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Monday, May 5, 2025

India Lodges Protest With Canada Over "Unacceptable Imagery" At Parade

India on Monday lodged a strong protest with Canada over the "threatening language" and "unacceptable imagery" targeting Indian leadership at a parade held in Toronto.

The floats at the parade on Sunday reportedly featured pro-Khalistan propaganda and imagery attacking the Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India lodged a protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi over the parade, official sources said.

"We conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission regarding the parade held in Toronto, where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada," said one of the sources.

The Indian side again called on Canadian authorities to act against "anti-India elements" who are spreading hatred and advocating extremism and a separatist agenda, the sources said.

"We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda," the source said.

The latest episode of strain in ties between the two countries came days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's victory in the general election.

Carney, an economist and political newcomer, led the Liberal Party to its remarkable victory in the elections held under the shadow of US President Donald Trump's tariff clash.

His victory was seen as an opportunity to repair India-Canada ties that came under severe strain during Justin Trudeau's prime ministership.

The ties between India and Canada witnessed a major downturn following Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. New Delhi strongly rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

The relations nosedived further in the second half of last year after Ottawa linked several Indian diplomats including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma to the murder of Nijjar.

In October last, India withdrew Verma and five other diplomats. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

In the last few months, the security officials of India and Canada resumed contacts and both sides were looking at the possibility of appointing new high commissioners.

The exit of Trudeau was seen as an opportunity to improve bilateral ties.

India had accused Trudeau's government of allowing pro-Khalistani elements to operate from Canadian soil.

After Trudeau's exit, New Delhi said it hoped to rebuild ties with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity".

"The downturn in India-Canada relations was caused by the licence that was given to the extremist and secessionist elements in that country," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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UN Security Council Begins Closed-Door Talks Meeting On India-Pak Tensions

 The UN Security Council commenced closed-door consultations here on the situation between India and Pakistan, hours after Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours being "at their highest in years".

Pakistan, currently a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation Security Council, had requested for "closed consultations" on the situation.

Greece, president of the Council for the month of May, scheduled the meeting for May 5 in the afternoon.

The closed-door meeting will not take place in the UNSC Chamber where Council members sit at the powerful horse-shoe table but in a consultations room next to the chamber.

Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia will brief the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO).

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad could brief reporters after the meeting.

Just hours before the closed consultations, Guterres voiced concern over tensions between India and Pakistan being at "their highest in years", saying "it pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point".

Guterres made remarks to the press from the UNSC stake-out Monday morning amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali citizen.

Guterres said he understands the "raw feelings" following the "awful terror attack" in Pahalgam and reiterated his strong condemnation of that attack, extending his condolences to the families of the victims.

"Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means," he said.

Guterres stressed that it is essential – especially at this critical hour—to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control.

"Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink. That has been my message in my ongoing outreach with both countries. Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution," the UN chief said.

He reiterated that he offers his good offices to both governments in the service of peace. "The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace." Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members—China, France, Russia, UK and the US—the 10 non-permanent members in the Council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.

India's former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told PTI that no "consequential outcome" can be expected from "a discussion where a party to the conflict seeks to shape perceptions by using its membership of the Council. India will parry such Pakistani efforts".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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"Designed To Operate Against...": India Tests Advanced Underwater Naval Mine

India successfully conducted validation trials of an indigenously designed and developed multi-influence ground mine (MIGM) and an advanced underwater naval mine designed to operate against modern stealth ships and submarines.

The Defence Research of Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier defence research agency and the Indian Navy conducted the "combat firing" of the mine. The system is developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.

The DRDO shared a video of the test in which an underwater explosion took place with reduced explosives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated DRDO and the Navy for successfully undertaking the test. Mr Singh said, "The system would further enhance the undersea warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy."

Bharat Dynamics Limited, a production partner of the system, said, "An MIGM is equipped with multiple sensors for recording influences like Acoustic, Magnetic, Pressure, UEP/ELFE signatures as generated by Marine vessels." Visakhapatnam and Apollo Microsystems Limited are also partners in the production. 

Underwater mines have been central to naval warfare for several centuries. During World War II, the British, Americans, Japanese and Germans used to lay mines on sea routes. According to an estimate, over half a million naval mines of several types were laid in the sea during the war.

