High court rejects bid to overturn ban on ivory trading

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High court rejects bid to overturn ban on ivory trading | The high court has rejected an attempt by a group of dealers and collectors of antique ivory to prevent the 2018 Ivory Act from coming into force. While declaring himself ‘sympathetic’ to some of their arguments, Mr Justice Jay ultimately dismissed a bid from the Friends of Antique Cultural Treasures (FACT) to overturn the ban, ruling that the Ivory Act would publicly strengthen the UK’s stance against poaching and the ivory trade, and that it did not breach European law. While conservation groups have praised the decision, it is possible that members of FACT will seek to appeal the judgement; they have until 12 November to do so. Under the act, an ‘almost total ban’ in the trading of artefacts containing ivory will be implemented.

Pat Martin named as winner of Taylor Wessing prize | The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2019 has been awarded to Pat Martin, a photographer from Los Angeles. The pair of winning photographs was taken from a series capturing Martin’s late mother, who battled with addiction throughout her life. Martin was awarded the £15,000 prize on Tuesday evening at the National Portrait Gallery in London, where the shortlisted work is on display until 16 February 2020.

Marciano Art Foundation lays off 60 staff members amid workers’ attempts to unionise | Sixty visitor services employees at the Marciano Art Foundation in Los Angeles have been laid off, several days after they announced a campaign to unionise. On Tuesday evening, an email was sent to the employees, many of who are part-time, explaining that the decision was made due to ‘low attendance [over] the past few weeks’. The private gallery, which was founded by collectors Maurice and Paul Marciano in 2017, will now remain closed to the public until further notice.

Editor-in-chief of British Vogue to present Turner Prize 2019 in Margate | Edward Enninful, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, has been announced as the host of this year’s Turner Prize ceremony, which will take place on 3 December at Turner Contemporary in Margate. Enninful will present the award, which carries a £25,000 cash prize, to one of the four shortlisted artists: Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo or Tai Shani. An exhibition of the artists’ work is on display at the gallery until 12 January 2020.