Terrorist Attack in Indian-Administered Kashmir Kills 26

On Tuesday, gunmen attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly Indian nationals, in the deadliest civilian assault in the region in over two decades. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, though Pakistan’s government denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation.

India responded by downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, closing the main border crossing, expelling diplomats, and suspending the Indus Water Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing agreement. Pakistan retaliated by shutting its airspace to Indian flights and halting bilateral trade. Both nations revoked visas for each other’s citizens, and minor cross-border exchanges of gunfire were reported, though without casualties.

The incident has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, further destabilizing already fraught relations and risking renewed hostilities over the disputed Kashmir region.

 

Conclave to Meet in May to Choose Francis's Successor

A papal conclave, a gathering of Catholic cardinals eligible to vote, will meet in May to elect Pope Francis’s successor.  The conclave, the first since 2013, will take place in the Sistine Chapel and will be private from observers.

Speculation on papal contenders has begun, with much of the focus on the ideological direction of the Catholic Church. Francis was considered a liberal by most observers, and another liberal elected could cement some of Francis’s efforts to steer the Catholic Church towards a more pastoral approach and adapt its engagement with modern societal issues. A win by a conservative could reverse these trends, while a  win by a moderate could be a wildcard.

 

Funeral for Pope Francis Held in Vatican City

Roman Catholic Church officials and foreign dignitaries gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who died at 88 this past week after suffering a stroke.

Francis was the first pope born outside Europe since 741.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, emphasized in his homily Pope Francis’s legacy as a bridge-builder and advocate for the marginalized. He recalled Francis’s repeated exhortation to “build bridges, not walls,” and his unwavering commitment to social justice, peace, and dialogue across divides.

Notable people in attendance included current US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (with whom Trump met while in Rome), and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 into an Italian Argentinian family. He was the eldest of five children. As part of his schooling, he earned a chemical technician’s diploma, working in a laboratory. He also worked as a janitor and as a bouncer.

In his twenties, he entered seminary and joined the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. By 1998, he had become the archbishop of the Diocese of Buenos Aires, and he was made a cardinal in 2001.

Bergoglio was considered a contender for the papacy in the 2006 conclave to replace the late John Paul II, in which German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected and became Benedict XVI. When Benedict stepped down from the papacy in 2013, Bergoglio was elected and chose Francis as his papal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who inspired his dedication to serving the needs of the poor.

 

Trump Administration Deals With Fallout from Leaked Chat

A leaked Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense secretary Pete Hegseth, has sparked controversy over its discussion of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat, which inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed sensitive details about US military planning and intelligence-sharing with Israel. Israeli officials reportedly expressed anger over the exposure of intelligence provided by their sources in Yemen, while critics argue the leak may have compromised U.S. intelligence operations and endangered lives.

The Trump administration has denied that classified information was shared, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifying that no sources or methods were disclosed.

President Trump so far has defended Waltz, who is believed to have added Goldberg to the chat, as a "good man.” Trump has continued to refuse calls to remove Waltz from his administration.

 

Myanmar Earthquake Kills Over 3,000 Across Southeast Asia

 A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing over 3,000 people and injuring more than 3,400 across Southeast Asia. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, where buildings collapsed, leaving thousands homeless. Neighboring Thailand reported at least 18 deaths, with significant damage in Bangkok. A collapsed skyscraper construction site in Bangkok killed at least 11 workers.

The quake, the most powerful in Myanmar since 1912, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts. In Mandalay, residents described spending nights outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.

Relief efforts face challenges due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Local volunteers are leading initial rescues, while international aid, including teams from China, India, and Singapore, has begun arriving. The United Nations allocated $5 million in emergency aid, and countries like the UK pledged millions more. However, shortages of medical supplies and damaged roads hinder operations.

In a rare move, Myanmar’s military government requested foreign assistance. Opposition groups declared a temporary ceasefire to focus on rescue efforts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a $100 million appeal for long-term recovery efforts.

As aftershocks continue, experts warn the death toll may rise further. The disaster has exposed vulnerabilities in Myanmar's infrastructure and underscored the urgent need for coordinated international support.