A 17th-century copy of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic portrait "Mona Lisa" was sold on Tuesday at a Sotheby's auction house in Paris for 552,000 euros ($611,560.80), smashing its initial valuation of 70,000 and 90,000 euros (77,000 to 99,000 U.S. dollars).

Replica of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa sells for 553,000 euros

One of the last five known concert posters from the Beatles 1966 Shea Stadium show is hitting the auction block.

Actor puts his rare Beatles' concert poster on the auction block

Mexico City came alive on Friday (November 01) to celebrate the dead with a Day of the Dead celebration complete a with massive offering dedicated to iconic deceased Mexicans in the capital city's main square - the Zocalo.

Day of the Dead altars take over Mexico City's main square

<p>Union Minister of State for Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, will inaugurate an e-portal and a YouTube channel of Rashtriya Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to promote Indian culture.</p>

<p>The e-portal and the channel will be inaugurated at an event -- "Digital Bharat - Digital Sanskriti" at the CCRT headquarters in Delhi.</p>

<p>"With an aim to take India to a newer digital pinnacle and to promote our culture, the Union Minister will inaugurate CCRT e-portal and YouTube Channel (with support from Routes 2 Routes)," a press release said.</p>

<p>In order to explore and understand the unknown aspects of India`s lesser-known places and their rural and semi-urban culture, the CCRT, which falls under the Ministry of Culture, has started publishing books from the series "Untold Tales of India`s Cities".</p>

<p>The book titled "Dewas Ki Sanskritik Parampara" written by Jeevan Singh Thakur and published in this series by CCRT will be released by the Union Minister.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Union Minister of State for Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, will inaugurate an e-portal and a YouTube channel of Rashtriya Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to promote Indian culture.

Union Minister of State for Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, will inaugurate an e-portal and a YouTube channel of Rashtriya Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to promote Indian culture. The e-portal and the channel will be inaugurated at an event -- "Digital Bharat - Digital Sanskriti" at the CCRT headquarters in Delhi. "With an aim to take India to a newer digital pinnacle and to promote our culture, the Union Minister will inaugurate CCRT e-portal and YouTube Channel (with support from Routes 2 Routes)," a press release said. In order to explore and understand the unknown aspects of India`s lesser-known places and their rural and semi-urban culture, the CCRT, which falls under the Ministry of Culture, has started publishing books from the series "Untold Tales of India`s Cities". The book titled "Dewas Ki Sanskritik Parampara" written by Jeevan Singh Thakur and published in this series by CCRT will be released by the Union Minister.

Centre to launch e-portal, YouTube channel to promote 'Indian culture'

The "Mona Lisa" returned to its original room on Monday (October 7) at the Louvre Museum after two months of renovations in the hall where other Renaissance paintings are displayed.

Mona Lisa takes back its corner of the Louvre after renovation

<p>Nearly&nbsp;one&nbsp;in&nbsp;12&nbsp;employees working in the&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;of London&nbsp;insurance&nbsp;market&nbsp;has&nbsp;witnessed&nbsp;sexual&nbsp;harassment&nbsp;there in the past year and a quarter has seen excessive drinking, according to a culture&nbsp;survey&nbsp;published by&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;market, which employees around 45,000 people in&nbsp;insurance&nbsp;and broking firms, is trying to improve standards of behaviour after reports earlier this year of&nbsp;sexual&nbsp;harassment&nbsp;and daytime drinking.</p>

<p>According to the&nbsp;survey&nbsp;of 6,000, 8 per cent&nbsp;of respondents had seen&nbsp;sexual&nbsp;harassment&nbsp;at&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;in the last&nbsp;12&nbsp;months and 24 per cent had seen "excessive consumption of alcohol", while 22 per cent had seen people at their firms ignore inappropriate behaviour.</p>

<p>"I don't think anyone&nbsp;can deny there is a problem to address here,"&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;Chief Executive John Neal told Reuters by telephone, adding that publishing the&nbsp;survey&nbsp;in its "ugly raw fashion" should help bring about change.</p>

<p>Lloyd's&nbsp;has already introduced sanctions for poor behaviour, including potential life bans on entering its City tower.</p>

<p>It said on Tuesday it was taking further action in response to the&nbsp;survey, including introducing a gender balance plan, business conduct requirements and setting up an advisory group chaired by&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;board member Fiona Luck.</p>

<p>Sixty per cent of the&nbsp;survey&nbsp;respondents were men and 90 per cent&nbsp;of respondents based in London.</p>

<p>Trade body the&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;Market&nbsp;Association (LMA) said it would launch a new CEO network aimed at improving the reporting of&nbsp;sexual&nbsp;misconduct in the&nbsp;marketplace after the&nbsp;survey&nbsp;revealed many respondents did not know who to raise concerns with.</p>

<p>The LMA Board, which includes 16 chief executives and other senior&nbsp;market&nbsp;leaders from&nbsp;Lloyd's&nbsp;managing agents, have committed to receive reports of inappropriate behaviour which will then be dealt with in "absolute confidence."</p>

<p>"With this constructive resolution we make it very clear that LMA Members will take action at the very highest levels," Sheila Cameron, CEO of the LMA said.</p>


Nearly one in 12 employees working in the Lloyd's of London insurance market has witnessed sexual harassment there in the past year and a quarter has seen excessive drinking, according to a culture survey published by Lloyd's on Tuesday.

Nearly one in 12 employees working in the Lloyd's of London insurance market has witnessed sexual harassment there in the past year and a quarter has seen excessive drinking, according to a culture survey published by Lloyd's on Tuesday. The market, which employees around 45,000 people in insurance and broking firms, is trying to improve standards of behaviour after reports earlier this year of sexual harassment and daytime drinking. According to the survey of 6,000, 8 per cent of respondents had seen sexual harassment at Lloyd's in the last 12 months and 24 per cent had seen "excessive consumption of alcohol", while 22 per cent had seen people at their firms ignore inappropriate behaviour. "I don't think anyone can deny there is a problem to address here," Lloyd's Chief Executive John Neal told Reuters by telephone, adding that publishing the survey in its "ugly raw fashion" should help bring about change. Lloyd's has already introduced sanctions for poor behaviour, including potential life bans on entering its City tower. It said on Tuesday it was taking further action in response to the survey, including introducing a gender balance plan, business conduct requirements and setting up an advisory group chaired by Lloyd's board member Fiona Luck. Sixty per cent of the survey respondents were men and 90 per cent of respondents based in London. Trade body the Lloyd's Market Association (LMA) said it would launch a new CEO network aimed at improving the reporting of sexual misconduct in the marketplace after the survey revealed many respondents did not know who to raise concerns with. The LMA Board, which includes 16 chief executives and other senior market leaders from Lloyd's managing agents, have committed to receive reports of inappropriate behaviour which will then be dealt with in "absolute confidence." "With this constructive resolution we make it very clear that LMA Members will take action at the very highest levels," Sheila Cameron, CEO of the LMA said.

