Hamas says Gaza truce talks pointless as Israel wages ‘hunger war’

Hajj Pilgrimage in MeccaMore than 1.4 million Muslims have commenced this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, following last year's tragic incident where 1,300 people died due to extreme heat. In response, Saudi authorities have enhanced safety measures, including planting trees, installing cooling units, and banning children under 12, while enforcing fines for unregistered pilgrims. The first day's rituals included changing into Ihram, circling the Kaaba, and traveling to Mina, with guidelines to mitigate heat effects...

ACCORDING TO THE unofficial ideologue of Israel’s government, Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, claims the war in Gaza is progressing positively, with a new aid distribution plan seen as a “game-changer” against Hamas. Despite his previous opposition to ceasefires, he now supports the government's aim to defeat Hamas, although the ultra-Orthodox coalition partners may threaten the government over a military service exemption law for religious students. Smotrich's stance indicates his willingness to remain in the...

Ireland's prestigious Trinity College Dublin announced it will sever all ties with Israel due to ongoing violations of international and humanitarian law, as recommended by a taskforce following student protests. The university will divest from all Israeli companies, halt future contracts and mobility agreements with Israeli universities, and refrain from new research collaborations involving Israeli participation. This decision aligns with Ireland's strong pro-Palestinian sentiment and its recent recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state, amid...

On April 12, 2024, the US and Iran began their first nuclear negotiations under the Trump administration since September 2023, exploring options for allowing and blocking Iranian uranium enrichment amidst complex diplomatic discussions. Central to these talks is the issue of Iran's advanced centrifuges, which pose a significant threat as they can enable rapid nuclear weapon production if not destroyed. Ultimately, the negotiations appear more focused on providing symbolic victories for both leaders rather than...

SummaryAs tensions rise between Paris and Tel Aviv, two senior French officials have arrived in Israel for discussions ahead of a France-Saudi Arabia-sponsored international conference aimed at supporting the two-state solution. While France insists the conference is not about recognizing a Palestinian state, Israel fears it may be a cover for such an action, viewing it as a direct threat. The conference is expected to address disarming Hamas, securing hostages, and reforming the Palestinian Authority,...

Saudi officials are utilizing artificial intelligence to manage the influx of pilgrims during the hajj, employing over 15,000 cameras to monitor crowd movements and predict bottlenecks, thereby enhancing safety at this large-scale event. The technology also aids in guiding 20,000 buses for transportation between holy sites and assists in identifying unregistered pilgrims, with measures such as drones and thermal imaging cameras in place to secure the area. This proactive approach aims to prevent past tragedies,...