Latest news with #MunichAgreement
1News
5 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
New High Commissioner to the UK named
A former New Zealand ambassador to Japan, Russia, and Turkey has been appointed as the new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, replacing Phil Goff in the post after he was sacked earlier this year. Hamish Cooper, who has 40 years of experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will take up the role in September. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand's relationship with the United Kingdom was "one of our most important". "Mr Cooper is one of New Zealand's most senior and experienced diplomats and is eminently well-qualified to take on this significant role." Chris Seed, who previously served as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Canberra and Port Moresby, was named in the role in an acting capacity. ADVERTISEMENT Goff made the comments which led Foreign Minister Winston Peters to declare his position "untenable" at a Chatham House event. (Source: Chatham House/YouTube) (Source: Supplied) Goff was fired after making comments on US President Donald Trump in a question he posed at a live-streamed Q&A event with Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen. He asked the speaker: "I was re-reading Churchill's speech to the House of Commons in 1938 after the Munich Agreement, and he turned to Chamberlain, he said, 'You had the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, yet you will have war.' "President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?" Peters said the comments were "seriously regrettable" and made Goff's position "untenable". "When you are in that position — you represent the Government and the policies of the day. You're not able to free think. You are the face of New Zealand," Peters said. He did say it was a disappointing decision to have to make. ADVERTISEMENT "I've worked with Phil Goff, I have known him for a long time, I've worked in government with him, but it's just one of those seriously disappointing decisions one has to make." Former London representative says he was more than willing to pay the price for speaking out against US President Donald Trump. (Source: 1News) 'No regrets' Goff said he had "no regrets" about questioning Donald Trump's understanding of history, in his first public statement since being sacked from his diplomatic role. Goff said he asked the "serious and important question" about Trump — that led to his dismissal — because silence would have made New Zealand "complicit" in the US president's "disgraceful bullying" of Ukraine and its president Volodymyr Zelensky. He defended his actions in a lengthy letter, released to 1News. Goff said New Zealand could not remain silent while the Trump administration made "dishonest" and "untruthful" statements about Russia's invasion. "As one untruthful statement followed another like something out of an Orwell novel, I increasingly felt that the lies needed to be called out," he stated.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hikers discover nearly 600 gold coins dating back to 1808
While the small aluminum can and iron box didn't look like much at first, their contents stunned historians and two lucky hikers alike. The tourists initially stumbled across the containers during a hike in the Czech Republic's Podkrkonosí Mountains earlier this year, but soon took their valuable findings to experts for evaluation. According to a recent assessment by experts at the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, the worth of the jewelry, artifacts, and nearly 600 gold coins inside the containers is estimated to be over $340,000. Now, researchers wonder how this treasure trove of items and currencies from multiple nations and eras made it all the way to the Czech Republic—and why no one ever claimed them. 'When he opened it, my jaw dropped,' Museum of East Bohemia head archeologist Miroslav Novak said in an interview. The iron box housed 16 snuff boxes, 10 bracelets, a wire bag, a comb, a chain, and a powder compact—all gold. Meanwhile, the can's contents featured 598 gold coins divided into 11 columns separately wrapped in black cloth. According to numismatist Vojtěch Brádle, many are stamped with dates ranging from 1808 to 1915, and originated in the Austria-Hungarian empire under the reign of Franz Joseph I. 'I found out that these coins did not travel from the Vienna mint to us, but to the Balkans,' said Brádle. 'And there, after the collapse of the monarchy, in the then-Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, marks, so-called countermarks, were minted.' The coins were likely in Serbia during the 1920s and 1930s, and were often used in typical Balkan necklaces and headdresses. Other coins in the collection come from countries including France, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, Italy, and Russia. However, it's unclear how they all ultimately made it to eastern Bohemia. 'We have no idea,' added Brádle. There are a number of potential theories to explain the treasure's journey across Europe. One explanation is that the belongings were hidden amid Nazi Germany's annexation of the region in the 1930s. Following the Munich Agreement of 1938, hundreds of thousands of Jews and Czechs fled further into the country to escape persecution, and it is possible that the cases were buried in hopes of hiding valuables from the invading armies. Another theory dates the stashes to the end of World War II, when Nazis themselves retreated in the face of Russian forces. Conservationists at the Museum of East Bohemia are now working to catalog and preserve the rare discoveries, and hope to display them in a future public exhibit. As for the two hikers, they are likely happy they chose that particular trail—Czech law entitles them to a reward of up to 10 percent of the find's total value.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hikers discover nearly 600 gold coins dating back to 1808
