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Over 240 killed, 1 survivor after Air India Dreamliner plane crash in Ahmedabad

More than 240 people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London crashed moments after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, in what authorities called the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade. Ahmedabad police chief G.S. Malik said among the dead included Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat state, of which Ahmedabad is the main city.

Police in Ahmedabad also said at least one person survived the crash of an Air India plane; that survivor has been identified as a British citizen named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with 242 people on board, lifted off from Ahmedabad Airport at about 1:38 p.m. local time en route to London Gatwick Airport. It gave a Mayday call, signaling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft before it crashed onto a medical college hostel after reaching an altitude of 625 feet shortly after takeoff.  The passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants, with Air India confirming that 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Parts of the plane’s body were scattered around the smouldering building into which it crashed. The tail of the plane was stuck on top of the building.

Part of the plane struck the dining area of B.J. Medical College. Federation of All India Medical Association Vice President Dr. Divyaansh Singh announced in a X post that reports indicate there are 10 to 20 casualties from its student body and resident doctors.

U.S. aerospace safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse told Reuters that videos of the aircraft show that the landing gear was down at a phase of flight when it would typically be up. India’s Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

According to the Aviation Safety Network database, it was the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was introduced in 2009 and has more than 1,000 planes operating globally (according to Boeing). The plane that crashed on Thursday flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, per Flightradar24.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday morning on X that it will be leading a team of U.S. investigators going to India to assist in the crash investigation: “The government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail.”

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said that he has spoken with the Air India chairman to offer full support and a team stands ready to support the investigation.

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Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed, temporarily detained during DHS Sec’y Kristi Noem’s LA news conference

California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly escorted out of a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday and briefly taken into custody, after attempting to pose a question to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem was in the city addressing public concerns related to protests against President Trump’s immigration policies, particularly those involving ICE operations in Southern California.

Padilla said to Noem, “I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” which prompted several men to physically push him out of the room;nit was unclear who the men were as several were dressed in plainclothes. Footage released by Padilla’s office and shared with NBC News shows the senator being pushed into a hallway, where he was forced to the ground by individuals wearing FBI-marked vests. He was then handcuffed as agents instructed him to place his hands behind his back.

Before the interruption, Noem was discussing increasing immigration operations in the area and claimed that Homeland Security agents were staying to “liberate the city socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country.”  When asked by a reporter about the incident, Nom clarified that she does not know the senator and that he did not request a meeting with her: “when I leave here, I’ll have a conversation with him and find out really what his concerns were,” Noem said. “I think everyone in America would agree that wasn’t appropriate.”

According to a statement from Padilla’s team, the senator was in Los Angeles conducting official congressional oversight of federal activity in the region. They confirmed he is no longer in custody, with his office stating: “he was in the federal building to receive a briefing with [Air Force] General [Gregory] Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denounced the incident on the Senate floor: “I just saw something that sickened my stomach. The manhandling of a United States Senator, we need immediate answers to what the hell went on.”  Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., wrote on X that Padilla “represents the best of the Senate. The disgraceful and disrespectful conduct of DHS agents, pushing and shoving him out of a briefing like that, demands our condemnation. He will not be silenced or intimidated. His questions will be answered. I’m with Alex.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post on X that Padilla “is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, of which Padilla is a member, said on X that the matter was “unacceptable …we demand a full investigation and consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting US senator.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., criticized Padilla for interrupting the news conference: “If you come to my press conference, yeah, you need to be respectful. What he ought to be doing, in my view, is making sure that we have rational immigration policy. And Senator Padilla, who’s a nice man, sat on the sidelines for four years, watch the border completely be blown apart.”

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Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth shares video for ‘The End’

Wolfgang Van Halen and his band, Mammoth have dropped the video for their new single “The End.”

