内容摘要：Centuries-old manuscripts in Oualata libraries face destruction as desert sands encroach on the ancient Mauritanian town.

Centuries-old manuscripts in Oualata libraries face destruction as desert sands encroach on the ancient Mauritanian town.

Burmistrov said he is aware of Western companies that have threatened to blacklist Russian partners over their use of parallel imports, although he declined to name any firms.“Then, there are those who turn a blind eye to the issue. Finally, there are those who continue actively trading with Russia through intermediaries, effectively facilitating parallel imports themselves”.

While boycotting Russia was a voluntary decision for most companies, producers of so-called luxury goods have additional legal perils to consider under US and European sanctions.Luxury goods are defined broadly, including cars with a market value of more than 50,000 euros, home appliance hairdryers, washing machines and refrigerators worth more than $750, and smartphones worth more than $300, among other items.While violating sanctions is a criminal offence in many countries, enforcement is generally country-specific. Any company registered in a jurisdiction that did not impose sanctions, such as the UAE or China, is not legally bound to comply with another country's restrictions.

The US, owing to its outsize influence over the global economy, offers an exception with its practice of imposing secondary sanctions.Under Washington’s sanctions regime, companies registered anywhere in the world are at risk of being blacklisted if they are deemed to be helping Russia evade sanctions.

Some human rights advocates argue that manufacturers are responsible for the sale of their products, whether sold with their approval or not, under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

"Companies are responsible for how their products are being used. It’s crucial for companies to make sure that they are not causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts related to their operations. They should seek to prevent or mitigate the adverse human rights effects," Ella Skybenko, a researcher at the London-based Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, told Al Jazeera.An estimated 1.8 million Muslims are preparing to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which begins on June 4.

The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims from all over the world and a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many.In this visual explainer, we cover 10 frequently asked questions about the Hajj, providing insights into its significance, rituals and preparations.

1. What is the Hajj?The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and it is the fifth and final pillar of Islam, along with declaration of faith (shahada), five daily prayers, obligatory charity (