Saudi to allow limited Hajj pilgrimage


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Saudi Arabia said on Monday that a small number of residents will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.

Saudi authorities wanted “to establish a ritual safe in a healthy manner”, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

People from various nationalities based in Saudi would be eligible to perform the Hajj, depending on health and safety precautions.

A statement from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said “very limited numbers” would be allowed to perform the pilgrimage, in line with “the teachings of Islam” and preserving the health of all.

It said the Hajj preparations would include requirements for disease prevention and social separation.

The country has recorded 161,005 cases and 1,307 deaths, but on Sunday lockdown orders were lifted.

People spent time at the seafront promenade in the port city of Jeddah as the country reopened, and flocked to hairdressers, barbers and shops across the kingdom.

Workers returned as offices, mosques, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and gyms reopened after more than three months of measures to curb the spread of the virus, including nightly lockdowns.

Roads in Jeddah, which had been eerily quiet for months, sprang to life from 6am, with people venturing out of their homes to shop.

As Saudi authorities made the announcement, the number of people infected with the coronavirus worldwide passed nine million, the latest figures from Johns Hopkins showed.

More than half of the 9,003,042 cases are in Europe and the US, with the latter recording more than 2.2 million cases.

Iran is the worst hit Middle East nation, with 207,525 reported cases and 9,742 deaths.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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The biog

Age: 30

Position: Senior lab superintendent at Emirates Global Aluminium

Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, post graduate degree in light metal reduction technology

Favourite part of job: The challenge, because it is challenging

Favourite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandi

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea