Russia: Wagner mutiny shows real cracks in Putin authority - US
An attempted armed mutiny in Russia shows "real cracks" in President Vladimir Putin's authority, America's top diplomat Antony Blinken has said.
He told US media Saturday's rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner fighters was a "direct challenge" to Mr Putin, forcing him into an amnesty agreement.
The deal halted Wagner's march on Moscow. The mercenaries had earlier seized two major Russian cities.
Mr Putin accused the group of treason, but all charges were later dropped.
Under the deal, Wagner fighters must return to their field bases and Prigozhin move to Russia's western neighbour Belarus, whose leader Alexander Lukashenko was involved in the negotiations.
Hollywood producer testifies at Netanyahu corruption trial
Arnon Milchan appears by video link from UK to answer questions about alleged lavish gifts to Israeli PM
The Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan is testifying at the corruption trial of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to answer questions about an alleged “supply line” of champagne and cigars funnelled to Israel’s leader and his wife in exchange for help with Milchan’s personal and business needs.
Milchan, who appeared by video link on Sunday from the English city of Brighton, near where he is based, is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him.
The Sinking of a Refugee ShipSerious Accusations Leveled at the Greek Coast Guard
A three-meter-tall chain link fence separates the two worlds: Inside the complex, in the white containers, are the survivors of the shipwreck that took place in the Mediterranean Sea on June 14. Outside are the others, those hoping they will be able to see their relatives again here in the Malakasa camp. Or that the men inside will at least be able to tell them what happened to their sons, wives and nephews in their last few hours on the water.
For the past week, Malakasa has no longer been just a village in the north of Athens. It has been the center for thousands of relatives searching for their loved ones. Every few minutes, taxis and rental cars pull up in the small square in front of the camp. Men get out and walk past security to the fence.
Islam's holiest site looks set to host over two million as Hajj begins
Vast crowds of robed pilgrims made solemn circles around the Kaaba, the black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque, on Sunday as the biggest hajj pilgrimage in years began in the heat of the Saudi summer.
Islam's holiest site is expected to host more than two million worshippers from 160 countries during the annual rites that could break attendance records, with 1.6 million foreigners already arrived by Friday evening.
The hajj began early on Sunday with the "tawaf" -- the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the large cubic structure draped in black cloth with gold trimmings that millions of Muslims pray towards every day.
"I am living the most beautiful days of my life," said Abdel-Azim, a 65-year-old Egyptian as he performed the ritual.
"The dream has come true," said the retiree, who saved up for 20 years to pay the $6,000 fee to take part.
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once.
Israeli forces say will clamp down on settler ‘terrorism’
Israeli security chiefs to beef up military presence and ramp up arrests of settlers attacking Palestinian villages.
Israeli security chiefs have deemed a string of settler attacks on Palestinian villages in the past week as “nationalist terrorism”, drawing ire from far-right cabinet ministers.
Israel’s military, police and domestic security service chiefs made a joint statement on Saturday following several attacks in the occupied West Bank, also stating they will step up countermeasures.
The security chiefs pledged to beef up their military presence, while the Shin Bet domestic security service will ramp up arrests, including the use of “administrative detention”, where suspects can be held without charge.
Saudi Arabia Wants Tourists. It Didn’t Expect Christians.
In a fluid new age for the conservative Islamic kingdom, evangelicals have become some of its most enthusiastic visitors.
Vivian Nereim has reported from inside Saudi Arabia since 2015. For this article, she and the photographer Iman Al-Dabbagh spent five days traveling through Saudi Arabia with a Christian tour group.
The caravan of five Toyota Land Cruisers raced across Saudi Arabia’s rocky desert, weaving onto a highway so new it was not on the map. At the cleft of sea that splits the kingdom from Egypt, they stopped on a barren beach. Fifteen tourists spilled out and gathered around Joel Richardson, a Kansas preacher.
As the sun dipped below the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula — hazy across the water in Egypt — Mr. Richardson asked the group to imagine standing on the other side at the moment of the biblical Exodus, fleeing from Pharaoh’s army with Moses, when the sea ripped in half.
He opened a Bible, donned his glasses and began to recite. “Who among the gods is like you, oh Lord?” he said. “Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”
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