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Friday, June 19, 2026

Trump Unveils New Air Force One Gifted By Qatar, Calls It 'Flying White House': WATCH

US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, describing it as a "flying White House" and hailing it as one of the most luxurious aircraft ever built. Speaking during a ceremony inside the aircraft's hangar at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, Trump praised the work that went into modifying the jet and thanked Qatar for providing the aircraft, AFP reported. Trump said the aircraft had been extensively redesigned to serve as a presidential platform. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E2woJ60fMIQ?si=RUEVrvBS6RhIlI1y" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> "With the extraordinary devotion of many of you here today, this plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody's ever seen before," he said. The US president also described the aircraft as "the world's most luxurious plane" and thanked Qatar's leadership for the gift. "This is considered the world's most luxurious plane," Trump said, adding that Qatar had been "so nice and providing" it. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-says-meloni-begged-for-photo-italian-pm-hits-back-says-neither-i-nor-italy-ever-beg-1851394">Trump Says Meloni 'Begged' For Photo; Italian PM Hits Back, Says 'Neither I Nor Italy Ever Beg'</a> <h3>Luxury Interiors Revealed</h3> According to journalists who toured the aircraft, the jet features leather seating, plush carpeting, wooden panelling and interiors decorated in tan, light brown and gold shades, AFP reported. The aircraft also contains framed artwork and patriotic-themed decorations, including a print depicting a duck swimming in Washington's Reflecting Pool. Trump highlighted the quality of the aircraft's design and construction. "When you see it, you won't believe it, actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines," he said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> .<a href="https://ift.tt/IBbtS6A> makes the inaugural exit from the BRAND NEW AIR FORCE ONE! 🔥🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/jBciB2atAV">pic.twitter.com/jBciB2atAV</a> — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://ift.tt/nsPqNdz 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/2KhCwx1" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h3>Trump Praises Aircraft's Capabilities</h3> The president repeatedly drew attention to the aircraft's size and performance, claiming it offers greater range and speed than existing presidential aircraft. "It flies further and faster than any Air Force One," Trump said. He added that the aircraft could take part in a flyover during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence on July 4. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-peace-deal-live-updates-iran-gets-no-money-not-ten-cents-trump-s-new-post-as-peace-deal-signing-delays-1851404">'Iran Gets No Money, Not Ten Cents!': Trump's New Post As US-Iran Peace Deal Is Scrapped</a> <h3>Gift Draws Scrutiny</h3> The aircraft, reportedly valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, has attracted scrutiny from critics who have raised ethical, constitutional and security concerns over Qatar's gift to the US government, the report said. Trump has previously defended accepting the aircraft, arguing that rejecting it would be "stupid." His remarks that the jet could eventually be donated to his presidential library have also sparked debate among critics. <h3>Replacing A Long-Serving Fleet</h3> The unveiling comes as the White House moves to modernise the presidential air fleet. One of the two heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have transported US presidents since the 1990s was formally retired on Thursday, fuelling speculation that a replacement would soon be introduced. The new aircraft features a navy-blue underside, a red stripe and a white upper fuselage, replacing the traditional blue-and-white colour scheme of the outgoing jet. Under US protocol, any aircraft carrying the president adopts the call sign "Air Force One." The US government has separately contracted Boeing to deliver two new 747-8 aircraft for presidential use, although the programme has faced repeated delays and cost overruns.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-unveils-new-air-force-one-gifted-by-qatar-calls-it-flying-white-house-video-1851435

