NATIONAL BRIEFING / FLORIDA

Deep-sea explorers who raised an estimated $500-million treasure from the 200-year-old wreck of a Spanish galleon in 2007 should give the loot back to Spain, a federal magistrate said.

But the two-year tug-of-war over the 17 tons of silver coins and other artifacts from what is believed to be the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes y las Animas is not over. Odyssey Marine Exploration of Tampa said it would oppose U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo’s recommendation, which will be considered by a federal judge who will issue an order later.