International News

💥NEW POPE SWORN INTO OFFICE💥

      American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been by elected the 267th pontiff. He has chosen the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced. The 69-year-old and a native of Chicago  is the first American pope in history.After the death of Pope Francis on April 21st, the 133 cardinals,  the church's highest-ranking clergy gathered to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church in the secret conclave in Rome.

     On Thursday afternoon l, white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out, signifying the cardinals had elected a new pope.Over an hour after the white smoke emerged, the new pope, clad in his papal vestments, stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and greeted the world."We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open, like this very piazza, welcoming," Leo told the crowd while speaking in Italian.His full authority and jurisdiction begin immediately upon his acceptance of the office, prior to the public announcement.

💥Russia to meet with Ukraine on Thursday in Istanbul for “ direct talks”💥

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, late on Saturday night, said he is ready for ‘direct talks’ with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday, 15 May. We propose to resume direct talks with the Kyiv regime on Thursday, 15 May, in Istanbul," Putin said in the overnight address. 

      Vladimir Putin  offered to resume direct talks "without preconditions," saying this was to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" and "to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace." Moscow had previously said it could consider a ceasefire agreement only under certain conditions, including the total suspension of Western military aid to Ukraine. 

💥US and China Tarrif talks begin in Geneva to descalate trade dispute💥

     Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have started talks with Chinese officials, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, in Geneva. The goal is to ease a trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies, which could harm global markets.

Diplomats confirmed the talks had begun but did not disclose the location. However, a convoy of black cars was seen entering the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the UN. A diplomatic source speaking anonymously said the two sides met for two hours before going to a pre-arranged lunch.

Hopes for a major breakthrough are low, but both countries may agree to reduce the high tariffs they have imposed on each other’s goods. Last month, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products to 145%, and China retaliated with a 125% levy on American imports.

💥Pakistan reported India fired ballistic missiles at three military bases in the country.💥

Pakistan says India fired ballistic missiles at three air bases inside Pakistan early on Saturday morning. A spokesperson for the army says most of the missiles were intercepted.

State-run Pakistani media says retaliatory strikes were already underway targeting “multiple locations” in India. Pakistani media did not elaborate further on which locations are being attacked.

Islamabad says all its air force assets were safe and no significant damage was caused by the attacks on its bases. Army Spokesperson Ahmad Sharif says the renewed attacks constitute a “provocation of the highest order”.

Pakistani police officers remove vehicles and people from the main entry of Nur Khan airbase following an Indian missile strike in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, 10am.

Indian missiles were aimed at the Nur Khan air base located in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, the Murid air base in Chakwal city, and the Rafiqui air base in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab province – according to Sharif.

India has not responded to Pakistan’s accusations. Some of the Indian missiles reportedly hit India’s eastern Punjab province. Sharif added that the projectiles also went into neighbouring Afghanistan. The army spokesperson noted that they are in possession of evidence to back up those claims.

💥FIFA women's world cup will expand to 48teams in 2031💥

The Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams for the 2031 edition of the tournament, which could be hosted by the United States.

The FIFA Council unanimously decided to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48 in 2031, bringing it in line with the men’s World Cup as it expands to 48 teams in the 2026 tournament.

The 48-team tournament will have 12 groups and will feature 104 matches, expanded from 64. The tournament will also be one week longer to accommodate the expanded schedule and number of teams.

“This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general by ensuring that more FIFA Member Associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures from a holistic point of view,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness. This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.”

Infantino said last month that the United States and United Kingdom look set to host the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups when the decision is formally made next year. The US and UK were the only nations to meet the first deadline in the contest to host those respective tournaments in early April.

The next Women’s World Cup, the last with the 32-team format, will be held in Brazil in 2027.

💥Fiyinfoluwa.