German Journalist Detained In Syria Returns Home, Says Lawyer

Edited by: Rana Taha German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, who went missing early this year in Syria while reporting on the remnants of more than a decade of civil war, returned to Germany on Friday, her lawyer said. "It can be confirmed that Eva M. Michelmann was released this morning and returned to Germany this afternoon," her lawyer Roland Meister told the AFP news agency, also making similar comments to other outlets. <h2>What else do we know about Michelmann's return?</h2> Her brother Antonius Michelmann later told the German dpa news agency that "We went to collect her," as she returned to Germany via Jordan. He said that she was doing well, given the circumstances. He said she had been held in solitary confinement for an extended period but did not provide further details. <h2>What had happened to Michelmann?</h2> Michelmann had gone missing during an offensive by Syrian government forces against Kurdish fighters in the northeast in January this year. Her colleague Turkish-Kurdish journalist Ahmed Polad disappeared at the same time. Antonius Michelmann said that Polad's whereabout were still not known. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), they both worked for the Istanbul-based socialist Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and the Ozgur TV channel. For months it was not entirely clear what had become of them. The German Foreign Ministry last week said it was working at a high level to secure Michelmann's release. It wasn't clear why the reporter from the western city of Cologne was detained or if she was charged with any crime. <h2>Who's running Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad?</h2> The West has broadly welcomed the new Syrian government, led by former Islamist militant group leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has pledged to turn over a new, inclusive leaf now he's in power in Damascus. But religious and ethnic minorities including the Kurds in Syria have voiced concern about the new Sunni regime that toppled longstanding dictator Bashar Assad in December 2024. As well as the military clashes with Kurdish forces and reports of violence against Alawites and Druze, more mundane changes like curbs on alcohol sales in Damascus have also prompted criticism and protests. Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as a preferred source on Google, so you'll always see our verified news first. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/german-journalist-detained-in-syria-back-home-lawyer-says-1851427

PoJK Protest Crackdown: 2 Killed, 8 Injured As Rangers Open Fire Near LoC

Pakistan’s Army and Rangers again opened fire on unarmed protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) on Friday, killing two people and injuring at least eight others in what protesters described as another attempt to suppress the growing anti-Pakistan movement in the region. <img src="https://ift.tt/4f0HqC2" width="720" /> Exclusive videos accessed by ABP News show that around 70-80 protesters had gathered in Battal village of Poonch district in PoJK, located just a few metres from the Line of Control (LoC), at approximately 7:30 am. As the protesters assembled to travel towards Rawalakot, Pakistani Army and Rangers personnel deployed nearby allegedly opened fire on the crowd and launched tear-gas shells. <h2>Videos Show Chaos After Firing</h2> Visuals from the scene show smoke engulfing the area following the firing and shelling. Protesters can be seen scrambling towards nearby hilltops to save themselves as Pakistani forces continued their operation. <img src="https://ift.tt/Z2O3Nu1" width="720" /> According to exclusive information received from the ground, Rangers fired more than 50 rounds during the incident. <h2>Two Protesters Die Of Gunshot Injuries</h2> Two protesters were reportedly shot directly in the chest. Videos received by ABP News show local residents carrying the critically wounded men on traditional cots towards a hospital. Both men died from their injuries before reaching medical treatment. The deceased have been identified as Anja and Ghulam Sarwar. With the latest killings, the death toll linked to Pakistan’s crackdown on the protest movement has risen to 58. <h2>Concerns Grow Over Eidgah Ground Protest Site</h2> The latest bloodshed comes amid growing fears of a wider operation against demonstrators gathered at Eidgah Ground, where more than 60,000 protesters are currently assembled. <h2>150 Protesters Declared 'Terrorists'</h2> Tensions escalated further after the PoJK administration issued a notification declaring 150 protesters, organisers and supporters as terrorists under Schedule-4 provisions. Among those designated are prominent protest leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir, Khawaja Mehran and Aman Khan. <h2>UK-Based Activist Also Named In List</h2> One of the most notable names on the list is Chaudhry Tariq Mahmood of Mirpur, a UK-based activist who spent more than two decades promoting Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and organising over 1,200 anti-India demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in London. Despite years of advocating Islamabad’s position, he has also been declared a terrorist after speaking out against Pakistan’s actions in PoJK.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pojk-protest-crackdown-2-killed-8-injured-as-rangers-open-fire-near-loc-1851421

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Indian Consulate in New York condoles death of 18-year-old tourist from India

