 "FirstUp: Papal Conclave to begin, mock drills in India amid tension with Pak... Headlines of the day")
It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, a Papal conclave is set to take place today in the Vatican City to elect the next Pope. Meanwhile, mock drills have been announced in all states and Union territories in response to ‘complex threats’ in the wake of heightened tensions with Pakistan.
China’s President Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia from today and during which he will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz may visit Paris today.
Paris Saint-Germain is set to clash with Arsenal today in the semi-final match of UEFA Champions League.
Here is all that is set to take place across the world today.
Papal conclave to elect new Pope
The papal conclave to elect the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church will commence today. This conclave is notable for its unprecedented diversity, with 133 cardinal electors from 71 countries, reflecting Pope Francis’s efforts to globalise the Church’s leadership.
In an event of significant spiritual, political and global import, cardinals representing diverse regions of the world will gather to select the Pope , who will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. This process is necessitated by the passing of Francis on April 21st at the age of 88, following a 12-year tenure as Pope.
Mock drills across states and UTs in India
The Union Home Ministry has directed all states and UTs to carry out mock drills today (May 7) in response to “new and complex threats” that have surfaced, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions with Pakistan after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
A Home Ministry communication states that the drills will focus on key preparedness measures, including activating air raid sirens and training civilians in essential civil defense techniques. The objective is to provide them with the knowledge for self-protection during emergencies like aerial attacks or other hostile events.
Xi Jinping to visit Russia
China’s President Xi Jinping will be on an official three-day visit to Russia from today. he is expected to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and even participate in the Victory Day celebrations, stated Kremlin. The two leaders would sign several bilateral inter-governmental and inter-departmental documents during Xi’s visit at the personal invitation of President Putin, it added.
“During the talks, the main issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as current issues of the international and regional agenda will be discussed,” it said.
Germany’s Friedrich Merz may visit Paris
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany Friedrich Merz may visit Paris today for strategic discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Merz said on Sunday (May 4) that he would hold talks “immediately” with Macron as well as with Poland’s Donald Tusk in an interview with the German daily Bild.
“I will immediately travel to Paris and very quickly travel to Warsaw," he said. French officials are hoping for a reset with Germany under Merz. With uncertainties surrounding US commitments to Nato and Europe’s defence, Merz and Macron aim to explore avenues for strengthening European security architecture , including discussions on shared nuclear deterrence involving France and the United Kingdom.
Paris SG against Arsenal in UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal are set to clash in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final today at the Parc des Princes in Paris. PSG holds a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, courtesy of an early goal by Ousmane Dembélé at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal faces a formidable challenge, needing to overturn the deficit against a PSG side that has already secured the Ligue 1 title. The Gunners’ recent form has been inconsistent, including a surprising Premier League defeat to Bournemouth.
With inputs from agencies
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