ROBERT Prevost was elected as the new Pope to succeed the late Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The 69-year-old American Cardinal belonging to the St Agustin order spent most of his life in Peru, a poor Latin American country. The new Pope Leo XIV is the youngest ever Pope at 69. He was in charge of the appointment of bishops under Pope Francis.
In his first words the new Pope Leo committed himself to peace. He has great sympathy for migrants as in the case of Pope Francis. The new Pope however is conservative when it comes to permitting priests to marry, issues like abortion and gay rights.
MAJOR ESCALATION IN WAR
FOLLOWING a Pakistani missile attack on Indian military projects in Srinagar, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, India has launched a counterattack on Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. India claims to have destroyed the air defence response system at Lahore. The Indian defence forces also insist that they have neutralised the missile attacks on India through S-400 Russian-built air defence system called Sudarshan Chakra.
Late on Thursday night, May 8, there were Pakistan air attacks on Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. Among the Pakistan targets was Srinagar airport. Indian warships, including INS Vikrant, fired missiles towards Karachi port in retaliation. Early Friday morning, May 9, India claimed that it had shot down a Pakistani aircraft and captured a Pakistani pilot.
IPL MATCHES THREATENED
THE IPL match at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh was cancelled as the flood lights at the stadium were put off due to an alert on the possibility of a missile attack by Pakistan. The players were escorted out of the stadium. The cricket board has called up an emergency meeting to consider rescheduling the matches. There is the lot of tension in many IPL venues in the North, including New Delhi and Mohali in Punjab. The foreign players attached to several IPL teams may want to move out of the country altogether.
BORDER STATES ON HIGH ALERT
SEVERAL states that share a border with Pakistan, like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, are on high alert. This is because they share borders with Pakistan and have been targets of missile attacks by Pakistan. It has been confirmed that Pakistan attempted to attack 15 sites in India in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat early in the morning on Thursday, May 8. Schools and colleges have been closed in Punjab and parts of Rajasthan.
CHARDHAM YATRA TRAGEDY
SIX pilgrims died when a helicopter ferrying passengers to the Gangotri shrine crashed into a deep valley in Uttarakhand at 8.30am on Thursday, May 8. Most of the pilgrims, including the 48-year-old sister of a TDP MP, were from Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh. The crash comes at the onset of the Char Dham yatra. The reason for the crash has not been revealed. Helicopters have become a popular means of transport for wealthier pilgrims desiring to undertake the Char Dham yatra comprising the high mountain shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
FARM LAND GIVEN TO CASINO!
THE State government has handed over 3.3 lakh sq meters land coming under the command area of the Tilari dam to the Delta Corporation at Dhargali in North Goa. The casino company which owns three off shore casinos parked in Mandovi river proposes to develop and integrate a resort project which will include a convention centre, a multiplex, a retail complex, a water park and a children’s entertainment area.
The Goa Investment Promotion Board has recommended conversion of the 3.3 lakh sq meter agricultural property into settlement and commercial zone to be approved. The government has also very generously waived Rs5.3 crore claimed by the Water Resources Department. It may be recalled that Jaydev Mody’s Deltin casino had hired out its premises in Dhargali to Sunburn EDM festival last year.
SATELLITE TV COMES TO INDIA
ELON Musk’s satellite communication company has been permitted to offer Starlink internet services in India. This will be the first satellite-based internet services provided in the country. All the existing internet service providers including Reliance Jio use underground cables. Local internet provider have been using electric poles to connect their internet fibre cables. The Central government has insisted that it should have control over the internet services provided. The government has in principle approved the global mobile personal communication through satellite. Starlink will set up a control centre in India and will partner with Reliance Jio and Airtel.
MOTHER’S DAY ON SUNDAY
MOTHER’S DAY is celebrated on Sunday, May 11. Organisations are hosting events to commemorate Mother’s Day. All the hotels are offering big discounts on special Mother’s Day brunch. Marriott is offering a 50% discount up to four people for Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 11. The Lalit Goa in Canacona is also offering a brunch on Mother’s Day. So this Sunday tell your mother to take a break from doing any cooking in the kitchen!
JHARKHAND IN GOA
IN keeping with the tradition of every state in the country wanting to demonstrate its presence and strength in Goa, Jharkhand is holding a Living Legend event of Jharkhand on May 10 at the International Centre Goa. A lecture demonstration on the traditional dances of Jharkhand is scheduled. There are an increasing number of both men and women from Jharkhand working in Goa.
TAX ON PET DOGS
THE Mapusa Municipality is planning to impose a tax of Rs500 on pet dogs within its jurisdiction. There will also be an annual renewal fee of Rs100. All pet dogs have to be registered and undergo a medical check-up. The top breeds may be charged higher.
800 TEACHERS POST VACANT
THE Central government has revealed that 800 posts of teachers are lying vacant in schools in Goa. The State has notified vacancies of 306 positions at the primary level, 311 at the secondary level, and 231 at the senior secondary level. The State has been directed to fill these vacancies immediately. Under the new education policy teachers have to undergo 50 hours of professional development everywhere.
DCP SRIBALA GETS GRAND FAREWELL
CYBERABAD Cyber Crimes DCP B Sribala has been deputed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on a one-year assignment, in recognition of her outstanding services in cyber law enforcement. During her tenure, she led several key operations targeting cyber fraud, financial scams and online harassment, while also launching impactful digital literacy campaigns to promote cyber safety among students, professionals, and the general public. Her proactive initiatives and leadership have earned her national recognition, and her deputation marks a proud moment for the Telangana Police and the nation.
Cyberabad CP Avinash Mohanty, IPS, along with other senior DCPs, treated her to a grand farewell, congratulating her on the prestigious international assignment. Her service and leadership have been widely appreciated. The meeting was attended by DCP Crimes LC Naik, EOW DCP K Prasad, DCP Special Branch Sai Sri, Women& Children Safety Wing (W& CSW) DCP Srujana Karnam, Medchal SOT DCP Srinivas, Madhapur SOT DCP Shoban Kumar, Cyber crimes ADCP Chandrakanth and several other senior police officers.
MOCK DRILLS CONDUCTED IN SOUTH GOA
DEMONSTRATING the vibrancy of State Administration, Civil Defence, Police, Fire Emergency and Health Services, a comprehensive multi agency mock exercise titled “Operation Abhyaas” was conducted at Margao Railway Station, Dabolim Airport and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd Terminal, Vasco in South Goa on May 7.
The Civil Defence Mock drill was a part of the nationwide civil preparedness initiatives under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mock drill simulating air strike at Margao railway station was conducted wherein several casualties and fire incident were depicted and rescue operations held involving the Civil Defence team, Fire Emergency Services, Health Services, NCC cadets, Police and other rescue teams.
The exercise was led by Deputy Collector-Salcete Ganesh Barve, DySP Siddhant Shirodkar, Station Fire Officer Truptesh Naik and other officers of various departments were present at the venue.
Besides a mock exercise simulating an air strike scenario was conducted at IOCL, Vasco. The exercise depicted significant damage and fire resulting from the simulated strike. Four seriously injured workers were shifted to Chicalim Sub-District Hospital (SDH), while 20 workers were successfully rescued.
The operation was led by the Mamlatdar of Mormugao Pravinjay Pandit alongwith officials from the Police Department, Fire Services, Civil Defence, Medical Services, PWD, Traffic Department and various volunteer organizations extended their assistance during the exercise.
Similarly mock drill was conducted at Dabolim Airport to simulate an air strike scenario. In this exercise, 20 civilians, portrayed as trapped, were successfully rescued.
The operation was coordinated by the Deputy Collector of Mormugao Bhagwant Karmali. Assistance was provided by officials from various line departments and agencies.
The drills involved sirens, blackouts, exercise and training on civil defence, measures to prepare public for any emergency or hostile situations. The exercise aimed to enhance the preparedness of civil defence mechanism across the State.