New York, Jun 18 (PTI): The Consulate General of India in New York has expressed condolences over the tragic death of an 18-year old tourist from India who died after sustaining injuries in a horse carriage incident in Central Park here. Romanch Mahajan was on his first trip to New York with his family when the incident took place on Wednesday, The New York Times reported. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in New York said that “we are deeply saddened” by Mahajan’s "untimely demise”. Mahajan, an Indian national, "tragically lost his life following a fall from a horse carriage in Central Park, New York. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with the family and is extending all possible assistance and support,” it said. Following Mahajan’s death from injuries suffered in the horse carriage incident in Central Park, a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy said in a statement that it is “absolutely devastated” to learn of the young man’s death. “On behalf of everyone at the Central Park Conservancy, our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time,” it said. The Central Park Conservancy, which has been entrusted by the City of New York with the complete day-to-day care of the iconic public space, added that “this is the tragedy we feared when we first called last year for horse carriages to be banned from Central Park due to the risks they pose to public safety and public health". “A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America,” the Conservancy said. The Conservancy renewed its call for New York City to pass Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse carriages and provide transitional job placement services for drivers. “Every day horse carriages are in the park is a day the safety of New Yorkers and visitors is in jeopardy,” it said. There have now been eight horse-related incidents in Central Park over the past thirteen months. The New York Times report said that the driver of the carriage had stopped to take a family picture, and in an instant, the horse bolted. It tore up onto the sidewalk and bumped onto the grass, accelerating crazily, the driver racing behind, the report added. "We were yelling, 'Help me, help me!" Deepak Mahajan, Romanch's father, said. The family clung desperately to one another, but when Deepak's wife, Priya, fell out of the carriage, Romanch jumped down to try to help her, he said. "My son, just to save his mother, he fell off," said Deepak. "He was screaming, 'Mom!'" "The horse got scared and ran superfast," Tatianna Bresler, who works at the Tavern on the Green, told The New York Post. Bresler, who called 911 as soon as she saw the crash and heard screaming, said a witness was able to slow down the runaway horse before the carriage flipped. Romanch hit his head on the ground and lay still. He died on Wednesday night at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Centre, The New York Times report added. The rest of the family, father, mother and Romanch’s younger brother, escaped with minor injuries, though their carriage clipped another carriage and toppled over, shattering into pieces, it said. The accident is the latest in a series of mishaps involving carriage horses. The union that represents carriage drivers said it never should have happened. "It appears the driver was at least at arm's length from his horse," Alexander Kemp, a vice president of the union, Transport Workers Union Local 100, said in a statement. "This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos - ever. We support a full investigation." The driver, whose name was not immediately released, has been suspended indefinitely by the carriage's owner, Kemp added. The accident immediately led to renewed calls to ban the carriages from the park. There are more than 100 carriage horses in Manhattan. "We cannot allow this to be treated as another isolated incident," City Councilman Christopher Marte, who has introduced a bill to ban carriages at the end of next year, said in a statement. "The Council must act with the urgency this tragedy demands," Marte was quoted as saying by the report. PTI YAS GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/indian-consulate-in-new-york-condoles-death-of-18-year-old-tourist-from-india-1851184

US Vice President Vance defends peace deal with Iran, claims different from Obama’s JCPOA

