World
Shocking: Turkish Woman Barred from Makkah’s Grand Mosque Over Palestine Headband
A Turkish pilgrim faced an unexpected hurdle during her visit to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, when authorities denied her entry due to a headband displaying Palestinian symbols.
A Turkish pilgrim faced an unexpected hurdle during her visit to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, when authorities denied her entry due to a headband displaying Palestinian symbols. This incident, which took place on April 8, 2025, has sparked conversations about cultural expression and rules at one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Saudi Police Confront Turkish Woman Over Headband at Mosque
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared her story in a video that quickly spread across social media. She explained that Saudi police stopped her at the mosque’s entrance, citing her headband as a “political statement.” According to her account, the officers warned that wearing it could lead to serious consequences, including visa cancellation and deportation. “I was just expressing my identity,” she said, visibly shaken. She also pointed out what she saw as inconsistency, noting that pilgrims wearing symbols of other nations, like Morocco or Turkey, didn’t face similar scrutiny.
This isn’t the first time such an event has unfolded at the Grand Mosque. Saudi Arabia has a longstanding policy against political displays at religious sites, a rule that’s stirred debate among visitors and activists. Last year, a Palestinian woman was detained for carrying a Palestinian flag, and in late 2023, two men—one Algerian and one Turkish—were held after praying publicly for Gaza. These cases highlight a pattern that some critics call overly strict, especially as global tensions over Palestine remain high.
The Turkish pilgrim’s video struck a chord online, racking up views and comments. Many expressed solidarity, with one X user writing, “It’s heartbreaking she couldn’t pray in peace just because of a headband.” Others questioned the enforcement, asking why certain symbols trigger action while others don’t. The hashtag #GrandMosque soon trended, reflecting a mix of frustration and support.
Saudi authorities haven’t commented officially on this specific case, but the kingdom’s rules aim to keep religious spaces free of political overtones. For pilgrims, the Grand Mosque is a sacred destination for worship, not protest. Yet, for those like this Turkish woman, personal expression and faith can feel inseparable.
This incident underscores the delicate balance between individual rights and collective rules at holy sites. As Umrah and Hajj seasons draw millions to Makkah each year, stories like these keep the conversation alive about what’s allowed—and what’s not—in the heart of Islamic pilgrimage.
Business
Israel confirms use of laser weapons to defend against drone attacks
The larger Iron Beam laser, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems Ltd., will be integrated into Israel’s multi-level air defenses in the next six months. The technology has been touted as a cheaper way to repel drones and short-range projectiles, with each interception costing less than . The system, however, still has numerous technical limitations and can’t work in cloudy weather.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comIsrael has deployed laser weapons during its ongoing war to deflect “scores” of aerial attacks, including from drones, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. This is the first time the country has acknowledged the use of directed-energy technologies in the battlefield.The systems were described as a less powerful “prototype” of the 100-kilowatt Iron Beam laser interceptor that will be operational in Israel by the end of the year. The Defence Ministry also released footage of what it said were the lasers intercepting fixed-wing drones in the sky.
The announcement suggests that Israel may soon pull ahead of other countries in the race for laser weapons. Nations have pursued the technology for decades, but efforts to scale lasers have been complicated by significant technical difficulties. The systems were described as a less powerful “prototype” of the 100-kilowatt Iron Beam laser interceptor that will be operational in Israel by the end of the year. The Defence Ministry also released footage of what it said were the lasers intercepting fixed-wing drones in the sky. Israel’s air defenses have faced over 26,000 aerial attacks from missiles, drones and rockets since Oct. 2023. Most of the projectiles, which were fired from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Yemen, were intercepted by the Iron Dome and long-range Arrow shield systems. Many drones, however, penetrated its defenses.
Business
Bessent announces ‘substantial progress’ in crucial US-China trade talks
“I’m happy to report that we’ve made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks,” Bessent told reporters.Bessent said he had informed President Donald Trump of the progress of the talks, and there would be a complete briefing on details on Monday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that there had been “substantial progress” in talks between his team and that of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva on defusing a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.Published on May 11, 2025
The talks had continued into a second day on Sunday as both sides discussed how to de-escalate a trade war that threatens to inflict major damage on the world economy.
Business
Fed holds rates steady, flags rising risks of inflation and unemployment
Economic picture
With unemployment still low and demand steady, Fed officials have said they are comfortable keeping rates unchanged until they have a better understanding of where the economy is headed. Trump, however, has repeatedly said the central bank should lower borrowing costs.Trump, meanwhile, has ramped up his criticism of Powell in recent weeks. At one point, Trump said in a social media post that “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady for a third-straight meeting and emphasised they see a growing risk of both higher inflation and rising unemployment.Companies scrambled in the first quarter to import merchandise ahead of the tariffs, and a surge in consumer spending in March suggested households also sought to frontload purchases. Key inflation gauges cooled in the month.Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference with reporters at 2:30 p.m. in Washington.Powell and his colleagues are determined to keep tariffs from sparking a persistent rise in inflation, and several officials have signaled they would not support lowering interest rates preemptively to protect against a slowing economy.The S&P 500 index of US stocks and Treasury yields fell following the announcement, while the dollar pared gains.“Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement Wednesday at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Washington. “The committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.”
Published on May 8, 2025
Economic picture
The central bank announced Tuesday that Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid would miss the May meeting due to the recent death of his wife. Kansas City was represented by First Vice President Kim Robbins. Schmid’s vote passed to alternate member Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed.“Although swings in net exports have affected the data, recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace,” the statement said.President Donald Trump‘s trade policy has unleashed a wave of uncertainty across the economy. While the levies are still being negotiated, economists widely expect the expansive tariffs to boost inflation and weigh on growth. That would pit policymakers’ two goals – price stability and maximum employment – against one another.Trump, meanwhile, has ramped up his criticism of Powell in recent weeks. At one point, Trump said in a social media post that “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Companies scrambled in the first quarter to import merchandise ahead of the tariffs, and a surge in consumer spending in March suggested households also sought to frontload purchases. Key inflation gauges cooled in the month.Officials voted unanimously to keep the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent, where it has been since December.
Economists say it will take time for the full effect of the new tariffs to work through the economy. So far, the impact has mainly included a sharp decline in sentiment and a surge in imports. The US economy contracted at the start of the year for the first time since 2022, but a gauge of underlying demand stayed firm.The S&P 500 index of US stocks and Treasury yields fell following the announcement, while the dollar pared gains.But the president has since insisted that he does not intend to fire Powell.
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