The sacred plains of Arafat reverberated with the powerful chants of "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" as millions of Muslim pilgrims gathered for the most significant day of Hajj 2025. From the early hours of the morning, the vast desert landscape transformed into a sea of white,

US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order banning entry into the United States for nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, citing national security concerns. The remaining countries are Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo,

More than a million worshippers were set to join Islam's most important rite under a beating sun as the hajj pilgrimage kicked off on Wednesday, with authorities scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. In temperatures that are expected to climb to

Former US President Joe Biden, while in office, said he wanted Russia to be destroyed, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde. Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, the Brazilian leader said that at first he had condemned

In a substantial move to curb Ukraine’s intensified drone attacks, Russia has proclaimed to deploy over 100 satellites into orbit to elevate its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) control and surveillance capabilities. The move comes in the wake of a series of Ukrainian drone strikes

South Korea's centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law. Lee won a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of

The issue of settlement in Ukraine is very complex, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, commenting on the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. "We have repeatedly said that the issue of settlement is extremely complex and consists of a large number

Mongolia’s Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament, marking the end of his tenure amid widespread protests and corruption allegations. The secret ballot saw 82 lawmakers participate, with 44 supporting Oyun-Erdene, while

Millions of South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday in a snap presidential election triggered by the dramatic impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law late last year. The vote comes amid deep political divisions, with

At least 24 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while waiting near an aid distribution point in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to local health officials, in what appears to be another deadly incident amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. The director of a hospital in

Poland’s National Electoral Commission has declared Karol Nawrocki the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote in a closely contested runoff against Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%. The victory by Nawrocki, a

At least 21 people have been killed and dozens injured in an incident near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  The organization reported a mass casualty influx, with 179 wounded individuals, including

Beijing has accused Washington of severely violating the trade truce agreed upon in Geneva last month, vowing to take strong countermeasures to protect its economic interests. China's Ministry of Commerce stated that US actions have seriously undermined the agreement, which had

United States President Donald Trump told reporters late on Friday he wanted to assure Chinese international students in the country that they would be fine amid his administration’s crackdown on academia. Trump’s administration this week said it would specifically target

India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan confirmed on Saturday that his country’s fighter jets were shot down by Pakistan during the four-day conflict earlier in the month. Indian fighter jets were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force on the night of May 6-7 in

Israel launched airstrikes on western Syria late Friday, targeting sites in Latakia and Tartous, in what marked its first aerial assault on the country in nearly a month. The attack came just a day after a top US envoy suggested that tensions between Israel and Syria could be resolved

Gaza has become the "hungriest place on Earth," according to the United Nations, as humanitarian conditions spiral and Israeli restrictions continue to severely limit the flow of life-saving aid into the besieged enclave. The entire population of Gaza—2.3 million

US President Donald Trump has announced a steep increase in tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, raising duties from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday. Speaking at a campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Trump said the measure is aimed at revitalising the domestic steel sector and

The death toll in central Nigeria flash floods has risen to 36 after rescuers recovered more bodies, an emergency services spokesman told AFP Friday. Flooding after torrential rains late on Wednesday washed away more than 50 homes in the city of Mokwa in central Niger state, drowning

A US plan for Gaza seen by Reuters on Friday proposes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 28 Israeli hostages alive and dead in the first week, in return for the release of 125 Palestinian prisoners sentenced for life and remnants of 180 Palestinian dead. The plan includes sending