Washington, Jun 18 (PTI): US Vice President J D Vance said on Thursday that the peace deal with Iran will do much more than President Barack Obama’s pact to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Addressing a press conference here, Vance drew parallels between the Memorandum of Understanding signed by US President Donald Trump and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed to under the Obama leadership. Vance said when the JCPOA was signed in 2015, Iran already had built a nuclear weapons programme and the US “bribed” Tehran with American money to stop it. “Our perspective is we have already destroyed your nuclear programme. If you promise and show verifiable pathways to not rebuild it, then we are willing to give you some sanctions relief. So, it is a fundamentally different perspective,” Vance said, mounting a defence of the MoU signed by Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. Vance also claimed that the GCC countries felt that the Trump deal made Iran weaker, and they hated Obama’s JCPOA as it made Tehran stronger. “The Obama nuclear deal allowed enrichment. Ours will not. The Obama deal allowed the accumulation of stockpiled weapons-grade material. Ours is actually leading to the destruction of that stockpile of enriched material,” Vance said. Vance also said further technical negotiations with Iran will be done on the basis of the MoU agreed to Sunday and physically signed on Wednesday in Versailles. A close examination of the two documents brings out the key differences. The JCPOA was an extremely detailed agreement running into 18 pages with several annexures comprising technical points, Trump’s 14-point deal is a roadmap for future negotiations. The signing of the MoU has brought an end to the US military operations in Iran and led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the transport of 20 per cent of the global oil supplies. The 14-point deal doesn't include specifics on what will happen to Iran's enriched uranium or its nuclear programme, leaving those details to be sorted out over the next 60 days. Listed below are some points of the JCPOA of 2015 and the MoU signed by Trump. JCPOA: "Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons." Trump’s MoU: Iran "reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons." Details to be finalised in the further negotiations. JCPOA: Iran not required to destroy enriched uranium, but to reduce the stockpile to a low grade of enrichment. Iran also agreed to cap enrichment of uranium to 3.67 per cent for 15 years, well below 90 per cent required for weapons. Trump’s MoU: Details of Iran’s uranium handling to be decided during the 60-day negotiation period, but will have some limits. The US and Iran "agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material." Also refers to downblending of Iran’s enriched uranium under IAEA supervision. JCPOA: Had sunset clauses ranging from 10 to 15 years. Trump’s MoU: No sunset clauses as of now. JCPOA: Granted relief from sanctions subject to Iran agreeing to limits on its nuclear programme. Trump’s MoU: Nuclear sanctions to be lifted if Iran sticks to its obligations. Details to be worked out in the final deal. Grant’s immediate waiver for oil and petroleum trade. JCPOA: Also signed by China, Russia, the UK and Germany. Trump’s MoU: Bilateral agreement, mediated by Pakistan. JCPOA: Did not include funds for development. Trump’s MoU: The US to make fully available use of frozen or restricted funds and assets of Iran upon the implementation of the MOU. PTI SKU GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-vice-president-vance-defends-peace-deal-with-iran-claims-different-from-obama-s-jcpoa-1851182

India emerging as 'trusted partner' to the world: PM Modi

Paris, Jun 18 (PTI): India is emerging as a "trusted partner" to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, underlining that the country is investing across sectors that will drive growth, innovation and opportunity for generations to come. Addressing the Indian diaspora here, Modi also said that this is a defining period in India's journey, where aspirations are reaching new heights and that the country is “shaping the future”. "There was a time when relations between countries were determined solely by trade, but today, trust has become just as important alongside trade," Modi told the gathering at Salle Playel, one of the largest indoor venues in the French capital. "Every country wants a reliable supply chain. Every country wants a stable partnership. Every country is in search of such partners on whom trust can be placed for the long term, and at such a time, India is emerging as a trusted partner in the world," the prime minister said. “Today, when India is racing ahead towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, I call on all of you (in France) to connect with India more deeply. This will bring added strength to India's growth trajectory, while you will get an opportunity to serve the land of your ancestors,” he said, in his address in Hindi. Reflecting upon the achievements of the diaspora, he pointed to World War II British Indian spy Noor Inayat Khan and a French General in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army. “Be it Indian-origin Noor Inayat Khan, who sacrificed her life for the French Resistance, or General Jean-François Allard, who worked with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, they are all symbols of a shared Indo-French heritage," he said. Highlighting that the people of India want to take their lives to the next level, he pointed to the Chandrayaan mission as an example of the country’s “aspirations”. “The world recognised this as a huge achievement but India did not stop there. Today, the country is preparing for Gaganyaan, moving forward towards building its own space station,” he said. Amid loud cheers from the audience, Modi hailed the expanding footprint of UPI in France which would give a boost to tourism flows between the two countries. "Last year, a Consulate was opened in Marseille, which is providing a lot of additional assistance (for Indians). Few weeks back, the facility of visa-free transit for Indian nationals was launched at French airports. “Whether it is increasing the mobility of students and professionals or mutual recognition of educational qualifications or French universities opening campuses in India, we are moving forward together in this direction. "The scope for the use of UPI in France is also set to increase, which means as the India-French connect is instant so are our mutual payments – bringing both nations closer together,” he said, adding that the strength of the ties lay in the diaspora. On the trade front, he pointed to the progress made with the UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) being enforced from next month and progress being with the European Union (EU) talks, which will open up new opportunities for Indian workers, farmers, innovators and others. Modi said that at the G7 meeting in Evian, he emphasised the importance of partnerships based on trust. "Bharat’s message to the G7 Summit was clear: global governance will only be effective when it is inclusive; global growth will be sustainable when it is shared; and technology will truly benefit humanity when it is trusted," he said. Modi said that the world is experiencing a period of uncertainty and disruption. "In these challenging times, the partnership between France and India has become a strong pillar of trust, stability, and cooperation," he said, noting that the two sides have elevated their relationship to the status of a Special Global Strategic Partnership. He said the two countries are launching the TRISHNA satellite next year. "This satellite will contribute to ensuring water and food security in the world," he added. Modi said he arrived in France when his government had completed 12 years. "Serving the nation continuously for 12 years as the elected Prime Minister has been a great fortune of my life. This is the strength of India's democracy, which has brought a tea seller to this position," he said. Modi said that India has witnessed transformative growth across sectors in the last 12 years. "Beyond economic growth, India's journey is about empowering people and transforming lives," he added. He said that today's story of India is not just the story of economic progress. "It is also the story of social transformation," he said, adding that 25 crore people in the country have been lifted out of poverty in the last 12 years. "Today's India and its youth are dreaming very big dreams. India's farmers are moving forward with new possibilities. India's women are demonstrating new leadership," he said. "Fifty or a hundred years from today, when this era is reviewed, it will emerge that this era was driven by India's aspirations. Today's India is building the entire ecosystem of the future. India is investing in every sector that will shape the direction of the coming decades," he added. Earlier, Modi was welcomed with the message “Bonjour Modi”, or hello Modi, and chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. PTI ZH/AK GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-emerging-as-trusted-partner-to-the-world-pm-modi-1851179