One in 12 witnessed sexual harassment in Lloyd's insurance market: Survey

Drajat Iskandar has been lending a hand to reviving the near-extinct art of "wayang bambu," or bamboo puppetry in West Java.

Puppets reborn: Indonesian pulls strings to revive near-dead artform

<p>Kuzuzangpa la! I feel privileged to file this column from Thimphu, the beautiful capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. With a host of other historians, biographers, musicians, intellectuals, and artists—local, Indian, and international, I am an invited speaker at the 10th anniversary edition of Mountain Echoes, ‘The Bhutan festival of arts, literature and culture’. The inaugural session has just concluded with a moving tribute to the recently deceased father of Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Queen Mother is not only the patron but also one of the founders of the festival. In fact, the festival was conceived in her drawing room in a conversation with curator Namita Gokhale and our then ambassador Pavan Varma, author, senior JD (U) leader, and former MP. In subsequent years, Mita Kapur, Pramod Kumar and their Bhutanese partners have taken the festival forward, with support from the Jaypee group. Ten years ago, I could not make it to the festival opening, so I am especially happy to be here for its 10th anniversary.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In a way, the over-riding theme of Mountain Echoes, which is to share stories and create memories, also sums up its importance. Even those who considered Bhutan as little more than an attractive tourist destination suddenly became aware of its strategic significance after the Doklam crisis. The tiny mountain kingdom, with a population of less than a million, is of immense value to India as a long-standing friend and partner. The Indo-Bhutan friendship treaties of 1949 and 2007 only reinforced this well-known geopolitical and historic fact. Indeed, the Indian embassy in Bhutan, with its 74-acre campus, is the largest anywhere in the world. No wonder the current ambassador, Ruchira Kambhoj, is fully backing the festival.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
India also plays a crucial role in the economic, technological and industrial development of Bhutan. With a peaceable, law-abiding, and contented population, Bhutan is considered a modern Shangri-La. Indeed, it prides itself on its very high Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. The phrase itself was the coinage of the former king, His Highness Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In an interview with a Financial Times correspondent at Mumbai airport in 1972, he famously quipped, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.” This idea is now recognised by the UN and has worldwide acceptance. Indeed Bhutan, which has practically no crime or corruption, is a rather special place in today’s ugly, aggressive, and stressful times. It is perfectly safe for locals and tourists alike, in addition to being relatively unspoilt.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Mountain Echoes, organised by the India-Bhutan Foundation in association with Siyahi, is a valuable avenue of strengthening and cementing people-to-people ties between our two countries. As the Queen Mother said, sharing each other’s stories of happiness and sorrow can create more lasting bonds than merely diplomatic relations between two nations. I was personally very moved by her reminiscences of her father, a self-made, frugal, hardworking, highly disciplined and compassionate man who presented an inspiring model to his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The house of Wangchuk to which the monarchy belongs was founded in 1907. The 39-year-old His Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is the current monarch, his father having abdicated in his favour in 2006. From wielding absolute authority, the Wangchuks have gradually favoured devolution of powers to democratic and elected institutions. Like Hindus, Buddhists also share the idea of the Dharma-Raja, the righteous ruler who selflessly serves the people and upholds Dharma. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although an elected leader and not monarch, is immensely popular in Bhutan as his recent visit shows. The people here consider him a righteous and selfless ruler.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
It would be in the fitness of things if we reciprocate Indo-Bhutanese friendship by hosting an Indian version of Mountain Echoes. It would also serve to highlight and celebrate our own myriad mountain cultures. Hill cultures of the Himalayas share over a millennium of Hindu-Buddhist Dharmic commonalities. Living in Himachal Pradesh as I do, I was struck by the similarities of the traditions and cultural practices, including language, food, music, dance, and religion, all the way from Ladakh to Bhutan nearly 3,000 kms away.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
There is a glorious cultural arc of Mahayana Buddhism that unites us. It passes through and includes Lahaul, Spiti, Dharamshala, Nalanda, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Tawang, going all the way to Lhasa, Tibet, and beyond to Mongolia. These precious cultural and civilisational ties have served us well both in times of adversity and prosperity. We need to preserve, protect, and enhance them for the coming generations too. “Mountain Echoes” offers an excellent platform for doing so. The organisers and curators, both Indian and Bhutanese, deserve our congratulations and felicitations on their successful 10th anniversary.</p>

<p><em>(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-sharing-stories-creating-memories-2784300">original article</a>)</em></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Kuzuzangpa la! I feel privileged to file this column from Thimphu, the beautiful capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. With a host of other historians, biographers, musicians, intellectuals, and artists—local, Indian, and international, I am an invited speaker at the 10th anniversary edition of Mountain Echoes, ‘The Bhutan festival of arts, literature and culture’.

