Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world on Tuesday began moving from the holy city of Mecca to nearby Mina for the start of the hajj, the world’s largest annual gathering. Almost two million people are expected to take part in this year’s pilgrimage, undeterred by a crane collapse in Mecca earlier this month that killed 109 people ...

Colombians have been crossing the border on foot since the main crossings were closed on 19 August President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, have agreed to gradually reopen their common border. Venezuela closed the border a month ago and launched a major anti-smuggling operation. Mr Maduro says smuggling has led to shortages in parts ...

Sourav Ganguly, the joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal, has become the face of Bengal cricket after Jagmohan Dalmiya’s death. The next Board presidential candidate must find a proposer from the East Zone in order to contest. News from the BCCI is that there will be no interim arrangement in terms of nominating a successor for the late ...

Mohammad Amir: “I’m not worrying over when I will play for Pakistan, instead I am just focussing on my domestic form and then leaving the rest to the selectors.” Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has said that a return to international cricket is not his current focus and has stressed that domestic cricket will be his top priority in the ...

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after his side’s 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday. Costa, 26, put his hands in the face of Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny prior to clashing with Gunners defender Gabriel, who was sent off. The FA has also charged Gabriel, 24, with improper conduct and both clubs ...

US extradition proceedings against Jack Warner, a former vice-president of football’s world governing body Fifa, are to go ahead after being approved by Trinidad’s attorney general. The US wants to try Mr Warner, 72, a Trinidadian national, on corruption charges. He is accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes. He and 13 other current or former Fifa officials were ...

Japan coach Eddie Jones has warned Scotland that his team want to be more than “one-hit wonders” after their sensational win over South Africa at the World Cup. Karne Hesketh crossed in the final minute to win the World Cup Pool B encounter in Brighton on Saturday. The Brave Blossoms face Scotland on Wednesday in their second match. “We have ...

The Mayor of Tower Hamlets and the leaders of the two opposition groups on Tower Hamlets Council will be writing to the Prime Minister to pledge support to refugees affected by the current crisis. At a meeting of the full council on Sept 16, Mayor John Biggs introduced an emergency motion in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the ...

The Mayor of London’s Diwali festival is returning to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 11 October, with an uplifting and vibrant mix of music, dance and live performance, as well as displays and food stalls. Londoners from all communities and visitors to the capital are invited to attend the celebrations, which feature lively music and dance, delicious food and drink, plus ...

On September 24, Tower Hamlets Council and Barts Health NHS Trust will promote healthy lifestyles in Whitechapel. Nourish: Whitechapel is a street food festival that will take place just in front of The Royal London Hospital from 11am to 3pm. Visitors can enjoy around ten different street food stalls – including handmade Italian pasta that will get your mouth watering, ...