After struggling first through Lebanon’s economic crisis and then the coronavirus pandemic, Ethiopian worker Tarik Kebeda said the deadly blast that ripped through her Beirut home was the final straw. Inside the small house she shares with four friends, she pointed to the window frames covered by sheets, because the glass was smashed out by […]
Arts, Culture & Books
Cyprus denies new allegations in “golden passport” scheme
Cyprus on Sunday denied fresh allegations that it was granting citizenship to foreigners accused of crimes in exchange for millions in investments, insisting that all those who received a passport met all criteria in place at the time. The Cypriot parliament last month beefed up the eligibility criteria for the so-called “golden passport” investment program, […]
Tauqeer Chughtai — a poet, story writer and a journalist of calibre
Prolific Punjabi writer, poet, journalist and activist Muhammad Mushtaq’s pen name is Tauqeer Chughtai. He was born in village Boota, District Attock, Punjab on May 13, 1961. He is Masters is Mass Communications from Federal Urdu University, Karachi. He works as Copy Editor Packages, Samaa TV Channel and has written more than 1000 episodes of […]
Flipping lives of two generations
Flipping is a South Korean novel by Eichin Chan-Lim published at Dog Ear Publishing. The story is divided into Three Parts, whereas Part 1 is mainly concerned with Jonsun with whom the story begins and part 2 is about the life of Elliana who has to undergo tragedies even when she has a happy prosperous […]
Google Maps update makes it look more like the real world with added detail on pavements
Google has rolled out a worldwide update of its popular maps app to give terrain a ‘more vibrant’, detailed and colourful appearance. The visual makeover adds greater detail and makes natural features easier to see, such as beaches, deserts, lakes or snow caps on the peaks of mountaintops. The updates give Google ‘one of the […]
A hole new world: Japan city lights up sewer covers
The humble manhole cover might not seem like much of a blank canvas, but one Japanese city is reimagining the possibilities with illuminated versions featuring anime characters. Tokorozawa, near Tokyo, is hoping the unusual additions will attract visitors, including enthusiasts of the painted decorated manhole covers that adorn some of Japan’s streets. “They’re Japan’s first […]
Saved by suburbs: Food trucks hit by virus find new foodies
On a warm summer night, two food trucks pulled onto a tree-lined street in a hilltop neighborhood outside Seattle. The smell of grilled meat filled the air, and neighbors slurped on boba tea drinks. Toddlers, teens, their parents and dogs sat in the grass, chatting behind masks, laughing and mimicking imaginary hugs to stay socially […]
Catwalk: Pet clothing designer inspired by ancient Chinese beauties
Liu Liu is a fashion designer’s dream model and muse — happy to spend hour upon hour being measured and dressed, and posing in tailored couture outfits and artistic designs. Liu Liu is also a cat. Her doting owner, Wu Qiuqiao, makes a living from designing miniature versions of traditional flowing Chinese gowns known as […]
Europe’s travel recovery stalls in August — ticket data
Europe’s travel recovery stalled at the start of August after a stronger performance in July, as quarantine rules and warnings over rising infection rates created uncertainty and deterred tourists from booking trips abroad. In July, ticket numbers for cross-border air travel within Europe stood at 28% of 2019’s levels, as Europeans began to travel again […]
Vanuatu’s citizenships-for-sale scheme keeps economy afloat
Soaring demand for Vanuatu’s controversial passport scheme has kept the South Pacific island nation’s budget in surplus despite the COVID-19 pandemic and a damaging cyclone crippling its dominant tourism sector, budget papers show. Vanuatu late on Thursday reported a budget surplus for the first six months of 2020 of 3.8 billion vatu ($34.16 million), led […]