ABU DHABI — Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the Family Welfare Foundation, received a delgation of diplomats’ wives from Dubai and the Northern Emirates here yesterday. They had come to extend Eid greetings to Shaikha Fatima.

By Kate Gaier 6:45 pm January 1, 2007 An arrest is made in a year old murder case in Cairo... but the motive is still anyone's guess. Neighbors say Pearl Johnson was a kind-hearted woman. Even though she was disabled, she would help anyone.

Al-Qaida's number two man is aiming some New Year's criticism at the leaders of Egypt and the Palestinians. But Ayman al-Zawahri's statement hasn't been authenticated.

Panaji, Jan 1 Muslim brethren celebrated Bakr-Id with ritualistic fervour in Goa. Friends and relatives besides people from other faiths wished the members of Muslim community Eid Mubarak on the auspicious occasion. Prayers were offered at mosques throughout Goa during the day.

Israeli officials on Monday denied claims that they were close to a deal that would secure the release of a captured soldier held by Palestinian militants, citing excessive demands by the Islamic Hamas.

Luxor

Luxor (Arabic: الأقصر ) is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt and the capital of Luxor Governorate. Its population numbers 376,022 (1999 survey), and its area is about 416 km². As the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterised as the "world's greatest open air museum", the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor standing within the modern city. Immediately opposite, across the Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Thousands of international tourists arrive each year to visit these monuments, their presence forming a large part of the economic basis for the modern city. As a result, Luxor represents an excellent base for touring Upper Egypt, and is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or finishing point for Nile cruises.

Transportation

A bridge was recently constructed a few miles upstream of the main town of Luxor, allowing ready land access from the East Bank to the West Bank.

Traditionally, however, river crossings have been the domain of several ferry services. The so-called 'local ferry' (also known as the 'National Ferry') continues to operate from a landing opposite the Temple of Luxor. The single fare (March 2007) is 1 L.E. - one Egyptian Pound - per passenger for foreigners. This ferry is mainly used by the locals although a number of foreigners do use it. The sites on the West Bank are further than you think and you will need transport, a taxi-driver may well approach you on the ferry, make sure you agree a price. There are also local cars that reach some of the monuments for 25 piasters. Alternatively motorboats line the East Bank of the Nile all day providing a quicker, but more expensive (5L.E.), crossing to the other side.

The city of Luxor on the East Bank has several bus routes used mainly by locals. Tourists often rely on horse carriages, called "caleches," for transport. Do not ask caleche drivers to go to the west bank as it is too far for the horses.

For domestic travel along the route of the Nile, a rail service operates several times a day. A morning train and sleeping train can be taken from the station situated around 1/4 mile from Luxor Temple. The line runs between several major destinations, including Cairo to the north and Aswan to the south.

Luxor International Airport

Luxor is served by an international airport, Luxor International Airport (IATA: LXR, ICAO: HELX). It is located four miles (6km) east of the city.

Many charter airlines use the airport, as it is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the River Nile and the Valley of the Kings.

In 2004, the airport served 2,123,898 passengers (+28.9% vs. 2003). As a consequence of growing traffic, the airport has recently been upgraded to accommodate up to 8 million passengers a year.

Facilities for passengers include 8 check-in desks, 5 gates, 3 baggage claim belts, a post office, a bank, a Bureau de Change, an auto exchange machine, restaurants, cafeterias, a VIP Lounge, a duty free shop, a newsagent/tobacconist, a chemist shop, a gift shop, a travel agent, a tourist help desk, car rental, first aid, a baby/parent Room, disabled access/facilities and a business centre.

Facilities for cargo include refrigerated storage, animal quarantine, livestock handling, health officials, X-Ray equipment, and fumigation equipment.

The cargo handling agents for the airport are AN-Aviation Services Co and Egyptair (Luxor).

Winter Palace Hotel

The Winter Palace Hotel, is a 5 star hotel, located on the banks of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt, just South of the Luxor temple, was built in 1886 during English and French occupation of the region.

In 1975 the complex was extended by the building of the 'New' Winter Palace. Classed by tourist guides as a 3 star hotel, this is a hotel in its own right but is joined to the 'old' by link corridors. The two hotels share many amenities including the gardens, pools, courts, terraces and restaurants.

It is now owned by Sofitel, a French company. Lord Carnarvon, who discovered Tutankhamun's was reported to have been found dead in a room of this hotel, his room has never been made available to anybody since.