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New Delhi — On Friday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an unexpected ceasefire between India and Pakistan, two nuclear states that found themselves on the brink of full-scale conflict over the disputed Kashmir region. According to Trump, the agreement reached after tense negotiations mediated by the United States was the result of “a long night of diplomatic efforts.” This step steers the region away from the edge of the abyss but leaves open the question of whether the fragile truce can be maintained in conditions of deep mutual distrust. The recent weeks have been marked by a sharp escalation between New Delhi and Islamabad, fueled by the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. India responded with a military operation, “Sindhur,” launching airstrikes within Pakistani territory, which Islamabad called a “blatant violation of sovereignty.” Pakistan, in turn, threatened retaliatory strikes, and India’s suspension of the 1960 “Indus Waters Treaty,” which regulates vital water resources, raised the stakes to an unprecedented level. An attack as the spark of war The conflict erupted after an attack by the “Front Resistance,” a terrorist group seeking Kashmir’s separation from India. The attack in Pulwama, where 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen were killed, sparked outrage in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, supported even by the opposition, authorized airstrikes, which New Delhi claims destroyed “terrorist infrastructure.” Pakistan acknowledged only three strikes, reporting the deaths of 26 civilians, including children, and accused India of “cowardly aggression.” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi dismissed India’s accusations of supporting terrorists as “baseless.” “If there is evidence, share it with the world,” he said, hinting at possible Indian operations “under a false flag.” In response, Islamabad convened the National Security Committee, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised a “decisive response.” Water as a weapon A particularly alarming development was India’s decision to suspend the action of the “Indus Waters Treaty,” a treaty that provides Pakistan with water for 90% of its agricultural sector, which accounts for one-fifth of the country’s GDP. This treaty, which remained intact even during the wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, became a symbol of fragile cooperation between foes. Its violation, according to Pakistani farmer Khalid Hussain Baat, is “tantamount to declaring war.” Experts warn that irregular water flows could trigger a humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, where climate change has already reduced water levels by 20–25%. The world on the brink The international community watched the escalation between the two nuclear states with concern, as their arsenals could cause a global catastrophe. The United Nations called for restraint, emphasizing that “the world cannot afford a war between India and Pakistan.” Pakistan approached the UN Security Council, asserting its right to self-defense under the UN Charter. Despite Trump’s restrained rhetoric, calling India's airstrikes “a shame,” the U.S. played a key role in the negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington actively interacts with both sides. Iran, which has close ties with Pakistan, offered mediation, and Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian has already visited Islamabad and plans to hold talks in New Delhi. China, an ally of Pakistan and a competitor of India, expressed “deep concern,” urging the neighbors to engage in dialogue. Kashmir: an eternal rift Kashmir has remained the epicenter of Indo-Pakistani confrontation since 1947, when the partition of British India left the region a disputed territory. Previous wars and nuclear tests by India (1974) and Pakistan (1998) only heightened tensions. Today’s crisis, heated by terrorist attacks and mutual accusations, threatens to escalate into the most dangerous conflict since the Cold War. While diplomatic channels between New Delhi and Islamabad are paralyzed, hope rests on external mediators. However, as history shows, ceasefires in Kashmir are rarely lasting. In New Delhi, Modi, buoyed by popular support, may see the “Sindhur” operation as a political victory. In Islamabad, Sharif faces pressure from the army, which demands a tough response. The world has held its breath, waiting to see if diplomacy can preserve the fragile peace. Otherwise, Kashmir could become not only a battleground for regional war but also a catalyst for a global catastrophe.

VATICAN, — On Wednesday evening, white smoke rose over the Sistine Chapel, announcing to the world the election of a new Pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old native of Chicago, became the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV. This is the first case in history where an American has sat on the Holy See.Photo: Holy See Press OfficeThe election of Prevost took place after a two-day conclave, in which 133 cardinals from around the world participated. His candidacy was not among the favorites, but his many years of missionary activity in Peru, as well as his experience leading important Vatican departments, notably the Dicastery for Bishops, made him a compromise figure capable of uniting different factions of the church.In his first speech from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful in Italian: "Peace be upon you. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ. I would like to extend greetings of peace to your families, to all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you." He also thanked the cardinals for their trust and called for unity and prayer.Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, into a family with French, Italian, and Spanish roots. After earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Villanova University, he joined the Order of Saint Augustine. In 1982, he was ordained a priest, and later he went on missionary service to Peru, where he spent over 15 years working in various dioceses and seminaries. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo, and in 2023, he became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.Photo: ReutersThe election of an American to the papal throne became a historic precedent, reflecting the globalization of the Catholic Church and its pursuit of inclusivity. U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Prevost's election, calling it "a great recognition for America." Leaders of other countries, including Spain, France, and Ukraine, also expressed their greetings and hopes for fruitful cooperation with the new Pope.Pope Leo XIV faces challenges of the modern world: restoring trust in the church after scandals, strengthening social justice, protecting the environment, and supporting the poor and oppressed. His experience, humility, and dedication to service offer hope for a new era in the history of the Catholic Church.