While the small aluminum can and iron box didn't look like much at first, their contents stunned historians and two lucky hikers alike. The tourists initially stumbled across the containers during a hike in the Czech Republic's Podkrkonosí Mountains earlier this year, but soon took their valuable findings to experts for evaluation. According to a recent assessment by experts at the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, the worth of the jewelry, artifacts, and nearly 600 gold coins inside the containers is estimated to be over $340,000. Now, researchers wonder how this treasure trove of items and currencies from multiple nations and eras made it all the way to the Czech Republic—and why no one ever claimed them. 'When he opened it, my jaw dropped,' Museum of East Bohemia head archeologist Miroslav Novak said in an interview. The iron box housed 16 snuff boxes, 10 bracelets, a wire bag, a comb, a chain, and a powder compact—all gold. Meanwhile, the can's contents featured 598 gold coins divided into 11 columns separately wrapped in black cloth. According to numismatist Vojtěch Brádle, many are stamped with dates ranging from 1808 to 1915, and originated in the Austria-Hungarian empire under the reign of Franz Joseph I. 'I found out that these coins did not travel from the Vienna mint to us, but to the Balkans,' said Brádle. 'And there, after the collapse of the monarchy, in the then-Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, marks, so-called countermarks, were minted.' The coins were likely in Serbia during the 1920s and 1930s, and were often used in typical Balkan necklaces and headdresses. Other coins in the collection come from countries including France, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, Italy, and Russia. However, it's unclear how they all ultimately made it to eastern Bohemia. 'We have no idea,' added Brádle. There are a number of potential theories to explain the treasure's journey across Europe. One explanation is that the belongings were hidden amid Nazi Germany's annexation of the region in the 1930s. Following the Munich Agreement of 1938, hundreds of thousands of Jews and Czechs fled further into the country to escape persecution, and it is possible that the cases were buried in hopes of hiding valuables from the invading armies. Another theory dates the stashes to the end of World War II, when Nazis themselves retreated in the face of Russian forces. Conservationists at the Museum of East Bohemia are now working to catalog and preserve the rare discoveries, and hope to display them in a future public exhibit. As for the two hikers, they are likely happy they chose that particular trail—Czech law entitles them to a reward of up to 10 percent of the find's total value.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Trove of gold and jewellery 'hidden from the Nazis' is found buried
A treasure trove of gold and jewellery has been found buried on the side of a mountain in what historians say could have been an attempt to hide it from invading Nazis. Hikers came across the 15.4lb (7kg) hoard worth over £250,000 ($300,000) after taking a short cut on the wooded slopes of the Czech Republic's northeastern Podkrkonosí Mountains. 'For certain the coins are solid gold. We will need to analyse the rest but at the current price of precious metals, the value of the find can start at 7.5 million [Czech] Crowns (£250,000/ ($300,000). The historical value of the treasure, however, is incalculable.' Although the discovery was made in February, museum officials have only now made the information public. Experts are now trying to determine how the treasure ended buried up on the side of the mountain. Nowak said: 'To store valuable objects in the ground in the form of treasures, so-called depots have been common practice since the prehistoric times. At first, religious movements were more common, later it was property stored in uncertain times with the intention of returning later for it.' One theory is that the treasure could have been hidden following Nazi Germany's annexation of the parts of the country collectively known as the Sudetenland in 1938. After the Munich Agreement of September 29 that year, the majority of Jews and 200,000 Czechs moved to the interior of the country to escape the anticipated persecution in the territories annexed by Hitler. Another theory is that it could have belonged to Germans who were ousted by Stalin's communists at the end of the war. Museum director Petr Grulich said: 'It is difficult to say whether this is the gold of a Czech who had to leave the occupied territory after the Nazi invasion of 1938, the gold of a German who feared displacement after 1945, or Jewish gold. It could also be stolen goods from an antique shop, but we are not inclined to this option.' Numismatist Vojtěch Brádle said: 'The treasure was hidden in the ground for a maximum of slightly over a hundred years. 