Culture Minister | SilverScorpio.Com

Priceless Roman sculpture unearthed at Stobi

April 20, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, April 19 (ANI): A priceless Roman sculpture has been excavated at Stobi archaeological site, Macedonia.

The marble head of Octavius Augustus and a small torso, excavated last week, suggest the sculpture was made to immortalize kings and notable citizens from the first and second century A.D.

It was housed in a temple, which was robbed soon after it was demolished in the classical era.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and the director of the Department for Cultural Heritage Protection, Pasko Kuzman, visited the site. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: April 19, citizens, cultural heritage protection, culture minister, Elizabeta, Macedonia, Marble Head, Nikola Gruevski, Octavius Augustus, Pasko Kuzman, Priceless, Prime Minister, Roman Sculpture, torso

Priceless Roman sculpture unearthed at Stobi

April 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Washington, April 19 (ANI): A priceless Roman sculpture has been excavated at Stobi archaeological site, Macedonia.

The marble head of Octavius Augustus and a small torso, excavated last week, suggest the sculpture was made to immortalize kings and notable citizens from the first and second century A.D.

It was housed in a temple, which was robbed soon after it was demolished in the classical era.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and the director of the Department for Cultural Heritage Protection, Pasko Kuzman, visited the site. (ANI)

Door to afterlife found in Egypt

March 30, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

A carved stone door which ancient Egyptians believed was the threshold to the afterlife has been discovered in Luxor, Egypt’s culture minister said.

The door belongs to the tomb of User, a powerful adviser to the 18th dynasty Queen Hatshepsut, Faruk Hosni said in a statement.

Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt between 1479 BC and 1458 BC, was the longest reigning female pharaoh.

The large red granite door is 1.75 metres high and 50 centimetres thick.

It is said to be engraved with religious texts and various titles used by User, including mayor of the city, vizier and prince.

Mansur Boraik, who headed the excavation mission, says the door “was reused during the Roman period”.

“It was removed from the tomb of User and used in the wall of a Roman structure,” he said.

-AFP

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 18th Dynasty, adviser, archaeology, Carved Stone, culture minister, Egypt, Egypt Culture, egyptians, excavation, Female Pharaoh, granite, history, Luxor Egypt, Prince Mansur, Queen Hatshepsut, Religious Texts, Roman Period, threshold, Vizier

Marion Cotillard stuck with award pin

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Oscar winner Marion Cotillard gasped in pain after France’s culture minister accidentally stuck a pin into her chest as he decorated her with the Order of Arts and Letters.

Cotillard has spent much of her time in Hollywood since winning an Academy Award for her performance as singer Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose in 2008, but she was back in Paris on Monday to receive the decoration from culture minister Frederic Mitterrand.

Mr Mitterrand, who praised Cotillard’s “charm, natural grace and beauty”, inadvertently skewered the actress as he pinned the medallion naming her as Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on to her blouse.

She appeared to suffer no damage however and burst out laughing as Mr Mitterrand hastily apologised.

In the same ceremony, US director Tim Burton was also decorated.

Burton will head the jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

- Reuters

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: academy award, actors, Actress, arts and letters, arts-and-entertainment, Award Pin, awards-and-prizes, blouse, cannes film festival, Chevalier, culture minister, director tim burton, feature films, Frederic Mitterrand, grace and beauty, Hollywood, La Vie En Rose, marion cotillard, medallion, Natural Grace, oscar-winner, reuters, Singer Edith Piaf, Tim Burton, United States

Marion Cotillard, Tim Burton receive French honour

March 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar 16 (ANI): French actress Marion Cotillard and American director Tim Burton were both honoured at the French culture ministry recently.

Cotillard, 34, received one of France’s highest cultural honours at a ceremony in Paris, and was made a knight in the Order of the Arts and Letters by Culture Minister Frederic Mitterand.

Burton, 51, who directed ‘Alice in Wonderland’, was honoured and made a knight, and after receiving his green and gold medallion, said he had always loved France and felt a special connection with the French public.

“I feel much more at home here than I do in my own country and I thank you very much,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

Recipients of the order are honoured for their significant “contribution to the enrichment of French culture”.

