RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has begun imposing penalties on pilgrims violating Hajj regulations and instructions by undertaking a pilgrimage without a permit. The areas covered by the no-permit, no-Hajj policy include the city of Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centers and temporary security checkpoints, according to a report from Saudi Press Agency. The rule will be in effect until June 20, 2024.

JEDDAH: Sheikh Aima Diakite, President of the Superior Council of Imams of Mosques and Islamic Affairs in Ivory Coast, has praised the services and facilities provided by the Makkah Route Initiative. Diakite said the program has enabled pilgrims to perform Hajj rituals easily and comfortably. The Makkah Route Initiative has facilitated procedures for Ivorian pilgrims and worked on overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in order to alleviate the hardship of Hajj, Diakite told state news agency SPA.

MILAN: Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, met on Saturday Antonio Tajani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, state news agency SPA reported. The two officials discussed cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries in various sectors.  Global and regional economic developments were also discussed.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Haramain Express is prepared to meet expected demand for train trips during this year’s Hajj season. The Saudi Arabian Railways, in coordination with the operators of Haramain Express, said they plan to operate more than 3,800 train trips, providing over 1.6 million seats, or an increase of more than 100,000 seats compared with last year. By connecting Makkah with Madinah via a double railway line, the Haramain express provides safe transportation for pilgrims, Umrah performers and travelers between the two holy cities and the city of Jeddah.

RIYADH: Police officers in Riyadh have arrested two Pakistani residents for promoting the drug methamphetamine, or more commonly known as shabu.  Legal measures were taken against them, and they were referred to the competent authority, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Addala, reported that Friday's U.S. airstrike in Puntland killed three ISIS militants and destroyed the group's army camps in Af Cas village, located 80 km southeast of Bosaso town.

THE MONTH of June is observed in some parts of the world as ‘Pride Month’. It is a time when LGBTQ+ people and those who love them pause to celebrate a much-maligned and oppressed minority group in many populations across the world. Some Caribbean...

THE MONTH of May is dedicated to celebrating our nation’s youths, highlighting their achievements and the areas where we can help them grow. One crucial focus is the integration of digital technology in their lives. From educational gadgets like...

Dissent continues to brew within the ranks of the People’s National Party (PNP) in St Catherine South Eastern over Dr Alfred Dawes’ prospective candidacy in the upcoming general election. Despite the seeming endorsement of party stalwarts such as...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP): If you use Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram, you’ have probably noticed a new character pop up answering search queries or eagerly offering tidbits of information in your feeds, with varying degrees of accuracy. It is Meta AI,...

Health-tech innovations are having a transformative impact on modern motherhood. From pregnancy to postpartum care and beyond, these advancements are empowering moms to prioritise their well-being and navigate the complexities of parenthood with...

OLIVER HOLT AT WEMBLEY: The Madrid fans in the wall of white shirts behind the goal, raised their scarves in the air and sang in unison, saluting the man who has become their hero.

Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing to discuss enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.

The bout ended by submission in the fifth round

In an explosion of gold and silver confetti, Real Madrid held aloft the Champions League trophy for a record-extending 15th time on Saturday.

Minneapolis (HOL) — Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed has been identified by sources as the suspect in Thursday's south Minneapolis mass shooting and ambush that left Officer Jamal Mitchell dead. Mohamed, who had a history of violent crime and was wanted on several warrants, was killed in a shootout with police following the ambush.

Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spoke by phone on Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about bilateral relations between the two countries.

A 74-year-old woman died after a car crashed into a walkway shelter in Yishun on Saturday (June 1) afternoon.  The authorities believe that the Malaysian-registered car had «self-skidded» near Block 820 Yishun Street 81 at about 3.45pm, reported The Straits Times.  A video clip of the accident was posted on Facebook page Singapore Roads Accident. The video showed a black Perodua Bezza lodged between two pillars of the sheltered walkway.  The crash left the front left side of the car severely damaged. A police cordon was set up in the area. About five police officers were seen collecting evidence at the scene and interviewing residents that evening, reported Lianhe Zaobao.  A resident who lives on the second floor told Zaobao that she heard two loud bangs.  «Many people rushed out to help. Two injured people were trapped in the car and bleeding profusely,» she said. Others told the Chinese daily that the car was driving along Yishun Street 81 towards Yishun Ave 1 when another vehicle appeared.