A group of archaeologists from Egypt and Great Britain made a unique discovery – the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, who ruled over 3,500 years ago. This is the first tomb of a ruler found after the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922. Unexpected discovery in the Theban Necropolis The research was conducted in the western part of the Theban necropolis near Luxor. Archaeologists initially suspected that the discovered tomb belonged to one of the Pharaoh’s wives. However, when they entered the burial chamber, they were struck by a blue ceiling with yellow stars – a characteristic feature of tombs of only pharaohs. The head of the research team, Piers Littenland, stated that this find caused a storm of emotions within the team: “We were stunned because we discovered something completely unexpected. When I surfaced, all I could do was break down in tears.” Mysteries of the burial: why was the tomb empty? The tomb had a long corridor and stairs leading to the central chamber. The passage was blocked by debris from collapses and flooding. After months of excavations, the team reached the main hall, but no remains of the Pharaoh or valuable artifacts were found there. Archaeologists speculated that the burial was intentionally emptied in ancient times – probably because the tomb was located under a waterfall and had suffered damage. Despite this, the researchers discovered important artifacts: fragments of gypsum vessels bearing the names of Thutmose II and his wife Hatshepsut. This helped confirm that the tomb indeed belonged to this pharaoh. Scientists also suggest that the true burial site of the Pharaoh may be located elsewhere. Who was Thutmose II? Thutmose II ruled Egypt from 1492 to 1478 B.C. He is known as the husband of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most influential female rulers of Egypt. It was previously believed that the mummy discovered in 1881 belonged to him, but the new discovery prompts a reassessment of this theory. A new step in Egyptology This discovery was the result of 12 years of research by the New Kingdom Research Foundation in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. During this time, archaeologists uncovered over 50 tombs belonging to the Pharaoh’s wives and court women. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fati, noted: “This is a historic moment for Egyptology. For the first time in a hundred years, we have discovered a Pharaoh’s tomb, and this will help us better understand our shared history.” The researchers hope that further excavations will help locate Thutmose II’s true tomb and perhaps even uncover his untouched treasures.

Australian scientists have discovered a new species of deadly spider, which is larger and more venomous than its relatives, and named it Big Boy. In their study, published on Monday, scientists from the Australian Museum, Flinders University, and the German Leibniz Institute found that there are three species of Sydney funnel-web spiders, not one. The scientists named the 3.54-inch species Atrax christenseni, which received the nickname Big Boy. For comparison, ordinary Sydney funnel-web spiders can grow up to nearly 2 inches. "Our research revealed hidden diversity among funnel-web spiders," said lead researcher Stephanie Loria in her statement. "The Newcastle funnel-web spider, Atrax christenseni - is a completely new species." Dark, glossy, and large spiders are considered some of the most dangerous venomous spiders to humans. Modern antivenom is already effective against bites from a wide spectrum of funnel-web spiders, including the recently discovered one. Only male Sydney funnel-web spiders have venom capable of killing an adult person, and 13 deaths have been associated with bites from the common Sydney funnel-web spider between 1927 and the early 1980s. Since the development of antivenom in the 1980s, there have been no fatal cases. In 2024, the Sydney funnel-web spider found in Australia set a record as the largest spider in the Australian Spider Park. Its leg span measured 3.1 inches, surpassing the previous record holder from the 2018 park.

