Wildfire in Daegu 92 pct contained: S.Korea's authorities
Images | en.yna.co.kr
The containment rate of a wildfire in the southeastern city of Daegu that has spread for two days has risen to 92 percent, officials said Tuesday, as firefighters made all-out efforts to put out the main blaze, Yonhap reports.
About 50 helicopters and 1,500 personnel were mobilized to contain the blaze that broke out Monday on Mount Hamji in northern Daegu, some 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
Lim Ha-soo, a senior official at the Korea Forest Service, told reporters that it aims to extinguish the main blaze Tuesday.
No casualties have been reported so far, but the blaze forced some 2,000 people to flee their homes.
Helicopters dump water on a mountain in Daegu, some 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, as wildfire continues for a second day on April 29, 2025. (Yonhap)
The blaze has scorched an estimated 260 hectares, with the fire still active over a 0.9-kilometer-wide stretch, officials said.
Traffic restrictions at a highway interchange near the fire zone were lifted early Tuesday as conditions stabilized.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Mount Etna in Italy spews ash, lava intensely
Images | aa.com.tr
Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in southern Italy, erupted overnight, spewing large amounts of ash and lava, local media reported on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports.
The eruption, which began from the Southeast Crater, involved frequent and intense explosions, releasing two small lava flows directed toward the south and east, Catania Today reported.
An ash plume was also observed, drifting southeast and depositing volcanic ash on the nearby town of Zafferana Etnea.
The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) issued by INGV has since been downgraded to "green," the lowest alert level.
Authorities confirmed that the eruption had no effect on operations at Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini International Airport.
Located on the island of Sicily, Etna is the highest active volcano in continental Europe at around 3,300 meters. This latest eruption marks the 13th recorded volcanic activity in recent months.
Intense volcanic activity was observed at Mount Etna in February and April of this year.
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Habemus Papam: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff
Images | Screenshot from the broadcast of the election of the new Pope
White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling to the world that the Catholic Church has a new pope. The conclave of 133 cardinals that gathered for the election just yesterday has decided on Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to be the successor of Saint Peter, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Robert Francis Prevost, an American Augustinian and seasoned Vatican official, was elected as the 267th pope following the fourth ballot on the second day of the conclave. He has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American and second pope from the Americas, following his predecessor Pope Francis of Argentina.
The announcement was made from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to a crowd of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Cheers erupted as the Vatican's senior cardinal proclaimed, "Habemus Papam!"
Minutes later, in his first public address, delivered in both Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV began with the words: "Peace be with all of you!"
Speaking to the crowd from the balcony, he paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling him "courageous" and the pope who "blessed Rome and gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning."
Let us follow up that blessing," he said. "God loves us, and God loves all of you. Sin will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God."
Emphasizing the importance of unity, Pope Leo XIV declared, "Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue, and is open to receiving everybody."
Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955 and ordained a priest in Rome in 1982 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. He spent nearly two decades in Peru, serving as a parish priest, seminary teacher, and diocesan official, eventually becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen. His leadership within the Church includes time as Prior General of the Augustinians, Bishop of Chiclayo, and most recently, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, before being made a cardinal in 2024.
His election is historic as he becomes the first American and the first Augustinian pope. The name he chose, Leo XIV, recalls Pope Leo XIII, who was elected in 1878 and served until his death in 1903 and is remembered for his intellectual leadership and social engagement.
Among the first world leaders to congratulate the new pope were U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
President Trump shared his message on Truth Social, writing, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a great honor for our country! I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
In his post on X, President Zelensky stated, "Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election to the See of Saint Peter and the beginning of his pontificate. (...) I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration, and strength-both spiritual and physical-in carrying out his noble mission. Ad multos annos!"
President Macron shared the sentiment, calling it "a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful," and added, "To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the world, I extend a message of fraternity. On this May 8th, may this new pontificate be one of peace and hope."
Many more congratulatory messages are expected to follow as leaders around the world rush to extend their well wishes to the newly elected pontiff.
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Strong winds hit flights in Indian capital, at least 4 killed due to dust storm
Images | aa.com.tr
At least four people were killed and over 100 flights were delayed as strong winds, dust storms, and heavy rains lashed the capital New Delhi on Friday morning, officials said, Anadolu reports.
State meteorologists said on Friday that wind speed was reported over Delhi in "association with an intense thunderstorm" in the morning, with the strongest wind of kilometers (49 miles) per hour recorded in the Safdarjung area. It said rainfall was also reported over the capital with intense thunderstorms.
As the intense weather led to trees falling and waters pooling, this impacted flights, with over 100 suffering delays, according to flightradar24.com.
Delhi International Airport said early Friday that due to inclement weather conditions and thunderstorms, some flights have been impacted.
It later said that while the airport is operating as normal, despite some impact due to adverse weather conditions, inclement weather in Delhi has led to fallen trees and blocked roads around the airport.
Separately, four people including three children were killed in Delhi’s Dwarka neighborhood due to strong winds in the morning, officials said.
Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday that instructions have been issued to all officials to identify places where water is pooling and find solutions.
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