France's Far-Right National Rally Makes Big Gains Against Macron In First Round Of Legislative Polls, Seeks Majority

<p><strong>France Elections:</strong> France&rsquo;s far right is in a strong position after the first round of the country&rsquo;s legislative elections. The lead, however, is not decisive but has certainly opened the gates of power for Marine Le Pen&rsquo;s party.</p> <p>The supporters of the National Rally (RN) cheered her as she took a swipe at French President Emmanuel Macron, who said the president&rsquo;s &ldquo;Macronist bloc has been all but wiped out.&rdquo;</p> <p>According to the BBC, RN was on course to win 33.2% of the vote, with a left-wing alliance behind at 28.1% and the Macron alliance behind at 21%.</p> <p>&ldquo;I aim to be prime minister for all the French people if the French give us their votes,&rdquo; said 28-year-old RN party leader Jordan Bardella, as quoted by the BBC.</p> <p>According to the projections, the French President&rsquo;s decision to call voters back to the polls for the second time in three weeks appeared to have backfired.</p> <p>Speaking after the first round of elections, veteran commentator Alain Duhamel said that never before has the far right won the first round of a French parliamentary election. The simple fact that it has become possible is historic.</p> <p>Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella want an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. However, seat projections for next Sunday&rsquo;s second-round run-off votes project that they may fall short, the BBC reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>Without an absolute majority, France will have a hung parliament, and the RN will be unable to push through its plans for immigration, tax cuts, and law and order.</p> <p>According to the polling agencies in France, Macron&rsquo;s grouping of centrist parties could end up at a distant third in the first-round ballot, as reported by France 24. Those projections put his camp behind both the National Rally and a new left-wing coalition of parties.&nbsp;</p> <p>With another week of campaigning to go before the final vote next Sunday, the ultimate outcome of the polls remained uncertain.</p>

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Biden Meets With His Family Amid Debate Debacle, Discussion On Political Future Likely On Card

<p>US President Joe Biden met with his family on Sunday where he was believed to include talk about his political future after his calamitous presidential debate with Donald Trump. Though the family meeting was already scheduled to take place ahead of the presidential debate, it came at a time when he was facing mounting pressure to step down after the vast fallout of the debate.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, it would ultimately be the President and First Lady Jill Biden who will make any pivotal decisions about his candidacy for a second term of office, reported NBC News, although the couple's children and grandchildren were present at the weekend retreat at Camp David.&nbsp;</p> <p>&ldquo;Any discussion about the campaign is expected to be informal or an afterthought,&rdquo; a source was quoted as saying in the report in a bid to dampen speculation over the purpose of the meeting.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/KS3u8o6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">France Elections: Macron Faces Challenges As Far-Right Poised For Power For First Time Since WWII &mdash; Top Points</a></strong></p> <p>Similarly, an administration official also sought to refute reports that Biden's family meeting was set to discuss him potentially standing down. &ldquo;The premise of the [NBC] story is not accurate,&rdquo; the official told a media huddle at New Jersey&rsquo;s McGuire Air Force Base, reported the Guardian. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The meeting was "public in our guidance before the debate. It&rsquo;s been on the schedule for weeks. There is nothing more to it,&rdquo; said the official.&nbsp;</p> <p>The official, however, did not deny that the subject would come up. Meanwhile, as per the NBC report, Biden's mood in private was "humiliated" and "devoid of confidence" after the debate, and he was leaning heavily on his family for support.&nbsp;</p> <p>Addressing a rally in North Carolina on Friday, Biden said: "I don&rsquo;t walk as easily as I used to, I don&rsquo;t speak as smoothly as I used to, I don&rsquo;t debate as well as I used to," addressing the widespread criticism of his Thursday performance.&nbsp;</p>

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Breaking News Live: Posters Of New Criminal Laws Seen Outside Tughlak Road PS To Create Awareness

<p><strong>Breaking News Live Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>Delhi Police Ready To Implement New Criminal Laws Which Come Into Effect On July 1&nbsp;</h3> <p>The Delhi Police is ready to enforce three new criminal laws that will take effect nationwide from Monday, significantly reforming India's criminal justice system and replacing colonial-era statutes.</p> <p>The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam are to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, respectively.</p> <p>"Extensive training sessions were held to familiarize officers with the new laws. Those who attended the training received handbooks to aid their understanding," said a senior Delhi Police officer, PTI reported.</p> <p>In January, a 14-member committee was formed to examine the laws and develop study materials for Delhi Police personnel. The committee was headed by Special Commissioner of Police Chhaya Sharma and included DCP Joy Tirkey, Additional DCP Uma Shankar, and other officers.</p> <h3>New Criminal Laws To Come Into Force On July 1, All Police Stations To Hold Special Event&nbsp;</h3> <p>All 17,500 police stations across the country are scheduled to host a special event on July 1 involving women, youth, students, senior citizens, and notable figures to inform them about the key features of the new criminal laws, official sources said.</p> <p>The new laws, which include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, will come into effect on that day. These will replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.</p> <p>PTI cited the sources stating that, in conjunction with the introduction of these three criminal laws, the officer-in-charge of each police station in all states and Union Territories will host an event on July 1 to highlight the main aspects of the new legislation.</p>

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18 Killed In Serial Suicide Bomb Blast In Northeast Nigeria

<p>At least 18 people were killed and 30 were injured in a series of deadly blasts in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, said the officials. One of the suspected bombings killed six people and wounded others during a wedding ceremony on Saturday.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to the state's emergency management agency, the suspected suicide bombers attacked a wedding, funeral, and a hospital in the town of Gowza, reported BBC.&nbsp;</p> <p>The state of Borno has been at the centre of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram Islamist militants, resulting in the displacement of over two million people and the killing of more than 40,000. The outfit gained notoriety in 2014 when it kidnapped more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in the same state.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/UNzYvIr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian PM Anthony Albanese Claims His Family Got Threats From Teen Terror Accused</a></strong></p> <p>Authorities said that 18 deaths were confirmed on Saturday which included children, adults and pregnant women.</p> <p>However, the local media reported a higher toll with Nigeria's Vanguard and This Day newspapers saying at least 30 had been killed in the blasts.</p> <p>The military has imposed a curfew while no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;</p> <p>The director general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr. Barkindo Muhammad Saidu visited the site of the blast in Gwoza Town, reported CNN.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/197LfsQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian Satellite Explosion Creates Hazardous Debris Near ISS Where Sunita Williams Is Stuck In Space</a></strong></p> <p>The town of Gowza was seized by the Boko Haram militants in 2014 and was taken back by the Nigerian forces in 2015, but the group has since continued to carry out attacks and kidnappings near the town.&nbsp;</p> <p>In November last year, 20 people were killed by the Boko Haram insurgents while returning from a funeral service in neighbouring Yobe state.</p> <p>The attack came a day after 17 people were killed by militants in a &nbsp;raid on Gurokayeya village, after villagers refused to pay a so-called harvest tax, police said.&nbsp;</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/nigeria-bomb-blast-attack-18-killed-gowza-town-boko-haram-1699166

Breaking News Live: PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ To Resume Today

<p><strong>Breaking News Live Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi To Take Over As Indian Army Chief tomorrow</h3> <p>Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi is to take over as the next chief of the Indian Army on Sunday succeeding Gen Manoj Pande on completion of his 26-month tenure.</p> <p>As per the report of ANI, he will be the 30th Chief of the Army Staff and is taking over at a time when the force is undergoing major modernisation through indigenisation along with structural reforms.</p> <p>During his lengthy tenure as the Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Dwivedi was exposed to the ongoing military operations pertaining to the standoff on the LAC in eastern Ladakh. On June 30, 2024, in the afternoon, the government named Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi to be the next Chief of Staff of the Army.</p> <div class="titleRow"> <h3 class="mb-0 text-capitalize">PM Modi&rsquo;s &lsquo;Mann Ki Baat&rsquo; To Resume From June 30</h3> <p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that his monthly radio broadcast, Mann Ki Baat, is scheduled to resume on June 30. PM Modi also requested people to share their ideas and inputs for his radio broadcast via MyGov Open Forum, NaMo App, or by recorded message on 1800 11 7800.</p> <p>As per the DD News report, Modi&rsquo;s monthly &lsquo;Mann Ki Baat&rsquo; programme was broadcast last on February 25, after which it was paused due to the Lok Sabha elections. &ldquo;Mann ki Baat will not be broadcast for the next three months in view of upcoming Lok Sabha polls,&rdquo; PM Narendra Modi stated in the 110th edition of the programme.</p> </div> <h3>Jaishankar To Visit Qatar On Sunday; Focus On Boosting Energy And Trade Ties&nbsp;</h3> <p>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Sunday to hold talks with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani with a focus on exploring ways to expand bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, investment, and energy.</p> <p>The visit of Jaishankar comes four-and-half months after Qatar released eight former Indian Navy personnel, who were sentenced to death in August 2022 after being arrested.</p> <p>"During the visit, he will meet the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, PTI reported.</p> <p>It said the visit would "enable both sides to review various aspects of bilateral relations, including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural and people-to-people as well as the regional and international issues of mutual interest".</p>

