When Pete Eckert started going blind, he decided to channel his feelings of loss into art. In his 20s at the time, Eckert would spend whole days preparing graphite drawings and woodcuts before asking his wife to describe the results to him. But the process was, in his own words, “driving my wife crazy.” So in search of a more instantaneous medium, he turned his hand to photography. “When I started out, digital cameras hadn t wiped out mom-and-pop photography shops yet,” Eckert said on the phone from his home in Sacramento, California. “I would go in and buy two rolls of film and ask ten questions. I went every day. And by asking questions and getting feedback, I learned.”

A Swiss-French archaeological mission at the Saqqara necropolis, directed by Professor Philippe Collombert from the University of Geneva, has unearthed the upper part of an Old Kingdom obelisk that belonged to Queen Ankhnespepy II, the mother of King Pepy II (6th Dynasty, Old Kingdom, around 2350 BC). Collombert said that the part of the obelisk that was unearthed is carved in red granite and is 2.5 metres tall; the largest fragment of an obelisk from the Old Kingdom yet discovered.

Comic actor Hassan Fayek was born Hassan Fayek Muhammad El-Kholy on 7 January 1898, and passed away on 14 September 1980. This simple man, who received little education, played a patriotic role during one of the most turbulent periods in Egypt s political history, by delivering witty limericks as a one-man comedian in order to rouse enthusiasm among demonstrators during the 1919 revolution against the British occupation. This comedian, who appeared at the time of Egypt s acting giants, perhaps equalled them in many ways at the beginning.

State-run Saudi cultural channel Al-Thakafiya TV resumed broadcasting on Tuesday for the first time in 30 years one of the most renowned and influential Arabs singers, the late female Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum. The broadcasting of Umm Kulthum songs on the state-owned TV channel came after 30-years of such music being restricted — the conservative nature of the Saudi Arabian regime limits the appearance of women without a veil.

Celebrities offered sympathy and support for Las Vegas after the massacre that left at least 50 people dead. A gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel into a country music festival on the ground, authorities said. At least 200 people were injured. Country singer Jason Aldean, who was performing on stage at the time, expressed sorrow on Instagram and asked that his fans “Pray for Las Vegas.” “Tonight has been beyond horrific,” he wrote. “I still don t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight.” Other singers who performed at the weekend festival, including the duo Big & Rich, Chris Young and Jake Owen, also tweeted about the attack. They wanted to let fans know they were safe and to express their horror. Related: Beyond horrific. Country music world stunned by Las Vegas shooting “I m not gonna say anything else other than I m lucky to be alive,” Young wrote on Twitter. “As are many others… and so many people are gone… this is heartbreaking.” Follow ChrisYoungMusic ✔@ChrisYoungMusic I m not gonna say anything else other than I m lucky to be alive. As are many others… and so many people are gone… this is heartbreaking 11:41 AM – Oct 2, 2017 Jake Owen ✔@jakeowen Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others arent. Please pray. 8:48 AM – Oct 2, 2017 Big & Rich ✔@bigandrich Everyone in the B&R camp is ok thoughts and prayers to everyone in vegas at #Route91 9:30 AM – Oct 2, 2017 Of course, Las Vegas is a haven not just for gambling for but shows featuring major stars. Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez have had popular residencies there in recent years. Reality TV star and socialite Paris Hilton, who has hosted and DJed parties and other events on the Las Vegas Strip, posted a message of support for the city. Follow Paris Hilton ✔@ParisHilton I can t believe what just happened in Las Vegas! What is our world coming to?! 😭 My prayers go out to the victims & their families. 🙏 9:40 AM – Oct 2, 2017 “I can t believe what just happened in Las Vegas! What is our world coming to,” she wrote. “My prayers go out to the victims & their families.” Several other stars offered condolences and support. Follow billy eichner ✔@billyeichner Too much to comprehend. These poor people. This poor country. 9:04 AM – Oct 2, 2017 Follow bob saget ✔@bobsaget Oh God. Vegas. WTF is happening. Can t keep up with all the pain this country is facing. Sending love to Vegas. 9:11 AM – Oct 2, 2017 Follow HAIM ✔@HAIMtheband The news about Vegas is devastating. Sending all our love to the people there right now ❤️❤️❤️ 8:55 AM – Oct 2, 2017 R&B singer Trey Songz tweeted that he was in the city when the attack happened. Follow Trey Songz ✔@TreySongz Don t even know what to say. To be in Vegas while this is happening, brings a pain to my heart. My team and I are safe Thank God! Prayers up 11:44 AM – Oct 2, 2017 “Don t even know what to say,” he tweeted. “To be in Vegas while this is happening, brings a pain to my heart.” RECOMMENDATIONS Egyptian man fatally stabs female South Korean tourist in Siwa Oasis 1 day ago Egypt imposes media blackout on LGBT community 1 day ago Coptic church organizes Volcano of Homosexuality conference 4 days ago Supply Ministry warns of deadly poisoning perfume on market 3 days ago Egyptian-Iraqi woman broadcasts alleged rape story on social media, names rapist 4 days ago Sinai Province slaughters six civilians including two children in North Sinai 5 days ago British Thomas Cook to resume flights to Egypt due to increase on demand 6 days ago Two toes of King Psamtik I statue excavated in Matariya 7 days ago Video: New documentary reveals secret of how ancient Egyptians built Pyramids 7 days ago Eman Abdul Atti, world s heaviest woman, dies in hospital 1 week ago Not even animals do it: Dar al-Ifta says necrophilia a sin, deserves punishment 1 week ago One-year jail, LE30,000 fine to anyone who mocks Egyptian flag: Education Minister 1 week ago

