WILL PAKISTAN INDIAN CULTS NUKE EACH OTHER.AND POPE FRANCIS BURIEL AT 4AM EST SATURDAY.

JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER. 1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)

WILL PAKISTAN INDIAN CULTS NUKE EACH OTHER.AND POPE FRANCIS BURIEL AT 4AM EST SATURDAY.


INVENTION OF THE ATOMIC BOMB.

2 PETER 3:10-11
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements (NUKES) shall melt with fervent heat,(BLAST) the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.(BUT ITS NO END OF THE WORLD HOGWASH)
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,(BY NUKES INCLUDING 3 BILLION PEOPLE) what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.

JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD FOR US THAT WE CAN BE SAVED FOREVER.AND DURING WW3 PEOPLES BLOOD WILL BE SHED AS A JUDGEMENT FOR HATING HIM AND ISRAEL.GOD IS NOT MOCKED.

ZEPHANIAH 1:2-3
2  I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
3  I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

PSALMS 97:3
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

EZEKIEL 5:15-17
15  So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the (ARAB/MUSLIM) nations that are round about thee,(ISRAEL) when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.
16  When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:
17  So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts,(WHEN RUSSIA/MUSLIMS GET DEFEATED THIER BODIES GET EATEN BY BIRDS,ANIMALS IN ISRAEL MIGRATION SEASON) and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee;(NUKES) and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.

REVELATION 14:18-20
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city,(JERUSALEM) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.(200 MILES) (THE SIZE OF ISRAEL)

ISAIAH 66:15-18
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire,(NUKES) and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:(GOD/ISRAEL HATE AND BRAKING OF HIS COMMANDMENTS) the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die - 3 BILLION).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.

JOEL 2:3,30

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their eyes shall consume away in their holes,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB)(BECAUSE NUKES HAVE BEEN USED ON ISRAELS ENEMIES)(GOD PROTECTS ISRAEL AND ALWAYS WILL)
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN WW3)(THIS IS AN ATOMIC BOMB EFFECT)

EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;(FROM ATOMIC BOMBS) and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(ATOMIC BOMBS)(RUSSIA CHINA DESTROYED BY ISRAELS ATOMIC BOMBS)

REVELATION 16:12-16
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates;(WERE WW3 STARTS IN IRAQ OR SYRIA OR TURKEY) and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,(SATAN) and out of the mouth of the beast,(WORLD DICTATOR) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.(FALSE POPE)
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.(WERE 2 BILLION DIE FROM NUKE WAR)
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

PROOF HALF ON EARTH DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD (8 BILLION ON EARTH)

REVELATION 6:7-8 (8 BILLION- 2 BILLION = 6 BILLION)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth,(2 BILLION) to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).

REVELATION 9:15,18 (6 BILLION - 2 BILLION = 4 BILLION)
15 And the four(DEMONIC WAR) angels were loosed,
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMBS)

HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)

LUKE 17:34-37 (8 TOTAL BILLION - 4 BILLION DEAD IN TRIB = 4 BILLION TO JESUS KINGDOM) (HALF DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD JUST LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS)(GOD DOES NOT LIE)(AND NOTICE MOST DIE IN WAR AND DISEASES-NOT COMETS-ASTEROIDS-QUAKES OR TSUNAMIS)
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other shall be left.(half earths population 4 billion die in the 7 yr trib)
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES.BECAUSE NOT HALF OF PEOPLE ON EARTH ARE CHRISTIANS.AND THE CONTEXT IN LUKE 17 IS THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION OR 7 YR TREATY PERIOD.WHICH IS JUDGEMENT ON THE EARTH.NOT 50% RAPTURED TO HEAVEN.

MATTHEW 24:37-42 (THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-SURE NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
42 Watch therefore:(FOR THE LAST DAYS SIGNS HAPPENING) for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

NAHUM 3:13
13 Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.

DR DOCTORION-ANGEL OF THE MIDEAST
"The angel showed me that the United Nations shall be broken in pieces because of the crisis in the Middle East. There shall be no more United Nations. The angel with the sickle shall reap the harvest.

FIRST ANGEL: ASIA
But the angel said: "Millions will die in China and in India. Nation will be against nation, brother against brother. Asians will fight each other. Nuclear weapons shall be used, killing millions."Twice I heard the words, "Catastrophic! Catastrophic!"Then the angel said, "Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world."I was trembling while the angel was speaking.

EU chief says talks with UK PM could 'pave way' for defence pact-by AFP Staff Writers.

London (AFP) April 24, 2025-Talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday could "pave the way" for a defence and security pact between Britain and the European Union, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said as the pair met in London.With a landmark post-Brexit EU-UK summit due next month, both sides are seeking to improve ties amid the global turmoil ushered in by US President Donald Trump.But Starmer faces a tricky balancing act, as he is also looking to reach out to the Trump administration and secure a favourable trade deal with the United States.UK and EU officials have been hoping a defence and security pact will be the highlight of the May 19 meeting, as Trump's return to the White House casts doubt on the United States' commitment to NATO and European security.Before Thursday's talks, European Commission President von der Leyen said the discussions with Starmer could lead to the UK joining a European defence programme."We will discuss work on a strategic security and defence partnership agreement, which might pave the way then to a joint procurement and UK participation in our SAFE programme," she said.She was referring to a 150-billion-euro ($170-billion) joint EU fund allowing countries to buy missiles, artillery, drones, ammunition and other equipment.Britain needs to sign a defence pact to be included in the fund, which could benefit UK companies including BAE Systems and Rolls Royce.- Post-Brexit 'reset' -The London summit in May is also meant to turn the page on years of post-Brexit strife, as part of a "reset" in relations promised by Starmer.Welcoming von der Leyen to his Downing Street office after the pair attended a global energy security summit in London, Starmer said: "In a world which seems increasingly unstable with an uncertain future, it is so good that we are working so closely together on so many issues."Following the talks, a Downing Street spokesperson said the pair made "good progress", without giving details on the defence pact.The discussions "focused on a range of issues including Ukraine, energy security, the global economy and defence," the spokesperson said.Von der Leyen posted on X that there was "great potential for more cooperation" on energy, migration, and "a dedicated partnership" on defence and security.May's summit is set to be a milestone in Labour leader Starmer's pursuit of closer relations with the bloc following Britain's bitter 2020 departure under the previous Conservative government.However Starmer has laid out strict red lines, while the EU has its own demands, raising questions about what exactly the talks can achieve.Starmer has vowed Britain will not return to the single market or customs union and has ruled out signing up to freedom of movement across EU-UK borders.lcm/rlp-BAE Systems

Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in Kashmir.

New Delhi, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025-Troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir, officials said Friday, after the United Nations urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show "maximum restraint" following a deadly shooting in the region.Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century.Syed Ashfaq Gilani, a government official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, told AFP Friday that troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LOC) that separates the two countries."There was no firing on the civilian population," he added.India's army confirmed there had been limited firing of small arms that it said had been "initiated by Pakistan", adding it had been "effectively responded to".Indian security forces have launched a giant manhunt for those responsible for killing 26 male tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, with police naming two Pakistani nationals among the fugitive gunmen.On Friday Indian troops blew up homes in Kashmir in their search and issued wanted posters with sketches of three men.Denying involvement, Islamabad said attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack were "frivolous"."Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a statement said, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee with top military chiefs.Pakistan's Senate on Friday passed a resolution condemning a "campaign by the Indian government to malign the Pakistan government".- Water treaty suspended -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier had earlier said his country would "track and punish every terrorist and their backer.""We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth."UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that issues between the countries "can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement".Meanwhile US President Donald Trump downplayed the tensions, saying aboard Air Force One that the dispute will get "figured out, one way or another".Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. Both claim the territory in full but govern separate portions of it.Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.India's air force and navy carried out military exercises Thursday.Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation.They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest.- 'Reduce it to dust' -A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.Islamabad in response ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side.Pakistan also warned that any attempt by India to stop water supply from the Indus River would be an "act of war."Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces.The UN Security Council, in a declaration Friday, condemned the "terrorist attack" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline.In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war.Tuesday's assault happened as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons.Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith.burs-pjm/ecl/bjt/jbr

India and Pakistan urged to have 'maximum restraint' after Kashmir attack-by AFP Staff Writers.

New Delhi (AFP) April 25, 2025-The United Nations urged India and Pakistan to show "maximum restraint" as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures over a deadly shooting in Kashmir.Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century."We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday."Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement".Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians at the popular tourist site of Pahalgam, after Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani."I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said, in his first speech since Tuesday's attack in the Himalayan region."We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth."Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action."Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a Pakistani statement said, after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee with top military chiefs.Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since its independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it.Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.India's air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday.Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation.They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest.A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side.Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war."- 'Reduce it to dust' -Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces.Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline, with some speculating that it may come within days while others say weeks.In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war."Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust," Modi said on Thursday, after holding two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian.India has taken its time to respond to past attacks.The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35.Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later.Tuesday's assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons.Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith.Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained.The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation.burs-pjm/dhc

India vows 'loud and clear' response to Kashmir attack-By Parvaiz BUKHARI.

Pahalgam (AFP) April 23, 2025-India's defence minister vowed on Wednesday a swift response to those who carried out and planned the Kashmir region's worst attack on civilians in years."Those responsible and behind such an act will very soon hear our response, loud and clear," Rajnath Singh said in a speech in New Delhi, a day after gunmen killed 26 men at a tourist hotspot in the contested Himalayan region."We won't just reach those people who carried out the attack. We will also reach out to those who planned this from behind the scenes on our land."Singh did not identify those he believes are responsible for the killings, but said that "India's government will take every step that may be necessary and appropriate".No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in the Muslim-majority region where rebels have waged an insurgency since 1989.They are seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan, which controls a smaller part of the Kashmir region and, like India, claims it in full.- 'Serious risk' -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that those responsible for the "heinous act" will "be brought to justice".Modi is set to hold an emergency cabinet meeting with top security chiefs later on Wednesday."Their evil agenda will never succeed," Modi said in a statement shortly after the attack. "Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger."Nuclear-armed arch-rivals India and Pakistan have long accused each other of backing forces to destabilise the other, and New Delhi says Islamabad backs the gunmen behind the insurgency.Islamabad denies the allegation, saying it only supports Kashmir's struggle for self-determination.Pakistan's foreign ministry on Wednesday offered its "condolences to the near ones of the deceased".Analyst Michael Kugelman said the attack posed a "very serious risk of a new crisis between India and Pakistan, and probably the most serious risk of a crisis since the brief military conflict that happened in 2019".- Blood stains -Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack had been "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians" in recent years.A hospital list verified by police recorded 26 men who were killed on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen burst out of forests at a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam and raked crowds of visitors with automatic weapons.All those killed were listed as residents of India except one man from Nepal.In a separate incident in Kashmir at Baramulla on Wednesday, the army killed two people after a "heavy exchange of fire", saying the gunmen were part of an "infiltration bid" crossing the contested frontier from Pakistan.AFP journalists near the site of the Pahalgam attack reported a heavy deployment of security forces. Pahalgam is popular with tourists in summer and is about 90 kilometres (55 miles) by road from the city of Srinagar.Smears of blood could still be seen on the grass where the killings took place as forensic investigators searched for evidence.A tour guide told AFP he had carried some of the wounded away on horseback.Waheed, who gave only one name, said he saw several men lying dead on the ground, while a witness who requested anonymity said the attackers were "clearly sparing women".The killings came a day after Modi met US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi.The deadliest previous attack on civilians was in March 2000 when 36 Indians were killed on the eve of a visit by then-US president Bill Clinton.- 'Heinous' -US President Donald Trump called Modi to offer "full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack".China, which neighbours the troubled region, offered its "sincere sympathies" to the families of those killed.India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers permanently deployed in the territory but fighting has eased since Modi's government revoked Kashmir's limited autonomy in 2019.Authorities in recent years have promoted the mountainous region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering summer heat elsewhere in India.Around 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, mostly domestic visitors.The worst attack in recent years was in Pulwama in February 2019 when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding at least 35 others.

India and Pakistan: A history of division and war.

New Delhi (AFP) April 24, 2025 - Nuclear-armed arch-rivals India and Pakistan have long accused each other of backing forces to destabilise them, especially in the contested Himalayan region of Kashmir that each controls parts of.New Delhi regularly blames Islamabad for backing gunmen in Kashmir, who have fought an insurgency against Indian forces since 1989.Islamabad denies it backs the insurgents, saying it only supports Muslim-majority Kashmir's struggle for self-determination.The killing of 26 people in Indian-run Kashmir on Tuesday signalled a dramatic escalation in violence -- targeting civilians and the area's vital tourism industry -- and a shift from the common small-scale clashes between militants and security forces.India on Wednesday took a raft of diplomatic measures against Islamabad, including shutting its key land border crossing and suspending a water-sharing treaty.Pakistan then announced a meeting of its National Security Committee, summoned only in cases of external threat or major attack.Here are key events in their troubled relationship.- 1947: Partition and war -Two centuries of British rule end on August 15, 1947, with the sub-continent divided into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.The poorly prepared partition unleashes bloodshed that kills possibly more than a million people and displaces 15 million others.Kashmir's monarch dithers on whether to submit to Indian or Pakistani rule.But, after the suppression of uprising against his rule, Pakistan-backed militants attack. He seeks India's help -- precipitating an all-out war between both countries.A UN-backed, 770-kilometre (478-mile) ceasefire line in January 1949 divides Kashmir, known as the Line of Control.- 1965-71: Kashmir and Bangladesh wars -Pakistan launches a second war in August 1965 when it invades Kashmir.The conflict ends seven weeks later after a ceasefire brokered by the Soviet Union with thousands of soldiers dead on each side.Pakistan deploys troops at the start of 1971 to suppress a growing independence movement in what is now Bangladesh, which it had governed since 1947.An estimated three million people are killed in the nine-month conflict and millions more flee into India.India invades Bangladesh, forcing Pakistan's surrender in 1971.- 1989-90: Rebellion in Kashmir -An uprising breaks out in Kashmir in 1989 as longstanding grievances at Indian rule boil over.Hindus and other minorities flee the region over the following year after targeted assassinations, assaults, and threats by rebel fighters.Tens of thousands of soldiers, rebels and civilians are killed in the following decades in clashes between security forces and militants.India accuses Pakistan of funding the rebels and aiding their weapons training.- 1998-99: Nuclear weapons and Kargil conflict -Pakistan conducts its first public nuclear weapons tests in 1998, following India, which first conducted tests in 1974.Pakistan-backed militants cross into Indian-administered Kashmir in 1999, seizing military posts in the icy heights of the Kargil mountains.Raja Mohammad Zafarul Haq, a leading member of Pakistan's ruling party, says his country will not refrain from using nuclear weapons to protect its security if necessary.Pakistan yields after severe pressure from Washington, alarmed by intelligence reports showing Islamabad had deployed part of its nuclear arsenal nearer to the conflict.Pakistan's then prime minister Nawaz Sharif blames army chief Pervez Musharraf for igniting the conflict, which killed at least 1,000 people over 10 weeks, without his knowledge or approval. Musharraf overthrows Sharif in a coup months later.- 2008-Present: Mumbai attacks and Modi -Islamist gunmen attack the Indian financial hub of Mumbai in 2008, killing 166 people.India blames Pakistan's intelligence service for the assault and suspends peace talks. Contacts resume in 2011, but the situation is marred by sporadic fighting.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015 but the diplomatic thaw is short-lived.A 2019 suicide attack kills 41 Indian paramilitary troops in Kashmir and prompts Modi to order airstrikes inside Pakistan.The resulting stand-off between the two nations is swiftly defused and Modi is re-elected months later, partly on a wave of nationalist fervour spurred by the military response.Later, Modi's government cancels Kashmir's partial autonomy, a sudden decision accompanied by mass arrests and a months-long communications blackout.In 2021, both nations reaffirm a 2003 ceasefire, but Pakistan insists that peace talks can resume only if India reinstates Kashmir's pre-2019 autonomous status.

India, Pakistan and the Kashmir attack: what we know by AFP Staff Writers.

