The Bulletin

• U.S. issues Pakistan travel warning: The U.S. State Department issued a fresh travel warning for Pakistan after an Indian drone attack hit a target in Lahore, warning U.S. citizens to leave areas of active conflict if it is safe or to shelter-in-place.

• Importance of an 'independent' judiciary: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts stressed the importance of an independent judiciary system during a fireside chat with a district judge on Wednesday.

• First day of conclave: The first day of the papal conclave ended with black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no new pope had been chosen after the first ballot. A look at what betting odds say about the frontrunner.

• What were the longest and shortest conclaves? History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt. Find out more.

• U.S. B-52 bombers deployed near Iran: B-52 bombers have arrived at the remote Indian Ocean outpost of Diego Garcia, joining a contingent of six B-2 stealth bombers already deployed there for weeks. Learn more.

• North Korea's new missile warning: North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles over the Sea of Japan. Here's what to know.

The rundown: Pakistan's army spokesman accused India of hurting four soldiers in a drone attack near Lahore, an incident he described as a "serious, serious provocation" and one that "is further escalating" the unfolding conflict. Learn more.

Why it matters: India sent drones to "multiple locations" in Pakistan and 12 were shot down, said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan Armed Forces, in a briefing on Thursday. But he said one drone broke through and "managed to engage a military target near Lahore, partially," leading to the soldiers' injuries. He also said one civilian had been killed and another hurt by falling debris in the southern Sindh province. Overnight from May 7 to 8, India launched a number of strikes on what it said was terrorist infrastructure in Pakistani territory linked to Pahalgam, and at the center of plans for more attacks. Pakistan said India struck civilians in the strikes, killing dozens of people, including some at a mosque.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Operation Sindoor: Why India Attacked Pakistan

TL/DR: The two nuclear-armed powers are clashing in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, were killed by gunmen attacking a popular beauty spot in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

What happens now? India has not immediately responded to Pakistan's latest accusation of a drone attack. Indian authorities evacuated civilians from dozens of villages living close to the highly militarized Line of Control overnight into Thursday, while some living in border towns such as Uri and Poonch left their homes voluntarily, local officials told The Associated Press.

Deeper reading Pakistan Says India Hit Troops in New Drone Attack: 'Serious Provocation'

The rundown: Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after occupying part of Columbia University's main library in New York on Wednesday. More on the incident.

Why it matters: Videos shared on social media show a long line of New York Police Department officers entering the library hours after the protesters pushed their way past campus security officials and hung Palestinian flags on bookshelves in a reading room. At least 80 people were taken into custody, according to The Associated Press. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a pro-Palestinian student group, said in a post online that it had occupied part of Butler Library to "show that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy." The group said that some students had been "choked" and "beaten" by public safety officers on campus.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Columbia University Cuts 180 Jobs After Trump Pulls Funding

TL/DR: Among their demands were that the university divest from "Zionist occupation, apartheid and genocide," remove officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from campus and provide amnesty for students, staff, faculty and workers facing disciplinary action.

What happens now? Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday night that he's "reviewing the visa status" of the pro-Palestinian protesters who took part in the demonstration.

Deeper reading Dozens of Pro-Palestinian Protesters Storm Columbia University—What To Know

The rundown: Russian President Vladimir Putin treated Chinese President Xi Jinping to a bright fanfare and a long red carpet walk as the two leaders met at the Kremlin ahead of the Victory Day parade in Moscow. Know more.

Why it matters: The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a video of the formal greeting on social media, after which Putin hailed his "dear friend" Xi ahead of the celebrations to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. China is a vital strategic partner of Russia and, through economic support in the form of oil purchases, has aided Moscow's invasion of Ukraine amid punitive Western sanctions. The Russia-China alliance has deepened during the Ukraine war, as NATO allies sought to isolate Moscow. "I am very pleased with our new meeting and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to have a personal, direct conversation with you," Putin said, addressing Xi and the visitors from Beijing, state news agency TASS reported.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Zelensky Scorches Putin's 'Parade of Fear' in Defiant Kyiv Video

TL/DR: "Dear Chairman, dear friend, dear Chinese friends! It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Moscow," Putin said, addressing Xi and the visitors from Beijing, state news agency TASS reported.

What happens now? Around 20 world leaders are expected to attend Friday's event, which the Kremlin hopes will pass off without a hitch. Those taking part are allies such as the presidents of China and Belarus, President Xi Jinping and Alexander Lukashenko.

Deeper reading Watch: Putin Courts Xi With Full Pomp

The rundown: A Ukrainian man legally residing in Texas has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over three months—despite holding lawful status and having no criminal convictions. Find out why.

Why it matters: Pavlo Mykolayovych Zinkevych, 37, was arrested by Frisco Police around 2 a.m. on January 26, 2025, near the intersection of Preston Road and Eldorado Parkway—just three minutes from his home. According to his fiancée, Liubov Abdrazakova, Zinkevych was arrested in January for a suspected driving violation, but a breathalyzer test showed no intoxication. Though a judge set a low bond that was quickly paid, he was not released and was transferred to the Bluebonnet Detention Facility. Zinkevych entered the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine program and has a pending application for Temporary Protected Status. His fiancée says he is suffering physically and mentally in detention and has been threatened with deportation to Ukraine.

Read more in-depth coverage:
ICE Detainee Dies After HIV Undiagnosed for Months During Custody

TL/DR: The Bluebonnet Detention Facility previously made national headlines when Reuters published drone footage showing detainees in jumpsuits forming an SOS signal, waving to the camera, with one flashing a peace sign.

What happens now? Judges have said he should not be detained, but the Department of Homeland Security has refused to release him or respond to legal requests, severely disrupting his life and future plans.

Deeper reading ICE Threatened To Deport Texas Man To War Torn Country

The rundown: A growing number of Americans are asking to borrow money from others in order to pay down their student loans, amid ongoing economic uncertainty and the recent resumption in federal loan collections. Find out more.

Why it matters: Peer-to-peer lending platform SoLo Funds told Newsweek it has seen a 12-percent spike in members asking for assistance in paying their loans in 2025 compared to last year, with co-founder and President Rodney Williams adding: "We only expect that number to go up." The federal government resumed student loan collections earlier this week, following a five-year hiatus enacted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Education, around five million borrowers have not made a loan payment in over a year, with millions more in "late stage delinquency." As a result, it said that 10 million could soon be in default and subject to involuntary collection efforts.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Student Loan Update: Wage Garnishment Timeline Revealed by Education Department

TL/DR: An estimated 43 million have student loan debt in the U.S., and outstanding debt currently totals nearly $1.7 trillion, according to the Education Data Initiative.

What happens now? The Education Department has urged those struggling with loan repayments to visit studentaid.gov to see the available options.

Deeper reading Surge in Student Loan Borrowers Pleading for Money to Help Pay Off Debts