Joe Biden Withdraws From 2024 US President Race

After Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, Australian PM Anthony Albanese thanked the US counterpart in a post on X. He said, "Thank you for your leadership and ongoing service President Biden. The Australia-US Alliance has never been stronger with our shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity and climate action for this and future generations."

Calling Joe Biden a great man and a true friend to Canada, PM Trudeau in a post on X said, "I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you."

After Joe Biden, 81, decided not to seek re-election, Doanld Trump, 78, now becomes the 'oldest nominee in presidential history' and inherits Biden's age issue as he withdraws from the race for the White House.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told CNN on Sunday that he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris will be easier to defeat in November's election than Democratic President Joe Biden who stepped aside as his party's candidate.
 

 Biden throws support behind VP Kamala Harris to lead Democrats against Trump, aiming to avoid further party chaos.

US President Joe Biden said he is standing down and will not run for reelection on Sunday.

“While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in a letter posted on X.

Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.

Joe Biden on Saturday announced his decision to drop out of US presidential election race, saying "It is in best interest of country for me to stand down". 
 

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy inspected areas affected by heavy rainfall in Sakleshpura earlier today. 

Waterlogging reported in parts of Surat following heavy rainfall in the region.

 Seven people were injured after a bus that was travelling from Almora to Haldwani overturned near Chausali earlier today. More details awaited. 

So far, over 4500 Indian students have returned to India. The High Commission has been making arrangement for security escort for safe travel of Indian nationals to the border-crossing points. 500 students of Nepal, 38 of Bhutan and 1 of Maldives have also arrived in India, said MEA. 

All schools and colleges in Nagpur district will remain closed on 22 July due to heavy rain. IMD issued Orange alert in Nagpur, said Nagpur District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar. 

Former Minister V Senthil Balaji who is lodged in a prison here in an Enforcement Directorate case was taken to hospital on Sunday by jail authorities after he complained of chest pain, official sources said.

After, Balaji complained of unease and chest pain and he was taken to Government Stanley Hospital here by the Puzhal Central Prison authorities. After evaluation by doctors, he was later shifted to the state-run Omandurar multi-super-speciality hospital for further examination and observation.

"When Arvind Kejriwal came (to power) in Delhi 10 years ago, he promised to provide 200 units of free electricity and 700 litre free water to people. It's been 10 years and the consumption of people has increased. Arvind Kejriwal, who used to travel in a Wagon R, now uses a car worth Rs 1.5 crore and stays in a 'Sheesh Mahal'. Besides, the salaries and perks of Delhi MLAs and ministers have also increased. However, Arvind Kejriwal hasn't done anything for the people of Delhi who voted for him thrice. Once the Congress forms the government in Delhi, we will provide 350 units of free electricity and 1,000 litres of free water to people," said Congress leader Abhishek Dutt earlier today. 

Return of ancient artefacts to India reflects global liberalism, feeling of respect towards history, said PM Narendra Modi.

Three people died after a pick-up truck skidded from the road in Reasi. The police reached the spot and recovered the bodies of the deceased.

 At the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee, PM Narendra Modi says, "Today India is celebrating the holy festival of Guru Purnima. First of all, I congratulate all of you and all my countrymen on this festival of knowledge and spirituality. On such an important day, today the meeting of the 46th World Heritage Committee is starting and this event is being organized in India for the first time and naturally, all my countrymen including me are very happy about it. On this occasion, I welcome all the dignitaries and guests from all over the world. I especially congratulate UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay. I am confident that like every global event, this event will also set new records of success in India..."

Around 500 Indian students returned from violence-hit Bangladesh through Changrabandha border checkpoint in West Bengal earlier today. 

Nuh Police on high alert ahead of Brajmandal Jalabhishek Yatra, Nuh SP Vijay Pratap says, "Around 2000 security personnel have been deployed including CAPF, RAF and IRB... We are using drones, we have combed the whole route... We will also carry out a flag march in the evening. There are 23 big and small security points..."

Special Aarti was performed at the Saryu river on the occasion of Guru Purnima. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He will inaugurate the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee here today. India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It will take place from 21 to 31 July, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
 

The European multinational aerospace company Airbus will launch its first assembly line for the single-engine H 125 helicopter in India.

Security arrangements heightened ahead of the Kanwar Yatra beginning tomorrow. 

"There are some people in our neighbouring country who do not want peace between the two nations (India and Pakistan). However, there have been some lapses from our end as well. We have lost 55 soldiers but the L-G conducted the meeting only after one year," says National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in response to a media query on recent terror attacks in Jammu region. 

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj says, "Somnath Bharti has lost the Lok Sabha elections... He is finding it difficult to digest his defeat... I will stand firm against the lies of MLA Somnath Bharti and the lies of AAP..."

AAP leader Somnath Bharti has challenged the victory of BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on the grounds of alleged corrupt practices.

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visits Shivaji Park to pay homage to late Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial.

Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi calls an all-party meeting ahead of the upcoming budget session.

On the Bangladesh issue, TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay says, "...Mamata Didi has a good relationship with Bangladesh's PM. If needed both of them can talk to each other..."

Revolutionary Socialist Party leader NK Premachandran, during the all-party meeting on Sunday, said, "Opposition has to be provided sufficient time, to highlight the issues of the opposition. The Yatra issue in Uttar Pradesh and mob lynching have to be discussed in the Parliament..."

