Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
Xingyi, China -- Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams...
Arts & Culture
Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multi-day hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam...
Arts & Culture
Business
Iran emerging as a hub for health tourism in West Asia: Raisi
Tehran, Iran--Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has claimed that health tourism in the country has attracted patients from neighboring countries and...
- The Iranian president claimed that patients from Central Asia and Middle East have chosen Iran over Europe to come for medical treatment
- In May, Iranian health minister said that last year more than 1.2 million foreign patients had been to hospitals in the Islamic Republic for various treatments
Arts & Culture
After five years of driving, roadblocks remain for Saudi women
Women drivers in Saudi Arabia is just one example, Jawhara al-Wabili says, of how women's rights have blossomed in recent...
- Saudi officials try to keep the spotlight on the progress women have made, seeking to recast their long-closed-off country as open for business and tourists
- At events like the WEF in Davos highlighted the fact that the proportion of Saudi women in the workforce has more than doubled since 2016, from 17 percent to 37 percent
Business
First Saudi at Paris Fashion Week underlines dramatic changes
Paris, France - Saudi Arabia is continuing its multi-billion-dollar entry into all aspects of global culture, hitting a new milestone on...
- Mohammed Ashi's haute couture show - his first as part of the official roster after years of dressing top celebrities - is "the peak of my career," he said at a cocktail soiree
- Ashi forged his own path, having left the kingdom three decades ago, but his promotion to the top league is neatly timed as Riyadh announces its own fashion week in October
Saudi Arabia launches E-Visa system for Umrah pilgrimage
Dubai, UAE - Saudi Arabia has introduced a new electronic visa system for Muslims intending to embark on the spiritual...
- The visa issuance has commenced, and the first arrivals under this new system are expected on July 19, according to the Saudi Press Agency
- Applicants can submit their e-visa applications through the Nusuk platform, available at https://www.nusuk.sa/ar/about
Arts & Culture
UAE prepares for upcoming 3-Day weekend to celebrate Islamic New Year
Dubai, UAE - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gearing up for its next public holiday, as residents anticipate the...
- The upcoming holidays are highly anticipated. following the recent extended Eid Al Adha vacation, which provided a six-day break and marked the longest holiday of the year
- It presents another chance for people to spend quality time with family and friends, explore local attractions, or embark on short getaways within the country
Economy
Lebanon looks to recycling to rid streets of garbage
Beirut, Lebanon--Beirut motorists pull up to a drive-through counter -- not for fast-food, but to exchange empty bottles and cardboard for...
- The country has seen a decline in recycling carried out by the government agencies during its three-year-long economic turmoil
- At Drive Throw, the recyclables are sorted carefully, highlighting how recycling could be a solution to Lebanon's trash problem
Arts & Culture
Moroccan women shake up world of Gnaoua music
Originally practiced by enslaved people and dating back at least to the 16th century, Gnaoua has gone from being practiced...
- Also known as "tagnaouite", it gained worldwide recognition after it was listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2019.
- Gnaoua has evolved from being practiced largely in private gatherings, where therapeutic rituals accompanied the music, to public events such as concerts and festivals.
Analysis
Conservative-dominated US Supreme Court steers society sharp right
Washington, United States--One year after its ruling to erase abortion rights, the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court has underscored its determination to...
- The Supreme Court among its many rulings banned universities from giving minorities priority in admissions -- so-called "affirmative action"
- The court also struck down President Joe Biden's plan to cancel more than $400 billion of student debt to ease the financial stresses on Americans
Arrangements hailed as pilgrims leave Saudi Arabia after Hajj
On Friday, two days after the last major ritual, tens of thousands of people packed roads and boarded buses out...
- This year over 1.8 million worshippers performed the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is among the world's largest religious gatherings
- This year's attendance figures marked a dramatic increase on the 926,000 from last year, when numbers were capped at one million following the Covid-19 pandemic
Arts & Culture
Hajj pilgrims continue rituals on third day of Eid Al-Adha in Mina
Mina, Saudi Arabia – Pilgrims were continuing with their religious rites on Friday, the third day of Eid Al-Adha, participating...
- Upon completion of the stoning of satan ritual, the faithful were moving towards the Grand Holy Mosque for the farewell circumambulation.
- Bahrain’s Minister of Information, Ramzan bin Abdullah Al-Noaimi, has praised the successful execution of this year’s Hajj season.
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Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
Xingyi, China -- Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams...
Arts & Culture
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Butter chicken battle hits Indian court
Arts & Culture
Djokovic and Nadal to play 6 Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia
Arts & Culture
Europe’s largest art fair reports ‘record’ prices for Van Gogh, Picasso
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Europe's largest art fair closed its doors on Friday with organizers saying that sales, including a rare...
Arts & Culture
US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passes TikTok ban bill
The measure requires TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the app within 180 days or see it barred from the...
Geostrategy
High inflation leaves Nigeria struggling ahead of Ramadan
Lagos, Nigeria - The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins early next week in Nigeria, with the worst economic crisis in...
Geostrategy
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Reincarnation and realpolitik: Dalai Lama’s succession dilemma
Tibetan activists are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for...
- The 88-year-old spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, has shown no indication of serious health issues, and has said that his dreams suggest he could live until he is 113
- But as Tibetans mark on Sunday the 65th anniversary of the failed uprising against China, the question of who will succeed their ageing leader is in sharp focus
Business
Iraq economy likely to grow this year, says IMF
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Economic growth of the country is projected to continue amid fiscal expansion, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)...
- Medium-term vulnerabilities to oil price volatility have increased significantly, the IMF said.
- Growth in the non-oil sector has rebounded strongly in 2023 while inflation has receded.
Arts & Culture
Young Iraqis seek desert retreats for a change from the hustle of big cities
SAMAWAH, IRAQ – Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, young Iraqis are increasingly taking advantage of a renewed...
- For years, only the most intrepid of hikers and campers would brave the trips into Iraq's desert.
- With the rise of social media and a period of relative stability, it has become a popular destination.