Previous recipients include US singer Stevie Wonder, who was made a commander earlier this month, actors Dennis Hopper, Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman, and singers Bob Dylan and Kylie Minogue. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: alice in wonderland, American Director, arts and letters, culture minister, Culture Ministry, Dennis Hopper, director tim burton, Frederic Mitterand, french actress, french culture, French Honour, french public, Gold Medallion, Kylie Minogue, marion cotillard, Meryl Streep, Singer Stevie Wonder, stevie wonder, Tim Burton, Uma Thurman

Civilization in Malaysia might have been oldest in South-east Asia

March 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, March 8 (ANI): The Sungai Batu archeological site in the Bujang Valley in Malaysia has proven that civilization in this country had started much earlier and was the oldest in South-east Asia.

According to a report in Malaysian News Agency Bernama, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said that the site, which was believed to have existed in the year 110, showed the existence of religion, commerce and the economy.

“The Bujang Valley in Sungai Batu is a determination to estimate the new civilization which is known to have existed much earlier than the one existing in neighbouring countries either in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand,” he said.

The archeological complex, measuring three square kilometres located in an oil palm area, has 97 study sites which are said to hold the key that will open the history of early civilization in this country.

Research on the Bujang Valley is among the projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) carried out with the cooperation of the National Heritage Department and researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

In addition, Rais plans to present a working paper on the conservation of the archeological complex so that the country would not be lagging behind in terms of heritage as well as to forge cooperation with foreign researchers.

“My ministry will discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the funds for research studies at the archeological complex, because the existing funds had been used up,” he said.

He said that his ministry was also prepared to hold meetings and discussions with the Kedah state government to work together in conserving the historical artifacts that were important for national heritage. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: bujang valley, culture minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, early civilization, heritage department, Kedah State Government, Malaysian news, national heritage, neighbouring countries, New Civilization, Ninth Malaysia Plan, Oil Palm, Palm Area, Rais Yatim, south east asia, square kilometres, Sungai Batu, Ukm, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, universiti sains malaysia

Priest committee continues strike in Pashupatinath area against Indian priests appointment

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, Sep.6 (ANI): The agitating Priest Appointment Joint Struggle Committee (PAJSC) and Unified CPN (Maoist) supporters on Sunday continued with their protests in and around the Pashupatinath Area against the appointment of Indian priests at the holy Pashupaitnath temple.

Protestors chanted slogans against the appointment of Indian priests and obstructed traffic at Purano Baneshwor, Gaushala, Mitrapark, Jayabageshwori, and Chabahil, reports Nepal News.

They also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Culture Minister Manindra Rijal over the issue. The obstruction caused long traffic snarls in the area and threw traffic out of gear in other parts of the city including ring road for couple of hours.

Police intervened in the demonstration and arrested some protestors also. PAJSC has accused the police administration of using excessive force to quell their demonstration and torturing protestors who have been arrested.

PAJSC has been protesting since last week following the Indian priests’ appointment at the most revered Hindu temple in the country.

It has been demanding that Nepali nationals should also be considered while appointing top priests at the temple, that the appointment be made through open competition among both Nepali and Indian nationals, that the finances and expenses of the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) should be made public and more transparency on the utilization of money that devotees offer, among others.

Newly appointed Indian priests in Pashupatinath, Girish Bhatta and Raghavendra Bhatta, brought from Karnataka state of India last week, had entered the temple amid tight security and started worship on Saturday morning.

The government had deployed an estimated 1,000 security personnel in and around the temple for this after Maoist and PAJSC members entered the temple and thrashed the newly-appointed Indian priests on Friday.

India also reacted very strongly to the incident.

“The attack on the newly appointed Indian priests, Girish Bhatt and Raghavendra Bhatt, at the revered and sacred Pashupatinath temple on September 4 has caused deep anguish and serious concern in India. The matter was immediately taken up through our Embassy in Kathmandu at the highest levels in the Government of Nepal and our concerns conveyed,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood had also visited Pashupati temple Saturday morning and condemned the beating of Indian priests.

