Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: More cyberattacks from Pakistan-based groups come to light
It has come to light that a group known as 'Pakistan Cyber Force' had gained access to sensitive data from the websites of Indian Military Engineering Service (MES) and Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (MPIDSA) and defaced the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a defence public sector undertaking.
Also read: Has the Pahalgam attack crossed a red line?
Also, UN chief António Guterres condemned the Pahalgam attack and he said perpetrators must be brought to justice. Urging both India and Pakistan to avoid military confrontation, he said, 'make no mistake, a military solution is no solution, and I offer my good offices to both governments in the service at peace.' The UN Security Council commenced closed-door consultations 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'.
The MHA has asked several states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence on 7th May. The measures to be taken during the drill include operationalisation of air raid warning sirens, updation of evacuation plan & its rehearsal and training of civilians on civil defence aspects, government sources said. The Delhi government is likely to hold a meeting to discuss preparations for mock drills, following a directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the States to conduct them on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Indian Army on Monday (May 5, 2025) said that multiple locations Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) have come under small arms fire from the Pakistani Army. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday warned that India could carry out a military strike at any moment along the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Also Read | Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: What are the implications for India and Pakistan?
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Three gates of J&K's Baglihar dam opened as Chenab river swells after heavy rain
Three gates of Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Ramban district have been opened on Monday as water levels in the Chenab River continued to rise following incessant rainfall in the region, officials said. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), in coordination with the local administration, issued advisories warning about the increasing water level. (AFP) The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), in coordination with the local administration, issued advisories warning about the increasing water level. As a precaution, river rafting activities have been suspended, and authorities are monitoring the situation. Residents living in low-lying areas along the Chenab River, including Talwada, Kansi Patta, Thanpal, Chinka, Gujrkothi, and Jendi, have been alerted. The administration has stepped up patrolling and advised people to stay away from riverbanks and ensure their livestock are moved to safer places. Earlier, multiple spillway gates of the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district were opened to manage the rising water levels in the Chenab River due to continuous rainfall. Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Shridhar Patil, acknowledged the situation and urged people to stay away from rivers and overflowing streams. The opening of the gates comes amid a sensitive geopolitical backdrop. Just last month, the gates of the Salal Dam had been kept closed following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, after the Pahalgam terror attack. India had put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance as an immediate response to the "barbaric" attack, as part of a broader policy shift announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under "Operation Sindoor." One of the gates was briefly opened last month to manage overflow due to increased water levels from rainfall, but operations at the dam were largely kept under tight control due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions. The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan that governs the use of six rivers in the Indus Basin--Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Under the treaty, the waters of the eastern rivers--Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej-- were allocated to India, while the western rivers--Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab-- were given to Pakistan, with India allowed limited non-consumptive use. India has used this treaty to develop hydroelectric projects like the Salal and Baglihar Dams on the Chenab. These are "run-of-the-river" (ROR) projects, meaning they do not divert or store large amounts of water but still require careful management of flow levels, especially during the monsoon season. On May 12, PM Modi stated that after the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, Operation Sindoor reflects India's ongoing and firm response to terrorism. Referring to the treaty, he declared, "Water and blood cannot flow together," emphasising India's decision to put the treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack. Earlier in May, the Baglihar Dam, located on the Chenab, was forced to open its gates on May 8 due to intense rainfall. The coordinated dam management has so far helped avoid major flooding incidents.
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First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
How did Pakistan get picked to lead the UN Security Council?