A few hours after the Dallas Mavericks traded their star player Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team took to the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since many other Mavericks players were injured, the Cavaliers gained a full advantage—and made history. In just the first quarter, the Cavaliers scored a colossal 50 points against Dallas. Led by Darius Garland, who scored 13 points in the first quarter, the Cavaliers also helped Donavan Mitchell (nine points), Evan Mobley (eight points), and Sam Merrill (eight points) to stand out after coming off the bench. In the first quarter, the Cavs made nine out of eleven three-pointers—an impressive 81.8% from beyond the arc. Dallas—with injured Kyrie Irving and without new players Anthony Davis and Max Christie—finished the first quarter with a score of 50-19 in favor of the Cavs. Scoring 50 points in the first quarter, the Cavs set a franchise record for the most points scored in a single quarter. But that’s not all In the second quarter, they continued to pick up steam. By halftime, the Cavs had scored 91 points in the first half. You read that correctly. In 24 minutes of the game, the Cavs were only nine points short of 100. In the first half, Garland scored 17 points, Mobley 15, Mitchell 12, and Merrill 12 after coming off the bench—an ideal performance. Another franchise record was set. The Cavs team scored 91 points, making it the highest total points scored in a single half in the team’s history. By the end of the game, the Cavs once again etched their names into the record books. When Merrill hit his ninth three-pointer, the team broke the record for most three-pointers made in a game, hitting 26 three-pointers in Sunday’s match. The game became what the team and fans like to call Cavalanche, as the Cavs defeated the Mavericks by a 43-point margin.

The computer update on Friday caused chaos in Detroit subway systems and affected airlines, infrastructure, banks, and healthcare, delaying flights at Detroit Airport, slowing traffic on the Ambassador Bridge to Canada, and even leading to the closure of a college in Dearborn. A software glitch created confusion and chaos as people were waking up, going to work, or trying to travel, since in many cases the software update interfered with other systems working, and the public was unaware of what exactly was happening. The software error that led to such sudden widespread problems also caused a failure in Microsoft Windows, and some users experienced a blue screen, which dissatisfied computer users sometimes call the "Blue Screen of Death".But gradually, over the course of the day, the situation improved for many as patches were applied, although the long-term issues related to such outages drew the attention of the tech industry and the White House, which offered its support. Dag Witten, an associate professor of computer science at Wayne State University, noted that these incidents are an example of how vulnerable and interconnected our digital systems are, and why protection against threats from criminals, terrorists, and foreign governments is vital. Witten, who was stuck in traffic on the Blue Water Bridge on Friday, said that this chaos was just an example of what could happen if malicious actors deliberately damage the country's or the world's cyber systems.Last year's Government Accountability Office report confirmed Witten's observations, noting that federal systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks, and adding that protecting critical cyberinfrastructure, such as the power grid, is extremely necessary. The update that caused the failure involved a product related to the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, based in Austin, reports Reuters. The cybersecurity firm stated it was aware of the problem, which also affected Microsoft's Windows operating system, but, according to Microsoft representatives, it has been fixed. The chaos was so extensive because this software is used by many of the largest companies in the country. CrowdStrike claimed in its promotional video that more than half of the companies on the Fortune 500 list — the ranking of the largest American companies by revenue compiled by Fortune magazine — use it. CEO of CrowdStrike George Kurtz, who, according to the White House, maintained contact throughout the outage, proactively took to social media to reassure the public that the issue was caused by a glitch, a failed update, and not something more sinister. "This is not a security incident or cyberattack," Kurtz said in a statement. He recommended that clients contact the company's technical support for the latest updates. The problem was identified, isolated, and fixed. Kurtz added that the company “is working with affected clients to address the defect discovered in one update of Windows host content. Mac and Linux hosts were not affected,” and advises organizations to ensure they interact with CrowdStrike representatives through official channels.