New Delhi (AFP) April 24, 2025-Long-troubled relations between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan rapidly worsened after gunmen targeting tourists killed 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir.It was the deadliest attack on civilians in the disputed Himalayan territory in a quarter of a century.India accuses Pakistan of being behind Tuesday's attack but Islamabad rejects those claims as "frivolous".The South Asian neighbours have issued a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures but analysts fear any further escalation could involve military action.- What happened? -Holidaymakers escaping the sweltering heat of India's lowland plains were enjoying the tranquil meadows of the Baisaran Valley on Tuesday. The popular site lies beneath snowcapped mountains near the town of Pahalgam.Gunmen burst out of surrounding pine forests, raking the crowds with automatic weapons.Survivors told reporters that the gunmen separated men from women and children and then executed several at close range.They also reported that the gunmen ordered some of the men to recite the Muslim declaration of faith.Those who could not were shot.All 26 killed were Indian nationals, except one from Nepal.Most were Hindus. One was a Kashmiri Muslim who gave horse rides for tourists.- What is the issue in Kashmir? -Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full.Rebels in the Indian-run area have waged an insurgency since 1989, seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan.Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.New Delhi's government revoked the region's limited autonomy in 2019 and India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers deployed permanently in the territory.- Who were the attackers? -Indian police have identified two Pakistani nationals among the three fugitive alleged gunmen. The other is Indian.Police say they are members of the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.A shadowy group called The Resistance Front (TRF)has purportedly claimed responsibility, according to an unverified claim quoted by some Indian media.India designates TRF as a terrorist organisation and the India-based Observer Research Foundation calls it "a smokescreen and an offshoot of LeT".- Who is responsible? -New Delhi regularly blames Islamabad for backing gunmen in Kashmir.Islamabad denies such charges, saying it only backs Kashmir's struggle for self-determination.New Delhi issued fresh claims after this attack, saying Islamabad supported "cross-border terrorism".Pakistan has denied any role in the attack.- How has India responded? -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to "punish every terrorist and their backer".New Delhi has also issued a raft of punitive diplomatic measures.Those include suspending a water-sharing treaty, the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan and downgrading diplomatic ties.India has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country, with the exception of remaining diplomats, by April 29.- How has Pakistan responded? -Pakistan hit back with tit-for-tat measures, including expelling New Delhi's diplomats, and cancelling visas for Indian nationals with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.It also closed its airspace to Indian airlines.Islamabad also warned it would regard any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the headwaters of the Indus River as an "act of war".- How has Kashmir been affected? -The attack targeting tourists was a dramatic shift from the previously common smaller-scale assaults against Indian security forces.Tourism is vital to the region's economy and analysts say the unprecedented targeting of visitors will be a body blow to the industry.Hoteliers reported mass cancellations at the start of the usually busy summer season.Indian security forces have also launched a huge manhunt, with large numbers of people detained.Rights groups say previous crackdowns have seen sweeping arrests and a repression of civil liberties.- What will happen next? -Some fear New Delhi's diplomatic moves may just be an opening salvo -- with the potential risk of military action.The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35.Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later.

Trump says India, Pakistan to settle dispute 'one way or another'.

Aboard Air Force One, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025-US President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed concerns over mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, saying the dispute between the nuclear-armed neighbors will get "figured out, one way or another."Trump was asked aboard Air Force One about crumbling relations between India and Pakistan as the fallout deepens from a deadly attack on civilians by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir."There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years so, you know, it's the same as it has been," Trump told reporters."But they'll get it figured out, one way or another."Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it.Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.Tensions have flared since Tuesday, when 26 male tourists were killed by gunmen in the Kashmir town of Pahalgam.Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organization.A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action.Officials said Friday that there was an overnight exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces at the Line of Control."There's great tension between Pakistan and India but there always has been," Trump said.

Zelensky says Russia used North Korean missile in Kyiv attack-by AFP Staff Writers.

Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) April 24, 2025-Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in deadly Kyiv attack that killed 12 and wounded dozens."According to preliminary information, the Russians used a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea. Our special services are verifying all the details," Zelensky said on social media.

THIS IRAN BULL IS JUST ALL STALLING. THEY WANT PEACE LIKE I WANNA VOMIT ALL OVER MYSELF. ITS ALL HOGWASH. AND SPEAKING OF IRANIAN PIGS. GO POLUTE THESE DEATH CULTIST BY POURING PIGS BLOOD ALL OVER MOUTHPIECE KHEMENIS PALACES. WHILE YOU NEUTRALIZE HIM AND HIS RADICAL GUARDS AND THE NUKE SITES TO HELL FIRE FOREVER TRUMP AND ISRAEL. LET THE MIGRATING BIRDS FROM ISRAEL HAVE A FEAST ON BLACK HAT OF VODKA KHEMENI HIMSELF.

Iran FM says ready to visit Berlin, Paris, London for nuclear talks-by AFP Staff Writers.

Tehran (AFP) April 24, 2025-Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday he would be willing to visit Germany, France and Britain for talks on his country's nuclear programme.Tehran recently reopened nuclear talks with its arch-foe the United States, engaging in two rounds of mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome, with a third slated for Saturday back in the Omani capital.Germany, France and Britain, along with the United States, were among the parties to a landmark 2015 deal that placed curbs Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief -- a deal that collapsed after US President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018."After my recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, I am ready to take the first step with visits to Paris, Berlin and London," Araghchi said in a post on X, adding that he was open to talks "not only on the nuclear issue, but in each and every other area of mutual interest and concern".Araghchi was in China on Wednesday to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi ahead of Saturday's talks with the United States.Last week he visited Moscow for similar discussions and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Araghchi voiced satisfaction at the level of cooperation with allies China and Russia, but said on Thursday that ties with the three European powers, or E3, "are currently down".He added that "the ball is now in the E3's court", saying they "have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path".French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told AFP that Paris would wait and see "if this announcement by the Iranian minister is followed by effects".He added that France "will very willingly continue to dialogue with the Iranians" on the nuclear subject.Germany and Britain did not immediately comment on the matter.- Snapback -Iran and the E3 have recently taken steps to re-establish a dialogue on the nuclear issue, holding a handful of meetings since late last year.Following Washington's withdrawal, Tehran stuck to the 2015 agreement for a year before scaling back its compliance, increasing its enrichment of uranium to up to 60 percent -- far above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal, but short of the 90 percent required for a bomb.In December, the three European countries warned of the possibility of triggering the so-called "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 accord if Iran continued to develop its nuclear programme.If triggered, the mechanism would automatically reinstate UN sanctions on Iran over its non-compliance. The option to activate it expires in October.Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European countries to decide whether to use the option.Iran has previously warned it could withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the mechanism were triggered.On Wednesday Araghchi slammed, without elaborating, "attempts by the Israeli regime and certain Special Interest groups to derail diplomacy" and undermine the ongoing talks with the US.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Wednesday that Iran was an existential threat and warned that "the fate of all humanity" was at stake if it acquired nuclear arms.Iran has consistently denied allegations it is pursuing an atomic bomb, insisting its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.Western governments have also criticised Iran's missile programme and accused it of providing Russia with weapons in its war against Ukraine.Iran has denied the accusations, saying it has not supported any side in the conflict.rkh-mz/smw