In July 2025, Pakistan assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, a position it takes on as part of its two-year term as a non-permanent member. The presidency rotates monthly among the Council's 15 members based on English alphabetical order. Pakistan last held UNSC membership in 2012–13, and has served seven times since 1952 read more Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters in New York City, US, June 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters The Islamic Republic of Pakistan will take over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of July 2025. This role falls within Pakistan's current two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the Council, which commenced on at the start of this year. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will lead the Council throughout the month. He recently met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to outline the Security Council's agenda during Pakistan's presidency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This marks the eighth time Pakistan has served on the Security Council, having previously held non-permanent membership in 1952–53, 1968–69, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1993–94, 2003–04, and 2012–13. The presidency offers Islamabad a platform to steer discussions and spotlight key international issues. Pakistan is expected to convene at least two open meetings during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in July, with indications that it may bring up topics such as Operation Sindoor and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. According to a source speaking to The Print, there is a prevailing view within the Indian establishment that Islamabad could use its current seat on the UNSC — where India is not presently represented — to spotlight regional South Asian matters on the global stage, particularly in the context of recent developments following Operation Sindoor. During its presidency, Pakistan will also reportedly convene two major high-level signature events. One will focus on multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes, while the second will examine cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). How is the UNSC presidency determined? The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among its 15 members, according to Rule 18 of the Security Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, which states: 'The presidency of the Security Council shall be held in turn by the members of the Security Council in the English alphabetical order of their names. Each President shall hold office for one calendar month.' This rotation includes both permanent and non-permanent members and follows a fixed alphabetical order to ensure equity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2025, Pakistan's presidency follows Guyana (June) and precedes Panama (August). Earlier in the year, Algeria (January), China (February), Denmark (March), France (April), and Greece (May) held the presidency. Later months will see the Republic of Korea (September), the Russian Federation (October), Sierra Leone (November), and Slovenia (December) take on the rotating role. The monthly presidency allows each Council member, regardless of permanent or elected status, to chair meetings, steer the Council's agenda, and represent the body publicly. Although largely procedural in nature, it grants the presiding country notable visibility and agenda-setting influence. How are UNSC members chosen? The UNSC is composed of 15 member states: five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. These non-permanent members are chosen by the General Assembly and must secure a two-thirds majority in a secret ballot, in accordance with Rule 83 of the Assembly's rules of procedure. Notably, there are no formal nominations, and retiring members are ineligible for immediate re-election as per Rule 144. The criteria for election to the Security Council include a country's contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security — often demonstrated through leadership in regional peace initiatives, troop contributions to peacekeeping missions or financial support — as well as equitable geographical distribution, which was formalised through a 1963 amendment to Article 23 of the UN Charter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That amendment came into force in August 1965 and expanded the number of non-permanent members from six to ten. As per the General Assembly's Resolution 1991 A (XVIII), the distribution of non-permanent seats follows this pattern: Five from African and Asian states One from Eastern European states Two from Latin American states Two from Western European and other states An informal agreement ensures that one of the Asian or African seats is always held by an Arab country, alternating between the two regions. What does the Security Council do? The Security Council is the UN's chief organ for international peace and security. It is empowered to make decisions that are binding on all 193 UN member states. It can impose sanctions, authorise peacekeeping missions and even permit the use of military force to address conflicts. The Council's authority stems from Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Chapter VI encourages peaceful resolution through dialogue, arbitration or mediation, while Chapter VII provides for stronger measures — including coercive sanctions or military intervention — if peaceful means fail. Over the decades, the Council has dealt with a wide spectrum of global crises: civil wars, nuclear proliferation, humanitarian disasters, terrorism, and more. Yet its effectiveness has increasingly come under scrutiny, particularly when the interests of its five permanent members diverge. The permanent members, collectively known as the P5, hold veto power — any one of them can block the adoption of any substantive resolution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This has repeatedly led to stalemates, especially on high-profile matters such as Syria, Ukraine and Palestine. For instance: Russia (including during the Soviet era) has used the veto 158 times, making it the most frequent user. The United States has used the veto 92 times, including to block a resolution in April 2024 supporting Palestinian statehood. China has increasingly exercised its veto rights, often aligning with Russia—more than three-quarters of China's vetoes have had Russian support. France and the UK have not used the veto since 1989 and have called for restraint in its usage. Despite structural limitations, the Council remains central to multilateral diplomacy. It oversees 11 peacekeeping operations as of 2024, with nearly 100,000 uniformed personnel deployed across three continents. These missions range from traditional peacekeeping to more robust interventions that include civilian