Kuzuzangpa la! I feel privileged to file this column from Thimphu, the beautiful capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. With a host of other historians, biographers, musicians, intellectuals, and artists—local, Indian, and international, I am an invited speaker at the 10th anniversary edition of Mountain Echoes, ‘The Bhutan festival of arts, literature and culture’. The inaugural session has just concluded with a moving tribute to the recently deceased father of Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The Queen Mother is not only the patron but also one of the founders of the festival. In fact, the festival was conceived in her drawing room in a conversation with curator Namita Gokhale and our then ambassador Pavan Varma, author, senior JD (U) leader, and former MP. In subsequent years, Mita Kapur, Pramod Kumar and their Bhutanese partners have taken the festival forward, with support from the Jaypee group. Ten years ago, I could not make it to the festival opening, so I am especially happy to be here for its 10th anniversary. In a way, the over-riding theme of Mountain Echoes, which is to share stories and create memories, also sums up its importance. Even those who considered Bhutan as little more than an attractive tourist destination suddenly became aware of its strategic significance after the Doklam crisis. The tiny mountain kingdom, with a population of less than a million, is of immense value to India as a long-standing friend and partner. The Indo-Bhutan friendship treaties of 1949 and 2007 only reinforced this well-known geopolitical and historic fact. Indeed, the Indian embassy in Bhutan, with its 74-acre campus, is the largest anywhere in the world. No wonder the current ambassador, Ruchira Kambhoj, is fully backing the festival. India also plays a crucial role in the economic, technological and industrial development of Bhutan. With a peaceable, law-abiding, and contented population, Bhutan is considered a modern Shangri-La. Indeed, it prides itself on its very high Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. The phrase itself was the coinage of the former king, His Highness Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In an interview with a Financial Times correspondent at Mumbai airport in 1972, he famously quipped, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.” This idea is now recognised by the UN and has worldwide acceptance. Indeed Bhutan, which has practically no crime or corruption, is a rather special place in today’s ugly, aggressive, and stressful times. It is perfectly safe for locals and tourists alike, in addition to being relatively unspoilt. Mountain Echoes, organised by the India-Bhutan Foundation in association with Siyahi, is a valuable avenue of strengthening and cementing people-to-people ties between our two countries. As the Queen Mother said, sharing each other’s stories of happiness and sorrow can create more lasting bonds than merely diplomatic relations between two nations. I was personally very moved by her reminiscences of her father, a self-made, frugal, hardworking, highly disciplined and compassionate man who presented an inspiring model to his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The house of Wangchuk to which the monarchy belongs was founded in 1907. The 39-year-old His Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is the current monarch, his father having abdicated in his favour in 2006. From wielding absolute authority, the Wangchuks have gradually favoured devolution of powers to democratic and elected institutions. Like Hindus, Buddhists also share the idea of the Dharma-Raja, the righteous ruler who selflessly serves the people and upholds Dharma. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although an elected leader and not monarch, is immensely popular in Bhutan as his recent visit shows. The people here consider him a righteous and selfless ruler. It would be in the fitness of things if we reciprocate Indo-Bhutanese friendship by hosting an Indian version of Mountain Echoes. It would also serve to highlight and celebrate our own myriad mountain cultures. Hill cultures of the Himalayas share over a millennium of Hindu-Buddhist Dharmic commonalities. Living in Himachal Pradesh as I do, I was struck by the similarities of the traditions and cultural practices, including language, food, music, dance, and religion, all the way from Ladakh to Bhutan nearly 3,000 kms away. There is a glorious cultural arc of Mahayana Buddhism that unites us. It passes through and includes Lahaul, Spiti, Dharamshala, Nalanda, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Tawang, going all the way to Lhasa, Tibet, and beyond to Mongolia. These precious cultural and civilisational ties have served us well both in times of adversity and prosperity. We need to preserve, protect, and enhance them for the coming generations too. “Mountain Echoes” offers an excellent platform for doing so. The organisers and curators, both Indian and Bhutanese, deserve our congratulations and felicitations on their successful 10th anniversary. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India-Bhutan ties: Sharing stories, creating memories

A European subsidiary of British beverage giant Diageo Plc signed a joint venture deal with state-run Cuba Ron SA on Monday (August 12) to market Santiago de Cuba Rum, in defiance of U.S. efforts to dissuade investment in the Communist-run country.

British beverage giant Diageo to market Cuban rum

<p>Climate change could wreak "irreversible damage" on the world's most precious ancient monuments and other cultural sites, experts warned Saturday as they pushed for UN protection for major global sites.</p>

<p>Academics and policymakers gathered in Athens for a meeting on the threats to world heritage called for an array of tools to predict, measure and counter the effects of climate change.</p>

<p>They are campaigning to have the issue included on the agenda at the UN Summit for Climate Change in New York in September.</p>

<p>Dimitrios Pandermalis, director of the city's Acropolis Museum said that while environmental damage and deterioration has always been a challenge for monuments, these threats are accelerating.</p>

<p>"The scale of things is different and the destruction can be irreversible," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) warned in October that warming was on track towards a catastrophic 3C or 4C rise, and that avoiding global chaos would require a major transformation.</p>

<p>"Climate change is a threat to our future, but also to our heritage, natural and cultural," said UN Secretary-General Anthony Guterres ahead of the summit.</p>

<p>"Extreme weather events and shifts in climate are taking a toll on ancient monuments and sites."</p>

<p>The Athens meeting called for improved tools to help gauge the threat posed by climate change and mitigate risks, like threat maps based on climatic projections.</p>

<p>The conference highlighted the challenges in preserving underwater heritage such as shipwrecks.</p>

<p>The Head of the Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology at the Academy of Athens warned that "with man-made global warming everything will become more acid in the atmosphere but also in the seas" posing a threat to submarine monuments. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The conference was jointly hosted by the Greek government, the UN and the UN's cultural agency UNESCO.</p>


Climate change could wreak "irreversible damage" on the world's most precious ancient monuments and other cultural sites, experts warned Saturday as they pushed for UN protection for major global sites.

Climate change could wreak "irreversible damage" on the world's most precious ancient monuments and other cultural sites, experts warned Saturday as they pushed for UN protection for major global sites. Academics and policymakers gathered in Athens for a meeting on the threats to world heritage called for an array of tools to predict, measure and counter the effects of climate change. They are campaigning to have the issue included on the agenda at the UN Summit for Climate Change in New York in September. Dimitrios Pandermalis, director of the city's Acropolis Museum said that while environmental damage and deterioration has always been a challenge for monuments, these threats are accelerating. "The scale of things is different and the destruction can be irreversible," he said. The UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) warned in October that warming was on track towards a catastrophic 3C or 4C rise, and that avoiding global chaos would require a major transformation. "Climate change is a threat to our future, but also to our heritage, natural and cultural," said UN Secretary-General Anthony Guterres ahead of the summit. "Extreme weather events and shifts in climate are taking a toll on ancient monuments and sites." The Athens meeting called for improved tools to help gauge the threat posed by climate change and mitigate risks, like threat maps based on climatic projections. The conference highlighted the challenges in preserving underwater heritage such as shipwrecks. The Head of the Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology at the Academy of Athens warned that "with man-made global warming everything will become more acid in the atmosphere but also in the seas" posing a threat to submarine monuments. The conference was jointly hosted by the Greek government, the UN and the UN's cultural agency UNESCO.