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UK PM Sunak seeks blessings at London’s Neasden Temple on campaign trail

<p> London, Jun 29 (PTI): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty on the last weekend of the general election campaign prayed at London's iconic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, popularly known as Neasden Temple.</p><p> The couple was greeted with loud cheers as its convoy drove into the grand temple grounds on Saturday evening and went on to perform puja guided by the priests.</p><p> After a tour of the grand temple complex and interaction with volunteers and community leaders, cricket fan Sunak began his address to the congregation with a reference to India's winning the T20 World Cup before speaking about the inspiration he draws from his faith.</p><p> "I am Hindu and like all of you, I draw inspiration and comfort from my faith," he said.</p><p> "I was proud to be sworn in as a member of parliament on the 'Bhagavad Gita'. Our faith teaches us to do our duty and not fret about the outcome as long as one does it faithfully.</p><p> "That is what I was brought up to believe by my wonderful and loving parents and that is how I live my life; and that is what I want to pass on to my daughters as they grow up. It is dharma which guides me in my approach to public service," Sunak said. PTI AK VN VN</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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Iran Presidential Election Heads To Runoff Between Massoud Pezeshkian And Saeed Jalili On July 5

<p>In Iran&rsquo;s 14th presidential election, a runoff between Massoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili is slated for July 5, as announced by Mohsen Eslami, the spokesperson for Iran&rsquo;s election headquarters. Voters participated on Friday in the election to choose a successor to deceased Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19. They get to choose from a controlled group of four candidates loyal to the supreme leader.</p> <p>Eslami revealed on Saturday that the ballot boxes from 58,640 polling places across Iran and 344 international locations have been counted. With over 61 million eligible voters, the election results show a close fight between Pezeshkian and Jalili. Out of the 24,535,185 votes counted, Pezeshkian garnered 10,415,991 votes, while Jalili received 9,473,298, Iranian state media IRNA reported.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a title="" href="https://ift.tt/2cUCYNH" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1698846" aria-describedby="tooltip294187"> Iran Votes To Elect New President From 4 Candidates Vetted By Supreme Leader Khamenei's Council</a></strong></p> <p>Another candidate, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, secured 3,383,340 votes, and Mostafa Pourmohammadi received 206,397 votes. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi and Alireza Zakani had withdrawn their candidacies before the election.</p> <p>As per the Iranian electoral law, if no candidate wins more than 50% of the votes, a runoff between the top two candidates is scheduled for the first Friday after the results are announced.</p> <h3 class="abp-article-title">Iran To Elect New President Examine By Supreme Leader Khamenei's Council</h3> <p>While the election may not make a big change in the policies of the Islamic Republic, the outcome could influence the succession of Iran&rsquo;s supreme leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p> <p>The election comes at a time when the tussle is running high due to the war between Israel and Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Western pressure on Iran over its fast-advancing nuclear programme.</p> <p>In order to combat the crisis of legitimacy brought on by public unhappiness with economic hardship and limitations on political and social freedom, Khamenei has called for a high voter turnout. "The durability, strength, dignity, and reputation of the Islamic Republic depend on the presence of people," Khamenei said to state television after casting his vote, as per Reuters. "High turnout is a definite necessity."</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-presidential-election-heads-to-runoff-july-5-ebrahim-raisi-massoud-pezeshkian-saeed-jalili-1699102

Breaking News Highlights: 3 Children Dead, 5 Others Injured After Under-Construction House Wall Collapses In Greater Noida

<p><strong>Breaking News Highlights Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>Oppn To Raise NEET, Other Issues In Both Houses Of Parliament On Friday</h3> <p>Leaders of the I.N.D.I.A bloc plans to address the NEET issue in both houses of Parliament on Friday and will submit notices to this effect, sources have revealed.</p> <p>This decision emerged from a meeting of the I.N.D.I.A bloc floor leaders on Thursday. Opposition members are expected to file adjournment notices in the Lok Sabha and invoke Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha.</p> <p>Additionally, leaders from various parties have agreed to hold a protest on Monday morning before parliamentary proceedings begin. The protest will focus on the "political vendetta" against opposition leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and three West Bengal ministers, involving agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the income-tax department, according to sources, PTI reported.</p> <h3>Amid Tight Security, First Batch Of Amarnath Yatra To Leave Jammu On Friday&nbsp;</h3> <p>Amid multi-tier security escort, the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims is scheduled to depart for twin base camps in Kashmir from Jammu on Friday, marking the beginning of this year's pilgrimage.</p> <p>The comprehensive arrangements, including three-tier security, area dominations, elaborate route deployment, and checkpoints have been put in place for a smooth yatra.</p> <p>The 52-day pilgrimage will begin from the twin tracks, the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal on June 29. The yatra is to conclude on August 19.</p> <p>"The first batch of the yatra will leave Jammu base camp at Bhagwati Nagar for Kashmir at 0400 hours in the morning of Friday," a senior officer said, PTI reported.</p>

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Russian Prez Putin Advocates Production Of Banned Short And Intermediate-Range Missiles, Cites US Deployments

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that Russia should recommence the production of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, responding to the United States' deployment of similar missiles in Europe and Asia. This decision effectively nullifies the remaining vestiges of one of the Cold War's most pivotal arms control treaties, stirring fears of a potential new arms race involving the world's foremost nuclear powers, along with China.</p> <p>"We need to respond to this and make decisions about what we will have to do in this direction next," Putin told Russia's Security Council, as broadcast on state television, as quoted by news agency Reuters. "Apparently, we need to start manufacturing these strike systems and then, based on the actual situation, make decisions about where &ndash; if necessary to ensure our safety &ndash; to place them," he added.</p> <p>The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark agreement signed in 1987 by Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan, was the first accord where superpowers agreed to scale back their nuclear arsenals, eliminating an entire category of nuclear weapons. However, the United States, under former president Donald Trump, formally withdrew from the treaty in 2019, citing alleged violations by Moscow&mdash;an accusation the Kremlin has consistently denied and dismissed as a pretext.</p> <p>Following the US withdrawal, Russia imposed a moratorium on developing missiles previously banned under the INF Treaty, specifically ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 km and 5,500 km. Putin emphasised that Russia had committed to not deploying such missiles, but the United States had restarted their production and deployed them for exercises in Denmark and the Philippines, Reuters reported.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/OgXAp5E: Biden's Debate Performance Triggers Panic Among Democrats, Fuels Speculation Of Replacing US Presidential Nominee</a></strong></p> <h3><strong>&nbsp;Disintegration of Arms Control Treaties&nbsp;</strong></h3> <p>Both Russia and the United States have expressed regret over the dissolution of numerous arms control treaties, which were initially designed to slow the Cold War arms race and mitigate the risk of nuclear conflict. In 2018, Trump announced his intention to terminate the INF Treaty, citing years of alleged Russian violations and concerns over China&rsquo;s intermediate-range missile arsenal. Putin had previously warned that the US withdrawal could trigger a new arms race.</p> <p>The United States attributed its departure from the INF Treaty to Russia's development of the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile, known in NATO circles as the SSC-8. In response, Putin proposed a moratorium, suggesting that Russia could refrain from deploying such missiles in its Baltic coast exclave of Kaliningrad. Despite this, the US has since tested missiles with similar capabilities.</p> <p>Earlier this month, Putin stated he could deploy conventional missiles capable of striking the United States and its European allies if they allowed Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to target deeper into Russia. In his latest remarks, Putin did not specify potential deployment locations for these missiles.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-president-vladimir-putin-advocates-production-of-banned-short-and-intermediate-range-missiles-united-states-donald-trump-1698948

US: Biden's Debate Performance Triggers Panic Among Democrats, Fuels Speculation Of Replacing US Presidential Nominee