The validation trials of MIGM come at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are high following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians. 

Last month, a guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy destroyed a sea-skimming target in a "precision cooperative engagement". The test was done two days after the Pahalgam attack.

The navy, in a statement, said the homegrown guided missile destroyer INS Surat "successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking another milestone in strengthening our defence capabilities."

'Trident Of Naval Power'

Last week, the Navy shared a picture featuring a surface ship, a submarine and a helicopter and captioned it "Trident of Naval Power".

The picture, posted on X, shows the destroyer INS Kolkata, the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and a Scorpene-class submarine.

A week before that, the Navy shared videos of warships conducting multiple anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea.

Multiple visuals of BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being fired from warships in the middle of the sea were shared by the Navy on X.

These warships included Kolkata-class destroyers, Nilgiri and Krivak-class frigates.



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Sunday, May 4, 2025

Gigi Hadid Makes It Insta Official With Bradley Cooper On 30th Birthday

Gigi Hadid has made her relationship with Bradley Cooper Instagram official. The supermodel recently posted a series of photos from her 30th birthday celebration on social media.

The highlight? One of the pictures shows her kissing Bradley. The image featured the couple in front of the model's three-tier chocolate birthday cake.

Gigi wore a white top and had her hair in a slicked-back bun as she cupped Bradley's face while they kissed. The 50-year-old actor has been dating Hadid for about a year.

"I feel so lucky to be 30. I feel so lucky for every high and low - for all the lessons and gifts both have brought me. To get to feel it all! I'm so lucky to be a mom, friend, partner, sister, daughter, colleague to some of the most unbelievable humans!!" She also thanked her followers for their support and said she felt "blessed to feel so loved," Gigi wrote in the caption.

The couple were first seen together in October 2023, dining at Via Carota in New York City's West Village. Since then, their relationship has steadily grown. 

In a recent interview with Vogue, Gigi described their bond as a "very romantic and happy dynamic." She noted that while dating in the public eye has its challenges, the relationship works because both are clear about what they want.

"To find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be. I just feel really lucky," she said. "I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief," she added.

A source told People earlier this year that while an engagement "would be a big step," the couple is happy with where they are. They reportedly spend time with each other's families and children.

Bradley shares an 8-year-old daughter, Lea De Seine, with model Irina Shayk. Gigi, on the other hand, has a 4-year-old daughter, Khai, with singer Zayn Malik. 



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Preity Zinta Can't Keep Calm As PBKS Star Slams Mammoth Six - Video Is Viral

Punjab Kings owner Preity Zinta was left completely stunned as Shashank Singh slammed a mammoth six during the IPL 2025 encounter against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. The incident took place in the 17th over of the innings when Shashank heaved a delivery from Mayank Yadav for a 92m six over deep backward square-leg. It was such a huge hit that the ball hit the roof of a building and the umpire had to come up with a new ball to resume play. The incident left everyone in frenzy with Preity Zinta's expression going viral on social media and inspiring a number of memes and comments.

Prabhsimran Singh packed a mean punch in his strokes as Punjab Kings posted an imposing 236 for 5 against Lucknow Super Giants in an important IPL match on Sunday. The young opener blasted his way to 48-ball 91 with the help of six fours and seven sixes even as Punjab Kings would certainly feel that they scored 15 runs above par keeping the track into account.

The Punjab keeper-batter should have got his second IPL hundred but an ambitious switch hit off Digvesh Rathi saw him head back to the pavilion, nine runs short of what would have been a deserving milestone.

Towards the end, Shashank Singh scored 33 off 15 balls to take PBKS to what looks like an unassailable total. There were 16 sixes hit by Punjab Kings with 13 coming off pacers.

Mayank Yadav, in fact, accounted for half a dozen of them going for 60 in his four overs.

The LSG batting unit, which has performed well below par after the first stage of the tournament, will need to bat out of their skins to chase down the target.

However, LSG had started on a confident note with Priyansh Arya (1) sent back to a well-thought plan with left-arm seamer Akash Singh bowling a nice outswinger, slightly out of his hitting arc. Priyansh plays with bare minimum footwork and Mayank Yadav at deep backward point held onto a sitter.