Experts raise alarm over climate change threat to cultural heritage

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday lauded the role of Hindi language in developing India’s culture and integrity and said it was increasingly becoming popular in other countries and also in the social media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing the 82nd convocation of the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha here, she said the institution was promoting not only Hindi, but also other south Indian languages.</p>

<p>Noting that language plays a significant role in connecting people, Swaraj said Hindi was becoming popular in other countries also.</p>

<p>Recalling the services of political leaders who laid the foundation for propagating Hindi, she said the late Atal Behari Vajpayee was the first Indian leader to address the United Nations General Assembly in the national language.</p>

<p>Carrying forward this great tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in 2014 delivered a speech at the UNGA in Hindi.</p>

<p>Present trends indicated that there was an increase in job opportunities for Hindi graduates.</p>

<p>Hindi offers a promising career as many Hindi publications and news channels have emerged during the past few years, she added.</p>

<p>The Union Minister also said that there was a growing interest among foreign diplomats and dignitaries to learn Hindi. Several countries have requested the Indian government to set up centres of learning to promote Hindi, she said.</p>

<p>The language was also gaining popularity on various social media such as Twitter and Facebook. The sabha was established in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi with the aim of propagating Hindi in southern states.</p>

<p>The institution, which is celebrating its centenary year, was formally inaugurated on June 17, 1918, in the presence of Annie Besant, at the Gokhale Hall in George Town, before it was moved to its present location in T-Nagar here.</p>

<p>In recognition of the services rendered by the Sabha, the Parliament had conferred the status of “Institution of National Importance” by enacting a special act. The act authorises the Sabha to award degrees in Hindi like other universities.</p>

<p>The Union Minister gave away medals and degrees to graduates and post graduates.</p>


External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday lauded the role of Hindi language in developing India’s culture and integrity and said it was increasingly becoming popular in other countries and also in the social media.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday lauded the role of Hindi language in developing India’s culture and integrity and said it was increasingly becoming popular in other countries and also in the social media. Addressing the 82nd convocation of the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha here, she said the institution was promoting not only Hindi, but also other south Indian languages. Noting that language plays a significant role in connecting people, Swaraj said Hindi was becoming popular in other countries also. Recalling the services of political leaders who laid the foundation for propagating Hindi, she said the late Atal Behari Vajpayee was the first Indian leader to address the United Nations General Assembly in the national language. Carrying forward this great tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in 2014 delivered a speech at the UNGA in Hindi. Present trends indicated that there was an increase in job opportunities for Hindi graduates. Hindi offers a promising career as many Hindi publications and news channels have emerged during the past few years, she added. The Union Minister also said that there was a growing interest among foreign diplomats and dignitaries to learn Hindi. Several countries have requested the Indian government to set up centres of learning to promote Hindi, she said. The language was also gaining popularity on various social media such as Twitter and Facebook. The sabha was established in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi with the aim of propagating Hindi in southern states. The institution, which is celebrating its centenary year, was formally inaugurated on June 17, 1918, in the presence of Annie Besant, at the Gokhale Hall in George Town, before it was moved to its present location in T-Nagar here. In recognition of the services rendered by the Sabha, the Parliament had conferred the status of “Institution of National Importance” by enacting a special act. The act authorises the Sabha to award degrees in Hindi like other universities. The Union Minister gave away medals and degrees to graduates and post graduates.

Sushma Swaraj lauds role of Hindi in promoting India’s culture

<p>Saudi Arabia announced another cabinet reshuffle&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;with a heavy focus on culture and religion, as the kingdom undergoes a major image rehaul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the second significant government change since the appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the king, as heir to the region's most powerful throne. Prince Mohammed serves as deputy prime minister under his father, King Salman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State news agency SPA announced King Salman had replaced the country's labour, Islamic affairs and culture ministers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The kingdom also announced it had set up a royal commission for the holy city of Mecca, which is expected to welcome millions of Muslim pilgrims for the annual hajj in August, to be chaired by Prince Mohammed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The powerful Prince Mohammed has consolidated his grip on power since sidelining his cousin as crown prince last June.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has since spearheaded a string of policy changes in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, including reinstating cinemas and allowing women to drive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was also seen as the driving force behind the detention of 200 royals and businessmen at the Ritz Carlton in November in what the government said was a crackdown on corruption. Most have since been released, after reaching settlements with the state.</p>

<p>On Friday, the crown prince earned a harsh warning from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the jihadist group's Yemen branch, over his "sinful projects", which AQAP said included a WWE wrestling event hosted by the kingdom in April.&nbsp;</p>


State news agency SPA announced King Salman had replaced the country's labour, Islamic affairs and culture ministers

Saudi Arabia announced another cabinet reshuffle Saturday with a heavy focus on culture and religion, as the kingdom undergoes a major image rehaul. This is the second significant government change since the appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the king, as heir to the region's most powerful throne. Prince Mohammed serves as deputy prime minister under his father, King Salman. State news agency SPA announced King Salman had replaced the country's labour, Islamic affairs and culture ministers. The kingdom also announced it had set up a royal commission for the holy city of Mecca, which is expected to welcome millions of Muslim pilgrims for the annual hajj in August, to be chaired by Prince Mohammed. The powerful Prince Mohammed has consolidated his grip on power since sidelining his cousin as crown prince last June. He has since spearheaded a string of policy changes in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, including reinstating cinemas and allowing women to drive. He was also seen as the driving force behind the detention of 200 royals and businessmen at the Ritz Carlton in November in what the government said was a crackdown on corruption. Most have since been released, after reaching settlements with the state. On Friday, the crown prince earned a harsh warning from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the jihadist group's Yemen branch, over his "sinful projects", which AQAP said included a WWE wrestling event hosted by the kingdom in April.

