The Mariupol Drama Theatre has reopened to the public, years after being hit by a devastating strike in 2022. The reopening symbolizes resilience and recovery for the city and its residents. This report highlights the restoration efforts and the significance of cultural revival in Mariupol.

Mariupol Drama Theatre Reopens Its Doors After 2022 Strike Devastation 

Sambhal, India
Government officials in the Sambhal district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday (Dec 13) reopened an ancient temple which was closed since the communal riots in 1978.
The government authorities had "stumbled" upon the Hindu temple during an anti-encroachment drive in Sambhal close to the Shahi Jama Masjid, reported news agency PTI. Inside the temple, the authorities found a Shivling and a Hanuman idol.
As per the locals, the Bhasma Shankar temple had existed since 1978 after communal riots led to the local Hindu community's displacement.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra, who was heading the campaign against electricity theft in the area, said that the officials stumbled upon the temple while carrying out an inspection in the region.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sambhal-violence-judicial-commission-team-arrives-to-probe-violence-780612">Sambhal violence: Judicial commission team arrives to probe violence</a>
"Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities. We all came here together and decided to reopen the temple," she said, while further confirming that the temple had remained closed for decades. 
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Uttar Pradesh: Morning aarti being performed at the Hanuman Temple which was discovered in Sambhal during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by district police and administration, yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/QUBwGb3sNc">pic.twitter.com/QUBwGb3sNc</a>
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There is also a well close to the temple, which officials have planned to reopen.
<h2>Priests perform aarti at Bhasma Shankar temple after 46 years</h2>
On the morning of Sunday (Dec 15), priests performed morning pooja and aarti at the temple. The personnel of Uttar Pradesh Police were deployed outside the temple. 
The priests had cleaned the temple premises and also made arrangements for electricity.
Acharya Brahm Shukla, who performed the aarti at the temple, said to ANI, "We came in the morning and cleaned the temple to perform the aarti. A Brahmin should be appointed here so that he can stay here. Till the time caretaker (for this temple) is appointed, we will take responsibility."
Watch: India: Four killed in Sambhal Violence, Prohibitory Orders Imposed
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The officials said that CCTV cameras were also installed for security purposes.
Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra said that the anti-encroachment drive was carried out for structures built on public property and added that the officials will restore the temple to its original structure.
"We have written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)...Police will be deployed near the temple," she said.
District Magistrate (DM) Rajendra Pensiya said that the ancient well close to the site will also be opened.
"The (ancient Lord Shiva) temple is being cleaned. A ramp had been built over the ancient well. When we dismantled the ramp, the well was revealed," said DM Pensiya.
On November 24, Sambhal got embroiled in violence after tensions erupted over the survey of Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on orders of the court.
(With inputs from agencies)

According to Sambhal officials, they "stumbled" upon the Hindu temple when an anti-encroachment drive was carried out in the Khaggu Sarai area close to the Shahi Jama Masjid

 



Sambhal, India Government officials in the Sambhal district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday (Dec 13) reopened an ancient temple which was closed since the communal riots in 1978. The government authorities had "stumbled" upon the Hindu temple during an anti-encroachment drive in Sambhal close to the Shahi Jama Masjid, reported news agency PTI. Inside the temple, the authorities found a Shivling and a Hanuman idol. As per the locals, the Bhasma Shankar temple had existed since 1978 after communal riots led to the local Hindu community's displacement. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra, who was heading the campaign against electricity theft in the area, said that the officials stumbled upon the temple while carrying out an inspection in the region. Also Read: Sambhal violence: Judicial commission team arrives to probe violence "Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities. We all came here together and decided to reopen the temple," she said, while further confirming that the temple had remained closed for decades. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Morning aarti being performed at the Hanuman Temple which was discovered in Sambhal during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by district police and administration, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/QUBwGb3sNc — ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2024 × There is also a well close to the temple, which officials have planned to reopen. Priests perform aarti at Bhasma Shankar temple after 46 years On the morning of Sunday (Dec 15), priests performed morning pooja and aarti at the temple. The personnel of Uttar Pradesh Police were deployed outside the temple. The priests had cleaned the temple premises and also made arrangements for electricity. Acharya Brahm Shukla, who performed the aarti at the temple, said to ANI, "We came in the morning and cleaned the temple to perform the aarti. A Brahmin should be appointed here so that he can stay here. Till the time caretaker (for this temple) is appointed, we will take responsibility." Watch: India: Four killed in Sambhal Violence, Prohibitory Orders Imposed The officials said that CCTV cameras were also installed for security purposes. Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra said that the anti-encroachment drive was carried out for structures built on public property and added that the officials will restore the temple to its original structure. "We have written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)...Police will be deployed near the temple," she said. District Magistrate (DM) Rajendra Pensiya said that the ancient well close to the site will also be opened. "The (ancient Lord Shiva) temple is being cleaned. A ramp had been built over the ancient well. When we dismantled the ramp, the well was revealed," said DM Pensiya. On November 24, Sambhal got embroiled in violence after tensions erupted over the survey of Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on orders of the court. (With inputs from agencies)