Iran FM Araghchi arrives in Oman ahead of nuclear talks with US.

Tehran, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025-Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Friday ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States, after both sides said progress had been made in previous rounds.Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X that "Araghchi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Muscat for the third round of Iran-US talks".Iran's Mehr news agency released a brief video showing the foreign minister disembarking from an Iranian government plane in Muscat.Baqaei said Araghchi would be leading the delegation of diplomats and technical experts in the indirect discussions with the US side.US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will represent the United States in the talks.The latest round will include expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, leading the technical discussions on the US side, the department said.Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will lead the Iranian technical team.Baqaei wrote on X that Iran's delegation is "resolved to secure our nation's legitimate and lawful right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while taking reasonable steps to demonstrate that our programme is entirely peaceful"."Termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions in an objective and speedy manner is a priority that we seek to achieve," he added.According to Baqaei, the dialogue will again be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Saturday morning.The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12.- Calling for 'goodwill' -Since his return to office in January, Trump has reimposed sweeping sanctions under his policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran.In March, he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for talks but warning of possible military action if they failed to produce a deal.Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that its programme is for peaceful civilian purposes.Baqaei earlier Friday said "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side".Iran will treat Saturday's talks seriously, Araghchi said in a recent interview, "and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress".In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark nuclear deal signed three years earlier between Tehran and major world powers. The agreement eased sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.After Trump's pullout, Tehran complied with the agreement for a year before scaling back its compliance.Iran currently enriches uranium up to 60 percent, far above the 3.67 percent limit in the 2015 deal but still below the 90 percent threshold required for weapons-grade material.In an interview published by Time Magazine on Friday, Trump said the United States will "lead the pack" in attacking Iran if nuclear talks do not lead to a new deal.But he expressed hope that an agreement could be reached and said he would be willing to meet Khamenei.rkh/it/smw

Israel army warns of 'larger' Gaza assault as strikes kill 55-By AFP teams in Gaza with Alice Chancellor in Jerusalem.

Gaza City, Palestinian Territories (AFP) April 24, 2025-Gaza rescue teams and medics said Israeli air strikes killed at least 55 people on Thursday, as the military threatened an even larger offensive if hostages were not freed soon.Israel resumed its military assault in the Gaza Strip on March 18, after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire that had brought a temporary halt to fighting in the blockaded Palestinian territory.Israel's army chief, visiting troops in Gaza on Thursday, threatened to expand the offensive in Gaza if hostages seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel were not released."If we do not see progress in the return of the hostages in the near future, we will expand our activities to a larger and more significant operation," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said.The warning came as the army issued fresh evacuation orders for northern areas of Gaza ahead of a planned attack.Earlier in the day, six members of one family -- a couple and their four children -- were killed when an air strike levelled their home in northern Gaza City, the civil defence agency said in a statement.Nidal al-Sarafiti, a relative, said the strike happened as the family was sleeping."What can I say? The destruction has spared no one," he told AFP.Nine people were killed and several wounded in another strike on a former police station in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, according to a statement from the Indonesian hospital, where the casualties were taken. "Everyone started running and screaming, not knowing what to do from the horror and severity of the bombing," said Abdel Qader Sabah, 23, from Jabalia .Israel's military said it struck a Hamas "command and control centre" in the area but did not say whether it was the police station.In another deadly attack, the bodies of 12 people were recovered after the Hajj Ali family home, also in Jabalia, was struck, the civil defence said.Another 28 people were killed in strikes across the territory, medics and the civil defence agency reported.They came as the Israeli military ordered Palestinians living in the northern areas of Beit Hanoun and Sheikh Zayed to evacuate ahead of an attack."Due to ongoing terrorist activities and sniper fire against IDF troops in the area, the IDF is intensely operating in the area," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X.The United Nations has warned that Israel's expanding evacuation orders across Gaza are resulting in the "forcible transfer" of people into ever-shrinking areas.Aid agencies estimate that the vast majority of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once since the war began.- Killed 'one by one' -In the aftermath of a strike in Khan Yunis, AFP footage showed bodies on the ground, including those of a young woman and a boy in body bags, surrounded by grieving relatives kissing and stroking their faces."One by one we are getting martyred, dying in pieces," said Rania al-Jumla who lost her sister in another strike in Khan Yunis.Since Israel resumed its military operations, at least 1,978 people have been killed in Gaza, raising the overall death toll to at least 51,355 since the war began, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.The military acknowledged on Thursday that Israeli tank fire had killed a UN worker in the central Gaza city of Deir el-Balah last month, according to an investigation's initial findings.It had initially denied operating in the area where a Bulgarian employee of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was killed on March 19.Bulgaria said it had received an "official apology" from Israel over the killing.The findings came after the military on Sunday reported on a separate probe into the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers in Gaza.It admitted that operational failures led to their deaths, and said a field commander would be dismissed.The war was ignited by the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.During the attack, militants also abducted 251 people and took them to Gaza. Of those, 58 remain in captivity, including 34 the military says are dead.Israeli officials maintain that the ongoing military campaign is essential to securing the release of the remaining hostages.However, many families of the captives, along with thousands of protesters, have strongly criticised the authorities for pressing ahead with the offensive rather than striking a deal.

