
Concert marks VE Day
PHOTO: VIA REUTERS
Members of the audience gather before a music concert to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, held at the historic Horse Guards Parade near Buckingham Palace in London yesterday.
King Charles and senior royals joined 10,000 guests including veterans at the event, which was one of several held in Britain to remember Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, which took effect on May 8, 1945.
The anniversary, which comes at a time of ongoing conflict in Europe with Russia's war in Ukraine, was also marked with events in France and Germany, and a major military parade in Moscow.

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NDTV
3 minutes ago
- NDTV
Rebel Uncle, Rebel Nephew: Tale Of 2 NCP Foundation Day Events In Pune
Pune: The final phase of the 1990s marked a turning point in Maharashtra's political history. For the first time, the state saw a Shiv Sena-BJP coalition in power, while the Congress faced a major setback with one of its strongest leaders walking out over differences with the high command. That leader was Sharad Pawar. In his rebellion, he took along a band of young leaders from across the state, each rooted in different regions and sectors like education, agriculture, and cooperatives. Among them was a relatively young but prominent face: Ajit Pawar, his nephew. Though not senior in age or hierarchy, Ajit commanded attention for both his lineage and his prompt, unorthodox style of leadership. Little did the 40-year-old leader know that decades later, he would not only challenge his uncle's authority but also lay claim to the very party Sharad Pawar had founded, with the same symbol, and backed by many of the senior leaders who once rebelled with his uncle. Fast forward to June 10, 2025. Ajit Pawar's NCP (AP) is nearly two years old. Yet, he too will celebrate the 26th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party-thanks to the Election Commission of India's recognition of his faction as the official NCP. The contrasting scenes at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Pune reflect the mood and political positioning of both factions in the state. At Bal Gandharva in Shivajinagar, not more than 50 people - mostly local party workers - were seen quietly preparing for the big day. A small mandap was set up, and modest arrangements were in place by the afternoon. "It is a very happy moment, but also one of curiosity. The party has been in power and opposition. In the next four months, we have local body elections coming up. Pawar saheb will give a good message for the party and the MVA," said NCP (SP) Pune chief Prashant Jagtap. Ten kilometres away, the preparations were grander at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex. Pink banners covered the venue. Over 100 workers were busy with final touches, under the supervision of 35-year-old Parth Pawar, the elder son of Ajit Pawar. "Tomorrow, the party is celebrating 26 years. Our leader, Ajit Pawar, will be addressing us. Sunil Tatkare and Parth Pawar contributed to this programme. Fifty thousand people from across the state are expected," said Anand Paranjpe, chief spokesperson of the NCP (AP). The Big Question What makes this year's celebration nationally significant is the buzz around a possible merger between the two factions of the NCP. Sharad Pawar has delegated the decision to his daughter, Supriya Sule, while the Ajit Pawar faction is awaiting an official proposal. "If Pawar had to go with the BJP, he would have gone in 2014. Even in 2019, there was an attempt. If we had to go, we would have gone with Ajit Dada earlier. Sharad Pawar has spent more time in the opposition than in power-he has never aligned with the BJP. People like me are sure it's not going to happen. No discussion about party merger has happened, or will happen," said Mr Jagtap. On the other hand, the Ajit Pawar faction - fresh off a victory in the Vidhan Sabha - is optimistic about a flood of new entries. "After tomorrow's program, there are going to be a lot of additions. A lot of people want to work with Ajit Dada. Many will be on the ground. A different message will be given by our leader-things will become clear soon. Many are ready to join us," said Suraj Chavan, NCP (AP) spokesperson. The Upcoming Civic Polls Beyond the merger rumours, the Foundation Day also kicks off preparations for the upcoming local body elections, long overdue in the state. Pune, in particular, remains a stronghold for both factions. "The 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' isn't reaching people, inflation is up -we're paying more, but getting the same money back. It's been two months since anyone received funds. Petrol prices, unemployment, high school fees, and expensive bus tickets are all issues we'll be taking up," said Dilshad Akhtar from NCP (SP). The Ajit Pawar faction, too, sees this event as a stepping stone toward civic poll strategies. "Directions for the upcoming elections will be given by the party chief," said Anand Paranjpe.


