Egypt has repatriated 21 ancient artefacts from Australia in a milestone for its efforts to recover key items of historical heritage that have been smuggled out of the country.
Statues, fragments of coffins and other relics arrived in Cairo on Sunday from Canberra in a transfer enabled by authorities from both nations.
“These artefacts represent Egypt’s unwavering commitment to protecting our cultural heritage,” said Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.
He said the repatriation was a testament to strong bilateral ties between Egypt and Australia, with the countries recently marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Among the returned artefacts are a wooden ushabti statue, pieces of a painted coffin and an intricately carved ivory spindle.
A long-missing portion of a funerary stela was also recovered. It had been broken into four parts, with three returned to Egypt from Switzerland in 2017 and the fourth recently identified at Macquarie University in Sydney.
All the artefacts will be restored at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo, before being exhibited.
The Australian repatriation follows another transfer only days earlier from the US in which Egypt recovered 25 artefacts.
These included gilded wooden coffin lids, a portrait of a mummy from the Fayoum region and granite fragments believed to be from the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, who reigned between 1479 and 1458BC. The artefacts, which span several historical periods, were smuggled out of Egypt decades ago and surfaced in US collections.
They were returned after three years of investigations and co-operation between Egyptian and US authorities, including the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
The latest repatriations are part of Egypt’s broader campaign to recover an array of artefacts that have been taken illegally over the years. They include items smuggled through black markets, sold at international auctions, or acquired during colonial-era expeditions.
Egypt has intensified its calls for the return of high-profile treasures housed in western museums, including the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum and the bust of Queen Nefertiti at Neues Museum, Berlin.
In 2022, renowned Egyptian archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass launched a campaign for the return of these two iconic items, arguing they were removed under dubious circumstances.
The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799 and instrumental in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, has been in British possession for more than two centuries. Similarly, the 3,400-year-old bust of Nefertiti, discovered in 1912 by a German archaeological team, has been the subject of Egyptian demands for decades.
Both items are emblematic of Egypt’s cultural legacy and its enduring struggle to reclaim its heritage.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
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The specs
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
