The ministry said India successfully met a peak power demand of 270.82 gigawatts (GW) on Thursday, marking the fourth straight day of all-time high electricity consumption as soaring temperatures across large parts of the country drove increased use of cooling appliances.

“Although we are prepared to supply electricity as required, due to the intense summer, let us all try to use electricity wisely and judiciously,” the ministry said in a statement, while noting that rising demand appeared to be linked to greater usage of air conditioners, coolers and other cooling equipment.

The warning comes as large parts of northern and central India continue to endure severe heat conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the highest temperature recorded on Thursday was 47.6 degrees Celsius in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, while New Delhi registered temperatures of around 43 degrees Celsius on Friday.

The heatwave has also pushed nighttime temperatures to unusually elevated levels, limiting relief for residents and increasing electricity consumption around the clock. One of New Delhi’s principal weather stations recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest May overnight temperature in the capital in 14 years, IMD data showed.

India’s electricity generation mix remained dominated by thermal power, primarily coal-fired plants, which accounted for 62% of output on Thursday. Solar energy contributed 22%, while wind and hydropower each represented about 5% of generation, according to official data.

Despite the ministry’s assertion that demand was being met, some users reported localized outages on social media platform X. Industry analysts note that extreme heat can strain aging distribution infrastructure, including transformers and local transmission networks, leading to isolated power disruptions even when overall generation capacity remains adequate.

The prolonged heat has also affected water bodies and ecosystems. In New Delhi, municipal workers were seen removing dead fish from Sanjay Park lake after shrinking water levels and high temperatures reduced oxygen concentrations in the water.

India, the world’s most populous nation and the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 but continues to rely heavily on coal to meet growing energy demand.
Meteorologists have warned that minimum temperatures across the country are likely to remain above normal through May.

The IMD said average minimum temperatures in April were 0.78 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average nationwide.

Scientific studies have linked the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves globally to climate change, with India experiencing a series of increasingly severe summer heat events in recent years.

The country’s highest officially recorded temperature remains 51 degrees Celsius, measured in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016.

The deadliest accident occurred in central Kampong Chhnang province, about 60 km (37 miles) north of Phnom Penh, when a heavy cargo truck collided with an open-top vehicle carrying garment factory workers to work, killing nine people and injuring 53 others, according to Cambodia’s Labor Ministry.

In a separate incident in southeastern Svay Rieng province, a major garment manufacturing hub near the Vietnamese border, a bus transporting workers veered off the road and overturned. Five workers were killed and 40 others were injured, authorities said.

Most of the victims in both accidents were women employed in Cambodia’s garment industry, one of the country’s largest employers and a key source of foreign exchange earnings.

The Labor Ministry said it was “deeply shocked” by the two accidents, which occurred on the same day, and called for stricter adherence to traffic regulations to reduce road fatalities.

Worker transportation remains a longstanding safety challenge in Cambodia, where many laborers travel to factories aboard modified flatbed or open-top trucks that often lack adequate seating and safety protections. The vehicles are widely used because they offer a low-cost transportation option for workers earning relatively modest wages.

Cambodia’s garment sector, which includes clothing, footwear and travel goods manufacturing, employs between 800,000 and 1 million workers across roughly 1,900 factories. The industry generated more than $15.5 billion in export revenue last year, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Factory workers typically earn between $200 and $300 per month, including overtime pay, making affordable transportation a critical issue for both employees and employers.

Road safety remains a major public concern in the Southeast Asian nation. According to Cambodia’s Transport Ministry, traffic accidents claimed 1,467 lives in 2025, making road crashes the leading cause of accidental deaths in the country.

The latest fatalities are likely to renew scrutiny of worker transport practices and broader road safety standards as Cambodia seeks to sustain growth in its export-oriented manufacturing sector.

Protesters carrying Spanish flags and banners reading “Enough!” gathered in the capital following a call by Sociedad Civil Española, a coalition of more than 150 civic associations. The demonstration was backed by the conservative Alberto Núñez Feijóo-led Popular Party and the far-right Santiago Abascal party.