Van Halen says of the track, “I’ve had the tapping idea on the intro for ‘The End’ since before Mammoth. I was able to fit it into this world. It’s still over-the-top and shreddy, but it’s also melodic and controlled. Overall, I was doing some different things on the record, and I knew this was going to be a big step. Once we finished ‘The End,’ it felt really special to me.”

The star-studded video for “The End” is directed by Robert Rodriguez, and shows Van Halen’s take on Rodriguez’s 1996 action-horror film From Dusk Till Dawn. The video features a number of cameos, including Danny Trejo, Slash, Myles Kennedy, Van Halen’s mother, Valerie Bertinelli as well as his wife, Andraia Allsop.

Van Halen shared in a statement: “I’ve had the tapping idea on the intro for ‘The End’ since before Mammoth. I was able to fit it into this world. It’s still over-the-top and shreddy, but it’s also melodic and controlled. Overall, I was doing some different things on the record, and I knew this was going to be a big step. Once we finished ‘The End,’ it felt really special to me.”

See the video for ‘The End’ – HERE.

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Cardi B and FKA twigs to headline 2025 LadyLand Festival

Cardi B and FKA twigs are set to headline the 2025 LadyLand music festival. Organized by Ladyfag and the Bowery Presents, LadyLand is a Pride Month festival, with last year’s edition featuring artists such as Tinashe, Kim Petras, Arca, Tokischa, and Julia Fox.

The two-day celebration will be held on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York. The lineup also features performances by Sofia Kourtesis, Sukihana, Uniiqu3, Boris, Pabllo Vittar, Eartheater, Isabella Lovestory, Chippy Nonstop, and Cortisa Star.

FKA twigs recently had to cancel her Coachella sets due to visa complications but is aiming to be back on stage in North America by June to promote her upcoming project, Eusexua.  She said at the time: “It pains me to say this because I am so excited to bring you a creation that I have poured my soul into. I know this news impacts so many of you that have already made plans and spent money in order to see these shows.”

Tickets for LadyLand 2025 are on sale via the festival’s official website.

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Pres. Trump announces U.S., China deal on rare earth minerals is ‘done’

President Donald Trump announced that the United States and China have come to an agreement over trade and the acquisition of rare earth minerals. Rare earth elements and magnets widely used by the automotive and defense sectors has been a key sticking point between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday: “OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME. FULL MAGNETS, AND ANY NECESSARY RARE EARTHS, WILL BE SUPPLIED, UP FRONT, BY CHINA. LIKEWISE, WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!). WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%. RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”

The agreement is subject to final approval by Trump and China President Xi Jinping, with the President stating that he intends to work closely with Xi to open up China to American trade, describing the prospect as “a great WIN for both countries!!!”

Representatives from both sides had previously revealed that a deal had been reached on trade after a second day of high-level talks in London. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that “we have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents,” and only awaited presidential approval from both nations.

China’s vice commerce minister Li Chenggang said Wednesday: “The two sides have, in principle, reached a framework for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the phone call on June 5th and the consensus reached at the Geneva meeting.” 

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LA curfew takes effect as Pres. Trump stands firm on decision to send in troops

A curfew of downtown Los Angeles went into effect, after being imposed by LA Mayor Karen Bass in order to prevent vandalism and looting during the ongoing immigration protests in the area.

Bass’ decision to implement the curfew followed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order filed by the state in its lawsuit to block further deployment of troops. It runs for one-square mile in the downtown area from the 5 Freeway to the 110 Freeway and from the 10 Freeway to where the 110 Freeway and 5 Freeway merge.  Bass said that “the curfew will be in place tonight [Tuesday] from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  We certainly expect for it to last for several days. The city of Los Angeles is a massive area, 502 square miles. The area of downtown, where the curfew will take place, is one square mile … Some of the imagery of the protest, of the violence gives the appearance as though this is a citywide crisis and it is not.”

