Russian archeologists hope to display in Cairo and Moscow their finds excavated in Egypt in recent years, said Galina Belova, Ph.D. (History).   She reported about on-going talks on staging an exposition at the National Museum in Cairo.

Galina Belova who heads the Centre of Egypt Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which was set up in 1998 and opened its branch in Cairo in 2000, has been engaged in excavations in Egypt since 1995.   Over the past five years, Russian expeditions have been busy digging in Luxor's cache of pharaoh mummies, investigating into Memphis, examining the temples and settlements in Delta and penetrating the necropolis and a medieval Christian monastery in the town of Al Fayyum.   Since 2003, the Russians have been involved in underwater archeological prospecting into the 20-kilometer area close to the Alexandria coastline.   Russian restorers have spent the last year rehabilitating wall paintings in the church of al Muallaka in Cairo...

[More]   RIA Novosti, Russia, April 29, 2005, via EEF News.

Cutting-edge CT scans unwrap a little of the mystery about ancient Egyptian life and death.

Few things speak of ancient Egypt more clearly than mummies.

But what these mummies say about the lives and afterlives of ancient Egyptians isn't always so clear.   After all, the mummies are bound not just in the fog of millenniums passed, but multiple layers of resin- soaked linen.

"To unwrap them is to destroy them," said Nigel Strudwick, an assistant keeper in the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum in London, which houses the largest collection of such artifacts, including scores of mummies, outside of Egypt...

[More]   San Diego Union-Tribune, California, USA, May 4, 2005

The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) plans to launch a huge project to restore and upgrade the Bab Al Azab area situated with- in the walls of Salah Eddin Citadel. The project, which will last for two years, is to be implemented over three phases.

...

Dr Hawass said that the Bab Al Azab project will include the establishment of a school for restoration and a museum with post- Pharaonic era displays. These will be located on a site used as army barracks until 1984. Under the project, Bab Al Azab will also enjoy a research centre, a convention hall, workshops for craftsmen and retail outlets...

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, May 05, 2005

The Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Tourism ruled out on Wednesday that the recent two Cairo attacks would not affect the influx of tourists to Egypt.

Ahmed El-Khadem, speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Arab traveling exhibition, said the attacks, however, could affect flights for a while.

He said some 8.1 million tourists visited Egypt last year and spent $6.3 billion with an increase of 14% over the previous year.

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, May 05, 2005

Egypt expects 9 million tourists in 2005 against 8.1 million tourists in 2004, said Ahmed El Khadem, Chairman, Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Khadem said: "Despite the developments of April 30, tourists still continue to visit Egypt and cancellations after the bomb blast continue to remain normal.   We are sure that this would be the last development and tourist still continue to visit Egypt as the favoured destination.   The Arabian Travel Market (ATM)- 2005 is ideal platform to promote Port Ghalib, which has an total investment value of $1.2 billion.   The developers opted to construct Port Ghalib in Egypt as tourism has become the fastest growing sector of the Egyptian economy and enjoys a dynamic level of support from the government and Ministry of Tourism.   Egypt offers a special mystique and attraction due to its rich culture and history, and became a 'star performer' tourist destination as judged by the World Tourism Organisation...

[More]   Middle East North Africa Financial Network, Jordan, 05/05/2005

French tourists in Cairo said that they will continue with their holiday in Egypt, sightseeing and enjoying the country's attractive tourist sites.

The tourists told France Info Radio Service that they are not afraid of being attacked by terrorists, because Egyptians are hospitable and very friendly to foreigners...

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, May 04, 2005

Once the breadbasket of the Roman Empire, Fayoum's beauty has many sides, as Mohamed El-Hebeishy discovers.

Known as the largest oasis in Egypt, Fayoum is as green as it gets thanks to the Nile.   The veering channel of Bahr Youssef gives Fayoum indirect access to the longest river in the world which literally paints the desert green.   Turn your eyes anywhere and they will encounter nothing but the soothing colour...

[More]   Al-Ahram, Issue No. 740, 28 April - 4 May 2005