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Scotland Insists on Legal Right to Keep Pyramid Stone, Egypt Awaits Documents

The Great Pyramid of Cheops, aka Pyramid of Khufu, on the Giza Plateau, on the southern outskirts of the capital Cairo. Khaled Desouki/ AFP - Getty Images file
The Great Pyramid of Cheops, aka Pyramid of Khufu, on the Giza Plateau, on the southern outskirts of the capital Cairo. Khaled Desouki/ AFP - Getty Images file
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Scotland Insists on Legal Right to Keep Pyramid Stone, Egypt Awaits Documents

The Great Pyramid of Cheops, aka Pyramid of Khufu, on the Giza Plateau, on the southern outskirts of the capital Cairo. Khaled Desouki/ AFP - Getty Images file
The Great Pyramid of Cheops, aka Pyramid of Khufu, on the Giza Plateau, on the southern outskirts of the capital Cairo. Khaled Desouki/ AFP - Getty Images file

In early January, Scotland's National Museum surprised the world by announcing the opening of an exhibition that would include a stone from the outer layer of the Great Pyramid of Giza on February 8.

The museum said in a statement that the opening is held to celebrate the 200th birthday of the Scottish archaeologist Charles Piazzi Smyth, who arranged the import of the stone from Egypt to the United Kingdom about 147 years ago.

The announcement sparked controversy in the archaeological circles. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities requested the museum through the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to prove the legitimacy of its possession of the stone.

For its part, the museum dealt confidently with the Egyptian request before it officially received it. Two days before the opening of the exhibition, the Museum's Director Gordon Rintoul confirmed to the Guardian newspaper that the stone was not stolen by the Scottish antiquarian, and that they are perfectly satisfied that there’s no issue of it being traded somehow illicitly.

Susan Gray, the museum's spokesperson, told Asharq Al-Awsat, that "the museum has received the Egyptian government's request through the Egyptian embassy, and it has responded with the documents proving that the stone has been legally imported from Egypt."

"The ownership of the stone has been fully documented in Scotland since 1872 but, it has never been displayed before. Apparently, the Egyptian authorities didn’t have any idea about the artifact before the announcement of the exhibition," Gray noted.

"The stone is now part of the exhibition's collection, which opened on February 8, and aims to highlight the evolution of the ancient Egyptian civilization through history. It is one of the artifacts that can help explain the story of the pyramids' construction."

For its part, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced that it has not yet received an official response from the Scottish Museum. "We requested to verify the museum's documents proving the possession or ownership of this stone, and we are waiting for its response," Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, general supervisor of the ministry's repatriation department, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

"We will not issue any response before we see and verify the documents."

For his part, Egyptian archaeologist and former antiquities minister Dr. Zahi Hawass said that the displayed stone is not from "the Great Pyramid", suggesting it is just a valueless stone obtained from the pyramids region.

"The pyramid's upper layer had eroded with years, and we have no picture for it. How did this piece reach the Scottish Museum?" Hawass asked.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat he expressed surprise at the museum's statement about the legal import of the stone.

Hawass asserted that the stone is fake, yet, he praised the Antiquities Ministry’s serious efforts in tackling the issue. "We may eventually find ourselves dealing with a fraud that exploits the Egyptian civilization," he said.

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Varieties

Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.

But resolutions, lofty as they may be, can turn daunting quickly with all the advice and sometimes contradicting information coming at you from news reports, advertisers, influencers, friends and even politicians.

But they don't have to be.

This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads. The good news is that the experts mostly say to keep it simple.

As 2026 arrives, here's what you can skip, what you should pay attention to and how to get credible information when you are inevitably faced with more confusing claims next year.

Protein and fiber are important, but you probably don't need to pay more When it comes to your diet, experts say most people can skip the upcharge. If you're eating enough, you're probably getting enough protein and don't need products that promise some big boost.