The first tenure of Kenny Atkinson as head coach of the NBA ended abruptly and strangely in Brooklyn. In Cleveland, he hopes for more lasting relationships. On Friday, the "Cavaliers" signed a five-year contract with Atkinson, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the "Golden State," and will now lead the Cleveland team, which has reached the playoffs for the second consecutive time. By choosing the reputable Atkinson, the "Cavs" concluded a months-long search that began after the dismissal of J.B. Bickerstaff, who led the team to 99 wins over the last two seasons. Bickerstaff was fired after Cleveland lost in five games to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals. "Kenny has extensive experience, a proven track record of player development, and an unwavering work ethic that aligns with our vision for this franchise," said Kobe Altman, the team's basketball president. "His coaching experience, combined with some of the best NBA coaches, elevates the level of this partnership, and we are glad that Kenny will lead the team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court," Altman added. "The Cavs" plan to introduce Atkinson — the 24th franchise coach — at a press conference on Monday. "It's an incredible opportunity to lead a talented young team with a bright future," said Atkinson in his statement. The contract signing with Atkinson was delayed because he was in France helping his national team prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Next week, he will return to Europe to participate in friendly matches with the French team. Atkinson arrived in Cleveland on Wednesday and was in the team's draft room when the "Cavs" selected California forward Jalen Tyson with the overall 20th pick. The contract signing with Atkinson is another important step this summer for the Cleveland team, which believes it has the necessary roster to contend for the championship title. The next—and perhaps most crucial—step will be signing a long-term deal with star guard Donovan Mitchell, expected to happen soon. 57-year-old Atkinson is a reliable choice for management and its head, Dan Gilbert, who has not always approached coaching searches with confidence. Gilbert’s unconventional decisions regarding the hiring of rookie coaches in the NBA, David Blatt and John Beilein, led to poor outcomes. Atkinson is much less risky. His resume includes successes on offense and a reputation as a player development coach. Atkinson started as an assistant to Mike D'Antoni in New York, worked with Tyronn Lue, and most recently with Steve Kerr. Atkinson won a title with the Warriors in 2022. "Kenny is my great friend," Kerr said, who was also the head coach of the US national team and encouraged Atkinson to join the French staff. "He’s a fantastic coach. That’s why Cleveland hired him. I was very lucky to work with him over the past few years." "The Cavs" rely on Atkinson to unlock the best qualities of their young players, including 23-year-old forward Evan Mobley, and to take the team further than Bickerstaff was able to. His experience with the Nets undoubtedly shaped Atkinson. Although his record was not stellar (118-190 wins), he convinced Brooklyn players to believe in him, and the team gradually improved its results in each of the four seasons, reaching the playoffs in the third year. However, after 62 games in the 2020 season, Atkinson was ousted amidst a change of ownership and the high-profile arrival of stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. His dismissal remains somewhat mysterious; it is one of those behind-the-scenes power struggles infiltrating the league. "The Cavs" were also attracted by Atkinson’s offensive ingenuity. Under his leadership, the Nets played faster and shot more three-pointers—a trend that soared and was adopted by this season’s champion, the Celtics.

The volcano in Iceland erupted on Saturday evening for the fourth time in the past three months, ejecting orange streams of lava into the night sky. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported that the eruption opened a crack in the ground nearly 2 miles long between the mountains of Stra-Skoggfell and Hagafell on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Meteorological Service had been warning for several weeks that magma—semi-molten rock—was accumulating underground, making an eruption likely. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon thermal resort, one of Iceland's main tourist attractions, when the eruption began, according to the national broadcaster RUV. No disruptions in air traffic were reported at Keflavík, Iceland’s main airport, which is located nearby. The eruption site is located several miles northeast of Grindavík, a coastal town with a population of 3,800, approximately 30 miles southwest of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, which was evacuated before the eruption started in December. Several residents who returned to their homes were evacuated again on Saturday. Residents of Grindavík were evacuated in November when the Grimsvötn volcanic system woke up after almost 800 years of sleep, following a series of earthquakes that created large cracks in the ground north of the town. Eventually, the volcano erupted on December 18, spewing lava that flowed away from Grindavík. A second eruption that began on January 14 directed lava toward the town. Defensive walls, reinforced after the first eruption, stopped part of the flow, but several buildings were engulfed by lava. Both eruptions lasted only a few days. The third eruption began on February 8. It subsided after a few hours, but not before a river of lava swallowed a pipeline, transmitting heat and hot water to thousands of people. RUV quotes geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, who stated that the latest eruption is the most powerful to date. The Meteorological Service reported that part of the lava is flowing toward the protective barriers around Grindavík. Iceland, located above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, regularly witnesses eruptions and has extensive experience in dealing with them. The most destructive recent eruption was that of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, which released enormous ash clouds into the atmosphere and led to the closure of airspace over Europe. Confirmed fatalities from the recent eruptions have not been reported, but one worker was declared missing after falling into a crack opened by the volcano.

LONDON - King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing treatment, reducing his public schedule accordingly. In his statement, Buckingham Palace announced that the cancer was detected when the 75-year-old monarch was recently undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. The palace stated that the cancer is not related to prostate treatment, without revealing the specific type of cancer diagnosed. "Today His Majesty has begun a regular course of treatment, during which doctors have advised him to postpone public appearances. During this time, His Majesty will continue to handle state affairs and official paperwork as usual," the palace said."During a recent hospital procedure for the king regarding benign prostate enlargement, an unrelated issue was discovered that caused concern," the palace’s statement continued. "Further diagnostic tests revealed the form of cancer." Charles "remains fully positive about his treatment and is looking forward to returning to full duties as soon as possible," the palace stated. The king chose to disclose his diagnosis in the hope of preventing speculation and helping the public understand those suffering from cancer.