Saudi Arabia bans entry to Mecca without permit, suspends Umrah visa / Image: File

saudi arabia It has imposed sweeping new restrictions ahead of the Hajj 2026, banning entry to Mecca without an official permit and suspending Umrah visas as authorities prepare for one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.The move, led by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in coordination with the Interior Ministry, comes as the Kingdom beefs up crowd-control and security systems amid expectations of millions of pilgrims arriving in the coming weeks.Officials say the measures are important to ensure a safe and organized pilgrimage, especially after previous challenges involving overcrowding and unauthorized participation.

Saudi has tightened Hajj access controls

From April 13, entry to Mecca is restricted only to those with valid Hajj permits or officially approved work and residence documents linked to the holy city. Authorities have made it clear that all other visa holders, including tourists and Umrah pilgrims, will be denied entry during this period.In a statement carried by Saudi media, Interior Ministry officials stressed that the decision was aimed at “protecting the safety of pilgrims and ensuring smooth movement within the holy sites.” He said security checkpoints have been strengthened on major entry routes into Mecca.The Kingdom has increasingly relied on digital permit systems in recent years, integrating platforms such as the Nusuk app to verify pilgrims’ status and prevent unauthorized entry. Officials warned that violators could face penalties including fines, deportation and bans from future entry.

Main deadlines pilgrims should know about

As the Hajj approaches, Saudi Arabia has officially suspended Umrah permits, a standard annual step in preparing the holy sites.Here are the key deadlines confirmed from multiple sources:

After these dates:

Authorities will begin evacuating Umrah pilgrims from the holy cities to make way for Hajj operations.

Hajj 2026 expected pilgrims

Saudi Arabia began issuing Hajj visas on February 8, 2026, marking the initial start of international pilgrimage coordination. According to officials, the first wave of pilgrims is expected to arrive from April 18, with the arrival continuing in phases.Although final numbers have not yet been officially confirmed, early indicators suggest participation may equal or exceed previous years. In 2025, the Hajj is expected to attract more than 1.8 million pilgrims, and officials expect the same or more numbers this year as global travel demand stabilises.Officials also indicated that hundreds of thousands of applications have already been processed through the Nusuk platform, reflecting strong international demand. The system allows pilgrims to book packages, permits and services digitally, helping authorities track and manage arrivals in real time.A senior official quoted in regional reports said the early visa issuance and phased arrivals are designed to “eliminate last-minute rush and improve the overall pilgrim experience from arrival to departure”.

What do pilgrims need to know for Hajj 2026?

Saudi authorities have made their message clear: entry to Mecca during the Hajj season is strictly regulated and is only possible with an approved Hajj permit. Umrah travel will remain suspended until after the pilgrimage, which is expected to end in June, after which services will gradually resume.Travelers are advised to closely follow the official timelines, complete bookings through authorized platforms and avoid relying on travel or tourist visas for Haj pilgrimage. Authorities warned that violations could result in heavy fines, deportation and long-term entry bans.As preparations ramp up, Saudi Arabia is projecting Hajj 2026 as a tightly managed, technology-driven pilgrimage – prioritizing security, efficiency and a more controlled flow of millions of people entering Islam’s holiest city.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: ताजनगरी आगरा के जगदीशपुरा थाना क्षेत्र से एक चौंकाने वाला मामला सामने आया है, जिसने शादी जैसे पवित्र रिश्ते पर सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं. यहां एक नवविवाहित महिला ने शादी की पहली रात ही अपने पति के सामने 90 लाख रुपये की डिमांड रख दी. आरोप है कि जब उसे पैसे नहीं मिले तो उसने न सिर्फ शारीरिक संबंध बनाने से इनकार कर दिया, बल्कि उसके ससुराल वालों को जिंदा जलाने की कोशिश भी की गई. इस घटना के बाद इलाके में सनसनी फैल गई है और पुलिस अब मामले की जांच में जुट गई है.

