05.07.2025

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India Launches Missiles 

Indian forces reportedly fired missiles across the border into Pakistan and the Pakistani-administered territory of Kashmir early Wednesday morning local time, killing at least eight people. Pakistan vowed to retaliate. 

The attack marks a rise in tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have a longstanding dispute over the mountainous region of Kashmir. India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir since the two nations were divided from former British India in 1947.

India said it struck nine sites in Punjab and Kashmir, targeting infrastructure used by militants linked to last month's deadly attack in the resort town of Pahalgam (part of Indian-administered Kashmir) that killed 26 people. Pakistan reported civilian casualties in at least five locations. India has accused Pakistan of supporting separatist violence, while Pakistan denied association with the incident.

Since the Pahalgam attack, the two sides have scaled back diplomatic ties, closed airspace to each other, and exchanged fire across the Line of Control, raising fears of broader conflict.

Conclave Begins at the Vatican

The process to determine the successor to Pope Francis gets underway today, as Catholic Church leaders gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the secretive and centuries-old tradition known as a conclave. 

Ballots will be cast by a group of cardinals, the second-highest rank in the church hierarchy (see 101). While there are 252 cardinals, only those under 80 years old are eligible to vote, with a two-thirds majority required for a candidate to be selected. 

Observers say the election will be a referendum on whether to continue the reforms set in motion by Pope Francis—regarded as a relatively liberal church leader—or return to more conservative roots. Of the 133 voting cardinals, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis during his tenure. While no clear frontrunner has emerged, some top candidates include Cardinals Pietro Parolin (Italy) and Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines). 

Voting continues until a successor is chosen, with white smoke from the chapel's chimney indicating a decision has been made. Read about some of the myths and scandals surrounding conclaves here.

New US Travel Requirement

Starting today, most travelers flying domestically within the US must present a federally compliant driver's license or identification card—known as a REAL ID and marked by a star in the upper right corner—to airport security or to access other federal facilities. 

Travelers without a REAL ID-compliant license or identification will still be allowed to board domestic flights, but should expect extra screening, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Currently, 81% of US travelers have REAL ID-compliant identification. 

Congress enacted the REAL ID program in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations that the federal government set standards for issuing state identification documents like driver’s licenses. Its goal is to enhance the security and reliability of state-issued identification, making it harder to forge and requiring states to verify applicants’ information more thoroughly. 

The program, originally set to launch in 2008, faced repeated delays due to states' concerns over implementation costs and privacy, limited federal funding, technical challenges, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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