Centrist Dan wins Romanian presidency over hard-right pro-Trump rival

Romania's centrist Bucharest mayor, Nicusor Dan, won the country's presidential election on Sunday in a shock upset over a hard-right, nationalist rival who had pledged to put Romania on a path inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's politics, Reuters reported.

Official results from nearly all voting stations showed Dan garnering about 54% of ballots cast by voters in the EU and NATO member country of about 19 million people, while Trump supporter George Simion was at 46%.

Dan, 55, a soft-spoken mathematician, made a last-minute dash to the top in recent days after weeks of trailing Simion, a eurosceptic wanting to end military aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The election drew the highest percentage of voter turnout in a Romanian election in 25 years.

Simion, who was the top vote-getter in the first round of the election two weeks ago with 41% of ballots cast, conceded after earlier saying he won the election, according to Reuters.

Russia launches war's largest drone attack ahead of Putin-Trump call

Russia launched on Sunday its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, destroying homes and killing at least one woman a day before U.S. President Donald Trump is due to discuss a proposed ceasefire with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported.

Ukraine's intelligence service said it also believed Moscow intended to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile later on Sunday as an attempt to intimidate the West. There was no immediate response from Moscow to the accusation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, straining to restore ties with Washington after a disastrous February White House visit, met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday on the sidelines of Pope Leo's inauguration.

Zelenskiy said the meeting was "good" and released pictures of Ukrainian and U.S. officials sitting outside at a round table and smiling. Ukrainian media said the meeting lasted 40 minutes, according to Reuters.

 

Elton John brands government 'losers' over AI copyright plans

Sir Elton John described the government as "absolute losers" and said he feels "incredibly betrayed" over plans to exempt technology firms from copyright laws, BBC reported.

Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said if ministers go ahead with plans to allow AI firms to use artists' content without paying, they would be "committing theft, thievery on a high scale".

This week the government rejected proposals from the House of Lords to force AI companies to disclose what material they were using to develop their programmes.

A government spokesperson said that "no changes" to copyright laws would be "considered unless we are completely satisfied they work for creators".

British mountaineer sets record 19th Everest summit

British mountaineer Kenton Cool has scaled Mount Everest for the 19th time, breaking his own record for the most climbs up the world's tallest mountain for a non-sherpa, BBC reported.

The 51-year-old, who was accompanied by Nepali sherpa Dorji Gyaljen, reached the 8,849m (29,000ft) high summit at 11:00 local time (04:15 GMT) on Sunday. 

Cool first climbed Everest in 2004 and has summited it almost yearly since. 

Mr Gyaljen logged his 23rd climb up Everest. Another Nepali sherpa, Kami Rita, holds the record for making the most number of Everest summits at 30, and is also currently on the mountain attempting to set a new record, according to BBC.

Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer

Former US President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, a statement from his office said on Sunday, BBC reported.

Biden, who left office in January, was diagnosed on Friday after he saw a doctor last week for urinary symptoms. 

The cancer is a more aggressive form of the disease, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This means his illness is classified as "high-grade" and the cancer cells could spread quickly, according to Cancer Research UK. 

Biden and his family are said to be reviewing treatment options. His office added that the cancer was hormone-sensitive, meaning it could likely be managed, according to BBC.

 

Gujarat, Bengaluru and Punjab advance to IPL playoffs

Sai Sudharsan hit 108 not out off 61 balls as Gujarat Titans thrashed Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets on Sunday and sealed its spot in the Indian Premier League playoffs, Associated Press reported.

Sudharsan shared a double-century unbeaten opening stand with skipper Shubman Gill – the third equal highest by runs in the IPL – as the Titans reached 205-0 in 19 overs. 

Gill scored 93 not out off 53 deliveries.

Their stand canceled out Lokesh Rahul’s 65-ball 112 not out — his fifth IPL century – in Delhi’s 199-3 in 20 overs. It was Delhi’s fifth loss in seven games.

Gujarat climbed to the top of the IPL points table with 18 points from 12 games. Its victory over fifth-placed Delhi also meant that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (second, 17 points) and Punjab Kings (third, 17 points) also advanced to the playoffs.

Delhi has 13 points and is a point behind fourth-placed Mumbai Indians, who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot, with two regular season matches remaining. Lucknow Super Giants is currently seventh with 10 points from only 11 games, according to Associated Press.

Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs earlier Sunday to secure its playoff spot.

Executive Director of UN Fund for Loss and Damage Diong calls on PM Oli

Visiting Executive Director of the United Nations Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage  Ibrahima Cheikh Diong  paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked him for taking part in the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue. "In absence of the protection of mountains and environment, the entire human life will be insecure," he said, adding that this should be the matter of global concern. 

Expressing his concern over 'intention' demonstrated by some of the rich countries to step back from the Paris Agreement, the Prime Minister said the protection of Sagarmatha, the pride of Nepal, and the mountains should be the concern of the globe including Nepal.  

The executive director congratulated Nepal on the successful conclusion of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, promising to give priority to Nepal while allocating funds. 

The Fund aiming to support the developing countries bearing the brunt of climate change followed the decision of the COP-27.

 

First edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad concludes issuing 25-point Sagarmatha Call for Action

The first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad concluded  today by issuing a 25-point Sagarmatha Call for Action. 

The three-day event held in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18 May, was themed “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity”.

The full text of the Sagarmatha Call for Action is given here.