शादी के बाद सामने आया चौंकाने वाला सच!
मामला सिकंदरा क्षेत्र की एक महिला डॉक्टर के परिवार से जुड़ा है. डॉक्टर के मुताबिक, उनके भाई की शादी हाथरस की एक लड़की से हुई थी। विदाई के बाद जब दुल्हन अपने ससुराल पहुंची तो उसने साफ कह दिया कि उसे यह शादी पसंद नहीं है और वह सिर्फ पैसों के लिए आई है। उसने अपने पति के सामने शर्त रखी कि अगर उसे 90 लाख रुपये नकद मिलेंगे तभी वह अपना वैवाहिक जीवन जारी रखेगी। यह सुनकर पूरा परिवार हैरान रह गया।

पैसे न मिलने पर विवाद बढ़ गया
जब पति और परिवार ने इतनी बड़ी रकम देने से इनकार कर दिया तो मामला बिगड़ गया। आरोप है कि दुल्हन ने हंगामा कर दिया और अपने माता-पिता को बुला लिया। इसके बाद दुल्हन के परिजन कुछ दबंगों के साथ घर पहुंचे और पूरे परिवार को बाहर से ताला लगाकर बंधक बना लिया.

गैस पाइपलाइन तोड़ने और जलाने का प्रयास
आरोप के मुताबिक आरोपियों ने घर में लगी पीएनजी गैस पाइपलाइन तोड़ दी. उनका मकसद गैस लीकेज के जरिए पूरे घर में आग लगाना था, ताकि ससुराल वाले जिंदा जल जाएं. यह घटना बेहद भयावह बताई जा रही है.

दुल्हन गहने लेकर भाग गई.
पीड़ित परिवार ने शोर मचाकर पड़ोसियों की मदद से किसी तरह अपनी जान बचाई। इस दौरान अफरा-तफरी का फायदा उठाकर दुल्हन अपनी सास के कीमती आभूषण और अन्य सामान लेकर फरार हो गई.

कोर्ट के आदेश के बाद मामला दर्ज किया गया
पीड़ित परिवार का आरोप है कि शुरुआत में पुलिस ने उनकी शिकायत पर ध्यान नहीं दिया. इसके बाद उन्होंने कोर्ट का रुख बदल दिया। कोर्ट के सख्त आदेश के बाद पुलिस ने दुल्हन, उसके पिता और अन्य के खिलाफ गंभीर धाराओं में मामला दर्ज कर लिया है. हालांकि पुलिस इस मामले की जांच दहेज कानून से जुड़े पहलू से भी कर रही है.

actress mouni roy Used social media to share a happy memory with the late great singer Asha Bhosle. The clip posted by the ‘Brahmastra’ actress on her official Instagram handle shows Asha Bhosle singing her melodious Bengali track “Jete Daao Amay Dekona”.At the end of the video, Asha Bhosle also expressed her appreciation towards Mouni in Bengali. The ‘Naagin’ actress also repeated Pyaar Ka Badla in Bengali. In the caption, Mouni told that she grew up listening to Asha Bhosle’s songs and dancing on them. He shared that losing Asha ji feels like losing an integral part of his childhood.“There are some sounds that have nothing to do with music, they are related to our lives. I have grown up dancing to your songs, singing them. Today it feels as if we are losing a piece of our childhood, a rhythm that lived quietly in the background of so many memories.” His tribute said, “May your soul rest in those melodies that are eternal… May you always live in love and light.”Many stalwarts from the entertainment industry including Akshay Kumar, Hema Malini, Kajol, Raveena Tandon and others also mourned the loss of the legend on social media.Asha Bhosle was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday and breathed her last on Sunday at the age of 92.Maharashtra Culture Minister Ashish Shelar made the unfortunate announcement outside the hospital.The singer’s funeral will take place at Shivaji Park on Monday at 4:00 pm.After making her playback singing debut with the Marathi drama ‘Majha Bal’ in 1943, Asha Bhosle went on to sing some memorable hit songs in Bollywood, like ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko’, ‘Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani’, ‘Kya Gajab Karte Ho Ji’, ‘O Haseena Zulfonwale Jaane Jahaan’ and ‘Yeh Boyka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai Deewana’. He is credited with singing around 12,000 songs in around 20 languages. Asha Bhosle has worked with acclaimed singers like Shankar-Jaikishan, RD Burman, OP Nayyar, Ilaiyaraaja, Bappi Lahiri and AR Rahman during her tenure.

