Hong Kong to vote in election as city mourns deadly fire
Hongkongers are voting in an election seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire that angered some in the city, BBC reported.
The government has mounted a huge campaign to encourage Hongkongers to choose members of the Legislative Council (LegCo). All of the candidates have been vetted to ensure they are loyal to China.
The election takes place as many are mourning the Tai Po fire last month which killed nearly 160 people, according to BBC.
Staff and tourists among 23 killed in Goa nightclub fire, officials say
At least 23 people have been killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in the coastal region of Goa, India, local officials say, BBC reported.
The majority of victims are believed to be staff at the club in Arpora, North Goa, while tourists are also among the dead.
Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the club's kitchen causing the blaze to rip through the venue at midnight on Saturday, local time, according to BBC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Goa fire "deeply saddening" in a post on social media.
Zelensky signals progress in talks with US on peace plan
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said he had a "very constructive" phone call with Donald Trump's peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, BBC reported.
Zelensky said they had discussed how to ensure that Russia stuck to any potential deal to end its war with Ukraine and that he was "determined" to continue working with the US.
Ukrainian officials also joined the call from Miami, where they are in engaged in a third day of talks on US efforts to engineer a peace deal with Russia, according to BBC.
India-Russia ties not against anyone, aimed at safeguarding our interests: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin used his India Today interview to underline that the India-Russia partnership is anchored in national interest, not in rivalry with any third country, even as Washington turns increasingly confrontational toward both capitals, India Today reported.
Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hours before their meeting, the Russian leader defended the trajectory of the relationship and pushed back at the United States' pressure. "Neither I nor Prime Minister Modi, despite certain external pressures we face, have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone," he said when asked about Washington's aggressive approach, according to India Today.
