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.

 

US Government Vows to Crack Down on Tesla Attacks

Tesla vehicles and dealerships have faced escalating attacks, including arson, vandalism, and gunfire, as protests grow against CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics blame Musk for federal agency cuts and workforce reductions, sparking the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement.

 The Trump administration has responded forcefully, with Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling the acts "domestic terrorism" and promising severe penalties. The FBI has launched a task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

 

100 Years Later: Remembering the Deadliest Tornado in US History

Today marks the somber centennial of the Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest tornado in United States history, which tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

The F5 tornado carved a devastating path of destruction spanning 219 miles, maintaining contact with the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours. Weather experts estimate the tornado's winds exceeded 300 mph as it thundered across the Midwest with little warning.

In its wake, the tornado left 695 people dead, more than 2,000 injured, and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. Entire towns were effectively wiped off the map. Murphysboro, Illinois suffered the greatest loss with 234 fatalities, while the small mining community of West Frankfort lost 148 residents.

What made the Tri-State Tornado particularly deadly was its unusual characteristics. Unlike typical twisters, it lacked the familiar funnel shape, appearing instead as a massive rolling cloud of debris that many witnesses didn't recognize as a tornado until it was too late. The storm also moved at an exceptional speed of 60-70 mph, giving residents precious little time to seek shelter.

At the time, weather forecasting was in its infancy, with no radar systems or modern warning infrastructure. Most victims had mere minutes or seconds to react as the mile-wide storm approached.

A century later, the Tri-State Tornado remains a pivotal event in American weather history that helped drive advances in tornado forecasting, warning systems, and public safety measures that continue to save lives today.

Ruins of Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois, where 17 children perished when the Tri-State Tornado struck at approximately 2:30 PM, devastating the building and forever changing the community

This article was written with the help of generative artificial intelligence.

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa Die Under Suspicious Circumstances

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM home this week. Their bodies, along with their deceased dog, were discovered during a welfare check on Wednesday. While authorities initially stated no foul play was suspected, a search revealed suspicious details. 

Hackman's body was found in an entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom near a space heater. The unlocked door, scattered pills, and signs of decomposition have prompted a thorough investigation into the Hollywood legend’s death.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

Investigation Begins Into Tragic Mid-Air Crash Near DC

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun its investigation into the cause of the disastrous mid-air collision between a commercial regional jet and a US Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The collision killed all 64 aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita and all 3 US servicemembers aboard the helicopter.

Investigators have recovered all three black boxes from the downed passenger jet, allowing access to the flight data.

The plane, a Bombardier CRJ701ER, was about to land after it collided with the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, operating as part of a training mission. Air traffic controllers asked the helicopter’s operators if it could see a regional jet as it was flying near the airport. The helicopter operator confirmed being able to view the jet, but the operator is believed to have spotted the wrong aircraft and did not see Flight 5342 approaching.

The air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the accident. The investigation is expected to confirm what role, if any, that played in the collision.

 

Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 crashed in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:30 PM local time near the Roosevelt Mall, just minutes after it departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight, a hospital plane carrying six people, was en route to Springfield, Missouri, for refueling on its way to Tijuana, Mexico.

The impact was recorded by numerous dashcams and other cameras, showing the plane crashing at a high speed, pointing to a likely mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Emergency crews responded to put out the structure and vehicle fires caused by ignited jet fuel. No fatalities on the ground have been confirmed.