Organizers estimated attendance at around 80,000 people, while the central government’s representative in the Madrid region put the turnout at roughly half that figure. The march concluded near Plaza Moncloa, close to the prime minister’s official residence.

Speaking before the rally, Vox leader Abascal accused the government of being engulfed in corruption scandals, arguing that allegations involving individuals close to Sanchez had eroded public confidence in the administration.

The demonstration comes amid mounting scrutiny of figures linked to the prime minister. Sanchez’s brother, David Sanchez, is due to stand trial on influence-peddling charges, while his wife, Begona Gomez, remains under investigation in a separate corruption inquiry. Sanchez has repeatedly rejected the allegations and described the cases as politically motivated.

Pressure on the government has also increased following legal proceedings involving former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos, a longtime Sanchez ally whose corruption trial concluded earlier this month and is awaiting a verdict.

Adding to the political challenges facing the government, a Spanish court this week placed former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero under formal investigation for alleged influence peddling and other offenses. Zapatero has been regarded as a close ally of Sanchez within Spain’s Socialist movement.

Sanchez, who came to power in 2018 after a no-confidence vote removed a conservative government plagued by corruption scandals, has insisted he will remain in office despite growing opposition demands for early elections.

The rally underscored the increasingly polarized political climate in Spain, where corruption allegations have become a central battleground ahead of future electoral contests.

In a statement, Hezbollah said its leader, Naim Qassem, received a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressing that Tehran would continue backing what it described as movements seeking “justice and freedom,” with Hezbollah identified as a principal ally.

The group said the communication reflected Iran’s determination to maintain political and strategic support for Hezbollah despite ongoing regional tensions and efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

According to Hezbollah, Iran’s most recent proposal, reportedly conveyed through Pakistani mediators, seeks to secure a “permanent and stable” conclusion to the war and specifically calls for Lebanon to be included in any ceasefire framework.

The statement did not provide additional details on the contents of the proposal or indicate whether the United States, Israel, or other parties involved in regional diplomacy had responded to the initiative.
Hezbollah has long been one of Iran’s closest regional allies, receiving political, financial and military support from Tehran.

The group plays a significant role in Lebanon’s political landscape while also maintaining an armed wing that has been involved in conflicts across the region.

The remarks come amid intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at containing wider regional instability and preventing hostilities from expanding across multiple fronts in the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to India, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an announcement could come within days as diplomatic efforts intensified.

“There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say,” Rubio told reporters, adding that he hoped to deliver “good news” soon.

Iranian officials also pointed to momentum in the talks. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said negotiators were working on a memorandum of understanding consisting of 14 clauses that could serve as the basis for a broader settlement.

“Our intention was first to draft a memorandum of understanding, a kind of framework agreement composed of 14 clauses,” Baqaei said on state television, while cautioning that a trend toward rapprochement did not guarantee agreement on all major issues.

Iranian officials stressed that disputes surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program would not form part of the initial framework, which is expected to focus on de-escalation measures and ending hostilities. Iranian negotiators have also said lifting the US naval blockade remains a key component of discussions.

The latest diplomatic push has been heavily supported by Pakistan, whose army chief, Asim Munir, concluded a two-day visit to Tehran after meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Pakistan’s military said the meetings contributed “meaningfully” to mediation efforts and produced encouraging progress toward a final understanding.
“The discussions remained focused upon expediting the consultative process underway to support peace and stability in the region and to reach a conclusive agreement,” Pakistan’s military said in a statement following Munir’s departure.

Despite the positive signals, Iranian officials continued to warn against any return to military confrontation. Qalibaf said Iran’s armed forces had rebuilt their capabilities during the ceasefire period and would respond forcefully if hostilities resumed.

The conflict erupted after US and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a regional crisis that disrupted shipping and energy flows through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil exports.

Araghchi, in a conversation with Antonio Guterres, said Iran remained engaged in diplomacy despite what he described as repeated military aggression and excessive demands from Washington. He also held consultations with counterparts from Turkiye, Iraq, Qatar and Oman.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whose office said the Qatari leader supported efforts to contain the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.

