Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled to take place at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday. World leaders, including President Trump, are expected to attend. After the funeral, Francis will be interred in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. A papal conclave will convene in 15 to 20 days to select a new pontiff. The Vatican confirmed Francis died of a stroke and heart failure. (UPI)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a State Department overhaul aiming to reduce staff by 15% in the U.S. and consolidate over 100 bureaus globally. The plan also includes streamlining offices to increase efficiency, such as focusing on foreign and humanitarian affairs, while eliminating bureaus on women’s issues and human rights. (AP)
The Supreme Court appears poised to require a Maryland school board to allow parents to opt their elementary school children out of instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. The Justices, leaning in favor of families, raised concerns about violating parental religious beliefs and the need for opt-out options. (CBS News)
Tesla reported a 9% decline in revenue in the first quarter of this year, missing analysts’ projections. The drop in performance coincides with a sales slump and stock troubles. This development may impact Elon Musk, who faces scrutiny for his role in the Trump administration and his Tesla leadership. Shareholders urge Musk to return full-time. (ABC News)
A jury ruled that The New York Times did not libel Sarah Palin over a 2017 editorial error linking her PAC to gun violence. The jury reached a verdict after Palin testified about increased death threats. Her attorneys argued for defamation, seeking compensatory damages for reputational harm. The Times corrected the article shortly after publication. (NBC News)