protection, electoral assistance and legal institution-building. Why aren't other global powers involved actively in the UNSC? Criticism of the UNSC's composition and effectiveness has grown louder in recent years. While the last structural reform occurred in 1965, many argue that the Council no longer reflects today's geopolitical realities. Global powers like India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Nigeria and South Africa have long pushed for a more inclusive Security Council — either through permanent seats or an expansion in elected membership. There have also been suggestions that France could relinquish its seat in favour of the European Union, particularly after Brexit. In 2019, France and Germany took the unprecedented step of jointly presiding over the Council for two months. In 2021, the UK publicly supported Germany's bid for permanent membership. More recently, in January last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that Africa would receive permanent representation, citing support from each of the five permanent members. Despite such advocacy, progress remains slow. With every structural change requiring the approval of the current P5 — who are unlikely to dilute their power — UNSC reform continues to be one of the most contentious and unresolved issues in international governance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Nations meeting to drum up trillions to combat poverty
BARCELONA: Many of the world's nations are gathering starting Monday in Spain for a high-level conference to tackle the growing gap between rich and poor nations and try to drum up trillions of dollars needed to close it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The United States, previously a major contributor, pulled its participation, so finding funding will be tough. The four-day Financing for Development meeting in the southern city of Seville is taking place as many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid and increasing trade barriers. "Financing is the engine of development. And right now, this engine is sputtering," secretary-general Antonio Guterres said in his opening comments at the conference. "We are here in Sevilla to change course, to repair and rev up the engine of development to accelerate investment at the scale and speed required." The UN and Spain, the conference co-hosts, believe the meeting is an opportunity to reverse the downward spiral, close the staggering USD 4 trillion annual financing gap to promote development, bring millions of people out of poverty and help achieve the UN's wide-ranging and badly lagging Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Even though the gathering comes amid global economic uncertainty and high geopolitical tensions, there is hope among the hosts that the world can address one of the most important global challenges - ensuring all people have access to food, health care, education and water. "The government of Spain believes that this summit is an opportunity for us to change course, for us to raise our voice in the face of those who seek to convince us that rivalry and competition will set the tone for humanity and for its future," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the delegates as he inaugurated the conference. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ambitious package seeks to reverse decline in development High-level delegations, including more than 70 world leaders, are attending in Seville, the UN said, along with several thousand others from international financial institutions, development banks, philanthropic organisations, the private sector and civil society. At its last preparatory meeting on June 17, the United States rejected the 38-page outcome document that had been negotiated for months by the UN's 193 member nations and announced its withdrawal from the process and from the Seville conference. The rest of the countries then approved the document by consensus and sent it to Seville, where it is expected to be adopted by conference participants without changes. It will be known as the Seville Commitment - or Compromiso de Sevilla in Spanish. The document says the leaders and high-level representatives have decided to launch "an ambitious package of reforms and actions to close the financing gap with urgency," saying it is now estimated at USD 4 trillion a year. Among the proposals and actions, it calls for minimum tax revenue of 15 per cent of a country's gross domestic product to increase government resources, a tripling of lending by multilateral development banks, and scaling up private financing by providing incentives for investing in critical areas like infrastructure. It also calls for a number of reforms to help countries deal with rising debt. UN trade chief Rebeca Grynspan said recently that "development is going backward" and the global debt crisis has worsened. Last year, 3.3 billion people were living in countries that pay more interest on their debts than they spend on health or education - and the number will increase to 3.4 billion people this year, according to Grynspan. And developing countries will pay USD 947 billion to service debts this year, up from USD 847 billion last year. She spoke at a press conference where an expert group on debt appointed by Guterres presented 11 recommendations that they say can resolve the debt crisis, empower borrowing countries and create a fairer system. US objections to the document While the US objected to many actions in the outcome document, American diplomat Jonathan Shrier told the June 17 meeting: "Our commitment to international cooperation and long-term economic development remains steadfast." He said, however, that the text "crosses many of our red lines," including interfering with the governance of international financial institutions, tripling the annual lending capacity of multilateral development banks and proposals envisioning a role for the UN in the global debt architecture. Shrier also objected to proposals on trade, tax and innovation that are not in line with US policy, as well as language on a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation. The United States was the world's largest single founder of foreign aid. The Trump administration has dismantled its main aid agency, the US Agency for International Development, while drastically slashing foreign assistance funding, calling it wasteful and contrary to the Republican president's agenda. Other Western donors also have cut back international aid. UN deputy secretary-general Amina Mohammed said last week the US withdrawal from the conference was "unfortunate," stressing that "many of the recommendations you see cannot be pursued without a continuous engagement with the US." After Seville, "we will engage again with the US and hope that we can make the case that they be part of the success of pulling millions of people out of poverty".