Saudi Arabia reshuffles cabinet with eye on culture

<p>British parliamentarians said they were prepared to issue formal summons for Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to appear before them and answer questions over a data scandal which has engulfed the technology giant.</p>

<p>The social network has faced questions on both sides of the Atlantic over how millions of users' details got into the hands of political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, and over its wider handling of personal data.</p>

<p>Zuckerberg previously declined to come in person to answer questions from British lawmakers, instead sending Facebook's Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer to face a four-hour grilling last month. Schroepfer apologised for errors made by the firm and vowed to do more to improve transparency.</p>

<p>But the head of parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Damian Collins said on Tuesday he still wanted Zuckerberg to appear before lawmakers, ideally by May 24, and listed 39 questions or points which remained unanswered.</p>

<p>"While Mr Zuckerberg does not normally come under the jurisdiction of the UK parliament, he will do so the next time he enters the country," Collins wrote in a letter.</p>

<p>"We hope that he will respond positively to our request, but if not the Committee will resolve to issue a formal summons for him to appear when he is next in the UK."</p>


Zuckerberg previously declined to come in person to answer questions from British lawmakers, instead sending Facebook's Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer to face a four-hour grilling last month

British parliamentarians said they were prepared to issue formal summons for Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to appear before them and answer questions over a data scandal which has engulfed the technology giant. The social network has faced questions on both sides of the Atlantic over how millions of users' details got into the hands of political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, and over its wider handling of personal data. Zuckerberg previously declined to come in person to answer questions from British lawmakers, instead sending Facebook's Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer to face a four-hour grilling last month. Schroepfer apologised for errors made by the firm and vowed to do more to improve transparency. But the head of parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Damian Collins said on Tuesday he still wanted Zuckerberg to appear before lawmakers, ideally by May 24, and listed 39 questions or points which remained unanswered. "While Mr Zuckerberg does not normally come under the jurisdiction of the UK parliament, he will do so the next time he enters the country," Collins wrote in a letter. "We hope that he will respond positively to our request, but if not the Committee will resolve to issue a formal summons for him to appear when he is next in the UK."

UK lawmakers prepared to summon Facebook boss Zuckerberg over data scandal

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Afghan dancers perform a traditional dance &#39;Attan&#39; at the Kabul Stadium during&nbsp;the start of a football tournament.</p>

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<p>Source (AFP)</p>
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<p>Afghan Sikh men perform&nbsp;their traditional Chobozi (dance) at a New Year&#39;s Day event in Kabul.</p>

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<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>&nbsp;Afghan children dance as they celebrate Children&#39;s Day at Maher Mother Kindergarten in Kabul.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del6325479%20(1)-20160926074055.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Newly-graduated Afghan National Police performs a national dance.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/6-20160926074131.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan footballers dance in their dorm room at a communal house in Kabul.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Young Afghan men dance during a wedding in Kabul.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>People perform a&nbsp;traditional dance in the Bagh-e-Babur Gardens in Kabul.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>An American woman and an Afghan man dressed in traditional Afghan costumes&nbsp;perform an Afghan folk dance during celebrations to mark the New Year Festival of Nowruz.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/5-20160926075551.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Recovering&nbsp;addicts play music and dance at a drug treatment centre in Jalalabad.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/13-20160926082637.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan men perform a traditional dance &#39;Attan&#39;&nbsp;at the Wazir Akbar Khan hill in Kabul.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/14-20160926082818.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Young Afghan men performing at the &quot;The Sound Central Festival&quot; at French cultural center in Kabul.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/8-20160926083030.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan men dance at a wedding ceremony.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del331712-20160926083728.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan men perform a traditional dance during a mass marriage ceremony of 50 Afghan couples in Herat province.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Young Afghan men jump over a fire as they celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year Festival, in Herat.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Indians of Afghan descent from the Pashtun tribe dance&nbsp;to celebrate the festival of Eid.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan boys dance the traditional dance &#39;Attan&#39;&nbsp;at the Qargha lake near Kabul.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/18-20160928064722.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>Afghan men dance during celebrations on the first night of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in Mazar-i-Sharif.</p>

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<div class="media-description">
<p>Source (AFP)</p>
</div>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Here's a glimpse at the different forms of dance that are integral aspects of Afghan culture.

Afghan dancers perform a traditional dance 'Attan' at the Kabul Stadium during the start of a football tournament. Source (AFP) × Afghan Sikh men perform their traditional Chobozi (dance) at a New Year's Day event in Kabul. Source (AFP) × Afghan children dance as they celebrate Children's Day at Maher Mother Kindergarten in Kabul. Source (AFP) × Newly-graduated Afghan National Police performs a national dance. Source (AFP) × Afghan footballers dance in their dorm room at a communal house in Kabul. Source (AFP) × Young Afghan men dance during a wedding in Kabul. Source (AFP) × People perform a traditional dance in the Bagh-e-Babur Gardens in Kabul. Source (AFP) × An American woman and an Afghan man dressed in traditional Afghan costumes perform an Afghan folk dance during celebrations to mark the New Year Festival of Nowruz. Source (AFP) × Recovering addicts play music and dance at a drug treatment centre in Jalalabad. Source (AFP) × Afghan men perform a traditional dance 'Attan' at the Wazir Akbar Khan hill in Kabul. Source (AFP) × Young Afghan men performing at the "The Sound Central Festival" at French cultural center in Kabul. Source (AFP) × Afghan men dance at a wedding ceremony. Source (AFP) × Afghan men perform a traditional dance during a mass marriage ceremony of 50 Afghan couples in Herat province. Source (AFP) × Young Afghan men jump over a fire as they celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year Festival, in Herat. Source (AFP) × Indians of Afghan descent from the Pashtun tribe dance to celebrate the festival of Eid. Source (AFP) × Afghan boys dance the traditional dance 'Attan' at the Qargha lake near Kabul. Source (AFP) × Afghan men dance during celebrations on the first night of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in Mazar-i-Sharif. Source (AFP) ×

Photos: Afghanistan's diverse dance moves

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about:<br />
<br />
&nbsp;
<ul>
	<li><strong>Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India</strong></li>
</ul>
Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/jaisalmer-20160915100616.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India<br />
&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Kala Pola, Sri Lanka</strong></li>
</ul>
Kala Pola is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del6189267-20160915100439.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka<br />
&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan</strong></li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/bhutan1-20160915103529.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival<br />
&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Rann Utsav, India</strong></li>
</ul>
Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it&rsquo;s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rann1-20160915103938.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Local artists at Rann Utsav</p>
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><strong>World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan</strong></li>
</ul>
An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan&rsquo;s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/pakistan-20160915113108.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan</p>
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><strong>Hornbill Festival, India</strong></li>
</ul>
The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland&rsquo;s cultural identity.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del527342-20160915113835.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival</p>
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><strong>Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan</strong></li>
</ul>
It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan&rsquo;s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/afghan1-20160915012131.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Local Afghan dancers</p>
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><strong>South Ari Atoll, Maldives</strong></li>
</ul>
A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island&rsquo;s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/cqi9uwpumaae2vl.jpg-large-20160916014323.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens</p>
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li><strong>Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh</strong></li>
</ul>
The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/crh9vswuaaamwpn.jpg-large-20160916015136.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh<br />
&nbsp;</p>
</div>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal</strong></li>
</ul>
Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/a8hm7l3ceaac3w9.jpg-large-20160916015737.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal</p>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<em>(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)</em>

