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New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday said he was honoured to lead an Indian delegation abroad as part of the government’s diplomatic offensive following the Pahalgam terror attack, adding that India stands united in its resolve to combat terrorism and expects the international community to do the same.Prasad’s remarks come as India prepares to dispatch seven all-party delegations, comprising MPs from across political lines, to key global capitals to expose Pakistan’s alleged role in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.Thanking the government for his selection, Prasad told IANS, “This reflects the far-sighted vision of our Prime Minister. Leaders from all major parties in Parliament are being sent to various countries to represent India’s stance. I have been informed that I will lead this delegation to several countries.”Reinforcing India’s zero-tolerance approach, he said, “The thinking of the Prime Minister is very clear — the world is facing a scourge of terrorism, and the entire international community must speak in one voice. I am honoured that he has chosen me because I have been told that leaders of other Opposition parties, including the Congress, have also been made members.””The stance of the entire India should be given in one voice. India is united in the fight against terrorism, and our policy is crystal clear — terrorism will not be tolerated. The rest of the world should be united in this regard,” he added.The delegations — including MPs Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) — will travel to countries such as the United States, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Egypt, and Japan later this month.According to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the initiative is intended to communicate India’s bipartisan resolve against terrorism and to build international consensus in holding Pakistan accountable.Other MPs expected to be part of the delegations include BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, and Tejasvi Surya; TDP’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu; Congress MP Manish Tewari; and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.–IANSsd/rad

Seoul, May 17 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw anti-air combat and air raid drills by an air force flight group this week, stressing the need for constant and stronger war preparations across all military units, Pyongyang’s state media reported on Saturday.Kim gave the guidance during his visit on Thursday to the flight group under the Guards 1st Air Division of the Korean People’s Army, calling on “all the units of the entire army to bring about a radical turn in the preparations for war in constant war posture,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.The drills were aimed at familiarising flying corps as well as anti-air missile, radar and electronic warfare subunits with the mission to detect, track and destroy enemy cruise missiles and suicide drones, according to the KCNA.The drills included a test of a new-type long-range precision glide guided bomb and a target attack exercise, as well as a training program for destroying enemy drones with a helicopter, precision bombing of naval targets and a demonstration flight of strategic reconnaissance drones and multipurpose drones, the KCNA said.Kim touted the drills as “very useful” for allowing pilots to gain experience in modern air combat methods, and presented directions for the development of air weapon systems, air defence means, detection and electronic warfare integrated systems and anti-drone integrated systems, according to the KCNA.The drills proved the air defence capabilities of the groups under the Guards 1st Air Division, the state media noted.State media photos showed a range of the North’s latest air assets, such as the MiG-29 and the Su-25 aircraft, deployed for the drills.Among the photos were what appeared to be a new air-to-air missile, first showcased in a 2021 arms fair, being launched from the MiG-29 fighter jet.”It is presumed to be a localised version of Russia’s R-27 mid-to-long range air-to-air missile developed by the Russian Air Force to be equipped on the MiG-29,” Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, raising the possibility of Pyongyang receiving technological assistance from Moscow.State media photos also showed North Korean drones resembling the US Global Hawk and the Reaper, Yonhap news agency reported.The latest drills came as Kim has been highlighting the importance of modernising conventional weapons as he recently made a series of public visits to military units and munitions factories.Kim was accompanied by a group of party and military officials, including Ri Pyong-chol, general adviser for the munitions policy of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, and Kim Yong-hwan, president of the Academy of Defence Sciences.–IANSint/jk/rad

Los Angeles, May 17 (IANS) Singer-songwriter Aubrey O’Day is making her stand very clear in the ongoing trial of disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. Aubrey said will not participate in the high-profile federal trial of the rapper.
She told T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach in the premiere episode of a new podcast about the trial, reports ‘Variety’.The 41-year-old artist, who rose to fame on MTV’s ‘Making the Band’ under Diddy’s guidance, had made an Instagram post that some believed hinted at a possible court appearance at Diddy’s trial.She posted a video from New York City with the caption, “Hey New York!!! Where y’all think I should head first?”.She added a weighing scale emoji, commonly associated with justice. Despite the post and earlier reports that she had been subpoenaed, ‘People’ has confirmed that she will not testify.In the premiere episode of iHeart Radio’s Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present, Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, the singer told Holmes, “No, I’m not here to testify for the Diddy trial, that I know of.” She went on to claim that she “was contacted by Homeland Security” and “did have a meeting with Homeland Security”.She further mentioned, “I posted on my Instagram that I was here in New York and enjoying myself because I wanted to make it clear to everyone that I am not here testifying”.As per ‘People’, Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. He was arrested in September 2024 and is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend, has already made bombshell statements in her testimony during the trial.On May 13, Ventura described a relationship marked by emotional abuse and coercion. She told the court that she participated in sex parties, referred to as “Freak Offs”, because she “loved him so much”.Her testimony resumed the following day with a detailed account of the 2016 incident captured in hotel surveillance footage, later released publicly by CNN. Ventura had earlier filed a civil lawsuit against Combs, alleging rape and physical abuse.–IANSaa/

