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Category: Global

  • With AI and more shade, Saudi set for a searing hajj

    With AI and more shade, Saudi set for a searing hajj

    With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than a million hajj pilgrims amid punishing summer heat that has a deadly history in the holy city of Mecca.

    Saudi Arabia’s hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities and organisers ahead of this year’s pilgrimage.

    “One of the big challenges that we always face is the increasing temperature across the different years and this is an issue that we give top priority,” he told AFP during an exclusive interview in Riyadh.

    The issue is all the more pressing as officials work to prevent a repeat of last year’s hajj, which saw more than 1,300 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.24 degrees Fahrenheit).

    This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.

    Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajj, he added.

    Such efforts build on the work of previous years that have seen renovations to areas around the Grand Mosque and asphalt areas covered with a special layer to help reduce surface temperatures.

    “These new changes will definitely ensure the safety and the better experience of pilgrims when they perform their hajj,” said Rabiah.

    He said this week that more than a million people from across the globe had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, with more still pouring in.

    In 2024, 1.8 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca during the pilgrimage.


    – Permit crackdown –

    The latest artificial intelligence software will help monitor the deluge of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca.

    “We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback,” the minister said.

    Crowd management has proved perilous in the past, notably in 2015 when a stampede caused about 2,300 deaths.

    Along with expanding infrastructure and deploying more personnel, Saudi officials have been cracking down to prevent pilgrims without the right paperwork from entering Mecca.

    Officials say more than 80 percent of the deaths during last year’s hajj were among pilgrims who lacked official permits, which prevented them from accessing services including air-conditioned tents.

    Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery.

    But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many to attempt the hajj without a permit — though they risk arrest and deportation if caught.

    To head off a flood of illicit pilgrims entering Mecca, authorities have launched raids, mounted a widespread media campaign and increased fines for those found violating the rules, which includes a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom.

    “Therefore, having a permit is very crucial, very important for the safety of all,” said Rabiah.

    “We count on all Muslims to come only with permits and also we count on all countries to support us to ensure that only those with permits come to hajj.”

    This year’s pilgrimage will begin on June 4 and take place over at least four days, mostly outdoors.

    The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to do so.

    For the past several years the mainly outdoor rituals have fallen during the sweltering Saudi summer.

    “The hajj pilgrimage is a sacred journey that the leadership of the kingdom and the whole people of the kingdom take it seriously,” the minister told AFP.

    “They see it as a duty to work hard to ensure the spiritual fulfilment and safety of pilgrims.”

  • US suspends student visa processing as Trump ramps up social media vetting

    US suspends student visa processing as Trump ramps up social media vetting

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday ordered a suspension of student visa processing as President Donald Trump’s administration ramps up vetting of their social media, according to an internal cable.

    It is the latest move that takes aim at international students, a major source of revenue for US universities, after Rubio rescinded hundreds of visas and the Trump administration moved to bar Harvard University from admitting any non-Americans.

    A cable signed by Rubio and seen by AFP orders embassies and consulates not to allow “any additional student or exchange visa… appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.”

    It said the State Department “plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applications.”

    The cable suggested that the suspension could be brief, telling embassies to receive new guidance in the “coming days,” although US missions already frequently see major backlogs in processing applications.

    State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce did not comment directly on the cable but said that “we take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country.”

    “It’s a goal, as stated by the president and Secretary Rubio, to make sure that people who are here understand what the law is, that they don’t have any criminal intent, that they are going to be contributors to the experience here, however short or long their status,” she said.

    Asked if students seeking to study at US universities should expect visas to be ready before terms begin in the autumn, Bruce said only: “If you’re going to be applying for a visa, follow the normal process, the normal steps, (and) expect to be looked at.”

    Rubio last week told a Senate hearing that he has revoked “thousands” of visas since Trump took office on January 20.

    Rubio has used an obscure law that allows the secretary of state to remove foreigners for activities deemed counter to US foreign policy interests.