This Sagarmatha Call for Action is issued as an outcome document:

Recognising that climate change is an unprecedented challenge and that the well-being of present and future generations of humankind depends on immediate and urgent response;

Reaffirming the commitments to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Recalling the United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/158 of December 14, which declared 2025 as the “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation” and proclaimed 21 March as the “World Day for Glaciers” to be observed annually;

Recalling also the United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/172 of December 14,  2022, which proclaimed 2023–2027 as the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to sustainable mountain development as part of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;  

Recognising the role of mountain glaciers in regulating hydrological cycles and providing essential environmental services to mountain communities and the billions who live downstream in glacier-fed river basins;

Acknowledging the urgency to maintain environmental integrity as mountain glaciers and cryosphere are receding, putting pressure on snow-fed river systems that constitute the lifeline to species, ecosystems and genetic resources;

Recognising that loss of glaciers, snow and ice sheets due to climate change will have severe negative impacts on both natural and human systems, if allowed to continue, ultimately threatening the well-being of humanity; 

Realising the essential role of mountain ecosystems to safeguard civilisational heritages, species, biodiversity and genetic resources, while also ensuring reliable supplies of freshwater, clean air and the sustainable livelihoods;

Recognising that loss of mountain glaciers, besides also contributing to sea-level rise, lead to cascading effects such as landslides, floods, droughts and extreme weather events, adversely impacting mountainous to low-lying countries; and that, while mountain communities contribute negligibly to global greenhouse gases emissions, they continue to bear a disproportionate level of such climate impacts;

Recognising further the critical role of mountains in ensuring water security and maintaining climate-resilient agriculture and food security, clean energy, nature-based tourism, and of effective governance in driving transformation towards a sustainable mountain economy;

Do hereby:

  1. Reaffirm the urgency to hold the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by accelerating mitigation actions, building adaptive capacity and resilience, addressing loss and damage, and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for all.

2. Encourage countries to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 to keep 1.5°C alive, aligned with the latest science that calls for urgent and transformative global action.

3. Further encourage countries to develop and implement National Adaptation Plans to respond to country – specific adaptation needs.

4. Call for enhanced provision and mobilization of international financial support, particularly through grants and concessional financing for implementation of climate actions in developing countries, including countries in special situations.

5. Encourage collective efforts to ensure equitable and simplified access for the developing countries, particularly those vulnerable to climate change, to the international climate finance from bilateral, multilateral and alternative sources, including the operating entities of the Financial Mechanisms and the Funds under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

6. Support the call for the establishment of a dedicated fund for the development of mountain countries to mobilise targeted financial resources for climate action and sustainable development in mountainous regions.

7. Priorities the recognition, respect, and rewarding of mountain ecosystem services through leveraging existing and innovative financing sources.

8. Emphasise the role of private sector finance and carbon markets in scaling up sustainable climate actions.

9. Strengthen global and regional partnerships to facilitate access to climate-friendly technologies and enhance capacity building.

10. Reaffirm the need for collaboration among the policymakers, scientific institutions, private sector and other relevant stakeholders to drive innovation and mutual learning to formulate appropriate policies and programs that address the inherent vulnerabilities to climate change.

11. Acknowledge the importance of promoting green, resilient and inclusive development, ranging from small to large-scale infrastructures, in both rural and urban communities, as appropriate.

12. Stress the significance of clean energy, energy efficiency and just energy transitions, recognising the importance of powering the future through clean energy as well as green, circular and bio-economies.

13. Promote science, technology and innovation-based solutions for addressing climate-induced disasters, and conserving glaciers, water resources, forests and agricultural system.

14. Encourage dialogues on mountains and climate change agenda with special focus on triple planetary crisis and short-lived climate forcers, given their profound impact on regional climate, monsoons, cryosphere and public health.

15. Recognise the urgency of strengthening data systems, ensuring data sharing and interoperability, and developing climate attribution and early warning mechanisms tailored to the needs of developing countries.

16. Underscore the need to establish a robust linkage between mountain and ocean-specific risk assessment, monitoring, and early warning systems using advanced science, technology, and innovation.

17. Promote climate justice across all climate actions by ensuring fair, inclusive and evidence-based solutions to the developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.

18. Foster inclusive climate actions through active participation of children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and maintain gender balance while upholding intra- and inter-generational equity.

19. Call to initiate the creation of a multi-stakeholder international platform on mountain and climate change for dialogue, innovation and empowerment, with the aim of amplifying the voices of mountain communities in global climate processes.

20. Recognise the role of local and indigenous communities in climate policies, programmes and actions, including adaptation and conservation initiatives.

21. Emphasize the need to develop mechanisms for payment of environmental services, enabling them to adopt innovative climate financing.

22. Emphasize the need for developing knowledge centres, sharing best practices, and enhancing the roles of local communities in climate policies, programmes and actions.

23. Resolve to forge a common voice for urgent climate action that resonates from the Sagarmatha to the seas, and from highlands to islands.

24. Acknowledge the relevance of the theme of the first edition of the Sagarmatha Sambaad in highlighting the adverse impacts of climate change from mountains to lowlands; forging common understanding and actions to uplift communities in vulnerable situations; and reaffirming commitment to continue working for a just, resilient and sustainable future for all.

25. Express appreciation to all the dignitaries and delegates for attending the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a permanent forum to foster global dialogue on key issues of national, regional and global significance and look forward to its continuity ahead.