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One World with Zain Asher
India Strikes Pakistan In wake Of Kashmir Massacre; Pakistan Calls Indian Airstrikes "An Act Of War," Vows Retaliation; The Conclave To Choose The Next Pope Is Underway; World Leaders Urging Restraint Between India And Pakistan; Russia Prepares For Victory Day Celebrations; Port Cities Already Feeling Effects Of Trade Wars; Aired 12-1p ET
Aired May 07, 2025 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:00:59]
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Live from New York. I'm Bianna Golodryga.
ASHER: And I'm Zain Asher. You are watching "ONE WORLD." You have been watching CNN's special coverage of the Conclave to select the next leader
of the Catholic Church.
And there you have it. The doors of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican are closed and a 133 Cardinals sealed off from the rest of the world, are
deciding who the next pope is going to be.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. All eyes are now on the chimney of the chapel's room.
ASHER: The smoke.
GOLODRYGA: In the next few hours, we expect to see the results of the first vote. Now, if we see white smoke, then a new pope has been chosen. If
there's black smoke from that chimney, the Cardinals will keep voting, and all likelihood, we will be seeing black smoke at least for today.
ASHER: Yes. Couple days.
GOLODRYGA: That is the expectation. Now, keep in mind, it's rare for a pontiff to be chosen on that first ballot. And we're watching all of this
for you and we'll bring you a live report from outside of St. Peter's Square in just about 20 minutes time.
ASHER: All right. But first, a dangerous escalation in a decades long conflict between two neighbors. Pakistan is vowing to retaliate after India
launch strikes into what it calls terrorist training camps inside Pakistan- administered Kashmir, as well as deep inside Pakistan as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(EXPLOSION)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Islamabad calls India's attacks a, quote, act of war. Pakistan says 26 people were killed in those strikes, including children.
ASHER: Yes. Nationwide security drills were held across India today. A move that hasn't actually been seen in decades. India says that 12 civilians
were killed in Pakistani shelling on the Indian side of Kashmir.
New Delhi calls its strikes in Pakistan focused and measured. And a response to a militant attack last month that killed 26 tourists in Indian-
administered, Kashmir.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VIKRAM MISRI, INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY: They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across
to India.
It was deemed essential that the perpetrators and planners of the 22nd April attack be brought to justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Pakistan's defense minister says, those claims are not the case. He spoke to CNN's Becky Anderson earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHAWAJA MUHAMMAD ASIF, PAKISTANI DEFENSE MINISTER: There's absolutely no active terrorist activities. It's just the imagination, the figment of the
imagination of India. They just want to justify it. Whatever they are doing, they are trying to find it just to fail for that.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Are you concerned about a direct conflict, a war at this point?
ASIF: Yes. There is a possibility of this conflict -- expansion of this conflict into a full state war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: Journalist, Vedika Sud joins us live now from Delhi. So, Vedika, there had been pressure on India to retaliate or to attack for some time
now. And just in terms of Islamabad, they're viewing this as potentially as some kind of massive escalation, if not an act of war.
Obviously, there are fears that this could escalate into a real-life conflict between both sides. Walk us through what the escalation looks like
at this point.
VEDIKA SUD, JOURNALISt: Well, tensions between India and Pakistan have seen a major escalation, as you pointed out, ever since 1:04 A.M. Wednesday
early morning.
In the darkest of night times, really, you had the Indian military come out and launched this military strike, military offensive against Pakistan.
What's important to note here is, it was not only in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but even further into Pakistan, perhaps the deepest strike,
military strike, by India in five decades.
Now, tensions obviously simmering on both sides of the border. We're also being told by both sides that there's been firing across the border. And
this is violating the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. There have been fatalities on both sides because of this, on the Indian side,
according to the Indian military. There have been at least 12 deaths reported due to this.
[12:05:13]
We have the Indian government coming out and saying, well, we had no option left. We had given a fortnight to Pakistan to go ahead and booked the
perpetrators of the crime committed on the 22nd of April last month, where 26 people lost their lives, mostly tourists and mostly Indian nationals.
India claims that Pakistan rather has accused Pakistan repeatedly of state- sponsored terrorism, a charge and accusation that Pakistan has repeatedly denied.
So ever since the military offensive in 26 minutes roundabout or rather 30 minutes, more or less, is what the Indian government said, they targeted
nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
And the debt toll, according to Pakistan, due to those military offensive or military strikes, has been at least 26.
Now, the Indian government ever since has been lauding the army, the Indian army for this military offensive. Pakistan has said that there have been
some jets, the Indian jets that they've shut down, but the Indian government has not responded to any of our questions on that. They haven't
come out even in the press conference of the day here in New Delhi and said anything about it.
