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Friday, June 26, 2026

'Darling, Please Don't Dance': Melania Warned Trump But He Did It Anyway

Donald Trump brought up transgender athletes once again during a rally-style speech in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 23, even after admitting that First Lady Melania Trump had asked him multiple times to stop making such remarks in public. Speaking to a crowd at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, the US President revealed that his wife had specifically asked him not to dance on stage or act out his usual bits about transgender athletes in women's sports. Minutes later, he did both anyway. <h2>What Did Trump Say Melania Told Him?</h2> Trump told the audience that Melania had pleaded with him over his stage habits, recalling her words: "Darling, please, please don't dance. It's not presidential."  <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> WATCH: President Trump once again imitates a transgender in weightlifting during his speech in Pennsylvania. <a href="https://t.co/MrAgBI06k0">pic.twitter.com/MrAgBI06k0</a> — Tabz (@TabzLIVE) <a href="https://ift.tt/N6OfRy8 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/vyGbCU7" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> He said she had gone a step further, asking him to drop his go-to examples involving women's weightlifting and swimming events when discussing transgender participation in sports. According to Trump, she said, "Please, please, the men and women's sports, please don't do the weightlifting thing. And don't do the swimming thing." ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/didis-distinct-path-why-losing-tmc-symbol-won-t-replicate-shiv-sena-ncp-fate-for-mamata-1852798">Didi’s Distinct Path: Why Losing TMC Symbol Won’t Replicate Shiv Sena-NCP Fate For Mamata</a> Despite sharing this, Trump went on to act out a detailed story about a female weightlifter chasing a long-standing record. He physically mimicked her effort on stage, then introduced a fictional transgender competitor who, in his version of events, broke the record with ease. Parts of the crowd responded with laughter as he performed the bit. <h2>Why Does Trump's Rhetoric On Transgender Athletes Keep Sparking Debate?</h2> This isn't new territory for Trump, who has repeatedly used transgender participation in women's sports as a talking point at rallies and public events. His supporters say the issue boils down to fairness in athletic competition, arguing that physical differences create an uneven playing field.  LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and transgender rights organisations, however, have consistently pushed back, calling his comments misleading and harmful. They argue that such rhetoric oversimplifies the realities of transgender participation in sport and singles out a community that is already vulnerable to discrimination. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/mahesh-dixit-appointed-intelligence-bureau-chief-senior-ips-officer-andhra-pradesh-cadre-1852713">Senior IPS Officer Mahesh Dixit Appointed Intelligence Bureau Chief</a> The Pennsylvania speech adds to a long list of similar comments from Trump on the subject, keeping the issue firmly in the political spotlight as the debate over transgender athletes in sports continues nationally.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-melania-please-dont-dance-not-presidential-transgender-athletes-rally-1852806

