The head of an ancient statue depicting Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II has been returned to Egypt after being smuggled from the country more than 30 years ago, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Monday.
The recovery of the 3,400-year-old artefact, which was part of a larger statue showing Ramesses II seated alongside Egyptian deities, was the result of a collaborative effort between Egyptian and Swiss authorities. It had been tracked to the Swiss capital, Bern, after being stolen from the king's temple in Abydos.
"The return of this important piece of Egypt's heritage is a testament to our tireless efforts to retrieve antiquities that have been illegally smuggled out of the country," said Dr Mohamed Ismail Khalid, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who was appointed last month to succeed Mostafa Waziri.
Though the statue was identified after being offered for sale at an auction house in London in 2013, it then changed hands several times before reaching Switzerland.
It was handed over to the Egyptian embassy in Switzerland in July and its return had been pending necessary procedures. No party has been named as responsible for the theft.
Dr Khalid praised co-operation between Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the office of the Public Prosecutor and Swiss officials.
Shaban Abdel Gawad, who oversees the repatriation of antiquities, said the recovered head would undergo restoration before being placed in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo.
The successful repatriation underscores Egypt's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and combating the global trade in looted antiquities. It also bolsters the country's image as a tourist destination rich in history and archaeological treasures.
Egypt has stepped up efforts in recent years to retrieve artefacts looted and smuggled out of the country in the chaotic aftermath of the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak. The country has also sought to disrupt the sale of stolen antiquities at international auction houses.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said it would continue its mission to recover lost artefacts and protect Egypt's cultural legacy.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
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