Seoul, May 15 (IANS) The South Korean government on Thursday held a consultative meeting with private sector stakeholders to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development in response to the intensifying global competition in the bio-health sector.The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and other relevant government agencies, alongside leading pharmaceutical companies, including Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Yonhap news agency reported.As per the Ministry, the discussions were focused on boosting AI-based drug development and promoting effective data usage, with sessions serving as a platform to listen to challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry and to explore directions for public-private cooperation.The global AI biotechnology market is projected to grow over 19 per cent annually, reaching $7.75 billion by 2029. South Korea currently ranks third globally in the number of AI bio-related patent applications.”AI is rapidly permeating the entire biotechnology industry,” the finance ministry said. “It is emerging as a core technology across areas, such as new drug development, protein structure prediction and design, and gene therapy.”The ministry emphasised that countries are now in fierce competition to preemptively secure AI capabilities and apply them effectively in the bio-health field.In particular, AI-powered drug development is revolutionizing the traditional pharmaceutical research and development process, the ministry said.By applying AI throughout the entire drug development pipeline, time can be reduced from a period of 10 to 18 years to a period of just six to nine years while significantly cutting costs, the ministry added.Meanwhile, South Korea has reported plans to funnel 60 billion won ($40.4 million) by 2028 to expand infrastructure for the development of materials and components technologies essential for advanced industries, such as AI, Yonhap reported.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the investment will be used to build research facilities and equipment for the development and testing of technologies related to materials and components essential for AI, advanced bio, and other future industries.In detail, the government will support the construction of infrastructure for the development of core materials for next-generation AI chips, messenger RNA-based drugs, and others, the Ministry said.–IANSrvt/

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Tamil actor Ravi Mohan is in the middle of a divorce…

Indore, May 15 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh on Thursday slammed the BJP leadership for its silence over Minister Vijay Shah’s alleged derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.Addressing a press conference in Indore, the Rajya Sabha MP demanded a clear response from the top BJP brass, stating that Shah’s comments had hurt the sentiments of the nation.“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president J.P. Nadda must clarify whether they endorse Vijay Shah’s remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. If not, why hasn’t he been sacked from the cabinet and the party? Who is shielding him?” Singh asked.He also lauded the Madhya Pradesh High Court, particularly Justice Atul Sreedharan, for taking cognisance of the matter and directing the state Director General of Police (DGP) to register an FIR against Shah.“What the BJP should have done proactively, the court had to do. I thank Justice Sreedharan for ordering an FIR. But this issue extends beyond legalities — it’s about political accountability. Why is the BJP’s top leadership still silent?” Singh added.Congress general secretary (organisation) and MP K.C. Venugopal also criticised the BJP in a social media post late Wednesday, questioning why the Minister hadn’t been removed despite the High Court’s intervention.“From the Madhya Pradesh Minister who insulted Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to Godse-bhakt Pragya Thakur, one thing is clear — no matter what toxic, anti-national statements you make, you will suffer no consequences in the BJP,” Venugopal posted on X.He further said, “Not firing Minister Vijay Shah, even after the High Court ordered an FIR, is a silent endorsement of his remarks. We will continue to demand his removal — there’s no alternative.”On Wednesday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the DGP to register an FIR against Shah, which was filed later that night under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable provisions.However, during a hearing on Thursday, Justice Sreedharan expressed dissatisfaction with the FIR, calling it poorly drafted.“There is no specific mention of the alleged actions that meet the ingredients of the offences. It is a mere formality,” the judge said.–IANSpd/skp

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Bollywood actress Jacqueliene Fernandez, who is all set to represent India at the Red Sea Film Festival, being hosted at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, says she is delighted to be an honouree at the event.