Briefly speaking to reporters, Sood said he had taken the incident very seriously. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: culture minister, development trust, devotees, Excessive Force, Girish, hindu temple, indian nationals, Madhav, maoist, Nepal News, open competition, padt, police administration, priests, protestors, Raghavendra, security personnel, state of india, tight security, Traffic Snarls

Nepal arrests kingpin of attack on Pashupatinath priests

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kathmndu, Sep 5 (ANI): The Nepal Government on Saturday arrested the Maoists leader who led the attacks on Indian priests and provided a personal security officer to the chief priest of the famous Pashupatinath shrine.

The Nepalese Government has also deployed an extra-armed platoon of security forces in and around the shrine.

In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Vishnu Prakash said: “The Nepal Government has told us that the ringleader of the attack has been arrested and policemen have been posted outside the temple. The head priest has also been given a personal security officer.”

Earlier in the day, speaking to the media in Bangalore, External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna reacted strongly to the attack on two Indian priests at the famous shrine in Kathmandu, and asked the Nepal Government to ensure safety and security of the priests.

Krishna also said, “India shares historical bond with Nepal. In Kashi the priests from Nepal perform the poojas and in Pashupatinath, the Indian priests. It is a tradition being followed for centuries.”

” The Maoist elements in that country are pressurizing the government and temple authorities against continuing the tradition,” Krishna added.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood took the matter with Nepal Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal and Culture Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari and registered strong protest against the attack on Saturday.

It was reported that, two priests -Girish Bhatt and Raghavendra Bhatt belonging to the Karnataka-were severely thrashed and their clothes and sacred thread cut by dozens of Maoists on Thursday in Kathmandu. The priests were badly injured in the attack.

The police and temple authorities with the help of the locals rescued the priests from the attackers, sources said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: affairs, ambassador, ANI, attack, bahadur, Bangalore, bhandari, bhatt, Bhim, Bond, chief priest, country, culture, culture minister, day, external, External Affairs Minister, Girish, Government, head, head priest, help, home, Home Minister, India, Indian, indian ambassador, Karnataka-were, Kashi, Kathmandu, Kathmndu, kingpin, krishna, leader, maoist, maoists, matter, mea, minister, ministry, ministry of external affairs, nepal government, Nepal., nepalese, Nepalese Government, New Delhi, officer, pashupatinath, platoon, police, policemen, Poojas, priest, protest, Raghavendra, rakesh, rakesh sood, Rawal, ringleader, Sacred Thread, safety, sarat, Saturday, security, Sep, shrine, Singh, Sm, sood, spokesperson, Temple, temple authorities, thread, Thursday, tradition, Vishnu Prakash

Krishna asks Nepal to ensure safety of Indian priests

September 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Sep 5 (ANI): Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S.M. Krishna on Saturday reacted strongly to the attack on two Indian priests of the famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, and asked Nepal Government to ensure safety and security of the priests.

Speaking to reporters here, Krishna said “The Government of India is in touch with the Nepal Government and asked it to ensure security to the priests of Pashupatinath Temple.”

Krishna said that the authorities of the Pashupatinath Area Development Board informed him that, the Board has also put security cover in and around the temple premises and also provided security to the priests.

Krishna also said, “India shares historical bond with Nepal, in Kashi the priest from Nepal perform the poojas and in Pashupatinath it is the Indian priests. It is a tradition being followed from centuries.”

“The Maoist elements in that country are pressurizing the Nepalese Government and temple authorities against the continuing the tradition,” he added.

Meanwhile, in Kathmandu, taking a serious view of the incident, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood took the matter with Nepal Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal and Culture Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari on Saturday.

The Nepal Ministers have assured Sood that steps will be taken to ensure safety of the priests.

Earlier, it was reported that, two priests -Girish Bhatt and Raghavendra Bhatt belonging to the Karnataka-were severely thrashed and their clothes and sacred thread cut by dozens of Maoists on Thursday in Kathmandu. The priests were badly injured in the attack.

