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World Hum

Architects and Mecca: Re-Designing Islam’s Most Holy SiteToday

A shortlist of 18 possible architects has been drawn up for the daunting task of re-designing the mosque complex at Mecca, the Independent reports. Brits Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid are reportedly among the finalists. The planned re-development would more than triple capacity at the site, from the current 900,000 to a mind-boggling 3 million, making it the world’s highest-occupancy building.

Photo by FLORA1 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

California’s Proposition 8 Fallout: Boycott Utah?Today

Supporters of gay marriage—angered by reports that members of the Mormon Church donated millions of dollars to support Proposition 8 on California’s November ballot—are calling for a boycott of Utah, including the Sundance Film Festival. 

The Onion: ‘American Airlines Now Charging Fees to Non-Passengers’Today

"Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures,” the airline’s president told America’s finest news source.

Standoff Continues at Bangkok AirportToday

The numbers are staggering: More than 100,000 tourists have been stranded, and the occupation by anti-government protesters at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport has continued through the weekend. Elsewhere in the city, thousands of pro-government supporters have also gathered, and fears of violence have escalated. A grenade wounded 46 protesters at an anti-government sit-in at the Prime Minister’s compound on Sunday.

What the Mumbai Attacks Say About the City and Travel SecurityToday

Like everyone, I spent the last few days following updates on the horrible terrorist attacks that killed nearly 200 people, including 18 foreigners, in Mumbai. A couple of articles published in recent days have struck me. In an op-ed in the New York Times, Suketu Mehta explained why Mumbai, of all Indian cities, is an appealing target for terrorists.