Thursday, June 25, 2026

UN Pauses Hormuz Maritime Escorts After Fresh Strike; UK Says Vessel Was Hit

A fresh security scare in the Strait of Hormuz has cast doubt over the durability of the tentative peace process between the United States and Iran after a cargo vessel was struck near Oman, prompting the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to suspend its newly launched escort initiative. <h3>Cargo Ship Damaged As Maritime Security Concerns Resurface</h3> According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a cargo ship sustained damage after being struck near the coast of Oman on Thursday. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries among the crew and no environmental pollution resulting from the incident. Four sources identified the vessel as the Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely. One security official indicated that the ship was likely targeted by a drone. Meanwhile, two U.S. officials told Reuters that Iran was responsible for firing on the vessel. Tehran, however, did not directly acknowledge the allegation. Instead, Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority maintained that ships operating outside its designated navigation corridors would not receive security assurances. The authority warned that “consequences arising from passage through unauthorized routes shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator, and vessel commander.” ALSO READ: <a title="Death Toll Could Surpass 10,000 After Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela's Caracas, USGS Warn" href="https://ift.tt/pqQvSyP" target="_self">Death Toll Could Surpass 10,000 After Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela's Caracas, USGS Warn</a> <h3>IMO Suspends Escort Programme Pending Safety Review</h3> In response to the attack, the IMO announced that it would temporarily halt its escort programme, which had only been launched earlier this week as a voluntary measure to facilitate safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez explained the decision, saying the organisation had chosen “to temporarily pause its implementation in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for the ships on our evacuation list and all those in the region.” The IMO also clarified that the Ever Lovely was not participating in its escort programme. The initiative had offered two optional transit routes—one through Iranian-controlled waters and another via Omani waters under U.S. oversight. <h3>Fragile US-Iran Peace Process Faces Fresh Test</h3> The maritime incident comes at a sensitive moment, with Washington and Tehran working under a memorandum of understanding signed last week that provides a 60-day window to negotiate the terms of an interim peace agreement. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if Iran failed to comply with the deal, the United States would “probably go back to bombing the country again.” During a visit to the Gulf region, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, stating: “If that stops, then we’re going to have a problem.” ALSO READ: <a title="Ram Temple Donation Theft Case: 7 Detained For Questioning After FIR; Action Against Big Names Likely Today" href="https://ift.tt/iPSN0G2" target="_self">Ram Temple Donation Theft Case: 7 Detained For Questioning After FIR; Action Against Big Names Likely Today</a> <h3>Oil Markets React To Renewed Uncertainty</h3> The latest attack quickly reverberated through global energy markets. Benchmark crude oil prices climbed about 2% as traders weighed the possibility of renewed disruptions to shipping through the Gulf. Although vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has gradually recovered in recent days, shipping volumes remain below levels seen before the conflict. Oil prices had briefly slipped below the prewar benchmark of $73 per barrel, reflecting cautious optimism that normal trade could resume. However, Thursday's incident has once again raised concerns that instability in the region may continue to threaten one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-hormuz-un-pauses-maritime-escorts-after-fresh-strike-uk-says-vessel-was-hit-oman-1852719

Venezuela Twin Quake Tragedy Deepens As Death Toll Reaches 235, Thousands Still Missing

Venezuela Death Toll: The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has intensified after the death toll from the country's catastrophic twin earthquakes climbed to 235, while thousands of people remain unaccounted for amid an ongoing search-and-rescue operation. <h3>Venezuela Twin Quake Tragedy </h3> According to Venezuela's Health Ministry, at least 235 people have lost their lives and more than 1,500 others have sustained injuries following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday. Health Minister Carlos Alvarado confirmed the updated casualty figures as emergency workers continued to search through collapsed buildings in hopes of finding survivors, as per reports. The two powerful tremors, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred within seconds of one another, causing extensive destruction across Caracas, La Guaira and several surrounding regions. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the shallow depth of the earthquakes significantly amplified their impact. The first quake struck approximately 20.3 kilometres below the surface, while the second followed moments later at a depth of just 10 kilometres. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> 🇻🇪 Imágenes que nos llegan tras el terremoto en Venezuela: <a href="https://t.co/sTL3MjpTqT">pic.twitter.com/sTL3MjpTqT</a> — Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) <a href="https://ift.tt/DlPZvUT 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://ift.tt/vyGbCU7" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> ALSO READ: <a title="Venezuela Earthquake Leaves 164 Dead, Nearly 1,000 Injured; Rescue Efforts Underway" href="https://ift.tt/3aPuFyD" target="_self">Venezuela Earthquake Leaves 164 Dead, Nearly 1,000 Injured; Rescue Efforts Underway</a> <h3>Families Search Through Rubble As Survivors Sleep Outdoors</h3> Heartbreaking scenes have emerged from the affected areas, where desperate families have been digging through debris with their bare hands, calling out for relatives feared trapped beneath collapsed structures. Footage circulating from the disaster zone showed large clouds of dust filling Simón Bolívar International Airport after parts of the ceiling collapsed, sending frightened passengers scrambling for safety. Another verified video captured the complete destruction of a hotel in Tucacas, northwest of Caracas, highlighting the scale of devastation caused by the back-to-back quakes. The earthquakes struck at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT) during a national holiday, when many families were inside their homes. Since then, many survivors have chosen to spend the nights in open spaces, fearing damaged buildings could collapse due to aftershocks. ALSO READ: <a title="On Cam: Videos Show Chaos As Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela; 32 Dead, Airport Shut, Rescue Ops On" href="https://ift.tt/YcmVkNG" target="_self">On Cam: Videos Show Chaos As Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela; 32 Dead, Airport Shut, Rescue Ops On</a> <h3>Govt Declares Emergency As Global Aid Arrives</h3> Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency in response to the disaster. Authorities have suspended classes, with schools being converted into temporary shelters and collection centres for relief supplies. Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, acknowledged the growing death toll and stressed that rescue operations remain the government's highest priority as teams continue searching for those still missing. International assistance has begun reaching Venezuela from across the Americas. The United States has pledged $150 million in aid and is dispatching military transport ships and aircraft to support relief efforts. Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, Panama and Ecuador have also extended humanitarian assistance to help the country respond to one of its worst natural disasters in recent history.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/venezuela-earthquake-death-toll-live-updates-reaches-235-thousands-still-missing-caracas-video-1852709