The Indian government has been reaching out to a lot of their allies across the world. There has been international pretensions between the two
countries. You have Pakistan coming out and promising action and retaliation. They said that they will choose a time and place for it. We
have no other word on when that could happen.
But the Indian side has gone ahead and said that the Indian army, the Indian military is ready for any military offensive from Pakistan in the
coming days or weeks.
So there doesn't seem to be any indication or signs of de-escalation at this point, but that's the hope when it comes to the U.S. You've had the
Secretary of State come out and say that we're hoping that this really dials down. There's a de-escalation of sorts and that's something that even
the U.N. has said. You had the representatives from the U.N. today and yesterday talking about it.
But tensions continue on both sides of the line of control that divides India and Pakistan. Back to you.
ASHER: Vedika Sud live for us there. Thank you so much.
GOLODRYGA: Well, Pakistan's Prime Minister says, the military is authorized to take, quote, corresponding actions in the country's self-defense at a
time, place and manner of its choosing.
ASHER: Yes. CNN's international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson reports from Islamabad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Just after midnight, Pakistan's peace shattered. A wave of Indian missiles lighting up
the sky rocking the nation.
Pushing two bitter nuclear-arm neighbors to the brink of all-out war.
Local resident, Waqaz Ahmed (ph), saying fear and terror spread in the people. India says its attack hit nine sites as Pakistan's military mounted
its defense.
AHMED SHARIF CHAUDRY, PAKSITANI MILITARY SPOKESPERSON: So far, I can confirm you that five Indian aircrafts, including three Rafale, one Su-30
and one MiG 29 have been shot down and one Heron drone has also been shot down.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): According to India, the strikes were in response to last month's killing of 26 civilians in Kashmir by militants.
India says from Pakistan, which Islamabad denies.
MISRI: These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and
disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Well, India says it was preempting planned terror attacks, although provided no evidence of that claim.
Among the more than two dozen killed in Tuesday night's air raid were children.
Mosques were damaged. An angered Pakistan has already vowed to respond.
CHAUDRY: Pakistan reserves the right and will respond to this aggression at a time, place and means of our own choice.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Deadly artillery shelling continues across the de facto border in disputed Kashmir.
India warned Pakistan not to take it further.
SOFIYA QURESHI, INDIAN ARMY: It must be said that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to Pakistani misadventures, if any, that will
escalate the situation.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): The country's leader, Narendra Modi, gathered his top officials on Wednesday in the wake of the strikes, which hit deeper
inside Pakistan than any Indian attack for 50 years long before either nation acquired a nuclear bomb.
[12:10:15]
Nic Robertson, CNN, Islamabad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: Well, CNN has not been able to independently verify Pakistan's claim to have shot down five Indian aircraft.
Elizabeth Threlkeld is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center and she joins us now live from Washington.
Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time.
So this response from India was expected following that terror attack killing 26 civilians two weeks ago. India is describing it, as we noted,
focused and measured, saying that they targeted terrorist sites only.
And as Nic noted, however, this was the largest aerial assault over Pakistan in over 50 years. Where do you see the opportunity for any sort of
de-escalation at this point, especially knowing that Pakistan also, I would imagine, would have to reestablish some sort of deterrence and response?
ELIZABETH THRELKELD, SENIOR FELLOW AND DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH ASIA PROGRAM, STIMSON CENTER: Right. This is a very precarious moment that we find
ourselves in. I think the far-likelier outcome that we'll see is that Pakistan will take retaliatory military action, which, of course, prompts
questions about how India is likely to respond and it's pretty easy to see an escalation ladder from there.
I do think, though, there is a brief opportunity, a window for Pakistan to assess and having seen the, at least, initial reports of downing of Indian
fighter jets be able to claim victory and say that it has -- it's done its part to reestablish deterrence.
And I would hope that the U.S. and other international members of the international community with an interest in de-escalation might be
conveying those messages to Pakistan right now.
There is a great deal of risk in this scenario when I think we have one window of opportunity here to try to take an off-ramp, if possible.
ASHER: Although Pakistan has said that they do reserve the right to respond and that they are likely to do so at a time, place, and manner of their
choosing. I mean, based on that, I mean, obviously, de-escalation doesn't seem to be likely at this point in time.
But based on that, how do you anticipate that Pakistan is going to respond here?
