In Pictures: Hajj in Mecca during the COVID pandemic
The Hajj once drew some 2.5 million Muslims, but this year just 60,000 people are being allowed to perform it.
Category Archives: News
Police clash with protesters demanding Thailand PM’s resignation
Police use rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators in Bangkok.
Oil producers reach deal on output, ending UAE-Saudi standoff
The close Gulf allies have been publicly at odds over how quickly to increase output amid global pandemic recovery.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa calls for unity amid wreckage of unrest
President joins clean-up efforts after riots, as his gov't warns against racial conflict and vigilantism in aftermath.
Turkey’s Erdogan to visit Northern Cyprus amid tensions with EU
Erdogan expected to underline his support for a two-state solution to the decades-old dispute on the divided island.
Taliban leader ‘favours political settlement’ to Afghan conflict
Announcement comes amid group's military advances and as peace talks between Afghan gov't and Taliban resume in Doha.
Fuel truck explosion kills several in Kenya
Many also injured as overturned petrol tanker exploded in west Kenya when crowds thronged to collect the spilling fuel.
Volunteer undertakers carry Indonesian dead as COVID deaths rise
Volunteers provide help as Indonesia struggles to cope with a devastating wave of COVID cases from the Delta variant.
Landslides kill several in India’s Mumbai after monsoon rains
Deaths caused by mudslides and a wall collapse following heavy rain in the country's most populous city, Mumbai.
Palestinian Authority covering up critic’s death, family says
Relatives of Nizar Banat, who died in PA custody, say they have not received document with the official cause of death.
Search for flood survivors continues in Germany
Emergency workers search for survivors and clear wreckage as hundreds still missing after devastating floods in Germany.
Cannes Film Festival: Julia Ducournau’s ‘Titane’ wins Palme d’Or
Julia Ducournau is only the second woman to scoop the top prize in Cannes festival’s 74-year history.
Thailand expands lockdown as COVID cases continue to rise
Lockdown imposed in three more provinces as Thailand's COVID-19 cases break records for a third straight day.
Gunmen kidnap Chinese, Mauritanian workers in Mali
Assailants also destroyed equipment belonging to Chinese and Mauritanian construction companies.
US marks one year since death of civil rights icon John Lewis
In honour of longtime congressman, President Joe Biden again urges Congress to pass legislation defending right to vote.
Bolsonaro could be discharged in days, Brazilian hospital says
Far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been hospitalised since Wednesday with an obstructed intestine.
Death toll rises to 170 in Germany and Belgium floods
Hundreds missing or unreachable as several areas remained inaccessible and communication was still down in some places.
Iran accuses US, UK of holding prisoner exchange talks ‘hostage’
Tehran says it wants to agree prisoner exchange but the US and UK are linking it to talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
Core Group urges Haiti’s designated PM to form a government
International diplomats urge Ariel Henry to form government as political crisis after Jovenel Moise's killing escalates.
One killed in Iran’s Khuzestan water crisis protests
Officials and victim's father blame rioters for the death that occurred in the Khuzestan province town of Shadegan.