The Papal conclave 2025 to elect the next pope will be held on Wednesday, May 7. The next pope is chosen by the cardinals through a voting system. The cardinals are the senior members of the Church from around the world and only cardinals who are under the age of 80 can vote, they are called cardinal electors. The voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Ahead of the Papal conclave 2025, here's all you need to know about electing the successor of Pope Francis. During the conclave, cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor to Pope Francis in a highly secretive process and it could take several days, potentially longer, according to the AFP. - During the conclave, the Sistine Chapel is placed under total lockdown to have complete secrecy in the process. - There will be 133 cardinal electors in the process after two withdrew for health reasons. - Ahead of the conclave, they will move into the Santa Marta guesthouse inside the Vatican, where they will stay for the duration, vowing not to communicate with the outside world, record proceedings or reveal its secrets. - The cardinal electors will on Wednesday take part in a morning mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. - Each wearing their scarlet cassock, white rochet, scarlet mozetta (short cape), pectoral cross with red and gold cord and ring, the cardinals then gather in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace at 4:15pm (1415 GMT) and invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit to make their choice, as per the AFP. - They would the proceed to the Sistine Chapel at around 4:30 pm, where the election will be held. - The cardinal electors take an oath promising that, if elected, they will conduct the role faithfully and again vowing secrecy. - The master of ceremonies gives the order "extra omnes" ("everybody out") and all those not permitted to vote leave the Sistine Chapel. - The masters of ceremonies will distribute ballots to the cardinal electors. Lots are drawn to select three to serve as "scrutineers", three "infirmarii" to collect the votes of cardinals who fall ill and three "revisers" who check the ballot counting by the scrutineers. - Cardinals are given rectangular ballots inscribed at the top with the words "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I elect as supreme pontiff") and a blank space underneath. - The electors write down the name of their choice for the next pope, preferably in handwriting which cannot be identified as their own, and fold the ballot paper twice. - Each cardinal takes turns to walk to the altar, carrying his vote in the air so that it can be clearly seen, and says aloud the following oath: "I call as my witness Christ the Lord, who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected," according to the AFP. - They place their folded paper on a plate, which is used to tip the ballots into a silver urn on the altar, in front of scrutineers. - The electors then bow and return to their seats. - Those cardinals unable to walk to the altar hand their vote to a scrutineer, who drops it in the urn for them. - Once all ballots are collected, scrutineers shake the urn to mix the votes up, transfer them into a second container to check there are the same number of ballots as electors and begin counting them. - Two scrutineers note down the names while a third reads them aloud, piercing the ballots with a needle through the word "Eligo" and stringing them together. - The revisers then double-check that the scrutineers have not made any mistakes. - If no one has secured two-thirds of the votes, there is no winner and the electors move straight on to a second round. - There are two pairs of votes per day -- morning and afternoon -- until a new pope has been elected. - The ballots and any handwritten notes made by the cardinals are then destroyed, burnt in a stove in the chapel, which emits black smoke if no pope has been elected and white smoke if the Catholic world has a new pontiff. - The smoke is turned black or white through the addition of chemicals. - If voting continues for three days without a winner, there is a day of prayer, reflection and dialogue. - If after another seven ballots there is no winner, there is another day of pause. - If the cardinals reach a fourth pause with no result, they can agree to vote only on the two most popular candidates, with the winner requiring a clear majority. - When a cardinal is elected pope, the masters of ceremonies and other non-electors are brought back into the Sistine Chapel and the cardinal dean asks the winner: "Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?" As soon as he gives his consent, he becomes pope, according to an AFP report. (with AFP inputs)