Ancient Hindu temple, closed since 1978 riots, reopens in India's Sambhal

Russian Chess Federation Chief Andrei Filatov has accused China’s Ding Liren of deliberately losing the World Chess Championship contest against India’s D Gukesh after the latter won his maiden title in Singapore on Thursday (Dec 12). In a tightly contested battle between the duo, Gukesh won the game 14 and won the title with a score of 7.5-6.5. However, according to Filatov there was foul play in game 14, and accused Liren of deliberately losing the match.

<h2>Filatov accuses Liren</h2>

"The result of the last game caused bewilderment among professionals and chess fans. The actions of the Chinese chess player in the decisive segment are extremely suspicious and require a separate investigation by FIDE," Filatov was quoted as saying.

"Losing the position in which Ding Liren was is difficult even for a first-class player. The defeat of the Chinese chess player in today's game raises a lot of questions and looks like a deliberate one," he added.

On the 55th move of game 14, Liren made a blunder opening the door for Gukesh’s huge win. Three moves later, Liren lost to Gukesh, therefore, paving the way for his loss in the World Chess Championship.

Filatov’s accusations come amid a fraught backdrop for Russian chess and sports in general. Russia’s sporting reputation has been tarnished in recent years by doping scandals and its exclusion from various international events due to the war in Ukraine. The nation’s prominence in chess, however, remains significant, adding weight to Filatov’s statements.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/bgt-gabba-test-preview-redemption-or-repetition-india-australia-gear-up-for-blockbuster-clash-783727">BGT, Gabba Test Preview: Redemption or repetition? India-Australia gear up for blockbuster clash</a>

<h2>Gukesh scripts history</h2>

Russian great Garry Kasparov had held the record for the youngest world champion until Gukesh’s success at 18. &nbsp;Kasparov won the 1985 World Chess Championship when he was 22, a record he held until the Indian star’s success in Singapore.

An emotional Gukesh was seen in tears after his mammoth success while the entire chess fraternity congratulated him on his win.

Russian Chess Federation Chief Andrei Filatov has accused China’s Ding Liren of deliberately losing the World Chess Championship contest against India’s D Gukesh after the latter won his maiden title in Singapore on Thursday (Dec 12).

Russian Chess Federation Chief Andrei Filatov has accused China’s Ding Liren of deliberately losing the World Chess Championship contest against India’s D Gukesh after the latter won his maiden title in Singapore on Thursday (Dec 12). In a tightly contested battle between the duo, Gukesh won the game 14 and won the title with a score of 7.5-6.5. However, according to Filatov there was foul play in game 14, and accused Liren of deliberately losing the match. Filatov accuses Liren "The result of the last game caused bewilderment among professionals and chess fans. The actions of the Chinese chess player in the decisive segment are extremely suspicious and require a separate investigation by FIDE," Filatov was quoted as saying. "Losing the position in which Ding Liren was is difficult even for a first-class player. The defeat of the Chinese chess player in today's game raises a lot of questions and looks like a deliberate one," he added. On the 55th move of game 14, Liren made a blunder opening the door for Gukesh’s huge win. Three moves later, Liren lost to Gukesh, therefore, paving the way for his loss in the World Chess Championship. Filatov’s accusations come amid a fraught backdrop for Russian chess and sports in general. Russia’s sporting reputation has been tarnished in recent years by doping scandals and its exclusion from various international events due to the war in Ukraine. The nation’s prominence in chess, however, remains significant, adding weight to Filatov’s statements. ALSO READ | BGT, Gabba Test Preview: Redemption or repetition? India-Australia gear up for blockbuster clash Gukesh scripts history Russian great Garry Kasparov had held the record for the youngest world champion until Gukesh’s success at 18. Kasparov won the 1985 World Chess Championship when he was 22, a record he held until the Indian star’s success in Singapore. An emotional Gukesh was seen in tears after his mammoth success while the entire chess fraternity congratulated him on his win.