The police and temple authorities with the help of the locals rescued the priests from the attackers, sources said. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ambassador, ANI, area, attack, bahadur, Bangalore, bhandari, bhatt, Bhim, board, Bond, country, cover, culture, culture minister, Development, external, Girish, Government, government of india, help, home, Home Minister, incident, India, Indian, indian ambassador, Karnataka-were, Kashi, Kathmandu, Kathmandu nepal, maoist, maoists, matter, mea, minister, Minister Of External Affairs, ministers, nepal government, Nepal., nepalese, Nepalese Government, pashupatinath, Pashupatinath Temple, police, Poojas, priest, Raghavendra, rakesh, rakesh sood, Rawal, S.M. Krishna, Sacred Thread, safety, sarat, Saturday, security, Sep, Singh, sood, Temple, temple authorities, temple premises, thread, Thursday, touch, tradition, view

5,000-year-old figurine represents Scotland’s earliest human face

August 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Edinburgh, August 21 (ANI): Archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old figurine on the Orkney island of Westray in Scotland, which is the country’s earliest representation of a human face and body.

According to a report in The Scotsman, the face and its lozenge-shaped body – measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm – were carved on the Orkney island of Westray between 4,500 and 5,000 years ago.

The enigmatic figurine had lain undisturbed in the earth at the Links of Noltland – one of Orkney’s richest archaeological sites.

That was when archaeologists, carefully brushing away the mud from the fragment of sandstone, found Scotland’s earliest human face staring back at them.

As the tiny object was displayed in public for the first time, Scotland’s culture minister Mike Russell was the first to hail the importance of the remarkable discovery.

“This is a find of tremendous importance. Representations of people from this period are incredibly unusual in Britain,” he said.

“What we are seeing here is the earliest known human face in Scotland. It once again emphasizes the tremendous importance of Orkney’s archaeology,” he added.

The figurine was unearthed by Jakob Kainz, one of a team of archaeologists working at Historic Scotland’s excavations on an ancient farmhouse at the Links of Noltland site – a prehistoric settlement in the dune system flanking Grobust Bay, on the north-west coast of Westray.

Historic Scotland senior archaeologist Richard Strachan said it was a find of “astonishing rarity” – the only known Neolithic carving of a human form to have been discovered in Scotland.

“It was one of those ‘eureka’ moments. None of the archaeology team have seen anything like it before. It’s incredibly exciting,” he said.

Careful examination revealed a face with heavy brows, two dots for eyes and an oblong for a nose.

A pair of circles on the chest are being interpreted as representing breasts, and arms have been etched at either side. A pattern of crossed markings could suggest the fabric of clothing.

According to Strachan, “There is a strong possibility that it has been a votive offering to mark the abandonment of the site. It may have been for ceremonial purposes.” (ANI)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: abandonment, ANI, anything, Archaeological Sites, archaeologist, archaeologists, archaeology, archaeology team, August, body, Britain, brows, careful, Careful Examination, chest, clothing, coast, country, culture, culture minister, discovery, dune, Dune System, Earth, edinburgh, eureka, examination, excavations, fabric, face, Face And Body, farmhouse, figurine, form, fragment, Grobust Bay, hail, historic, historic scotland, human face, importance, island, Jakob Kainz, lain, links, mike russell, minister, mud, Neolithic, Noltland, none, nose, oblong, offering, orkney, Orkney Island, pair, pattern, period, possibility, Prehistoric Settlement, Public, rarity, remarkable discovery, report, representation, representations, Richard Strachan, sandstone, Scotland, scotsman, settlement, side, site, system, team, time, tiny object, Westray

Sultan of Perak applauds Malay-Sikh community’s spirit

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, June 29 (ANI): The Sultan of the Malaysian state of Perak, Azlan Shah, has saluted the Malay-Sikh community for its contributions to the country’s economic, cultural and political fields.

“They form an invaluable and integral part of our colourful social fabric and deserve due recognition for their contribution, as much as any other citizen, to Malaysia’s economic, cultural and political life,” The Star quoted Sultan Azlan Shah, as saying.

Speaking at the launch of a book titled ‘Sikh Community in Malaysia’, Sultan Azlan Shah applauded the way the Sikhs have managed to retain their distinct cultural identity, despite being a minority.

He said their strong religious beliefs, cultural practices and strong sense of community had undeniably afforded them resilience and distinction.