Per NBC News, more than 200 people were arrested after police said they failed to leave the downtown area in compliance with the mayor’s curfew, and face charges of failure to disperse. In addition, 17 people were arrested on a charge of curfew violation, per the Los Angeles Police Department said. Others were taken into custody on charges of possessing a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and discharging a laser at a police airship.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a statewide address earlier in the week, regarding the deployment of hundreds of National Guard and U.S. Marines troops to the area by President Trump. Newsom said in part: “Trump, without consulting California leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state’s National Guard members to deploy on our streets illegally and for no reason. This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president enflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk ..The President, he did it on purpose. As the news spread throughout L.A., anxiety for family and friends ramped up and protests started again. By night, several dozen lawbreakers became violent and destructive, they vandalized property, they tried to assault police officers. This situation was winding down and was concentrated in just a few square blocks downtown. But that, that’s not what Donald Trump wanted.”

Pres. Trump stood firm in his decision to send in the National Guard and Marines, writing on his Truth Social platform Wednesday that, “If our troops didn’t go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now, just like so much of their housing burned to the ground. The great people of Los Angeles are very lucky that I made the decision to go in and help!!   The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our Ice Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

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The Beach Boys co-founder and singer Brian Wilson dies at age 82

Brian Wilson, legendary co-founder and chief songwriter for The Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82.

Wilson’s family announced his passing on social media on Wednesday, June 11, featuring a recent photo of Wilson smiling on a bench. Their statement read: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”

Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys in 1961 and played a huge role in developing the popular “California sound” that became a signature of the era. Hits include “Surfin’ USA,” “In My Room,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Surfer Girl,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” “God Only Knows” and more. He served as the rock band’s songwriter and co-lead vocalist and also played bass guitar and keyboard alongside brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, as part of the group’s original lineup (per PEOPLE).

The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and were honored in 2001 with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Wilson won two Grammy Awards for his solo work, one for “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow” in 2005 and another for “The Smile Sessions” in 2013. He was also recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2016 for writing an original song featured on the soundtrack of the biopic, Love & Mercy.

Wilson was married twice, first to Marilyn Rovell, from 1964 to 1979, and then to Melinda Kae Ledbetter, whom he married in 1995. Wilson’s family announced in May 2024 that he was dealing with “major neurocognitive disorder”-  the term used to describe what was previously known as dementia — and was placed under a conservatorship following the passing of his wife, Melinda, earlier that year.

Wilson is survived by his two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, whom he shares with his first wife; as well as five children he adopted with Ledbetter: Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash and Dakota Rose.

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‘GMA’ Summer Concert Series lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Teyana Taylor, Good Charlotte and more

ABC’s Good Morning America announced their annual ‘Summer Concert Series’ lineup, which kicks-off Thursday, June 12th with a special performance by New Kids on the Block – marking the last concert inside the iconic GMA Times Square studio.

Rapper Bia and artist G-Eazy will each perform their hits live in Indianapolis ahead of the WNBA All-Star game on Friday, July 18th; with additional performers appearing at the new Good Morning America downtown studio, including: Dierks Bentley,Gloria Estefan, Good Charlotte, Laufey, Manuel Turizo, and Teyana Taylor. All performances will air during the Good Morning America broadcast from 7-9 am ET/PT.

Simone Swink, senior executive producer of ‘Good Morning America’, shared in a statement: “We’re thrilled to host this year’s Summer Concert Series in our brand-new, state-of-the-art studio. It’s an exciting chapter for us, and we can’t wait to welcome incredible artists and our viewers into our home, right here in the heart of downtown Manhattan.”

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Anti-ICE protests expanding across the U.S. following LA unrest

After days of unrest in Los Angeles, protests against U.S. immigration enforcement policies have continued to grow across the country, with demonstrations held Tuesday in cities such as New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta.

The wave of rallies, aimed at opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and the federal government’s approach to immigration, has gained traction with a broader series of “No Kings” protests scheduled for Saturday across the country. Despite mounting demonstrations, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated Tuesday that federal immigration enforcement operations would continue as planned: “ICE will uphold its duty to enforce the law.”

