Once a pro-Iran bastion, Damascus shrine district now in rebel hands

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has urged the UN to establish an independent commission to investigate the recent Israeli killings of civilians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza, where at least 35 civilians were killed and over 150 injured by Israeli gunfire in al-Mawasi. Hamas condemned these actions as a massacre, accusing Israel of using aid centers as traps to harm starving civilians and called for urgent UN actions to stop the violence and ensure humanitarian...

SummaryEgypt has announced plans to construct Jirian city, a desert development that will redirect 7% of the Nile River's annual quota to support upscale housing and a major agricultural project. This initiative aims to address severe water shortages, economic challenges, and increase the value of state assets, as stated by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The project, covering 6.8 million sq meters, will include residential and commercial spaces, a yacht marina, and a free economic zone,...

Over 1.3 million Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca for this year's hajj, which begins amid forecasted temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Saudi authorities have implemented extensive safety measures, including deploying 250,000 officials, increasing shaded areas, and utilizing AI and drones for crowd management, following a deadly heatwave last year that resulted in over 1,300 deaths. Despite the intense heat, pilgrims express joy and fulfillment in their spiritual journey, while a crackdown...

Gaza City is experiencing a severe water crisis, with supplies falling below 25% of the minimum requirement, as 75% of water wells have been destroyed by Israeli forces since October 2023. The daily water supply has drastically reduced from 120,000 cubic meters to just 35,000, leading to a per capita share of only 3 to 12 liters, far below the recommended 100 liters. The municipality has called on the international community for urgent assistance to...

A targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, injured several demonstrators advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, according to the FBI. Eyewitnesses reported a man throwing a homemade Molotov cocktail at the peaceful gathering of the Jewish community, leading to multiple burn injuries. Local authorities are investigating the incident, which has drawn condemnation from various leaders, with the Anti-Defamation League labeling it an antisemitic attack during the "Boulder Run for Their Lives"...

In March 2025, the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) issued a fatwa declaring armed jihad against Israel a personal obligation for Muslims, urging military and economic action. The fatwa faced backlash, particularly from Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, which emphasized that such declarations should come from state institutions to avoid confusion. In Indonesia, despite some support from officials, the fatwa contradicted established practices of the Indonesian Ulema Council, which advocates for peaceful support of Palestine, highlighting...