Beard on Tut’s mask improperly repaired

CAIRO – Conservators at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo say the blue and gold braided beard on a mask of famed pharaoh Tutankhamun has been hastily glued back on with epoxy after it was detached during a cleaning.

The museum, which many archaeologists and restorers say is not run to professional standards, is one of the city’s main tourist sites. Tutankhamun’s mask and other contents of his tomb are its top exhibits.

Conservators reached by telephone Wednesday gave differing accounts of when the incident occurred last year.

They agree, however, that orders came from the top to fix it quickly and that an inappropriate adhesive was used. All spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Iraq’s leader seeks more military aid

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister on Wednesday appealed for more aid for the country’s beleaguered ground forces, which have yet to score a decisive victory against the Islamic State group despite five months of U.S.-led coalition air raids.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Haider al-Abadi praised the coalition’s air campaign but said the international community has stalled on commitments to train and equip the ground forces needed to retake major cities.

“We are in this almost on our own,” he said. “There is a lot being said and spoken, but very little on the ground.”

Associated Press