    The most visible targets have been students involved in activism over Gaza. Trump administration officials accused students of anti-Semitism, charges strenuously denied by a number of the people targeted.

  • Man throws grenade at ex-girlfriend’s house, accidentally kills himself

    Man throws grenade at ex-girlfriend’s house, accidentally kills himself

    A man lost his life while attempting to harm his ex-girlfriend after she refused to reconcile on May 25 in Surat Thani province, Thailand.

    According to local media reports, the man went to his ex-girlfriend’s house and tried to convince her to patch things up. When she refused, he threw an M26 grenade towards her home.

    The grenade did not explode at first, but when he attempted to throw it a second time, it blew up in his hand, killing him on the spot.

    Three elderly relatives of the woman were injured in the explosion, while the ex-girlfriend remained unharmed, having run inside the house moments before the blast.

    Police later arrived at the scene and found 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’, in the man’s car, which was also damaged in the explosion.

    Officials confirmed that the man had a criminal record and had previously served five months in jail for drug-related offences in 2020.

  • Hajj flight forced to return twice after pilgrim denied boarding; no issues after permission granted

    Hajj flight forced to return twice after pilgrim denied boarding; no issues after permission granted

    The story of a Libyan man on his way to perform Hajj this year has gone viral on social media.

    The young man, Amer Al Mahdi Mansour Al Gaddafi, was travelling to the holy city of Mecca to perform the Islamic pilgrimage. However, he ran into trouble upon arriving at the airport with his group.

    Amer was stopped at immigration on doubts about his surname, “Al Gaddafi,” which still raises red flags in some security systems because of Libya’s past political unrest. While his group boarded the plane, Amer was held for questioning.

    Despite his repeated pleas, the flight crew reportedly decided to take off without him. But Amer did not give up. “I will not move from here unless it’s toward Hajj,” he told officials.

    Soon after takeoff, the flight faced a technical issue and had to return. After a quick repair, it took off again, but a problem forced the plane to turn back once again.

    Following the second emergency landing, according to the passengers, the captain made an announcement: “I swear I won’t fly again unless Amer is with us on this plane.”

    Authorities then cleared Amer for travel. On the third attempt, with Amer finally onboard, the flight departed successfully without any further issues.

    The story quickly spread across social media, with many calling it a sign of divine intervention. Speaking to local media later, Amer said, “I only wanted to go to Hajj. And I believed that if it was meant for me, nothing could stop it.”

  • Indian Muslim family battles terrorism allegations after teacher dies in shelling

    Indian Muslim family battles terrorism allegations after teacher dies in shelling

    Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher at a madrassa in Poonch, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), was killed on May 7 in cross-border shelling. The shelling occurred amid Indian military aggression against Pakistan, following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. While India has blamed Pakistan for the incident, it has yet to present any concrete evidence.

    In an interview with the BBC, Farooq Ahmed said that Iqbal died at Zia-ul-Uloom, where he had taught for over 20 years. However, as news of his death spread, some media outlets falsely labelled him a terrorist. These claims were later refuted by police in an official statement.

    “My brother was an educator, yet they classified him as a terrorist just because of his beard and skullcap,” Ahmed said.

    “It felt like adding insult to injury. We had already lost Iqbal, and then the media tarnished his name. The deceased cannot defend themselves.”

    The locals have suffered through repeated escalations over the disputed territory of Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan. Three wars have been fought over the region, and tensions have flared again this month.

    During the military confrontation, a wave of misinformation spread across social media and news outlets. Alongside false rumours about Iqbal, several unverified claims surfaced, including fake attack reports and AI-generated videos, many of which were later debunked by official sources.

    “The extent of misinformation and baseless assertions being circulated by the media was astonishing,” states Manisha Pande, managing editor of an independent news outlet.

    She notes that while sensationalism is not unusual, “the jingoistic and irresponsible reporting” was notable for its severity.