Witnessing an improvement in the&nbsp;COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the&nbsp;government&nbsp;announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1.

The government's decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The panel, which was&nbsp;set up by the DDMA earlier this week, submitted its report. It&nbsp;recommended a phase-wise reopening of schools in the national capital.

Watch: Some Sri Lankans opt for cardboard coffins amid COVID-19 surge

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Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said a final decision was yet to be made regarding junior classes, adding that a call would be taken after analysing the effect of reopening schools for senior classes.

The sources indicated that schools for classes VI to VIII may reopen from September 8.&nbsp;

In order to ensure the reopening does not lead to a spike in the cases again,&nbsp;the Delhi government has also directed private aided and unaided schools to vaccinate their teachers and staff ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/india-records-46759-covid-19-cases-509-deaths-408954" hreflang="en">India records 46,759 COVID-19 cases, 509 deaths</a>

The Directorate of Education of the city's government has also issued a circular in this regard. "It is the prime concern of Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi to ensure the vaccination of all teachers and staff working in schools of Delhi. Therefore, all the HOS/managers of private aided/unaided schools in Delhi, are hereby directed to ensure that their teachers and staff get vaccinated immediately," it read.

"In the above context, all the private aided/unaided schools are also advised to facilitate their teachers and staff by making special arrangements for vaccination at schools/cluster levels in consultation and coordination with concerned authorities," the circular said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Witnessing an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the government announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1.

Witnessing an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Indian Capital, the government announced on Friday that schools for classes IX to XII, colleges and coaching institutions will reopen from September 1. The government's decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The panel, which was set up by the DDMA earlier this week, submitted its report. It recommended a phase-wise reopening of schools in the national capital. Watch: Some Sri Lankans opt for cardboard coffins amid COVID-19 surge × Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said a final decision was yet to be made regarding junior classes, adding that a call would be taken after analysing the effect of reopening schools for senior classes. The sources indicated that schools for classes VI to VIII may reopen from September 8. In order to ensure the reopening does not lead to a spike in the cases again, the Delhi government has also directed private aided and unaided schools to vaccinate their teachers and staff ahead of the September 1 deadline. Also Read: India records 46,759 COVID-19 cases, 509 deaths The Directorate of Education of the city's government has also issued a circular in this regard. "It is the prime concern of Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi to ensure the vaccination of all teachers and staff working in schools of Delhi. Therefore, all the HOS/managers of private aided/unaided schools in Delhi, are hereby directed to ensure that their teachers and staff get vaccinated immediately," it read. "In the above context, all the private aided/unaided schools are also advised to facilitate their teachers and staff by making special arrangements for vaccination at schools/cluster levels in consultation and coordination with concerned authorities," the circular said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Capital reopens schools for classes IX to XII from September 1

Friends will hug, pints will be pulled and swathes of the British economy will reopen on Monday, giving 65 million people a measure of freedom after the gloom of a four-month COVID-19 lockdown.&nbsp;

Most of the British will be free once again to hug, albeit cautiously, drink a pint in their pub, sit down to an indoor meal or visit the cinema after a series of lockdowns that imposed the strictest restrictions in peacetime history.&nbsp;

The biggest public health crisis in a century was accompanied by a drastic extension of state power; during England's lockdowns police broke up parties and protests alike, shut down religious services and handed out fines of up to 10,000 pounds ($14,000) to youngsters for partying.&nbsp;

As freedom beckons once more, there is excitement. &nbsp;

