On September 10 took place the solemn opening ceremony of the multifunctional block of flats built at Tsitsernakaberdi 1/2 in the capital. On the basis of the suggestions made by the special inter-departmental commission formed on the instruction of the RA President Serzh Sargsyan, within the scope of the RA Government decree 342-A, dated 04.04.2013, apartments in the newly-built block of flats have been allocated to the families whose purchased homes were lost as a result of the failure of construction carried out by a private developer at the address Arami 72-80 in Yerevan. The honor of opening was given to Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan and the director of new building developer company "D and H group"Vahe Petrosyan. It should be noted that a criminal case was launched by the Department of state interest defense of the RA Chief Prosecutor's Office in December 2011 concerning the case of grabbing big amounts by cheating and abusing confidence of the residents in 2005-2011. The developer of the failed building was "Gapbnakshin" Ltd. The total area of the building at Arami 72-80 was about 21 thousand square meters, but the developer sold 53 thousand square meters. One apartment in the building at Arami 72-80 was sold to 8 buyers! As a result of all machinations 476 families became the victims of dishonesty losing big amounts. The citizens had to turn to the President of the Republic expecting the state help in this issue. As a result the President instructed to form a special inter-departmental commission in March, 2012. Taking into account that the problem referred to 476 families it was vital to find a non-standard solution. A part of the citizens suffered the dishonesty were given apartments in this building at Tsitsernakaberdi 1/2 address, the other part was allocated flats in the building at Arami street. So the problem got a complete solution. The building built in accordance with all necessary standards and provided with all conveniences. The surrounding area of the complex with total area of 65 thousand square meters was completely improved: benches, dustbins, bowers, children's playground was constructed at this area. Today 476 families have got apartments, but there are still many who believe, that their housing problems also should be solved in the near future. Still many defrauded families did not received compensation for expropriated land and apartments located on the street Byuzand, district Kond and some other problematic developments. During the grand opening ceremony mayor of Yerevan told that all deceived residents will receive new houses. Committee on these issues now is considering what model to choose for solving the problem and how to find new investors.

Construction has begun on a giant observation tower in the heart of the Amazon basin to monitor climate change. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory is expected to rise 325 meters from the ground. Its instruments will gather data on greenhouse gases, aerosol particles and the weather in one of the largest continuous rain forests on the planet. Brazilian and German scientists hope to use the data to better understand sources of greenhouse gases and answer questions on climate change. The tower is being constructed out of steel that was brought thousands of kilometers from the south of Brazil to the site, about 160 kilometers from the Amazonian city of Manaus. Because of its height, the tower will make it possible to investigate the alteration and movement of air masses through the forest over a distance of several hundred kilometers. The Amazon jungle is one of the world's most sensitive ecosystems, with a powerful influence on the intake and release of carbon into the atmosphere. ""The tower will help us answer innumerable questions related to global climate change," said Paulo Artaxo, from the University of Sao Paulo and project coordinator for the Brazilians. The tower will be integrated into an existing structure of smaller measuring towers in the region. When finished, it will complement a similar observatory built in 2006 that already stands in Central Siberia (lower photo).

The oldest pyramid in Egypt, the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, is being destroyed by the very company the Egyptian government has hired to restore it. The roughly 4.600-year-old structure has been in trouble since an earthquake hit the region in 1992, but in a difficult political and economic climate for the country, those now tasked with preserving the pyramid are doing more harm than good. Egyptian activists claim the company, Shurbagy, doesn't even have the necessary experience to be undertaking the work in the first place, and they have launched a campaign against the Minister of Antiquities, Mamdouh al-Damaty, claiming a "full-fledged crime" has been committed. The crime in question is the breach of building regulations related to the restoration of ancient structures. Amir Gamal, a representative of the 'Non-stop Robberies' movement, states: "Technically, the company and officials of the Supreme Council of Antiquities committed a full-fledged crime. New walls were built outside the pyramid as if the pyramid were a modern construction, which is opposite to international standards of restoration, which prevents adding more than 5 percent of construction to antiquities if necessary." Furthermore, the additions are putting pressure on the structure, putting it at risk of collapse. The limestone step pyramid was originally 62 meters high. Inside is a network of corridors, as well as a granite and marble burial chamber. When the earthquake struck in 1992, large quantities of stone rained down into the center of the pyramid, creating a void at the top and the pyramid was in danger of total collapse. At that time, archaeologist Peter James's company installed an internally supported PVC balloon-like structure, which was inflated and filled with water to support the pyramid from within. In time it was hoped that the stone would be reinforced with steel rods to restore the building to its previous profile. But funding ran out, then political instability set in. In October 2012, the Ministry of Antiquities announced work had stopped on the site because they were unable to pay contractors. Work has since resumed under the responsibility of Shurbagy, but the company has already been responsible for the "major deterioration and collapse" of a whole section of the pyramid. The company has also not completed any one of the six previous construction contracts they have committed to in the last nine years. Adds Gamal, "The company has never restored any archaeological site. All projects it had were to create modern construction at archaeological sites." The pyramid and the Saqqara complex were designed by the engineer-architect Imhotep, and are beleived to be the world's oldest cut stone monuments. With the stepped Pyramid of Djoser marking the turning point from flat-roofed construction to the age of the pyramids in Egypt, it is a tragedy that such an important archaeological legacy could be destroyed by incompetence and lack of adequate funding.

An open competition could be launched for the restoration and future use of Moscow's 1922 Shukhov Tower after it was saved from demolition. A campaign led by some of the biggest names in architecture has persuaded Moscow city council to overturn plans to dismantle the 150 meters steel lattice radio tower to make way for a new development. Now Moscow city council has announced it is to give the structure protected status, citing its dominance on the skyline, its 3D design - it features five interlocking hyperboloids - and the method of its construction as key reasons. And, in conjunction with the national government, it wants to hold an open international competition to restore the tower and find future uses. But there is some doubt about whether an international competition would be legal because the legislation requires special certificate from The Ministry for Culture of Russia for cultural heritage works, according to a report in the Izvestia newspaper. Properly called the Shabolovka radio tower and designed by the engineer, academician Vladimir Shukhov, it was described by Foster as a work of "dazzling genius".

It may be known as the "Villa of Smiles" but since Robin Williams' death, his Napa Valley home for sale listing is now tinted with sadness. The late actor had put the home on the market months before his August 11 death, saying he could no longer afford the sprawling mansion in the middle of California wine country. While many celebrity mansions are staged and sanitized so that their owner's identity is hidden, Robin's hand can be seen throughout the main house and the 2.6 million square meters property. Featuring a staggering 1800 square meters five bedroom, six full and five half bathrooms main house and a four bedroom guest house, the 'ranch' as Robin called it, had provided a hideaway from Hollywood for the star. However, he had tried to sell the home in 2012 for US$ 35 million but did not find any buyers, then in April re-listed the home for the reduced price of US$ 29.9 million. The large property also features a stunning infinity pool abutting the main house that is an amazing 20 meters long. Also contained within the grounds is a seven-stall horse barn, tennis court, hiking and riding trails, a spring-fed pond, and, more than 100 olive trees which produces gallons of olive oil every year, and vineyard which produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc varietals.