Alexandra Dive and Egyptian Tourism Authority celebrated World Tourism Day on Saturday with the Cleopatra Dream carnival, during which a performance team depicting Cleopatra s Procession roamed the streets of Alexandria. The performance is aimed to attract more tourists to the city and promote tourism in Alexandria, by showcasing the city s civilization during the rule of Cleopatra and ancient Egypt in general. The Chairman of Alexandra Dive and organizer of the even, Ashraf Sabri, said that the idea for the celebration came in the context of World Tourism Day and the goal to promote Alexandria as a world tourism destination, but this time with the use of a historical figure linked to the city embodied through a carnival.

Egypt’s tourism ministry has partnered up with the CNN to launch a campaign to promote tourism in Egypt, a ministry statement said on Saturday. The ministry said that CNN will sponsor a special report on Egypt’s tourism hotspots which will air on the network at the end of the year to spread awareness about all kinds of tourism in Egypt. The statement added that the ads will be wired on the CNN channel and its affiliated sites until the end of the year.

The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) has released an order to ban all forms of support towards the LGBT community on media outlets Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation issued an order to ban all forms of promotion or sympathy towards the LGBT community on media outlets in addition to their appearance on media outlets.

Antiquities officials have decided to add the Menasche Synagogue in Alexandria to the national heritage list of Islamic, Coptic and Jewish monuments. According to Mohammed Metwali, general director of antiquities in Alexandria, the synagogue was built by philanthropist Baron Yacoub de Menasche in 1860.

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Egypt’s Health Ministry is set to launch a campaign this October dubbed El Saraya El Safra, aiming to raise awareness on the mental health services provided by the ministry throughout the country. “With the help of 18 hospitals, we are carrying out this awareness campaign to battle the stigma of mental health in Egypt. A mental disorder does not mean you are crazy,” Khaled Megahed, spokesperson for the ministry of health told Egypt Independent on Wednesday.

The Head of Egypt’s National Council of Women’s Rights [NCWR] Maya Morsi called on the parliament on Monday to set a draft for a new law that raises the legal age of marriage from 18 to 21, according to the state-run newspaper Al-Ahram. She further asked them to suspend any attempts to reduce the legal age of marriage to 16 and to draft another law criminalizing child marriage for girls.