"I shall be hugging literally everyone I can get my hands on," British actress Joanna Lumley told The Telegraph newspaper. "I shall snatch babies from their mothers, and lean over zimmer frames." &nbsp;

"I shall hug girls at the till, the picture framer, and lads playing footie in the park. Much later obviously I shall be hugging police personnel as I am charged at the station. Hugger-mugger, that’s me."&nbsp;

Beside the euphoria, though, there is also anxiety.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who before he imposed three national lockdowns had railed against the 'nanny' tendencies of the British state, advised people to cuddle cautiously and served notice that the spread of the coronavirus variant first identified in India meant that the final UK reopening in June could be delayed.&nbsp;

"Together, we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution," Johnson said in a statement.&nbsp;

There is growing concern about variant B.1.617.2 which British scientific advisers say will become the dominant variant in the United Kingdom and which is more transmissible than B.1.1.7 (the variant first identified in Kent, England).&nbsp;

Broadly, from Monday, in England gatherings of up to 30 people will be allowed outdoors, two families will be allowed to meet indoors; cafes, bars and restaurants will reopen for indoor service; care home residents will be allowed to have five visitors; and face coverings will no longer be compulsory in schools. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Friends will hug, pints will be pulled and swathes of the British economy will reopen on Monday, giving 65 million people a measure of freedom after the gloom of a four-month COVID-19 lockdown.

Friends will hug, pints will be pulled and swathes of the British economy will reopen on Monday, giving 65 million people a measure of freedom after the gloom of a four-month COVID-19 lockdown. Most of the British will be free once again to hug, albeit cautiously, drink a pint in their pub, sit down to an indoor meal or visit the cinema after a series of lockdowns that imposed the strictest restrictions in peacetime history. The biggest public health crisis in a century was accompanied by a drastic extension of state power; during England's lockdowns police broke up parties and protests alike, shut down religious services and handed out fines of up to 10,000 pounds ($14,000) to youngsters for partying. As freedom beckons once more, there is excitement. "I shall be hugging literally everyone I can get my hands on," British actress Joanna Lumley told The Telegraph newspaper. "I shall snatch babies from their mothers, and lean over zimmer frames." "I shall hug girls at the till, the picture framer, and lads playing footie in the park. Much later obviously I shall be hugging police personnel as I am charged at the station. Hugger-mugger, that’s me." Beside the euphoria, though, there is also anxiety. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who before he imposed three national lockdowns had railed against the 'nanny' tendencies of the British state, advised people to cuddle cautiously and served notice that the spread of the coronavirus variant first identified in India meant that the final UK reopening in June could be delayed. "Together, we have reached another milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution," Johnson said in a statement. There is growing concern about variant B.1.617.2 which British scientific advisers say will become the dominant variant in the United Kingdom and which is more transmissible than B.1.1.7 (the variant first identified in Kent, England). Broadly, from Monday, in England gatherings of up to 30 people will be allowed outdoors, two families will be allowed to meet indoors; cafes, bars and restaurants will reopen for indoor service; care home residents will be allowed to have five visitors; and face coverings will no longer be compulsory in schools. (With inputs from agencies)

Free at last to hug and party: UK reopens for business 

Nepal inaugurated the new 22-storey, 84-meter white tower, that was built two and a half centuries ago as per the orders of then Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari, by showering flowers from the top-floor balcony and declaring it open to the general public.

Nepal's iconic Dharahara Tower reopens

The Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) ocean liner has been given a new lease of life as a floating hotel in Dubai, 10 years after the Gulf Arab emirate bought it for $100 million.

State-owned Dubai World bought the QE2 from Cunard Line in 2007, but the 2008 financial crisis delayed any plans for the 40-year-old vessel, one of the world's most famous ships.

Now the QE2, permanently moored at Mina Rashid port, has been refurbished based on the original design, from its carpets to the theatre and even restaurant menus featuring dishes served in the liner's heyday.

A reception housed in a boat-shaped structure at the quay welcomed guests to an official opening on Wednesday (April 18).

Large portraits of United Arab Emirates rulers hang opposite portraits of a young Queen Elizabeth II and Samuel Cunard, founder of the company that built the ship.