‘As Long As I Am PM, Iran Will Never Have Nuclear Weapons’: Netanyahu's First Reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Iran will never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, even as the United States and Iran unveiled a landmark framework agreement aimed at easing tensions and paving the way for a broader settlement. Netanyahu's remarks came shortly after the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran, which commits both sides to ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and negotiating a comprehensive agreement on sanctions, maritime security and Iran's nuclear programme within 60 days. <h2>Netanyahu Doubles Down</h2> Speaking at a brief press conference, Netanyahu insisted that Israel's position on Iran's nuclear ambitions remained unchanged despite the diplomatic breakthrough. "Iran will never have nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow," he said.  <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> כל עוד אני ראש ממשלת ישראל - לאיראן לא יהיה נשק גרעיני. <a href="https://t.co/aZ7vkufFTr">pic.twitter.com/aZ7vkufFTr</a> — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) <a href="https://ift.tt/AkLI6t9 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/5fdQkUI" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> "People ask me what we have achieved. We removed the immediate threat of annihilation from ourselves. Most importantly, we saved the State of Israel from the threat of total destruction," Netanyahu said. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-ceasefire-donald-trump-praises-xi-jinping-vladimir-putin-for-neutral-role-in-iran-war-1850964">Trump Praises Xi, Putin For 'Neutral' Role During Iran War: 'They Could've Made It Difficult'</a> <h2>Landmark US-Iran Deal</h2> The agreement signed virtually by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is being viewed as a major diplomatic breakthrough after months of heightened tensions and military confrontation. Under the framework, both countries have agreed to pursue a broader settlement covering economic sanctions, regional security concerns and Iran's nuclear activities. The deal also includes commitments aimed at restoring stability in key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies. <h2>Regional Concerns Remain</h2> While Washington and Tehran have portrayed the agreement as a step towards de-escalation, Israel has remained deeply sceptical of any arrangement that could leave Iran with the capacity to revive its nuclear programme in the future. Netanyahu's latest remarks underline that concern. Even as diplomatic efforts gather momentum, the Israeli leadership continues to view preventing a nuclear-armed Iran as a central national security priority. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as negotiators work towards a comprehensive agreement, while regional powers closely monitor whether the framework can translate into a lasting reduction in tensions across the Middle East. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-peace-deal-this-was-not-easy-trump-as-he-signs-us-iran-pact-during-france-g7-summit-watch-video-1850972">'This Was Not Easy', Says Trump As He Signs US-Iran Pact During France G7 Summit | WATCH</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-peace-deal-live-news-update-netanyahu-s-first-reaction-trump-strait-of-hormuz-1851170