गंगोत्री नेशनल पार्क के कपाट एक अप्रैल को खोले गए थे। लेकिन गोमुख ट्रैक पर भारी बर्फबारी और क्षतिग्रस्त मार्ग के कारण तेरह दिन बाद भी इस पर ट्रैकर्स और यात्रियों की आवाजाही प्रतिबंधित है। बीते शनिवार को गढ़वाल हिमालय ट्रैकिंग एवं पर्वतारोहण एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष जयेंद्र राणा के नेतृत्व में पार्क के उपनिदेशक हरीश नेगी के साथ वन विभाग और ट्रैकिंग से जुड़े लोगों ने गोमुख ट्रैक का स्थलीय निरीक्षण किया। इस टीम ने कनखू बैरियर से भोजगढ़ी तक 11 किमी ट्रैक का निरीक्षण किया। लेकिन भोजगढ़ी नाले में अधिक बर्फबारी होने और बर्फबारी शुरू होने के कारण उन्हें वापस लौटना पड़ा।

ये भी पढ़ें…देहरादून: इंतजार खत्म, पीएम मोदी कल जनता को समर्पित करेंगे दून-दिल्ली एक्सप्रेसवे, ढाई घंटे में पूरा होगा सफर

जयेंद्र राणा ने बताया कि निरीक्षण के दौरान देखा गया कि पर्वतारोहण से जुड़े लोगों के लिए रूट पर कोई दिक्कत तो नहीं है. इसलिए पर्वतारोहियों को ट्रैकिंग और चढ़ाई के लिए जाने की इजाजत दी जानी चाहिए. उपनिदेशक हरीश नेगी ने कहा कि यदि इस सप्ताह गोमुख क्षेत्र में बर्फबारी नहीं हुई। इसलिए एक सप्ताह बाद ट्रैक पर्वतारोहियों के लिए खोल दिया जाएगा। हालांकि, गोमुख जाने वाले यात्रियों को अभी इंतजार करना होगा। क्योंकि यह सड़क आम लोगों के चलने लायक नहीं है. इसके अलावा ट्रैक पर आश्रम और जीएमवीएन के गेस्ट हाउस भी अभी नहीं खुले हैं।

Ciccuno went viral after a fake “sorry not sorry” Instagram screenshot spread online, leading many to believe that she had responded to the serious allegations. The post was later proven to be a fabrication, but the damage was done due to the strong reaction from fans. With no official statement from them, speculation is rising, highlighting how quickly misinformation spreads when viewers are searching for answers during an ongoing controversy.

The Internet no longer waits for facts. It reacts first, asks questions later. That pattern reemerged as Sikkuno found himself trending for all the wrong reasons. A viral screenshot claiming he posted an apparent “apology” spread like wildfire, causing confusion and outrage among fans within hours.Time made it worse. Serious allegations were already circulating, and Cikkuno’s silence added fuel to it. In that void, the Internet filled the void. What seemed like a direct response immediately became the center of debate, before anyone stopped to verify whether it was genuine.