Spain awarded Israel defence firms 46 contracts since Gaza war: report.

Madrid, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025-Spain has awarded 46 contracts worth more than one billion euros to Israeli defence firms since the outbreak of the Gaza war, breaking the leftist government's pledge not to trade arms with Israel, researchers said on Friday.Their conclusions come after a now-cancelled deal with an Israeli company to supply bullets to the Spanish Civil Guard rocked the Socialist-led minority coalition government this week.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's military operations in Gaza, halted weapons transactions with Israel after the start of the war following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.But according to Centre Delas, a Barcelona-based think tank specialising in security and defence, the government has granted 46 contracts worth 1,044,558,955 euros ($1.2 billion) to Israeli companies based on data published on a public tenders platform.Of the 46 contracts, which include deals for rocket launchers and missiles, 10 have not been formalised, the think tank said in a statement on Friday that previewed an upcoming report."It is clearly demonstrated that the government lied, there was no pledge, that was pure propaganda," report co-author Eduardo Melero told AFP.Although some contracts were to maintain or modernise previously acquired products, others were new deals that "could increase the dependence... on an industry essential to perpetrate a genocide", the statement said."If the government had agreed a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel that included, among other measures, imports and bans on hiring Israeli defence companies or their subsidiaries, none of these contracts would have been signed," the statement added.- 'Political purposes' -The interior ministry told AFP it met the commitment not to sell or buy Israeli weapons and that the report included contracts which the government has announced it will terminate."Consignments of equipment destined for self-defence are also included and which are not considered subject to the pledge not to sign weapons purchase contracts with Israeli companies," the ministry said.According to Melero, items such as bulletproof material count as defence equipment in Spanish legislation and buying them "is clearly against the pledge".The defence ministry had not responded to a request for comment.On Thursday, Israel condemned the cancellation of the contract to supply bullets to the Civil Guard and accused the Spanish government of "sacrificing security considerations for political purposes".Spain "continues to stand on the wrong side of history -- against the Jewish state that is defending itself from terrorist attacks", the Israeli foreign ministry said.The unprecedented Hamas-led attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.Palestinian militants also seized 251 hostages in their attack and 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.Israel's military response in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis and killed at least 51,439 people, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.The United Nations considers the figures reliable.

Spain scraps contested Israeli arms deal after uproar-By Christian CHAISE.

Madrid (AFP) April 24, 2025-Spain on Thursday cancelled a contract to buy bullets from an Israeli company following pressure from the Socialist-led government's far-left coalition partner -- a move swiftly condemned by Israel.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's military operations in Gaza, halted weapons transactions with Israel after the outbreak of the war following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.The interior ministry sought to terminate the 6.8-million-euro ($7.8 million) contract with Israeli firm IMI Systems, which was to supply bullets to the Spanish Civil Guard police force.But on Wednesday the ministry said it had abandoned its attempt to cancel the deal after state legal services advised against it "due to the advanced stage of the processing of the contract" and because it would have had to pay without receiving the bullets.The far-left Sumar party, the junior partner in Sanchez's ruling coalition, reacted angrily, calling the reversal "a blatant violation" of the government's pledge not to trade weapons with Israel.On Thursday government sources said the contract would be "unilaterally" terminated."The investment board for dual-use material will deny this company permission to import this equipment to our country for reasons of general interest and, immediately afterwards, the interior ministry will terminate the contract," the sources added.Sumar's Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz said she had personally "negotiated" with the interior minister and the prime minister to pull the plug on the contract.Spain "cannot buy arms from a government that massacres the Palestinian people", she told reporters.Israel's military offensive has devastated Gaza and killed more than 50,000 people in the tiny coastal territory, according to the health ministry there.Israel said it "strongly condemns" the decision to cancel the contract, and accused the Spanish government of "sacrificing security considerations for political purposes".Spain "continues to stand on the wrong side of history -- against the Jewish state that is defending itself from terrorist attacks", Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement to AFP.The row over the contract came as Sumar was still reeling from Sanchez's announcement on Tuesday that Madrid will boost defence spending to two percent of annual economic output this year -- the benchmark agreed by NATO allies.The government had previously aimed to meet this target in 2029 but brought it forward under pressure from Washington.Sanchez's minority government has struggled to pass legislation since he secured a new term in 2023 by cobbling together an alliance of left-wing and regional separatist parties traditionally hostile to NATO and alignment with US foreign policy.- Conservative criticism -Spain's main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) criticised the government's decision to cancel the contract."When a state concludes a contract with another state, it must be respected," PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo told reporters."What is the price of cancelling this contract? Who is going to pay it?" he asked.The Hamas attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.Palestinian militants also seized 251 hostages in their attack and 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.Israel's military response in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis and killed at least 51,355 people, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.The United Nations considers the figures reliable.The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The U.S. cannot confront China alone, former Deputy Secretary of State warns-by Thomas Maresca.

