United States: In the middle of present border and diplomatic standoffs, how much the entire world would suffer if either India or Pakistan were to use their nuclear weapons is something that most people do not realize. 

Regional Conflict With Global Fallout 

Beneath all that is said about national security and defence, we have a serious and frightful reality: This regional nuclear war between these two countries may become a global humanitarian, environmental, and economic disaster. 

Casualties Could Surpass World War II 

In a 2019 study published in Science Advances, a full-scale nuclear war between India and Pakistan could claim the lives of between 50 and 125 million people within seven days – a death toll that would be higher than that of the entire Second World War. 

The level of destruction carried out on the opposing side would be fueled by a growing nuclear arsenal of both sides, tbsnews.net reported. 

Expanding Arsenals Fuel Rising Danger 

Until the last estimate, India and Pakistan together have between 400 and 500 nuclear weapons, numbers that will continue growing to 2025. 

As far as these weapons go, they vary in strength from 12 up to over 45 kt, and some could even extend to hundreds of kilotons. The destruction would not be limited to nations’ borders. 

The same study discusses the climatic ramifications of regional nuclear war, one such effect known as a nuclear winter. 

Onset of a Nuclear Winter 

The firestorms resulting from a blast would emit between 16 and 36 teragrams (Tg) of black carbon smoke, scattered into the stratosphere and disseminated globally over the period of weeks. 

Such a thick layer of soot would trap 20% to 35% of sunlight, so that surface temperatures on Earth would drop by 2°C to 5°C. 

Global Food Supplies at Risk 

Rainfall would fall by 15%-30%, especially disturbing the already fragile South Asian monsoon cycle. The overall effect would be catastrophic to agriculture and water access, and worsen humanitarian catastrophes in areas that are already sensitive to climate shocks, tbsnews.net reported. 

The repercussions for world agriculture are very alarming as well. According to a 2022 study by Nature Food, a nuclear war between India and Pakistan would have devastating effects on the health of global food security. 

United States: The first drone war in the world between nuclear-armed neighbours has begun in South Asia. 

On Thursday, Islamabad was accused by India of sending waves of drones and missiles into the three military bases of Indian territory and Indian administered Kashmir; an accusation swiftly denied by Islamabad. 

More about the news 

Pakistan claimed it had shot down 25 Indian drones in the past few hours. Delhi remained publicly silent. 

Experts say this tit for tat phase of the war, this dangerous new chapter of the decades long rivalry has both sides shooting more than just artillery across a hot border line into each other’s territory using unmanned weapons. 

As Washington and other world powers call for gaps in restraint, the region is poised at the brink of escalation as the drones – silent, remote, and deniable – are beginning a new chapter in the India-Pakistan conflict. 

According to Jahara Matisek, a professor at the US Naval War College, “The Indo-Pak conflict is moving into a new drone era – one where ‘invisible eyes’ and unmanned precision may determine escalation or restraint. Thus, in South Asia’s contested skies, the side that masters drone warfare won’t just see the battlefield – they’ll shape it,” BBC News reported. 

Pakistan states that, since Wednesday morning, Indian air strikes and cross-border fire have claimed the lives of 36 and wounded another 57 in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 

On the other side, India’s army reports at least 16 civilians dead from Pakistani shelling. 

India insists its missile aggression was a retaliation for a deadly militant incident on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month, an attack, which Islamabad claims no part in, the BBC reported. 

Pakistan’s military said on Thursday it had shot down 25 Indian drones in different cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. 

The UAVs – reported to be Israeli-made Harop drones – were reported to have been intercepted using technical and weapon-based countermeasures. 

India said it had neutralized many Pakistani air defence radars and systems, including one from Lahore, whose claim was denied by Islamabad. 

United States: For the first time in history, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, an American. 

The name he chose was Pope Leo XIV. 

Global Message of Peace from St. Peter’s Balcony 

The 69-year-old new pontiff appeared from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and said, “Peace be with you all!” 

According to NPR News, he said he wanted his message of peace to “enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are.” 

He thanked his fellow cardinals for choosing him, and he spoke in Italian, Spanish, and Latin. 

After spending years working in Peru, he thanked his former diocese in the South American Country, “where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot,” he stated. 

He also respectfully spoke of the deceased Pope Francis and ended by having the platoon lead the crowd in prayer. 

**Live Updates** Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago Becomes First American Pope, Choses the Name Leo XIVhttps://t.co/nhFPlysstw

— DerekPinard (@DerekPinard) May 9, 2025

He emerged following white smoke rolling out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the 133 cardinals within had chosen a new pope. 

A roar went up amongst the crowd when they saw the white smoke, which they were able to see reflected on several large screens in St. Peter’s Square. 

The enormous bells of St. Peter’s Basilica started ringing, announcing that the Catholic Church had a new pope. 

The vote occurred during the second day of the election process, popularly known as the conclave. Other likely prospects had been identified by church experts, and no one had presumed that an American could win the papacy. 

World Leaders and Citizens React to US Papacy 

President Trump consoled with the new pope and expressed happiness to meet him. 

“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” as per Trump’s post on his social media. 

According to Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Pope Leo’s hometown of Chicago, who expressed local pride, “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!” 

Peru saw newspapers reporting that the new Pope is also a Peruvian citizen. 

He has lived in Peru for 20 years as a missionary and later as the bishop of Chiclayo, a city of half a million inhabitants off the northern coast of Peru.