Viral ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ post created a stir but the truth tells a different story

The screenshot in question looked convincing at first glance. It featured an alleged Instagram story that read, “I did nothing wrong. I was unhappy so I did what anyone in my situation would do. Sorry, I don’t regret.” Many people found that line shocking. It presented a completely different image of the creator known for staying away from controversies.Fans reacted immediately. Some believed this confirmed the worst-case scenario. Others thought it didn’t look like him at all. That division deepened the confusion.However, a closer look revealed the truth. The post never existed. There has been no such statement from Sikkuno on Instagram or any other platform. The viral image was a fabrication, designed to provoke strong reactions. It worked because people were already waiting for him to speak.The real story lies in what did not happen. Cikkuno has remained silent since the allegations surfaced. No denial. no explanation. That silence has created scope for speculation to grow unchecked.Meanwhile, the allegations themselves continue to circulate online, supported by claims, screenshots, and personal accounts from multiple individuals. The situation has grown beyond a rumor and turned into a broader conversation about trust, influence, and power dynamics in the streaming sector.Fans are worried that they don’t know what is going to happen. He made a real connection with a creator who didn’t appear in any of the plays. Now, they have to figure out how to make sense of that photo and the claims being made online.The viral “sorry not sorry” moment says more about the internet than Ciccuno. When people don’t have any answers they make up their own. The noise will not stop until he talks.

New Delhi: Ladakh based activists Sonam Wangchuk The region is “oscillating between trust and distrust” due to the delay in the next round of talks with the Centre, it said on Monday, warning that a prolonged gap risks deepening divisions in the sensitive border area.In a post on X, Wangchuk said that more than two months have passed since the last round of talks on February 4, with no new date announced. “People have become frustrated and demoralized in this sensitive border area,” he said, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to take “timely measures” to resolve the issues.He also warned that the delay was allowing “shadowy entities” to “sow the seeds of Leh-Kargil (Buddhist-Muslim) divide”, raising concerns over social cohesion in the Union Territory.

Cancellation of house arrest raised hopes, but talks stalled

Wangchuk pointed out that it has been a month since his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) was revoked on March 14, a move that had raised hopes of “building mutual trust” and starting “constructive and meaningful dialogue”.He was detained by the government citing law and order concerns following the unrest in Leh in September 2025. His release came with the Centre’s assurance about continued engagement with stakeholders in Ladakh.

Demands remain intact amid calls for flexible talks

Ladakhi groups, including the Leh apex body, have been pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule status, with Wangchuk saying the demand comes under the Constitution. He has advocated a “flexible approach” to the talks, urging both sides to avoid a “win-lose” outcome.The first round of talks, including October and February meetings between Ladakhi representatives and the Union Home Ministry panel, remained inconclusive, leading to calls for fresh talks.The government has said it is committed to addressing the concerns of Ladakh through dialogue and mechanisms such as the High Powered Committee. It emphasizes the need to maintain peace, stability and mutual trust in the region.

Dacre Montgomery found his role as a killer in the new ‘Faces of Death’ movie relevant because of his own experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder. He is associated with the subtle nature of the character and attention to detail, a trait he brings to all his performances. Director Daniel Goldhaber felt that Montgomery’s personal relationship was important in shaping the villain.

dacre montgomery Considering his ‘Faces of Death’ villain role. The actor says that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was the most relatable part of the role. Australian actor stars opposite ‘Euphoria’ star barbie ferreira‘ as Arthur in the new horror film, who recreates and uploads videos of the murders shown in the 1978 film of the same name.

Dacre Montgomery says OCD was the most relatable part of the character

Speaking with People, Montgomery shared that what she found most relatable about her masked and red contact-wearing killer was her experience with OCD. “Certainly the thing about Arthur that was relevant to me was, to be honest, OCD,” he says. “It’s definitely my thing. I live with it and manage with it.”Elaborating on what he found relevant about the villain, the ‘Stranger Things’ alum says, “All the characters I’ve played have that kind of meticulousness and attention to detail, but he’s very methodical.”Montgomery said of Arthur, “By the time you see him in the movie, he’s halfway through executing his plan and he’s put a lot of thought into it.” “And I think I can definitely relate to not having to work toward a murderous plot in my life, but definitely just the attention to detail thing, I felt like I connected with it, yes, in a big way.”

