Two US destroyers transit Strait of Hormuz after dodging Iranian attacks: Report

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Washington, May 5 (IANS) Two US Navy destroyers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Gulf after navigating an Iranian barrage, US media outlet CBS News reported.

The USS Truxtun and USS Mason, supported by Apache helicopters and other aircraft, faced a series of coordinated threats during the passage, said the report, citing Pentagon officials, who spoke under condition of anonymity, on Monday night (local time).

No US warship was struck, though Iran launched small boats, missiles and drones against them as a sustained barrage, the officials were quoted as saying.

None of the projectiles launched by Iran reached the US vessels, they said, adding that the US military’s assisting efforts, bolstered by air support, successfully intercepted or deterred each incoming threat, reports Xinhua news agency.

US President Donald Trump told Fox News on Monday that the Iranians are “more malleable” than they were before.

In a phone interview with Fox News, the president threatened that if Iran targets US ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the Pentagon begins operations to restore commercial shipping transit through the strait, they would be “blown off the face of the Earth.”

However, in another phone interview with ABC News on Monday, Trump stopped short of saying Iran’s Monday attacks had violated the US-Iran ceasefire.

“[It was] not heavy firing,” Trump said, downplaying the attacks.

Brad Cooper, chief of the US Central Command, told reporters earlier on Monday that Iranian forces had launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones, and small boats at ships we are protecting.”

US forces have sunk six Iranian small boats targeting civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and intercepted several Iranian missiles and drones, said Cooper.

Iran later rejected the US claims, saying that “no commercial vessels or oil tankers” have transited the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel and US targets across the region and restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for vessels linked to Israel and the United States.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8, followed by talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad that ended without a deal.

–IANS

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Delhi blast: Locals as well as natives of UP and Uttarakhand among victims

New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) At least eight people were killed in the blast near Gate No. 1 of Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. As per the details, the victims of tragedy include residents of national capital as well as migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who visited the city either for meeting their relatives or for business purposes. The youngest among the deceased included 21-year-old Shivam Jha.

The massive car explosion has left a trail of suffering for the families who have been left devastated with the sudden loss of their loved ones.

According to officials, 14 injured victims are residents of the national capital, three injured were from Uttar Pradesh, while one injured person each was from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

While police are still investigating whether the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber or an explosive device, officials have confirmed that at least eight people were killed and over 20 others injured. All victims were rushed to LNJP Hospital, located just a few kilometres from the site.

The youngest victim has been identified as 21-year-old Shivam Jha from Usmanpur, Delhi, according to the list shared by LNJP Hospital. The hospital continues to treat several injured victims, with some in critical condition.

Other victims who have been identified included 34-year-old Ashok Kumar from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and 35-year-old Amar Kataria from Delhi.

Nouman, a resident of Jhijhana in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, was also among those who lost their lives in the blast. He worked in the cosmetics business and had come to Delhi to collect supplies.

Another victim, Mohsin, 35, from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, had been living in Delhi for several years to support his family. He drove a battery-operated e-rickshaw and was at the site when the explosion occurred. Mohsin is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a young son. His grieving family has arrived at LNJP Hospital to collect his body, as the post-mortem examination continues.

Amar Kataria, a pharmaceutical businessman from Sriniwaspuri, was another victim of the blast. The 34-year-old had closed his pharmacy in Bhagirath Palace, around six kilometres from Red Fort, and was heading home when the explosion took place.

Following the incident, Delhi Police have sounded a high alert across the city. Late Monday evening, police detained Mohammad Salman, the registered owner of an i20 car found near the site. He reportedly told investigators that he had sold the car to a person named Devendra in Okhla about a year and a half ago.

Traffic limitations and reroutes have been implemented on both lanes and the service road of Netaji Subhash Marg, according to the police. The restrictions will be enforced on the section between Chhatta Rail Cut and Subhash Marg Cut.

“On 11.11.25, due to exigencies, traffic restrictions & diversions will be in place in both the carriageways and service roads Netaji Subhash Marg from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut. Commuters are advised to avoid these routes from 06:00 AM to till further order and use alternative roads for a hassle-free journey,” read the advisory.

