Egypt, UK conclude study on restoring Cairo’s historical, archaeological structures

Egypt, UK conclude study on restoring Cairo’s historical, archaeological structures
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Dr. Ahmed Elghazouli, professor of structural engineering and head of structures section at Imperial College London. (AN Photo/Sarah Glubb)
Egypt, UK conclude study on restoring Cairo’s historical, archaeological structures
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Dr. Sharif Mourad, professor at the structural engineering department at Cairo University. (AN Photo/Sarah Glubb)
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Updated 23 March 2023

Egypt, UK conclude study on restoring Cairo’s historical, archaeological structures

Egypt, UK conclude study on restoring Cairo’s historical, archaeological structures
  • Focus on threats of population growth, pollution, natural hazards
  • Researchers urge multidisciplinary collaboration and intervention

LONDON: British and Egyptian universities have concluded a joint three-year research project on the conservation of historical and archaeological buildings and sites in Cairo.

The study conducted by Imperial College London and Cairo University looked at the management and conservation of UNESCO heritage sites in Historic Old Cairo and threats including population growth, urbanization, pollution and natural hazards.

Dr. Sharif Mourad, professor at Cairo University’s structural engineering department, and one of the principal researchers, said some of the challenges include dealing with structures that were built over 600 years ago because of the material used in construction, and the type of architectural style.




Dr. Ahmed Elghazouli, professor of structural engineering and head of structures section at Imperial College London, speaks during an event at the Egyptian Cultural Office in London. (AN Photo/Sarah Glubb)

Another challenge, he told Arab News, was “time duration,” which leads to deterioration of these ancient structures. There was also the constant threat of earthquakes, humidity and acid rain, all of which result in economic losses for the country.

“In Cairo also there is a problem with the rising of the water table — the water which is underground,” he said. He said urbanization means that people require access to water and proper sewage systems, which if not done correctly can see a rise in the water table.

Mourad, who was visiting the UK to share the results of the project, was speaking on the sidelines of an event organized by the Egyptian Cultural Office in London, under the auspices of Egypt’s ambassador to the UK Sherif Kamel. Among those in attendance were several high-level officials, diplomats, specialists, academics and archaeologists from Egypt and Britain.




The Egyptian Cultural Office in London organized the event under the auspices of Egypt’s ambassador to the UK Sherif Kamel. (Supplied)

Mourad said evaluating these structures requires a multidisciplinary team that would understand the original construction, research records for alterations, and have knowledge of their use.

He said “collaborating with an entire team is important,” including engineers, historians, architects, surveyors, materials scientists and geotechnical engineers. The aim is to “come up with some sort of compromise that everybody would accept,” particularly if a structure is badly damaged and needs urgent intervention.

Mourad stressed the need to consider several aspects before taking any measures to preserve these structures such as historical value, societal conditions, ability to intervene, and the use of new technologies versus traditional methods.




Dr. Rasha Kamal, the Egyptian cultural attache and director of the educational mission in the UK, and Dr. Ahmed Elghazouli, professor of structural engineering and head of structures section at Imperial College London. (Supplied)

During the event, he also presented case studies of assessments he carried out on several ancient buildings with a team of experts at Cairo University’s engineering faculty, including Al-Ashraf street which has many structures registered as monuments.

“There’s a lot of experimental work being done at Imperial College and there’s a lot of field work and assessments carried out on the site in Cairo,” said Dr. Ahmed Elghazouli, Imperial College London’s professor of structural engineering and head of structures, and also a principal researcher on the project.

“It is important from a scientific research point of view how we deal with these structures, and of course, they have very different materials to what we use at the moment,” said Elghazouli of the project funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.




The event was attended by a number of high-level officials, diplomats, specialists and academics and archaeologists from Egypt and Britain. (AN Photo/Sarah Glubb)

He said there was a lot of work to be done on developing new ways of upgrading and assessing structures. “We want to serve the local communities in Egypt, but an important outcome of the project is to also increase the interaction and collaboration between institutions in Egypt and in the UK.

“And part of what we’re doing in this visit and also in my visit to Cairo is to try to raise awareness of the issues and the challenges and the importance of international collaboration in these areas,” Elghazouli said.




