended up for auction
The West African country investigates how a space rock found there was put up for sale in New York.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 10, 2025 at 5:20 AM
BBC News - Martian meteorite: Niger's anger that a piece of Mars ended up for auction - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Africa, Burma, and the 2nd WW. The National Army Museum Chelsea hosts a special screening of my film 'Burma Boy', with chat after with Ed Keazor and Prof David Killingray. It should be great. Book now...for January 22nd 2026, always good to plan ahead...!
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/bur...
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/bur...
The Burma Boy: 15 Years On
Join a panel of experts as they discuss public understanding of African service in the Burma campaign and how it has evolved over the past decade.
www.nam.ac.uk
July 17, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Africa, Burma, and the 2nd WW. The National Army Museum Chelsea hosts a special screening of my film 'Burma Boy', with chat after with Ed Keazor and Prof David Killingray. It should be great. Book now...for January 22nd 2026, always good to plan ahead...!
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/bur...
www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/bur...
Five beautiful but fragile African landscapes gain UNESCO World Heritage Status #Cameroon #Mozambique #SierraLeone #GuineaBissau #Malawi
africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifest...
africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifest...
5 African countries get a new UNESCO World Heritage site
The 47th session of the UNESCO World Cultural Committee, which is now taking place from July 6 to July 16, 2025, has already brought much pride to the African continent, with numerous African monument...
africa.businessinsider.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Five beautiful but fragile African landscapes gain UNESCO World Heritage Status #Cameroon #Mozambique #SierraLeone #GuineaBissau #Malawi
africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifest...
africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifest...
July 15, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
“Archive of Lost Memories” by Yinka Shonibare RA. Clay replicas of Benin Bronzes and a bust wrapped in trade fabric of Harry Rawson, who led the British capture of Benin Palace, 1897. In the @royalacademy.bsky.social Summer Show 2025 (#105) until 17 August.
July 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
“Archive of Lost Memories” by Yinka Shonibare RA. Clay replicas of Benin Bronzes and a bust wrapped in trade fabric of Harry Rawson, who led the British capture of Benin Palace, 1897. In the @royalacademy.bsky.social Summer Show 2025 (#105) until 17 August.
From 'Chairman Moe' to 'Such good English'. American leaders ignorant not only about Africa, but their own country's history. www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-...
Trump says Liberian president uses 'such good English'
During a White House event, President Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for using "such good English." Liberia's national language is English, with many of those living there being the de...
www.nbcnews.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:38 AM
From 'Chairman Moe' to 'Such good English'. American leaders ignorant not only about Africa, but their own country's history. www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-...
West Reservoir Hackney, 7 am swim. Bliss. And most encouragingly, the sky above full of swifts.
July 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM
West Reservoir Hackney, 7 am swim. Bliss. And most encouragingly, the sky above full of swifts.
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
Should UK museums display mummies? One institution is asking its visitors for their view.
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/02/s...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/02/s...
Should UK museums display mummies? One institution is asking its visitors for their view
The Manchester Museum is running a public consultation about the future of Asru, a woman who lived in Thebes, southern Egypt
www.theartnewspaper.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Should UK museums display mummies? One institution is asking its visitors for their view.
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/02/s...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/02/s...
BBC News - Plaques on slave trader statues reveal wrongdoings
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Slave trader statues given plaques detailing 'enormous wrongdoings'
The City of London Corporation reinterprets the statues of slave traders Lord Mayor William Beckford and MP Sir John Cass.
www.bbc.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM
BBC News - Plaques on slave trader statues reveal wrongdoings
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reports of the demise in the market in looted Benin Bronzes would appear to have been exaggerated. 357,500 Euros for plaque which had apparently belong to André Derain. Paris auction 25/6/25
www.gazette-drouot.com/en/auctions/...
www.gazette-drouot.com/en/auctions/...
June 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reports of the demise in the market in looted Benin Bronzes would appear to have been exaggerated. 357,500 Euros for plaque which had apparently belong to André Derain. Paris auction 25/6/25
www.gazette-drouot.com/en/auctions/...
www.gazette-drouot.com/en/auctions/...
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
The MFA has restituted 2 looted Benin objects to HRH Prince Erediauwa on behalf of the Oba of Benin. This is the MFA's 1st ownership resolution since our colonial prov project began in 2021. Rooted in prov research, the return affirms a commitment to ethical restitution.
www.mfa.org/press-releas...
www.mfa.org/press-releas...
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Returns Two Works of Art to the Oba of Benin
BOSTON (Friday, June 27, 2025)—The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), today returned two works of art from the Benin Kingdom to His Royal Majesty O
www.mfa.org
June 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The MFA has restituted 2 looted Benin objects to HRH Prince Erediauwa on behalf of the Oba of Benin. This is the MFA's 1st ownership resolution since our colonial prov project began in 2021. Rooted in prov research, the return affirms a commitment to ethical restitution.
www.mfa.org/press-releas...
www.mfa.org/press-releas...
This is extraordinary- Benin plaque for auction Paris 25/6/25. 'Late 16th or 17th century'- implication looted by the British 1897. Part of the famous collection of artist André Derain. drouot.com/en/l/2959701...
1/3
1/3
June 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This is extraordinary- Benin plaque for auction Paris 25/6/25. 'Late 16th or 17th century'- implication looted by the British 1897. Part of the famous collection of artist André Derain. drouot.com/en/l/2959701...
1/3
1/3
BBC News - Ukraine war crime trial: A Russian soldier takes the stand for an execution - fantastic reporting here.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ukraine war crime trial: A Russian soldier takes the stand for an execution
Dmitriy Kurashov is the first Russian soldier to stand trial in Ukraine over a battlefield execution.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
BBC News - Ukraine war crime trial: A Russian soldier takes the stand for an execution - fantastic reporting here.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Alot of (not unjustified) talk of Broken Britain. So only fair to say that HM Passport office (painfully slow a few years ago) is now excellent. Filled out the form Thursday 5th at night, posted the old one in Friday, new one arrived today Weds 11th (regular service) bravo !
June 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Alot of (not unjustified) talk of Broken Britain. So only fair to say that HM Passport office (painfully slow a few years ago) is now excellent. Filled out the form Thursday 5th at night, posted the old one in Friday, new one arrived today Weds 11th (regular service) bravo !
When Frederick Forsyth was sent by the BBC to cover the Nigerian civil war (he on the Biafra side, Martin Bell on the federal side) he befriended Emeka Ojukwu and eventually wrote this v sympathetic biography
June 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
When Frederick Forsyth was sent by the BBC to cover the Nigerian civil war (he on the Biafra side, Martin Bell on the federal side) he befriended Emeka Ojukwu and eventually wrote this v sympathetic biography
Reposted by Barnaby Phillips
‘In 2001, a Belgian parliamentary committee concluded that the government of the day "bore a moral responsibility" for Lumumba's murder. How was the museum mean to broach this episode?’
Jeremy Harding on the Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jeremy Harding on the Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jeremy Harding · Paths to Restitution: Leopold’s Legacy
The Royal Museum of the Belgian Congo became the Royal Museum of Central Africa after Brussels choked back its fury and...
www.lrb.co.uk
May 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
‘In 2001, a Belgian parliamentary committee concluded that the government of the day "bore a moral responsibility" for Lumumba's murder. How was the museum mean to broach this episode?’
Jeremy Harding on the Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jeremy Harding on the Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Thursday night London, this should be an interesting evening, do please come.
May 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Thursday night London, this should be an interesting evening, do please come.