Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday began the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once […]

Mecca (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Saudi Arabia on Wednesday begins hosting the annual hajj pilgrimage, dramatically downscaled due to the coronavirus pandemic that has barred millions of international pilgrims for the first time in modern history. Up to 10,000 people residing in the kingdom will participate in the Muslim ritual, […]

BLUFF, Utah—Ranchers, wildcatters, Native Americans and environmentalists are among the many looking to see how Interior Secretary Deb Haaland balances their competing interests over the vast tracts of federal lands she oversees. They will be watching closely Thursday, when the Laguna Pueblo tribe member and former New Mexico congresswoman tours […]