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Egypt family keeps alive tradition behind hajj centrepiece
Under the steady hum of a ceiling fan, Ahmed Othman weaves golden threads through black fabric, creating Koranic verses, a century after his grandfather's work adorned the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque. "For a whole year, 10 craftsmen" would work on the kiswa that covers the Kaaba which pilgrims circumambulate, using silver thread in a lengthy labour of love.
Mecca businesses see hajj boom ending pandemic slump
"Business is back", exclaims Abdullah Mekhlafi at the shop where he sells prayer mats in Islam's holiest city, which is preparing for the biggest influx of hajj pilgrims since the coronavirus pandemic began. "We had few customers (during the last two hajj seasons), but today business is back, thanks to God.
'Guerrilla' sales, crowdsourcing: Japan's game console crunch
It's still dark when the line starts forming outside an electronics store in Tokyo, as desperate gamers try to snag the latest PlayStation or Xbox despite chronic shortages in Japan. Tetsuya, 50, has been trying to get a console since February and lined up before 6:30 am with dozens of other people outside a store in the electronics district of Akihabara.
Canadian diplomats denied access to tycoon's trial in China: embassy
Canadian diplomats were denied access to the trial of Canadian-Chinese tycoon Xiao Jianhua in China, Ottawa's embassy in Beijing said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after the businessman stood trial. Our attendance was denied by Chinese authorities," the embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.
Inside Indonesia's Islamic boarding school for deaf children
At an Islamic boarding school in a sleepy neighbourhood on the outskirts of the Indonesian city Yogyakarta, the sound of Koranic recitation is nowhere to be heard. It is a daunting religious education for children who have never learned about religion or the Koran, and whose mother tongue is Indonesian.
Star wars: Russians turn to astrologers amid Ukraine conflict
Will there be nuclear war? Ukrainians want to know "if nuclear war will happen, if they should leave their country, if their loved ones are in danger", astrologer Olena Umanets told AFP. "Russia will explode in March 2023," predicted the 38-year-old former musician, who fled Ukraine for Switzerland.
In Canada's Quebec, a new way to prosecute domestic and sexual assault
Five years after the #MeToo movement sent shockwaves around the world with tales of unreported sexual harassment and assault, Canada's Quebec province is moving to ensure victims are heard in court.
Algeria marks 60 years of independence from France
Algeria marks 60 years of independence from France on Tuesday with a huge military parade, but memories of violence during the colonial period continue to overshadow ties between the two.
Police arrest suspect after gunman kills six at US July 4 parade
Police arrested a suspect Monday after a mass shooting left six dead at a US Independence Day parade in a wealthy Chicago suburb, casting a dark shadow over the country's most patriotic holiday.
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