The actress took to Instagram with a series of stunning pictures from her visit to the Cannes Film Festival, where she turned heads in a striking white and silver ensemble.Her post offered fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her glamorous journey from getting her makeup done to giving interviews and sharing radiant moments with fellow honourees.For the caption, Jacqueliene wrote: “Cannes Day 1 with @redseafilm Delighted to be an honouree at the women in cinema initiative that champions female storytellers. #redseaiff #womenincinema #redseafilmfoundation.”The Red Sea Film Festival, in collaboration with Cannes, seeks to promote cultural exchange and creative collaboration. Jacqueline will grace the red carpet alongside filmmakers, storytellers, and global icons.The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced its seven honorees for its annual Women in Cinema Gala, which spotlights contributions of female filmmakers, creators, actors and executives to the entertainment industry.It includes names such as Zambian-Welsh writer-director Rungano Nyoni, South Asian actress Jacqueline Fernandez, Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, Saudi actress Elham Ali, Thai actress Engfa Waraha, Syrian filmmaker Gaya Jiji and Saudi filmmaker and artist Sarah Taiba, reports deadline.com.Jacqueliene currently awaits the release of ‘Housefull 5’. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. The film will be released on June 6.“Housefull” first released in 2010 and the second installment came out in 2012. The first two films were directed by Sajid Khan. The third film, Housefull 3, which was directed by Sajid-Farhad, hit the screens in 2016. The fourth film came out in 2019 and was directed by Farhad Samji.–IANSdc/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) The government on Thursday said it will take up a centrally coordinated and technology-driven survey and re-survey of lands, as inaccurate and outdated land records are causing disputes.The centrally-sponsored programme would be technology driven, leveraging aerial surveys through drones and aircraft, at just 10 per cent of the cost of traditional methods, said Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications.The scheme will also use AI, GIS and high accuracy equipment. It would be co-operative with the states conducting ground-truthing and validations while the Centre provides policy, funding, and technological backbone.The programme will be implemented in five phases, starting with 3 lakh sq km of rural agricultural land, over a two-year period with an outlay of Rs 3,000 crore for Phase I, the minister saidHe also urged the states to complete the integration of Aadhaar numbers with Records of Rights (RoRs) — a reform that will help link land ownership with unique digital identity, eliminate impersonation, and ensure targeted delivery of benefits such as Agristack, PM-KISAN and crop insurance.He was speaking at the national workshop on survey/re-survey under Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, attended by senior officers from the Centre and states, experts and field practitioners.The minister said reforms like resurvey, digitization, paperless offices, court case management and Aadhaar integration — will create a comprehensive and transparent land governance ecosystem.Stating that proper surveys unlock the economic potential of land when the records match ground reality, banks can confidently extend credit, businessmen can invest with certainty and farmers can access agricultural support.“If we want fast highways, smart cities, safe housing, and sustainable agriculture, we must start from the ground — quite literally”, the minister added.Though substantial progress has been made under the DILRMP, a major pending component – survey and re-survey has so far been completed in only four percent of villages as this task is a mass administrative, technological and public engagement exercise, he said.“Many states have not carried out map-based subdivisions, or kept spatial records in sync with textual updates, making the current cadastral maps obsolete. Our experience shows that without political will and strong coordination; surveys lose momentum and remain unfinished,” said the minister.–IANSna/

Zurich, May 15 (IANS) FIFA has lifted the suspension of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT), which was imposed after undue interference by third parties in the organisation, the global governing body of the sport said.  The association was suspended on February 6 due to “a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties in the affairs of the organisation, which constitutes a clear violation of FECOFOOT’s obligations in accordance with the FIFA Statutes”.”The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on 14 May 2025 to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) on February 6,” the FIFA statement read.The suspension was lifted after several conditions set by FIFA were fulfilled. The lifting of the suspension will be subject to the following conditions.”The decision was taken after the conditions requested by the Bureau to lift the suspension of FECOFOOT had been met, including the return of full control of the FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignie Technical Centre and the association’s other facilities to the FECOFOOT Executive Committee led by Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and his administration,” it added.Besides returning full control of the FECOFOOT headquarters, other conditions set by FIFA for lifting the suspension are:1) Desisting from any efforts to change the signatories of the FECOFOOT bank accounts and/or giving full control back to the signatories recognised by FIFA and CAF.2) Declaring invalid or setting aside any decisions, legal or otherwise, authorising the ad hoc committee to exercise any control or have any authority over FECOFOOT.3) Ensuring full cooperation to allow FECOFOOT to manage its affairs without undue influence from third parties.On February 6, the Pakistan Football Federation was also suspended due to its failure to adopt a revision of the PFF Constitution that would ensure truly fair and democratic elections.PPF’s suspension will only be lifted subject to the PFF Congress approving the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC, the FIFA had said.–IANSbc/ab

