UAE President, VPs congratulate leaders of Arab, Islamic nations on advent of Ramadan – World

The hajj pilgrimage began on Wednesday, with over 1.4 million worshippers facing extreme heat in Mecca, where temperatures could exceed 40°C (104°F). Authorities have implemented enhanced anti-heat measures, including increased shaded areas and a larger medical presence, to prevent a recurrence of last year's heat-related deaths, which totaled 1,301. Pilgrims, dressed in ihram, will perform rituals such as tawaf around the Kaaba and proceed to Mina, while authorities intensify efforts against unregistered pilgrims using drones...

Syrian singer Ishtar has resumed performances in Damascus after a hiatus due to fears of restrictions following the Islamist-led takeover that ousted Bashar al-Assad. While some bars and restaurants face closures and licensing issues, the nightlife scene is slowly reviving, with discussions on personal freedoms becoming more common despite recent violent incidents at nightclubs. The new authorities have been criticized for not fully protecting personal freedoms, yet there remains a cautious optimism among locals about...

The Israeli military conducted shelling in Syria in response to projectile launches, with Defence Minister Israel Katz holding Syria's leader responsible. Syria's foreign affairs ministry denied the allegations, asserting it poses no threat to the region and condemning the Israeli strikes as a violation of sovereignty. The Israeli military confirmed two projectiles crossed into its territory, prompting air raid sirens, while reports indicated Israeli bombardments targeted areas in southern Syria, specifically the Yarmuk Basin and...

SummaryThe Trump administration is proposing an interim plan allowing Iran to enrich uranium at low levels while negotiating a comprehensive deal to prevent nuclear weapon development, as reported by the New York Times. The plan includes building nuclear reactors in Iran and managing enrichment facilities with regional partners, but Iranian officials insist on maintaining their right to enrich uranium, a point of contention as President Trump opposes any enrichment. The deal remains vague on key...

Israel conducted airstrikes on southern Syria targeting weapons shortly after two projectiles were reportedly fired from Syria into Israel. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attacks, citing significant casualties and accusing Israel of destabilizing the region while holding interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa responsible for the incursion. Despite ongoing indirect talks, tensions have escalated, with Israel intensifying its military actions in Syria since Sharaa's leadership during a rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad's regime in December...

The BBC's Anna Foster hosts a special Today Debate titled "Israel-Gaza - are we witnessing war crimes?" The panel includes Lyse Doucet, BBC's chief international correspondent, and Michael Kleiner, president of the Supreme Court of the Israeli Likud party. Additional voices in the discussion feature Afif Safieh, who played a role in the first official US-Palestinian dialogue, Baroness Helena Kennedy, a Labour peer and human rights lawyer, and Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace talks...