<p>Democratic allies of Joe Biden had hoped for a commanding display of strength and vigour from the 81-year-old president during Thursday night's pivotal debate against former President Donald Trump. However, what transpired on the grand stage of American politics failed to meet even their modest expectations. Throughout the 90-minute confrontation, Biden's performance was marked by repeated stumbles, awkward pauses, and a subdued speaking style that left party strategists and grassroots supporters alike in a state near-panic, US media reports said.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to reports, concerns quickly escalated among Democrats, both publicly and privately, about Biden's ability to lead the party against his 78-year-old Republican rival in the upcoming presidential election this autumn.</p> <p>"I'm not alone in feeling heartbroken right now. Many people who watched tonight are deeply troubled for Joe Biden," former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill lamented on MSNBC, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). "I am not sure if there's anything that can be done to fix this".&nbsp;</p> <p>The immediate question looming over Biden is whether the damage from his lackluster debate performance is irreparable. With the election still over four months away, many voters have yet to fully engage, Biden's campaign and supporters possess substantial resources, including millions of unspent advertising dollars and infrastructure in crucial swing states, the AP report said.</p> <p>History offers examples of candidates recovering from rough debate outings, such as Barack Obama in 2012 following a challenging debate against Mitt Romney.</p> <p>It is to be noted that Biden's reelection bid in 2024 has always been a gamble, banking on the belief that voters will ultimately rally behind an aging politician with mixed approval ratings in a rematch few Americans relish. As per reports, despite these vulnerabilities, Biden's team has steadfastly maintained that he is uniquely positioned to prevent Trump from returning to the White House, as he successfully did four years ago.</p> <p>However, confidence in this narrative wavered following Biden's lacklustre debate showing.</p> <p>"It was a slow start. That's clear to everyone. I won't argue against that," Vice President Kamala Harris conceded on CNN post-debate. "But what matters is the choice we face in November, one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime".&nbsp;</p> <p>Surrogates for Biden were slow to enter the spin room in Atlanta after the debate, and when they did appear, they largely avoided media questions. Instead, they focused on countering Trump's statements during the debate, including his failure to condemn those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential future presidential candidate and Biden's prominent advocate, urged fellow Democrats not to succumb to Panic.&nbsp;</p> <p>"I think it's unproductive and unnecessary. We need to stand firm, support our president, and not let one performance shake us," Newsom urged in an interview on MSNBC, as reported by AP. "This isn't the time to retreat. What kind of party would we be if we did?"</p> <p>Yet, signs of unease were palpable as some Democrats openly called for exploring alternatives to Biden. Former Obama campaign aide Ravi Gupta captured the word on X, reflecting discontent among party members.</p> <p>"Every Democrat I know is texting that this is bad,&rdquo; Gupta posted on X. "Just say it publicly and begin the hard work of creating space in the convention for a selection process. I&rsquo;ll vote for a corpse over Trump, but this is a suicide mission."</p> <p>Replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee would be challenging under current party rules, requiring cooperation or a substantial revision at the August national convention. Biden secured the majority of Democratic delegates during the primary process, and party rules mandate that delegates reflect the sentiments of their electors.&nbsp;</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-presidential-elections-2024-cnn-tv-debate-democrats-concerns-mount-over-joe-biden-debate-performance-against-donald-trump-1698915

First presidential debate for 2024 US elections do-or-die battle for Biden and Trump

<p>Atlanta, Jun 28 (PTI): With opinion polls showing a very tight race for the November 5 US elections, the first presidential debate here between President Joe Biden from the Democratic Party and his Republican challenger Donald Trump could turn the tide for any one of them.</p><p>While Biden would try to convince voters that he at 81 is capable of becoming the president of the United States again and steer the nation through the challenges it faces, Trump, 78, could use the opportunity to persuade the people to look past his conviction in a criminal case and see his plans for the country, including its economy.</p><p>Both the leaders arrived here in the afternoon on Thursday. This debate is going to be "extraordinary" and different as the whole attention will be on the "character of the two presidents", Nadia Bilbassy-Charters Bureau Chief at the Al Arabiya News Channel, who has covered presidential debates since the George Bush era, told PTI. This is "completely different (from the previous ones). It is happening the first time and before the conventions of both the DNC (Democratic National Convention in August) and the RNC (Republican National Convention in July). It is happening without an audience, and there is a microphone that will cut them off when they try to interrupt," she said.</p><p>"This is extraordinary by every means. We have two candidates that 70 per cent of the American people don't want. There are two candidates who repeat in a scenario of 2020, so this is an extraordinary time for America as well," Bilbassy-Charters said.</p><p>The choice is between two candidates, and for a country that has 350 million people, it is very narrowed, she said and added that it is also very different because the whole attention will be on the "character of the two presidents" as not really on the issues as it happened in the previous debates.</p><p>There is a huge focus on the debate tonight because it is seen as a way to "frame not just the issues but the candidates", Bilbassy-Charters said.</p><p>"The whole world is really anticipating what's going to happen. The expectation is very low for President Biden. Everybody's waiting to see if he's going to stand for 90 minutes, if he's going to make mistakes, if he's going to lose concentration, if he's going to make up names of leaders, if Trump is going to be intimidating as he did before," she said.</p><p>Richard Latendresse, the White House correspondent for TVA-Canada, said the debate is extremely important for both the camps.</p><p>"There's this feeling that there's stagnation in this campaign, that nothing seems to stick to Donald Trump, but he cannot bring down more than what has happened until now with Joe Biden, with his government and his administration. So, this is an important moment in this campaign, and each side hopes that from there things are going to get better and better," he said.</p><p>Lakeyta Bonnette-Bailey, Professor of Africana Studies at the Georgia State University, said she expects from the people to tune in to watch how the candidates are going to behave and to watch the policy issues that the candidates are going to present at the debate.</p><p>"I expect the candidates to talk about and discuss policy issues that are relevant to their base," she said.</p><p>Cristina Olea, TVE's chief correspondent in Washington DC, said, "I would say this debate is very important because the country is so divided, the candidates are so different, their policies, their styles." The race is so close, and tonight, Biden has a lot of pressure to show that he is not too old for office and Trump needs to show that he is not so aggressive, he said Running for the State Senate in the 48th District of Georgia, Ashwin Ramaswami, 24, said this debate is a great opportunity for Biden and Trump to actually show the American people what they really believe in.</p><p>"I believe it's an opportunity for President Biden to show why Democrats up and down the ballot are the right choice for our country," he told PTI.</p><p>Ramaswami said one of the most important things they need is a leader who is able to create that transition, being able to make sure that the next generation of leaders are able to serve the country in the future.</p><p>"What that means is we need someone who understands the issues we face, whether it's issues on affordable housing, access to healthcare, preparing us for the technology of the future, and also leading with integrity and balance," he said.</p><p>Ajay Jain Bhaturia, a major fund raiser for the Biden campaign, said, "The debate between President Biden and Trump, is the debate between the light and the darkness, the debate between progress and regression." "What we saw, the four years of Trump, where he basically incited the mob to go to the Capitol and to turn around the election, or what we saw was the highest number of jobs being lost, manufacturing jobs being lost under Trump administration," he said.</p><p>"What we have seen under the Biden administration is stability, bringing all the different communities together and the highest number of employment, or the lowest unemployment rate, the largest investment in infrastructure since Roosevelt," Bhaturia added.</p><p>"There's been growth, and we have seen leadership restored on the world stage. That's what President Biden will be talking about is progress. With the Democrats we are looking at the best days of America ahead while the Republicans talk about the best days which are gone behind," he said.</p><p>According to Subhash Razdan, an eminent Indian American community leader, Americans are not happy with the quality of the candidates.</p><p>"In Biden, they see the age factor. And, in Trump they see a credibility factor. Now, it all depends on what lines the voters will choose to vote. If they go by party lines, then Trump would have an edge," he said.</p><p>"I feel Trump will attack him on his age factor, not being alert and the immigration issues, saying that Democrats have been very weak on the immigration issues. Biden will try to attack him on the credibility factor," Razdan told PTI.</p><p>Meanwhile, the White House Correspondents Association slammed event host CNN for providing no access to its pool reporters inside the room wherein President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump would be engaging in the first of the three presidential debates here. PTI LKJ ANB ANB ANB</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/first-presidential-debate-for-2024-us-elections-do-or-die-battle-for-biden-and-trump-1698729

Breaking News Highlights: Veteran BJP Leader Lal Krishna Advani Discharged From AIIMS