–IANS

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Vietnam: Renowned Buddhist scholar pays respect to sacred Buddha relics from India

Hanoi, May 16 (IANS) Renowned Buddhist scholar and spiritual leader Ling Rinpoche on Friday visited the Buddhist temple Quang Sa Pagoda in Vietnam to pay respects to the holy Buddha Relics sent from India. He was warmly welcomed by monks and devotees, offered prayers and joined a special ceremony highlighting deep spiritual ties across Buddhist traditions.

The sacred relics of Lord Buddha from India were enshrined in the Buddhist temple Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi earlier this week with ceremonial ritual and prayers conducted by monks from India and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Vietnam also shared information on relics of Lord Buddha and upcoming projects with the local media.

Terming it as a national treasure of India, the Embassy stated that the visit of Lord Buddha’s relics to Vietnam is the result of the cooperation between both governments, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and other organisations.

On Thursday evening, Comrade Bui Thị Minh Hoai, Member of the Politburo and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, also visited the Quan Su Pagoda to venerate the Buddha’s Sacred Relic on the occasion of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025.

Earlier, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha visited the Buddhist temple in Hanoi to venerate and pay respects to the sacred relics. The visit took place in a solemn and reverent atmosphere, reflecting deep respect for the spiritual and cultural values of Buddhism.

Vietnam’s Hanoi came to a standstill this week as a large crowd thronged the capital city from across the country and gathered outside the Quan Su Pagoda to pay their obeisance to the Holy Buddhist Relics sent from India.

Around five lakh people had gathered on the streets to welcome the sacred relics as it entered the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday. People were high on emotions, with many weeping and praying while others chanted aloud.

India’s sending of the holy relics to Vietnam has been appreciated by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong as a gesture that has further strengthened the strong spiritual and cultural ties between both countries.

The holy relics were brought from India on May 2 by an Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju which also included Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh and senior monks and officials.

The holy relics will remain in Vietnam until May 21 as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations. The relics were earlier displayed at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, and then in Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province and are currently in Hanoi till Friday.

–IANS

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Ghaziabad school girls take charge of traffic in awareness drive under Mission Shakti Abhiyan

Ghaziabad, Oct 3 (IANS) School girls took charge of traffic management in Ghaziabad on Friday, raising awareness about traffic rules among local residents. Organised under the Mission Shakti Abhiyan, the campaign saw young girls managing traffic at the busy Hapur Chungi intersection and issuing challans to drivers violating traffic laws.

Girls from various city schools enthusiastically participated in the campaign, working alongside traffic police to ensure smooth traffic flow. They monitored compliance with traffic rules, helped prevent disruptions, and issued on-the-spot challans to rule-breaking drivers, while educating the public on road safety.

The campaign’s primary goal was to promote women’s safety and empowerment. As part of the broader Mission Shakti initiative, this traffic operation marked an important step toward empowering young girls and fostering a culture of safety and lawfulness. The students highlighted that such campaigns not only empower women but also contribute to improved law and order in the community.

Local residents lauded the initiative, calling it a positive development. Many expressed hope that continued awareness efforts would lead to better traffic conditions in Ghaziabad.

IANS spoke with some of the participating students about their experience:

Tanushree Yadav said: “We got the opportunity to become traffic police for the day, and we are grateful for it. We also taught people that when there are two people on a motorcycle, both must wear helmets.”

Shreya added: “Through this experience, I learned how important helmets are. We issued traffic tickets to violators; some people followed our rules, but others ignored them.”

Anshi shared: “We issued tickets to those not wearing helmets and stopped car drivers not using seat belts. We also informed people about the significance of obeying red and green traffic signals.”

Mission Shakti is a flagship government scheme aimed at strengthening women’s safety, security, and empowerment. It seeks to realise the government’s commitment to women-led development by addressing challenges throughout a woman’s life cycle and making women equal partners in nation-building through convergence and citizen ownership.

The scheme includes two sub-programmes: ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’. The Sambal sub-scheme focuses on women’s safety and security by integrating existing initiatives such as the One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), with enhancements and the addition of a new component, Nari Adalat—a women’s collective.

–IANS

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