The QE2 first entered service in 1969 and has sailed around the world 25 times, carrying more than 2.5 million passengers, the company said.

In its new incarnation, it has 1,300 rooms, with rates ranging from less than $200 to as much as $15,000 for a suite. It also has a museum and 13 restaurants and bars.

Dubai hopes the QE2 will boost tourism in the most visited city in the Middle East, which welcomed over 15 million tourists in 2017. Officials say they are targeting 20 million by 2020.

Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the world's largest ocean liner, was also docked at Mina Rashid on Wednesday and sounded its horns to mark the occasion.

State-owned Dubai World bought the QE2 from Cunard Line in 2007

The Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) ocean liner has been given a new lease of life as a floating hotel in Dubai, 10 years after the Gulf Arab emirate bought it for $100 million. State-owned Dubai World bought the QE2 from Cunard Line in 2007, but the 2008 financial crisis delayed any plans for the 40-year-old vessel, one of the world's most famous ships. Now the QE2, permanently moored at Mina Rashid port, has been refurbished based on the original design, from its carpets to the theatre and even restaurant menus featuring dishes served in the liner's heyday. A reception housed in a boat-shaped structure at the quay welcomed guests to an official opening on Wednesday (April 18). Large portraits of United Arab Emirates rulers hang opposite portraits of a young Queen Elizabeth II and Samuel Cunard, founder of the company that built the ship. The QE2 first entered service in 1969 and has sailed around the world 25 times, carrying more than 2.5 million passengers, the company said. In its new incarnation, it has 1,300 rooms, with rates ranging from less than $200 to as much as $15,000 for a suite. It also has a museum and 13 restaurants and bars. Dubai hopes the QE2 will boost tourism in the most visited city in the Middle East, which welcomed over 15 million tourists in 2017. Officials say they are targeting 20 million by 2020. Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the world's largest ocean liner, was also docked at Mina Rashid on Wednesday and sounded its horns to mark the occasion.

Watch: Luxury ship Queen Elizabeth II reopens as floating hotel in Dubai

Riyadh&#39;s Ritz-Carlton Hotel reopened on Sunday, more than three months after it was converted into a gilded prison for members of Saudi Arabia&#39;s business and political elite detained in an anti-corruption purge.

The gates of the luxury hotel, where US President Donald Trump stayed during his state visit last year, had been shuttered and patrolled by black-uniformed royal guard units while dozens of princes, former ministers and business tycoons were interrogated inside.

The detainees were removed from the hotel two weeks ago, most released after cutting a deal with the authorities or being exonerated, an apparent sign that the corruption investigation, which sent shockwaves through the business community, was winding down.

A handful of smart-suited businessmen, forced to decamp to other hotels since November, returned to the Ritz on Sunday.

&quot;It&#39;s an honour (to be back),&quot; said one foreign consultant as he waited for a luxury car to take him to work.

He said the purge had not left any trace on the 492-room hotel where the lowest rate is 2,439 riyals ($650) a night.

&quot;You forget about it as soon as you&#39;re in your room and you get lost in your own bubble.&quot;

The hotel&#39;s opulent lobby appeared normal. Uniformed waiters milled below crystal chandeliers as acoustic Arabic music filtered through speakers and incense wafted from a gilt burner.

Managers declined an interview request, but the company confirmed in a statement that the hotel had &quot;resumed normal business operations as of today&quot;.

Among the most high-profile occupants during the anti-corruption campaign were global investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender for the throne.

Prince Miteb was freed after agreeing to pay over $1 billion, a Saudi official told Reuters.

Prince Alwaleed maintained his innocence of any corruption in a Reuters interview hours before his release. A senior Saudi official later said he was freed after reaching a financial settlement, without detailing the terms.

The attorney general has said the government had arranged to seize more than $106 billion through such agreements, an assertion Reuters has been unable to verify.

Critics decried the campaign as a shakedown and power play by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is aiming to overhaul the way the deeply conservative kingdom is run and wean it off dependence on oil revenues.

Ten days before the purge began, the Ritz hosted an international business conference where Prince Mohammed spoke onstage and snapped selfies with admirers. Some participants later ended up as detainees.

In the absence of more information, speculation ran wild about what was happening inside the Ritz. The authorities denied rumours of torture and attempted suicides.