Discover how art and culture in South Asia binds the region together

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about: Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you. A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India Kala Pola, Sri Lanka Kala Pola is Sri Lanka’s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate. Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan It’s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested. Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival Rann Utsav, India Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it’s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris. Local artists at Rann Utsav World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan’s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange. World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan Hornbill Festival, India The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland’s cultural identity. A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan’s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year. Local Afghan dancers South Ari Atoll, Maldives A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island’s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives. South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year. Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu. A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

11 cultural festivals in South Asia that you must attend at least once in your lifetime

At the age of 16, living in a remote village in northern Albania, Shkurta Hasanpapaj faced being forced into marriage.&nbsp;There was just one way out, and the young woman grasped it: She took the ancient, gender-bending oath to become a &quot;sworn virgin&quot;.<br />
<br />
At a stroke, her life changed. She renounced sex, married life and parenthood. But in return, she won the right to live as a man and lead her family in a fiercely patriarchal society.&nbsp;Nearly seven decades later, Hasanpapaj prefers to go by the male form of her name, Shkurtan.<br />
<br />
&quot;I chose to be with the men,&quot; she said, as short white hair poked from beneath a cap. &quot;Those who like me call me Shkurtan, those who want to offend me use Shkurta.&quot;<br />
<br />
Seeing out the end of her life in a hospice in the northwestern city of Shkodra, Hasanpapaj is among the last of the sworn virgins, a social status once common in Albania and its neighbours in the Balkans.&nbsp;Today experts estimate that fewer than 10 remain.<br />
<br />
The exceptional life of the sworn virgin is rooted in the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini, a medieval code of conduct that was passed down orally among the clans of the craggy peaks and verdant valleys of northern Albania.<br />
<br />
The Kanun, which also lays out the rules for the nation&#39;s notorious blood feuds, allows two ways to become a &quot;virgjinesha&quot;, as sworn virgins are called in Albanian.&nbsp;One possibility is when all males in the family are dead or gone, and a girl takes the oath in order to take over male duties and rights.<br />
<br />
The other is to invoke it to peacefully avoid an arranged marriage. Without the oath, blood can be shed.<br />
<br />
Refusing a proposal is seen as a major affront that can ignite a feud between the families of the would-be bride and suitor that can span generations.<br />
<br />
Sworn virgins win the right to hold a job, smoke, knock back shots of fiery raki liquor at the bar, wear trousers and even make family decisions.<br />
<br />
You don&#39;t have to &quot;serve food with your head bowed&quot; and &quot;disappear without looking at the guests&quot;, said 62-year-old Djana Rakipi, who also goes by Lali.<br />
<br />
She was born in the remote Tropoja region in northern Albania, but now lives on the coast in Durres.&nbsp;Dressed in a tie and military beret, Rakipi chain-smokes, has a crushing handshake and takes clear pleasure when the guard at the local port calls her &quot;boss&quot;.&nbsp;Rakipi said that, for her, the oath was a form of liberty. The alternative path laid out for women in the Kanun is one of subservience, hard domestic labour and total lack of control.<br />
<br />
&quot;It was difficult for women to be part of life,&quot; said Rakipi. &quot;Being free was taboo.&quot;<br />
<br />
<strong>&#39;They mixed with men&#39;</strong><br />
<br />
For Hasanpapaj the pressure to change came early. She and her twin sister, born in 1932, were seen as a catastrophe by their parents who had already had three sons die. Her sister was named &quot;Sose&quot;, which means &quot;that&#39;s enough&quot; in Albanian.<br />
<br />
During the post-World War II communist regime of Enver Hoxha, Hasanpapaj was a leader of the local branch of the communist party and headed up &quot;a brigade of about 50 farmers&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;I was tough,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
Rakipi also feels nostalgia for the communist regime &quot;that always recognised me as a man&quot;, worked as a soldier training students to assemble a Kalashnikov rifle. She later became a police officer.<br />
<br />
Much like Hasanpapaj, Rakipi says &quot;she doesn&#39;t give a damn&quot; about not having kids and brushed off the matters of sex and relationships.<br />
<br />
&quot;I am in love with nature, the sun. I paint,&quot; Rakipi said. &quot;What better love is there than that?&quot;<br />
<br />
Both these sworn virgins firmly reject homosexuality. With Rakipi saying it is &quot;not moral&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;Two men and two women getting married, that is the end of the world,&quot; she added.<br />
<br />
For British anthropologist Antonia Young, author of a book on sworn virgins, sexuality had nothing to do with the custom. The &quot;virgjinesha&quot; gained the privilege of being admitted into a male-only world, although their gender was never changed on their birth certificates.<br />
<br />
&quot;They were definitely within the masculine world. They mixed with men, they socialised with men, they drank with them, particularly in cafes,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
For any women today who may be tempted into taking the oath of becoming a sworn virgin, much of the significance of the act will be lost as so much has changed in Albanian society, said Young.<br />
<br />
&quot;It won&#39;t be the same - it won&#39;t be for the benefit of the family or the community,&quot; she said. &quot;It would just be for individual choice.&quot;<br />
<br />
(AFP)

The ancient gender-bending oath gives women traditional male freedom: They can hold jobs, smoke, drink and make family decisions