'According to the dates stamped, it contains coins from 1808 to 1915. 'These are Austria-Hungary and Franz Joseph I. I found out that these coins did not travel from the Vienna mint to us, but to the Balkans. And there, after the collapse of the monarchy, in the then Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, marks, so-called countermarks, were minted.' 'This marking was still used there during the 1930s. So we know that the coins were in Serbia sometime in the 1920s and 1930s, but we have no idea how and when they got to eastern Bohemia.' He added that for some time the coins were used as part of a necklace or headdress typical of Balkan costumes.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Trove of gold coins and jewellery 'hidden from the invading Nazis' is found buried in mountainside
A treasure trove of gold and jewellery has been found buried on the side of a mountain in what historians say could have been an attempt to hide it from invading Nazis. Hikers came across the 15.4lb (7kg) hoard worth over £250,000 after taking a short cut on the wooded slopes of the Czech Republic's northeastern Podkrkonosí Mountains. Described as one of the most exceptional finds in modern Czech history, the stash includes hundreds of coins, ornate jewellery, cigarette cases and a delicately woven silver purse. Head of archaeology at the Museum of East Bohemia Miroslav Novak said: 'I was called to say that a person who had found something was coming to see me. 'When he opened it, my jaw dropped. 'The men first found an aluminium can, part of which protruded above the surface, and about a meter from it an iron box. 'The can contained 598 coins, divided into 11 columns, each wrapped in black cloth. 'The metal box contained a total of sixteen snuff boxes, ten bracelets, a wire bag, a comb, a chain, and a powder compact. All made of yellow metal. 'For certain the coins are solid gold. We will need to analyse the rest but at the current price of precious metals, the value of the find can start at 7.5 million [Czech] Crowns (£250,000). 'The historical value of the treasure, however, is incalculable.' Although the discovery was made in February, museum officials have only now made the information public. Experts are now trying to determine how the treasure ended buried up on the side of the mountain. Nowak said: 'To store valuable objects in the ground in the form of treasures, so-called depots have been common practice since the prehistoric times. 'At first, religious movements were more common, later it was property stored in uncertain times with the intention of returning later for it.' One theory is that the treasure could have been hidden following Nazi Germany's annexation of the parts of the country collectively known as the Sudetenland in 1938. After the Munich Agreement of September 29 that year, the majority of Jews and 200,000 Czechs moved to the interior of the country to escape the anticipated persecution in the territories annexed by Hitler. Another theory is that it could have belonged to Germans who were ousted by Stalin's communists at the end of the war. Museum director Petr Grulich said: 'It is difficult to say whether this is the gold of a Czech who had to leave the occupied territory after the Nazi invasion of 1938, the gold of a German who feared displacement after 1945, or Jewish gold. 'It could also be stolen goods from an antique shop, but we are not inclined to this option.' Numismatist Vojtěch Brádle said: 'The treasure was hidden in the ground for a maximum of slightly over a hundred years. 'According to the dates stamped, it contains coins from 1808 to 1915. 'These are Austria-Hungary and Franz Joseph I. 'I found out that these coins did not travel from the Vienna mint to us, but to the Balkans. 'And there, after the collapse of the monarchy, in the then Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, marks, so-called countermarks, were minted. 'This marking was still used there during the 1930s. 'So we know that the coins were in Serbia sometime in the 1920s and 1930s, but we have no idea how and when they got to eastern Bohemia.' He added that for some time the coins were used as part of a necklace or headdress typical of Balkan costumes. What was the Munich Agreement? The Munich Agreement was signed on September 30, 1938, as an attempt to appease Adolf Hitler. Hitler had his eye on the Sudentenland in Czechoslovakia. Around three million people who lived in the region were of German origin. As the Soviet Union had a treaty with Czechoslovakia they rushed to the country's defence. Britain and France also became involved. As Hitler made speeches about Germans coming home it appeared war was imminent. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with the Fuhrer twice before the Munich Agreement was proposed. The agreement, which had no input from Czechoslovakia, annexed the Sudentenland to Germany. The hope was that appeasing Hitler would stop his aggression. At the time Prime Minister Chamberlain was hailed by some as a hero for his actions in bringing about the agreement. He declared in London after signing the agreement: 'My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. 'I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep.'