06 May,2025 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRussian forces intercepted more than 100 Ukrainian drones fired at almost a dozen regions of Russia, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said Tuesday, in an attack that forced all four airports around Moscow to temporarily suspend flights. Nine other regional Russian airports also temporarily stopped operating as drones struck areas along the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia, according to Russia's civil aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, and the Defence Ministry. It was the second straight night that the Moscow region reportedly was targeted. Two people were injured in the Kursk region, according to local Gov. Alexander Khinshtein, and some damage was reported in the Voronezh region. The Russian reports couldn't be independently verified. The drone assault comes two days ahead of a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire in the more than three-year war announced by President Vladimir Putin to coincide with celebrations in Moscow marking Victory Day in World War II. The day celebrating Moscow's defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 is Russia's biggest secular holiday when foreign dignitaries will gather in the Russian capital. Meanwhile, Russian forces overnight fired at least 20 Shahed drones at Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city near the border with Russia, injuring four people, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. The drones started a fire at the biggest market in Kharkiv, Barabashovo, destroying and damaging around 100 market stalls, he said. Seven more civilians were injured elsewhere in the Kharkiv region by Russian glide bombs and drones, Syniehubov said. Putin last week declared a brief unilateral truce "on humanitarian grounds" from May 8. Ukraine has called for a longer ceasefire. Russia has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by insisting on far-reaching conditions. Ukraine has accepted it the proposal, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. US President Donald Trump said Monday at the White House that the brief truce ¿doesn't sound like much, but it's "a lot if you knew where we started from." Foreign leaders who have confirmed their attendance at the Victory Day festivities in Moscow include China's President Xi Jinping, described by Putin as "our main guest." India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another top ally whom Putin has courted, had been expected in Moscow but he cancelled his trip amid tensions with Pakistan. Other guests include Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has openly challenged the European Union's policies over Ukraine. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic also has accepted an invitation, his first trip to Russia since the invasion, but his attendance was uncertain after he became ill. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 May,2025 04:12 PM IST | Moscow | APOn the 80th anniversary of World War II, Germany is poised to elect a new Chancellor following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s government last year. All eyes are on Conservative leader Friedrich Merz, who is seen as the frontrunner to become the country’s 10th Chancellor. Merz leads the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party that has drawn significant controversy both domestically and internationally. As Germany remains one of the largest economies and most influential diplomatic powers in Europe, this election is being closely watched. Merz’s election manifesto could focus on key issues including the ongoing war in Ukraine, U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration, Germany’s stagnant economy, and the growing influence of far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment. To secure the chancellorship, Merz needs to win the support of at least 316 out of 630 lawmakers in the Bundestag. The vote will be held via secret ballot in the restored Reichstag, where graffiti left by Soviet troops at the end of WWII has been preserved as a historical reminder according to AP. If elected, Merz is expected to face intense scrutiny over his party’s far-right positions and anti-immigrant stance. Many other political parties have ruled out cooperation with the AfD, calling the move as a longstanding policy of maintaining a "firewall" against collaboration with extremist parties, a principle upheld since the end of WWII. The U.S. has responded to the controversy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Germany’s domestic intelligence service for classifying the AfD as a threat to democratic order. They argue the classification is against human dignity by targeting the party's criticism of refugees and migrants. In contrast, German authorities maintain that the AfD, which placed second in national elections in February, promotes extremist views. This classification allows for broader surveillance of the party, says the reports from AP. In response , Germany’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against Rubio’s remarks, defending the intelligence service’s decision. Meanwhile, Merz has not publicly commented on the classification or on the ongoing controversy. The new governing coalition, expected to be led by Merz, includes the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the center-left Social Democrats, Scholz’s own party. Together, they hold a modest majority of 328 out of 630 seats in the Bundestag. The coalition aims to boost economic growth, increase defense spending, tighten migration policies, and modernize outdated infrastructure. Notably, the CDU and Social Democrats have previously governed together, including during three of former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s four terms from 2005 to 2021, according to AP.Merz’s proposed cabinet includes senior lawmaker Johann Wadephul as Foreign Minister, a role the CDU last held in the 1960s. The decision from the intelligence services and of the country’s Federal Office poses the questions, what if Merz fails to secure a majority, the Bundestag has 14 days to elect a Chancellor with an absolute majority. If that process fails, the German President may either appoint the candidate with the most votes or dissolve the Bundestag and call for new elections.
