Obama to visit Orlando to pay respects to victims

TIL Desk/World/Washington-U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims of America’s deadliest mass shooting, in which at least 49 people were killed, and stand in solidarity with the community, the White House has said.

“On Thursday, the President will travel to Orlando, Florida to pay his respects to victims’ families, and to stand in solidarity with the community as they embark on their recovery,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando in which 49 people were killed and more than 50 others injured, Mr. Obama cancelled his pre-scheduled trip to Wisconsin where he was to join presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a joint election campaign.

Over the coming weekend, Mr. Obama is scheduled to travel to New Mexico and California, but there is no word from the White House. This has been a difficult 36 hours for the country which has been mourning the killing of 50 people by a self- radicalised Afghan-origin youth at a gay club in Orlando in Florida, Mr. Earnest said at his press conference on Monday.

Mr. Obama has convened his national security team over at the Treasury Department to get an update on counter—ISIS efforts. “This is, of course, a previously planned meeting, but it is a timely one for tomorrow,” the spokesman said.