INTERNATIONAL

Maldives has officially barred Israeli passport holders from entering the country, citing Israel’s “ongoing genocide and atrocities” in Gaza as the reason for the move. In a statement released by President Mohamed Muizzu’s office, the government announced an amendment to the country’s Immigration Act, explicitly prohibiting the entry of Israeli nationals. “This ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” the statement read. Local media reported that the Maldives Parliament unanimously supported the measure, with all participating members voting in favor of the ban. This development comes just days after Bangladesh reintroduced the phrase “except Isra...

In a significant fallout from the growing boycott movement in solidarity with Palestine, KFC has closed all 537 of its outlets across Turkey. The shutdown, which affects over 7,000 workers, comes amid intensifying public pressure on Western brands seen as aligned with or silent on Israeli aggression in Gaza. The franchise collapse follows months of protests and calls for boycotting U.S.-based companies, including KFC and Pizza Hut, both owned by Yum! Brands. These calls have gained traction across Türkiye, where citizens and activists have demanded economic disengagement from companies linked to Israel or its allies. Yum! Brands terminated its long-standing agreement with Iş Gıda in January, citing failure to meet operational standards. However, insiders suggest the brand’s tar...

The National Investigation Agency on Thursday said it has "successfully secured the extradition" of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. In a statement, the NIA said the extradition happened after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. "With the active assistance of USDoJ, the US Sky Marshal, NIA worked closely with other Indian intelligence agencies, NSG through the entire extradition process, which also saw India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs coordinating with the other relevant authorities in the United States to take the matter to its successful conclusion", the statement read. The statement came amid reports that Rana has landed in Delhi. How...

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has ratified a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Iran, signaling a major expansion in political, economic, and defense cooperation between the two countries. The treaty, initially signed in January by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow, was presented to the Duma for approval in March. Putin had described the deal as a “breakthrough document,” while Pezeshkian said it would usher in a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. The agreement outlines a comprehensive roadmap for collaboration across various sectors, including defense, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science, and technology. It also emphasizes intelligence sharing and mutual support aga...

Iran has raised its military readiness to high alert following orders from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid rising fears of a joint attack by Israel and the United States. The move is being interpreted as a clear message that Iran is fully prepared to respond to any threat. According to Reuters, an Iranian official revealed that Tehran has issued stern warnings to neighboring countries—Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain—not to support or allow the use of their airspace for any U.S.-led military action. “Any cooperation with an attack on Iran will be considered an act of hostility and responded to accordingly,” the official said. This development has escalated tensions across West Asia. Khamenei's directive comes amid mounting speculati...

Several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, have refused to allow the US to use their airspace or bases for any potential military action against Iran. The decision follows former President Donald Trump’s recent threats to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a nuclear deal. A senior US official as per a report by Middle East Eye said rhat these countries “do not want to be drawn in,” highlighting a growing reluctance to support direct confrontation. This refusal has pushed the US to reposition its strategic assets, moving B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia, a remote Indian Ocean base historically used for operations when access to Gulf territories is limited. Satellite imagery confirms the presence of multiple B-2 aircraft on the island. With a 5,300-kilometre...

Astronomical observatories across Saudi Arabia who were closely monitoring the Shawwal crescent to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr have said that Eid ul Fitr will be observed on Sunday. Ten observatories who were engaged in the sighting, with experts estimated that the crescent will be visible for just 7–8 minutes, making swift confirmation essential. "BREAKING NEWS: Eid Al Fitr 1446/2025 is tomorrow: Sunday, 30 March 2025. The Crescent for the month of Shawwal 1446 was SEEN in Saudi Arabia today; subsequently, tomorrow is the beginning of the month of Shawwal 1446," Inside the Haramain announced. https://twitter.com/insharifain/status/1906001740102517192?s=19 Iran has also officially announced that Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday. ountries that typically follow Saudi Ar...

The age-old quest for a pure red heifer has once again captured global attention, as religious scholars, political analysts, and prophecy watchers debate its significance. At the heart of this intrigue is Rabbi Ariel of the Temple Institute, who recently confirmed that no red heifer meeting the exacting biblical standards is currently available for the purification rites described in the Book of Numbers. In a statement, Rabbi Ariel declared, “At this moment, we do not have a red heifer suited for the ceremony,” highlighting the ongoing challenges in meeting the stringent biblical requirements for this rare animal. The ritual of the red heifer—one of the most enigmatic laws in Jewish tradition—requires the slaughter of a flawless, unblemished red cow, whose ashes are then used in purific...

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. At least 26 more people, including women, children, and a senior Hamas leader, were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes. Hospitals reported receiving 24 additional bodies, including several women and children. Israeli forces have entered parts of Rafah, forcing thousands to flee. Many described fleeing under fire, with shells and bullets landing around them. The Palestinian Red Crescent lost contact with medics responding to the strikes, with reports of casualties among them. The ceasefire that briefly paused the war collapsed earlier this month. Talks for a lasting truce stalled after Israel intensified attacks and cut off aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, Isr...

An Egyptian lynx launched a rare and aggressive attack on Israeli soldiers near the Israel-Egypt border in the Mount Harif area, leaving several injured, according to Israeli media reports. The circumstances of how the wild predator crossed the border and attacked remain unclear. Following the incident, a Nature and Reserves Authority inspector arrived at the scene and captured the lynx before it could cause further harm. The animal was later transferred to a wildlife hospital for examination. The Egyptian lynx, native to arid desert regions, is a powerful predator measuring between 60 to 130 cm in length and capable of reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h. While it primarily hunts small animals like rodents, this encounter marks an unusual and dangerous interaction with humans.