Seoul, May 17 (IANS) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday announced his departure from the People Power Party (PPP), urging the public to support the party’s presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo.In a post on his Facebook account, Yoon said, “I am leaving the People Power Party today,” adding, “Although I am leaving the party, I will continue to stand at the forefront to defend freedom and national sovereignty.”He also called on voters to unite behind Kim, emphasising the importance of participating in the upcoming election.”Please give your support to Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party. Make sure to cast your vote. Every single vote is a path toward safeguarding this country’s freedom, sovereignty and prosperity,” he said.Yoon was removed from office in April over his botched martial law attempt in December and is facing a criminal trial.Calls have been growing within the conservative PPP for the ousted President to sever his ties with the party, with many members believing that his departure is necessary to help boost Kim’s stagnant poll numbers against Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung.”I believe the (former) President will make a rational decision,” Rep. Kim Yong-tae, interim party leader, said during a Press conference on Thursday. “As the interim leader, I would respectfully recommend the President leave the party.”PPP candidate Kim had largely retained a neutral position about Yoon’s potential exit from the party, saying it was up to Yoon to decide whether to leave the PPP, while more centrist members of the party had called for the leadership to voluntarily expunge Yoon’s party affiliation.After Yoon’s announcement, the PPP candidate said he “respects” the former President’s decision to leave the party, Yonhap news agency reported.”We will humbly accept his decision and work to make the party more united and innovative, so that the party, the campaign and the presidency can align with the will of the people,” Kim Moon-soo told reporters after a campaign meeting at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Centre in Gwangju, some 270 kilometres south of Seoul.When asked whether there had been any prior coordination with Yoon on his withdrawal, candidate Kim replied, “None at all.”Rival parties slammed Yoon’s PPP departure, claiming that his statement lacks a sense of apology to the public for his martial law fiasco.DP spokesperson Rep. Hwang Jung-a said during a briefing, “Yoon Suk Yeol’s departure statement is filled with delusion and self-obsession, with no trace of reflection or apology.””The PPP has forever branded itself as a pathetic remnant of insurrectionists, having failed to expel the leader of insurrection with its own hands.”Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor New Reform Party, also criticised Yoon.”It is repugnant that the very person who caused chaos consumed by delusions of election fraud is speaking of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty, happiness and security.” Lee wrote on his Facebook account.–IANSint/jk/rad

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) In a significant diplomatic initiative following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the…

Charlotte (USA) May 17 (IANS) Even as some of the big names missed the cut, some others were hanging in by a slender thread at the 2025 PGA Championships at Quail Hollow. Right on top after two days was Jhonattan Vegas, who is leading a Major for the first time as the PGA Championship saw a drama-filled second day. Vegas added a 1-under 70. Vegas was 10-under par until he missed a 3-foot putt on 18 and ended with a double bogey for an even-par 70, giving him a two-shot lead.Vegas was at 8-under 134, two ahead of Matthieu Pavon of France (65), former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick (68) and Si Woo Kim, the South Korean who made an ace on the longest par 3 at Quail Hollow on his way to a 64. Kim hit a 5-wood on the 252-yard sixth hole for the longest hole-in-one in major championship history.Lurking behind them was Scottie Scheffler (69-68) in Tied-fifth. Then there was Indian-American Akshay Bhatia (70-74), who was in the Top-20 with five holes to go. Then he dropped five shots in the last five and missed the cut by one.Among those with an Indian connection, Indo-British Aaron Rai, who was T-4 after an opening 68, scored 2-over 73 and slipped to T-17, down by 13 places, but he was in for the weekend.Bhatia looked set for the weekend as he was 2-under through 13 holes for the round and 3-under for the tournament. Then he found disaster with a double bogey on Par-4 14th and another double bogey on Par-3 16th and a bogey on the 18th – five shots gone in five holes.Masters champion Rory McIlroy, still struggling off the tee, made the cut on the line and alongside him was the defending champion Xander Schauffele just made the cut and extended his streak to 64, the longest on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods set the record at 142 tournaments 20 years ago.There are just two major winners – Matt Fitzpatrick (68-68) in T-2 and Scheffler (69-68) in Tied-fifth among the top 10 after 36 holes.The notable stars to miss the cut, which fell at 1-over 143, included Jordan Spieth, who needed to win this week to complete a Career Slam, Hideki Matsuyama, Ludvig Aberg, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose.Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player, took time to feel comfortable with his swing. Yet he kept going with two birdies on the front nine and dropped only one shot on the back nine before coming up with two straight birdies on the back nine for a 68. That left Scheffler at 5-under 137 along with Max Homa, who shot 64.Ten players were at 4-under 138, a group that included three players who a week ago were not sure of a place in the field.They were Michael Thorbjornsen (70), the former No. 1 player in the PGA TOUR University ranking, who got in when Vijay Singh withdrew; Ryan Fox (71), who won at the ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic last week for his first PGA TOUR title, getting him to the PGA Championship, and Alex Smalley (71) who got in on Wednesday with another withdrawal, that of Sahith Theegala, due to a neck strain.–IANSab/

