Decisions, decisions, decisions
From the Conclave to the Fed, through ceasefire agreements and what to do with transit systems on the brink
Hard to believe this is already the sixth edition. I have to say, I’m really enjoying the new format of focusing on just five stories each week. It’s pushed me to be more intentional about what makes the cut, and I’ve started taking note of stories that catch my eye throughout the week. Turns out, narrowing it down to five is harder than I thought. It’s all about making decisions, right?
I’m committed to eventually bringing back a short commentary in each edition about something that’s been on my mind. Lately, there’s been no shortage: how India is reshaping cricket, the underrated value of “touching grass,” and the very real ways AI is already impacting the job market. These reflections come from a mix of conversations, articles, work, podcasts, and everyday life. However, finding time to research and write, while juggling a full-time job and life outside of it, isn’t always easy. But, above all, I’m glad I finally took the plunge with this space, and even more glad I’ve stuck with it.
So, to keep the swimming metaphors going, let’s dive in:
1. A New Pope from Chicago and Chiclayo
The Catholic Church elected a new leader on Thursday: Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was chosen on the second day of the Conclave. Born in Chicago, he became the first pontiff born in the United States. In recent years, he held one of the Vatican’s most influential roles, overseeing the appointment and management of bishops worldwide.
There was speculation over whether he was a Cubs or White Sox fan before attention turned to his dual citizenship. Before becoming Leo XIV, Prevost spent most of his religious life in Peru, where he became a bishop and a naturalized citizen. On Thursday, as he delivered his first address as pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he singled out one place by name, briefly switching to Spanish: his “dear Chiclayo,” the northern Peruvian city where he served for years.
Pope Leo’s choice of name is a nod to Leo XIII, who helped shape modern Catholic social doctrine. Throughout his career, Pope Leo XIV has emphasized humility and service over hierarchy. His first remarks as pope echoed his predecessor’s legacy by affirming the Church’s commitment to synodality, a more consultative and inclusive form of governance that Francis sought to expand by inviting lay people, including women, to vote on Church matters.
Still, the new pontiff’s views remain under scrutiny. In a 2012 address, he criticized Western media and cultural norms for promoting “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,” including what he referred to as the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families.” He has also faced criticism for his handling of clerical abuse cases, a persistent and defining challenge for the Catholic Church. For now, Pope Leo XIV’s papacy begins at multiple crossroads: between center and periphery, reform and tradition, and a Church still reckoning with its place in a rapidly changing world.
Interested in more? NYT - Who Is Pope Leo XIV?
2. India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire
India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on Saturday following a week of the worst military exchanges between the two nuclear powers in decades. However, the truce was quickly thrown into question. Within hours of agreeing to it, both countries accused each other of violating the agreement, with continued reports of cross-border firing in Kashmir, the disputed region that has long fueled tensions between the two.
The conflict reignited after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Islamabad denied. What followed was a dramatic escalation: drone incursions, air strikes, and direct hits on military bases. Many fear that the situation could spiral once more.
Interested in more? NYT - India and Pakistan Agree to a Cease-Fire
3. Europe seeks to recruit more foreign scientists
European leaders are stepping up efforts to attract foreign researchers, positioning the continent as a haven for open and well-funded science. At a conference this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €500 million ($566 million) investment over the next two years aimed at making Europe “a magnet for researchers.” The funds are meant to bolster Horizon Europe, the EU’s research program with a budget of over $105 billion.
Von der Leyen also weighed in on the current climate in global research, warning of rising restrictions and political interference. “Fundamental, free, and open research is questioned,” she said. “What a gigantic miscalculation!” France followed with its plan. President Emmanuel Macron pledged $113 million to help universities and labs recruit international talent, including fields like climate science and low-carbon energy.
Interested in more? BBC - EU entices foreign scientists
4. The Fed holds steady amid mixed economic signals
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this week, maintaining its benchmark rate at 4.25% to 4.5%. The unanimous decision reflects the central bank’s cautious stance as it navigates a murky economic outlook marked by stubborn inflation and growth uncertainty. Rates have remained at this level since December, following a series of cuts in late 2024 that now appear to be on hold as officials assess competing signals from the economy.
In its statement, the Fed described the labor market as “solid” but warned that the outlook has grown more uncertain, with increased risks of both higher unemployment and renewed inflation. Policymakers appear reluctant to resume cuts without clearer signs of a slowdown, particularly a decline in job growth or a spike in layoffs. The current challenge is balancing its dual mandate: keeping inflation stable while supporting employment.
While it can feel inconsequential to our daily lives, the Fed’s rate decisions have real ripple effects. They shape how much interest we pay on credit cards and loans, how easy it is to get a mortgage, and how much businesses acquire new debt to invest.
Interested in more? NYT - Why the Fed’s Waiting Game on Rate Cuts Could Extend Until September
5. Travel is grounded on both coasts
This week, two major U.S. transit systems suffered critical failures, highlighting the growing strain on aging and understaffed transportation infrastructure. Newark Airport faced another radar outage early Friday, a 90-second disruption at a Philadelphia-based radar facility, which affected communications and flight monitoring. A similar outage just days earlier had left air traffic controllers unable to safely manage aircraft, prompting some to take leave to manage distress and further exacerbating staffing shortages. The Philadelphia TRACON, already understaffed, has struggled to keep up since it began supporting Newark operations after a controller relocation from New York.
Adding to Newark’s problems, the airport has closed its busiest departure runway until mid-June for a $121 million rehabilitation project, forcing airlines to adjust operations. To manage the ongoing disruptions, United Airlines, which has one of its hubs at Newark, has canceled 35 daily flights starting this month.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system of San Francisco shut down service entirely on Friday due to a network communication failure that left engineers unable to track train positions, an essential safety requirement. While BART is undergoing a long-term upgrade to modernize its control systems, its looming budget crisis, projected at $400 million annually, raises concerns about deep service cuts that could threaten the system’s viability.
Interested in more? San Francisco Chronicle - Here’s why BART shut down for hours — and what it means for the agency’s future, NYT - Newark Airport Has Another Radar Outage
That’s all for this edition. Some of these stories made the front pages, some didn’t, but all are worth a closer look. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
If something here caught your attention, feel free to pass it along. Also, if there’s a story, a thread, or an odd corner of the internet you think I should read, don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
As always, thanks for reading!
Any views expressed in this space are solely my own and do not reflect those of my current or former employers, or any institution I’ve been affiliated with.