2 million expected in Mecca for hajj pilgrimage, a pillar of Islam
The annual hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia’s city of Mecca is one of five pillars of Islam that all Muslims who are able to are expected to complete at least once.
World Headlines
Trump administration to seek Britain trade deal after Brexit
The Trump administration will pursue a free-trade agreement with Britain as soon as possible after it leaves the European Union, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday as the country’s new foreign secretary made his first official visit to the United States.
NATO chief says alliance must prepare ‘to address the rise of China’
China’s efforts to establish economic and even military influence far beyond its borders are pushing NATO to develop new plays for the Indo-Pacific, the security bloc’s civilian chief says.
Russian Military Unveils Stealth Drone’s Maiden Flight
A new Russian military drone equipped with stealth technologies has taken flight for the first time, according to footage published by Russia’s Defense Ministry.
500 Arrests Made During Clampdown in Indian-Ruled Kashmir, Report Says
A petition was filed Thursday in India’s top court challenging the communications blackout and security clampdown in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where people remained holed up in their homes for a fourth day.
Zimbabwe: A third of population faces food crisis, says UN
More than five million people in Zimbabwe – about a third of the population – need food aid, with many coming close to starving, the UN says.
Kashmir tensions intensify amid India-Pakistan skirmishes
Tensions have soared along the volatile, highly militarized frontier between India and Pakistan in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, as India has deployed more troops and ordered thousands of visitors out of the region.
China Vows ‘Countermeasures’ If US Deploys Missiles in Asia-Pacific
China says it will take ‘countermeasures’ if the United States deploys ground-based intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.
North Korea Fires Two More Projectiles: South Korea
North Korea continued to ramp up its weapons demonstrations by firing two presumed short-range ballistic missiles into the sea Tuesday while lashing out at the United States and South Korea for continuing military exercises that the North says could derail fragile nuclear diplomacy.
Trump freezes all Venezuelan government assets in bid to pressure Maduro
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States on Monday, sharply escalating an economic and diplomatic pressure campaign aimed at removing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.
China Media to Hong Kong Protesters: Beijing’s Patience Wearing Thin
Thousands of protesters took to Hong Kong’s streets Sunday, a day after violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police, and as China’s official news agency warned Beijing will not let the situation in the Asian financial hub continue.
US Defense Secretary Wants INF-range Missiles in Asia
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says he wants to see American ground-based intermediate-range conventional missiles deployed to Asia.
Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in northern Syria
Turkey will carry out a military operation in a Kurdish-controlled area east of the Euphrates in northern Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, its third offensive to dislodge Kurdish militia fighters close to its border.
Russian police detain over 800 in opposition crackdown in Moscow
Russian police forcibly detained over 800 people attending a protest in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections, including prominent activist Lyubov Sobol, after authorities warned the demonstration was illegal.
US preparing to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan as part of proposed Taliban deal
The Pentagon is preparing to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan as part of a proposed peace deal with the Taliban, U.S. officials told Fox News Thursday.
IS Stepping Up Attacks in Iraq’s North
Islamic State (IS) militants killed four security officials late Wednesday near the northern city of Kirkuk, local officials said.
Rebels, Militants Kill Dozens In Yemen’s Aden; Saudi Arabia Blames Iran
Iran-backed Huthi rebels say they launched missile and drone attacks on a military parade in Yemen’s southern port of Aden, the headquarters of the Saudi-backed government, that killed more than 30 people.
Based in Lebanon but entrenched in Latin America, Hezbollah helps Iran spread global terrorism
It has been 25 years since Iran and Hezbollah carried out a horrific attack against a Jewish target in Buenos Aires, in which 85 Jews were murdered and more than 300 injured, yet the terror regime and its proxy continue to operate freely in Latin America. Now, in a renewed effort, some influential American leaders are working to convince area nations to take a stand and expel terrorists stationed in the region.
Jared Kushner arrives in Morocco, meets MBZ and foreign minister of Oman
Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor, arrived in Morocco Thursday and met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) of the United Arab Emirates, an administration official told The Jerusalem Post.
U.S., China to keep talking on trade after little progress in Shanghai
U.S. and Chinese negotiators ended a brief round of trade talks on Wednesday with little sign of progress and agreed to meet again in September, prolonging an uneasy truce in a year-long trade war between the world’s two largest economies.