* Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin visits annexed Crimea President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Crimea, his first visit to the peninsula since Russia annexed it from Ukraine in March.
* Army Radio apologizes for anti-Orthodox statements An Israeli public radio station apologized for airing offensive statements about ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi Jews on the eve of Independence Day.
* EU targets more Russian names, firms ahead of 'long' weekend EU countries are preparing to blacklist more Russian officials and two firms depending on what happens in Crimea and Donetsk over the weekend.
* West sceptical of Putin's u-turn on Ukraine The US and Nato have voiced wariness over Russia's announcement that it pulled back troops from Ukraine's border.
* Rice: Every $1 spent on Israel's security is an investment President Barack Obama's security adviser said US investment in Israel's defense shows it is committed to its security.
* Golan Heights Welcomes 'Rains of Blessing' Rabbi Yehoshua Van-Dyke, the chief rabbi of the Golan Heights community Ramat Magshimim located near the Syrian border, welcomed the unseasonable heavy rains.
* Fatah Agrees to Release All Hamas Prisoners Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is apparently going well.
* Ukrainian minister: Some 20 pro-Russian rebels killed in fighting in Mariupol Ukrainian security forces killed about 20 pro-Russian rebels who tried to seize control of police headquarters in the eastern port city of Mariupol.
* 'Hilltop youth the hardest informants to recruit' The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police are failing to stop "price tag" attacks because they're facing off against a population that is almost impossible to infiltrate.
* Nigeria abductions: US and UK experts help seek schoolgirls Experts from the US and UK have arrived in Nigeria to help find some 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram Islamist militants.