THRELKELD: Yes. So there's a bit of a challenge in terms of thinking about potential target sets. India has framed its -- its actions as you noted, as
measured, non-escalatory, proportionate responsible. You know, they have emphasized that these strikes were targeting militant infrastructure in
Pakistan. And so raises the question of what Pakistan might seek to hit on the Indian side.
In a previous scenario exercises, for example, we've seen a Pakistani side go after Indian military sites. For example, air force bases that are tied
to the strikes that were conducted. But that does brief questions about escalation because the Indians did not hit military targets in Pakistan.
And so I think a tit for tat strike is likely and something that Pakistan would be able to sell to its home audience as being proportionate to what
India conducted.
GOLODRYGA: Picking up on that point about what Pakistan would be able to sell to its home audience there and for citizens in the country in terms of
claiming some sort of victory, as we noted, and India has not confirmed why Pakistan has been claiming that they have shot down a few fighter jets, how
much should we read into the fact that what Pakistan has come forward with in terms of a death toll is the exact number of civilians who were killed
in the terror attack two weeks ago, and that is 26?
THRELKELD: Mm-hmm. I think it is -- it is something that is worth noting. For a while, it was over 20 and -- and that particular number is obviously
the same as -- as we're hearing out of the Taliban attack.
And I -- I -- I would speculate here that that perhaps is something that we'll hear more about going forward.
And again, in line with trying to look for opportunities for de-escalation in an old ramp, I think it raises the possibility that both sides could
say, you know, the score has been settled. Obviously, Pakistan disavows anything to do with the original attack, which is one of the sources of
escalation in this case. But it is an interesting parallel here. And I think something to keep an eye on going forward.
ASHER: The last time we saw these two nuclear powers reach a point that they were almost close to war was back in 2019. So it's been around six
years.
Just talk to us a bit about how the conditions this time around differ from back then.
[12:15:01]
THRELKELD: This is a more escalatory crisis than we saw in 2019. So in 2019, India conducted cross-border airstrikes into the mainland of
Pakistan, outside of the disputed Kashmir region for the first time.
And this time, we went from one Indian strike to nine. And not just hitting a -- a province in Pakistan, but hitting Punjab Province and -- and quite
deep into it.
We've also seen casualties emerge from this crisis. And so in terms of numbers, in terms of targets and in terms of the impact, this one is -- is
significantly higher.
Another key difference I would point out is the international community, the role of the United States, of China. We've seen Pakistan reportedly
using Chinese military hardware in their response.
And I think it's worth watching how Washington just thought to deepen its relationship with New Delhi, and of course, the China-Pakistan relationship
as well. How those links play in in the context of potential crisis management that could be playing out?
What I fear is that we no longer have any sort of neutral arbiter who might be able to step in and encourage de-escalation in the way that we've seen
in previous Indian-Pakistan crises over the past two decades.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. And we also -- the United States has less of an influence over Pakistan, specifically following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in
the end of the war there. Obviously, this is a very, very contentious situation. We'll continue to be following it for our viewers.
Elizabeth Threlkeld, thank you so much.
ASHER: Thank you.
THRELKELD: My pleasure.
ASHER: All right. Still to come.
The Cardinals who will choose the next pope are gathered now behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel. We'll look at where -- we are in the process
after a short break here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: Well, billions of people are keeping an eye on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. That's because smoke from its chimney expected in the
coming hours will signal the result of the first ballot to choose a new pope.
ASHER: Yes, 133 cardinals locked inside the chapel for the papal conclave, are deciding who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. And
they've been offered what's known as the College of Cardinals report.
It's supposed to help them get to know one another better. And that's what its creators are saying, adding that it was compiled by, quote, independent
journalists and researchers.
[12:20:05]
GOLODRYGA: The report profiles about 40 papal candidates and looks at where they stand on various church topics, including same-sex blessings and
contraception.
ASHER: CNN's Christopher Lamb is live for us outside St. Peter's Square.
So the voting is underway right now in the Sistine Chapel where 133 Cardinals are gathered, where we're waiting to see who gets more than two
thirds of the vote. Walk us through where we are in the process, because it's likely to take -- likely to take a couple of days, at least.
CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, this conclave is very unpredictable. We don't know how long it is going to take. But the
thing is there are so many cardinals from different parts of the world, 70 countries represented. And we don't know how they're going to decide who
should be the next pope, because it's so unpredictable, given these different nationalities, different viewpoints. But it's clear that there is
a -- a frontrunner that some cardinals want, that is Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
And it was very interesting today that in the homily for a mass for the election of the pope, Cardinal Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals,
appeared to indicate that he is supporting Parolin.
