Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
More than 2 million Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest city, in Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reports.
Why it matters: Every able-bodied Muslim is required to take part in the five-day pilgrimage at least once in their life to visit the Kaaba, a cube-shaped building considered the holiest site in Islam, and perform a series of other holy rituals.
A Shell station in Brazil. Photo: Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Royal Dutch Shell will shed up to 9,000 jobs as it undergoes a long-term restructuring around climate-friendly energy sources and continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic that has battered the oil industry.
Why it matters: The cuts could amount to over 10% of the company's global workforce, which was 83,000 at the end of 2019.
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
Scientists are racing to learn more about the damage the novel coronavirus can do to the heart, lungs and brain.
Why it matters: It’s becoming increasingly clear that some patients struggle with its health consequences — and costs — far longer than a few weeks.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios