More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war. Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom. That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes. Two civilians living in the central city of al-Kharj were killed in an Iranian attack on 8 March, along with a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base.

How Saudi Arabia's spending spree reached the end of the line Autocratic monarchs once left an echo of their glory in the ruins of the megaprojects they commanded at the peak of their unchallenged power. Those monumental physical traces are to be found in the fertile plains, mountainsides and deserts of the Middle East. But one of their most prominent modern counterparts may only have a digital footprint to leave behind for some of his most ambitious concepts. A decade ago, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman - or MBS as he is widely known - decreed a revisioning of his country that leapt from the realm of science fiction. It was called Vision 2030. Extraordinary monolithic structures were to help bring forth new technological marvels not just for the Kingdom but for the world.

Earlier today, Meta announced that it was testing a new Meta AI chatbot for Threads that would function a lot like Grok on X. Even though the early beta isn't available to most people on the platform yet, a number of Threads users have discovered its not possible to opt out of the feature or block chatbot's the account. While most people aren't able to interact with bot yet -- the initial testing is limited to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina and Singapore -- the public-facing @ meta.ai account is viewable to everyone on the platform. The account's initial post has been met with a flood of angry replies from users demanding to know why, unlike any other Threads account, there's no option to block it entirely. Some users have even said that they have reported the account for spam, which typically ends with the option to block, only to find out that the block didn't actually go into effect.

Megan Rapinoe, in a shock to no one, backs Angel Reese skipping interviews as'taking power back' White House calls out Newsom as California girls' track and field controversy reignites Here's why the coaches association's 24-team College Football Playoff could ruin the sport Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown tells ESPN's Stephen A Smith to'be quiet and retire' President Trump on $1,000 World Cup ticket prices: 'I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest' Pirates vs. Diamondbacks betting preview targets the under as both offenses go cold in series Former LSU coach Brian Kelly uses AI to prepare for job interviews, proving he's just like the rest of us Mark Hamill is a'miserable human being': Sage Steele AOC is in'favor' of'robbing' the American people: Tiffany Smiley Iran's playbook is to talk and then fight, Lt Gen Keith Kellogg says Watters: If Iran doesn't sign this fast, the US will be a lot more violent US waits for Iran's response on peace proposal Authorities try to'connect the dots' on hantavirus infections Jesse Watters: Spencer Pratt is a'charismatic, common-sense populist' Greg Gutfeld: Dana White laughs off the'toxic masculinity thing' OutKick Another LIV golfer remains committed to staying put: 'I have full faith in the future of LIV' Thomas Detry says players'really love it' and calls on the entire roster to show cohesion and support Greg Palkot breaks down the announcement that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will cease funding for the LIV Golf tour, putting its future in jeopardy. LIV Golf now seeks new investors while players attempt to rejoin the PGA Tour. Out of seemingly nowhere, the future of the LIV Golf Tour has been put in serious jeopardy. The breakaway golf tour previously relied on funding from the Saudi Arabia-backed Public Investment Fund to back extremely high purses and bring in top players with massive signing bonuses. But that funding is coming to an end after the 2026 season, throwing all of that progress into jeopardy.

The Iran war has strengthened Ukraine in surprising ways. Could a ceasefire with Russia be closer? When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, serious-faced and clad in black, strolled down a lilac carpet in Saudi Arabia in March, it marked a moment in the US-Israeli war in Iran. In a post on X, he said his visit was to strengthen the protection of lives. Zelensky, who carries the weight of Ukraine's own war with Russia on his shoulders, has been seizing the moment, flying to the Gulf to publicly showcase the international value and marketability of Kyiv's learned-on-the-battlefield military nous in drone warfare. Ukraine says it has now signed deals with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar - all hit by Iranian missiles and drones in recent weeks - to share drone expertise and technology, tightening alliances and benefitting from business - and it hopes defence deals - with wealthy US-allied countries.

Rob Reiner's son Jake shares horrific new details from night of his parents' murders and says it is'almost impossible to process' that his brother Nick has been charged with the killings Bloodbath on the streets as millions of dogs are'massacred' by firing squad ahead of the World Cup Tucker Carlson's secret heiress sister reveals bitter feud over family fortune: He says'I don't know her'... but trove of photos tells a very different story Lesbian sex secrets of Kristi Noem's ICE leader: Ex lover claims jealous rages over men, screaming through hotel walls... and vile tight bodysuit demand Hidden cameras at NYC's live animal markets expose filthy conditions, disease risks, and brutal treatment of chickens, ducks, rabbits and sheep MAUREEN CALLAHAN: Dark indisputable Michael Jackson truths Hollywood STILL covers up. His own daughter reportedly now thinks he was a pedophile, so why's this so hard to say? Scandal after high-ranking female prison officer gave birth to twins... as shocking rumor spreads about identity of their father My senior government source has told me why these scientists may REALLY be going missing. This is so serious even the President is being kept on a'need-to-know basis': KENNEDY Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow announces tragic news of dad's death after battle with Parkinson's in heartbreaking post Reclusive Athina Onassis, heiress to $2.7billion fortune who stepped away from public life after humiliating heartbreak, breaks cover at Barcelona Bridal Week in rare public appearance Sam's Club just launched a perk that targets Costco's biggest flaw Disappointed customers reveal the most'overrated' chain restaurants... do YOU have good taste? Woke author who boasted about shoplifting from Whole Foods flies into foul-mouthed RAGE when confronted outside her $2.2m Brooklyn brownstone Sherrone Moore's ex-mistress reveals pregnancy as she details night fired Michigan coach came to her apartment Troubling past of'father of the year' who murdered son, 11, in airport bathroom... as grieving grandpa reveals warning sign that something awful was about to happen US threatens to'review' UK claim to Falklands Islands and ban Spain from NATO as punishment for failure to back Iran War'Chemical-spraying' drones reportedly stolen from New Jersey facility sparks fears of'nightmare scenario' An alarm has erupted after 15 powerful agricultural spray drones were stolen in a suspected coordinated heist in New Jersey last month. A report from The High Side claimed the FBI is investigating the theft amid fears the machines could be used to disperse dangerous materials.

A soldier carries a drone during a military parade in Washington on June 14, 2025. The Pentagon's largest-ever budget request earmarks $75 billion for drones and technologies to counter them, mainly for a massive increase for a little-known office working with U.S. commandos to test and evaluate various systems, according to defense officials. The drone-funding proposal includes $54.6 billion for the Defense Autonomous Working Group, or DAWG, from just $225.9 million this year. That would appear to be the largest single year-over-year boost of any defense program or office, meaning it's likely to draw particular congressional and public scrutiny in an already eye-catching $1.5 trillion request that's 42% larger than this year's budget. The big boost for the Pentagon's little-known drone unit comes as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran illustrates how drones can help level the playing field against even the world's most well-funded armed forces.

Driver who hit and killed jogger father-of-two sues victim's estate claiming incident left him with severe PTSD Sydney Sweeney's role is cut from The Devil Wears Prada 2 New'Hollywood dose' pill: A-listers hooked on'youth elixir' that dermatologists say is anti-aging, shrinks pores, smooths wrinkles... and even banishes rosacea Alarm over popular new coffee chain invading the US... as experts warn of chilling secret behind its $1.99 brew Ark of the Covenant's final resting place pinpointed by archaeologists as fresh search begins Truth about your Mounjaro injection site: Our expert doctors reveal exactly where you should inject yourself for the best results, what to do if your weight loss has slowed down... and the areas you should NEVER jab America's scariest hospital where patient and multiple staffers have been attacked in weeks since pepper spray and batons were banned Jordon Hudson extends her control over Bill Belichick's empire with secret move that is set to leave his family and friends furious Beloved Republican mayor of small Great Plains town could be deported over'mistake' he insists was an innocent one Humiliating moment runner celebrates winning marathon... only to be pipped at the line by rival in brutal finish Life-threatening cantaloupe recall in four states upgraded to FDA's highest risk level... 'reasonable probability of death' A parade of US Air Force jets has been detected flying near the Middle East on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump's ceasefire with Iran hangs in the balance. Flight tracking websites show at least five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft moving toward Saudi Arabia after leaving a key Nato installation in Germany . Trump announced a 14-day ceasefire with Iran on April 7, with the pause in hostilities expected to expire on Wednesday evening, April 22 . On Tuesday, Trump signaled that US forces are prepared to resume military operations if negotiations fail to produce an agreement. Trump told reporters the military is'raring to go,' adding that he expects bombing could resume if no deal is reached before the deadline, while expressing confidence that talks could still result in what he described as a'great deal.'

Taylor Sheridan's new war movie gets major update, legendary director attached LPGA star Nelly Korda sizzles on the beach, Dems won't stop dancing & Gia Duddy whips up a bikini lunch Paige Spiranac provides an update on'Great Cans' saga, fan's still MIA but others have picked up the slack Ivanka Trump has the angry libs on high alert as she slides into an amazing dress, Waffle House chaos & MEAT! Donald Trump makes odd'hair' comment to Danica Patrick at TPUSA event Islamabad enters'red zone' lockdown ahead of expected US-Iran peace talks Holocaust survivor known as'Crossing Guard Diva' goes viral for glam style House Ethics Committee weighs action against Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick'Sinister' links suspected in mysterious deaths of scientists Welcome to the numerous new Screencaps readers - trust me, you have to give this column two weeks to understand what's going on If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of new Screencaps readers who found this column on Monday, welcome back. You're about to become hooked. Just go ahead and clear your daily schedule at 9 a.m. for America's Best Daily Column, as named by the readers who've been with me for years. In some cases, readers have been with me for over a decade. This column is their talk radio.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. The Dodgers of esports: How L.A.'s Liquid Guild won the attention of over 100,000 people The top "WoW" guilds around the world, including Team Liquid, race to be the first to defeat highest-difficulty bosses. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . Los Angeles-based Team Liquid won the "World of Warcraft" world championship for the fourth consecutive time, defeating Germany's Echo guild in a monthlong competition watched by more than 100,000 viewers.