The police have debunked some claims made by a Chinese man whose daughter was recently found dead at the foot of a condominium block in Jurong.  Li Feng, father of 19-year-old Li Jiaxuan, collected her ashes on May 28 and spoke with the media. He claimed that local authorities insisted his daughter be cremated before an autopsy could be conducted.  Li also said that the police told him investigations would take three to six months to be completed.  In a statement on May 31, the police said Li was informed that a thorough investigation would be done, and the findings would be reported to the coroner.  «We also assured him that regular updates would be provided to him during the course of the investigations. He did not raise any issues or complaints,» said the police.  Li arranged for daughter's cremation on his own  The police also disputed some online posts in China alleging no autopsy was conducted and that Li was told the deceased had to be cremated urgently. 

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans must stay vigilant to protect themselves and those around them from deepfake scams, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is again depicted promoting investment products in one such scam. In a Facebook post on June 2, SM Lee said there is a deepfake video of him asking viewers to sign up for an investment product that claims to have guaranteed returns. He included in his post a screenshot of the video circulating online with a subtitle saying, “I am glad to present you a new investment.” “The video is not real!” he wrote. Artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are becoming better by the day, added SM Lee. Not only did the scammers mimic his voice and layer the fake audio over actual footage of him delivering the 2023 National Day message, they also synchronised his mouth movements with the audio, he said. “This is extremely worrying. People watching the video may be fooled into thinking that I really said those words,” he wrote. “Please remember, if something sounds too good to be true, do proceed with caution.”

The vote counting process for the 50 contested assembly seats in the state commenced at 6 am. Prior to the elections, the BJP had already secured victory in 10 out of the total 60 seats without opposition. ​​The assembly polls were conducted concurrently with the Lok Sabha elections during the first phase on April 19. Supporters of various political parties gathered near the counting centers across the state, undeterred by the rainy weather conditions.

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is leading in 29 out of 32 assembly constituencies, with the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) trailing behind in just one seat. The BJP and other parties are also in the electoral battle. The final results will set the stage for the region's governance in the coming years.

A massive load of flowers was delivered to Rupert Murdoch 's sprawling LA vineyard, where the media mogul is reportedly set to marry biologist Elena Zhukova today.

The Office of the Consulate General of Vanuatu in New Caledonia is informing all eligible voters residing in New Caledonia that the referendum voting will be held today and tomorrow from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

Vanuatu is expected to host the first meeting for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) National Focal Point (NFP) Network, dedicated to the new programme of action adopted at the international conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda.

Observers during the National Referendum were debriefed at Ramada Resort yesterday morning.

Group ‘No’ members, through their legal counsel, Silas Hakwa, are appealing part of the decision made by Chief Justice (CJ) Vincent Lunabek on May 25, 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Matai Seremaiah, announced yesterday that Fiji Airways is interested in connecting Port Vila to Tanna and Port Vila to Santo flights via an ATR, ensuring continued connectivity within the nation.

«We are going to see a definitive break between the United States and Berlin in the months ahead,» Douglas Macgregor said

En collaboration avec l'association « Heretini », la ville de Punaauia se mobilise pour venir en aide aux habitants du Caillou. Une collecte de denrées alimentaires est organisée, ce samedi 1er juin, devant les magasins et supermarchés de la commune. La solidarité des Polynésiens est au rendez-vous.

La Taho’e vaa race est, aujourd’hui, la course de pirogue la plus populaire. Une course organisée par les rameurs eux-mêmes. Elle se passe à la pointe Vénus de Mahina. 900 rameurs se sont inscrits toutes catégories confondues. Chez les dames Iloha Eychenne l’emporte haut la main sur un tronçons de 14 km entre la Pointe Vénus et Taaone. En sénior hommes sur un parcours de 28 km de distance, Kyle Taraufau s'impose mais la bataille a été rude.

Trials were also held at a training site in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Deputy CEO of High Precision Weapons company Alexander Dernovoi said