First Asian Or First African Pope? One Of These Cardinals Could Succeed Francis
Speculation is rising in the Vatican about who might succeed Pope Francis, as discussions intensify among church insiders. Cardinals under the age of 80 will eventually gather in a secretive conclave to elect the next pope, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. Leading contenders include Italy's Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, known for peace missions; Hungary's Péter Erdő, backed by many European and African cardinals; the Philippines' Luis Antonio Tagle, who could become the first Asian pope; conservative favorite Cardinal Robert Sarah; and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, whose long diplomatic résumé is both an asset and a challenge.
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Israel says Hamas Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar's body recovered
The Israeli military recovered the body of Gaza-based Hamas militant group's de facto chief Mohammed Sinwar in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday. The IDF made the announcement after it conducted a thorough identification of the body via DNA checks, though Hamas is yet to publicly confirm the death of Sinwar. Mohammed Sinwar, 49, was killed by the Israeli military in an air strike on May 13, in which at least 28 Palestinians were killed and dozens of them were injured, a Hamas-run civil defence agency had claimed. Mohammad Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of countless civilians. He was eliminated in an IDF & ISA strike on May 13. His body was found beneath the European hospital in Khan Yunis—more proof of how Sinwar, and Hamas, hide behind their civilians and purposely embed… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2025 Sinwar was the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar who was killed by the Israeli forces in southern Gaza in October last year. Sinwar was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike on the hospital in May, a day after Hamas released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander. Sinwar's body was recovered alongside Hamas's Rafah Brigade commander Mohammad Sabaneh's body in southern Gaza, the IDF informed. The military added that other bodies were also located which it was looking to identify. 🎥 Weapons, cash and ammunition: IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin reveals what was found inside the tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. More proof that Hamas leaders weren't just hiding underground, they were running their terror network from beneath a hospital. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2025 In a statement, the IDF said 'Several items belonging to Sinwar and Sabaneh were located, along with additional intelligence findings that were transferred for further investigation,' BBC reported. IDF took a small group of foreign journalists to Khan Younis in Gaza and showed them the tunnel on Sunday. The IDF also put out a video of the small entrance of the tunnel, which was accessible through the freshly dug soil in front of the hospital. IDF spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin confirmed the development and stated that in one of the rooms they found Sinwar's body, which was located in the narrow underground corridor of the tunnel. 'This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas, using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure, hospitals, again and again,' Defrin said.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Ukrainian President Zelensky urges Donald Trump to step up, says, ‘Putin does not want to end this war'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is ready to agree to a ceasefire — but only if Russian President Vladimir Putin halts aggression too. Zelensky accused Putin of aiming for the 'total defeat' of Ukraine and urged the US to step up efforts to broker peace. Speaking to ABC News, Zelensky expressed Ukraine's willingness to pause hostilities. 'We are ready to lay down our arms without conditions — if Russia will, too,' Zelensky said in the interview. He said Ukraine would even forgo security guarantees from the US, which it has long demanded in lieu of NATO membership, in exchange for a 30-day cessation of hostilities. Zelensky strongly criticised the Russian leader's intentions, comparing the invasion to a massacre. 'We are not kids with Putin at the playground in the park,' Zelensky said. 'This is why I am saying he is a murderer who came to this park to kill the kids.' 'I feel strongly that Putin does not want to finish this war. Inside his mind, it's impossible to end this war without total defeat of Ukraine.' The Ukrainian president insisted that the US holds the key to halting the war. 'I am convinced that the president of the United States has all the powers and enough leverage to step up,' Zelensky told the news outlet. 'Probably people don't realize that,' he added. 'They have to understand that we are under strikes, under attack every day.' He said US President Trump has the global influence to bring European allies together for a unified pressure campaign on the Kremlin. 'They [European leaders] are all looking at President Trump as a leader of the free world … and they are waiting for him,' he said. Zelensky maintained that Putin will only agree to peace if faced with forceful diplomatic and military opposition. 'Only hard pressure from the U.S. and allies can make Putin pragmatic,' he told ABC. 'Then they will stop the war.' He noted that Russia has previously continued bombing even during supposed 'temporary ceasefires.' The interview came just days after Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, a bold military strike that reportedly rattled Russian infrastructure. The Kremlin denounced the assault as an 'act of terrorism,' but Zelenskyy dismissed the charge. 'It's a clean and clear military operation,' he said. 'It's a step that showed everyone that we do not want this war. We do not want to fight.' Zelensky emphasised Ukraine's historical familiarity with Russia, implying that Western leaders don't fully grasp Moscow's mindset. 'Trust me, we understand the Russians much better … than the Americans understand the mentality of Russians. We are neighbors for ages,' he said. While the US has conducted bilateral talks with both Ukraine and Russia, and delegations met recently in Istanbul, Zelensky signaled deep skepticism about any genuine Russian interest in peace. 'We don't really know if they will stop this war,' he said. 'We have to prepare such plans, and we are not stopping.'
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Politics, parties, ideologies--restricted to elections; outside we stand united": BJP MP Purandeswari
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari on Sunday emphasised that despite ideological divides, the Indian delegation stood united on the global stage to address threats to India's territory and civilians from a 'dysfunctional neighbouring country.' The BJP MP, who was part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, recently concluded a six-country tour to garner global support against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and India's subsequent response through Operation Sindoor noted that their political differences were only confined to elections, underscoring the delegation's success in presenting a unified front to the foreign governments and the Indian diaspora. 'Politics, parties, ideologies--these are all restricted to elections. We fight elections based on our ideologies. But when we step outside the country and face a situation where our territory and civilians are under threat from a dysfunctional neighbouring country, we all stand united. I'm happy to say that, despite opposition members being part of the delegation, we all spoke in one voice. Because this is about the safety and security of our nation,' Purandeswari stated. She also noted that the delegation's international tour successfully conveyed India's anti-terrorism stance. 'We went to Paris, Rome, Brussels, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin--6 countries in total. We met government officials, MPs, heads of organisations, a few ministers, and the Indian diaspora. There was a sympathetic reaction to India's encounter with terrorism. People now believe India has been suffering for 6-7 decades due to terrorism. We gave evidence on Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism--how there's no difference between the govt and terrorist leaders. We explained Operation Sindoor--how India precisely targeted terrorist camps without harming civilians, unlike Pakistan, which targeted civilians, Gurudwaras, and churches in Poonch. We backed this with photographs,' she added. Daggubati Purandeswari was part of the delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, which also includes BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, Congress MP Amar Singh and Gulam Ali Khatana, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai, former Union Minister MJ Akbar and former diplomat Pankaj Saran. Earlier today, the all-party delegation led by Prasad returned to India following their multi-nation visit in Europe aimed at strengthening India's ties with European partners and to convey India's resolute and united stand against terrorism. (ANI)