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Shalini Passi, who gained widespread attention through her appearance on “Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives,” is embracing her newfound fame with childlike excitement.

Reflecting on her entry into the spotlight, Passi described the experience as stepping into a whole new world, saying, “I feel like a child starting kindergarten.” When asked about the most rewarding aspect of her newfound fame after Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, Shalini Passi told IANS, “So, the most rewarding aspect is that it has opened up my desire to be a part of a new industry, which I know very little about. So, there’s so much for me to learn and explore.”“So, it’s very exciting. It’s like, you know, like a child going into, you know, a new school. So, I’m literally like in class nursery, kindergarten. So, waiting to explore and learn and experience the whole thing. So, that is what is exciting to me because it’s also challenging. And so, it brings its own energy with it.”The third season, rebranded as ‘Fabulous Lives vs. Bollywood Wives,’ marked Passi’s streaming debut. The show, which premiered on October 18, 2024, highlighted the lives of Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Shalini Passi, and newcomer Kalyani Saha Chawla, who joined the original cast.Meanwhile, Shalini Passi is set to make her red-carpet debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2025 with “Longitude 77.” Speaking about her debut at the prestigious event, she shared, “I am honored to represent Longitude 77 at such a prestigious global platform. This collaboration is a meaningful opportunity to showcase the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship that India offers to the world on the prestigious red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. I look forward to being part of this celebration that bridges Indian creativity with global appreciation.”–IANSps/

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that the remaining 116 villages in the city without a piped cooking gas line will get the facility by the year-end, ensuring that all Delhi villages are covered under the scheme.Earlier, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and the CM virtually inaugurated PNG (Piped Natural Gas) supply to 111 villages at a ceremony in Dwarka.CM Gupta said the piped gas connections in Delhi, under the second phase of extending gas pipeline facility to villages, mark a new chapter in the lives of all families in 111 villages.“The 116 villages that are without a piped gas line will also get the facility by this year end,” she said, adding that a total 130 villages had got piped gas line in the first phase.The CM announced that with the 111 villages getting piped gas on Thursday the total length of line has gone up to 13,000 km in the city.“Piped gas supply is going to improve the health of women and protect the environment from pollution,” she said.“As a homemaker I have also experienced problems related to sudden finishing of cooking gas in the LPG cylinder,” she said, adding that piped gas will end such problems in villages.She said even small facilities were not available to the poor in the country till 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to announce the cooking gas Ujjwala scheme from the ramparts of Red Fort.Highlighting her government’s green initiatives Gupta also expressed her government’s resolve to install up to 3 lakh rooftop solar plant units and highlighted the recent introduction of 400 e-buses.In his address, LG Saxena said he sorted out the problem of delayed no-objection certificate (NoC) for IGL for laying the gas pipeline for speedy expansion of the facility.Earlier, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood highlighted how the new facility would rid the villages and the city of polluting smoke emanating from some rural homes which were using conventional fuels like wood and coal for cooking.“This is an example of CM Gupta’s resolve for implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for women empowerment and environment protection,” said Sood, calling it a historic event.He said a UN survey shows that till 2022 as much as 30 per cent of the rural population in Delhi was dependent on smoke-emitting conventional sources of fuel for cooking.–IANSrch/rad

Los Angeles, May 15 (IANS) Legendary Hollywood star Al Pacino has joined the cast of Bobby Moresco’s directorial “Maserati: The Brothers,” a biopic about the family behind the high-performance automobiles that, along with Ferrari and Lamborghini, Italy is popularly known for.