Any agreement would mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the outbreak of the conflict and could ease tensions across a region that has faced months of military escalation and economic disruption.

According to the official, 21 Australians seven women and 14 children aged between eight and 14 departed Roj Camp on Thursday. They were transferred to Syrian authorities and taken to the capital, Damascus, for arrangements related to their return to Australia.
“There are no more Australians remaining in Roj,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The camp, administered by Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria, has housed relatives of suspected foreign militants for years following the collapse of the self-declared caliphate established by Daesh.

The latest transfer follows the repatriation earlier this month of 13 Australians, including four women and nine children. Upon arrival in Australia, three of the women were arrested.

Australian authorities charged two women a mother and daughter with slavery-related offenses and crimes against humanity, alleging they kept a female slave after traveling to Syria in 2014 to support Daesh. Both had been detained by Kurdish forces since 2019.

A third woman was charged with entering a restricted area and joining a terrorist organization, while a fourth woman returned without being arrested.

Hundreds of women from Western countries traveled to Syria and Iraq during the rise of Daesh in the early 2010s, often accompanying family members who joined the militant group. Australia subsequently criminalized travel to areas under Daesh control, including parts of Syria.

Canberra has conducted several repatriation operations since 2019, gradually bringing home women and children from camps in northeastern Syria while assessing potential security and legal risks.
Daesh, which once controlled large territories across Syria and Iraq, was territorially defeated in 2019 following a military campaign led by Kurdish-backed forces with support from a US-led coalition.

Syria’s current authorities, who assumed power in 2024, have joined international efforts against Daesh and expanded government control into areas previously administered by Kurdish-led forces. However, Roj camp remains under Kurdish administration.

The departure of the final Australian nationals from Roj closes a chapter in one of Australia’s most complex repatriation efforts arising from the aftermath of the Syrian conflict and the defeat of Daesh.

The accusations emerged after hundreds of participants from the Global Sumud Flotilla arrived in Türkiye and other European countries following their deportation from Israel. The flotilla, comprising around 50 vessels, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters roughly 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Israel’s coast while attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.

According to accounts provided by activists and journalists, detainees were transferred from their vessels to military boats and then taken to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, where they were allegedly held in shipping containers and subjected to physical abuse.

Several detainees told media outlets they were punched, kicked, dragged, restrained for extended periods and denied access to lawyers or consular representatives. Some also alleged that tasers and attack dogs were used during the detention process.

Among those making allegations was Turkish activist Zeynel Abidin Ozkan, who said detainees were forced to keep their heads lowered while handcuffed and were subjected to rough treatment after refusing to sign documents presented by authorities.

American activist Christopher Boren said he suffered facial injuries after being struck shortly after arriving at Ashdod port, while Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani described being blindfolded, restrained and physically handled during transfers between vessels and detention facilities.

Greek activist Yiannis Atmatzidis also alleged he was beaten and subjected to a taser discharge during processing procedures.

The claims have drawn international attention, particularly after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared in a widely circulated video involving detained flotilla participants.

The footage prompted criticism from several foreign governments, some of which reportedly summoned Israeli diplomats to discuss concerns over the treatment of detainees.

Israeli authorities have rejected the allegations. Israeli Prison Service spokesperson Zivan Freidin described the accusations as “false and entirely without factual basis.”

The flotilla’s organizers said the mission was intended to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza and challenge restrictions imposed under Israel’s blockade. Israeli authorities maintain that maritime restrictions are part of security measures aimed at preventing weapons and military supplies from reaching militant groups operating in the territory.

The competing accounts are likely to intensify international scrutiny of Israel’s handling of foreign activists and humanitarian missions linked to Gaza, while adding to broader diplomatic tensions surrounding the conflict.

The strikes came hours after Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents of 10 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to leave areas near locations identified by the military as Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the army was compelled to act against alleged violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, adding that civilians were being warned in advance to reduce the risk of casualties.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Israeli airstrikes on roughly a dozen sites across southern Lebanon, including an attack on an agricultural area that wounded several Syrian workers.
One of the most significant strikes occurred in the southern coastal city of Tyre, where a targeted attack near Hiram Hospital caused extensive damage to the medical facility.

