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A Vincent van Gogh painting stolen from a museum in the Netherlands during a COVID-19 lockdown has been returned to an art sleuth in an Ikea bag.

The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring, also known as the Spring Garden, was snatched from the Singer Laren museum, about 30km (19 miles) east of Amsterdam, on 30 March 2020, when the attraction was closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Thieves smashed glass doors during an overnight raid to take the 1884 artwork, which was on loan from the Groninger Museum, in the city of Groningen, around 180km (112 miles) from the Dutch capital.

It has “suffered but is – at first glance – still in good condition,” the Groninger said.

The museum singled out Dutch art sleuth Arthur Brand for his “key role in this case” – but declined to provide further information on how the painting was recovered.

Mr Brand, nicknamed the “Indian Jones of the art world”, is seen in footage on the Dutch national broadcaster NOS as he takes the painting out the Ikea bag, unwraps it and shows it to the camera.

‘Extremely happy and relieved’

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Director Andreas Bluhm said in a statement: “The museum is extremely happy and relieved that the work is back.

“We are very grateful to everyone to contributed to this good outcome.”

“Police have been closely involved in all phases (of the recovery of the painting),” the museum added.

The oil painting, which is being kept temporarily at the Van Gogh Museum in the Dutch capital, will be subject to scientific examination in the coming months.

The painting was stolen from the Museum Singer Laren, east of Amsterdam, during the COVID lockdown in March 2020 Pic: AP
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The painting was stolen from the Singer Laren museum during a COVID lockdown in March 2020. Pic: AP

The value of the painting has not been revealed.

An insurance company paid the Groninger Museum for the loss and is now the formal owner, although the museum has said it will exercise its right to first purchase of the work.

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It hopes to put the painting on display soon, but it could take “weeks, if not months”.

The 25cm by 57cm (10in by 22in) creation depicts a person standing in the garden of the rectory at Nuenen – a rural Dutch town where Van Gogh’s parents lived – surrounded by trees, with a church tower in the background.

It dates to a time when Van Gogh had moved back to his family home and painted the life he saw there, including his famous work, The Potato Eaters.

Later, the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter moved to southern France before his death in 1890.

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”. 

The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.

She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.

“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.

“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.

“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”

Jessie J attending the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, London. Picture date: Sunday
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Jessie J at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Pic: PA

‘I need a hug’

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.

The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.

“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.

“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.

“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.

“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”

She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.

“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”

‘I’m here for you’

Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.

Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”

Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”

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London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.

She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.

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‘Each day is brighter and better’: Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

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'Each day is brighter and better': Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.

Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”

The Duchess of Sussex posted a birthday tribute to her daughter. Pic: Instagram
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Meghan also posted a picture of her holding Lilibet as a newborn

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Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.

In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.

Last month, Meghan spoke about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.

Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.

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King Of The Hill and Parks And Recreation actor Jonathan Joss shot dead in Texas

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King Of The Hill and Parks And Recreation actor Jonathan Joss shot dead in Texas

An actor who appeared in animated series King Of The Hill and hit show Parks And Recreation has been shot dead near his home.

Jonathan Joss, 59, was found injured by police in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday evening.

Officers tried to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The actor’s husband claimed the gunman shouted “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire, and that Joss had pushed him out the way to save his life.

“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,” alleged Tristan Kern de Gonzales on Facebook.

He said the couple had previously faced harassment from neighbours, much of it “openly homophobic”.

Joss’s husband said they had been checking for mail at his old home – which earlier this year burned down in a fire that killed their three dogs – when they noticed the skull of one of the animals in front of the property.

He said they began “yelling and crying” and claimed they were approached by a man who threatened them with a gun.

“We were standing side by side,” said Mr Kern de Gonzales. “When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.”

However, San Antonio police said it had found no evidence that the shooting was a hate crime.

“Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly,” said a statement.

A 56-year-old man, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has already been charged with murder.

Joss is best known for voicing Native American character John Redcorn in cult show King Of The Hill, which ran for 13 series and more than 250 episodes from 1997 to 2009.

He also had a recurring role in NBC’s Parks And Recreation as tribal elder and casino owner Chief Ken Hotate.

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A King Of The Hill reboot is due to start in August and Joss had been in Austin, Texas, for events promoting the comeback the day before he was killed.

He posted a video on Instagram saying he was signing autographs at a comic book store, adding that he had already worked on four episodes of the revival.

“The fans get to revisit King Of the Hill again, which I think is an amazing thing because it’s a great show,” he said in the video.

The suspect is being held in a detention centre in San Antonio, but the lawyer representing him could not be traced as they were not listed in court records.

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