President Trump deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 marines. The decision drew sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who both condemned the action as an abuse of executive authority. California has since filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment was unconstitutional.

Thousands marched through San Francisco for a second day of anti-ICE demonstrations, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Police described the protest as “mostly peaceful,” though they noted that small groups engaged in vandalism later in the evening. Several arrests were made, though the exact number was not disclosed. The day prior, at least 60 individuals were taken into custody in San Francisco for failing to disperse when ordered.

In Orange County, about 1,000 people rallied outside a federal building in Santa Ana, with police stating the event unlawful before making arrests. San Jose also saw hundreds gather at City Hall, while two separate demonstrations unfolded in San Diego. Protests were also held in Portland, Seattle, and Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers from California held a press conference addressing the ICE raids and National Guard presence in L.A. Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, who represents Paramount—the area where the protests began—said local law enforcement already had the situation under control when the National Guard arrived: “The LAPD and the sheriff’s department managed the situation, then suddenly, the National Guard was sent in. This feels more like an attempt to stir unrest than to restore order.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has stated that neither the police department nor city officials requested National Guard assistance. He added that the troops’ primary responsibility was to protect federal assets, not assist with protest management: “their presence has heightened tension, they’re not working alongside us, and their role here is unclear.”   Mayor Karen Bass echoed those concerns during an MSNBC interview,: “we are 12 months away from the World Cup, and we’re trying to bring our city together to beautify our city. And look at what has happened now. The White House instigated this by having ICE raids in our city. They are telling us that they’re going to have raids for the next 30 days.”

On the East Coast, nine individuals were arrested in New York during a protest outside Trump Tower on Monday. According to the NYPD, the arrests stemmed from demonstrators blocking traffic and refusing to disperse. The rally condemned both ongoing ICE operations and a recent travel ban affecting 12 nations, along with new restrictions imposed on travelers from seven additional countries. Smaller demonstrations were also held in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore.

Protests extended to other cities including Charlotte, Atlanta, Louisville, Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, and Oklahoma City.  In Dallas, Texas at least one person was detained as protesters temporarily shut down a major intersection, and roughly 500 protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Monday, with similar crowds reported in San Antonio.  Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that more than a dozen people were arrested during the protest in Austin; in a post on X, Abbott said: “between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, more than a dozen protesters were arrested in Austin. Peaceful protesting is legal. But once you cross the line, you will be arrested. FAFO.” (referencing the acronym for “f— around and find out.”)

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10 killed, including teenagers, after mass shooting at school in Austria

10 people are dead, including teenagers, with 12 others injured after a shooting on Tuesday at a high school in Graz, Austria. A shooter opened fire at a high school in the Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday in one of the worst rampages in the country’s history. The incident took place around 10 a.m. local time at Bundesoberstufenrealgymnasium Dreierschützengasse, a secondary school situated in the city’s northwest. Emergency calls reporting gunfire prompted a swift police response, with the country’s interior ministry Gerhard Karner telling CNN that the victims included students between the ages of 14-18.

The city’s mayor confirmed that the alleged shooter – a 21-year-old Austrian male who had previously attended the school but not graduated – used two weapons, a shotgun and a pistol, to carry out the killing spree, before fatally shooting himself in a bathroom. Officials would not give a motive for the gunman, who they say acted alone.

Police have not released the shooter’s identity but stated he was legally permitted to carry the firearms and was not previously known to law enforcement. The weapons were seized at the scene and subject to forensic examinations, while officers conduct interviews as they investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker announced three days of national mourning after the shooting writing on X: “The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country. This inconceivable act suddenly tore young people from the life they still had ahead of them. There are no words for the pain, disbelief, and sorrow that Austria is feeling today. Our nation is united in grief.”

Home to around 9 million people, Austria has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in Europe with an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 residents. Automatic and pump-action guns are prohibited, but citizens may legally own pistols, revolvers, and even semi-automatic firearms, provided they complete the necessary licensing and permit requirements.

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