Prigozhin calls for rebellion against Russian army. Putin on TV: treason

Today's headines: Moscow on tenterhooks over Wagner Company mutiny, which claims to have taken control of Rostov; Indian oppositions in Patna discuss "common front" against Modi (but Kejrival and Congress remain divided); Islamabad government confirms: 350 Pakistanis aboard migrant ship wrecked in Aegean Sea; Beijing heatwave breaks records for most number of days above 40 degrees; First Ocha convoy in Idlib after earthquake.

RUSSIA

Since last night Wagner Company founder Evegenij Prigozhin has been challenging Putin with a mutiny. While not openly talking about a coup Prigozhin has called for a rebellion against the military, targeting Defense Minister Shoigu and General Gerasimov. He claims to have taken control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Putin appeared on television this morning calling the ongoing one a betrayal and-without naming Prigozhin, who has grown up among his loyalists-said counterterrorism is in action and there will be "harsh punishments" for those who want to divide Russia.

INDIA

Indian opposition parties held a summit in Patna yesterday with the aim of forming a common front against the ruling BJP for the 2024 elections. Bihar local government chief Nitish Kumar said all leaders agreed to face Modi united. During the meeting, however, deep differences emerged between Kejriwal's Aam Admy Party and the Congress Party. According to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in a forthcoming meeting in Shimla the modalities of the united front will be determined.

PAKISTAN

There were at least 350 Pakistanis on board the migrant-laden fishing boat that sank off southern Greece on June 14. This was confirmed in parliament by the Pakistani interior minister, based on the families who requested the government's help and took DNA tests. Sanaullah said that for Pakistan, "perhaps there has never been such a high toll in any incident, even terrorist incidents."

CHINA

For a thirds straight day Beijing temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees. In the Chinese capital between 1990 and 2020, the average number of days with temperatures at or above 35 degrees Celsius was 10.6, the Beijing Daily reported, citing official data. This year, however, that number has already been surpassed in June: with today it reached 11.

SOUTH KOREA

The Seoul city government has unveiled plans for a steamboat service along the Han River. The intention is to launch the service on a route between the Gimpo Grand Bridge, just west of the capital, and the Jamsil Grand Bridge in southeast Seoul. The initiative is expected to start in the second half of next year, with steamboats capable of carrying at least 150 passengers and 20 bicycles.

SYRIA

Ten UN aid trucks have entered Syria's last rebel-controlled enclave for the first time since February's disastrous earthquake. The convoy with humanitarian supplies passed through a government-controlled area in Aleppo province and entered Idlib, the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. The last such aid shipment had crossed the front line of the conflict in January.

KAZAKHSTAN-RUSSIA-SYRIA

Negotiations for the settlement of the conflict in Syria were deprived of their most appropriate venue, that of the "Astana format," as Kazakhstan refused to host any more similar meetings on its territory, explaining that all the goals set out six years ago in the Kazakh capital have been achieved by now after 20 meetings in Astana itself, leaving all the parties involved, Russia, Turkey and Iran, who consider the peace process still far from its conclusion, stunned.

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