Pacino’s cameo in the film was announced by producer Andrea Iervolino, reports variety.com.In “Maserati” Pacino will be playing businessman Vincenzo Vaccaro, who supported the Maserati family and invested in the early days of the company. Also joining the star-studded film’s cast are Gina La Piana and Tatiana Luter, according to an Iervolino statement.Previously announced “Maserati” cast comprises Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, Jessica Alba, Michele Morrone and Salvatore Esposito.Maserati was founded in 1914 in a garage in the central Italian city of Bologna by three brothers: Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto. The trident that is the company’s emblem is a replica of the one found in the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna. From early on, the company –which is now known for exotic luxury cars — was tied to the world of auto racing.According to variety.com, Maserati’s first Grand Prix racing car, called “Type 26,” is the vehicle that Alfieri Maserati was driving in the 1927 Messina Cup race when he had a near fatal crash.Alfieri died a few years later, on March 3, 1932, at the age of 44 from complications related to that accident. In 1937, the brothers, while remaining involved, sold a controlling stake in the company that is now owned by Fiat.The second and final phase of filming of “Maserati” will start in June in Rome. The film is slated for a worldwide premiere in early Fall 2025, Iervolino said.Pacino is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.His career spans more than five decades, during which he has earned many accolades, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, achieving the Triple Crown of Acting.He has also received four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2001, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2007, the National Medal of Arts in 2011, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016.–IANSdc/

Los Angeles, May 15 (IANS) Hollywood actress Tessa Thompson, who has showcased her acting prowess in films such as “Creed,” “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Men in Black: International,” will present the first ever Golden Globe prize for documentary during the Cannes Film Festival.

The inaugural award, presented by Artemis Rising Foundation, honors a documentary film director for “their contribution in shaping the documentary genre and challenging the way audiences see the world,” reports variety.com.Thompson said: “I’m honored to support this important prize and hope it leads to even greater recognition of the value that documentaries have for bringing truth to society.”Regina K. Scully, founder and CEO of Artemis Rising Foundation, said: “The Artemis Rising Foundation is proud to shine a light on outstanding documentaries in the Cannes Film Festival.”“We believe socially impactful storytelling is more important than ever in our ever-changing world. We are excited to collaborate with the Golden Globes to present this essential inaugural award to a documentary filmmaker and elevate the genre.”The jury for the award includes president of Golden Globes, Helen Hoehne; Scully; co-founder of Impact Partners, Geralyn White Dreyfous; and Thompson.The jury will select a winning filmmaker from among finalists Raoul Peck, Eugene Jarecki, Alex Gibney, Mariska Hargitay, and Andrew Dominik, all of whom have a documentary premiere in Cannes selection this year.The prize winner will be announced by Thompson at a Cannes Film Market event on May 19 at the Plages des Palmes venue, which includes a panel discussion, award ceremony and celebration reception, reports variety.com.Hoehne said: “This prize is a hugely significant step forward for the Golden Globes in honoring documentary filmmaking. It reflects the Golden Globes’ approach to innovating new frontiers at a time when highlighting and supporting factual storytelling has never been more critical.”White Dreyfous said: “At this volatile time in the business of documentary storytelling, this prize is a true beacon of hope for creatives, especially those who risk their lives to bring us truth and challenge our perspectives every day.”The award launch and May 19 event is supported by Think-Film Impact Production. Founder and CEO Danielle Turkov Wilson will moderate the panel discussion around the prize presentation, which will also feature Rémi Lainé, president of La Scam, the documentary program at Cannes Film Festival, and White Dreyfous.The prize also launches at the 30-year anniversary of the Cannes L’Œil d’or documentary award presented by La Scam. The winner will receive Euros 10,000 (approx Rs. 9,58,930) cash award in recognition of their contribution in the documentary field.–IANSdc/