Nepal Earthquake: Mild Quake Strikes Jumla District

Kathmandu: Jumla in western Nepal was hit by a mild earthquake early Thursday morning, officials said here. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Kalikot and Mugu districts, all in Karnali province of the Himalayan nation. The earthquake of magnitude 4.1 was recorded at 5.36 am with its epicentre located at Tamti in Jumla district, about 700 kilometres west of Kathmandu, according to the Nepal Earthquake Research and Monitoring Centre (NERMC). However, there was no immediate report of any damage caused by the tremor, officials said. Earlier on June 21, an earthquake of similar (4.1) magnitude had occurred in Shrinagar of Humla district in the western province. Nepal, which experiences multiple quakes in any given year, lies in one of the most active tectonic zones (Seismic zones IV and V), which makes the Himalayan nation extremely vulnerable to earthquakes.  (Disclaimer: This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/earthquake-hits-jumla-district-in-western-nepal-1852661

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Powerful Twin Quakes Jolt Venezuela, Many Casualties Feared As Buildings Reduce To Rubble

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes jolted Venezuela on Thursday, prompting fears of mass casualties, and buildings were reduced to rubble in the capital Caracas.  The epicentre of the first tremor of 7.2 magnitude was located near San Felipe, about 284km (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT on Wednesday, immediately followed by another powerful quake of 7.5 magnitude near Yumare, about 293km (182 miles) west of the capital, the US Geological Survey said.   

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/venezuela-earthquake-7-2-magnitude-earthquake-hit-caracas-multiple-casualties-buildings-collapse-video-1852478

China Detains Two Japanese Nationals Over Alleged Smuggling Violations

Edited by: Rana Taha China has detained two Japanese nationals on suspicion of smuggling banned goods, Tokyo said on Wednesday. Japanese media reported that one case may involve rare-earth-related exports, a strategically important sector tightly controlled by Beijing. <h2>What do we know about the charges?</h2> Japan said Chinese authorities informed it that one citizen was detained in the northeastern port city of Dalian on May 18 on suspicion of violating a law covering the smuggling of goods banned from trade. A second Japanese national was detained on the same allegation on May 25, Japan's top government spokesperson, Minoru Kihara, told reporters. "The [Japanese government] will continue taking appropriate steps to protect Japanese citizens," Kihara said. China's Foreign Ministry confirmed the detentions, saying the two Japanese citizens had violated Chinese law, but provided no further details. "We would like to stress that Japan should educate and remind its citizens and businesses in China to abide by Chinese laws and regulations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Japanese media reported that one of the cases involved allegations of attempts to export products containing rare earth materials, which are subject to Chinese restrictions. Kihara did not identify the goods involved. "These cases remain under investigation," a spokesperson from Japan's consular offices in China told the AFP news agency. He added that the two individuals appeared to be in good health and that the government would "take appropriate measures from the standpoint of their protection." <h2>Why are there tensions over rare earths?</h2> China dominates global production and processing of rare earths, metals which are used in products ranging from electric vehicles to military equipment. Beijing has tightened controls on the sector in recent years and increasingly views it as a strategic asset. Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated since comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggesting Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan. Since then, China has restricted exports of some key minerals and dual-use goods to Japan, while also scaling back a range of trade and cultural exchanges. 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. for DW

