Pakistan calls Indian missile strikes an ‘act of war’
An “act of war”: India launches an attack on Pakistan in Kashmir in response to last month’s deadly shootings of tourists. Also, cardinals in Rome start the conclave while the world observes. Who will become the next pope, guiding nearly 1.5 billion Catholics? These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Pakistan calls Indian missile strikes an ‘act of war’
India has escalated tensions with Pakistan, launching missiles in a move Islamabad is calling an “act of war.” The strikes come two weeks after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead, which India blames on Pakistan; however, Pakistan has denied responsibility.
In a news briefing, India’s foreign secretary stated that the strikes served as a preemptive measure, accusing Pakistan of not taking “demonstrable steps” against “terrorist infrastructure on its territory or on territory under its control.” Both countries control parts of Kashmir, but each claims the region in full.
Pakistan reported that Wednesday’s strikes resulted in the deaths of 26 people and injuries to 46 others.
Meanwhile, an Indian military official stated that New Delhi displayed “considerable restraint” by targeting only what it identifies as “terror camps” in Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, avoiding civilian areas and military installations.
Pakistan asserts that it downed five Indian aircraft in retaliation, but Indian officials have yet to verify this.
Catholic cardinals gather for conclave to elect new pope
In Vatican City, cardinals have gathered to initiate the process of electing the next leader of the Catholic Church in a conclave. They have begun voting on Pope Francis’s successor, who died two weeks ago. The voting will occur in complete seclusion in the Sistine Chapel.
The conclave will choose a new pope only when one candidate secures two-thirds of the votes. There are 133 cardinals in attendance who are under 80 and eligible to vote.
If a decision has not been made after three days, the Vatican will suspend balloting for 24 hours to allow cardinal electors time to reflect and pray.
After each round of voting, the Vatican sends a smoke signal from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke signifies that they have not yet made a decision. White smoke will indicate that a new pope has been elected and will be followed by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica.
US trade officials to meet with Chinese counterparts to talk tariff war
This week, two senior officials from the Trump administration will discuss trade with their Chinese counterparts. The ongoing tariff conflict between the U.S. and China persists, showing no signs of resolution yet.
The administration announced that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will visit Switzerland to meet with China’s “lead representative on economic matters,” identified by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on X as Vice Premier He Lifeng.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with a Chinese representative in Switzerland this week.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, May 6, Bessent said initial discussions will likely be about “de-escalation, not about the big trade deal.” He added that the U.S. and China have “shared interests” because the sky-high tariffs imposed by both countries last month are not “sustainable.”
The Trump administration has imposed 145% tariffs on China, which the president believes are damaging the Chinese economy. In response, China implemented 125% tariffs on American goods.
Canada’s ‘not for sale,’ prime minister tells Trump during Oval Office meeting
President Donald Trump remains steadfast in his push to make Canada the 51st state, despite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s firm stance that any merger or annexation by the U.S. will not occur.
The comments came as world leaders held their first highly anticipated meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday, May 6. However, the president said he and Carney would not discuss the proposal unless “somebody wants to discuss it.”
When asked if Carney’s rejection of the idea makes trade and other negotiations between the U.S. and Canada difficult, Trump said, “No, not at all.”
Carney told reporters after the meeting that he asked Trump to stop calling Canada the 51st state. He also said Canada and the U.S. are having very “complex” negotiations about a “wide range of issues.”
The two sides have been at odds over Trump’s tariffs on Canada, with the president saying Tuesday, “We don’t need their cars, we don’t need their energy, we don’t need their lumber, we don’t need anything they have, other than their friendship.”
Supreme Court allows Trump admin to implement trans military ban
The Supreme Court has allowed the trump administration to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
For months, the administration has pushed to rid the armed forces of transgender people, saying their sexual identity “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.”
The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contend that such a lifestyle harms military readiness and unit cohesion.
A judge in Tacoma, Washington, ruled in favor of seven transgender military members who stated that the ban was insulting and discriminatory. At a special forces conference in Tampa, Hegseth commented on this, which was posted on X:
“We are leaving wokeness and weakness behind. No more pronouns, no more climate change obsessions, no more emergency vaccine mandates, no more dudes in dresses.”
The LGBTQ rights group, Lambda Legal, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation reacted to the Supreme Court ruling, calling it a devastating blow to the dedicated and highly qualified service members.
As for what’s next, the matter goes to a federal appeals court in San Francisco while the high court ban remains in place.
DHS head: Travelers without Real ID face additional screening starting Wednesday
After years of delays, U.S. travelers must now use a state-issued ID or driver’s license that is “Real ID” compliant. Real IDs are marked by a yellow star on the identification card.
Starting Wednesday, May 7, all American passengers traveling within the U.S. must have a valid Real ID to travel. However, Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem said Tuesday, May 6, that those who have not received their Real ID will still be able to fly after additional identity checks.
She told a congressional panel that 81% of travelers already have ID cards that comply with the Real ID requirements. Other options for travelers without Real IDs include using a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, border crossing card or a veteran health ID.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