Digital Trends
3 minutes ago
- Digital Trends
Directive 8020 is straight up a playable version of The Thing
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The Review Geek
3 minutes ago
- The Review Geek
The Walking Dead: Dead City – Season 2 Episode 6 'Bridge Partners Are Hard to Come by These Days' Recap & Review
Episode 6 Episode 6 of The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 begins with Bruegel bringing Ginny, Hershel, Maggie and Perlie to his museum. After they head in, one of the guards is dragged away. Meanwhile, the Croat tries to defend himself as he explains the Dama's death to Negan. Negan is ready to kill him but thankfully, the Croat doesn't figure out his trap. In fact, Croat tells him that he is free to go with his family. Back at the museum, Maggie convinces Perlie to head home. Her progress is ruined when Bruegel offers to give Perlie the methane and destroy the Burazi. In exchange, Perlie is to end New Babylon's invasion. We also see Bruegel heartlessly killing the mauled guard. Maggie doesn't trust him and is shocked to see Perlie consider his offer. It cuts to Negan and the Croat discussing what to do next. The Croat regrets the Dama's death and the eventual departure of Negan. He is lonely and Negan claims it is a fresh start. They smoke together and the Croat tries to convince Negan to come to Croatia with him. The moment is broken when the Croat sees Negan's bloody boot and realises that he killed Dama's rat. The Croat grabs Lucille 2.0 and beats up Negan, upset by his betrayal and manipulation. Negan gets the upper hand and a cowering Croat declares that he is what Negan made him. Negan looks sad but kicks him out. Onto the methane drama, Perlie wants the dead soldiers' sacrifice to mean something. Maggie insists that they can get the methane alone and Perlie realises that she doesn't want Bruegel to kill Negan. Both Hershel and Ginny are upset by this revelation. Ginny storms off and Maggie goes after her. She sees herself in Ginny and explains that she is conflicted about killing Negan, as she is scared of the other side. Maggie adds that revenge has cost her everything and it won't get better with Negan's death. Back to Negan, he mourns Croat's exit and hides in the prison. He finds Benjamin and frees him. But the historian doesn't know what to do next as he has lost his purpose. Negan declares that history is just the winner's story. He believed that by killing rival surviving communities, his people were winning. But now, he realises that he has just broken his own people, like the Croat. That night, Hershel tries to infect the museum's water supply with walker blood. Maggie stops him and begs him to go home. She blames the Dama's influence and he lashes out at her. He brings up her obsession with Negan and because of it, he has no real home. He tries to leave, but a bear pops up. Maggie tries to distract it but she is cornered. Hershel weakens it with his knives and kills it before running off. Maggie goes after him and runs into Negan. He comforts her as he explains the Dama's almost-magical pull on lost minds. He deduces that Hershel has gone to the Dama's theatre, and in exchange, she tells him about Bruegel's ambush. He asks about Ginny and ends up trauma-dumping on how he may be a threat to his family. Maggie looks uncomfortable and leaves. The next morning, Annie and Joshua arrive but Negan tells the Burazi to take them back to Tennessee. He goes as far as to hide so his wife and son don't spot him. Elsewhere, Ginny and Perlie are upset as they think Maggie and Hershel have abandoned them. Bruegel invites Perlie to a game of bridge and mocks Maggie's thoughts on cheating. To him, all that matters is the actual game. There is a walker chained up and we see it is Lucia. Before she turned, she told Bruegel about Perlie's lies on killing Negan. Bruegel looks gleeful as he claims that whether Perlie likes it or not, he is stuck in the game. At the end of The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Episode 6, Ginny points a gun at Negan. She hesitates to kill him and then passes out. He looks worried as her wound is infected. The Episode Review The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Episode 6 is yet another highlight of the season with the ingenious bear action, the angsty bromance, bittersweet reunions and betrayals. The cherry on top is the fact that Lauren Cohan is the director while churning out some hard-hitting performances and action sequences in this episode. Viewers can see just how well she knows the characters as we get several emotional, unsaid moments from Negan's remorse at kicking out the Croat to Ginny hesitating to kill Negan. Bruegel finally fills in the space as a worthy antagonist now that the Dama and Lucia are gone. His final reveal of walker Lucia heightens the stakes for Perlie who knows he is a dead man if New Babylon finds out about Negan. And with Bruegel being a cheat, our heroes are in danger of being betrayed. Previous Episode Next Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!