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Lebanon Seeks to Distance State from Hezbollah After Cyprus Drone Incident

                                                         File photo: Youssef Ragg Lebanon has urged Cypriot authorities and the public not to conflate the Lebanese state with Hezbollah following a drone strike that originated from Lebanese territory and hit Cyprus six days earlier. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi emphasized that the attack was carried out independently by Hezbollah and does not reflect the policies, values, or intentions of the Lebanese government.  Raggi stressed that Lebanon rejects any attempt to use its territory for external agendas and reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions fall outside the state’s legal authority. He called on Cyprus to distinguish between the official Lebanese government and groups operating autonomously, noting that Lebanon has consistently affirmed its sovereignty ...
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Tragedy Strikes During Hajj Pilgrimage: Over 300 Egyptians Succumb to Heat

 

At least 323 Egyptian pilgrims tragically lost their lives during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in western Saudi Arabia. The majority of these deaths were attributed to heat-related illnesses, according to two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries’ responses.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of pilgrims from around the world to Mecca. However, this year’s pilgrimage faced extreme temperatures, with the area where rituals are performed experiencing a rise of 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade due to climate change.

Among the deceased, 60 Jordanian pilgrims also succumbed to the heat. Tragically, many of the Egyptian casualties were unregistered pilgrims attempting to save money by avoiding official visas. These off-the-books pilgrims lacked access to air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities along the Hajj route.

The total death toll reported by various countries has reached 577, highlighting the severity of this heartbreaking event. Other nations, including Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal, have also reported fatalities during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

As we mourn the loss of these lives, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the need for better safety measures during religious pilgrimages.


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