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Viral video does not show Saudi Arabia intercepting Houthi drone over Makkah

Viral video does not show Saudi Arabia intercepting Houthi drone over Makkah

A viral video claiming Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi drone over Makkah is false, iVerify Pakistan found, tracing it to 2025 Madinah footage.

Asia
India's Hindu nationalists eye Kolkata street names honoring Communists

India's Hindu nationalists eye Kolkata street names honoring Communists

West Bengal's BJP government is reviewing proposals to rename Kolkata street names honoring Lenin, Marx and Ho Chi Minh, officials said.

Europe
European Union to unveil 'EU Kids Act' as global momentum grows for youth social media bans

European Union to unveil 'EU Kids Act' as global momentum grows for youth social media bans

The European Commission will propose the "EU Kids Act" following an outline by Ursula von der Leyen, targeting under-15 access and banning addictive features like infinite scrolling as over 20 countries worldwide push to restrict social media for minors

Middle East
CBO estimates US-Iran war costs reach $38 billion with severe missile interceptor shortages

CBO estimates US-Iran war costs reach $38 billion with severe missile interceptor shortages

A nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report estimates that US military operations against Iran cost $38 billion, warning that missile defense interceptor stockpiles have been depleted by up to two-thirds and inflation will rise.

North America
US-Iran war cost hits USD 38bn, could rise by up to USD 3bn a month: CBO

US-Iran war cost hits USD 38bn, could rise by up to USD 3bn a month: CBO

CBO says the US Iran war cost has strained munitions stocks, while energy disruptions could lift early-2027 inflation 0.5 percentage point above its forecast