Skip to main content

Syria says discussions underway on joining Makkah Defence Alliance

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Saturday that "discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Makkah alliance", a regional pact that brings together Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Shaibani’s remarks came during a regional security session at the Manama Dialogue 2026, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). He said Damascus was an "integral" part of regional security and would support any framework aimed at protecting regional stability. The minister stressed that the region was "in greater need than ever" of developing joint deterrence and defence systems. Addressing the conflict in Yemen, Shaibani reaffirmed Syria's support for the Yemeni government in restoring its sovereignty and stability across the country. He also urged all parties to support the unity and sovereignty of states. Separately, the Syrian foreign minister said Israel has carried out more than 1,...

1 killed, 6 injured in shooting at Halloween store in California

One person was killed and six others injured in a shooting at a Halloween store inside a shopping mall in California, US media reported Saturday. Police responded to the shooting at a Spirit Halloween store in Solano Town Center in Fairfield around 8.30 pm Friday, according to ABC News. Officers found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds, one of whom later died. The six surviving victims were transported to local hospitals, with at least three in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. Read: US arrests person in connection to Canada school shooting, officials say "We encourage anyone in the community with information to contact the Fairfield Police Department," ABC News quoted Police Chief Dan Marshall as saying. Detectives are interviewing witnesses and working to identify the suspect, while the shooting scene remains under investigation. On October 11, 9 people died in a shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, where a 45-year-old man opened fire in a neighbourhood. Two children and a pregnant woman were among the slain. There have been more than 400 mass shootings in the US in 2026, according to data compiled by Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting ⁠as one ​in which four or more people are shot, excluding ​the shooter. The last recorded mass shootings in Pennsylvania took place in July in Philadelphia, according to the ​data.

from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/f82taJ5

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in southeast Democratic Republic of Congo killing at least 32 wildcat miners, a regional government official said Sunday. The bridge came down Saturday onto a flooded zone at the mine in Lualaba province, Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, told reporters. He said 32 bodies had been recovered and more were being searched for. The DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world supply of cobalt, which is essential for batteries used in electric cars, many laptop computers and mobile phones. More than 200,000 people are estimated to be working in giant illegal cobalt mines in the giant central African country. Local authorities said the bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, about 42 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the Lualaba provincial capital, Kolwezi. "Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of the heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry," said Mayonde. He said ...

Arab countries, Pakistan likely to observe Eid on same day

The International Astronomy Centre confirmed on Wednesday that the crescent moon of Shawwal will be impossible to sight on Saturday, March 29, across all regions of the Arab and Islamic world. This is due to the moon setting before the sun, with the conjunction occurring after sunset. As a result, observing the crescent moon, whether by the naked eye, telescopes, or other means, will be unfeasible on March 29. For countries requiring an actual sighting to mark the start of Shawwal, Ramadan will likely extend to 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr falling on Monday, March 31. However, in some regions where the conjunction occurs before sunset, allowing the moon to set after sunset, some countries may choose to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, following traditional moon-sighting practices. Notably, a partial solar eclipse will be visible at noon on Saturday in parts of the western Arab world, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This event serves as definitive proof that the cresce...

Hajj scam alert: How to verify licensed service providers

As millions of Muslims prepare for their Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) has issued a critical warning against fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urging pilgrims to use only licensed service providers for a smooth and safe experience. To help ensure authenticity, the ministry recommends pilgrims use their official website, www.haj.gov.sa, to verify licensed Hajj operators. This applies to domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents, who can access a simple online tool to check accredited companies. For UAE nationals, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) maintains a list of approved operators on awqaf.gov.ae. International pilgrims have two main options to ensure their chosen provider is licensed. Those from eligible countries can use the Nusuk platform at hajj.nusuk.sa, an online service that facilitates Hajj bookings with accredited providers. A full list of eligible countries is available on the platform’s website. For tho...