Journalists at the scene reported shattered windows, damaged medical equipment and structural impacts throughout parts of the building.

Hospital chief executive Dr. Salman Aydibi said approximately 40 patients, including seven intensive care patients, were inside the facility when evacuation warnings were issued. Staff moved patients to safer sections of the hospital before the strike occurred.
According to Aydibi, no patients were injured, although around 30 staff members suffered minor injuries.

The hospital remained operational after the attack, though emergency services were briefly suspended while damage assessments were carried out.
The Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Tyre that were allegedly being used by operatives to plan and execute attacks against Israeli forces. It said precautions included advance warnings, aerial surveillance and the use of precision-guided munitions.

Israeli forces also conducted strikes in eastern Lebanon overnight. The military said it targeted an underground Hezbollah facility used for weapons production.

Separately, Jamaa Islamiya and its armed wing, Al-Fajr Forces, announced that one of their members had been killed in an Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon.

The latest attacks underscore the fragility of the ceasefire that took effect on April 17. While the agreement, backed by Washington, halted large-scale fighting, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of violations, and intermittent military exchanges have continued along the border.

Under the ceasefire framework, Israel maintains the right to take action against what it describes as planned, imminent or ongoing attacks, a provision that remains a source of dispute between the two sides.

Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said in a post on X that the deployment had taken place over the past few days following U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Wu said China was undermining the status quo and threatening peace and stability in the region.

A Taiwan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Chinese vessels had been detected before the Beijing summit but that the number operating in the region had risen above 100 in recent days.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only its people can determine the island’s future.The reported increase in Chinese maritime activity came days after Trump referred to “the Taiwan problem” when asked whether he would discuss arms sales with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

Trump said he would speak with Lai and noted that he had held what he described as a productive meeting with Xi during his state visit to China.“We’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” Trump said on Wednesday.

Taiwan has frequently reported heightened Chinese military and coast guard operations around the island, activities that Taipei says are aimed at increasing pressure on its government and testing regional security responses.

The latest deployment, according to Taiwanese officials, extended across multiple strategic waterways in East Asia, underscoring Beijing’s expanding maritime presence at a time of heightened geopolitical scrutiny in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding seas.

The first U.S.-born pontiff traveled to Acerra, near Naples, where he urged people to reject “temptations of power and enrichment” linked to activities that damage the environment and communities. The visit came as the Vatican prepares to publish Leo’s first encyclical on Monday, a major teaching document expected to address artificial intelligence, warfare and workers’ rights.

Speaking before residents affected by decades of pollution, Leo said he had come to the region to “gather the tears” of families who had lost loved ones to illnesses linked to toxic waste contamination. He criticized what he described as the failure to curb environmental abuses and said those responsible had been allowed to act without accountability for too long.

Crowds gathered in Acerra’s main square to welcome the pope, waving Vatican flags and displaying photographs of relatives who had died. During his four-hour visit, Leo met with victims and reiterated concerns about what he called the “dizzying profits” earned by a small number of actors at the expense of public health, employment and future generations.

The area around Naples, commonly known as the “Land of Fires,” has for decades been associated with illegal dumping and burning of industrial waste. Waste management operations in parts of southern Italy were historically linked to private contractors, some of whom were alleged to have connections with the Camorra, the Naples-based organized crime network.

In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italian authorities had failed for years to adequately protect residents from the consequences of illegal waste disposal in the region, citing shortcomings dating back at least to 1988.

The court ordered Italy to develop a comprehensive database of contaminated sites and improve public communication about health and environmental risks.
Following the ruling, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appointed a senior military official in February 2025 to lead a task force focused on environmental remediation efforts and assistance for affected communities.

Leo has increasingly adopted a more direct tone on social and environmental issues in recent months. His latest intervention places environmental protection and corporate accountability at the center of his public agenda ahead of the release of his first major papal document.