A fragment of ancient cloth bearing a Christian cross in the Coptic style was among 21 artefacts returned to Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
A fragment of ancient cloth bearing a Christian cross in the Coptic style was among 21 artefacts returned to Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
A fragment of ancient cloth bearing a Christian cross in the Coptic style was among 21 artefacts returned to Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
A fragment of ancient cloth bearing a Christian cross in the Coptic style was among 21 artefacts returned to Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Australia and US return ancient artefacts to Egypt as repatriation campaign gathers pace


Kamal Tabikha
  • English
  • Arabic

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.

An ancient wooden ushabti statue was returned from Australia. Such statues were traditionally placed in tombs to serve the dead in the afterlife. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
An ancient wooden ushabti statue was returned from Australia. Such statues were traditionally placed in tombs to serve the dead in the afterlife. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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.

A clay statue bearing a human face was among the items sent back from the US to Egypt. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
A clay statue bearing a human face was among the items sent back from the US to Egypt. Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

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.”

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

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Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel

6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Race%20card
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Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: May 20, 2025, 7:42 AM