<p><strong>Breaking News Highlights Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>AIADMK To Hold Hunger Strike Over Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy Today</h3> <p>Tamil Nadu's main opposition party AIADMK on Wednesday stated that it would hold a hunger strike on June 27, demanding a CBI probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.</p> <p>AIADMK president Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that his party's protests would continue till justice is served. He further said that the fast is to condemn the denial of permission to raise the issue in the assembly and to demand a CBI investigation.</p> <p>The Leader of the Opposition, in a post on X said, that the hunger strike at Rajarathinam stadium would be led by him, and his party legislators would also take part.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>He further said that denying the Opposition a debate over the hooch tragedy, and evicting and suspending AIADMK's MLAs goes against democracy. &nbsp;</p> <p>The former chief minister also condemned what he described as the diversionary politics of the DMK government, which it is allegedly indulging in rather than taking action, PTI reported. &nbsp;</p> <p>This comes as AIADMK legislators, including Palaniswami, were suspended from the ongoing assembly session on Wednesday for disrupting the house proceedings.</p> <h3>Piyush Goyal To Meet Exporters Today To Discuss Ways To Boost Shipment</h3> <p>Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday is slated to meet various export promotion councils, in order to discuss ways of further promoting the growth rate in the country's outbound shipments, an industry official said.</p> <p>"Representatives from export bodies, including the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), and Council for Leather Exports, would participate in the meeting," the official said.</p> <p>According to an export council official, some of the issues that they would raise in the meeting include: PLI for the leather and footwear sector, extension of interest subvention scheme, and urge for tweaking of customs duties in certain sectors.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/breaking-news-highlights-updates-june-27-neet-ug-2024-row-arvind-kejriwal-cbi-delhi-water-crisis-aap-imd-heatwave-modi-1698458

Biden vs Trump TV Debate: With Muted Mics & No Audience, US Presidential Candidates' First Face-Off In 4 Years

<p>When President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump take to the debate stage on Thursday night, it will mark an unprecedented moment in American political history. It is to be noted that a current President has never before debated his predecessor, and the animosity between these two men will be evident on the CNN debate stage in Atlanta.</p> <p>Trump has never conceded the 2020 election to President Biden. Just days after his supporters attacked the US Capitol, he broke with tradition by refusing to attend his opponent's inauguration. Now, as both men vie for the presidency once more, this debate represents the first time in this election campaign that millions of people across the globe are keenly watching.</p> <p>The stakes are exceptionally high, with tension in the room likely surpassing that of past debates. Both men will be striving to convince US voters that they deserve their vote in November.</p> <h2><strong>Trump vs Biden Debate: When And Where To Watch</strong></h2> <p>President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first in-person showdown of the 2024 election cycle at CNN's debate in Atlanta at 9 PM ET, which is 6:30 AM Friday, Indian Standard Time (IST).&nbsp;</p> <p>The debate will be hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. The 90-minute debate will feature two commercial breaks, during which campaign staff will not be permitted to interact with their candidate, the network said in a report.</p> <p>The CNN Presidential Debate will be broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Espa&ntilde;ol. It will also be available for streaming on Max for subscribers and without a cable login on <a href="https://ift.tt/w9281Rf>. CNN will allow additional broadcast and cable news networks to simulcast the debate.</p> <h2><strong>Biden-Trump Presidential Debate: Top Points</strong></h2> <ul> <li>The upcoming debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump marks the first time the two have shared a stage since their heated encounters four years ago.</li> <li>The initial debate in 2020 was marked by frequent interruptions and Biden's memorable exasperation, "Will you shut up, man?" At the second debate, delayed due to Trump's Covid diagnosis, the two did not even shake hands.</li> <li>Both candidates have been out of the debate spotlight for nearly four years. Trump skipped the Republican primary debate earlier this year, securing his position as the presumptive nominee without participating.&nbsp;</li> <li>Unlike previous debates, this one will be held in a cable television studio without a live audience, a decision made at the request of the Biden campaign, according to BBC.</li> <li>As per the report, the microphones will be muted during each candidate's allotted speaking time to prevent interruptions, a measure aimed at avoiding the chaos of their first debate in 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> </ul>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/joe-biden-donald-trump-cnn-presidential-debate-where-and-when-to-watch-top-points-ahead-of-face-off-1698706

Kenya Finance Bill Protest: Protest intensifies against the government over increase in taxes

<p>A part of Kenya&rsquo;s parliament building was set on fire on Tuesday as protestors gathered in thousands to showcase their objection to a new finance bill that would raise taxes.</p> <p>Amid the raging protests, the police were forced to open fire on the demonstrators after tear gas and water cannons could not disperse the crowds, Reuters reported. This left at least three dead and several others injured, news agency Associated Press reported.</p> <p>At least five protesters were killed, dozens wounded, and sections of the parliament building set ablaze as lawmakers inside passed legislation to raise taxes. Auma Obama was taken aside by a CNN reporter and asked why she was there.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/kenya-finance-bill-protest-protest-intensifies-against-the-government-over-increase-in-taxes-1698493

Stuck in Space: Will NASA be able to bring back Sunita Williams home? | Watch report | ABP News

<p>Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, along with fellow crew members, faces an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to persistent glitches in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they travelled in. Initially scheduled to return on June 26, the return journey has been postponed indefinitely as NASA and Boeing engineers continue to investigate technical issues.</p> <p>The Boeing Starliner, making its debut mission, has encountered multiple setbacks, including delays in its launch due to issues with the Atlas 5 rocket and countdown computer malfunctions. However, the most pressing concerns revolve around helium leaks and thruster failures detected after its rendezvous and docking with the ISS.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/stuck-in-space-will-nasa-be-able-to-bring-back-sunita-williams-home-watch-report-abp-news-1698484

Breaking News Live: IPS Maninder Partap Singh Pawar Takes Over As New IG Of BSF's South Bengal Frontier

<p><strong>Breaking News Live Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>AIADMK To Hold Hunger Strike Over Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy Today</h3> <p>Tamil Nadu's main opposition party AIADMK on Wednesday stated that it would hold a hunger strike on June 27, demanding a CBI probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.</p> <p>AIADMK president Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that his party's protests would continue till justice is served. He further said that the fast is to condemn the denial of permission to raise the issue in the assembly and to demand a CBI investigation.</p> <p>The Leader of the Opposition, in a post on X said, that the hunger strike at Rajarathinam stadium would be led by him, and his party legislators would also take part.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>He further said that denying the Opposition a debate over the hooch tragedy, and evicting and suspending AIADMK's MLAs goes against democracy. &nbsp;</p> <p>The former chief minister also condemned what he described as the diversionary politics of the DMK government, which it is allegedly indulging in rather than taking action, PTI reported. &nbsp;</p> <p>This comes as AIADMK legislators, including Palaniswami, were suspended from the ongoing assembly session on Wednesday for disrupting the house proceedings.</p> <h3>Piyush Goyal To Meet Exporters Today To Discuss Ways To Boost Shipment</h3> <p>Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday is slated to meet various export promotion councils, in order to discuss ways of further promoting the growth rate in the country's outbound shipments, an industry official said.</p> <p>"Representatives from export bodies, including the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), and Council for Leather Exports, would participate in the meeting," the official said.</p> <p>According to an export council official, some of the issues that they would raise in the meeting include: PLI for the leather and footwear sector, extension of interest subvention scheme, and urge for tweaking of customs duties in certain sectors.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/breaking-news-live-updates-june-27-neet-ug-2024-row-arvind-kejriwal-cbi-delhi-water-crisis-aap-imd-heatwave-modi-1698458

US: Brutal DC Heat Melts Former President Abraham Lincoln's Wax Statue

<p>A wax statue of former US President Abraham Lincoln has melted as the temperature soared in Washington, DC, over the weekend. The six-foot-tall effigy lost its head by Monday morning, followed by the legs, but its torso remained intact.</p> <p>The chair supporting the effigy also sank in the scorching heat in the US capital. Lincoln&rsquo;s statue by Richmond artist Sandy Williams IV was installed in February on the campus of Garrison Elementary School in Northwest Washington.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A wax sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in Northwest DC has melted due to the heat....🥵<br /><br />Before and after.....<br /><br />Quote from the artist Sandy Williams to the Intelligencer....<br /><br />"I previously had joked that when our climate gets bad enough to where we are living in an environment where&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/tl7bVXP76g">pic.twitter.com/tl7bVXP76g</a></p> &mdash; Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1805585894222463124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>The head from the wax sculpture of the Lincoln Memorial is now under repair, as reported by the BBC. It left behind a wire sticking out of the former US President&rsquo;s neck.</p> <p>According to the Washington Post, the statue was meant to draw attention to the Civil War era and its aftermath and was placed under trees sure to provide enough shade in the summer. The wax statue is part of the Wax Monument Series and is more than just a visual representation.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, this is not the first time the artwork has faced melting issues. According to the BBC, when the statue was installed in September last year, the first version of the monument contained over 100 wicks that were prematurely lit, leading to the melting of significant portions of the installation before its dedication ceremony.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-news-brutal-dc-heat-melts-former-president-abraham-lincoln-washington-dc-wax-statue-1698225