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/chinese-authorities-detained-japanese-nationals-smuggling-strategically-important-rare-earth-exports-1852414

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

US Senate Rebukes Trump As It Passes War Powers Resolution To End Iran War

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved legislation directing President Donald Trump to end U.S. military involvement against Iran, marking the latest challenge to the Republican president from an increasingly assertive Congress. The Senate passed the war powers resolution by a 50-48 vote. The measure had already cleared the House of Representatives earlier this month, highlighting growing unease over the conflict with Iran that began on February 28. The vote reflected concerns extending beyond Democratic lawmakers, with several Republicans also breaking ranks to support the resolution. The development underscores a broader debate in Washington over the costs and consequences of continued military engagement. <h2>Historic Congressional Action on War Powers</h2> The vote marked the first time since the War Powers Resolution was enacted in 1973 that both chambers of Congress have approved a measure directing a president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities. Although the resolution is widely expected to remain largely symbolic, it nevertheless represents a political setback for Trump. Until recently, the president had enjoyed near-unified backing from Republican lawmakers on most major issues. The Senate's action also comes at a crucial moment, as the administration is expected to seek congressional approval for tens of billions of dollars in additional funding linked to the conflict. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-peace-deal-live-updates-donald-trumpto-release-12-billion-assets-technical-talks-in-switzerland-conclude-successfully-1852174">US-Iran Deal: Washigton To Release $12 Billion Assets; Technical Talks In Switzerland Conclude Successfully</a> <h2>Republican Divisions Emerge Ahead of Mid-Term Elections</h2> Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House. However, a small number of lawmakers from Trump's party have increasingly shown a willingness to challenge the president on select issues as November's mid-term elections approach. The elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress, raising the stakes for internal party disagreements and legislative battles in the months ahead. Recent tensions within the party have already surfaced over other proposals. Some Republicans opposed Trump's proposed $1.8 billion "antiweaponization" fund, which he said would compensate political allies targeted by federal authorities. Others helped stall a $70 billion measure intended to support his immigration enforcement agenda. <h2>Public Opinion Adds Pressure</h2> Public sentiment appears to mirror the growing scepticism in Washington. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday found that only one in four Americans believe the war with Iran has been worth its costs. The survey also indicated that a majority of Americans remain concerned that any truce with Tehran may not endure, reflecting uncertainty about the long-term stability of the situation. The Senate vote largely followed party lines. Four Republican senators joined nearly all Democrats in backing the resolution, while two Republican senators did not participate in the vote. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rn-xcC8Ab-Q?si=jbT3S4mKASEYXe3B" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2>Legal Questions Surround Resolution's Impact</h2> Under the 1973 War Powers Act, a concurrent resolution approved by both the House and Senate does not require a president's signature. Congress originally designed the mechanism as a way to terminate military operations without White House approval. However, the legal status of such resolutions remains uncertain. Experts note that no previous war powers measure had successfully passed both chambers of Congress. Complicating the matter further is a 1983 Supreme Court ruling, which stated that measures carrying legal force generally must be presented to the president for signature or veto. ALSO READ | <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-peace-deal-live-update-president-pezeshkian-lands-in-pakistan-amid-ongoing-peace-negotiations-1852229">Iran's President Pezeshkian Lands In Pakistan Amid Ongoing Peace Negotiations With US</a> <h2>White House Rejects Constitutional Basis</h2> The White House has maintained that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and therefore not legally binding on the executive branch. That position sets up a continuing dispute between Congress and the administration over the limits of presidential military authority, even as lawmakers seek greater oversight of U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts. For now, the Senate's vote serves as a powerful political statement, signalling growing concern on Capitol Hill about the direction of the Iran conflict and the role Congress should play in decisions of war and peace.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-senate-rebukes-trump-as-it-passes-war-powers-resolution-to-end-iran-war-1852260