Prabhsimran was initially a passive partner as it was Australian Jos Inglis who launched the first attack with a hat-trick of sixes off Mayank Yadav, whose speed has decreased by at least 15 kmph post his intense rehab under Nitin Patel at the BCCI's erstwhile National Cricket Academy to recover from back injury.

However, once Inglis was dismissed, Prabhsimran, along with skipper Shreyas Iyer (45 off 25 balls), took control of the game. They were only helped by some atrocious fielding from Avesh Khan, who would probably go down as the worst fielder in the 18-year history of IPL.

Adding insult to injury, Prabhsimran took the tall MP fast bowler to the cleaners as he was pulled over mid-wicket for back-to-back maximums. Khan went for 57 in four overs and if around 15 runs due to his misfielding is added, he caused the maximum damage for his team.

The duo of Prabhsimran and Iyer added 78 runs in 7.5 overs before Rathi, LSG's best bowler on view, became the first spinner in the current season to account for Punjab Kings skipper's wicket.

But Prabhsimran continued like a man possessed and LSG bowlers were guilty of feeding to his strengths throughout the innings.

(With PTI inputs)



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Video: Man Alleged To Have Helped Terrorists In J&K Jumps Into River, Drowns

A man who gave food and shelter to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district drowned after he jumped into a river while escaping from the security forces.

A video taken from a higher ground shows the man, Imitiaz Ahmad Magray, 23, suddenly jumping into the rocky river after scanning the forested area briefly.

Magray was picked up by the police on Saturday, sources said. During questioning, he told the police that he gave food and logistics to terrorists hiding in the forest in Kulgam's Tangmarg, sources said.

The accused agreed to lead the security forces to the terrorists' hideout, sources said.

On Sunday morning, while leading a joint team of the police and the army to raid the hideout, Magray in a bid to flee jumped into the Veshaw River, sources said.

The moment of his escape was also captured on camera. There was no one near him when he decided to bolt.

The video showed the man trying to swim, but the strong current carried him away and he drowned. The entire sequence of events was captured on camera.

The security forces have condemned those who are spreading misinformation about the incident, sources said. The security forces should not be wrongly blamed for the man's unfortunate death, sources said.

Earlier on Sunday, Peoples Democratic Party leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti alleged a conspiracy in the death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray.

"Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river," Ms Mufti said in a post on X.

This was not the first time a local resident was caught giving food and logistics to terrorists with cross-border linkages.



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Saturday, May 3, 2025

Updated IPL Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap After RCB vs CSK Match

Royal Challengers Bengaluru went on top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 points table with a thrilling 2-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday. The match saw Virat Kohli continuing his prolific run, scoring his 6th half-century of the campaign to lay the foundation of the team's victory. Young opening batter Ayush Mhatre's 94 and Ravindra Jadeja's 77 not out went in vain as RCB pipped CSK in the match. Chasing 214, CSK scored 211 for 5 in their 20 overs. Mhatre scored a 48-ball 94 with five sixes and nine fours while adding 114 runs with Jadeja (77 not out off 45 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) for the second wicket. For RCB, Lungi Ngidi returned with figures of 3/30.

Courtesy of the win, RCB climbed to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, registering their 8th win in 11 matches, aggregating 16 points. Mumbai Indians are second with 7 wins in 11 matches, ahead of Gujarat Titans, who have 7 wins in 10 matches.

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Updated Orange Cap Standings After RCB vs CSK Match

Thanks to his 33-ball 62, Virat Kohli climbed to the top of the Orange Cap standings, ahead of Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan, who has 504 runs to his tally in 10 matches. Kohli, on the other hand, aggregated 507 runs after featuring in 11 matches for RCB so far. 

Updated Purple Cap Standings After RCB vs CSK Match

The Purple Cap standings are led by Gujarat Titans pacer Prasidh Krishna, who has had a remarkable run of form over the last few games. He has picked up 19 wickets in 10 matches, ahead of Josh Hazlewood, who didn't play against the Super Kings. Hazlewood slots in the second spot with 18 wickets in 10 matches to his name. Chennai Super Kings spinner Noor Ahmed comes in at the No. 3 spot with 16 wickets in 11 matches.



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Kavya Maran's Reaction Viral After Abhishek Slams 5th Highest IPL Score

SRH owner Kavya Maran was ectatic after the ton by Abshiek as was the star opener's father Raj Kumar Sharma.  Incredible knock, iconic...