He -- during the sign of peace, it was notable that he embraced Cardinal Re warmly, as if to say have courage. And the homily that Cardinal Re gave,
whilst it was warm about some of the things that Francis has stood for, didn't mention Pope Francis once.
Some people seen that as a very clear signal from Cardinal Re for the cardinals to go in a certain direction.
However, there is of course the saying that he who enters a conclave as pope, leaves as a cardinal. Often the frontrunners fall away. There are
lots of potential candidates, and an outsider could emerge.
The vote tonight is crucial. This vote, which you're not expecting to be decisive at all, but this vote will show where the support lies. It's a
kind of moment where people can put their cards on the table.
How many votes will the frontrunners get? Will other candidates receive a certain number of votes? And then make cardinals or perhaps I could support
him. This is how I think the dynamics are going to work in the conclave.
No one is expecting white smoke tonight. Of course, white smoke indicates that a pope has been elected. We are expecting it to be black smoke. And
there is talk that this conclave could go on for longer than other conclaves, because of the new dynamics, because of the fact that cardinals
don't know each other as well as in the past.
The cardinals have been wearing name badges when they've been meeting in the run-up to the conclave. Having said that, there have been meetings in
the Vatican big assemblies in recent years where cardinals have come together.
Those have been moments where they have been able to get to know each other. It's basically a very unpredictable, wide open race here. Of course,
the cardinals are sequestered away in the Casa Santa Marta, where they're staying during the election period, and, of course, in the Sistine Chapel,
we just saw the dramatic moment when the master of ceremonies closes the door and says, everybody out.
The cardinals are sequestered away. They can't have any electronic devices, iPads, phones, any of them, materials or any other access, sorry, to news
sites. They have to focus on the election of the pope.
And this really is an unpredictable and wide open conclave. And it's going to be fascinating to see how it develops in the coming days.
GOLODRYGA: It was fascinating to watch. I mean, an 800-year-old tradition unfolding in this modern era and that being televised for viewers to see at
home was quite something.
Christopher, "POLITICO" is reporting that some of the new cardinals, as you noted, so many of them are newly appointed and have been newly appointed by
Pope Francis himself, were so unfamiliar with the process that they actually did watch the film "Conclave" to get a better sense of what to
expect.
Can you just talk about that -- that phenomenon and how these new -- these new cardinals would prepare for something so significant?
LAMB: Yes. Well, I mean, a lot of the new cardinals, they come from parts of the world that have never had cardinals before. A number of them have
not studied or lived in Rome. They don't have an understanding of how the Vatican works. So they're kind of outsiders to the system.
Of course, "Conclave," the movie, has generated a lot of interest, intense interest around the real-life conclave. There are some things that
"Conclave," the movie, gets right, details about where the cardinals stay, some of the dramatic debates and tensions that take place.
But I think if the cardinals were looking to prep for the conclave, the movie would only give them part of the picture. The conclave is really, at
its heart, a spiritual process. They go into the Sistine Chapel and they cast their votes in front of the fresco of by Michelangelo of the Last
Judgment. They put them into an urn and they go back to their seat and they wait for them to be read out.
[12:25:15]
It -- it's very much a sort of liturgical spiritual process done in complete silence as one Cardinal Tobin. There's no small talk or no
gossiping. It's just a question of processing up and placing their vote like that.
So this is a spiritual process as well as a kind of human political one and perhaps "Conclave," the movie misses that spiritual element to it.
GOLODRYGA: It is a fantastic movie. I have to say. It's part of my prep. I watched it last night.
ASHER: You took that.
GOLODRYGA: Yes, exactly. All right. Christopher Lamb, obviously, nothing replaces being there and your expertise in this field and you'll be
covering this process for us in the days and hours to come. Thank you so much.
ASHER: All right. He is known for the Da Vinci Code and other fictional interpretations of the Catholic base-- faith, excuse me. Now, best-selling
author, Dan Brown, talks to CNN and reflects on the papal process and what he would change. That and more, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: All right. Welcome back to "ONE WORLD." I'm Zain Asher.
GOLODRYGA: And I'm Bianna Golodryga.
The world is on edge as decades of hostility between two nuclear powers escalates to a dangerous level, heightening fears of an all-out military
confrontation.
ASHER: Yes. Pakistan is vowing to retaliate after India launched its largest aerial attack in more than 50 years on its neighbor and on the
Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir, killing at least 26 people.
New Delhi says, it targeted terrorist sites and says 12 civilians were killed overnight on the Indian side of the line of control in Kashmir by
shelling from Pakistan. The sharp rise in tensions is getting a mixed response on the streets of the Indian capital.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Be at war might -- make the things more terrible for the economy, for the civilians, for the people who are going to fight on
behalf of us.
