Seoul, May 24 (IANS) South Korean People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo paid a courtesy visit to former President Park Geun-hye on Saturday and asked for her support for the upcoming presidential election, officials said.Kim met Park at her residence in the southeastern city of Daegu while campaigning in the region, which is a PPP stronghold.It was Kim’s first meeting with Park since he secured the nomination earlier this month.During the meeting, Park emphasised the importance of “putting the past behind and uniting as one to win the election, despite the many challenges the party has faced,” PPP spokesperson Shin Dong-wook told reporters.Kim responded that, though the party primaries were tough, he is now fully focused on working hard to win the election and expressed hope for Park’s support.Prior to the meeting, Kim visited the birthplace of Park’s father, former President Park Chung-hee, in Gumi, about 200 kilometres southeast of Seoul.”Former President Park Chung-hee laid the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy today,” Kim said.He also emphasised that the honor of former President Park Geun-hye “must be fully restored,” noting her removal from office in 2017 over a corruption and influence-peddling scandal.While campaigning in the region, Kim bowed to the public and apologized for “the many shortcomings of both myself and our party,” referencing such issues as the imposition of martial law and economic hardship under former President Yoon Suk Yeol.Yoon was impeached last month for declaring martial law in December, an act that ultimately led to the upcoming presidential election on June 3, Yonhap news agency reported.Meanwhile, Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung maintained a big lead among contenders for the June 3 election, a survey showed Saturday.In a Realmeter survey conducted on 1,009 adults from Thursday to Friday, Lee led the poll with 46.6 per cent, down 1.5 percentage points from the previous poll.Support for his People Power Party (PPP) rival Kim Moon-soo also dropped 1 percentage point to 37.6 per cent, while Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party came in third with 10.4 per cent, up 1 percentage point.In a hypothetical two-way contest, the DP’s Lee garnered 51.1 per cent, trailed by Kim with 43.9 per cent. In a similar scenario against Lee Jun-seok, Lee Jae-myung led with 48.9 per cent versus 37 per cent for the New Reform Party candidate.The margin of error was 3.1 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence level.–IANSint/jk/

Tokyo, May 24 (IANS) The Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha on Saturday departed Japan for South Korea following their successful and productive visit to the country during which the delegates reaffirmed India’s resolute stance of zero tolerance for terrorism post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.The delegation is part of India’s global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.“All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, departs Japan for the Republic of Korea on successful completion of their Japan Mission. India’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms was reaffirmed in unequivocal terms. India has zero tolerance for terrorism as clearly demonstrated in Operation Sindoor. Water and blood cannot flow together; talks and terror cannot go together,” the Embassy of India in Japan posted on X.Earlier in the day, the delegation interacted with the Indian community in Japan, emphasising India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and highlighting the important role of the diaspora in conveying this message across Japan.The delegation had commenced its Japan visit by paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. As the visit concluded, the Indian delegates paid homage to Rash Behari Bose, freedom fighter and national hero, at Tama Cemetery in Tokyo on the eve of his birth anniversary.The delegation also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi and Brij Lal, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid.The visit marked the beginning of India’s unprecedented diplomatic campaign to expose Pakistan’s sustained role in cross-border terrorism, including the heinous April 22 Pahalgam attack.“During their three day visit to Japan, the delegation held constructive meetings and interactions with a range of stakeholders from government, media and academia. In these engagements, Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is committed to ensuring safety and security of every Indian and working with the international community to fight the scourge of cross-border terrorism,” read a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Japan.“In each of the meetings, Jha conveyed that the terrorist attack in Pahalgam was a nefarious attempt to disturb development and peace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Through Operation Sindoor, India responded to the attack in a precise, targeted, proportionate and non-escalatory manner. He underlined India’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and of making no distinction between terrorists and those who support them,” the statement added.Furthermore, the Indian Embassy stated that Jha emphasised combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a national priority for India. He also conveyed that there can be no neutral voice in the fight against terrorism. He sought Japan’s support in effectively and expeditiously bringing the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice.Japanese political leadership conveyed their support to India’s fight against terrorism and emphasised the need to hold the perpetrators of such acts accountable.–IANSint/scor/as

Islamabad/New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Rattled and pushed on the back foot by the diplomatic…

Tokyo, May 24 (IANS) Members of the Indian diaspora in Japan have lauded the Prime…