Sources in the government said, on Sunday, said, “In NEET 2024, a total of 23.33 lakh students appeared. Of them, 2321 students got 700 or more marks. These students were spread across 1,404 centres in the entire country and abroad. These 1404 centres were again spread across 276 cities and 25 States/UTs. Such a large spread shows that many candidates who were not from the traditional tuition hubs were also able to come in the toppers list in NEET 2024.”

On the all-party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “We had a very useful discussion. I would like to thank the floor leaders of all the parties, who have given good suggestions. 44 parties including the BJP took part in the meeting.”

At TMC's rally in Kolkata, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says "...The people of Bengal have fought with the BJP and left them behind, the same happened in Uttar Pradesh...The people sitting in the Govt in Delhi are in power only for a few days. 'Woh sarkaar chalne wali nahi hai, woh sarkaar girne wali hai'..."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addresses a large gathering in Kolkata during TMC's Dharmatala Rally.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre would not last long as "communal forces" may experience temporary success but will ultimately be defeated.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said his party maintained its support among people despite losing seats in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been chosen for the first Oommen Chandy Public Servant Award instituted in memory of the party veteran and former Kerala Chief Minister late Oommen Chandy.

PM Modi to address parliament on 22 July ahead of budget session.

Jitan Ram Manji and Jayant Chaudhary have skipped the all-party meet convened by the Centre.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said that in the all-party meeting ahead of Parliament session, the JD(U) and the YSRCP demanded special category status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively but "strangely" the TDP kept quiet on the matter. In a post on X, Ramesh, who was present at the meeting said, “In today's all-party meeting of floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the JD(U) leader demanded special category status of Bihar. The YSRCP leader demanded special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Strangely, the TDP leader kept quiet on the matter.” Ramesh's post on social media came when the meeting was still underway.

SP leader Ramgopal Yadav Raises raised kanwar yatra issue in all party meet, saying "UP govt is dividing people by naming Hindus and Muslims in restaurants."
 

An all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session began on Sunday morning with leaders from various political parties, including BJP president J P Nadda, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and Union minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan attending it Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who will put forth the government's view, were also present.

Leaders from different parties at the Parliament where an all-party meeting will begin shortly.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, JP Nadda and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi arrive at Parliament to attend the all-party meeting.

Union Ministers Chirag Paswan, Ramdas Athawale and NCP leader Praful Patel arrive at the Parliament to attend the all-party meeting.

Several leaders including TR Balu, Trichy Siva, Pramod Tiwari, Jairam Ramesh, and Sanjay Singh arrive at the Parliament to attend the all-party meeting.

Lakhs of people from across West Bengal gathered in Kolkata on Sunday to take part in the TMC's mega rally, its first show of strength following the remarkable performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP and the Congress have announced their teams to engage with the media ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls, which are likely to be held in October.

Two persons were killed and six others injured when a cab rolled down a hilly road in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

A fresh batch of 3,113 pilgrims, including 707 women, left a base camp here early Sunday to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. The 52-day yatra commenced from the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal districts on June 29.

More than 40 girls staying in a government hostel in Barwani in Madhya Pradesh took ill, after which they were rushed to hospital where 10 were admitted, a health official said on Sunday. The incident took place in Kasturba Kanya Ashram in Niwali on Saturday, district health officer Devyani Aharwal said. "Some 44 girls complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. They were rushed to hospital where 10 were admitted and the rest were discharged after preliminary treatment. Of the 10, five girls have been referred to the district hospital. We are waiting for medical reports to find out why they fell ill," she said.

Ahead of the assembly session starting on July 22, the opposition BJD asked its legislators to fight for the rights of people in an effective manner. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik presided over the BJD's legislature party meeting here on Saturday. Noting that the people of Odisha have given the BJD a new role as the opposition party, Patnaik discussed the strategies to be adopted in the House.

All tourist vehicles entering Sikkim will now have to mandatorily carry a large garbage bag, according to an official order. The decision has been taken to ensure community participation towards achieving the goal of environmental sustainability, said the order issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. It will be the responsibility of the tour operators, travel agencies and vehicle drivers to inform the traveller about the use of garbage bags for waste disposal, it said.

A fire broke out in a scrap godown in Thane district's Ambernath area in the early hours of Sunday, though no one was injured in the incident, a civic official said. The blaze started at 2am in the godown located in Bhuvapada, Kulgaon-Badlapur municipal council chief of fire services Bhagwat Sonawane said.

When asked about the expectations from the Budget 2024, actor Vishal says," I request PM to look into the GST in Tamil Nadu because Tamil Nadu is the only state collecting double taxation. I believed in you when you said 'One tax one nation' but then why is this happening only in Tamil Nadu? Why is nobody taking this matter seriously? It is really affecting the film industry, paying 8% more local body tax is a big burden for all the producers...today the film industry is bleeding, this year is one of the worst years for the film industry. The pain won't be shown outside because they keep it to themselves and won't speak about their losses...please give a chance to everyone a normal life, we are not asking for a luxury life..."

Security has been tightened along the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar and Uttarakhand's Haridwar, with officials expecting a substantial increase in the numbers of pilgrims this year.

The NDA-led government will hold an all party meeting ahead of the budget session, at 11am on Sunday.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday confirmed Nipah infection in a 14-year-old boy from Malappuram district. George, who met the media here, said the Pune NIV (National Institute of Virology) had confirmed the infection in the boy, who is currently under treatment at a private hospital.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday assured Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha that the armed forces and security agencies will work with a "synergetic approach" to tackle growing terror activities in the Jammu region, and maintain peace and stability. The assurance came as they chaired back-to-back high-level joint security review meetings here, amid concern over rising number of terror incidents and cross-border infiltration.