The Egyptian Cultural Office in London organized the event under the auspices of Egypt’s ambassador to the UK Sherif Kamel. (Supplied)

 


UAE-Japan Committee for Women Career Development hosts 16th forum 

UAE-Japan Committee for Women Career Development hosts 16th forum 
Updated 05 June 2023

UAE-Japan Committee for Women Career Development hosts 16th forum 

UAE-Japan Committee for Women Career Development hosts 16th forum 
  • Forum was held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak

DUBAI: The UAE-Japan Friendship Committee for Women Career Development held its 16th forum in Abu Dhabi with the aim of empowering women in the energy industry, Emirates News Agency reported on Monday. 

The forum was held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women’s Union. It was also attended by Dr. Maitha Salem Al-Shamsi, the UAE’s minister of state, executive director of Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum, Tsuyoshi Nakai, senior leaders at Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., as well as delegates from energy companies from the UAE, Japan and other Gulf countries.

During her address, Al-Shamsi reaffirmed her continuous support for forums which bolster ties between the UAE and Japan and which unlock women’s potential. 

“The oil and gas industry has made great progress towards gender diversity, but there is still a long way to go to ensure that women in this sector receive equal benefits in terms of performance and productivity,” Al-Shamsi said. 

“To achieve this, more opportunities need to be provided for women to participate and build confidence in their ability to work in the frontline and across all fields. 

“I commend ADNOC for recognising that the growth and success of the organization depends on a skilled, diverse, and committed workforce.”

As part of its 2030 Sustainability Strategy, ADNOC is striving to become a regional leader in diversity and employee development.

ADNOC Offshore CEO Tayba Al-Hashemi said: “Women are key to a more sustainable future. 

“Under the guidance of Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology and ADNOC managing director and group CEO, ADNOC has made excellent progress empowering females, and we have ambitious plans to double female representation in technical positions to 25 percent by 2030.

“We need diverse thinking to deliver the maximum energy and minimum emissions the world needs, and in line with the UAE leadership’s vision, we will continue to empower women and ensure all our people can unlock their potential to help build a more sustainable future.”


Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds

Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds
Updated 05 June 2023

Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds

Palestinian toddler shot by Israeli troops in West Bank dies of wounds
  • Mohammed Al-Tamimi was shot in the head near his village of Nebi Saleh
  • The Israeli military has opened an investigation into the incident

A 3-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank last week died of his wounds, Israeli hospital officials said Monday.
Mohammed Al-Tamimi was shot in the head last Thursday near his village of Nebi Saleh while riding in a car with his father. He was airlifted to Israel’s Sheba Hospital, which announced the boy’s death.
The Israeli military has said it opened fire after gunmen in the area shot at an Israeli guard post at a nearby Jewish settlement.
But the boy’s father, Haitham Al-Tamimi, told The Associated Press that he had just buckled up his son in the car and they were driving to visit an uncle when the bullet struck. The father was also shot and treated at a Palestinian hospital.
The Israeli military has opened an investigation into the incident.
Rights groups, however, say that such investigations rarely lead to prosecution or disciplinary action against soldiers.
The shooting was the latest bloodshed in a more than yearlong surge of violence in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem. That fighting has picked up since Israel’s new far-right government took office in late December.
Nearly 120 Palestinians have been killed in the two areas this year, with nearly half of them members of armed militant groups, according to an AP tally. The military says the number of militants is much higher. But stone-throwing youths and people uninvolved in violence have also been killed.
Meanwhile, Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis in those areas have killed at least 21 people.
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem, along with the Gaza Strip, in the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians seek these territories for a future state.
Some 700,000 Israelis now live in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Most of the international community considers these settlements illegal or obstacles to peace.


France seeks removal of Lebanese ambassador’s immunity after rape accusation

France seeks removal of Lebanese ambassador’s immunity after rape accusation
Updated 05 June 2023

France seeks removal of Lebanese ambassador’s immunity after rape accusation

France seeks removal of Lebanese ambassador’s immunity after rape accusation
  • The first former employee, aged 31, filed her complaint in June 2022 for a rape she says was committed in May 2020 in the ambassador’s private apartment
  • The second woman made a complaint last February after what she said was a series of physical attacks after she turned down sexual relations