Washington DC (UPI) Apr 23, 2025-The United States must strengthen its alliances with global partners, particularly South Korea and Japan, to face the rising challenge posed by China, the former chief architect of White House strategy on Asia said Wednesday.Kurt Campbell, National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs under the administration of President Joe Biden, made the remarks in a keynote address at the Asan Plenum, a forum in Seoul hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.Campbell, who also served as Deputy Secretary of State, warned that the "America First" foreign policy favored by President Donald Trump is a "recipe for failure" when confronting an empowered China.The isolationist faction in Washington "argues that it is better for the United States to think about itself, largely alone, putting its own interests above others," Campbell said."That's often referred to as 'America First,' but if you're not careful, it will turn into America alone," he said. "There are going to be some who say we're going to do this by ourselves. That is a recipe for failure."Washington and Beijing are locked in a global competition across a number of arenas from technology to trade to military prowess. In a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee earlier this month, the leader of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command cautioned that Beijing is outproducing the United States in air, maritime and missile capacity and is accelerating its space capabilities."[China's] unprecedented military modernization encompassing advancements in artificial intelligence, [hypersonic missiles], space-based capabilities, among others, poses a real and serious threat to our homeland, to our allies and to our partners," Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo said.In his address Wednesday, Campbell said that the United States once had the industrial and technological capacity to handle any challenges on the global stage, but China's threat is unprecedented -- and underestimated in Washington."[China has] made remarkable investments technologically, in terms of manufacturing, robots, shipbuilding, the largest warfare buildup in history," Campbell said."I will posit to you that the United States cannot take on this challenge alone," he said. "The only way forward is to double down and work much more closely with allies and partners to take on these challenges."South Korea will play a central role, Campbell said, and can partner with the United States in crucial areas such as shipbuilding, part of a maritime industry that the White House is seeking to revive."The ROK has the ability to assist a largely moribund effort in the United States," he said, using South Korea's official acronym. "It is the ROK that can help us, that can work with us in very productive partnerships."South Korea is the world's second-largest shipbuilder after China, and trade officials in Seoul are hoping cooperation will be a key negotiating tool in addressing 25% tariffs on exports that the Trump administration has said it plans to impose.South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also mentioned joint economic activities such as shipbuilding and liquid natural gas projects in his introductory remarks at the Asan Plenum, saying they would form part of a "win-win cooperation" with the United States.Under the Biden administration, Washington strengthened its trilateral relationship with Seoul and Tokyo, highlighted by an August 2023 Camp David summit with former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.Campbell, who was instrumental in facilitating the summit, said that the trilateral alliance is "of central importance" and that Washington should involve South Korea and Japan more deeply in decision-making around military and nuclear use as it did with Europe during the Cold War."If we can work together strategically, militarily, politically, it will have a profound impact on peace and stability in Northeast Asia and it will be a strong deterrent for provocations from a number of countries, including North Korea and China," Campbell said."Behind closed doors, the Chinese regard the American ability to work with partners and allies as our most significant ticket to the big game," Campbell added. "Our ability to convene and engage frankly causes some pause in Beijing, and it will be something we need to sustain going forward."

A FALSE PROPHET COMES FROM THE VATICAN ALSO AT THIS TIME.

ISAIAH 23:15-17
15  And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
16  Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
17  And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.(COULD THIS BE 70 YEARS AFTER ISRAEL BECAME A NATION IN 1948)(IF SO THIS SATANIC ONE WORLD WHORE CHURCH WILL MINGLE TOGETHER BY 2018)(AND NOW ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY AND ALL RELIGIONS ARE MINGLING AS ONE PEACE-LOVE-JOY-GET ALONG RELIGION LEAD BY THE VATICAN RIGHT NOW 4 YEARS FROM THE 70 YEAR TIME WHEN ISRAEL BECAME A NATION).AND IN CONTROL OF JERUSALEM.

REVELATION 13:11-18
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;(FALSE VATICAN POPE) and he had two horns like a lamb,(JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD) and he spake as a dragon.(HES SATANICALLY INSPIRED,HES A CHRISTIAN DEFECTOR FROM THE FAITH)
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,(WORLD DICTATOR) and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.(THE WORLD DICTATOR CREATES A FALSE RESURRECTION AND IS CROWNED LEADER OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER).
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM

REVELATION 17:1-18
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:(VATICAN)
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,(VATICAN IN POLITICS) and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.(THATS PEDOPHELIA-FORNICATION IS SINGLES HAVING SEX OUT SIDE OF MARRIAGE)(AND SINCE PREISTS CAN NOT MARRY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS FALSE CHURCH GOES AGAINST THE BIBLE.THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BECOMES A HOMOSEXUAL HAVEN OF PEDOPHILIAS FACTORY).  
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman (FALSE CHURCH) was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour,(VATICAN COLOURS)(ANOTHER REASON WE KNOW THE FALSE POPE COMES FROM THE VATICAN) and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:(THE VATICAN GOES AGAINST A PRIEST MARRING A WOMAN-LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS-AND WHATS AN ABOMINATION AGAINST GOD-HOMOSEXUALITY AND PEDOPHILIA JUST LIKE THIS SCRIPTURE SAYS-FORNICATION IS THE SINGLE HOMOSEXUAL PRIESTS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAVING UNMARRIED FORNICATION OR SEX WITH SINGLES-IN THIS CASE ITS SEX WITH CHILDREN OR PEDOPHILIA)
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen,(1-ASSYRIA,2-EGYPT,3-BABYLON,4-MEDO-PERSIA,5-GREECE) and one is,(IN POWER IN JOHNS AND JESUS DAY-6-ROME) and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.(7TH-REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE OR THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY AND THE SHORT SPACE IS-THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL HAVE WORLD CONTROL FOR THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS.BUT WILL HAVE ITS MIGHTY WORLD POWER FOR THE FULL 7 YEARS OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.AND THE WORLD DICTATOR WILL BE THE BEAST FROM THE EU.AND THE VATICAN POPE WILL BE THE WHORE THAT RIDES THE EUROPEAN UNION TO POWER.AND THE 2 EUROPEAN UNION POWER FREAKS WILL CONTROL AND DECIEVE THE WHOLE EARTH INTO THEIR DESTRUCTION.IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.YOU WILL BE DECIEVED BY THESE TWO.THE WORLD POLITICIAN-THE EUROPEAN UNION DICTATOR.AND THE FALSE PROPHET THAT DEFECTS CHRISTIANITY-THE FALSE VATICAN POPE.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.(VATICAN-CATHOLICS ALL AROUND THE WORLD OVER 1 BILLION)
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast,(WORLD DICTATOR) these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.(GOD HIMSELF GIVES THE OK TO NUKE THE VATICAN)
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.(VATICAN)

