Thursday Briefing: What’s Subsequent for India and Pakistan?


After India had performed airstrikes on Pakistan and the Pakistani-held space of Kashmir, the Pakistani navy claimed yesterday that it had downed Indian jets. Two or three Indian planes went down on the Indian facet of the border, in response to Indian officers and Western diplomats, in addition to native media studies and witness accounts. The query now could be whether or not Pakistan will resolve that it should reply India’s strikes with an assault of its personal on Indian soil.

For now, Pakistan says it’s retaining all its choices open. However diplomats and analysts expressed some hope that an all-out conflict may very well be averted. Pakistan’s protection minister mentioned he would welcome additional U.S. efforts to assist defuse his nation’s disaster with India.

The Pakistani navy mentioned greater than 20 folks had been killed and dozens injured after India hit six locations in Pakistani-held Kashmir and in Punjab Province. Residents of the Indian facet of Kashmir mentioned not less than 10 folks had been killed by shelling from the Pakistani facet.

Whilst India hailed its “Operation Sindoor” assault on Pakistan as a victory in response to the terrorist assault in Kashmir final month that killed 26 folks, proof grew that their forces might have taken heavy losses.

Perspective: My colleague Mujib Mashal, our South Asia bureau chief, defined what led to the strikes on this Occasions video. “The historical past of those two nations has actually been a historical past of managed hostilities,” Mujib mentioned.

On the bottom: These photographs and movies seize scenes from India’s strikes on Pakistan and Kashmir.

Arms circulation: With regards to weapons, India vs. Pakistan can be China vs. the U.S., illustrating the brand new alignments on this nook of Asia.


Black smoke puffed from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel as the primary spherical of voting for a brand new pope ended yesterday and not using a choice. The conclave of cardinals will meet as we speak to strive once more.

The preliminary vote had not been anticipated to yield a brand new chief. The 133 cardinals, essentially the most ever to collect in a papal conclave, will stay with out telephone or web entry and underneath oaths of whole secrecy till a two-thirds majority agrees on a candidate. That is how a conclave works.

What’s subsequent: There isn’t any indication of how lengthy the conclave will take, although selections had been reached within the final two inside two days. As a result of the method takes place principally in silence, one seasoned cardinal had some recommendation: “Carry a guide.”

Quiz: Assume you understand the conclave? Take a look at your data on the centuries-old custom.


Airstrikes pounded Gaza yesterday, killing not less than 59 folks, well being officers mentioned, as Israel’s protection minister gave some particulars a few plan to seize extra of the enclave and power all two million Gaza residents to stay within the south. The only deadliest bombing hit close to a well-liked cafe in Gaza Metropolis the place younger folks had gathered to make use of the web, killing 33, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry.

Chatting with the navy, Israel’s protection minister mentioned the relocation of Gazans was a part of an offensive that might start after President Trump’s go to to the Center East subsequent week. Till then, he mentioned, Hamas had “a window of alternative” to comply with new cease-fire negotiations and launch Israeli hostages.

After we take into consideration the forces that form us, our first thought may be of our mother and father. However our brothers and sisters can play simply as massive a task (if not larger) in who we turn out to be, from college life to sports activities. Learn extra about these rivals and allies.

We’re greater than a 3rd of the best way via 2025 and our E-book Evaluate group has already written about lots of of books. Some had been good. Some had been superb. After which there have been those we couldn’t cease fascinated with.

One of many favorites is “We Do Not Half,” a dreamlike novel that revisits a violent chapter in South Korean historical past. One other is “Careless Folks,” a darkly humorous exposé of Fb.

Listed here are extra thrillers, chillers and a hare-raising memoir, massive ears and all.

Awards drama: “James,” by Percival Everett, received the Pulitzer for fiction this week. However not with out problems.