And it's true that most people could use more fiber in their diets. But, please, ditch the “fiber-maxxing” trend. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

A good skin care routine is not expensive or complicated That 20-step skin care routine and $200 serum some TikToker sold you on? Dermatologists say you really don't need it. Stay away from the beef tallow and slather on a good sunscreen instead (yes, even if you have darker skin ), they say.

And the same rule for simplicity applies to that hourlong “everything shower." The best showers are simple and short, dermatologists say, no "double cleansing" required.

There are many simple ways to get that workout in If the gym and all its equipment feel intimidating, you can drop the illusion that a good workout requires either. This year, the comeback of calisthenics put the focus back on no frills, bodyweight workouts you can do in the comfort of home. Research shows calisthenics helps with muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. You may eventually need weightlifting or other equipment, but it is a great place to start to build consistency and confidence.

Be wary of wellness fads and treatments — they are often too good to be true Even if you imbibe too much this New Year's Eve, doctors say you can do without “ IV therapy ” which have vitamins you can get more easily and cheaper in pill form — if you even need more, which is unlikely if you have a balanced diet. You're pretty much just paying for “expensive urine,” one doctor said.

Same for “wellness” focused products like microbiome testing kits that generate information that doctors can't actually act on. And if you don't have diabetes, there's scant evidence that you need a continuous glucose monitor.

To improve your health, go back to the basics The idea of a panacea pill, product or routine can be enticing. But science already knows a lot about how to improve mental and physical health, and they are tried and true:

1. Whether you're in the city or the country — walk more. Research shows walking is great for physical and mental health. It's so good for you, doctors are literally prescribing time in the outdoors to their patients.

2. Take steps to get certain health metrics under control, likehigh blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed and is known to cause a range of health problems down the road. Prioritize getting enough sleep, and make sure your family does too. Don't just eat right — eat slower.

3. Give your mind some care too. Set better boundaries with your technology andregain and retrain your attention span. Build out your social networks and invest inall forms of love for the people around you.

These lifestyle changes don't just make you feel better in the moment. Research shows they impact your life for years to come, by lowering the risk of dementia and many other health issues.

Don't know who to trust? Start with your doctor It can be tough to know who to listen to about your health, faced with compelling personal stories on social media from people who swear something worked from them, or clever marketing and advertising from companies that scare you or promise an easy fix.

Doubts have been raised this year about established medicine, including the safety of food dyes, fluoride dental treatments,hepatitis B shot for newborns, and hormone therapies for menopause.

While the medical system is not perfect, your doctor remains the best person to talk to about prevention, health concerns and potential treatments.

If you can't get to a human doctor and turn to Dr. Google instead, be sure to follow these tips and never use it to diagnose yourself. When you do get that doctor's appointment, you can make the most of it by bringing a list of written questions — and don't hesitate to ask for any clarification you need.

Varieties

Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA

The citrus harvest season has officially begun in AlUla Governorate, which is renowned for its agricultural production, according to SPA.

Citrus groves in AlUla cover approximately 654.57 hectares and contain around 261,826 trees, yielding about 6,545.65 tons of fruit annually.

The governorate produces a variety of delicious and nutritious citrus fruits, most notably navel oranges, citron, and sweet lemons. The citrus harvest season typically runs from December to March.

These fruits are distinguished by their high quality, attributed to the governorate's unique climate and fertile soil, resulting in exceptional flavor and high nutritional value.

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event that highlights the diversity of the governorate's agricultural production. It also plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activity and promoting local products in the marketplace.

Varieties

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park in Buraidah recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The development is an important environmental milestone that reflect the ongoing success of release and reintroduction programs led by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), which aims to preserve endangered wild species and boost biodiversity in their natural habitats.

The achievement exemplifies a pioneering collaboration between the NCW and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification through initiatives such as vegetation enhancement, natural habitat rehabilitation, and the creation of suitable conditions for the breeding and sustainability of wild species.

Qassim National Park is one of several national parks implementing afforestation and environmental rehabilitation projects under the Saudi Green Initiative, strengthening the region’s ecological diversity and showcasing the role of national parks as models of successful environmental sustainability programs in the Kingdom.