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated a new water pipeline project in the Pitampura area, as part of her ongoing efforts to upgrade essential infrastructure across the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency. The project, which will lay a new pipeline from the Delhi Jal Board office in Singalpur to CA Block’s Shiv Murti Chowk, aims to improve water supply in the area and resolve long-standing issues faced by local residents.Speaking at the inauguration, CM Gupta addressed the problems caused by the ageing water pipeline network.“People were facing constant difficulties due to the old pipeline system. The supply was irregular and inadequate,” she said.“With the new pipeline being installed, these problems will be resolved. Our government is committed to fulfilling promises that were left incomplete by the previous administration,” she said.Highlighting her connection to the constituency and her dedication to governance, CM Gupta added, “I have been elected from this area with the highest number of votes in Delhi. I see great hope in this government and in myself as a legislator. My responsibility is not just to develop Delhi but to stand with my people. As Chief Minister, I am ready to work 24X7 for this state. Our team, our MLAs, our ministers are working with 100 per cent dedication and complete teamwork.”The Chief Minister also touched upon national issues, invoking a powerful message on unity and national security.“As rightly said by PM Modi, ‘blood and water cannot flow together.’ The entire nation stands with this sentiment, 140 crore Indians stand with PM Modi and our brave armed forces,” she said.CM Gupta also visited Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Mangolpuri to assess public health services. She was warmly received by hospital staff and accompanied by BJP MP Chandolia. During her visit, she interacted with patients and conducted inspections of several hospital departments to evaluate facilities and ongoing medical services.CM Gupta reiterated her commitment to holistic development, ensuring that basic needs, such as clean water and accessible healthcare, remain top priorities for her administration.–IANSrs/rad

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Former India head coach Rahul Dravid lauded the former Test captain after the Mumbai Cricket…

Mumbai, May 17 (IANS) Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan revealed that she explained dapper star Jackie Shroff the “Happy New Year” script in just “three minutes” as the actor was more keen to know what he will wear in the 2014 blockbuster.
Farah Khan was joined by actor Vijay Varma in her Youtube channel, where they made dosas and discussed his new home.She went on to ask Vijay about if it was his ambition to increase his “style portion”, to which he said: “I don’t know. Maybe when I was a teenager, I had a fantasy of doing something like this with me. But then life happened and I fell in love with it.”Farah questioned: “Who did you look up to to make your fashion like this?”Vijay said it was superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Jackie Shroff.“I used to always like how Shah Rukh Khan sir used to put himself together. He used to be very casual. He had a great sense of personal style and Jackie Shroff had a crazy sense of style,” he said.Taking a trip down memory lane and talking about working with Jackie in “Happy New Year”, Farah said: “ Jaggu da, I have to tell you, I went for Happy New Year. He didn’t ask me for the script. I told him to tell me the script story in 3 minutes. He said ‘tell me what clothes I have to wear.’“So, I had to for one hour explain to him what styling we were going to do for him.”“Happy New Year”, is a heist comedy. The film features an ensemble cast of Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Jackie Shroff.In the film, SRK’s character Charlie assembles a team of non-dancers to take part in a dance competition at a hotel in Dubai in a quest to pull off a diamond heist. Jackie played the antagonist.–IANSdc/

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he was “honoured” to be…