RAMALLAH/GAZA — The killing of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank sparked condemnation and outrage among the Palestinians. The journalist was killed on Wednesday morning. Abu Akleh’s colleagues, Palestinian eyewitnesses, and medics told Xinhua news agency that the “Israeli soldiers opened fire at her and another journalist when they were covering […]
Middle East
Al Jazeera journalist shot dead by Israeli forces in West Bank
JERUSALEM — Palestinian health ministry Wednesday said that the Israeli forces have shot dead Al Jazeera’s journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank. The ministry said that she was hit by a live bullet while covering Israeli raids in the city of Jenin and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. “She […]
Saudi Arabia greenlights Haj travel, India’s quota of pilgrims fixed at 79,237, say officials
NEW DELHI — Saudi Arabia has informed India that pilgrims will be able to travel to that country for Haj this year and the Indian quota has been fixed at 79,237 pilgrims due to Covid limitations, Ministry of Minority Affairs officials said on Friday. The Saudi government has also told the Indian side that only […]
Over 150 Palestinians injured as Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa mosque
JERUSALEM — More than 150 Palestinians were injured at dawn on Friday as the Israeli police stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Anadolu Agency reports. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 152 Palestinians were injured during clashes with the Israeli police in the courtyards of the mosque. The Palestinians were injured by rubber bullets, tear […]
Haj 2022: Saudi Arabia to allow one million pilgrims
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s haj. The Ministry of Haj and Umrah “has authorised one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the hajj this year,” it said in a statement. It is “open to those […]
Turkey’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque holds 1st Tarawih prayer in 88 years
ISTANBUL — Turkey’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul held its first Tarawih prayer in 88 years late Friday, a special evening prayer during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. A number of events for Ramadan will also be held at the mosque, which was converted into a museum in 1934 and regained its status […]
Indian restaurant sealed in Bahrain after veiled woman denied entry
MANAMA — An Indian restaurant in Bahrain was shut down by authorities after a veiled woman was denied entry into the restaurant. The incident took place at the Bahrain Lanterns – an Indian restaurant located in the Adliya area of the country’s capital Manama. Following the incident, the restaurant issued a formal apology on their […]
Woman gives birth to one-eyed child in Yemen
BAYDA — A woman gave birth to a one-eyed in Radaa city of Bayda province in Yemen. Multiple news reports quoting, Hussein al-Abbasi, the husband of the wife said he took his wife Zahra al-Abbasi to Al-Hilal maternity hospital in Radaa for delivering the baby. “The wife gave birth to a baby with one eye […]
Turkey opens world’s longest suspension bridge linking Asia and Europe
ISTANBUL — President Tayyip Erdogan opened a massive suspension bridge across Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait on Friday, the latest in a series of major infrastructure projects which he has prioritised during his two decades in power. Connecting Turkey’s European and Asian shores, the 1915 Canakkale Bridge was built by Turkish and South Korean firms with an […]
Saudi Arabia executes 81 convicts for terrorism, other offences
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of crimes ranging from killings to belonging to militant groups, the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom in its modern history. The number of executed surpassed even the toll of a January 1980 mass execution for the 63 militants convicted of seizing […]