Saudi Arabia wants tourists. It didn’t expect Christians.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Saudi Arabia wants tourists. It didn’t expect Christians. HAQL, Saudi Arabia — 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 — 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?”Two Florida retirees, a Colorado pharmacist, an Idaho bookkeeper and an Israeli archaeologist listened intently.These were not the visitors Saudi officials expected when they opened the country’s borders to leisure ...

Human remains found near Oakland Zoo investigated as homicide

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Human remains found near Oakland Zoo investigated as homicide (KRON) -- Human remains were found near the Oakland Zoo on Friday afternoon, and police are investigating the death as a homicide, the Oakland Police Department confirmed to KRON4. Suspect in custody after death of Oakland baker Just before 1:15 p.m. a person notified OPD that they found human remains in the 9700 block of Golf Links Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a dead victim, OPD said. Investigators with the Homicide Section arrived at the scene to conduct a follow-up investigation. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the OPD Criminal Investigations Division at 510-238-3821 or the Tip Line at 510-238-7950.

Kremlin spokesman says Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus as part of deal to defuse rebellion tensions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Kremlin spokesman says Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus as part of deal to defuse rebellion tensions MOSCOW (AP) — Kremlin spokesman says Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus as part of deal to defuse rebellion tensions.Source

Rays ace Shane McClanahan has next start pushed back a couple days

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Rays ace Shane McClanahan has next start pushed back a couple days ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, (AP) — The next start of Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pushed back a couple days after leaving a game against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning due to mid-back tightness.McClanahan leads the majors with 11 wins and started Saturday with the a 2.23 ERA, the big league low among qualified pitchers. His start was cut short Thursday. Originally set to start Wednesday at Arizona, the 26-year-old left-hander instead will take the mound Friday against Seattle.“Totally out of precautionary for us,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We just felt like with the workload to date, where he’s at, that’s not the worst thing in the world.”The left-hander threw for five minutes in the outfield before the Rays hosted the Royals on Saturday.“He felt really good,” Cash said. “He’s pretty adamant that he’s ready to go.”Second baseman Brandon Lowe, out since June 4 with a herniated disk, will play with the rookie-level Florida Complex League R...

“El chef de Putin”: la extraña relación del líder mercenario con el presidente de Rusia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

“El chef de Putin”: la extraña relación del líder mercenario con el presidente de Rusia Yevgeny Prigozhin, que alguna vez fue un empresario de bajo perfil que se benefició de tener al presidente ruso Vladimir Putin como un poderoso patrocinador, ha pasado a captar la atención mundial con la guerra de Rusia en Ucrania.En su papel de dirigente de una fuerza mercenaria que dice estar librando muchas de las batallas más duras de las fuerzas armadas rusas en Ucrania, Prigozhin, de 62 años, ha pasado ahora a desempeñar su papel más peligroso hasta la fecha: predicar la rebelión abierta contra la cúpula militar de su país.Prigozhin, propietario del Grupo Wagner, aliado del Kremlin, ha intensificado lo que han sido meses de duras críticas hacia el manejo de la guerra por parte de Rusia, exhortando el viernes a un levantamiento armado para echar al ministro de Defensa. Quién es el jefe de mercenarios rusos que puso a temblar a Vladimir Putin Crisis en Rusia: jefe de mercenarios detiene avance a Moscú para evitar un baño de sangre ...

Prince William County School Board passes revised code of behavior

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Prince William County School Board passes revised code of behavior The Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center serves as the administrative office facility for Prince William County Schools. (Courtesy Prince William County Schools)(Courtesy Prince William County Schools) The Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center serves as the administrative office facility for Prince William County Schools. (Courtesy Prince William County Schools)(Courtesy Prince William County Schools) This article was written by WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.The Prince William County School Board approved the school system’s revised code of behavior, including new restorative disciplinary practices but with changes to controv...

Rays shortstop Wander Franco back in lineup after 2-day benching

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Rays shortstop Wander Franco back in lineup after 2-day benching ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is back in the starting lineup after being benched for two games in response to his handling of frustrating situations this season.Franco was second in the batting order for Saturday’s game against the Kanas City Royals. After being sent home Thursday, the first of the two games he didn’t play, Franco was in uniform and in the dugout for Friday night’s game.“It’s been hard, really hard, not being with team,” Franco said through a translator. “I’m happy to be back. It’s been difficult.”Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash has declined to discuss specific incidents. Franco has at times not run out grounders. After an at-bat on Wednesday, he shattered his bat on the dugout bench.“I think they’re doing a good job in the way they’ve controlled the situation,” Franco said. “I’ve been with this organization a long time, and I think they’ve controlled the situation well wit...

Rangers reliever José Leclerc on 15-day injured list with sprained right ankle

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Rangers reliever José Leclerc on 15-day injured list with sprained right ankle NEW YORK (AP) — The Texas Rangers placed reliever José Leclerc on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a sprained right ankle, a day after the right-hander was hurt during batting practice.Leclerc is 0-1 with one save and a 3.42 ERA in 24 appearances this season. The right-hander has a 5.40 ERA in his last 15 outings after starting this season with nine scoreless appearances.LeClerc has 37 saves and a 3.15 ERA in 253 appearances since making his big league debut with Texas in 2016.Yerry Rodríguez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock for his third stint with the Rangers. Rodríguez has a 3.38 ERA in six appearances with Texas this season and is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.29 ERA in 17 relief appearances with Round Rock.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

‘Small but meaningful measure’: Metrobus to institute nighttime ‘courtesy stops’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

‘Small but meaningful measure’: Metrobus to institute nighttime ‘courtesy stops’ Starting Sunday, nighttime Metrobus riders in the D.C. area will have the opportunity to get off in between bus stops to be closer to their destination, in an effort to increase safety.Metro said that riders can ask for a “courtesy stop” between 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. That’s when the bus driver, if it’s safe to do so, will pull over to the curb to let the rider exit the bus.Even though Metro said that these courtesy stops “will be allowed on all regular route Metrobuses,” it won’t be accommodated on limited-stop and Express Metrobus routes, a news release said.Metro said riders should use the front door to exit the bus.“The safety of every customer is important to us and for those traveling alone at night, having the option of a courtesy stop will provide an additional sense of security,” Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke said in a release.“It’s a small but meaningful measure, along with the added value that comes ...

Denver weather: Dry breezy weekend

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:30:24 GMT

Denver weather: Dry breezy weekend DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s weather will dry out this weekend after an active week of severe weather on the Front Range.The weekend of June 24 has warm temperatures and sun in the forecast. Pride Guide: What to know about Denver events Weather Saturday: Warm and dryIt will be a great weekend to spend time outside in Denver as a dry pattern returns to Colorado. Temperatures the weekend of June 24 will be warm with the sunshine making a return.Temperatures will be seasonally warm, in the mid 80s. Colorado farmers markets near you There will be sunshine, warm temperatures and a breeze the weekend of June 24.Plenty of sunshine and some breezy winds round out the weekend. Temperatures across the state will be warm Sunday, June 25.Sunday will be another warm and sunny day, with some areas nearly reaching the 90s and comfortable temperatures in the high 70s and 80s across the Front Range. Going hiking? Prepare ahead of your expedition Looking ahead: Staying dryDenver will have...