☕ The first American Pope

Good morning!

We’ll be watching the conflict between India and Pakistan over the weekend - it’s intensifying, with US officials reporting that Pakistani jets shot down two Indian fighter jets. Meanwhile, the Indian Premier League - one of the most followed sporting leagues globally - has been suspended for one week because of security concerns.

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Some headlines from this morning:

The U.S. and the UK have announced plans to sign a trade deal that will keep 10% of U.S. tariffs in place but exempt the UK from blanket 25% tariffs on vehicles and metal imports. The UK will drop tariffs on U.S. beef, ethanol, and sports equipment, and has committed to purchasing $10 billion worth of Boeing airplanes. Both countries' leaders have emphasized the strength of the US-UK relationship. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the agreement as a "fantastic platform." The timeline for finalizing the deal has not yet been specified.

President Trump has removed the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from government premises. Cameron Hamilton, who assumed the role in January, has been replaced by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official David Richardson. DHS Secretary Kristy Noem has not provided a reason for the dismissal. The removal occurred one day after Hamilton told a government committee he did not believe FEMA should be disbanded, contradicting the administration's position on dissolving the department.

President Trump has withdrawn his nomination of conservative podcaster Ed Martin for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC, and instead nominated former Judge and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. Trump stated Martin "wasn't getting the support" needed for Senate confirmation but expressed continued support for him, indicating he may involve Martin in the administration in other ways. Pirro previously served as an assistant district attorney and judge before becoming a media personality on Fox News.

The President of Panama has refused to withdraw from a U.S. security deal despite thousands of protesters marching on the capital city. The agreement, signed last month, grants U.S. troops access to facilities across Panama, while President Trump continues to advocate for U.S. control of the Panama Canal. President Mulino has stated that "Panama's sovereignty is not at stake" and assured citizens the deal would not lead to U.S. military bases in the country. The protests reflect ongoing tensions dating back to the 1989 U.S. occupation of Panama.

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Bill Gates will donate 99% of his fortune by 2045, according to an announcement on his website.

The Microsoft founder has accelerated the timeline for the Gates Foundation, which has already spent $100 billion since its creation.

Originally scheduled to close 50 years after Gates and his ex-wife Melinda died, the foundation will now spend an additional $200 billion from its endowment and the "vast majority" of Gates' personal wealth to meet this new deadline.

Gates, who turns 70 this year, quoted an 1886 essay in his announcement: "The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced."

The Gates Foundation

Bill Gates established Microsoft, which became one of the world's leading technology companies.

In 2000, he and then-wife Melinda established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to address global health, poverty, and education challenges. The organization has been instrumental in expanding access to medical advances worldwide.

In Thursday's announcement, Gates said the foundation would focus on eliminating preventable diseases affecting mothers and children, eradicating infectious diseases like malaria, and helping hundreds of millions escape poverty.

Why the change?

According to the announcement, the Gates Foundation always had a planned end date.

Gates has moved up this deadline because he believes the foundation's goals can be achieved in a shorter timeframe.

The billionaire also expressed concern about recent cuts to global aid programs by the U.S., UK, and France.

Regarding reductions affecting more than 80% of USAID's global development initiatives, Gates said: "These cuts will kill not just children, but millions of children."

Gates specifically mentioned Elon Musk in relation to these funding decisions, stating: "I'd love for [Musk] to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money."

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The Catholic Church has elected its first American pope.

Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as leader overnight. He will take the name Pope Leo XIV.

As Pope, Leo will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Catholics believe the Pope is God’s representative on Earth.

The role has existed since the earliest days of the Church.

What happened?

Pope Francis died on April 21, triggering an ancient selection process for the new pope called a conclave.

A conclave involves all eligible Catholic Cardinals being sequestered in the Sistine Chapel for as long as it takes two-thirds of the Church’s eligible princes to agree on which of their number should be Pope.

At the end of the second day of the conclave, the world was told a new Pope had been selected by a plume of white smoke that emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying a decision had been made.

Shortly after, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first public remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, starting with: “Peace be with you!”

The 69-year-old added: “We can be... a church that builds bridges, that is always open to receive everyone.”

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Born Robert Prevost to Chicago parents, Pope Leo spent much of his priestly life in Peru, where he was elevated to the position of Bishop and became a naturalised citizen.

After two decades in Latin America, Prevost assumed a senior position in the Vatican, where he was responsible for the selection and appointment of Catholic Bishops worldwide.

A former roommate described the new pope to the BBC as "outgoing", "down to earth" and "very concerned with the poor”

What will he do?

It remains unclear in which direction the new Pope, known for his discretion, will take the Church.

Some infer from Prevost’s selection of “Leo” as a papal name that the new pope plans to commit significantly to social issues.

Leo was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis, whose papal leadership saw a renewed emphasis on the Church’s social justice mission, particularly around the poor and migrants.