Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Watching the world's most famous chimney

The historic papal conclave convened for its first day. It's Wednesday's news. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Wed May 7 2025

 

Rebecca Morin Newsletter Writer

@RebeccaMorin_

No new pope was chosen in the conclave's first vote. Tensions are boiling over between two neighboring nuclear rivals. And smooth sailing amid the REAL ID deadline.

👋 How's it going? Rebecca Morin here. Ready? Set. Let's race to Wednesday's news.

But first: Want a sucker? 🍭 An 8-year-old bought nearly 70,000 lollipops online without his mother's knowledge.

Black smoke = no new pope

In Rome's night sky, black smoke seeped through the Sistine Chapel chimney. The historic papal conclave convened for its first day on Wednesday, but did not reach consensus on a successor to Pope Francis. The cardinals will meet again at the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to continue voting. Before entering the conclave, 133 elector cardinals from across the globe solemnly moved into the chapel, chanting the "Litany of the Saints." Tens of thousands of spectators have packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, waiting for the white smoke that signals the election of a new pope.

How long will it take? The secretive process is expected to take multiple days and will result in new leadership for the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. Since medieval times, electors have been banned from communicating with outsiders during conclaves. The Vatican has taken high-tech measures to ensure secrecy, including the use of jamming devices. 👉 Who are the front-runners?

Photos: See the scene as cardinals, faithful flock to Vatican for conclave.
Seagulls steal the show on papal conclave livestream. Viewers (and cats) love it.

Pope Succession

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating no decision has been made to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, on Wednesday.

Murad Sezer, REUTERS

Why India and Pakistan are fighting

They're neighbors. And they're also nuclear rivals. And now, tensions are spiraling. India on Wednesday launched military strikes against Pakistan, targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the divided Himalayan territory that India also controls a section of. Pakistan's military said it shot down five Indian aircraft during the attack, which India did not confirm.

What happened? India blames Pakistan for an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. India says they have evidence that Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamist militant outfit based in Pakistan, carried out the Pahalgam attack. For decades, India has accused Pakistan of supporting militant attacks. Pakistan called the evidence "fabricated" and denied involvement. 👉 How the world is reacting to the escalating crisis. 

Photos: India launches strikes against Pakistan as tensions rise.

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A flare goes up over the hill near the main town of the Poonch district in the disputed Kashmir region on Wednesday. India said it carried out "precision strikes at terrorist camps" inside Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

PUNIT PARANJPE, AFP via Getty Images

Real quick

Surprise! Disney announces plans for a new theme park in the United Arab Emirates.
And the award goes to … Golden Globes introducing best podcast award in 2026.
Filming 'Rust' killed Halyna Hutchins. Her family wants you to see it anyway.
Ellen DeGeneres ditches her signature bold blonde.
How your Netflix experience is about to change.

Teacher Appreciation Week: Do you have a great story about a teacher in your life? Email me about it and it might be featured in a future edition of The Short List! 

Minimal REAL ID deadline drama

Procrastination can be a REAL headache. The REAL ID enforcement deadline is finally here. The Transportation Security Administration is requiring a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an approved alternative, like a passport, for adults at U.S. airport security checkpoints starting Wednesday. 

What other documents are accepted by TSA? Don't fret if you didn't get your REAL ID just yet and have an upcoming flight. TSA will accept several other documents, including a U.S. passport and trusted traveler cards like Global Entry. 🪪 See the full list of documents here.

Chaos? Not really. Even with the enforcement deadline in full swing, it was pretty much smooth sailing. For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, worked in concert with TSA to flag passengers who needed potential extra screening. But the vast majority of travelers had REAL IDs or acceptable alternatives, like passports. Some DMVs, like in Nashville, saw long lines of folks stretching outside the entrance to secure a REAL ID. But it was quiet in other cities, like Atlanta, where the state of Georgia has been offering REAL IDs since 2012. ✈️ How these flyers tried their luck on the first day of REAL ID.

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A passenger enters the TSA PreCheck line to go through security screening at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, the first day of REAL ID enforcement.

Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Economic uncertainty keeps interest rates steady

The Federal Reserve is staying in wait-and-see mode. The Fed on Wednesday left its key interest rate at a range of 4.25% to 4.5% for a third straight meeting and gave no hints as to when it will lower it. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs raise the risks of both another inflation spike and recession.

What does it mean? The Fed normally raises rates or keeps them high to fight inflation. The rates are lowered to jolt a weak economy. But with Trump's import tax, which could lead to higher prices and weak growth or a recession, officials are torn between the two mandates. 👉 What it will take for the Fed to cut rates.

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Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP via Getty Images

A break from the news

🧳 Away just launched kid-sized luggage for easier family travel.
🤧 How to make a tissue dispenser for your car.

Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@usatoday.com.

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave attends an Unforgettable Evening at The Beverly Hilton on April 28, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.

Teddi Mellencamp spoke with an optimistic, open outlook about her prognosis.

Former Memphis Police Department officers Demetrius Haley and Tadarrius Bean hug as Justin Smith Jr. becomes emotional behind them after they were found not guilty on all charges by the jury on the ninth day of the trial for the death of Tyre Nichols at 201 Poplar in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
 

Ex-police officers found not guilty in Tyre Nichols' murder

Three ex-Memphis police officers faced state charges, including second-degree murder and aggravated assault, in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.

Amy Poehler attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 2, 2025.
 

Amy Poehler reuniting with 'Parks and Recreation' co-creator for new show

Amy Poehler is reuniting with the co-creator of "Parks and Recreation" for the first time in a decade. Get the details on their new show.

Patients, healthcare workers and caregivers gathered with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y. Schumer spoke about how cuts to Medicaid might affect recipients as the GOP considers cuts to the program.
 

5 GOP ideas to cut Medicaid would eliminate coverage for millions

A nonpartisan analysis said millions of Americans could lose Medicaid coverage under different Republican proposals to cut spending

The vessel involved in a deadly Panga boat capsizing off Torrey Pines State Beach sits on the beach after it was dragged from where it came ashore in Del Mar, California, on May 5, 2025.
 

Kristi Noem urges death penalty in panga boat smuggling case

At least three people, including a 14-year-old boy from India, were killed when a panga boat capsized. A 10-year-old girl is missing and presumed dead.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Shedeur Sanders #QB13 of Colorado looks on during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
 

Fan files lawsuit for $100 million over Shedeur Sanders' draft slide

The Colorado quarterback slid all the way to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL draft. Now one fan is seeking damages from the NFL.

Halle Berry attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025 in New York City.
 

Halle Berry's cutout dress at the Met Gala had the internet up in arms. Why?

The revealing outfit hints at the moment in fashion discourse.

Michelle Obama speaks on stage during IMO Live podcast 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025, in Austin.
 

Michelle Obama in therapy after 'really hard' time in White House

Michelle Obama sought out therapy during the next phase of her life: "I've finished a really hard thing in my life with my family intact."

The Shore's housing market saw record sales prices in March. This home in Brick, listed for $775,000, received multiple offers.
 

Boomers are pricing millennials out of housing. Is that wrong?

Buying a first home is often seen as a rite of passage toward an adult life in America, but it's harder for young people now, recent data confirms.

Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell poses with her two daughters, Jordan Winchell (left) and Jaylin Winchell (right), in 2024.
 

She had a dull pain her stomach after giving birth. It nearly killed her.

Maternal mortality rates are 3.5 times higher in Black women than their white counterparts. Why access isn't enough.

Time for a break!

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