Sikhs made their entry into Malaysia in the 19th century and quickly became known for their gallantry in the security forces, he noted.

“Today, the community’s role and influence extends to other fields, with prominence in professions such as medicine and law,” Sultan Azlan said.

Later, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim told reporters that the ministry would work to highlight the cultural heritage of other minority communities.

“We may start a series of shows on RTM highlighting the cultural and musical background of the Sikh community next week,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ANI, background, book, century, citizen, communications, community, contribution, country, cultural heritage, cultural identity, cultural practices, culture, culture minister, distinction, due recognition, entry, fabric, gallantry, Heritage, identity, influence, information, Information Communications, June, Kuala Lumpur, launch, law, life, Malay, Malaysia, Malaysia Sultan, medicine, Medicine And Law, minister, ministry, minority, minority communities, Musical Background, part, perak, prominence, Rais, Rais Yatim, recognition, religious beliefs, resilience, role, RTM, security, sense, series, shah, sikh, sikh community, sikhs, social fabric, spirit, star, state, Sultan, Sultan Azlan, Sultan Azlan Shah, Sultan Of Perak, today, way, week, Yatim

Tomb of Cyrus the Great to be restored

May 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 29 (ANI): Reports indicate that Italian experts will help Iran restore the tomb of Cyrus the Great (580-529BC), considered one of the most magnificent monuments of antiquity.

According to a report by Poundbury Publishing, an agreement signed in Tehran will see Italian archaeologists working with their Iranian colleagues for at least two years.

The tomb in the ancient city of Pasargadae, in southern Iran, is considered the symbol of the country’s national identity and was already famous in ancient times.

Greek conqueror Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) is reported to have visited the tomb in sign of respect after the fall of the Persian Empire.

Italy had already offered its help restore the monument, which Iranian authorities are concerned may be affected by flooding if the construction of a proposed dam near the UNESCO World Heritage site goes ahead.

Italian archaeologists have a history of working with Iran to safeguard important cultural heritage, including a project to restore part of the ancient city of Bam.

Culture Minister Sandro Bondi said that restorers would use the latest state-of-the-art equipment developed by Italian restorers and technicians to save the tomb of Cyrus the Great.

While successfully conquering many neighboring empires, Cyrus the Great was renowned for his magnanimous attitude and is thought to be responsible for the first known charter of human rights.

Written in cuneiform script on a baked clay cylinder, the charter recounts his treatment of the Babylonians following his defeat of their empire in 539 BC. (ANI)

Filed Under: Science News Tagged With: art equipment, babylonians, baked clay, charter of human rights, clay cylinder, cultural heritage, culture minister, fall of the persian empire, Iranian Authorities, italian archaeologists, italian experts, magnificent monuments, national identity, pasargadae, Restorers, sandro bondi, southern iran, Unesco World Heritage, Unesco World Heritage Site, world heritage site

Chavez critic Vargas Llosa detained in Venezuela

May 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Caracas – Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa was temporarily detained Wednesday on arrival at Maiquetia airport near Caracas.

The man who wrote The Green House (1965), Conversation in the Cathedral (1969) and Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter (1977) is an outspoken critic of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and was in Venezuela to participate in a forum on freedom and democracy.

According to forum organizers, immigration officials took Vargas Llosa’s passport and interrogated him for more than an hour. He was eventually released and allowed to continue his itinerary.

The writer and liberal politician, 73, had issued renewed criticism of Chavez just before travelling to Caracas, describing the Venezuelan’s governing style as “populist” and accusing Chavez of using oil money to bribe democratic countries.

Venezuelan Culture Minister Hector Soto rejected Vargas Llosa’s comments as “disrespectful.” (dpa)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: aunt julia and the scriptwriter, Chavez Venezuela, conversation in the cathedral, culture minister, Democratic Countries, Forum Organizers, Freedom And Democracy, Green House, Hector Soto, Hugo Chavez, Immigration Officials, julia and the scriptwriter, Liberal Politician, mario vargas llosa, oil money, outspoken critic, President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela Caracas, venezuelan president hugo, venezuelan president hugo chavez

German panel opposed to Egyptian minister as UNESCO head

May 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Berlin – Germany’s main cultural organization expressed concern on Monday that Egypt’s long-serving minister of culture could soon become the new head of UNESCO.