Pak deputy PM Dar says his country doesn’t believe in ‘perpetual hostility’ in message to India

<p> Islamabad, Jun 25 (PTI): Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar sending a “positive message” to India on Tuesday said his country does not believe in “perpetual hostility” and urged the new government in New Delhi to do a “sober reflection” on its future ties with Islamabad.</p><p> Addressing a seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the 74-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said Pakistan always sought “good neighbourly relations”.</p><p> “To our east, the relationship with India has historically remained troubled. Pakistan does not believe in perpetual hostility. We seek good neighbourly relations with India on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and a just and peaceful resolution of the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Dar said.</p><p> The foreign minister said while Pakistan had always been receptive to constructive engagement through dialogue that includes all outstanding issues, Pakistan would never agree to “unilateral approaches or attempts to impose India’s will or hegemony”.</p><p> Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 on August 5, 2019, a decision that Islamabad believed undermined the environment for holding talks between the neighbours.</p><p> India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement.</p><p> Pakistan will also take every step needed to maintain strategic stability in South Asia and would respond effectively and decisively to any ill-considered military misadventure by India, he said.</p><p>Dar also urged the BJP-led government to have a reflection of ties with Pakistan.</p><p> “In our view, as the BJP-led NDA government starts a new term, it is time for a sober reflection on the future of India-Pakistan relations and the cross-cutting issues affecting the entire region,” Dar said.</p><p> He said, “India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, had adversely affected the environment of bilateral relations”.</p><p> “The onus remains on India to take necessary steps to create an enabling environment for purposeful engagement and result-oriented dialogue on all issues,” he stressed.</p><p> “South Asia is home to more than one-fifth of humanity. The region is beset by daunting challenges, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, disease, food insecurity, water scarcity, natural disasters, environmental degradation, and effects of climate change,” he further said.</p><p> “Rather than fight with each other, it would be prudent for the South Asian nations to combat these challenges. We are not only the least economically integrated region, but also one with the lowest rankings on almost all indices of human development,” the minister said.</p><p> He claimed that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the only viable platform for regional cooperation and tackling these myriad challenges, remains stymied due to “obstinacy of one member state”.</p><p> “The political leadership in South Asia owes it to its peoples and future generations to act with prudence and turn a new page in regional relations and mutual cooperation,” he maintained.</p><p> Dar said Pakistan’s approach was conceptualised in the “peaceful neighbourhood” policy.</p><p> Pakistan has consistently strived to have peaceful, cooperative and good-neighbourly relations with all countries in our immediate and extended neighbourhoods, Dar claimed.</p><p> Despite challenges and even setbacks in certain instances, Pakistan’s approach remains steadfast, he said.</p><p> “A peaceful, stable, united, and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s vital interest. There are no other two countries in the world that share so much as Pakistan and Afghanistan do – from history and geography to faith and culture to language and literature to cuisine and music,” according to Dar.</p><p> He said since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Pakistan has followed a pragmatic approach – focused on practical cooperation aimed at averting any humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and facilitating the wellbeing of the 40 million Afghan people.</p><p> “Pakistan has also prioritised regional cooperation to ensure that our actions remain in sync with the broader international community. Apart from emphasising inclusive governance and respect for the rights of all Afghans, Pakistan stresses the imperative need to ensure that Afghanistan’s soil is not used for terrorism against any state,” he said.</p><p> He said Pakistan earnestly hoped the Afghan Interim authorities would see that it is in their own enlightened self-interest to heed this call and take the practical steps needed to address our serious concerns.</p><p> Talking about China, he said Pakistan has its most trusted and reliable friend, China. “Our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.” “It is also a factor of stability in the region and beyond. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a transformational project contributing both to Pakistan’s economic turnaround as well as regional prosperity,” Dar said.</p><p> He talked about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to China. “Upon successful completion of 10 years of CPEC, we have jointly agreed to pursue its upgraded version in the coming years. Essentially, our focus would be on industrialisation, digitalisation, green transition, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.</p><p> He also said Pakistan would do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. PTI SH GSP AKJ GSP</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pak-deputy-pm-dar-says-his-country-doesn-t-believe-in-perpetual-hostility-in-message-to-india-1698223

Kenya's Parliament Set Ablaze Amid Protests Against New Tax Raise Bill, India Issues Advisory For Nationals

<p>A part of Kenya&rsquo;s parliament building was set to fire on Tuesday as protestors gathered in thousands to showcase their objection to a new finance bill that would raise taxes. This is likely the most direct assault on the government in decades as protestors entered the parliament building, setting it ablaze as lawmakers were present inside passing the legislation to raise taxes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Amidst the raging protests, the police was forced to open fire on the demonstators after tear gas and water cannons could not disperse the crowds, Reuters reported. This left at least three dead and several others injured, news agency Associated Press reported.</p> <p>In view of the prevailing tense situation, India has issued advisory for nationals in Kenya, to "exercise utmost caution, &nbsp;restrict non-essential movement and avoid the areas affected by the protests and violence till the situation clears up."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN KENYA <br /><br />In view of the prevailing tense situation, all Indians in Kenya are advised to exercise utmost caution, restrict non-essential movement and avoid the areas affected by the protests and violence till the situation clears up.</p> &mdash; India in Kenya (@IndiainKenya) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainKenya/status/1805616247481970933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>A Reuters report stated that protestors overwhelmed the police and chased them away in a bid to enter into the parliament's compund. Kenya's Citizen TV reported that the demonstrators had managed to storm the Senate chamber, earlier today.</p> <p>The AP report stated that the citizens had demanded that the legislators cast their vote against the new bill imposing fresh taxes in Kenya, which is East Africa's economic hub. For years, tensions have been simmering in the county over the high cost of living here.</p> <h3>Lawmakers Escape Through Tunnel As Protestors Attack Parliament</h3> <p>Even the youth who voted President William Ruto into power, cheering him for his promises of economic relief, were forced to take to the streets to protest against the reforms.</p> <p>However, lawmakers voted in favour of the bill and later fled through a tunnel as agitated protesters, mainly youth, outmaneuvered police deployed at the parliament to enter into the building.</p> <p>The opposition legislators who voted against the bill were allowed to walk out of the besieged building by the protesters, AP reported.</p> <p>Later, the fire was put out. As per the report, a person who was shot dead was carried away, wrapped in a Kenyan flag.</p> <p>Even after the massive protests, Kenya&rsquo;s government did not give an immediate comment. The internet service in the country, though, has noticeably slowed.</p> <p>President Ruto was not in Nairobi when the protestors attacked the parliament. He was attending an African Union retreat. He was expected to sign the finance bill into law this week, and has two weeks to act, AP reported.</p> <h3>'We&rsquo;re Coming For Every Politician'</h3> <p>Protesters could be heard shouting, "We&rsquo;re coming for every politician."</p> <p>"We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign," a protester trying to enter parliament, told Reuters. "We will have a new government."</p> <p>To disperse the protestors, police also fired live ammunition and threw tear gas canisters at a medical tent set up at a church near the parliament complex, where injured demonstators were getting treated, AP reported.</p> <p>Kenyatta National Hospital confirmed that it had received 45 "victims" but it was not immediately clear if any were dead there.</p> <p>Ruto on Sunday had tried to address the youth, tryin to calm the rising public tensions over the new finance bill. He said he was proud of the young Kenyans who exercised their democratic duty, adding that he would address their concerns.</p> <h3>Clashes Spread To Other Parts Of City</h3> <p>Apart from the parliament, clashes spread to other parts of the cities as well.</p> <p>Nairobi governor's office, also a member of the ruling party, was also set ablaze briefly on Tuesday, with smoke billowing from the building's white facade. Police used water cannons to extinguish the fire at his office, which is located near parliament.</p> <p>Protesters also tried to storm the State House located in the city of Nakuru, a witness said.</p> <p>Clashes were also reported in the western lakeside city of Kisumu.</p> <p>Mombasa's governor, which is Kenya&rsquo;s second largest city, joined demonstrators outside his office, extending his support to them.</p> <p>Protesters also burned down offices of the ruling party in Embu, located in central Kenya, the Nation newspaper reported.</p> <p>Citizen TV showed police confronting protesters in the smoking streets in Nyeri, central Kenya.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/kenya-parliament-set-ablaze-protests-tax-raise-bill-several-dead-police-opens-fire-1698213