[12:30:07]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm very happy about the fact that some action has been taken. So kudos to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I think that's --
that's -- and we all are together in whatever he takes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like this. I want everybody to make peace. The war has started, but I want it to end soon, because it's important for all
of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Now, the spiraling violence follows a deadly militant attack in Indian-administer Kashmir two weeks ago that killed dozens of tourists.
The international community, for its part, is urging India and Pakistan to de-escalate immediately.
ASHER: Yes. China is calling on both countries to prioritize peace and stability. Russia says it's deeply concerned and wants to see a show of
restraint. And here's how some other governments are responding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YOSHIMASA HAYASHI, JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON (through translator): We strongly call for both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and
stabilize the situation through dialogue.
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We are engaging urgently with both countries as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue,
de-escalation, and the protection of civilians.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They've been fighting for a long time, you know, they've been fighting for many, many decades and
centuries actually, if you really think about it. No, I just hope it ends very quickly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: CNN's Kristen Holmes joins us now live from the White House. And, Kristen, the president does have a closer personal relationship with
Prime Minister Modi yesterday in the Oval Office as he was meeting there with his Canadian counterpart. He said that it would be a shame to see this
escalate.
What more are we hearing from the White House in terms of any specific efforts being made on the U.S. as part?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, one of the big questions we have, which we've not got an answer on yet, is whether or not
Donald Trump has spoken to Prime Minister Modi.
Now, there is a briefing. Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, will be briefing reporters shortly. We do expect this to come up. And, of course,
that's going to be one of the top questions given their relationship, as you mentioned.
Now, we do know that administration officials have been watching this closely. They've been watching this closely for some time now. J.D. Vance,
just last week, said that they were hoping that India's response to that terror attack would be something that wouldn't cause instability in the
region. So they believe this to be a major escalation.
How they are going to handle it, we still don't have any kind of information from them on that. Again, we are hoping and believe we will
hear from Karoline Leavitt on what the administration's plans are moving forward in just a few moments.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Kristen Holmes for us at the White House. Thank you so much.
Well, a brief pause in Russian activity is set to begin soon in Ukraine. As Moscow temporarily shifts its focus. Just ahead, how Russian President
Vladimir Putin and his country are preparing for a major military celebration.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:35:32]
ASHER: The Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow just as well leaders are set to arrive in Russia for major military parade. The strikes come out of the
unilateral three-day ceasefire announced by Russia.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. Moscow says the brief truce will coincide with the ceremonies planned to commemorate 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany
in World War II.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is among the foreign dignitaries expected to attend. Our Fred Pleitgen is in Moscow with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): A waltz for victory. Hundreds of young people in Moscow putting on a massive
performance, dancing in Soviet military uniforms.
Honoring veterans of World War II who defeated Nazi Germany while also showing support for Russian soldiers fighting now in what the Kremlin still
calls its special military operation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We won in the big war, and we can win in another war, of course.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): I think we should support our fighters who are currently taking part in the special operation in any case, he says. It's
very important to support them. They are feeling the support.
And the Russians claim their troops are bringing the heat on nearly all front lines, making continuous gains in Eastern Ukraine in the past weeks,
they say, while all but eliminating Kyiv's remaining forces still scattered in the Western Russian Kursk area.
They had no chance, the soldier says, as they tour a recaptured town.
With U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative for a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia seemingly stuck in a rut, even Russian state TV
marveling at the chaos inside the Trump administration, speculating who the next national security advisor might be.
He named Stephen Miller as his favorite, the host says. According to Trump, the official already indirectly occupies this position. In the meantime,
State Secretary Rubio is officially dealing with the tasks of the adviser. Such a consolidation of powers has not been seen since Henry Kissinger in
the '70s.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): But painting a very different picture of Vladimir Putin's leadership after the Russian president showed his private Kremlin
quarters to a Russian state TV reporter for the first time, serving the typical Russian fermented buttermilk drink kefir.
Is it a Russian product? The interviewer asks. Of course, Putin answers.
The Kremlin saying it all shows how rock-solid and stable Putin's approval is.
It's not kefir that's causing the stir, the Kremlin spokesman says. It's probably the consolidation of the whole society. It's a manifestation of
the consolidation around the president. It's the popularity of the president of our country and how attentively people treat the head of their
state.
And one thing Putin is projecting is power. Putting on a show of force about Russia's past, while vowing not to be denied victory in the present.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:40:33]
ASHER: Wall Street and Washington are both waiting to see what the U.S. Federal Reserve will do today.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. Despite Donald Trump publicly urging the Fed to cut interest rates, it is expected to keep rates unchanged at the end of
today's meeting.
