The Supreme Court highlighted the achievements of women officers, citing Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as an example. Colonel Qureshi, a member of the Army Signal Corps, made history as the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent at the "Exercise Force 18," the largest foreign military exercise hosted by India. She had previously served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, where she was responsible for monitoring ceasefires and supporting humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.
The court noted that the Centre's affidavit detailed the significant contributions of women SSC officers, working alongside their male counterparts for the nation's defense. The court expressed concern over submissions that sought to downplay women's roles based on biological and social factors, stressing that such views were contrary to constitutional values and ignored the excellence demonstrated by women officers in the Indian Army.
At a media briefing, Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force joined Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This event followed the Indian military's "Operation Sindoor," which targeted terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack on April 22.
Born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Colonel Qureshi holds a Master's degree in biochemistry. She has served in critical roles, including as a military observer in Congo and in flood relief efforts in Northeast India. In 2016, she made history as the first woman officer to lead a contingent in Exercise Force 18, a multinational training exercise aimed at fostering peace among ASEAN nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a nationwide 15-day awareness campaign, set to begin on May 29, aimed at educating 1-1.5 crore farmers about modern technologies and new seed varieties in preparation for the upcoming kharif sowing season. The initiative, titled 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' will run from May 29 to June 12, covering 700 districts across India.
In collaboration with state governments, the Centre will form 2,000 teams consisting of farm scientists, officials, and progressive farmers. These teams will hold three meetings daily at the district level, targeting 10-12 lakh farmers each day. At a National Conference on Agriculture for the Kharif Campaign, Chouhan emphasized the importance of enhancing agricultural extension services to improve productivity and crop output. He stressed the need for rapid dissemination of new technologies and research findings to farmers in the field.
The campaign will focus on educating farmers about climate-resilient seed varieties, fertilizer availability, monsoon predictions, and the benefits of government programs. Chouhan also urged state agriculture ministers to lead the initiative in their states and stated he would write to State Chief Ministers to ensure its success.
Highlighting the potential for agricultural growth, Chouhan noted that India's crop productivity is below the global average and emphasized the need to adopt modern technology and best practices to boost yields. He also pointed out significant yield disparities between states and stressed the importance of bridging these gaps to meet global standards.
Chouhan also addressed soil health, encouraging the proper use of fertilizers through the Soil Health Cards issued by the government. He shared the government's progress in the agricultural sector since 2014, focusing on increasing production, reducing input costs, and ensuring fair prices for farmers through enhanced procurement at minimum support price (MSP).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
S&P Global Ratings stated on Thursday that the ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan increase the credit risks for both nations, with any further escalation potentially exerting downward pressure on sovereign credit ratings. Currently, S&P has rated India at 'BBB-' with a positive outlook and Pakistan at 'CCC+' with a stable outlook. However, S&P does not anticipate an immediate impact on the sovereign ratings. It expects tensions to remain elevated for the next two to three weeks, with the possibility of significant military actions from both sides.
S&P highlighted that the regional credit risks have escalated due to the India-Pakistan conflict, but it projects the intense military actions to be temporary, with a period of sporadic and contained confrontations likely to follow. Following the Pahalgam massacre, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on Wednesday, targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistani leaders have expressed the right to retaliate but also indicated a willingness to de-escalate if India takes steps to reduce tensions.
S&P expects India to maintain robust economic growth, which will support fiscal improvements, and for Pakistan to focus on economic recovery and fiscal stability. Both nations are unlikely to prolong the current tensions, S&P noted. However, a prolonged military conflict would hinder Pakistan's efforts to stabilize its economy and external metrics. For India, such a conflict could deter foreign investors who are already navigating an uncertain global economic environment.
S&P also warned that the ongoing situation carries the risk of miscalculations or accidental clashes, which could escalate beyond the control of either side, further harming credit risks. If tensions don't de-escalate in the coming weeks, the downward pressure on sovereign credit ratings will intensify. S&P anticipates that tensions will remain high for a few weeks before de-escalating, with limited long-term negative impact on sovereign credit metrics. Meanwhile, Moody's also expressed concern about the potential downside risks to India's growth forecasts due to geopolitical tensions, such as the India-Pakistan conflict.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
VATICAN CITY — Roman Catholic cardinals were scheduled to return to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday (May 8) to continue voting for a successor to the late Pope Francis, marking the start of the largest and most diverse conclave in history. The cardinals began the secretive and ceremonial process of electing a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Wednesday, in total isolation from the outside world. That evening, black smoke emerged from the chapel’s chimney, indicating that the first ballot had not produced a winner.
On Thursday, voting was expected to begin around 9am (3pm Singapore time), as per the Vatican’s schedule. White smoke would signal the election of a new pope to succeed Francis, who passed away last month. If the first vote of the day is conclusive, the announcement could be made as early as 11am (5pm Singapore time). If not, further smoke signals would be seen later in the day.
Given that no pope has been elected on the first vote in modern history, the black smoke on Wednesday was anticipated. However, with recent trends, a decision could come on the second day, as up to four rounds of voting can take place. The cardinals, known as the "princes of the Church," are expected to cast two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon, continuing until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority.
A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are participating, an increase from 115 cardinals from 48 countries in the 2013 conclave, reflecting Pope Francis’ efforts to globalize the Church. Francis, elected in 2013 after five rounds of voting on the second day, was succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 after only four votes over two days.
Although no clear front-runners have emerged, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered leading candidates. If neither gains enough support, votes may shift toward other potential candidates, influenced by factors like geography, doctrine, or shared languages. Other notable papal contenders include French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, American Cardinal Robert Prevost, and Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
During the conclave, the cardinals are isolated and sworn to secrecy, with their phones and computers confiscated. They move between the Sistine Chapel for voting and Vatican guesthouses for rest and meals. Recently, the cardinals have shared differing views on what they want from the next pope. While some seek continuity with Francis' more liberal vision of openness and reform, others hope to return to more traditional values. Many desire a pope with a more predictable and measured approach.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Scattered metal debris is seen on the ground in Wuyan, located in Pulwama district of India-administered Kashmir, following a reported incident in the area.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
With Reform UK hitting record levels in the polls, Nigel Farage’s success in the local elections is increasingly seen as a major turning point in UK politics. As Conservative support plummets and Keir Starmer’s government faces serious challenges, questions arise about whether mainstream parties can recover. John Harris discusses this potential political upheaval with Guardian columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Polly Toynbee.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Gaza's population will be relocated to the south following the approval of an expanded military operation by his security cabinet, which a minister referred to as a plan to "conquer" the region. How significant a setback could this be for any potential ceasefire? Susan Ng and Hairianto Diman discuss this with Dr. Simon Frankel Pratt, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at The University of Melbourne, to explore the issue.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Despite polls forecasting a close contest, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a decisive victory in Australia's election, winning a second term. His opponent, Peter Dutton, faced a crushing defeat, losing the seat he had held for 24 years. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman analyze the results and their implications for the country, with insights from Dominic O'Sullivan, Professor of Political Science at Charles Sturt University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Douglas Tseng, editor at 8days, collaborates with Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin to discuss and recommend the most exciting movies and TV shows to watch over the weekend, offering insights into what’s worth your time and attention.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
