5 things to know for May 9: Pope Leo XIV, India-Pakistan, Trump firings, VOA, Great Lakes
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President Donald Trump has elevated yet another Fox News personality to a position of power. On Thursday, Trump announced that he was appointing Jeanine Pirro as the interim US attorney for Washington, DC, after his first pick — Ed Martin — received pushback from Republicans on Capitol Hill. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously worked at Fox News, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was employed by Fox Business. Dan Bongino, the host of “Unfiltered with Dan Bongino” on Fox News, now serves as deputy director of the FBI. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, was also a paid contributor to the network. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the first American to be elected pope, will reveal more about the direction he wishes to take the Catholic Church in the months to come. If you’ve never heard of the new pontiff, here are a few tidbits about his background. The 69-year-old from Chicago stepped into his role as the 267th pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica Thursday bearing a message of peace. He has chosen the name Leo XIV. Leo is now tied for the fourth most common name chosen by popes, along with Clement. According to a family historian who researched his genealogy, the new pontiff has Creole of color roots in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. Leo is a dual citizen of the US and Peru and enjoys playing tennis. Tensions remain high between India and Pakistan as both countries continue to blame each other for violence in Kashmir. The latest breakdown in relations was sparked by a group of gunmen who killed at least 26 sightseers in the disputed region. New Delhi blamed Pakistan for harboring terrorists and retaliated by downgrading ties and suspending its participation in a crucial water-sharing treaty. Although it denied involvement in the shooting, Pakistan responded by suspending trade and expelling Indian diplomats. This week, India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, targeting what it said was “terrorist infrastructure,” and killing at least 31 people. Shelling from Pakistan then claimed the lives of at least 16 civilians. The White House fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday. Hayden became the country’s top librarian in 2016 and had about a year and a half left on her 10-year term. She was the first woman and the first Black person to hold the position. Democrats swiftly criticized the action. “Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace and the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. The acting administrator of FEMA was also fired on Thursday, mere weeks before the start of hurricane season. Cameron Hamilton, who was appointed by Trump, was reportedly escorted out of FEMA’s headquarters just one day after he defended the agency during testimony in front of the House Appropriations Committee, saying he did not support its dismantling. For months, Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have called for FEMA to be “eliminated.” Two months ago, the Trump administration stopped broadcasting news reports on the Voice of America’s networks. Kari Lake, the MAGA loyalist the president picked to run the US Agency for Global Media, placed about 1,400 employees and contractors on leave and terminated all financial support. Since then, staffers have been stuck in a form of bureaucratic limbo as their case winds through the legal system. Earlier this week, Lake announced that the agency had partnered with One America News Network, the far-right TV outlet known for promoting Trump’s 2020 election lies. The cable channel, which has also settled multiple defamation lawsuits resulting from its on-air claims, will now provide “newsfeed services” to VOA and other US-funded international broadcasters.
Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime employee and attorney Darren Indyke testified on Thursday that he “had no knowledge whatsoever” of the convicted sex offender’s wrongdoing and rejected “any suggestion” he assisted or facilitated his former boss’ crimes.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman cast the deciding vote Thursday to advance Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to serve as US Department of Homeland Security secretary, crossing party lines to send President Donald Trump’s nominee to the full Senate for consideration.
A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
In 2025 a record number of more than 22,000 Cubans arrived in Uruguay, according to to the National Migration Agency. CNN’s Dario Klein reports.
For over a month, Transportation Security Administration employees have been showing up to work at US airports without getting paid.
CNN’s 5 Things AM brings you the news you need to know every morning.
Both President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have encouraged Susie Wiles to take the time she needs away from the White House to deal with her treatment, but Wiles argued she does not plan to do so, people familiar said.
A transparency law passed by Congress has forced the release of more Epstein files than ever before, but some lawmakers and victims are exploring ways to push the Justice Department to disclose even more information from the voluminous trove that’s being withheld.
Former US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent sat Wednesday for an extensive interview with former Fox News host and right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson, his first public comments since he resigned from his post, citing concerns about the war with Iran.
When Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon, they hoped to boost members’ confidence on their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Within half an hour, Democratic lawmakers had walked out.
Cuba is going dark under US pressure. How the crisis unfolded and why its troubles are far from over
Almost three months after the US effectively imposed an oil blockade on Cuba that worsened its energy crunch, nearly every aspect of Cuban society has been feeling the strain.
The Department of Homeland Security has been ensnared by a partial government shutdown as Congress did not act to fund the agency by the end of Friday. But nearly all DHS workers will remain on the job — even if many won’t get paid until the lapse ends — and the public probably won’t notice much of a change.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is moving away from operations tied to the Iran war and sailing to the US Navy’s base in Crete for repairs after a fire broke out in the ship’s laundry area last week, a US official said.