‘Faces of Death’ director believes Dacre Montgomery was best suited for the role

Director of ‘Faces of Death’ Daniel Goldhaberwho also co-wrote the film with Issa Mazzei, says that this overlap in Montgomery and her on-screen killer helped craft the final look of the character. According to the filmmaker, if the role of Arthur had been played by another actor he would have looked very different. “I met with a handful of people for this film,” Goldhaber told the outlet. “As soon as I met Dacre, I felt like it just had to be him because everyone else… they came to this character they were talking about like no one else, like this guy they’d seen in the media. Dacre came in and was like, ‘Here are all the ways I personally relate to Arthur.’ “‘Faces of Death’, which also stars Charli XCX, Josie Tota, Aaron Holiday and Jermaine Fowler, will be released on April 10.

यूपी के कौशांबी जिले में एक बड़ा सड़क हादसा सामने आया है, जिसने हाईवे सुरक्षा पर सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं. कोखराज थाना क्षेत्र में लापरवाही के चलते अनाज से भरा ट्रक पलट गया, जिसमें चालक और खलासी गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गए। हादसे के बाद हाईवे पर चावल बिखर गए और कुछ देर के लिए यातायात बाधित हो गया. सूचना मिलते ही पुलिस मौके पर पहुंची और राहत कार्य शुरू किया. घायलों को तुरंत अस्पताल भेजा गया, जहां उनका इलाज जारी है.

दुर्घटना का कारण एवं घटना का विवरण
यह पूरी घटना कोखराज थाना क्षेत्र के रोही रामवनगमन मार्ग की बताई जा रही है. जानकारी के मुताबिक, गोरखपुर से मध्य प्रदेश के गुंडिया की ओर जा रहा अनाज से भरा ट्रक अचानक हाईवे के बीच पड़े पत्थर से टकरा गया. टक्कर इतनी जोरदार थी कि ट्रक चालक नियंत्रण खो बैठा और गाड़ी पलट गयी. दुर्घटना के बाद ट्रक में लदा एफसीआई का चावल सड़क पर फैल गया।

घायलों को अस्पताल भेजा गया
घटना की जानकारी मिलते ही पुलिस टीम तुरंत मौके पर पहुंची. स्थानीय लोगों की मदद से पुलिस ने घायल ट्रक चालक और हेल्पर को बाहर निकाला और जिला अस्पताल भेजा। डॉक्टरों के मुताबिक दोनों की हालत गंभीर बताई जा रही है और उनका इलाज जारी है.

यातायात बाधित, पुनः प्रारंभ
हादसे के बाद हाईवे पर चावल फैलने से कुछ देर के लिए यातायात पूरी तरह से रुक गया। पुलिस ने तुरंत कार्रवाई करते हुए सड़क से चावल हटवाया और वाहनों का परिचालन फिर से शुरू कराया. इससे लोगों को राहत मिली.

एनएचएआई की लापरवाही पर उठे सवाल
स्थानीय लोगों का आरोप है कि भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण हाईवे पर पड़े पत्थरों को हटाने में लापरवाही बरत रहा है. उनका कहना है कि यदि समय रहते सड़क की सफाई कराई गई होती तो यह हादसा टाला जा सकता था। फिलहाल पुलिस पूरे मामले की जांच कर रही है और हादसे के कारणों का पता लगाया जा रहा है.

Image used for representative purposes

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its extensive control over the Strait of Hormuz, even indicating that civilian maritime traffic is allowed under regulated conditions.In a statement quoted by AFP, the Guards’ naval command said, “All traffic … is under the full control of the armed forces,” with footage showing ships targeted through the crosshairs. The warning was further extended with the message, “If the enemy makes a wrong move he will be caught in a deadly whirlpool in the straits.”