The attorney general has said 56 people remain in custody. They are believed to have been moved to prison after refusing to admit wrongdoing and may end up in court.

Ahmed al-Safer, a Yemeni-American businessman who regularly stays at the Ritz, stopped in on Sunday to have tea with friends.

Asked if the purge had affected the hotel&#39;s reputation, he said: &quot;Right now it&#39;s famous. Everyone will visit just to take a picture.&quot;

The detainees were removed from the hotel two weeks ago

Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton Hotel reopened on Sunday, more than three months after it was converted into a gilded prison for members of Saudi Arabia's business and political elite detained in an anti-corruption purge. The gates of the luxury hotel, where US President Donald Trump stayed during his state visit last year, had been shuttered and patrolled by black-uniformed royal guard units while dozens of princes, former ministers and business tycoons were interrogated inside. The detainees were removed from the hotel two weeks ago, most released after cutting a deal with the authorities or being exonerated, an apparent sign that the corruption investigation, which sent shockwaves through the business community, was winding down. A handful of smart-suited businessmen, forced to decamp to other hotels since November, returned to the Ritz on Sunday. "It's an honour (to be back)," said one foreign consultant as he waited for a luxury car to take him to work. He said the purge had not left any trace on the 492-room hotel where the lowest rate is 2,439 riyals ($650) a night. "You forget about it as soon as you're in your room and you get lost in your own bubble." The hotel's opulent lobby appeared normal. Uniformed waiters milled below crystal chandeliers as acoustic Arabic music filtered through speakers and incense wafted from a gilt burner. Managers declined an interview request, but the company confirmed in a statement that the hotel had "resumed normal business operations as of today". Among the most high-profile occupants during the anti-corruption campaign were global investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender for the throne. Prince Miteb was freed after agreeing to pay over $1 billion, a Saudi official told Reuters. Prince Alwaleed maintained his innocence of any corruption in a Reuters interview hours before his release. A senior Saudi official later said he was freed after reaching a financial settlement, without detailing the terms. The attorney general has said the government had arranged to seize more than $106 billion through such agreements, an assertion Reuters has been unable to verify. Critics decried the campaign as a shakedown and power play by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is aiming to overhaul the way the deeply conservative kingdom is run and wean it off dependence on oil revenues. Ten days before the purge began, the Ritz hosted an international business conference where Prince Mohammed spoke onstage and snapped selfies with admirers. Some participants later ended up as detainees. In the absence of more information, speculation ran wild about what was happening inside the Ritz. The authorities denied rumours of torture and attempted suicides. The attorney general has said 56 people remain in custody. They are believed to have been moved to prison after refusing to admit wrongdoing and may end up in court. Ahmed al-Safer, a Yemeni-American businessman who regularly stays at the Ritz, stopped in on Sunday to have tea with friends. Asked if the purge had affected the hotel's reputation, he said: "Right now it's famous. Everyone will visit just to take a picture."

Saudi Ritz reopens after stint as gilded prison of princes

&nbsp;Bali airport reopened on Wednesday,&nbsp;Indonesian authorities said, two days after a volcanic eruption spread ash across the holiday island and forced its airport to close, stranding tourists and spurring evacuation efforts.

&quot;Bali&#39;s international airport started operating normally,&quot; air traffic control provider AirNav said in a statement, adding that operations resumed at 2:28 p.m. (0628 GMT).

The reopening followed a downgrade in the authorities&#39; aviation warning to &quot;orange&quot;, one level below the most serious.

The decision to resume operations followed an emergency meeting at the airport, weighed up weather conditions, tests and data from AirNav and other groups, AirNav added.

Singapore Airlines Ltd said it would resume flights between Singapore and Bali on Wednesday. Australia&#39;s Qantas Airways Ltd said it and budget arm Jetstar would run 16 flights to Australia on Thursday to ferry home 3,800 stranded customers.

A large plume of white and grey ash and smoke hovered above Agung on Wednesday, after night-time rain partially obscured a fiery glow at its peak over the last few days.

President Joko Widodo implored residents living in a zone around Agung deemed at risk to seek refuge in emergency centres, as winds sending an ash cloud southwest across the island once again halted flights.

