MAKKAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said billions of riyals needed for conducting Haj pilgrimage annually is solely met by the Saudi government. He also warned illegal pilgrim and fake Haj service providing companies would be dealt with sternly.
MINA: A downpour that swept Mina disrupted the retreat of pilgrims as Haj 2010 drew to a close on Thursday. Rains started belting down across the arid valley around 3 p.m. as many of the Hajis began streaming out of the tent city.
MUMBAI: India has lost hundreds of billions of dollars over the past six decades as companies and the rich stashed cash overseas to avoid taxes and hide ill-gotten gains, widening inequality and depriving the poor of crucial resources, a new report shows.
A week and a half ago, in this column, we welcomed the announcement that a smoking ban at the country’s airports had come into effect and was being enforced with fines. We were too hasty. It now transpires that while the ban is being implemented and fines issued, there is no mechanism for the offenders to pay. Apparently, although the General Authority of Civil Aviation has the authority to impose fines, it does not have the authority to receive them.
Canada is a model country that operates under the rule of law and respect for human rights and diversity. But in these harsh times signs are mounting that it is not immune to the Islamophobia that is sweeping through Western countries.