PARIS: French authorities will on Monday ask Lebanon to lift the immunity of Beirut’s ambassador to Paris after an investigation was opened into alleged rape and intentional violence by the envoy, a source said.
“Steps in this direction will be taken during the day,” a French diplomatic source, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
The ambassador, Rami Adwan, is being investigated in France following complaints by two former embassy employees. He has diplomatic immunity but could face trial if Lebanon agrees to France’s request.
Lebanon’s foreign ministry said Saturday that it would send an investigation team to the embassy in Paris to question the ambassador and hear statements from embassy staff.
The first former employee, aged 31, filed her complaint in June 2022 for a rape she says was committed in May 2020 in the ambassador’s private apartment, according to sources close to the investigation, confirming a report by the Mediapart news site.
According to the complaint, she had a relationship with the ambassador, who carried out “psychological and physical violence with daily humiliations.”
The second woman, aged 28, made a complaint last February after what she said was a series of physical attacks after she turned down sexual relations.
She says Adwan tried to hit her with his car after an argument on the sidelines of last year’s Normandy World Peace Forum.
“In view of the seriousness of the facts mentioned, we consider it necessary for the Lebanese authorities to lift the immunity of the Lebanese ambassador in Paris in order to facilitate the work of the French judicial authorities,” the French foreign ministry told AFP late Friday.
Adwan’s lawyer Karim Beylouni has said his client “contests all accusations of aggression in any shape or form: verbal, moral, sexual.”
He said Adwan had had “romantic relationships” with the two women between 2018 and 2022 that were “punctuated by arguments and breakups.”


Israel jails Palestinian for life over West Bank killing

Israel jails Palestinian for life over West Bank killing
Updated 05 June 2023

Israel jails Palestinian for life over West Bank killing

Israel jails Palestinian for life over West Bank killing
  • The Israeli military court sentenced Moath Hamed, 39, to two life sentences for the attack

Jerusalem: An Israeli court on Sunday sentenced a Palestinian to life in prison for the 2015 killing of an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank, the military said Monday.
The Israeli military court sentenced Moath Hamed, 39, to two life sentences for the attack, which he admitted to carrying out on behalf of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, the army said.
On June 29, 2015 Hamed fired at a vehicle, killing Malachi Rosenfeld, 25, who was returning from a basketball game near Shilo, an illegal settlement in the West Bank.
Three other Israelis were also injured in the attack.
In July 2015, Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency said it had arrested seven Palestinians in connection with the attack.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said Hamed had been arrested by Israeli forces in April 2022 after being “pursued by the occupation (Israel) for seven years.”
Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of 1967.
Cases involving events in the West Bank are tried by Israeli military tribunals.
Nearly three million Palestinians live in the West Bank, as do around 490,000 Israelis in settlements that are considered illegal under international law.


Sudan battle rages as Saudi Arabia, US urge new truce talks

Sudan battle rages as Saudi Arabia, US urge new truce talks
Updated 05 June 2023

Sudan battle rages as Saudi Arabia, US urge new truce talks

Sudan battle rages as Saudi Arabia, US urge new truce talks

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and the US on Sunday made a renewed push for truce talks between Sudan’s warring generals as deadly fighting raged into its eighth week.

Envoys of Sudan’s regular army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces or RSF have remained in Jeddah despite the earlier collapse of ceasefire talks, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said.

The foreign mediators called for “the parties to agree to and effectively implement a new ceasefire, with the aim of building to a permanent cessation of hostilities,” it said.

Saudi Arabia and the US are keen to resume formal talks between the delegations, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia and the US remain steadfast in their commitment to the people of Sudan, the statement added.

The Sudanese delegations in Jeddah continue to engage in daily negotiations, the ministry said.

“Those discussions are focused on facilitating humanitarian assistance and reaching agreement on near term steps the party must take before the Jeddah talks resume,” according to the statement.

It added: “Facilitators stand ready to resume formal talks and remind parties that they must implement their obligations under the May 11 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to protect the civilians of Sudan.”

A five-day extension of a truce formally expired on Saturday with no signs of the conflict abating.

Upwards of 1,800 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, and the UN says 1.2 million have been displaced with more than 425,000 fleeing abroad.

The RSF on Sunday claimed it had shot down a fighter jet after the army “launched an audacious airborne assault upon our forces’ positions” in northern Khartoum.

A military source told AFP a Chinese-made jet crashed near Wadi Seidna base north of Khartoum because of a “technical malfunction.”

Witnesses said they saw an aircraft traveling from the south to the north of the capital with flames erupting from it.

Other witnesses spoke of airstrikes on RSF positions in the east of the city, with some civilian casualties reported.

Fighting in the capital has led to widespread damage and looting, a collapse in health services, power and water cuts, and dwindling food supplies.

Beyond the capital, deadly fighting has also broken out in the remote western region of Darfur, already grappling with long-running unrest and huge humanitarian challenges.