Morning bird: The first attempt to elect a pope was unsuccessful, the next one is due today. The conflict between India and Pakistan is escalating
Yesterday, black smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinal electors are secluded from the outside world. This means that the election of Pope Francis' successor continues today. India and Pakistan, which are in conflict over Kashmir where the majority of the population are Muslims, continue in mutual military attacks. Dozens of people have already been killed.
The conclave did not elect a new Pope in the first round as expected
The conclave, which began yesterday in the Vatican, as expected, did not elect a new Pope in the first round of voting. The election of the successor of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, continues today. All 133 cardinal-electors from some seventy countries solemnly swore and pledged to keep all information about the election of the Pope secret, both during and after the conclave. The 1.4 billion Catholics around the world are anxiously waiting to see whether their new Pope will be someone who will continue with the church reforms and openness, as Pope Francis did, or someone from the conservatives, or a personality who will unite the church in this sense, said in that regard the server Ceskenoviny.cz.
Indian attacks in Pakistan raise fears of a wider conflict
The Indian armed forces have stated that they have struck nine locations in Pakistan and Kashmir. In response, Pakistani ministers admitted that their air force shot down several Indian military aircraft. They also retaliated with artillery attacks. As a result, at least 17 people were killed yesterday on the Indian and Pakistani sides. The shelling followed night-time airstrikes by the Indian air force in Pakistan and the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir, during which, according to Pakistani authorities, 26 people, including women and children, were killed. Indian attacks in six Pakistani cities then killed at least 8 civilians, including two children. Indian missile attacks - dubbed Operation Sindoor - were the country's response to the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for this attack, reported Al Jazeera.
Trump confirms he's considering Persian Gulf name change
US President Donald Trump confirmed that he is considering changing the name of the Persian Gulf, located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. The Persian Gulf, whose name refers to the historical designation for contemporary Iran, could be officially renamed in American terminology to the Arabian Gulf. The intention then sparked criticism from both the government and the exiled opposition in Iran. According to Trump, Arab countries might appreciate the change, with whom he is about to negotiate next week, reported by Ceskenoviny.cz.
After the Indian government's protest, the auction of Buddha-related jewelry is postponed
Sotheby’s auction house has postponed the auction of jewels associated with Buddha's remains after the Indian government opposed the sale and demanded its cessation. The gems, which were to be auctioned, were found in reliquaries with the bodily remains of historical Buddha and discovered in northern India in 1898. They originated from around 240 to 200 BC. The Indian Ministry of Culture stated in its Facebook post that it issued a legal notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, demanding an immediate halt to the sale. The office was accused of violating "Indian laws, international norms and UN conventions," according to the AP agency.
Sources: Ceskenoviny.cz, Al Jazeera, AP