An Al-Azhar University professor said that the government should impose a tax on every person who owns a dog. Professor of Literature and Criticism Ghanim al-Saeed explained that European countries levy a tax on dogs, which is 120 euros for a dog per year.

Egypt is pushing to educate people in rural areas on birth control and family planning in a bid to slow a population growth rate that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said poses a threat to national development. The country is already the most populous in the Arab world with 93 million citizens and is set to grow to 128 million by 2030 if fertility rates of 4.0 births per thousand women continue, according to government figures.

The Music Syndicate has banned Mashrou’ Leila from performing in Egypt following Friday’s Music Park concert where a couple of rainbow flags were seen flying during the band’s performance in support of the LGBT community in Egypt. The Deputy of the Syndicate of Musical Professions, Reda Ragab said in an interview with TV host Mahmoud Abdel Halim on Al Assema channel, that the syndicate decided to ban any upcoming concerts for Mashrou’ Leila band.

A new British documentary, Egypt’s Great Pyramid: The New Evidence has revealed that the Great Pyramid, Khufu, was built using an intricate system of waterways which allowed thousands of workers to transport 170,000 tonnes of limestone in wooden boats along the Nile River. The 2.5-tonne blocks were ferried through a system of specially designed canals before arriving at an inland port built just yards away from the base of the Great Pyramid, the documentary says.

She developed a passion for art early in her life and did an advanced level of painting as a kid and as a high-school student. Undeterred by the typical standards, she decided to pursue a career in what she believes can make the world a better place. Egyptian artist Ghada Wali, the youngest female speaker representing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at TED, a global speaker and multiple-award-winning designer, had her work featured as a professional graphic designer in several art exhibitions around the world.

The administration of El-Gouna Film Festival declared on Saturday that the press conference of the opening film of the festival [Sheikh Jackson] has been cancelled, adding that there will be new appointment for the conference in the upcoming days. According to a statement released from the festival’s administration, there was no clear reason mentioned behind the sudden cancellation of the press conference for the opening film of the festival.

The founder of Rolling Stone plans to sell a controlling stake in the legendary magazine that changed music journalism forever. Jann Werner said he hoped to find a buyer “who understands the magazine’s mission.” Iconic 50-year-old music magazine Rolling Stone is putting itself up for sale amid an increasingly uncertain future.

Last year, the Cairo International Festival for Contemporary and Experimental Theatre (CIFCET) made its comeback after a five-year hiatus that lasted from 2011 to 2015. Upon its return, the word “contemporary” was added to the festival s name, no longer limiting the shows to experimental works. This year, running between 19 and 29 September, the festival is taking a step forward by almost doubling the number of participating plays. Last year, there were only 10 foreign productions, whereas this year, the festival is set to feature 20.

The Red Sea resort town of Gouna is currently gearing up to be home to Egypt’s newest film festival, starting tomorrow, September 22nd that will run until the 29th of September. Gouna Film Festival is intended to be a platform where filmmakers can engage with industry experts and representatives on both a national and international level, across Egypt, the Middle East, and the rest of the world by taking advantage of the area’s diverse culture to foster cinematic cross-cultural exchange and understanding.

At Chez Gaby, the charm goes beyond nostalgia. However, this yearning for the good old days cannot be dismissed at the cosy place on Rue De La Fortune - off Fouad Street in Alexandria s city centre. In 2019, Chez Gaby will turn 40--in perfect grace and perfect style. In the closing of its fourth decade this Italian/Greek restaurant is holding on to a clientele that is firmly determined to escape the invading “food-chaining” business where the menus are a bit too similar and the taste of the dishes is short on singularity. A perfect early sign of a quality food experience is offered with the prompt and soft serving of the antipasti and soups.