Russia: 8 Killed As Major Fire Breaks Out In Office Building Near Moscow

<p>At least eight people were killed after a large office building fire broke out near Moscow, said Governor Andrey Vorobyov. Only one person was rescued from the blaze at the burning building in Fryazino, about 25km (15.5 miles) north-east of the capital, emergency officials told the state-owned Tass news agency.&nbsp;</p> <p>Two people were killed after they jumped from a window while six were killed when the interior of the office collapsed in the blaze, said the Governor in a social media post.&nbsp;</p> <p>As per a BBC report, there are conflicting reports about the purpose of the building. It once homed the Platan Research Institute and defence industry, according to Tass.&nbsp;</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨🇷🇺BREAKING: AT LEAST 4 DEAD IN RUSSIA BUILDING FIRE<br /><br />An office building in Fryazino, 20km from the center of Moscow, has been engulfed in flames, with reports of many people still trapped inside.<br /><br />2 people jumped out of the burning building and died upon impact, while initial&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/T3SjcnLwDC">pic.twitter.com/T3SjcnLwDC</a></p> &mdash; Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1805260294333092142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/j8f7G6D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More Than 15 Killed As Gunmen Attack Churches, Synagogues In Russia's Dagestan</a></strong></p> <p>A Russia-owned electronics organisation, Ruselectronics said in a statement to the agency that the building has been privately owned since the 1990s. However, opposition media outlets recently reported that Platan was based in the building as late as 2023.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Governor said that a 34-year-old man had been taken to hospital in a serious condition and according to the local emergency services, he was the only person rescued from the fire.&nbsp;</p> <p>Two firefighters were also being treated for injuries sustained in the fire, Vorobyov said.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/hL9N7eS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">At Least 20 Believed Dead In Massive Fire At South Korea Lithium Battery Manufacturing Plant &mdash; VIDEO</a></strong></p> <p>Over 130 people and two helicopters were working to douse the flames, said officials from the emergency ministry, but that much of it had been "localised" by 8 pm local time.&nbsp;</p> <p>The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but according to one eyewitness, it broke out on the sixth floor before spreading, reported Tass. Vorobyov said that around 30 companies rented office space in the building and the fate of two employees in the building remained unknown.&nbsp;</p> <p>A criminal case has been opened, said the Governor, adding that the prosecutors are investigating what sparked the blaze. &nbsp;</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-fire-8-killed-major-fire-breaks-out-in-office-building-near-moscow-1697997

Breaking News Live: Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange To Take Guilty Plea Deal With US

<p><strong>Breaking News Live Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>Sugar Summit: India Hosts Global ISO Council Meet From June 25-27, Showcases Biofuel Leadership&nbsp;</h3> <p>India will host the International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council Meeting from June 25-27 in New Delhi, bringing together delegates from over 30 countries to address key issues in the sugar and biofuel sectors.</p> <p>PTI cites an official statement stating that India, the world's largest sugar consumer and second-largest producer, has been chosen to chair the ISO for 2024.</p> <p>The event began on June 24 with an industrial tour of a grain-based distillery in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, showcasing India's advanced biofuel production technologies.</p> <p>The main events will start on June 25 with a workshop titled "Sugar and Biofuels -- Emerging Vistas" at Bharat Mandapam, inaugurated by Union Minister for Food and New &amp; Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi.</p> <p>More than 200 delegates, including international representatives, senior management from Indian sugar mills, and industry associations, are expected to participate in discussions on the global sugar industry, biofuels, sustainability, and the role of farmers.</p> <h3>HC To Pass Order On Tuesday On ED&rsquo;s Plea For Stay On Kejriwal's Bail&nbsp;</h3> <p>The Delhi High Court will deliver its verdict on Tuesday regarding a plea by the Enforcement Directorate to stay the trial court's order that granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam.</p> <p>According to PTI, the ruling is set to be announced at 2:30 p.m.</p> <p>In a written submission on Monday, the AAP leader defended the bail decision, arguing that the ED would not be harmed by his release at this stage since he could be re-incarcerated if the high court later overturns the bail order.</p> <p>Kejriwal contended that staying "the well-reasoned bail order" would effectively amount to granting the petition for canceling the bail.</p> <p>Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain's vacation bench had reserved the order on June 21 after the agency challenged the trial court's decision and suspended it until the verdict is announced.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

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Breaking News Highlights: Delhi HC To Rule Tomorrow On ED's Plea Against Bail Granted To Kejriwal In Excise Scam Case

<p><strong>Breaking News Highlights Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>Haryana CM Announces Hike In Income Limit For Creamy Layer Of OBC To Rs 8 Lakh&nbsp;</h3> <p>Maintaining that it will provide benefits in employment for the OBC category, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Sunday to increase in annual income limit for the creamy layer from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.</p> <p>Saini said during a media conference at 'OBC Morcha Sarv Samaj Samrasta Sammelan' held in Gurugram.</p> <p>The move comes ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls which are likely to be held in October.</p> <p>"With the key aim of ensuring the welfare of the OBC community in Haryana and providing substantial benefits to the youth in government jobs, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh today made a series of pivotal announcements," an official statement said, PTI reported.</p> <p>The chief minister also announced that the reservation for the backward classes in Group-A and Group-B posts, currently at 15 per cent, will be increased to 27 per cent, "in line with the Central government's policy".</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Gates Of Barrage Releasing Water To Delhi Shut By Haryana: Atishi&nbsp;</strong></h3> <p>Delhi is not receiving its allotted water as Haryana has closed all the gates of the Hathnikund barrage, Water Minister Atishi alleged on Sunday, vowing to continue her indefinite hunger strike over the issue.</p> <p>She stated that the closure of the barrage gates on the Yamuna river has resulted in a water shortage in the national capital. Her hunger strike, demanding the release of Delhi's share of water amid a severe shortage during a scorching heat wave, entered its third day on Sunday.</p> <p>AAP has stated that doctors advised Atishi to end her fast. The minister claimed the Haryana government asked how it would release water for Delhi when it did not have adequate supply.</p> <p>"But yesterday (Saturday), when many journalists went to the Hathnikund barrage, from where water is released for Delhi, everyone took photos and made videos in which it is clearly visible that there is water in the barrage. But the gates from which the water is released for Delhi are closed," Atishi claimed, PTI reported.</p>

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'No Religious Minority Is Safe': Pakistan Defence Minister's Admission Amid Recent Mob Lynchings

<p>The Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja M Asif, during a session of the Pakistan's National Assembly, admitted that the minorities in the country are facing "targetted violence in the name of religion". He also acknowledged that the state failed to protect these minorities and that no religious minority was safe in the country.</p> <p>"Minorities are being murdered daily... no religious minority is safe in Pakistan. Even the smaller sects of the Muslims are not safe," Dawn news quoted Khawaja as saying.</p> <p>This comes as the country passed a resolution on Sunday, condemning the recent mob lynching cases in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces.</p> <p>The relevant authorities were also urged to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of all citizens, including religious minorities, and take action against the perpetrators of such violence.</p> <h2>'Killings Seem To Stem From Personal Vendettas'</h2> <p>He also emphasised that no religious minorities are safe in Pakistan despite the constitutional protections. Furthermore, he called for a resolution to safeguard the minorities and stressed that several victims of violence did not have any connection to blasphemy allegations, but were instead targetted due to personal vendettas, news agency ANI reported.</p> <p>"Even smaller Muslim sects are not safe in Pakistan, which is adisgraceful situation. We intend to propose a resolution to protect minorities. While our constitution guarantees minority rights, there are incidents of violence occurring across various locations. Those who have been killed so far did not have any evidence linking them to blasphemy; rather, these killings seem to stem from personal<br />vendettas," Asif said during the session.</p> <p>"We must ensure the safety of our minority brothers and sisters. They have as much right to live in this country as the majority. Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis, regardless of whether they are Muslim, Christian, Sikh, or of any other faith. Our Constitution guarantees full protection to minorities," Dawn quoted Asif as saying.</p> <h2>Blasphemy Laws In Pakistan</h2> <p>Pakistan's Blasphemy laws are amongst the strictest laws in the world, with profound implications for religious minorities. If charged under these laws, one can be prescribed severe punishments, including the death penalty, if found guilty for insulting Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, or desecration of the Quran.</p> <p>Religious minorities in Pakistan, including Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs are unreasonably accused and convicted under these laws. A minority sect among Muslims, Ahmadis, also face persecution under these laws, as Pakistan's Constitution does not consider them as Muslims.</p> <p>In the most recent case of religious minorities being subjected to violence, a Chistian man was beaten and his house was set ablaze by a mob in Sarghoda city as he was suspected for committing blasphemy.</p> <p>A 40-year-old tourist from Sialkot was also brutally lynched and dragged through the town for allegedly burning pages of the Quran. He was later hanged in full public view in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district on Thursday.</p>

