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Hong Kong Tower Fire Toll Rises To 55; Criminal Probe And Corruption Angle Under Scrutiny

Hong Kong, November 27 (ANI): The death toll in Hong Kong's devastating apartment building fire has risen to at least 55, the city's fire department said Thursday, CNN reported.At least 123 people were injured in the blaze, including eight firefighters. Among the dead were 51 who died at the scene and four who died in hospital, officials said. The fire department did not immediately give an update on how many people remain missing after the blaze. Earlier, officials had said 279 people were unaccounted for, as per CNN. The housing estate, Wang Fuk Court was home to a larger population of elderly residents than in many Hong Kong housing estates. Roughly 36% of residents were 65 or older, according to Centaline Property Agency, which uses the city's government data, as per CNN. That's much higher than the percentage of elderly people in Hong Kong overall -- 19.6 per cent, according to Centaline. The median age of the tenants at Wang Fuk Court was 56, the data shows.Officials are investigating "potential corruption" linked to renovations at Wang Fuk Court, the Hong Kong complex afflicted by a massive blaze. The Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong's statutory anti-graft body, announced on Thursday that it had set up a dedicated task force "given the significant public interest in this matter," as per CNN. The fire spread in an "unusual" manner, other officials said, and a criminal investigation has been launched, Security Secretary Chris Tang said. Hong Kong Police said they arrested three men - two directors and a consultant of a construction company - on suspicion of manslaughter, and accused them of "gross negligence." Authorities will also investigate whether building materials complied with fire safety standards. A number of major Chinese corporations have joined the donation drive for victims of the deadly Hong Kong fire, as per CNN. Tech giant Alibaba announced its first batch of donations totaling 20 million Hong Kong dollars (USD 2.6 million) to support fire rescue efforts and provide transitional housing, essential supplies, and emotional support. Its logistics subsidiary Cainiao has also been involved in mobilizing emergency supplies such as food and bedding to affected areas, as per CNN.    (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

'If I was an IPL scout, I'd make sure my team watches the ISPL simulations': Paranjpe

The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) expanded its talent search to 101 cities before the third season, uncovering hidden cricketing gems from across India. Former India cricketer and ISPL Head of Selection Committee Jatin Paranjape highlights the growing depth and quality of players, many with prior leather-ball experience. He urged IPL scouts to witness this burgeoning talent pool, emphasising ISPL's potential as a feeder system for domestic cricket.

'Challenging time’: Jemimah withdraws from WBBL to support Mandhana

India's Women's World Cup hero Jemimah Rodrigues has withdrawn from the remainder of the WBBL season to support teammate Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana's wedding was postponed due to her father's health issue, prompting Rodrigues to stay in India. The Brisbane Heat franchise fully supported her decision, wishing the family well during this challenging time.

IPL 2026 Auction: Most Expensive Players From All 10 Teams

The excitement for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is already building as fans eagerly discuss team strategies ahead of the mini-auction. Before the auction kicks off in December, all 10 franchises have confirmed their player retentions, with some surprising moves this season. The biggest headline comes from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who retained Rishabh Pant for a record ₹27 crore, marking the highest retention in IPL history. Such high-profile decisions always trigger intense debate on social media, as fans analyze team strategies and speculate about potential auction battles. Most Expensive Retentions by Teams LSG: Rishabh Pant: ₹27 crore PBKS: Shreyas Iyer: ₹26.75 crore SRH: Heinrich Klaasen: ₹23 crore RCB: Virat Kohli: ₹21 crore CSK: Sanju Samson / Ruturaj Gaikwad: ₹18 crore RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal: ₹18 crore MI: Jasprit Bumrah: ₹18 crore DC: Axar Patel: ₹16.50 crore GT: Jos Buttler: ₹15.75 crore KKR: Rinku Singh: ₹13 crore Lucknow and Punjab lead the pack with the highest-priced retentions, while KKR demonstrates faith in Rinku Singh with a substantial ₹13 crore retention. With the retention list finalized, all eyes are now on the IPL 2026 mini-auction, where franchises will look to strengthen their squads and create a balanced team for the upcoming season. The stage is set for exciting bidding wars as teams aim to secure the next big talent. IPL 2026 Auction - All you need to know The IPL 2026 auction is set to be one of the most exciting yet, with all 10 teams ready to strengthen their squads. The auction, scheduled for December 16th, will see franchises bid aggressively to fill gaps and secure new talent. Fans can expect thrilling bidding battles as teams look to build balanced sides for the season. Stay tuned for live updates, player lists, and auction highlights. Also on ABP Live | Gautam Gambhir To Be Sacked? BCCI's Decision After India's Series Defeat Also on ABP Live | Amid Chat Controversy, Palash Muchhal's Video With Hardik Pandya's Ex-Wife Goes Viral

India's Nuke policy: PM Modi announces plans to open nuclear sector to private players; pushing next-gen reactors, innovation

India is set to open its nuclear energy sector to private companies. This move aims to boost energy security and technological advancement. The government plans to increase nuclear power capacity significantly by 2047. A new bill will be introduced to facilitate this major policy shift. This reform follows the successful opening of the space sector to private players.

'Why blame him now?': Gavaskar slams critics as Gambhir faces heat

Following India's Test series loss to South Africa, coach Gautam Gambhir faces criticism. However, former captain Sunil Gavaskar defended Gambhir, arguing that accountability shouldn't solely rest on the coach, especially when past victories under him are overlooked. Gavaskar questioned the selective criticism, highlighting that coaches cannot solely dictate on-field performance.

'Coach cannot pick up bat and play': R Ashwin defends Gautam Gambhir

R Ashwin defended head coach Gautam Gambhir following India's Test series loss to South Africa, cautioning against a rush to blame. Ashwin emphasised that players must also take responsibility for performances, stating that individual attacks on the coach are unwarranted. He highlighted that managing a team is complex and mistakes are inevitable.

'Tere Ishk Mein' review: Dhanush and Kriti Sanon earn high praise

Early reviews hail 'Tere Ishk Mein' as a profound emotional love story, with Dhanush and Kriti Sanon earning accolades for career-best performances. Director Anand L. Rai's mature handling and AR Rahman's score are lauded. This spiritual successor to 'Raanjhanaa' promises a heart-wrenching narrative, with Sanon highlighting the intense climax shoot, building significant anticipation for its November 28 release.

Hong Kong high-rise fire: China Taiping shares slump on feared insurance exposure; disaster city's worst in decades

China Taiping Insurance Holdings shares dropped amid concerns over its exposure to a Hong Kong construction project linked to a devastating high-rise fire. The blaze, which killed at least 44 people, occurred during maintenance work on a complex wrapped in flammable bamboo scaffolding. Experts suggest the insurer's coverage may be significantly underinsured given the disaster's scale.