“The election of Farouk Hosni as director-general of UNESCO would be a grave mistake,” said Olaf Zimmermann, chief executive of the German Council of Culture.

Hosni, who has been culture minister since 1987, has banned Israeli films from international film festivals in Cairo and declared that he “would burn Israeli books in Egyptian libraries” if he could.

He is the main contender to succeed Japan’s Koichiro Matsuura, who bows out as head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization later this year. The deadline for nominating candidates to succeed him expires at the end of May.

“A person who is under the justified suspicion on failing to respect the diversity of the world’s cultures cannot be allowed to take up the most important office in global cultural and education policy,” Zimmermann said in a statement.

“Such a responsibility should not be allowed to fall under the jurisdiction of a person who does not unequivocally incorporate the basic principles of UNESCO,” added Zimmermann, who speaks for 200 cultural organizations in Germany.

French intellectuals last week raised objections to Hosni’s candidacy, but media reports said Israel agreed to withdraw its opposition under a secret deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu and Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak reached in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month. (dpa)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: berlin germany, Cultural Organization, Cultural Organizations, culture minister, Egyptian Libraries, egyptian minister, egyptian president, farouk hosni, French Intellectuals, German Council, grave mistake, hosny mubarak, International Film Festivals, Israeli Books, Israeli Films, Koichiro Matsuura, Minister Of Culture, Olaf Zimmermann, Prime Minister Benjamin, Sharm El Sheikh

Prehistoric fishing tackle found in Egypt

May 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Abu Dhabi, May 13 (ANI): An Egyptian archaeological team has found prehistoric fishing gear, sewing equipment and jewellery all made from animal bones, as well as pottery and coins, near an oasis south of Cairo.

“An Egyptian archaeological mission working near El-Karn island on Lake Qarun in Fayoum has found a large amount of fishing tackle, sewing equipment and jewellery made from animal bone dating back to prehistoric time,” Culture Minister Faruk Hosni told Khaleej Times Online.

“The mission also found caves used by prehistoric man,” he said.

“The most important item is an awl made of animal bone and granite, which shows that prehistoric man devised many ways to sew leather,” Khaled Saad, who headed the mission, was quoted as saying.

The team also found ancient pottery, coins, whale vertebrae and fossils of seals, sawfish as well as crocodile and turtle parts, Saad added.

“Medical equipment and weapons made of animal bone were also unearthed,” he said.

The site was used by many civilizations, antiquities chief Zahi Hawass was quoted as saying.

“During excavation, the mission found antiquities from the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and Islamic periods,” Hawass said.

The team also found a rare block which dates back to 3150 BC depicting the mythical leader known as the Scorpion King, as well as colourful mosaic plates with engravings of the Fatimid caliph Al-Zafir. (ANI)

Filed Under: Science News Tagged With: Abu Dhabi, al, Al-Zafir, amount, Ancient Pottery, ANI, animal, Animal Bone, Animal Bones, archaeological mission, archaeological team, awl, block, bone, Cairo, caliph, crocodile, culture, culture minister, Egypt, el, equipment, excavation, Fatimid, Fayoum, fishing, Fishing Gear, gear, granite, hawass, Islamic, Islamic Periods, island, item, jewellery, Karn, khaled, Khaleej, Khaleej Times, king, Lake Qarun, leader, leather, man, May, medical, Minister Faruk Hosni, mission, Oasis, Online, Pharaonic, pottery, prehistoric, Prehistoric Man, Prehistoric Time, Qarun, roman, Saad, sawfish, Scorpion, Scorpion King, sewing, Sewing Equipment, site, team, time, times, turtle, vertebrae, whale, Whale Vertebrae, Zafir, Zahi

132 archaeological sites in Egypt not excavated

May 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, May 12 (ANI): Egypt’s Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has said that researches conducted via satellites have confirmed the existence of 132 archaeological sites in Egypt that witnessed no excavations until now.

