- Middle East
Brazilian footballer Kathleen Souza performs Umrah after embracing Islam
Makkah: Brazilian footballer Kathleen Souza, captain of Al Nassr’s women’s team, has performed the Umrah pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, after announcing that she converted to Islam, drawing…
- Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Over 100 cheated in Umrah booking scam, probe underway
Hyderabad: More than 100 people in Hyderabad have alleged that they were cheated in an Umrah booking scam involving nearly Rs 1 crore, after a tour operator promised low-cost packages but failed…
- Middle East
Director of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ rejects Berlin award over Gaza
Gaza Strip: Oscar-nominated Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania has recently declined a major film award at an event in Berlin, after an Israeli general was recognised at the same event. Ben Hania…
- Middle East
Kuwait to roll out freelance visa for expats
Kuwait City: Kuwait is moving to introduce a regulated freelance visa for expat workers as part of efforts to reform its labour market and curb the long-standing trade in residency permits. The…
- World
Taliban permit husbands to beat wives if no bones are broken
Kabul: A new penal code introduced by the Taliban in Afghanistan permits husbands to physically punish their wives and children under certain conditions and establishes a tiered justice system based on social…
- Middle East
At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa region
At least 10 people were killed and 30 others wounded in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley late on Friday, February 20, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA). This comes…
- Middle East
Registration opens for Itikaf 2026 at Grand Mosque, Prophet’s Mosque
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Friday, February 20, announced the opening of registration for the Islamic ritual of Itikaf, or seclusion, for men and women at the Two Holy Mosques during the holy…
- Middle East
Gaza death toll in first 16 months of war far higher than reported: Lancet study
Gaza Strip: More than 75,000 Palestinians were killed during the first 16 months of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza Strip, significantly exceeding figures released by local authorities at the time, according to…
- Middle East
FIFA to raise USD 75M for Gaza sports infrastructure under Trump’s Board of Peace
Washington: United States President Donald Trump announced that International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) will help raise USD 75 million to rebuild sports facilities in the Gaza Strip during the inaugural meeting…
- Middle East
Trump administration considers 5,000-person military base in Gaza: Report
Gaza Strip: The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering plans to establish a large military base in the Gaza Strip to support a proposed multinational security mission, according to a…
- Middle East
Iran warns US bases, assets in region could be ‘legitimate targets’ if attacked
Tehran: Iran has warned that United States (US) military bases and assets in the Middle East would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington launches any attack, according to a letter sent to…
- Middle East
Israel bans Ramzan decorations in occupied Jerusalem amid tighter security
Jerusalem: Israeli authorities have banned Ramzan decorations across parts of occupied East Jerusalem and tightened security measures as the holy month began on Wednesday, February 18, affecting the religious and cultural life…
- Middle East
Umrah pilgrims advised to get meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before travel
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has advised people planning to perform Umrah during the holy month of Ramzan to receive the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before travelling. The…
- Middle East
Indian workers assaulted in ‘premeditated’ racist ambush in Israel
Ashkelon: Two Indian workers were assaulted in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon near the Gaza border in what has been described as a racially motivated attack, according to the Israeli Public…
- Middle East
Tucker Carlson detained in Israel after he interviewed US envoy
US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson claimed that he and his staff were briefly detained by Israeli security staff at the Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, February 18, shortly after he conducted an interview…
