Today's Top Stories: PM Modi in Italy for G7 Summit, Hajj begins, Brightcom Group shares suspended from BSE, NSE and more

Top news from June 14: Many developments, updates and events are expected in India and internationally in political, educational, sports and general fields on June 14.

PM Modi in Italy for outreach to G7 summit and bilateral talks with world leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Italy today (June 14) to attend the outreach session of the G7 summit and hold bilateral talks with world leaders on a wide range of issues, according to a PTI report.

The Indian Prime Minister arrived at Brindisi airport in Italy to attend the G7 summit. Tomorrow (Friday) is a busy day for him. We have several bilateral meetings planned with world leaders. He will also address 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 titled Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, which will be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. The session will also be joined by Pope Francis.

Hajj begins today, pilgrims head to Saudi Arabia

Masses of Muslim pilgrims are heading to the Saudi city of Mecca to see the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, as the 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 worshipers along a route taken by the Prophet Muhammad.

At noon on June 13, the area around the Grand Mosque in Mecca was crowded, with worshipers going back and forth to the holy site to pray and perform the circumambulation, or Tawaf in Arabic.

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

One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. All Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their life if they are physically and financially capable.

BSE, NSE suspend trading in Brightcom Group shares from today

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

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

A special plane of the Indian Air Force (IAF) carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians who lost their lives in a tragic fire in Kuwait has left for Kochi with Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh on board, announced the Indian Embassy in Kuwait earlier today.

A special IAF plane carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims of the Kuwait fire took off for Kochi. MoS KV Singh, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities for a speedy repatriation, is on board the plane, the Indian embassy wrote on social media site X (formerly known as Twitter).

At least twenty-three Kerala residents were among the 45 Indians who died in the Kuwait City fire on June 12. A detailed breakdown of the victims shows that seven of them were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and one from each. Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal, besides 23 from Kerala.

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ICC World Cup 2024 T20 Matches Today

There are two matches of the International Cricket Council 2024 Twenty20 World Cup series today. The match between Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan has already started, with the latter considered to have the advantage in the battle with their Group C partners.

Later today, the United States of America vs Ireland Group A match will begin at 8 pm IST.