Farouk Hosni said that Egypt shows full cooperation with the research teams to explore the archaeological sites, and has recently issued a number of laws seeking to stop the illegal digging in areas likely to contain the buried monuments.

He is pointing out that project of monuments photography via satellite is being implemented in collaboration with the National Authority for Remote Sensing, Space Sciences and Mubarak City for Scientific Research for the aerial photography and ground laser.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawas pointed out that satellites took photos for many archeological sites including Habu city. (ANI)

Filed Under: Science News Tagged With: aerial photography, Archaeological Sites, Archeological Sites, collaboration, culture minister, Egypt, Egypt Culture, excavations, existence, farouk hosni, full cooperation, hawas, monuments, mubarak city, photos., researches, satellite, satellites, secretary-general, space sciences, Supreme Council Of Antiquities

Malaysian Govt. orders probe into reality show’s stark ‘nude run’

May 9, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, May 9 (ANI): Malaysia’s Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim has announced probe into allegations that an island in Johor was used for a European reality show’s “nude run”.

“We also have to see that a production does not offend the cultural sensitivities of the various ethnic groups in the country. But morality is a complicated issue. That’s why we will have to look at this matter from various angles,” Dr Rais said.

An island off Mersing came into focus after it was used as the location for a European reality show, which had its participants running stark naked.

Scenes from the Survivor Robinson Ekspeditionen programme, which had been broadcast over TV3 in Denmark, were published on an online newspaper ScandAsia.com.

Dr Rais has asked the relevant agencies involved to help in the probe, and added that he would investigate the matter carefully as he did not want any party to feel discriminated against.

“I have to first determine what happened because various allegations have been made. I have asked all the parties responsible to forward their evidence,” he said.

The probe would also focus on which government agency or department should be held responsible.

“We can’t tell because there are actually many parties involved,” he told reporters.

A source at the Mersing local council said approval for the filming was given only after the producers agreed that there should be no nude activities.

The Danish national who e-mailed the images to Metro, said he was surprised that the Malaysian authorities had allowed the filming although the show was soft porn.

It is believed that a woman who refused to strip was kicked out of the show and sent home to Denmark. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: allegations, angles, culture minister, danish, european reality, government agency, govt orders probe, Information Communications, Kuala Lumpur, local council, malaysian authorities, morality, naked scenes, producers, Rais Yatim, reality show, relevant agencies, robinson ekspeditionen, survivor, tv3

Tibetan exiles demand release of 11th Panchen Lama

April 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dharamsala, Apr 25 (ANI): On the occasion of the 20th birth anniversary of the 11th Panchen Lama, which falls on April 25, Tibetans from all walks of life have demanded that China to free him immediately.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, also known as the 11th Panchen Lama, is said to be under captivity of the Chinese authorities for the last 13 years.

Many Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns and Tibetan students gathered at the Tsuglagkhang Temple to offer prayers to the Panchen Lama.

Tibet’s Religion and Culture Minister-in-exile Tsering Phungchok said they are praying for the long life and early release of the Panchen Lama.

“Today, we are offering prayers on the occasion of 20th birthday of the Panchen Lama who has been captured by the Chinese authorities. We are praying for his long life,” Phungchok said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist monks and members of the Tibetan Youth Congress gathered at Ten-Khang ((a Buddhist open-air prayer space) in Shimla to offer prayers to the boy monk.

Tibetan youths are hopeful of receiving international support for the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.

“Today is the 20th birthday of Panchen Rinpoche Lama, but still he is under the confinement of the Chinese rules. So we are demanding to the United Nations Organisations and the Indian Government to support us in the release of 11th Panchen Lama. So it is the firm determination and the consolidation to release the Panchen Lama,” said Palden, a Tibetan youth.

