Israeli soldiers bar media from visiting West Bank villages on tour organized by Oscar winners
JERUSALEM — Israeli soldiers on Monday barred journalists from entering villages in the West Bank on a planned tour organized by the directors of the Oscar-winning movie 'No Other Land."
The directors of the film, which focuses on Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territory, said they had invited the journalists on the tour Monday to interview residents about increasing settler violence in the area.
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Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
No kids, excess heat and payment plans. What to know about Hajj 2025
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Muslims from around the world are in the Saudi city of Mecca for the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In the coming days, people will immerse themselves in religious rituals and acts of worship that originated more than 1,400 years ago. They also have to contend with excess heat and other earthly factors, like a ban on children under the age of 12 and a crackdown on unauthorized entry. Here's what to know about this year's Hajj: Beating the heat in the Saudi desert Last year's pilgrims struggled through burning sun and suffocating hot weather, with the mercury hitting 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). More than 1,300 people died. This year, Saudi authorities are advising caution in direct sunlight, telling pilgrims to avoid going out during the day and uncovering their heads, except for rituals, unless necessary. An official safety kit emphasizes the importance of light-colored clothing and umbrellas. It also has details on recognizing and treating the symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion. But it's tough to avoid the heat and crowds when the Hajj is outdoors. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, elevating the personal stakes further, and temperatures in Mecca are already 41 degrees Celsius (about 106 Fahrenheit). Although the desert kingdom spends billions of dollars on crowd control and cooling, the volume of pilgrims and climatic conditions make it difficult to guarantee people's safety. A ban on children under 12 at the Hajj Saudi Arabia has banned children under 12 from this year's Hajj — one of the biggest policy changes in recent years. Riyadh reportedly introduced the ban as a precautionary measure to ensure children's safety during the pilgrimage, which could be a dangerous environment for them because of the huge crowds. Children are exempt from doing the Hajj and are not required to fulfill other Islamic obligations, like prayer and fasting, until they reach puberty. But that doesn't stop some parents from wanting to take their children to experience the Hajj and see the holiest site in Islam, the Kaaba, the black, cube-shaped structure that is the focal point for daily prayers. Father of five Talha Ayub, from the Pakistani city of Lahore, said his kids were staying with their grandparents while he and his wife performed the Hajj in a 'more relaxed way.' 'Even if children were allowed, we probably wouldn't have taken them because the weather is extremely harsh this year,' said Ayub, whose children are aged 1 to 13. 'I have mixed feelings about leaving them behind. I'll miss them.' There's no official age breakdown for pilgrims, but most are between 35 and 64. Layaways and lowering the price tag The price of a Hajj ranges from $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the length of stay, level of comfort, and country of departure. Depreciating currencies, high inflation, and tax hikes in Saudi Arabia also have an impact on how much Muslims end up paying. The countries that typically send the most pilgrims are developing nations. Some have trimmed the price of government-backed Hajj programs to make them more affordable. But this step isn't always enough. Farid Ahmed Majumder, secretary general of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, said the country was allowed to send some 127,000 pilgrims this year but failed to meet this quota, mainly because of higher costs. Pakistan has reduced the price of the state-run Hajj program. It has also debuted a flexible payment system. Farmer and small business owner Zaheer Ahmad said he didn't have enough money to pay for his Hajj up-front, 1.2 million rupees or about $4,255. He paid in three installments, applying for the Hajj in December with an advance and finishing his payments in February. 'Otherwise, I might not have been able to go for Hajj at all,' he said. In Saudi Arabia, which has also introduced flexible payments, domestic pilgrims pay 20% within 72 hours of booking, another 40% during Ramadan and the final 40% the following month. Managing wait times and overcrowding Although the Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation, people don't want to wait a lifetime to fulfill it. But the Hajj has limited capacity, countries have set quotas, and there is only one time each year to do it. Patience really is a virtue and everything needs to align: availability, health, and finances. Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have decades-long waiting lists for the Hajj. Indonesia has 5.4 million people awaiting their turn, with the number increasing each year. While there is nothing to stop people from performing the Hajj more than once, some governments believe this practice deprives others of the opportunity, especially in countries where demand is high. India has a ban on 'repeaters' and excludes applications from anyone who has previously performed the pilgrimage through the national Hajj committee, although there are exceptions from those accompanying certain categories of people like the elderly. With a restricted supply of Hajj spaces, it's inevitable that people will try to find ways to get to the holy city and stay there. In April, to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. People have in the past traveled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during last year's Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities. The Interior Ministry warned in May that a fine of up to 20,000 riyals, or about $5,330, would be imposed on anyone attempting to enter Mecca during the Hajj without the correct visa. ___ Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi, Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
CBI: ‘Colorado's firearm background check system worked' with Boulder terror suspect
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is shedding light on how an Egyptian national living in Colorado Springs was denied a firearm purchase before a firebombing attack on a pro-Israel group on Sunday. CBI Strategic Communications Director Rob Low said CBI was able to confirm that Soliman attempted to purchase a handgun at Scheels All Sports in Colorado Springs on Nov. 22, 2024. Family of Boulder attack suspect taken into immigration custody 'Colorado's firearm background check system worked as designed when it comes to the actions of accused Boulder terrorism suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman,' Low said. 'His application was processed through the CBI InstaCheck system, and shortly thereafter, Soliman's attempted purchase was denied.' CBI said Soliman never appealed the denial, which was based on information from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. He was also denied a concealed handgun permit through CBI and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 30, 2024. The denials triggered an electronic notification to immigration officials. 'While the CBI can't say directly why an individual's application might be denied, the CBI can acknowledge applications can be denied based on someone's immigration status,' Low told FOX31. 'Under those circumstances, the CBI will send ICE an electronic notification. Someone who is in the United States legally with no disqualifying criminal history is eligible to purchase a firearm.' According to court records, when Soliman was denied the gun, he began to look for other avenues to allegedly commit the attack, later deciding to use Molotov cocktails and create a makeshift flamethrower. The Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that the agency is investigating whether there was prior knowledge of Soliman's alleged plans to attack demonstrators, who were marching on the Pearl Street Mall to call for the release of hostages in Gaza. DHS's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Soliman's partner and five children into custody. The process to purchase a gun in Colorado starts with a federal form, known as form 4473, that asks about criminal history, mental health and immigration status. The state's InstaCheck system, run by CBI, taps into a federal database. 'You can only legally buy a firearm if you are a legal U.S. resident,' explained Brady Taipale of Grandpa's Pawn and Gun to FOX31's Hanna Powers. 'All we do is submit the customer's information, their ID number, any information they need, and they get back to us with approved, denied or delayed.' If the customer is denied, the sale stops right there. CBI says that is exactly what happened with Soliman. 'It seems like it works just fine, I don't have a problem with the process,' said Taipale. 'And also, for the record, you don't have to be a U.S. citizen to buy a gun either — you have to be a legal U.S. resident.' The White House said on X that the family was being processed for expedited removal, which could occur as soon as Tuesday night. DHS also said that Soliman entered the country in 2022 on a B-2 tourist visa, which is used for foreign tourist visits to the U.S. The visa expired in 2023, and he applied for asylum and was waiting for approval. Boulder fire attack suspect planned to kill group, but appeared to have second thoughts According to an affidavit for his arrest issued by the 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Colorado, Soliman planned his attack for the last year, waiting only for his daughter to graduate from high school before he committed his alleged plan. FOX31 investigative efforts have not produced a criminal record for Soliman as of the publication of this report. FOX31 also reached out to ICE late Tuesday night to ask if the agency received an alert from CBI about the attempted gun purchase. No response was received at the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Amid Rising Heat, Hajj Becomes Test of Endurance for Pilgrims and Saudi Arabia
The hajj, one of the largest annual human gatherings in the world, begins on Wednesday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Amid rising temperatures and logistical challenges, the pilgrimage has increasingly become a test of endurance both for pilgrims and the Saudi government. Millions of Muslims from around the world travel to the city to take part; Saudi Arabia said 1,475,230 pilgrims from abroad have arrived since Sunday. Last year, the Saudi government said more than 1,300 pilgrims died, many from Egypt. Most of those who perished had been unregistered, Saudi officials said, meaning they had made the trip without the permits that gave them access to heat protections. Here's what to know about this year's hajj and efforts to make it safer. What is the hajj? The hajj is one of Islam's five pillars, the core practices that define a Muslim's faith, alongside daily prayer, charity, fasting during the month of Ramadan and the declaration of faith in one God and the Prophet Muhammad as a messenger of God. For the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is expected to undertake the journey at least once. The hajj takes place once a year during a specific period in the final month of the Islamic calendar. Most pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia well in advance, using the time to visit the holy city of Medina, pray in Mecca's grand mosque and perform a lesser pilgrimage called Umrah. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
