Morning Digest | Elon Musk says he’s terminating $44bn Twitter deal; Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe assassinated, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Elon Musk says he's terminating $44bn Twitter buyout deal, board to fight

Elon Musk announced he will walk away from his tumultuous $44 billion offer to buy Twitter, leaving the deal on he verge of collapse. The Tesla CEO sent a letter to Twitter's board Friday saying he is terminating the acquisition. But Twitter isn't accepting Mr. Musk's declaration. The chair of Twitter's board, Bret Taylor, tweeted in response that the board is “committed to closing the transaction on the price and terms agreed upon with Mr. Musk and plans to pursue legal action to enforce the merger agreement. We are confident we will prevail in the Delaware Court of Chancery.”

Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe assassinated, India declares state mourning

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe passed away on Friday after being shot in the chest twice while delivering a speech in Nara around 11.30 a.m. local time. Mr. Abe, 67, was making an election campaign speech ahead of Sunday’s election for the Japan Parliament’s upper house. He collapsed and was bleeding as people heard two gunshots and was then rushed to a hospital. 

Several world leaders condemned the attack and expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock at Mr. Abe’s death and hailed him as “a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader and a remarkable administrator”. Further, Mr. Modi also announced that a day of national mourning will be observed on July 9 as a “mark of deepest respect”. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were among others who also expressed their condolences towards Mr. Abe’s passing.

At least 13 dead after flash floods hit Amarnath yatra base camp in J&K’s Baltal

At least 13 people, mainly Amarnath pilgrims, have died and dozens went missing after flash floods caused landslips near the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal area on Friday. An official said the flash floods occurred around 5.30 p.m. and washed away scores of tents. “At least 13 people are feared dead. The bodies are being retrieved and the missing being located,” a senior official said.