06 May,2025 01:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe UN Security Council (UNSC) discussed rising tensions between India and Pakistan at closed-door consultations, where envoys called for de-escalation and also asked Pakistan "tough questions", reported news agency PTI. Greece, president of the UNSC for the month of May, had scheduled the meeting on Monday following a request by Pakistan, which is currently a non-permanent member. The meeting comes days after terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, triggering outrage in India. The 15-member UNSC did not issue a statement after the meeting, but Pakistan claimed that its own objectives were "largely served". Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Khaled Mohamed Khiari of Tunisia briefed the Council on behalf of both departments (DPPA and DPO). Coming out of the meeting, Khiari said there was a call for "dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict." He noted that the "situation is volatile." Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, a Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and the current UNSC President, described it as a "productive meeting, helpful". A Russian diplomat said, "We hope for de-escalation," reported PTI. Sources told PTI that members of the 15-nation Security Council raised "tough questions¿ for Pakistan at its informal session. It was advised to sort out the issues bilaterally with India, they said. The sources added that there was broad condemnation of the terrorist attack and recognition of the need for accountability. Some members specifically brought up targeting of tourists on the basis of their religious faith, the sources said. UNSC members refused to accept the "false flag" narrative and asked whether Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was likely to be involved, reported PTI. The closed-door meeting that lasted about an hour and a half did not take place in the UNSC Chamber where Council members sit at the horse-shoe table, but in a consultation room next to it. Sources told PTI that Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the situation also failed. Many members expressed concern that Pakistan's missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were escalatory factors. Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told reporters that the country's objectives were "largely served and achieved" at the meeting, reported PTI. He said the objectives of the closed consultations included enabling the Council members to have a discussion on the deteriorating security environment and rising Indo-Pak tensions and to have an exchange of views on how to address the situation, including avoiding confrontation that could have serious consequences and the need for de-escalation, reported PTI. Ahmad thanked Council members for their engagement and their calls for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue. He said that while Pakistan does not seek confrontation, "we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity," reported PTI. Pakistan also raised the issue of India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. "Water is life, not a weapon. These rivers sustain over 240 million Pakistanis," he said, reported PTI. Ahmad said at the meeting Pakistan reiterated its "commitment to peaceful, cooperative relations with all our neighbours, including India". "We remain open to dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality," he added. "In view of the gravity of the situation, the calls for dialogue, de-escalation and peaceful resolution of disputes, such as by the Secretary-General, and what we also heard from the Council members today are most pertinent," Ahmad said, reported PTI. Before the UNSC meeting, India's former Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had 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." Following the meeting, he said, "Pakistan's grandstanding has flopped again today as in the past. As was expected, there was no meaningful response by the Council. Indian diplomacy has yet again successfully parried Pakistani efforts to seek the Security Council's intervention." Just hours before the closed consultations, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over Indo-Pak tensions being at "their highest in years". "It pains me to see relations reaching a boiling point," he said. He made these remarks to the press from the UNSC stake-out Monday morning. Guterres said he understands the "raw feelings" following the "awful terror attack" in Pahalgam and reiterated his strong condemnation of that attack. "Targeting civilians is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means," he said. The UN chief 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, reported PTI. Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members - China, France, Russia, the 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. (With inputs from PTI)
