Top events today: PM Modi in Italy for G7 Summit, Hajj begins, Brightcom Group shares suspended from BSE, NSE & more

Top news today on June 14: There are a host of developments, updates and events expected in India and internationally in the political, educational, sports and general spheres on June 14. We take a look:

PM Modi in Italy for G7 Summit Outreach, bilateral talks with world leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Italy today (June 14), to attend the G7 Summit's Outreach session and hold bilateral talks with world leaders on a wide range of issues, as per a PTI report.

“The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit. Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the airport yesterday.

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During the visit, Modi will participate in a summit session entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean’ to be hosted by Italian PM Georgia Meloni. The session will also be joined by Pope Francis.

Hajj begins today, pilgrims make their way to Saudi Arabia

Masses of Muslim pilgrims are in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, to see the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, as Hajj begins today, AP reported. Pilgrims headed to the nearby desert area of Mina to officially open the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage that takes the faithful along a route taken by the Prophet Muhammad.

The area around the Grand Mosque in Mecca was overcrowded by midday on June 13, with the faithful going back and forth to the holy site to pray and make the circumambulation, or Tawaf in Arabic.

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More than 1.5 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabi as of June 11 and more are expected, as per authorities. Besides those from other countries, hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia are also expected to join the crowds when the pilgrimage officially begins today.

One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is among the world's largest religious gatherings. All Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so.

BSE, NSE to suspend trading of Brightcom Group's stock from today

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) in May announced that it would suspend trading shares of Brightcom Group June 14. The suspension will continue till the company complies with the exchange's master circular. Further, after a 15-day suspension, trading will resume on a trade-for-trade basis or the 'Z' category on the first trading day of every week for the next six months.

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Kuwait fire tragedy: IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indians leaves for Kochi

A special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indians who lost their lives in a tragic fire incident in Kuwait has left for Kochi with Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh onboard, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said early today.

“A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS KV Singh, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft,” the Indian embassy wrote on social media site X (formerly known as Twitter).

As many as twenty-three residents of Kerala were among 45 Indians who died in the fire incident in Kuwait city on June 12. A detailed breakdown of the victims shows seven of them were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal, in addition to the 23 from Kerala.

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ICC 2024 T20 World Cup Matches today

There are two matches of the International Cricket Council's 2024 Twenty20 World Cup Series today. The match between Papua New Guinea vs Afghanistan is already underway, with the latter believed to have an edge in the battle with its Group C mate.

Later in the day, Group A's United States of America vs Ireland will begin at 8 pm IST.