    “I have no idea where news channels obtained their information regarding my brother,” Ahmed states. 

    “Who did they consult? What kind of evidence did they have to label my brother a terrorist?”

    On May 8, Poonch police released a statement clarifying that Iqbal had died as a result of cross-border shelling at the madrassa.

    “Poonch Police strongly denies such false narratives. The deceased, Maulana Mohd Iqbal, was a respected figure within the local community and had no links to any terrorist organization,” the statement read.

    However, for Ahmed, the clarification came too late.

    “By that time, the misleading claim would likely have reached millions of people across India,” he laments.

    Iqbal leaves behind two wives and eight children. He was the sole breadwinner for the family.

    “The entire family relied on my brother. He was a soft-spoken and kind man who cherished teaching children,” Ahmed remembers.

    “But who will convey this to the world? For many, my brother continues to be seen as a terrorist whose death is justified. How will they ever grasp our sorrow?” he added.

  • US govt revokes Harvard’s right to enroll foreign students

    US govt revokes Harvard’s right to enroll foreign students

    Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign nationals — more than a quarter of the student body — in a dramatic escalation of the US president’s fight against the prestigious university.

    The school in Cambridge, Massachusetts quickly slammed the move as “unlawful” and said it would hurt both the campus and the country, while one student said the community was “panicking.”

    Trump is furious at Harvard — which has produced 162 Nobel prize winners — for rejecting his demand that it submit to oversight on admissions and hiring over his claims that it is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and “woke” liberal ideology.

    The loss of such a large proportion of the student body could prove to be a huge financial blow to Harvard, which charges tens of thousands of dollars a year in tuition.

    “Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the Ivy League institution, referring to the main system by which foreign students are permitted to study in the United States.

    Harvard, which has sued the government over a separate raft of punitive measures, quickly fired back, calling the move “unlawful.”

    “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars,” it said in a statement, adding that it was working to offer students guidance and support.

    “This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.”

    Karl Molden, an international student from Austria, said he had applied to study at Oxford in Britain because he feared such measures.

    “It’s scary and it’s saddening,” the 21-year-old government and classics student told AFP.

    “I love Harvard, and getting into the school has been the greatest privilege of my life.

    “It’s definitely going to change the perception of… students who (might) consider studying there — the US is getting less of an attractive spot for higher education.”

    Leaders of the Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors called the move “the latest in a string of nakedly authoritarian and retaliatory moves against America’s oldest institution of higher education.”

    “The Trump administration is unlawfully seeking to destroy higher education in the United States. It now demands that we sacrifice our international students in the process. Universities cannot acquiesce to such extortion,” it said.

    ‘Everyone’s panicking’

    Last month, Trump threatened to stop Harvard from enrolling foreign students if it did not agree to government demands that would put the private institution under outside political supervision.

    “As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students,” Noem wrote.

    “All universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting requirements under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations, to maintain this privilege,” she said.

    “As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have lost this privilege.”

    More than 27 percent of Harvard’s enrollment was made up of foreign students in the 2024-25 academic year, according to university data.

    Fourth-year US student Alice Goyer told AFP “no one knows” what the development would mean for international students already enrolled.

    “We just got the news, so I’ve been getting texts from a lot of international friends, and I think everyone’s just — no one knows,” she said.

    “Everyone’s panicking a bit.”

    On whether students would willingly transfer to other institutions, as suggested by Noem in the letter, Goyer said, “I doubt people would do that.”

    “I would hope maybe there’s going to be a legal battle that’ll take place.”

  • Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in Washington

    Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in Washington

    Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead late Wednesday outside a Jewish museum in Washington by a gunman who shouted “free Palestine,” authorities said, with US and Israeli leaders expressing shock and outrage over the killings.

    President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”

    “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he added on social media.

    Gunfire broke out on the sidewalk outside the Capital Jewish Museum in the center of Washington as the venue held a social event for young professionals and diplomatic staff.