LET ME GUESS WHO THE NEXT LIBERAL FALSE POPE FROM THE VATICAN COULD BE. HE AS TO BE A PETER THE ROMAN FROM ROME.
1-Pietro Parolin-Age: 70 (PETER THE ROMAN
2-Peter Turkson-Age: 76 (THE BLACK POPE)

Holy See Communiqué, 24.04.2025-“The poor have a special place in God’s heart”. So too in the heart and Magisterium of the Holy Father, who chose the name Francis so as to never forget them. For this reason, a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pay their last respects to Pope Francis before the interment of the coffin.
INSTRUCTIONS-27 APRIL 2025-EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION-ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE NOVENDIALI-On 27 April 2025, Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, on the second day of the Novendiali, at 10.30, on the parvis of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Eucharistic Celebration in memory of the Roman Pontiff Francis will take place, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State.However, each day they will involve the participation of a different group, taking into account its links with the Roman Pontiff. This variety of assemblies shows, in a certain way, both the scope of the ministry of the Supreme Pastor and the universality of the Church of Rome (cf. Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, nos. 124-125). On the second day, the employees and faithful of Vatican City are specially invited. This celebration will also be attended by many teenagers in Rome for the Jubilee dedicated to them. Entrance tickets are not required.For the circumstance, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announces as follows:The following may concelebrate:- The Patriarchs and Cardinals, who must be present by 9.45 in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian, bringing with them their white damask mitre; - The Archbishops and Bishops, who must be present by 9.30 in the Braccio di Costantino, bringing with them their amice, surplice, cincture and simple white mitre; - The Presbyters and Deacons, who must be present by 9.00, directly in the sector reserved for them in Saint Peter’s Square, where they will put on their amice, surplice, cincture and white stole. Tickets are not required for the concelebration, but it will be necessary to present the celebret.Vatican City, 23 April 2025✠ Diego Ravelli-Titular Archbishop of Recanati-Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations

Next Pope odds: Who are the favourites to succeed Pope Francis at the Vatican?-The new Pope should be elected by May 6th as the 135 eligible members of the College of Cardinals begin the process after Saturday's funeral.Pope Francis.By PP Staff / Politics / APR 25,25

Vatican chiefs are set to meet in conclave to elect the next Pope after Francis’ sad passing.Dublin-born Kevin Farrell is running the show until the white smoke emerges, but an unpredictable contest is underway – where 90 of the 135 eligible votes must be secured – to become successor to the beloved Pontiff.We’ve taken a look at Paddy Power’s Next Pope Betting to find out who the leading contenders are.Pietro Parolin-Age: 70-The Italian (below) was the deceased Pope Francis’ chief adviser and sits at the head of Paddy Power’s market. While 80 per cent of Popes throughout history were Italian, there hasn’t been an Italian pontiff appointed in four decades, as the Catholic Church looked to expand its influence beyond Europe. Has a reputation as being conservative on the church’s teaching.Pietro Parolin Next Pope After Pope Francis-Luis Antonio Tagle-Age: 67-The Filipino native will have the prayers of his compatriots as the Philippines is 80 per cent Catholic. He is considered more moderate than some of his peers and was a Papal candidate when Pope Francis was elected in 2013.Luis Antonio Tagle Next Pope After Pope Francis-Peter Turkson-Age: 76-Cardinal Turkson may become the first African Pope in 1,500 years as the growth of Catholicism is booming on the continent. Having become the first Ghanaian to be made a Cardinal,  Turkson was favourite to become Pope in 2013 but was beaten by Pope Francis. While considered a conservative he has spoken out against the criminalisation of gay relationships in Africa.Peter Turkson Next Pope After Pope Francis-Matteo Zuppi-Age: 69-The Archbishop of Bologna is Pope Francis’ peace envoy for the Russian / Ukraine war and is president of the Italian bishops conference. Seen as more progressive in the mould of Pope Francis, he was made a Cardinal by the Pontiff in 2019.Matteo Zuppi Next Pope After Pope Francis-Robert Sarah-Age: 79-Seen as one of the more conservative Cardinals, the Guinean was not always comfortable with Pope Francis’ reformist agenda. As head of the Vatican office that oversaw the Catholic Church’s liturgical rites that used specific languages, practices and customs around the sacraments, he looks like one of the surprise packages among the early names that are being mentioned as next Pope.Robert Sarah Next Pope After Pope Francis-Pierbattista PizzaballaAge: 60-One of the youngest candidates in the contest, the Italian is seen as an authority on the Middle East. He has played his cards close to his chest – rarely getting involved in controversies – but has spoken publicly on environmental issues and open dialogue with other religions. His age may not be in his favour, although John Paul II was elected at 58 in 197-Pierbattista Pizzaballa Next Pope After Pope Francis.