06 May,2025 12:37 PM IST | United Nations | mid-day online correspondentA tragic maritime accident near Torrey Pines State Beach, just north of downtown San Diego, has left three people dead, four injured, and nine missing, including two Indian children, CNN reported. The incident occurred on Monday morning when a small panga-style boat capsized off the California coast. An Indian family was among those affected, with the parents currently receiving treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, while their children remain unaccounted for. Authorities say the boat overturned in the surf around 6:30 a.m., about 15 miles from downtown San Diego. Hikers in the area witnessed the incident, with one doctor calling emergency services after seeing CPR being performed on the beach. According to Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego Sheriff's Department, "A doctor hiking nearby called in and said, 'I see people doing CPR on the beach, I'm running that way.'" The San Diego Sheriff's Department, California State Parks, US Coast Guard, Del Mar Lifeguards, and US Border Patrol are among the multiple agencies involved in the response. The Coast Guard deployed a 45-foot rescue boat and a helicopter to assist with the ongoing search and recovery effort, which continued into Monday afternoon, as per reports by CNN. Officials have found 17 life jackets at the site, though the exact number of people onboard remains unknown. The boat, identified as a 12-foot panga - commonly used for fishing and sometimes by smugglers - capsized under hazardous conditions amid a small craft advisory issued by the National Weather Service. We are very sad to know about the tragic incident of a boat capsizing near Torrey Pines State Beach, off the coast near San Diego, California, this morning. As per available information, three people died, nine went missing, and four were injured in the incident. An Indian… — India in SF (@CGISFO) May 5, 2025 The Consulate General of India in San Francisco issued a statement on social media platform X, confirming the Indian family's involvement. "We are very sad to know about the tragic incident of a boat capsizing near Torrey Pines State Beach, off the coast near San Diego, California, this morning. As per available information, three people died, nine went missing, and four were injured in the incident. An Indian family is also affected in this tragedy. While two Indian children are missing, the parents are undergoing treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. The Consulate is providing all necessary assistance to the affected Indian family in coordination with local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy," the consulate wrote. Encinitas Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Sanchez described the scene as having the "potential to be a mass casualty event," depending on the fate of the nine still missing. The four people rescued were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from mild to severe. California State Parks confirmed that the incident is under active investigation. Coast Guard officials told the Associated Press they are still determining where the vessel originated. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey stated, "They were not tourists," adding that they are believed to be migrants. He later clarified to CNN that while similar vessels in past incidents were linked to migrant smuggling, "the immigration status of the passengers is not confirmed at all yet." CNN also reported that in 2023, a similar tragedy off the San Diego coast resulted in the deaths of eight people when two smuggling boats capsized amid heavy fog. That incident was one of the deadliest maritime smuggling operations recorded in the US. As the investigation continues and the search for the missing persists, authorities are focusing on rescue efforts and establishing the identities and backgrounds of the passengers. The Indian consulate's involvement underscores the international scope of the tragedy, as officials work to assist affected families and coordinate with US authorities. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:37 AM IST | San Diego | ANIIsrael's military targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen's Red Sea province of Hodeida on Monday with a punishing round of airstrikes, killing at least one person and wounding 35. The strikes came a day after the Iranian-backed rebels launched a missile that hit Israel's main airport. The rebels' media office said at least six strikes hit the crucial Hodeida port Monday afternoon. Other strikes hit a cement factory in the Bajil district, located 55 kilometers (34 miles) northeast of Hodeida city, the rebels said. The extent of damage at the two facilities wasn't immediately clear. The Israeli military said more than 20 Israeli fighter planes took part in the operation, dropping more than 50 munitions on dozens of targets. Hodeida residents said they heard explosions at the port, with flames and smoke seen rising over the area. Ambulance sirens were also heard across the city, they said. 'It was very strong,' Ahmed Saleh, who lives close to the port, said of the explosions. In Bajil, fires and thick columns of smoke were seen over the cement factory, which the Houthis said was hit by both US and Israeli strikes. Ambulances also rushed to the area, said resident Khalid Seif. The Houthi-run health ministry said at least one person was killed and 35 others were wounded in the Israeli strikes on the factory. It said rescuers were still searching for missing people. On Sunday, the Houthis launched a missile from Yemen that struck an access road near Israel's main airport, briefly halting flights and commuter traffic. Four people were lightly injured. It was the first time a missile struck the grounds of Israel's airport since the start of the war. The Houthis claimed that the strikes were a joint Israeli-American operation. However, a US defense official said US forces did not participate in the Israeli strikes on Yemen on Monday. The strikes were not part of Operation Rough Rider, which is the ongoing US military operation against the Houthis in Yemen to prevent them from targeting ships in the Red Sea that started March 15. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Separately, the US military launched multiple strikes Monday on Sanaa, another US official said. That official also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Nasruddin Amer, head of the Houthi media office, said the Israeli strikes won't deter the rebels, vowing they will respond to the attack. 'The aggressive Zionist-American raids on civilian facilities will not affect our military operations against the Zionist enemy entity,' he said on social media. He said the Houthis will escalate their attacks and won't stop targeting shipping routes and Israel until it stops the war in Gaza. The Houthis have targeted Israel throughout the war in solidarity with Palestinians, raising their profile at home and internationally as the last member of Iran's self-described 'Axis of Resistance' capable of launching regular attacks on Israel. The US military under President Donald Trump has launched an intensified campaign of daily airstrikes targeting the Houthis since March 15. Houthi rebels have fired at Israel since the war with Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023. The missiles have mostly been intercepted, although some have penetrated Israel's missile defense systems, causing damage. Israel has struck back against the rebels in Yemen. The Israeli military said it targeted the Hodeida port because Houthi rebels were using it to receive weapons and military equipment from Iran. Rebel-held Hodeida, about 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of the capital Sanaa, has been key for food shipments into Yemen as its decade-long war continues. Israel has struck Yemen, and specifically the port city of Hodeida, multiple times. It previously struck Hodeida and its oil infrastructure in July after a Houthi drone attack killed one person and wounded 10 in Tel Aviv. In September, Israel struck Hodeida again, killing at least four people after a rebel missile targeted Israel's Ben Gurion airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving back to the country. In December, Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in Hodeida. The Houthis have launched multiple missiles toward Israel in the past week. The attack on Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday came hours before Israeli Cabinet ministers voted to expand the war in Gaza, including to seize the Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time. While air traffic resumed after an hour, the attack could lead to cancelations of many airlines, which had recently resumed flights to Israel.
06 May,2025 08:36 AM IST | Jerusalem | APThe Trump administration on Monday asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit from three GOP-led states seeking to cut off telehealth access to abortion medication mifepristone. Justice Department attorneys stayed the legal course charted by Biden administration, though they didn't directly weigh in on the underlying issue of access to the drug that's part of the nation's most common method of abortion. Rather, the government argued the states don't have the legal right, or standing, to sue. 'The states are free to pursue their claims in a district where venue is proper, but the states' claims before this court must be dismissed or transferred pursuant to the venue statute's mandatory command,' federal government attorneys wrote. The lawsuit from Idaho, Kansas and Missouri argues that Food and Drug Administration should roll back access to mifepristone. They filed their complaint after the Supreme Court preserved access to mifepristone last year. They want the FDA to prohibit telehealth prescriptions for mifepristone, require three in-office visits and restrict the point in a pregnancy when it can be used. The case is being considered by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, a Trump nominee who once ruled in favor of halting approval for the drug. Kacsmaryk's original ruling came in a lawsuit filed by anti-abortion groups. It was narrowed by an appeals court before being tossed out by the Supreme Court, which found the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to sue. The three states later moved to revive the case, arguing they did have legal standing because access to the drug undermined their abortion laws. But the Department of Justice attorneys said the states can't just piggyback on the earlier lawsuit as a way to keep the case in Texas. Nothing is stopping the states from filing the lawsuit someplace else, attorney Daniel Schwei wrote, but the venue has to have some connection to the claims being made. Besides, Schwei wrote, the states are challenging actions the FDA took in 2016, when it first loosened restrictions on mifeprostone. That's well past the six-year time limit to sue, he said. Abortion is banned at all stages of pregnancy in Idaho. Missouri had a strict ban, but clinics recently began offering abortions again after voters approved a new constitutional amendment for reproductive rights. Abortion is generally legal up to 22 weeks in Kansas, where voters rejected an anti-abortion ballot measure in 2022, though the state does have age restrictions. Trump told Time magazine in December he would not restrict access to abortion medication. On the campaign trail, said abortion is an issue for the states and stressed that he appointed justices to the Supreme Court who were in the majority when striking down the national right to abortion in 2022. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on abortion seems to have shifted at times, drawing criticism from both abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion forces. During his first confirmation hearing in January, he repeatedly said, 'I have always believed abortion is a tragedy,' when pressed about his views. Mifepristone is usually used in combination with a second drug for medication abortion, which has accounted for more than three-fifths of all abortions in the U.S. since the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:35 AM IST | Washington | APThe Asian Development Bank on Monday said that issues related to Pakistan were not discussed during the bilateral meeting with ADB President Masato Kanda and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aware of media reports claiming that issues related to Pakistan were discussed during the bilateral meeting between ADB President Masato Kanda and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the sidelines of the 58th ADB Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy," said the multilateral development bank as per an official release. Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday met ADB President Masato Kanda and Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti on Monday and talked about the initiatives India is taking to foster economic growth. Finance Ministry officials also said that there was no discussion on issues related to Pakistan with ADB President and the Italian Finance Minister. In her meeting with Masato Kanda during the 58th ADB Annual Meeting in Milan, Sitharaman reiterated that India focuses on private sector-led economic growth and has been consistently creating a conducive policy ecosystem through bold initiatives. Tensions have risen between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The government has said that perpetrators will face severe punishment. FM Sitharaman is in Milan to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, from May 4 to 7, 2025. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:35 AM IST | Italy | ANIPakistan will respond with “full spectrum of force”, including nuclear, if it is attacked or its vital water flow disrupted, Pakistan’s ambassador here warned. Muhammad Khalid Jamali made the comments during an interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency on Sunday. “We will use the full spectrum of force, both conventional and nuclear,” he said. “Any attempt to usurp the water of the lower riparian, or to stop it, or to divert it would be an act of war against Pakistan and would be responded to with full force, including nuclear,” Jajamali said regarding the Indus Water Treaty. The envoy, however, urged de-escalation. “As the two countries are two nuclear powers, there is all the more need to de-escalate the tensions,” he said. When asked whether Pakistan was preparing a formal appeal to Russia to take part in an investigation into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, the ambassador said, “We are open (to it). We want this investigation to be conducted and this blame game to stop. There are incidents from time to time, and without addressing the root causes, Pakistan is blamed for these.” Fateh missile test Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful training launch of the ‘Fatah series’ surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 km. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army, said that a ‘Fatah Series’ was tested as a part of the ongoing exercise ‘INDUS’. “The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,” a statement said. The launch was witnessed by senior officers of the Pakistan Army. UNSE holds discussions The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was to hold closed door consultations on Monday on the tensions between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, delivering a statement after the meeting. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:33 AM IST | Moscow | AgenciesFour boats capsized in a sudden storm at a tourist spot in southwestern China, killing 10 people. More than 80 people fell into a river when strong winds hit the scenic area in Guizhou province on Sunday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV said. The boats were lashed by a sudden rain and hail storm on the upper reaches of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze. Two of the boats that capsized had no passengers, and the seven crew members were able to save themselves, CCTV said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:33 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesIsrael approved plans on Monday to capture the entire Gaza Strip and remain in the territory for an unspecified amount of time, two Israeli officials said, in a move that if implemented would vastly expand Israel’s operations in the Palestinian territory and likely bring fierce international opposition. Israeli Cabinet ministers approved the plan after the Israeli military chief said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The new plan, which the officials said was meant to help Israel achieve its war aims of defeating Hamas and freeing hostages held in Gaza, also would push hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, what would likely exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis. Israel currently holds control over roughly 50 per cent of Gaza. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2025 08:33 AM IST | Tel Aviv | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