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Indian missions in Canada marks 39th anniversary of Kanishka bombing

<p> Ottawa, Jun 23 (PTI): The Indian missions in Canadian capital Ottawa and Toronto city on Sunday marked the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing in which 329 persons, including 86 children, on board an Air India lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.</p><p> High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka on the 39th anniversary of the "cowardly terrorist bombing", the High Commission in Ottawa posted on X along with a series of photographs from the event.</p><p> Addressing the gathering, Verma said, “No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions, before they start harming the larger humanity. Governments, security agencies, and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies.” Family members and friends of the victims, Canadian government officials, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner, Ireland envoy and more than 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community attended the solemn occasion, the High Commission said.</p><p> "India shares the sorrow and pain of the victims' near & dear ones. India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat," it said.</p><p> The Montreal-New Delhi Air India ‘Kanishka’ Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land at London’s Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, most of them Canadians of Indian descent.</p><p> The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to ‘Operation Bluestar’ to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984.</p><p> The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day.</p><p> "Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago," the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph.</p><p> In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queen’s Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families.</p><p> "In his remarks he highlighted the importance of unified global efforts to combat terrorism and standing firm against its glorification," it said, sharing a series of photographs.</p><p> Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X paid his homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 ‘Kanishka’ who were killed on this day in 1985.</p><p> "Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history," he said.</p><p> "My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated," Jaishankar wrote.</p><p> On Friday, the Canadian police said the investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain "active and ongoing", terming it the "longest" and one of the "most complex domestic terrorism" probes.</p><p> In a statement, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul called the bombing the "greatest terror-related loss of life involving and affecting Canadians" in the country's history as he offered "deepest sympathies, understanding and support to the families of the victims".</p><p> "The Air India investigation is the longest and certainly one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations that the RCMP has undertaken in our history," Teboul said. "Our investigative efforts remain active and ongoing," he said. PTI SCY SCY SCY</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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Breaking Highlights: AAP Leaders Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj Reach Delhi LG's Residence To Discuss Water Crisis

<p><strong>Breaking News Highlights Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>NEET-UG Row: 1,563 Candidates, Who Got Grace Marks, To Appear For Re-Test Today</h3> <p>The National Testing Agency (NTA), which is under fire over the irregularities in conducting NEET and UGC-NET, is slated to conduct a retest for the medical entrance examination on Sunday for 1,563 candidates. These candidates are the ones who were awarded grace marks, in order to make up for their loss of time at six centres, PTI reported.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition filed by three medical aspirants, who wished to appear for NEET UG, re-test on June 23. They had filed the petition on the ground of loss of time, However, High Court rejected their request, holding that there was no merit or substance in their petition.</p> <p>The petitioners claimed they suffered because of loss of time during the exam held on May 5 for which they were neither compensated with extra time nor awarded any grace marks.However, the high court noted that they were already allowed extra time at the examination centre as the question paper given to them initially had to be replaced</p> <h3>Union Home Minister Amit Shah To Review Flood Preparedness, Rain-Related Issues Today</h3> <p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah will review preparedness to deal with floods and rain-related issues today. Various parts of the country including Bihar, Assam, and other eastern states, are inundated due to rise in water level during the monsoon, news agency PTI reported.</p> <p>A home ministry official told PTI that Amit Shah will chair a high-level meeting on Sunday, to review the overall preparedness for flood management in the country.</p> <p>"Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and a few other states also encounter landslides and other rain-related issues during the monsoon.Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir have also seen floods in recent years. Currently, Assam is facing floods with around 3.90 lakh people affected in &nbsp;19 districts, officials said. The death toll in this year's flood, landslides and storm in the has reached 37, while one person is missing," they said.&nbsp;</p>

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Flights Cancelled, Delayed After Major Power Cut At UK's Manchester Airport

<p>The flights are the UK's third-busiest airport were delayed or cancelled on Sunday after a major power cut in Manchester.</p> <p>The Manchester Airports Group, which also operates London Stansted and the East Midlands airports, said Manchester Airport had been "affected by a major power cut in the area earlier this morning."</p> <p>The electricity was restored after some time at the international airport in the north of England, but passengers due to travel from Terminals 1 and 2 were told to "not come to the airport" as all flights were cancelled "until further notice".</p> <p>The airport said its electricity supply went off at around 01:30 but has since been restored. However, it would take time to get systems up and running again.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/bI26KYkOWA">pic.twitter.com/bI26KYkOWA</a></p> &mdash; Manchester Airport (@manairport) <a href="https://twitter.com/manairport/status/1804748820808380918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>The &nbsp;Manchester Airport operator said that while passengers already checked in were scheduled to depart as planned, however, the disruption meant "some baggage may not be on those flights".</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Power cut at Manchester Airport T2 &amp; T3 landed at all been brought to T1 baggage thrown on any carousel no communication at all prams just left on the floor without being told <a href="https://twitter.com/TUIUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TUIUK</a> reps didn&rsquo;t have a clue what was happening. Good Luck everyone! <a href="https://t.co/jgCFVJc796">pic.twitter.com/jgCFVJc796</a></p> &mdash; Katie Phillips (@katie_seaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/katie_seaman/status/1804713158214398428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>"We will work with airlines and handling partners to reunite affected passengers with their luggage as soon as possible", the operator said.</p> <p>According to the BBC, huge queues were formed when a quarter of all flights from the Manchester airport had to be cancelled because of the power outage.</p> <p>Airport officials said that the flights from Terminals 1 and 2 were stopped in the early hours, affecting baggage and security systems.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/flights-cancelled-delayed-after-major-power-cut-at-uk-s-manchester-airport-1697785

42 Killed In Fresh Strikes By Israel At Several Districts Of Gaza City

<p>In a fresh Israeli strike, around 42 people were killed in several districts of Gaza City in the north of the Palestinian enclave on Saturday, the director of the Hamas-run government media office, according to Reuters.&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the strikes occurred on houses in Al-Shati, one of the Gaza Strip's eight historic refugee camps which killed 24 people, Ismail Al-Thawabta told Reuters. Another 18 Palestinians were killed in a strike on houses in the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">ISRAEL IS BOMBING CIVILIAN TENTS IN RAFAH RIGHT NOW!<br /><br />ISRAEL IS BOMBING CIVILIAN TENTS IN RAFAH RIGHT NOW!<br /><br />ISRAEL IS BOMBING CIVILIAN TENTS IN RAFAH RIGHT NOW!<br /><br />ISRAEL IS BOMBING CIVILIAN TENTS IN RAFAH RIGHT NOW!<br /><br />ALL EYES ON RAFAH! <br /><br /><a href="https://t.co/KVmGbuAVOT">pic.twitter.com/KVmGbuAVOT</a></p> &mdash; sapphic chaos | on strike (@reneesohot) <a href="https://twitter.com/reneesohot/status/1804206050444480987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <div id=":qb" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" tabindex="1" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":st" aria-controls=":st" aria-expanded="false"> <p>Amid the chaos, rescue workers struggle to find survivors beneath the rubble, Fadel Naem, director of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that more than three dozen bodies arrived at the hospital. The Palestinian Civil Defence, an emergency group active in Gaza, said they were digging for survivors in the Shati refugee camp and it had pulled several dozen bodies from a building that was hit by an Israeli strike.&nbsp;</p> <p>On Saturday, Israel said that its fighter jets struck two Hamas military sites in the Gaza City area but did not elaborate further. It said more details would be released soon.</p> <p>Hamas did not comment on the Israeli claim to have hit its military infrastructure. It claimed that the attacks targeted civilian pollution and vowed, "the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people."</p> <p>Since the October 7 attack, at least 549 &nbsp;Palestinians in the territory have been killed by Israeli fire since the war began, and more than 250 individuals have been taken as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.&nbsp;</p> <p>The deaths come a day after at least 25 people were killed in strikes on tent camps and 50 wounded near the southern city of Rafah.</p> <p>Israeli forces shelled tent camps for displaced Palestinians outside Gaza&rsquo;s southern city of Rafah on Friday, killing at least 25 people and wounding another 50, according to the territory&rsquo;s health officials and emergency workers.</p> <p>This was the latest deadly attack in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands have fled fighting between Israel and Hamas.</p> </div>

