Grammys boss announces China festival partnership

The Saudi government has lifted social distancing measures, allowing full-capacity attendance at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Follow DW for the latest.

In the quiet Texas town of Rockdale, North America's largest bitcoin mine is part of an already bustling US business now boosted by Beijing's intensified crypto crackdown that has pushed the industry west.

Hundreds of drug users shelter in squalid conditions under a bridge in western Kabul synonymous with hard drugs and violent crime - and since the Taliban came to power, raids on areas where addicts gather have become more frequent. With poppies cheap and easy to grow, Afghanistan provides around 90 percent of the world's production of heroin, but since retaking power the Taliban have pledged to ban narcotics production.

A couple in India's southern state of Kerala use a large cooking pot borrowed from a temple to get through floodwaters and reach their wedding venue. The southern state has been hit by days of heavy rain, triggering landslides and floods that have claimed at least 27 lives.

A report in the "Financial Times" suggested China had launched a low orbit "missile" that could penetrate current defense systems. The Asian superpower said it was for "peaceful" usage.

Tired of seeing the lush Amazon destroyed over many years, Brazilian street artist Mundano decided to let nature speak for itself: he has painted a giant mural in Sao Paolo using ashes he collected from the scorched rainforest.

Queen Elizabeth has politely declined the Oldie of the Year Award as she told organisers you're "as old as you feel".

The South Korean drama 'Squid Game' is the most successful original Netflix series to date, and has helped boost the streaming giant's subscriber numbers. The company added 4.4 million paying customers between July and September, according to its latest financial results. The platform is also expecting a further influx of viewers as it releases new episodes and films later this year. Meanwhile, we see another boost to the price of Bitcoin from the launch of a Wall Street fund.

The US president has voiced his concern over China's missile capabilities as his nominee to be the next ambassador to the country said "we certainly cannot trust the Chinese" over the issue of Taiwan.

In a square in central Fez, the steady beat of hammers on copper has returned - a welcome signal for the ancient Moroccan city's thousands of artisans that trade is slowly picking up after a brutal COVID-induced slump. Activity is still some way below pre-pandemic levels, and master coppersmith Mohammed Kobbi says the high cost of the metal has hit profit margins. "The situation is starting to improve," he told Reuters as he hurried past Seffarine Square to deliver an order of eight large pans to a local restaurant.

Portuguese stunt performer Kevin Chaves launched on Thursday (October 21) a record breaking attempt to perform his rola-bola motorbike act in 50-cities around the world, starting with London. The 21-year-old, who performs with Circus Berlin, balanced on skateboards stacked on a motorbike. "Well I performed the skateboard stunt which I balance on a cylinder, which is my act," he told Reuters.

The president says the United States has a "commitment" to protect Taiwan as China continues to impose its sovereignty on the island. Beijing has urged Washington to act with caution on the Taiwan issue.