Now, one reason why it is reluctant to do so is because of uncertainty over how Trump's trade wars will play out and the economic impact that they'll
have.
ASHER: But there is word of some progress today on the tariff front. The U.S. federal officials say, they're going to begin talks with China later
this week. Trump's Treasury Secretary says, don't expect any big breakthroughs right away, but it is important though to resume talking.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: We don't want to decouple, what we want is fair trade.
My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the -- the big trade deal. And -- but we've got to de-escalate before we can move forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: Bessent also says many countries are coming to the U.S. to negotiate because of President Trump's so-called strategic uncertainty approach, but
he has yet to announce any deals.
GOLODRYGA: Now, until those deals are made, the people who depend on bringing imports into the country will feel the impact of the trade war.
And as CNN's Nick Watt found out they are worried that it will only get worse.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK WATT, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): Today, the busiest port in America isn't so busy anymore.
GENE SEROKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PORT OF LOS ANGELES: This week, we're down about 35 percent compared to the same time last year. And these cargo ships
coming in are the first ones to be attached to the tariffs that were levied against China and other locations last month.
SAL DICOSTANZO, INTERNATIONAL LONGSHORE AND WAREHOUSE UNION: Naturally, that's going to lead to less work.
WATT: So, we are looking at people losing money here?
DICOSTANZO: Oh, yes.
SEROKA: A trucker who last week was hauling about four or five containers a day, this week will likely haul just two or three.
WATT (voice-over): A stone's throw from the port, Sirens coffee shop. Telling CNN that tariffs have already added $700 to their weekly bill for
beans. And --
YOLANDA REGALADO, OWNER, SIRENS JAVA & TEA: Well, I'd say 80 percent of our clientele base are longshoremen.
WATT: Oh, really?
REGALADO: Yes. So they -- a lot of them come in here. If we don't have anything happening in the port, it gets very quiet in here.
WATT: They've already seen their hours drop off?
REGALADO: Yes. Yes.
WATT: Fewer people coming in, in the morning?
REGALADO: Yes.
WATT: Already?
REGALADO: Yes.
WATT (voice-over): Port workers bracing for a hit similar to the recession of 2008.
WATT: And that recession, did people lose their jobs?
DICOSTANZO: Yes, I lost mine.
WATT (voice-over): This week, port officials say the number of ships coming in from China is down 50 percent.
SEROKA: As far as we can see right now, this cargo volume will be light for the weeks and months ahead.
WATT (voice-over): And Americans far and wide will feel it.
DICOSTANZO: There are 900,000 workers in Southern California connected to the supply chain, and there are nine million across the United States in
all 435 congressional districts that depend on what happens right here.
WATT (voice-over): There's less coming in, also less going out. American agricultural exports are falling according to the port.
SEROKA: In fact, Brazil sold more soybeans to China in the month of March than ever in their history.
WATT: Oh, because they're not coming from here.
SEROKA: That's right.
WATT (voice-over): The Trump administration's rationale for these tariffs, bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Folks around here aren't buying
it.
REGALADO: What jobs are you talking about? You're taking away jobs. You've taken away all the jobs down at the dock. You're taking away jobs from my
customers. So where is -- I don't see it.
[12:45:59]
WATT: So, how bad will this get? Well, nobody really knows. What we do know is there were supposed to be 80 ships coming in here during the month of
May. Twenty percent of them have already been canceled. They're already seeing cancellations for June.
But part of the problem is the uncertainty. Nobody knows if a deal is going to be reached. Nobody knows how bad this is going to be. And in an industry
like shipping, like supply chains, uncertainty is a terrible thing.
Nick Watt, CNN, at the Port of Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: Now, we want to remind you of one of our top stories. It is just before 7:00 P.M. in Vatican City, and 133 cardinals are now meeting behind
closed doors in the Sistine Chapel to select a new pope.
ASHER: I was going to read that, but you can.
GOLODRYGA: You can announce it ahead.
ASHER: I didn't even see my name on it, but, you know, I'm keen to jump in on this story.
GOLODRYGA: Yes.
ASHER: They've all taken an individual oath of secrecy. We don't see the cardinals again until they've chosen a successor to Pope Francis.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan is one of 10 Americans voting today. He tapped a very modern tapes rather, a very modern social media message as he
embarked on this tightly guarded centuries-old process.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So folks, I won't be able to talk to you until you see the white smoke. I look forward to doing that. Keep us in your prayers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: The results of the first vote are expected in the next few hours. No one knows how long this conclave is going to last. As the cardinals are
instructed to hold as many rounds of voting as necessary to select the next leader of the Catholic Church.