At the age of 16, living in a remote village in northern Albania, Shkurta Hasanpapaj faced being forced into marriage. There was just one way out, and the young woman grasped it: She took the ancient, gender-bending oath to become a "sworn virgin". At a stroke, her life changed. She renounced sex, married life and parenthood. But in return, she won the right to live as a man and lead her family in a fiercely patriarchal society. Nearly seven decades later, Hasanpapaj prefers to go by the male form of her name, Shkurtan. "I chose to be with the men," she said, as short white hair poked from beneath a cap. "Those who like me call me Shkurtan, those who want to offend me use Shkurta." Seeing out the end of her life in a hospice in the northwestern city of Shkodra, Hasanpapaj is among the last of the sworn virgins, a social status once common in Albania and its neighbours in the Balkans. Today experts estimate that fewer than 10 remain. The exceptional life of the sworn virgin is rooted in the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini, a medieval code of conduct that was passed down orally among the clans of the craggy peaks and verdant valleys of northern Albania. The Kanun, which also lays out the rules for the nation's notorious blood feuds, allows two ways to become a "virgjinesha", as sworn virgins are called in Albanian. One possibility is when all males in the family are dead or gone, and a girl takes the oath in order to take over male duties and rights. The other is to invoke it to peacefully avoid an arranged marriage. Without the oath, blood can be shed. Refusing a proposal is seen as a major affront that can ignite a feud between the families of the would-be bride and suitor that can span generations. Sworn virgins win the right to hold a job, smoke, knock back shots of fiery raki liquor at the bar, wear trousers and even make family decisions. You don't have to "serve food with your head bowed" and "disappear without looking at the guests", said 62-year-old Djana Rakipi, who also goes by Lali. She was born in the remote Tropoja region in northern Albania, but now lives on the coast in Durres. Dressed in a tie and military beret, Rakipi chain-smokes, has a crushing handshake and takes clear pleasure when the guard at the local port calls her "boss". Rakipi said that, for her, the oath was a form of liberty. The alternative path laid out for women in the Kanun is one of subservience, hard domestic labour and total lack of control. "It was difficult for women to be part of life," said Rakipi. "Being free was taboo." 'They mixed with men' For Hasanpapaj the pressure to change came early. She and her twin sister, born in 1932, were seen as a catastrophe by their parents who had already had three sons die. Her sister was named "Sose", which means "that's enough" in Albanian. During the post-World War II communist regime of Enver Hoxha, Hasanpapaj was a leader of the local branch of the communist party and headed up "a brigade of about 50 farmers". "I was tough," she said. Rakipi also feels nostalgia for the communist regime "that always recognised me as a man", worked as a soldier training students to assemble a Kalashnikov rifle. She later became a police officer. Much like Hasanpapaj, Rakipi says "she doesn't give a damn" about not having kids and brushed off the matters of sex and relationships. "I am in love with nature, the sun. I paint," Rakipi said. "What better love is there than that?" Both these sworn virgins firmly reject homosexuality. With Rakipi saying it is "not moral". "Two men and two women getting married, that is the end of the world," she added. For British anthropologist Antonia Young, author of a book on sworn virgins, sexuality had nothing to do with the custom. The "virgjinesha" gained the privilege of being admitted into a male-only world, although their gender was never changed on their birth certificates. "They were definitely within the masculine world. They mixed with men, they socialised with men, they drank with them, particularly in cafes," she said. For any women today who may be tempted into taking the oath of becoming a sworn virgin, much of the significance of the act will be lost as so much has changed in Albanian society, said Young. "It won't be the same - it won't be for the benefit of the family or the community," she said. "It would just be for individual choice." (AFP)

Albania's last 'sworn virgins'

Iran destroyed 100,000 satellite dishes and receivers today as part of a widespread crackdown against the illegal devices that authorities say are morally damaging, a news website reported.<br />
<br />
The destruction ceremony took place in Tehran in the presence of General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of Iran&#39;s Basij militia, who warned of the impact that satellite television was having in the conservative country.<br />
<br />
&quot;The truth is that most satellite channels deviate the society&#39;s morality and culture,&quot; he said at the event according to Basij News.<br />
<br />
&quot;What these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and insecurity in society.&quot;<br />
<br />
Naghdi added that a total of one million Iranians had already voluntarily handed over their satellite apparatuses to authorities.<br />
<br />
Under Iranian law, satellite equipment is banned and those who distribute, use, or repair them can be fined up to $2,800.&nbsp;Iranian police regularly raid neighbourhoods and confiscate dishes from rooftops.<br />
<br />
Culture minister Ali Jannati pleaded on Friday for a revision of the law.<br />
<br />
&quot;Reforming this law is very necessary as using satellite is strictly prohibited, but most people use it,&quot; Jannati said.&nbsp;&quot;This means that 70 per cent of Iranians violate the law by owning satellite dishes.&quot;<br />
<br />
Naghdi criticised Jannati&#39;s comments and said those in charge of cultural affairs &quot;should be truthful with people rather than following what pleases them&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;Most of these satellite channels not only weaken the foundation of families but also cause disruptions in children&#39;s education and children who are under the influence of satellite have improper behaviour,&quot; Naghdi said.<br />
<br />
There are dozens of foreign-based Farsi satellite channels broadcasting mostly news, entertainment, films and series.&nbsp;Conservatives regularly denounce the channels as an attempt to corrupt Iranian culture and Islamic values.<br />
<br />
Moderate President Hassan Rouhani, whose four-year mandate ends in June 2017, has repeatedly said that the ban on satellite dishes is unnecessary and counterproductive.<br />
<br />
(AFP)

The action is a part of a crackdown against satellite channels that 'deviate the society's morality and culture,' authorities said

Iran destroyed 100,000 satellite dishes and receivers today as part of a widespread crackdown against the illegal devices that authorities say are morally damaging, a news website reported. The destruction ceremony took place in Tehran in the presence of General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of Iran's Basij militia, who warned of the impact that satellite television was having in the conservative country. "The truth is that most satellite channels deviate the society's morality and culture," he said at the event according to Basij News. "What these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and insecurity in society." Naghdi added that a total of one million Iranians had already voluntarily handed over their satellite apparatuses to authorities. Under Iranian law, satellite equipment is banned and those who distribute, use, or repair them can be fined up to $2,800. Iranian police regularly raid neighbourhoods and confiscate dishes from rooftops. Culture minister Ali Jannati pleaded on Friday for a revision of the law. "Reforming this law is very necessary as using satellite is strictly prohibited, but most people use it," Jannati said. "This means that 70 per cent of Iranians violate the law by owning satellite dishes." Naghdi criticised Jannati's comments and said those in charge of cultural affairs "should be truthful with people rather than following what pleases them". "Most of these satellite channels not only weaken the foundation of families but also cause disruptions in children's education and children who are under the influence of satellite have improper behaviour," Naghdi said. There are dozens of foreign-based Farsi satellite channels broadcasting mostly news, entertainment, films and series. Conservatives regularly denounce the channels as an attempt to corrupt Iranian culture and Islamic values. Moderate President Hassan Rouhani, whose four-year mandate ends in June 2017, has repeatedly said that the ban on satellite dishes is unnecessary and counterproductive. (AFP)