Riyadh, May 24 (IANS) Indians who embarked on Haj pilgrimage appreciated arrangements and the quality of facilities offered by the Indian government to ensure a smooth and seamless journey for all in Saudi Arabia.”Indian pilgrims who went for Haj 2025 through the Haj Committee of India are very happy with the management of the Government of India and the facilities being provided there. It is the constant endeavour of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to ensure a comfortable and dignified journey for every Haj pilgrim,” the Ministry of Minority Affairs posted on X on Saturday.Meanwhile, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, on Friday highlighted the dedicated efforts of the Centre in ensuring a smooth and successful Haj for pilgrims.Earlier on Friday, Indian Consul General of Jeddah, Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, led ‘Team India’ deployed in Haj 2025, in facilitating the movement of pilgrims from Haram Shareef to their accommodations in Azizia (Mecca) after offering Friday prayer.The huge rush of pilgrims coming out from Haram Shareef after offering Friday prayer required coordination among ‘Team India’ members to guide the pilgrims to their designated bus points and provide on-the-spot required medical care and assistance.Medical care and assistance are being provided to the pilgrims by the mobile medical care team of the Indian Haj Mission. From dispensaries near pilgrims’ accommodation to fully equipped hospitals, the Indian Haj Mission has ensured accessible medical care.Additionally, doctors, nurses, and ambulances are made available round-the-clock for any health concerns.On Thursday, Indian Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri reviewed the arrangements for the movement of pilgrims from Mecca and ‘Mina’ and their stay at ‘Arafat’ to perform the rituals of Haj.Last week, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, met pilgrims in Mecca to ensure a comfortable Haj pilgrimage for all.”Ambassador Suhel Khan visited pilgrims from various states and enquired about their welfare and issues of concern in Mecca today. The Government of India remains committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of the Indian pilgrims and making their spiritual Haj journey hassle-free,” the Embassy of India in Riyadh posted on X.The Indian Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri earlier held a review meeting with the officials and staff deployed in temporary branch offices and dispensaries, various cells and desks set up by the Indian Haj Mission.–IANSint/scor/sd/

Moscow, May 24 (IANS) The Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi held a productive interaction with Mikhail Fradkov, former Prime Minister of Russia and Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), discussing global security changes and collaborative efforts in fighting terrorism.The delegation is a part of India’s global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and the continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.”Honoured to engage in a constructive dialogue with Mikhail Fradkov, former Prime Minister of Russia & Director of RISS, along with MPs as part of our parliamentary delegation. We discussed global security challenges and the collective fight against terrorism,” Kanimozhi posted on X on Saturday.The delegation also held discussions at the Federation Council of Russia with Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs, and fellow Senators, reaffirming India’s firm resolve in combating terrorism and strong commitment to global peace.The Kanimozhi-led delegation includes Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd.), RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal; former Ambassador of India to France and Monaco Jawed Ashraf; and f ormer Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri.”Joined MPs Kanimozhi, Rajeev Rai, Brijesh Chowta, Prem Chand Gupta, and Ambassador Manjeev Puri for a significant dialogue at the Federation Council of Russia with Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on International Affairs, and fellow Senators. India reiterated its unwavering stand against terrorism and its deep commitment to global peace,” Ashok Mittal posted on X.In continuation of India’s sustained fight against terrorism, the parliamentarians had a number of engagements on Friday, including with the two Houses of the Russian Parliament and think tank, said the Embassy of India in Moscow.”The delegation had a meeting with Leonid Slutsky, Chair of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma, and interacted with Members of the State Duma. The Indian delegation underlined the imperative of collective action against terrorism, including the need for credible international mechanisms to deny safe havens, financing, and political justification to terrorist entities,” the Indian Embassy in Moscow said in a statement.”The delegation then met Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and held extensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and global developments, with emphasis on the shared commitment to a multipolar and international order. The Indian side reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and stressed that India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail,” the statement added.These high-level interactions reaffirm the shared commitment of India and Russia to intensify cooperation in the fight against terrorism, promote global stability, and further strengthen their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.–IANSint/scor/sd/

Sydney, May 24 (IANS) Emergency service authority of Australia’s state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Saturday that early estimates suggest more than 10,000 properties have been damaged in floodwaters in the state’s eastern regions.The State Emergency Service (SES) Chief Superintendent Paul McQueen told reporters on Saturday morning that crews would be “out in force” to start the damage assessment process.”I reiterate this is still a dangerous situation where significant impacts to infrastructure and properties are likely to have occurred,” he said.”Unfortunately, it is not possible to let people return to their homes until water further subsides and we’re sure they can access their homes and communities safely.”The NSW Police said in a statement on Friday evening that rescue officers found a body inside a burnt-out vehicle at a property on the flood-hit Mid North Coast.It marks the fifth death in the widespread flooding crisis that has hit the Mid North Coast and surrounding regions following five consecutive days of torrential rainfall, Xinhua news agency reported.Earlier on May 23, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns toured the regions north of Sydney that have been inundated by widespread flooding following five consecutive days of torrential rainfall.As of Friday afternoon, more than 50,000 people remained cut off by flooding, and emergency services were continuing to conduct rescue operations by boat and helicopter.As of Friday afternoon, emergency services had conducted 736 flood rescue operations in total.The severe weather system that brought the torrential rainfall moved south on Friday and, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), could move out of NSW by midnight.Despite the easing conditions, authorities have warned that river levels could continue to rise.As around 50,000 residents across the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions are urged to prepare to evacuate, experts are warning that entering floodwaters poses one of the most significant threats to life.”Four-wheel drives may provide a false sense of security when attempting to cross floodwater, but research shows that 75 per cent of all floodwater-related fatalities in the past 15 years are associated with these vehicles,” Natural Hazards Research Australia CEO Andrew Gissing said in a statement.He cited research showing that 84 per cent of motorists ignore road closure signs, and that young people, particularly men under the age of 29, make up the majority of flood-related deaths.Research conducted after the devastating 2022 floods in northern NSW and southern Queensland revealed that nearly two-thirds of floodwater fatalities occur within 20 km of people’s homes, underscoring the dangers residents face in familiar surroundings.–IANSint/jk/dan

Tokyo, May 24 (IANS) An all-party parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay…

Seoul, May 24 (IANS) South Korean People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo will pay…

Quetta, May 24 (IANS) Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a human rights organisation, has categorically rejected…