GOLODRYGA: You see, we know each other so well. You took a slight breath and I knew that you were going to speak. That is how symbiotic we are and
how invested we are in this story.
Our colleague Boris Sanchez gives us a step-by-step look at how voting will work.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The secretive process for voting for a new pope, all happens here inside the Sistine Chapel. After the death of
Pope Francis, the Catholic Church must choose a new pope in a process called a conclave.
On Wednesday, the conclave begins with a mass for the Cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, and after the mass, the cardinals will gather in the
Pauline Chapel.
Then the voting members of the College of Cardinals, those under the age of 80, will enter the famous Sistine Chapel. The lowest ranking cardinal,
first, the highest ranking cardinal, last.
Inside, each cardinal takes the conclave oath, part of a vow of secrecy under penalty of excommunication. The Sistine Chapel is then placed under a
total lockdown, including cell blockers installed in 2013 that prevent any calls, texts or internet access.
Nine cardinals are then chosen at random to perform specific roles in each voting session. These three are the scrutineers who oversee the voting.
There are also three revisers who verify the results. And finally, three infirmary leave the chapel to collect votes from any sick cardinals.
Next, the vote. Vatican law specifies the ballots be rectangular paper bearing on the upper half the words "Eligo In Summum Pontificem," or I
elect as the Supreme Pontiff. The cardinal then writes his choice for pope on the lower half, folding the ballot twice.
Then, highest ranking cardinals, first, they carry the ballots to the altar, holding it in their hand like this, so that it can be seen. Each
cardinal then places the ballot on a receptacle covered by a plate that sits in front of the three scrutineers.
After all the cardinals have cast their votes, the scrutineers add them up, and the totals are checked by the revisers. The names are then read aloud
for all the Cardinals to hear, and then a scrutineer pierces the ballot with a needle threaded with red string through the word "Eligo" or I elect,
and secures it to the rest of the votes.
As many as four votes a day can take place, two in the morning and two in the evening. A candidate must receive more than a two-thirds majority to be
elected pope.
Next, the ballots are taken to stoves in the back of the Sistine Chapel. The stove has an electronic device that adds chemicals to alter the color
of the smoke. The color of the smoke from these ballots is the only indication to the outside world of whether a new pope has been chosen.
Black smoke means that no candidate has received a two-thirds majority and a pope has yet to be picked. White smoke means that the cardinals have come
to a consensus and the pope has been chosen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HANKS, AMERICAN ACTOR: There's a hidden trail through Rome itself.
I need access to the Vatican archives.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Access to the archives is only by written decree by the Holy Father.
HANKS: Fellows, you called me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: "Angels and Demons" based on a "New York Times " best-selling book by Dan Brown. It's a fictional thriller centers around the Catholic Church.
[12:50:01]
GOLODRYGA: Brown's fascination with cathol -- with Catholicism is evident as several of his books focus on the religion. The church often criticized
him for his fictionalized interpretation of the faith.
He recently sat down with CNN Espanol anchor Gabriela Frias and shared his thoughts on the papal process.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN BROWN, AUTHOR: It -- it's exciting for me because I -- I know -- I know the process and the process is arcane and fascinating and -- and beautiful
in many ways and strange in many ways from -- from the outsider looking in.
I do -- I -- I will say this that I -- as beautiful as I find religion has done so much good in the world and it also, you know, has been used it in
ways that aren't so good. Certainly, there have been a lot of armies that have marched, you know, with -- with their gods banner in front of them and
so that's another sort of problem that we have with passionate feelings that are religious.
I do find it interesting. I find it remarkable actually that in the year 2025 that one of the most important leaders in the world is being elected
by men, only men. I just think that's something that should probably change.
GABRIELA FRIAS, CNNE ANCHOR: Interesting. And after a Jesuit (ph) who tried to change the Catholic church and some people would say he did too much and
other people would say he didn't do enough.
BROWN: Well, that's the same with -- with -- with any -- with any leader. You're -- you're not going to make everybody happy. And -- and I think
that-- that any good leader, you know, like -- like a pope is going to lead with his heart and say to -- to -- to his personal taste, this is where the
church should be going. And you have to respect somebody who -- who leads with -- with their heart as I -- as I feel he did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Our thanks to Gabriela Frias for that really interesting interview.
ASHER: Yes. We want to take a closer look at the upcoming Fed interest rate decision in about an hour or so from now.