Earlier, the transport ministry had said Bali&#39;s airport, the country&#39;s second biggest, would stay shut until at least 7 a.m. on Thursday (2300 GMT on Wednesday).

A spokesman for Bali&#39;s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport said as many as 430 domestic and international flights had been disrupted on Wednesday by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) away from Mount Agung.

Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Its last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages.

Layers of ash coated cars, roofs and roads in an area southeast of the crater. Children wore masks to walk to school.

Authorities want residents in a radius of about 8 km to 10 km (5 miles to 6 miles) around the volcano to head for emergency centres, warning a larger eruption could be &quot;imminent&quot;. But some are reluctant to leave homes and livestock unattended.

&quot;Those in the 8- to 10-kilometer radius must truly take refuge for safety,&quot; President Widodo told reporters.

He also asked emergency services, military and officials to assist evacuees and help stranded tourists get home.

&quot;There must not be any victims hit by the eruption,&quot; Widodo said.

'Bali's international airport started operating normally,' air traffic control provider AirNav said in a statement, adding that operations resumed at 2:28 p.m. (0628 GMT)

Bali airport reopened on Wednesday, Indonesian authorities said, two days after a volcanic eruption spread ash across the holiday island and forced its airport to close, stranding tourists and spurring evacuation efforts. "Bali's international airport started operating normally," air traffic control provider AirNav said in a statement, adding that operations resumed at 2:28 p.m. (0628 GMT). The reopening followed a downgrade in the authorities' aviation warning to "orange", one level below the most serious. The decision to resume operations followed an emergency meeting at the airport, weighed up weather conditions, tests and data from AirNav and other groups, AirNav added. Singapore Airlines Ltd said it would resume flights between Singapore and Bali on Wednesday. Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd said it and budget arm Jetstar would run 16 flights to Australia on Thursday to ferry home 3,800 stranded customers. A large plume of white and grey ash and smoke hovered above Agung on Wednesday, after night-time rain partially obscured a fiery glow at its peak over the last few days. President Joko Widodo implored residents living in a zone around Agung deemed at risk to seek refuge in emergency centres, as winds sending an ash cloud southwest across the island once again halted flights. Earlier, the transport ministry had said Bali's airport, the country's second biggest, would stay shut until at least 7 a.m. on Thursday (2300 GMT on Wednesday). A spokesman for Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport said as many as 430 domestic and international flights had been disrupted on Wednesday by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) away from Mount Agung. Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Its last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages. Layers of ash coated cars, roofs and roads in an area southeast of the crater. Children wore masks to walk to school. Authorities want residents in a radius of about 8 km to 10 km (5 miles to 6 miles) around the volcano to head for emergency centres, warning a larger eruption could be "imminent". But some are reluctant to leave homes and livestock unattended. "Those in the 8- to 10-kilometer radius must truly take refuge for safety," President Widodo told reporters. He also asked emergency services, military and officials to assist evacuees and help stranded tourists get home. "There must not be any victims hit by the eruption," Widodo said.

Indonesia reopens Bali airport after closure over volcano activity

After a break of 20 years,&nbsp;Afghanistan&#39;s first&nbsp;cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln.

In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant, built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995, heralds the revival of an industry shattered by decades of war and destruction.

&quot;By selling our products and improving the factory&#39;s production, we can avoid having our young generation go abroad,&quot; said Amir Mohammad. &quot;If there are job possibilities, they can stay with their families and look after their children.&quot;

But the outdated state-owned plant 75 km (47 miles) outside Kabul also shows how far there is to go before that promise can be achieved and there are serious questions whether the plant has a viable future unless it is thoroughly modernised.

Jabal Saraj, which now employs 150 workers, is a small factory with daily capacity of 100 tonnes and equipment that is at least 40 years out of date, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a 2011 report.

&quot;We&#39;ve tried our best and got the factory running using its old machinery,&quot; said Abdul Wakil, one of a group of former workers who have returned to help get the plant working again. &quot;As long as we have electricity, it will work.&quot;

Talks with a private operator to develop a separate, larger plant at Jabal Saraj have run for months, but for now, the government has decided the old plant still serves a purpose, a spokesman for the country&#39;s mines and petroleum ministry said.