Iran destroys 100,000 satellite dishes

Kids and adults were seen enjoying getting dirty on the first day of annual mud festival in the South Korean coastal city of Boryeong today.<br />
<br />
According to the event organiser, about 580,000 locals and foreigners gathered to &#39;get messy&#39; at the city&#39;s 19th Mud Festival in Boryeong, located about 190km (120 miles) southwest of Seoul.<br />
<br />
<strong>&#39;I feel like a child&#39;</strong><br />
<br />
The festival ritual is the same for all visitors as they arrive in clean clothes and soon get very dirty - so much so that they can hardly recognise themselves.<br />
<br />
&quot;I feel like a child again. I feel like when I was a little kid I used to run around at home and played in the mud and my mom always get mad at me. But now I can do whatever I want. So it&#39;s awesome to come back here enjoying myself with my friends having a great time. So it has been a lot of fun,&quot; 31-year-old US citizen, Anthony Lopeze, said.<br />
<br />
Some areas of the festival site allowed revellers to play in mud wrestling pits filled with grayish goo, as well as so-called mud prisons and also in mud baths.<br />
<br />
&quot;Actually it&#39;s pretty fun I grew up on the island, I&#39;m from island Guam. I&#39;m used be being outdoors, and I miss just like the outdoors. I enjoyed the mud I&#39;m used to being on the beach and I&#39;d just love the being outside,&quot; said Flores Rico, 23-year-old US citizen.<br />
<br />
Many South Korean families from various regions also enjoyed the muddy experience with their children.<br />
<br />
&quot;We&#39;re from a different region. It took about five hours by bus to be here. I&#39;m so happy to come Boryeong Mud Festival with my son and have a good time,&quot; 48-year-old South Korean father, Jeong Sang-yong said.<br />
<br />
The nine-day festival will continue until July 24.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Some areas of the festival site allowed revellers to play in mud wrestling pits filled with grayish goo

Kids and adults were seen enjoying getting dirty on the first day of annual mud festival in the South Korean coastal city of Boryeong today. According to the event organiser, about 580,000 locals and foreigners gathered to 'get messy' at the city's 19th Mud Festival in Boryeong, located about 190km (120 miles) southwest of Seoul. 'I feel like a child' The festival ritual is the same for all visitors as they arrive in clean clothes and soon get very dirty - so much so that they can hardly recognise themselves. "I feel like a child again. I feel like when I was a little kid I used to run around at home and played in the mud and my mom always get mad at me. But now I can do whatever I want. So it's awesome to come back here enjoying myself with my friends having a great time. So it has been a lot of fun," 31-year-old US citizen, Anthony Lopeze, said. Some areas of the festival site allowed revellers to play in mud wrestling pits filled with grayish goo, as well as so-called mud prisons and also in mud baths. "Actually it's pretty fun I grew up on the island, I'm from island Guam. I'm used be being outdoors, and I miss just like the outdoors. I enjoyed the mud I'm used to being on the beach and I'd just love the being outside," said Flores Rico, 23-year-old US citizen. Many South Korean families from various regions also enjoyed the muddy experience with their children. "We're from a different region. It took about five hours by bus to be here. I'm so happy to come Boryeong Mud Festival with my son and have a good time," 48-year-old South Korean father, Jeong Sang-yong said. The nine-day festival will continue until July 24. (Reuters)

580,000 locals, foreigners gather to 'get messy' on first day of South Korea's annual mud festival

<p>The statue in the town square of a Houston suburb depicting two young&nbsp;women&nbsp;posing for a selfie was meant to be a sign of the times. It has unleashed another sign of the times - a heated social media debate.<br />
<br />
The statue in Sugar Land, just outside of City Hall, was part of an installation of pieces donated to the city. Residents have been quick to weigh in on social media.<br />
<br />
&quot;Selfie Statue, Seriously? Sugarland what are your officials thinking,&quot; one Twitter comment read. Said another: &quot;I hope someone demolishes that disgrace of culture and an eye sore.&quot;<br />
<br />
Others defended the selfie statue. &quot;Let&rsquo;s Be Honest: The #SelfieStatue in #SugarLand, TX is a Perfect Sign of the Times,&quot; said one commentator. Added another: &quot;Unpopular Opinion: The Sugar Land, TX, selfie statue everyone is talking about is both art and good art.&quot;<br />
<br />
The statue in question is part of a group donated from a local resident. Others in the group include a statue of a man playing a guitar, and one of an alligator, installed near a pond.<br />
<br />
Some fans of the selfie statue have posed for selfies in front of it, while others praised the work but slammed the artist for depicting the&nbsp;women&nbsp;using what appears to be an outdated phone.<br />
<br />
Sugar Land city spokesman Doug Adolph said the selfie statue depicts something seen every day and yet &quot;it has upset some people.&quot;<br />
<br />
&quot;You can&#39;t please everyone,&quot; he said.</p>


The statue in the town square of a Houston suburb depicting two young?women?posing for a selfie has sparked off a heated social media debate

The statue in the town square of a Houston suburb depicting two young women posing for a selfie was meant to be a sign of the times. It has unleashed another sign of the times - a heated social media debate. The statue in Sugar Land, just outside of City Hall, was part of an installation of pieces donated to the city. Residents have been quick to weigh in on social media. "Selfie Statue, Seriously? Sugarland what are your officials thinking," one Twitter comment read. Said another: "I hope someone demolishes that disgrace of culture and an eye sore." Others defended the selfie statue. "Let’s Be Honest: The #SelfieStatue in #SugarLand, TX is a Perfect Sign of the Times," said one commentator. Added another: "Unpopular Opinion: The Sugar Land, TX, selfie statue everyone is talking about is both art and good art." The statue in question is part of a group donated from a local resident. Others in the group include a statue of a man playing a guitar, and one of an alligator, installed near a pond. Some fans of the selfie statue have posed for selfies in front of it, while others praised the work but slammed the artist for depicting the women using what appears to be an outdated phone. Sugar Land city spokesman Doug Adolph said the selfie statue depicts something seen every day and yet "it has upset some people." "You can't please everyone," he said.

Selfie statue fails to click with some in Houston suburb

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