Stephen Moore was co-founder of the Club for Growth and was the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation. He's a former economic advisor to
Donald Trump.
So, Stephen, just walk us through what you are anticipating in terms of what comes out of the press conference. Because despite --
STEPHEN MOORE, FORMER ECONOMIC ADVISOR TO DONALD TRUMP: Yes.
ASHER: -- obviously Donald Trump trying to sort of pressure Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, it is widely expected that he will leave interest
rates unchanged. Obviously, the Fed is independent.
But in terms of the press conference, that is what everybody is going to be watching for. What are you going to be looking for in terms of any signal
about upcoming rate decisions?
MOORE: Well, let's not forget that at the last big press conference Chairman Powell had -- he took some swings at Trump and that didn't go over
so well and it was very controversial. A lot of people were calling for his ouster. You may recall Trump was saying, well, maybe I should replace
Jerome Powell.
Now he subsequently said he is not going to replace Powell. He will be done in a year. So we'll see if he's as confrontational this time as he was in
that last press conference.
I'm -- frankly, I don't know what the -- what the Fed will do today with respect to rates. It's a close call right now. You're right that Trump
would like to see rates low. He likes low interest rates, but on the other hand, you do see some signs of inflation still in the economy.
The gold price, for example, in the last number of weeks has risen pretty substantially. That -- that's usually a sign of inflation. So I don't think
anybody knows for sure right now with an hour to go what that decision will be made.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. But the gold price one of the reason we've seen a huge spike in the price of gold also is because there's so much uncertainty and
questions --
MOORE: Right.
GOLODRYGA: -- about whether the United States, its treasury bonds --
MOORE: Right.
GOLODRYGA: -- and its dollar is the safe haven that it had always been.
Can I ask you, because this actually will have an impact maybe not from today's decision but in future decisions by the Fed, as to the lack of any
major trade deals announced thus far? We saw the president yesterday seemed a bit annoyed when he was asked repeatedly when there's going to be a deal
announced.
MOORE: Where are the deals?
GOLODRYGA: He said stop asking about the deal. And by the way, we don't even need a deal right now that the pressure is on other countries.
Does that suggest to you any concern perhaps that there are not further along in the process? I know that there's going to be meetings in
Switzerland between the Treasury Secretary and his Chinese counterparts in the days to come.
But we are now -- you know, the clock is ticking in terms of this 90-day --
MOORE: Yes, it is.
GOLODRYGA: -- pause, we have yet to see a big de -- big deal announced. What do you make of that?
MOORE: Well, my -- my sources over there in the White House, some of my friends over there who are working on the economic policies, do tell me
that they're getting close. But there's a big difference between being close and getting the deal done.
And so I think you're right that has caused a lot of uncertainty in the economy. Nobody likes that especially investors.
I will say that the dollar is -- is solid. I -- you know, I -- I don't think people need to be too worried about the dollar. But when you see the
gold price rise, that's a -- that is a sense of investors that they're rushing for safety. And they are worried a little bit about inflation.
[12:55:04]
So that's all the more reason why Trump has -- I mean you're quite right. Trump needs to get these trade deals done to provide some calm for the
markets.
ASHER: And, Stephen, just quickly, what is the Fed more concerned about at this point in time? Is it the risk of inflation with these tariffs? Or is
it perhaps an economic slowdown if these tariffs do continue to go into effect?
MOORE: That's a good question too. We'll find out -- ask me that question in an hour or a half or so when we know what the Fed does. Which show are
they more concerned about, the state of the economy or the inflation?
I've been a critic of the Fed because I think the Fed doesn't like growth. They believe that growth causes inflation. I believe in Steve Forbes and
others believe that, you know, growth is what solves the inflation problem.
But you're right that these -- these tariffs -- you know, tariffs are taxes. They do rise -- raise prices. But there are all these other things
that Trump is doing. I think that the media has ignored like the big tax cut that's coming like the deregulation, the DOGE savings. Those things
actually have an effect of lowering prices.
So we'll see. But the last --
ASHER: Yes.
MOORE: -- inflation report, just so your viewers remember, was a pretty tame inflation report. So --
GOLODRYGA: Right. Yes.
MOORE: -- so far, we haven't seen runaway inflation.
ASHER: All right. Stephen, unfortunately, we are out of time. We're up against the clock. But thank you so much for being with us. We'll see what
happens in about an hour from now.
MOORE: Thank you.
ASHER: All right. That does it for this hour of "ONE WORLD." I'm Zain Asher.
GOLODRYGA: And I'm Bianna Golodryga. Thanks so much for watching. "AMANPOUR" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:00:00]
END