    The victims were a young couple who planned to get married, the Israeli ambassador said.

    A video clip circulating on social media showed a young bearded man in a jacket and white shirt shouting “free, free Palestine” as he was led away by police.

    Police confirmed the suspected shooter walked into the museum after the shooting and had been detained.

    “We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody,” Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters.

    “Prior to the shooting the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire.

    “After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security.”

    She said the handcuffed suspect identified where he had discarded the weapon and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”

    Police identified him as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago.

    “I am devastated by the scenes in Washington,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement. “This is a despicable act of hatred, of anti-Semitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.

    “America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”

    ‘Unspeakable act of violence’

    Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said “harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.

    “Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”

    The targeted event appeared to be a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for Jewish young professionals and the Washington diplomatic community.

    The evening was “dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage,” with an invitation to the event saying  the location would be “shared upon registration.”

    “American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC this evening,” AJC CEO Ted Deutch said in a statement.

    “We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue… Our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”

    The museum is in downtown Washington, close to the US Capitol and just over one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the White House.

    Police Chief Smith said  officers responded to multiple calls of a shooting near the museum at around 9:00 pm on Wednesday evening (0100 GMT Thursday).

    First responders found a man and a woman unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead.

    Engagement

    Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told reporters the young staffers were a couple “about to be engaged.”

    “The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” Leiter said.

    He added that he spoke to Trump by telephone, with the president assuring that the United States will “do everything it can possibly do to fight and end anti-Semitism.”

    “We’ll stand together tall and firm, and we will confront this moral depravity without fear and with determination,” Leiter said.

    Emergency vehicles remained at the scene Thursday morning after police taped off the area.

    “We’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters.

    “The horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city, and in our country. I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate.”

  • UAE to deliver urgent Gaza aid as western allies warn Israel of consequences

    UAE to deliver urgent Gaza aid as western allies warn Israel of consequences

    Israel has consented to permit humanitarian assistance from the United Arab Emirates to enter Gaza, following weeks of mounting pressure as Palestinians started starving to death. UAE confirmed that the decision was made after direct discussions between officials from both nations. The aid will be provided under a humanitarian mission led by the UAE and will be distributed in collaboration with international organizations.

    The UAE stated that the supplies will cross into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, which remains under Israeli control. The initiative aims to help approximately 15,000 individuals and includes food, medical supplies, and other essential items, it comes at a time when Israel is facing increasing pressure to end it’s genocide in Gaza. 

    The decision to permit the aid follows a joint statement from the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, warning Israel that ongoing barriers to humanitarian access could lead to “concrete measures.” The statement called on Israeli officials to ensure full, safe, and unobstructed delivery of aid into Gaza. It also urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and adhere to the decisions of international courts.

    The joint statement voiced concerns over civilian casualties and the scarcity of basic needs for the population in Gaza. The three nations did not outline specific actions they might undertake but indicated that further measures were being contemplated in relation to the ongoing crisis.

    French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an “intolerable” point and called for an immediate ceasefire. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Israel to lift restrictions that are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching civilians. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the demand for Israel to allow access for aid and stressed that failure to do so would lead to diplomatic consequences.

    In response, the UK has announced a pause in trade negotiations with Israel and has imposed sanctions on individuals accused of committing violent acts in the West Bank. This marks a shift in diplomatic approaches to the genocide, with increasing calls for accountability and humanitarian access.

    International aid organizations have noted that the amount of supplies entering Gaza is significantly lower than what is required. Prior to the conflict, hundreds of aid trucks entered the region every day. This number has drastically reduced, with only a limited number of shipments being authorized for entry. Relief agencies have cautioned that without consistent and increased access, the humanitarian situation will continue to worsen rapidly.

  • 14,000 babies could die in 48 hours in Gaza: UN warns

    14,000 babies could die in 48 hours in Gaza: UN warns

    The United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if aid shipments do not reach the region.

    Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Fletcher emphasised that thousands of trucks carrying essential supplies, including baby food and nutritional aid, are ready for delivery.

    Officials in Gaza say that at least 326 Palestinians have died from hunger since March 2 due to what they call Israel’s “starvation policy.” The UN has also warned that 14,000 babies could die within the next 48 hours if help does not arrive.


    European nations increase pressure on Israel to halt Gaza onslaught


    The European Union on Tuesday said it would review its trade
    cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses brought about by the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

    In London, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in parliament that Israel’s policy of blocking aid and “expanding the war” in Gaza was “indefensible”.

    European countries ramped up pressure on Israel to abandon its intensified genocide in Gaza and let more aid into the war-ravaged territory, where rescuers said fresh attacks killed dozens of people on Tuesday.

    An AFP journalist saw some trucks entering the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza from the Israeli side on Tuesday, a day after the UN said it had been cleared to send aid for the first time since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2, sparking severe shortages of food and medicine.

    The dire humanitarian situation in the Strip has prompted an international outcry, with the European Union saying it would review its trade cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses following a foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday.

    The bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said “a strong majority” of its 27 member states backed the move, adding “the countries see that the situation in Gaza is untenable… and what we want is to unblock the humanitarian aid”.

    Sweden said it would press the EU to level sanctions against Israeli ministers.

    “Since we do not see a clear improvement for the civilians in Gaza, we need to raise the tone further,” said Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

    And Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador and said it was imposing sanctions on settlers in the occupied West Bank in its toughest actions so far against Israel’s conduct of the war.

    “Blocking aid, expanding the war, dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible and it must stop,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in an impassioned speech to parliament.

    Responding to Britain’s moves, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said “external pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security”.

    Israel on Tuesday rejected a European Union decision to review the bloc’s cooperation deal in a bid to pressure Israel over its intensified offensive in Gaza.

    “We completely reject the direction taken in the statement, which reflects a total misunderstanding of the complex reality Israel is facing,” Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said in a message on X.

  • UN expert reacts to Indian navy ‘throwing’ Rohingya refugees, including children, into sea

    UN expert reacts to Indian navy ‘throwing’ Rohingya refugees, including children, into sea

    A UN expert said on Thursday, May 15, he was investigating “credible reports” that Rohingya refugees were forced off an Indian navy vessel into the Andaman Sea, in what would be an “unconscionable” act.

    “The idea that Rohingya refugees have been cast into the sea from naval vessels is nothing short of outrageous,” said Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar.

    “I am seeking further information and testimony regarding these developments and implore the Indian government to provide a full accounting of what happened.”

    Andrews, who is an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who does not speak on behalf of the UN itself, said he was “deeply concerned by what appears to be a blatant disregard for the lives and safety of those who require international protection”.

    The mostly Muslim Rohingya have been heavily persecuted in Myanmar for decades.

    One million Rohingya live in a string of squalid camps in Bangladesh after escaping a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar.

    Thousands of them risk their lives each year on long sea journeys to seek refuge elsewhere.

    Andrews’ statement pointed to reports that Indian authorities last week detained dozens of Rohingya refugees living in Delhi, “many or all of whom held refugee identification documents”.

    Around 40 members of the group were reportedly blindfolded and flown to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and then transferred to an Indian naval ship, he said.

    “After the boat crossed the Andaman Sea, the refugees were reportedly given life jackets, forced into the sea and made to swim to an island in Myanmar territory,” he said.

    “Such cruel actions would be an affront to human decency and represent a serious violation of the principle of non-refoulment,” he said, pointing out that Rohingya “face the threat of violence, persecution and other grave human rights violations in Myanmar”.

    “The government of India must immediately and unequivocally repudiate unconscionable acts against Rohingya refugees, stop all deportations to Myanmar and ensure that those responsible for these blatant violations of India’s international obligations are held responsible,” Andrews said.