At the age of six in May 1995, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was recognized the reincarnation of 10th Panchen Lama by Tibetan spiritual guru the Dalai Lama. Tibetans believe that the Chinese authorities have captured the boy monk. Since then they want to know about the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama and demand his immediate release. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 11th panchen lama, 20th Birthday, birth anniversary, buddhist monks and nuns, chinese authorities, chinese rules, culture minister, dalai lama, Dharamsala, monks and nuns, panchen rinpoche, religion and culture, Shimla, spiritual guru, tibetan buddhist monks, tibetan exiles, tibetan students, tibetan youth congress, Tibetans, united nations organisations, walks of life

Malay Indians, Chinese force change in Tamil and Mandarin news timings

April 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Apr.23 (ANI): Bowing to pressure from the Indian and Chinese communities, Malaysia’s Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim has reversed his decision to reschedule the timings of Tamil and Mandarin news on the TV2 channel.

Last Monday, Dr. Yatim had announced that Tamil News would be aired at 6 p.m. and Mandarin news at 6.30 p.m. He has now agreed to air these bulletins at 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively.

According to the New Strait Times, the two communities claimed that the earlier airing of the news meant they would be unable to watch the news as they would still be travelling home after work.

Malaysian Indian Congress secretary general Dr. S. Subramaniam wrote to Yatim expressing the Indian community’s displeasure over the change in timings. The MIC Youth also sent a memorandum. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: airing, ANI, Apr, bulletins, change, channel, chinese communities, communications, community, Congress, Congress Secretary, culture, culture minister, decision, displeasure, Dr S. Subramaniam, Dr. Yatim, force, home, Indian, Indians, information, Information Communications, Kuala Lumpur, last monday, Malay, Malaysia, malaysian indian congress, mandarin, Mandarin News, memorandum, MIC Youth, minister, Monday, New, new strait times, NEWS, Rais, Rais Yatim, secretary, secretary-general, strait, subramaniam, tamil, Tamil News, times, Travelling Home, tv2, work

French writer Maurice Druon dies aged 90

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Paris – French author Maurice Druon, a former culture minister and fighter for France’s World War II resistance movement, died Tuesday aged 90, the Academie francaise announced. Druon, author of numerous novels, was hailed by President Nicolas Sarkozy as “grand scribe and a grand soul.”

He is best known for Les Rois Maudits, or The Accused Kings, a series of historical novels published in the 1950s.

Born on April 23, 1918 in Paris to a Russian-born father, Druon was regarded a language purist, protector of French traditions and outspoken opponent of anglicisms invading the French language.

The writer joined the French Resistance against Nazi Germany’s occupation and co-wrote Le Chant de Partisans, the movement’s anthem. In 1966 we was elected to the Academie francaise to succeed Georges Duhamel. (dpa)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Academie, Academie Francaise, accused, anthem, April, author, chant, culture, culture minister, DPA, Druon, father, fighter, francaise, France, French, french author, French Resistance, French Traditions, French writer, Georges Duhamel, Germany, Grand Scribe, Historical Novels, language, Language Purist, les, Les Rois Maudits, maurice, Maurice Druon, minister, movement, nazi, Nazi Germany, Nicolas Sarkozy, occupation, opponent, outspoken opponent, Paris, Partisans, President Nicolas Sarkozy, protector, purist, resistance, resistance movement, Rois Maudits, Russian-born, scribe, series, soul, Tuesday, war, world, world war ii, writer, Writer Maurice

Priceless Roman sculpture unearthed at Stobi

Priceless Roman sculpture unearthed at Stobi

Door to afterlife found in Egypt

Marion Cotillard stuck with award pin

Marion Cotillard, Tim Burton receive French honour

Civilization in Malaysia might have been oldest in South-east Asia

Priest committee continues strike in Pashupatinath area against Indian priests appointment

Nepal arrests kingpin of attack on Pashupatinath priests

Krishna asks Nepal to ensure safety of Indian priests

5,000-year-old figurine represents Scotland’s earliest human face

Tomb of Cyrus the Great to be restored

Chavez critic Vargas Llosa detained in Venezuela

German panel opposed to Egyptian minister as UNESCO head

Prehistoric fishing tackle found in Egypt

132 archaeological sites in Egypt not excavated

Malaysian Govt. orders probe into reality show’s stark ‘nude run’

Tibetan exiles demand release of 11th Panchen Lama

Malay Indians, Chinese force change in Tamil and Mandarin news timings

French writer Maurice Druon dies aged 90

Search More News

Technology News

Ads