&quot;This old factory is useful and has a profitable production capacity,&quot; Mohyaddin Noori added. &quot;It provides job opportunities.&quot;

Afghanistan&#39;s only other major&nbsp;cement&nbsp;manufacturer, the Ghori&nbsp;cement&nbsp;plant, has daily capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes, but domestic industry is dwarfed by the millions of tonnes of imports from neighbours, including Pakistan and Iran.

That fierce competition makes it tough to find domestically produced&nbsp;cement&nbsp;in Kabul&#39;s main wholesale markets, even despite the fact that domestic&nbsp;cement&#39;s bulk and relatively low cost should penalize foreign&nbsp;cement, trucked in hundreds of miles.

&quot;We have only Pakistani&nbsp;cement,&quot; said trader Ershad Shinwari. &quot;Afghan-made&nbsp;cement&nbsp;is not coming to us.&quot;

Demand for building materials has fallen sharply since international forces left in 2014 but the market has not collapsed and director Mohammadi hopes for domestic growth.

&quot;There is huge demand for&nbsp;cement&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan,&quot; he said. &quot;We&#39;ve got the factory working, so it will give investors a chance.&quot;

For the moment, however, Jabal Saraj relies on government subsidy to survive. The economics may be tough, but it is people nearby who are mainly looking for work.

&quot;We ask the other countries to help this factory and provide new machinery to replace the old machines,&quot; said plant worker Wazir Mohammad.

&quot;It will be very useful for our people as long as there is poverty in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;and everyone suffers insecurity.&quot;

After a break of 20 years,?Afghanistan's first?cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln. In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995.

After a break of 20 years, Afghanistan's first cementfactory is once more clanking noisily in the countryside near Kabul as crushed-up limestone rocks rattle along a battered conveyor belt to the newly restored kiln. In an area desperately short of industry and jobs, workers hope the relaunch of the plant, built by Czech engineers in 1957 and shut by the Taliban in 1995, heralds the revival of an industry shattered by decades of war and destruction. "By selling our products and improving the factory's production, we can avoid having our young generation go abroad," said Amir Mohammad. "If there are job possibilities, they can stay with their families and look after their children." But the outdated state-owned plant 75 km (47 miles) outside Kabul also shows how far there is to go before that promise can be achieved and there are serious questions whether the plant has a viable future unless it is thoroughly modernised. Jabal Saraj, which now employs 150 workers, is a small factory with daily capacity of 100 tonnes and equipment that is at least 40 years out of date, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a 2011 report. "We've tried our best and got the factory running using its old machinery," said Abdul Wakil, one of a group of former workers who have returned to help get the plant working again. "As long as we have electricity, it will work." Talks with a private operator to develop a separate, larger plant at Jabal Saraj have run for months, but for now, the government has decided the old plant still serves a purpose, a spokesman for the country's mines and petroleum ministry said. "This old factory is useful and has a profitable production capacity," Mohyaddin Noori added. "It provides job opportunities." Afghanistan's only other major cement manufacturer, the Ghori cement plant, has daily capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes, but domestic industry is dwarfed by the millions of tonnes of imports from neighbours, including Pakistan and Iran. That fierce competition makes it tough to find domestically produced cement in Kabul's main wholesale markets, even despite the fact that domestic cement's bulk and relatively low cost should penalize foreign cement, trucked in hundreds of miles. "We have only Pakistani cement," said trader Ershad Shinwari. "Afghan-made cement is not coming to us." Demand for building materials has fallen sharply since international forces left in 2014 but the market has not collapsed and director Mohammadi hopes for domestic growth. "There is huge demand for cement in Afghanistan," he said. "We've got the factory working, so it will give investors a chance." For the moment, however, Jabal Saraj relies on government subsidy to survive. The economics may be tough, but it is people nearby who are mainly looking for work. "We ask the other countries to help this factory and provide new machinery to replace the old machines," said plant worker Wazir Mohammad. "It will be very useful for our people as long as there is poverty in Afghanistan and everyone suffers insecurity."

Hopes and fears for jobs as Afghan cement factory reopens

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