Daily Update – The New York Times

Will the India-Pakistan conflict escalate further?

India conducted airstrikes on Pakistan and the Pakistani-held area of Kashmir, resulting in a number of Indian aircraft going down in Pakistan. The exact number of aircraft downed remains disputed, with Indian officials, Western diplomats, and local media reporting two or three losses, while Pakistan claims five planes and at least one drone. Currently, the question of whether Pakistan will retaliate with an attack on Indian soil remains unanswered.

Pakistan states that it is considering all of its options, but diplomats and analysts possess hope that an all-out war may be avoided. Pakistan’s defense minister has expressed interest in additional U.S. efforts to help resolve the crisis with India.

The Pakistani military reports that more than 20 people were killed and dozens injured following India’s strikes in Pakistani-held Kashmir and Punjab Province. Additionally, at least 10 people on the Indian side of Kashmir were killed due to shelling from the Pakistani side.

India hailed its “Operation Sindoor” attack on Pakistan as a victory in response to a terrorist attack in Kashmir last month that resulted in 26 fatalities. However, evidence suggests that Indian forces may have suffered significant losses during the operation.

Perspective: Mujib Mashal, the South Asia bureau chief, discussed the strikes in this video. He highlights the history of hostilities between India and Pakistan.

On the ground: View photos and videos capturing scenes from India’s strikes on Pakistan and Kashmir.

Arms flow: India vs. Pakistan also represents a rivalry between China and the U.S., illustrating the new alignments in Asia

No pope was elected on the first day of the conclave

The first round of voting for a new pope held during a conclave of cardinals ended without a decision. The black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney was a sign of this outcome. Voting will continue over the following days, under secrecy and without phone or internet access for the 133 cardinals, until a two-thirds majority agrees on a candidate.

Latest Updates will be available.

How Conclave Works, which explains that timing for a conclave can vary, with the last two being decided within two days. A cardinal advises, “Bring a book,” given the silent nature of the process.

Quiz: Test your knowledge of the conclave

Israeli airstrikes killed dozens in Gaza

Yesterday’s airstrikes in Gaza resulted in at least 59 fatalities, according to health officials. Israel’s defense minister provided details about a plan to capture more of the enclave and force the two million Gaza residents to relocate to the south.

The most severe bombing near a popular cafe in Gaza City, where young people were gathered to use the internet, claimed 33 lives, per the Gaza Health Ministry. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened since Israel’s blockade on aid supplies was implemented in March.

In remarks to the military, Israel’s defense minister stated that the relocation of Gazans is part of an operation set to begin after President Trump’s visit to the Middle East next week. Until then, he said, Hamas has “a window of opportunity” to agree to new cease-fire negotiations and release Israeli hostages.

West Bank: The Israeli military has significantly tightened control in a crackdown on militancy not seen in a generation.

Learn more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

Israeli Expansion in West Bank

When we consider the influences in our lives, siblings often play just as significant a role as parents in shaping who we become, from school life to sports. Learn more about these vital relationships.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

The year’s best books, so far

We have reviewed hundreds of books in 2025, and many have stood out. Some were impressive, while others were unforgettable. Among the highlights of this year’s literary offerings are “We Do Not Part,” a novel that revisits a violent era in South Korean history, and “Careless People,” which explores the inner workings of Facebook in a witty and incisive manner.