Context:

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, was elected and revealed his intention to bring peace to the Catholic Church, bearing Creole roots and a rich academic background. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated with violent confrontations in Kashmir, leading to significant military actions and diplomatic fallout. President Trump continued his trend of appointing former Fox News personalities to key government positions, raising political concerns. The Trump administration also initiated significant changes in the U.S. Agency for Global Media, including a controversial partnership with One America News Network. Efforts to conserve the Great Lakes face setbacks due to severe budget cuts, threatening decades of environmental restoration work.

Dive Deeper:

• Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first American to assume the papal role, with a dual citizenship in the US and Peru, and a background in mathematics and theology. His election marks a historical moment for the Catholic Church as he steps onto this global stage to advocate for peace.

• The conflict between India and Pakistan in Kashmir has intensified, with both countries accusing each other of fostering terrorism. India's military response included missile strikes, while Pakistan retaliated with shelling, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and heightened diplomatic tensions.

• President Trump's administration has been marked by the appointment of multiple former Fox News personalities to influential governmental roles, including positions in intelligence and law enforcement, sparking criticism and concerns about media influence on politics.

• The Trump administration ceased broadcasting on Voice of America, placing thousands of employees in limbo and partnering with One America News Network, a channel criticized for promoting false narratives, to provide news services, raising concerns over media independence.

• Significant budget cuts have been imposed on the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, threatening to reverse environmental restoration efforts that have taken a century to achieve, risking the ecological health of the largest surface freshwater system in the world.