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Breaking News LIVE: Amit Shah To Review Flood Preparedness, Rain-Related Issues Today

<p><strong>Breaking News Live Updates:</strong> Hello and welcome to the live blog of ABP Live. Please follow this space for all the breaking news and latest updates from India and around the world.</p> <h3>NEET-UG Row: 1,563 Candidates, Who Got Grace Marks, To Appear For Re-Test Today</h3> <p>The National Testing Agency (NTA), which is under fire over the irregularities in conducting NEET and UGC-NET, is slated to conduct a retest for the medical entrance examination on Sunday for 1,563 candidates. These candidates are the ones who were awarded grace marks, in order to make up for their loss of time at six centres, PTI reported.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition filed by three medical aspirants, who wished to appear for NEET UG, re-test on June 23. They had filed the petition on the ground of loss of time, However, High Court rejected their request, holding that there was no merit or substance in their petition.</p> <p>The petitioners claimed they suffered because of loss of time during the exam held on May 5 for which they were neither compensated with extra time nor awarded any grace marks.However, the high court noted that they were already allowed extra time at the examination centre as the question paper given to them initially had to be replaced</p> <h3>Union Home Minister Amit Shah To Review Flood Preparedness, Rain-Related Issues Today</h3> <p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah will review preparedness to deal with floods and rain-related issues today. Various parts of the country including Bihar, Assam, and other eastern states, are inundated due to rise in water level during the monsoon, news agency PTI reported.</p> <p>A home ministry official told PTI that Amit Shah will chair a high-level meeting on Sunday, to review the overall preparedness for flood management in the country.</p> <p>"Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and a few other states also encounter landslides and other rain-related issues during the monsoon.Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir have also seen floods in recent years. Currently, Assam is facing floods with around 3.90 lakh people affected in &nbsp;19 districts, officials said. The death toll in this year's flood, landslides and storm in the has reached 37, while one person is missing," they said.&nbsp;</p>

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US: 1 Killed, 7 Injured After Shooting At Kentucky Nightclub

<p><strong>US Shooting:</strong> At least one person was killed and seven others sustained injuries after a shooting at a Kentucky nightclub in the United States early Saturday morning, news agency AP reported, citing authorities. The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Joseph D. Bowers of Indianapolis. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;</p> <p>Louisville Metro Police Department officials received a call that several people were shot at the H20 nightclub in Louisville just before 1 a.m.</p> <p>Another adult was transported to UofL Hospital with gunshot wounds police believe to be &ldquo;critical and life-threatening." According to AP, six other people transported themselves to area hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. A probe into the case has been launched, and the Louisville Metro Police Department's Homicide Unit is investigating the case.</p> <p>There are currently no suspects in the shooting incident. &ldquo;The relationship of the victims, if any, is not known at this time,&rdquo; AP quoted the police as saying later on Saturday.</p>

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US: 3 Killed, 10 Injured As Shooter Opens Fire At Grocery Store In Arkansas, Say Police

<p>At least three people were killed and 10 others sustained injuries after a shooter opened fire Friday at a grocery store in Arkansas, United States.</p> <p>The shooter left the store and parked cars riddled with bullet holes as bystanders ducked for cover both indoors and in the parking lot, news agency AP reported, citing authorities.</p> <p>Among those who sustained injuries were two law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with the shooter, as per the state police.&nbsp;</p> <p>The shooting took place at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a city of about 3,200 people located 65 miles (104 kilometers) south of Little Rock. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Col. Mike Hagar, director of State Police and public safety secretary, said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s tragic, our hearts are broken,&rdquo; as quoted by the AP.</p> <p>Neither the officers&rsquo; nor the suspected shooter&rsquo;s injuries were life-threatening. According to AP, the remaining injuries ranged from &ldquo;not life-threatening to extremely critical,&rdquo; Hagar stated.</p> <p>The police did not immediately have information about whether the shooting took place inside or outside the store, nor did they identify the suspected shooter or the victims. Police, however, did say that they are expected to release more information Friday night, as reported by AP.</p> <p>According to the video posted on social media, at least one person was lying in the parking lot, while another captured multiple gunshots ringing out.</p> <p>Visuals on the scene captured by reporters showed a slew of bullet holes in the grocery store&rsquo;s window, and spent shell casings strewn throughout the parking lot, as reported by the AP. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she had been briefed on the shooting.</p> <p>&ldquo;I am thankful to law enforcement and first responders for their quick and heroic action to save lives,&rdquo; Sanders posted on the social media platform X. &ldquo;My prayers are with the victims and all those impacted by this.&rdquo;</p>

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Eight Indian crew members of cargo ship that crashed into Baltimore bridge finally leaves for India

<p>Washington, Jun 22 (PTI): Eight Indian crew members of the cargo ship 'Dali' that crashed into a famed Baltimore bridge in March left for India on Friday after nearly three months on the mammoth vessel.</p><p>According to Baltimore Maritime Exchange, four of the 21 crew members are still on board the 984-foot cargo ship MV Dali, which is tentatively scheduled to leave Friday evening for Norfolk, Virginia.</p><p>The rest of the crew has been moved to a service apartment in Baltimore and will remain there pending an investigation.</p><p>Notably, 20 of the crew members were Indian nationals. They were on board the MV Dali Cargo, which struck the pillars of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting in its collapse and the death of six construction workers in the tragic incident.</p><p>Dali will undergo repair at Norfolk.</p><p>The departure of eight Indian crew members including a cook, a fitter and seamen follows a deal approved by the judge. None of these are officers. The rest 13 would remain in the US, mainly because of the pending investigations.</p><p>“They’re anxious, under considerable stress considering they don’t know the future. They don’t know when they’ll see their family again or how they’ll be treated here,” Rev. Joshua Messick, director of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center and chaplain for the Port of Baltimore told CNN.</p><p>None of the crew members have been charged in connection with the disaster. FBI and other federal agencies are conducting the investigations.</p><p>The 2.6km-long, four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore, came crashing down after Dali collided against it on March 26.</p><p>The vessel is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd and was outbound from Baltimore to Colombo and has a capacity of 10,000 TEU, with onboard units totalling 4,679 TEU. The vessel's deadweight is 116,851 DWT. PTI LKJ AMS</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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Hindujas file appeal against Swiss court’s jail term order

<p> London, Jun 21 (PTI): Britain’s wealthiest family, the Hindujas, on Friday said they were “appalled” by a Swiss court’s ruling of jail terms for some members in Geneva and that an appeal has been filed in a higher court challenging the verdict finding them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers.</p><p> In a statement issued on behalf of the family, lawyers from Switzerland stressed their clients – Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, both in their 70s, and their son Ajay and his wife Namrata – had been acquitted of all human trafficking charges. They also dismissed media reporting that any members of the family faced detention after court reports from Geneva said the four were sentenced to between four and four-and-a-half years in prison.</p><p> “Our clients have been acquitted of all human trafficking charges. We are appalled and disappointed by the rest of the decision made in this court of first instance, and we have of course filed an appeal to the higher court thereby making this part of the judgement not effective,” reads the statement signed by lawyers Yael Hayat and Robert Assael and Roman Jordan.</p><p> “Under Swiss law, the presumption of innocence is paramount till a final judgement by the highest adjudicating authority is enforced. Contrary to some media reports, there is no effective detention for any members of the family,” they said.</p><p> The lawyers also pointed out that “it should also be recalled that the plaintiffs in this case had withdrawn their respective complaints after declaring to the court that they had never intended to be involved in such proceedings”.</p><p> “The family has full faith in the judicial process and remains confident that the truth will prevail,” they conclude.</p><p> The statement followed a hearing in the Swiss city of Geneva after prosecutors opened the case for alleged illegal activity including exploitation, human trafficking and violation of Switzerland’s labour laws.</p><p> The family members were accused of seizing the workers' passports, barring them from leaving the villa and forcing them to work very long hours for a pittance in Switzerland, among other things. Some workers allegedly spoke only Hindi and were paid their wages in rupees in banks back home that they could not access.</p><p> The family's legal team had countered the allegations and told the court the staff were treated respectfully and provided with accommodation.</p><p> According to ‘The Sunday Times Rich List’ released last month, the UK-based Hinduja family once again emerged as the country's richest with wealth estimated at around GBP 37.196 billion. PTI AK SCY SCY</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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