No new pope was chosen in the conclave's first vote. Tensions are boiling over between two neighboring nuclear rivals. And smooth sailing amid the REAL ID deadline. |
👋 How's it going? Rebecca Morin here. Ready? Set. Let's race to Wednesday's news. |
Black smoke = no new pope |
In Rome's night sky, black smoke seeped through the Sistine Chapel chimney. The historic papal conclave convened for its first day on Wednesday, but did not reach consensus on a successor to Pope Francis. The cardinals will meet again at the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to continue voting. Before entering the conclave, 133 elector cardinals from across the globe solemnly moved into the chapel, chanting the "Litany of the Saints." Tens of thousands of spectators have packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, waiting for the white smoke that signals the election of a new pope. |
How long will it take? The secretive process is expected to take multiple days and will result in new leadership for the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Since medieval times, electors have been banned from communicating with outsiders during conclaves. The Vatican has taken high-tech measures to ensure secrecy, including the use of jamming devices. 👉 Who are the front-runners? | Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating no decision has been made to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, on Wednesday. Murad Sezer, REUTERS |
Why India and Pakistan are fighting |
They're neighbors. And they're also nuclear rivals. And now, tensions are spiraling. India on Wednesday launched military strikes against Pakistan, targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the divided Himalayan territory that India also controls a section of. Pakistan's military said it shot down five Indian aircraft during the attack, which India did not confirm. |
What happened? India blames Pakistan for an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. India says they have evidence that Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamist militant outfit based in Pakistan, carried out the Pahalgam attack. For decades, India has accused Pakistan of supporting militant attacks. Pakistan called the evidence "fabricated" and denied involvement. 👉 How the world is reacting to the escalating crisis. | A flare goes up over the hill near the main town of the Poonch district in the disputed Kashmir region on Wednesday. India said it carried out "precision strikes at terrorist camps" inside Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. PUNIT PARANJPE, AFP via Getty Images |
Teacher Appreciation Week: Do you have a great story about a teacher in your life? Email me about it and it might be featured in a future edition of The Short List! |
Minimal REAL ID deadline drama |
Procrastination can be a REAL headache. The REAL ID enforcement deadline is finally here. The Transportation Security Administration is requiring a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an approved alternative, like a passport, for adults at U.S. airport security checkpoints starting Wednesday. |
What other documents are accepted by TSA? Don't fret if you didn't get your REAL ID just yet and have an upcoming flight. TSA will accept several other documents, including a U.S. passport and trusted traveler cards like Global Entry. 🪪 See the full list of documents here. |
Chaos? Not really. Even with the enforcement deadline in full swing, it was pretty much smooth sailing. For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, worked in concert with TSA to flag passengers who needed potential extra screening. But the vast majority of travelers had REAL IDs or acceptable alternatives, like passports. Some DMVs, like in Nashville, saw long lines of folks stretching outside the entrance to secure a REAL ID. But it was quiet in other cities, like Atlanta, where the state of Georgia has been offering REAL IDs since 2012. ✈️ How these flyers tried their luck on the first day of REAL ID. | A passenger enters the TSA PreCheck line to go through security screening at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, the first day of REAL ID enforcement. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY |
Economic uncertainty keeps interest rates steady |
The Federal Reserve is staying in wait-and-see mode. The Fed on Wednesday left its key interest rate at a range of 4.25% to 4.5% for a third straight meeting and gave no hints as to when it will lower it. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs raise the risks of both another inflation spike and recession. |
What does it mean? The Fed normally raises rates or keeps them high to fight inflation. The rates are lowered to jolt a weak economy. But with Trump's import tax, which could lead to higher prices and weak growth or a recession, officials are torn between the two mandates. 👉 What it will take for the Fed to cut rates. | Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve on Wednesday. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP via Getty Images |
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