The Donut
A US-born pope emerges… ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Friday, May 9 2025

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Good morning. In this edition:

  • ⛪ A papal profile
  • 💉 Ozempic face
  • 💬 Ways to turn small talk → deep talk

Ready, Set, Go: Today’s news should be a ~4.68-minute read (1,245 words).

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💬 Daily Sprinkle

“You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action.”

–Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

🗣🌐 Dose of Discussion: A 360° Look at a Hot-Button Issue

The Vatican’s conclave elected a new pope

Image: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

White smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel yesterday, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church—and the first US-born pope in the church’s 2,000-year history.

Prevost, 69, will assume the name Pope Leo XIV moving forward as he leads the world’s ~1.4 billion Catholic followers.

Background: Leo was born in Chicago to a father of French and Italian descent, and a mother of Spanish descent with Creole roots. He initially served as a priest at parishes in the Midwest city before moving to Peru. 

Over the next 30+ years, Leo served in leadership roles within the Order of St. Augustine in both Chicago and Peru—where he became a naturalized citizen and was named Bishop of Chiclayo in 2015.

  • The late Pope Francis appointed Leo as a cardinal in 2023 and worked alongside him in Rome. 
  • Prior to becoming pope, Leo ran the office that selects and manages bishops globally, considered one of the most influential posts in The Vatican. But heading into this week he wasn’t considered a top contender for pope by experts or the probably-not-Church-approved papal betting markets.

Where does Leo stand on major issues? The incoming pope is expected to be a unifying figure after years of ideological tensions between the progressive and conservative wings of the Catholic Church under Pope Francis.

  • As a cardinal, Leo rarely took an outspoken stance on the more polarizing issues within the church, like priestly celibacy or blessings for same-sex couples.
  • However, he’s drawn criticism over his handling of priests accused of sexual abuse, like many other Catholic leaders in recent years.

Looking ahead…In his first address as pope, Leo stressed the importance of “synodality,” or a practice promoted under Francis that emphasizes gathering input from clergy and laypeople alike about major challenges facing the church.

📊 Flash poll (long-form): What are your thoughts on the election of Pope Leo XIV? Click one of the options below to leave a response. The most thoughtful answers from Catholics and non-Catholics alike will be featured in Monday’s newsletter.

See a 360° view of what pundits and officials are saying →

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⏱💥 Speed Rounds: Quick, Impactful Stories

Amazon’s new warehouse robot is first to have a sense of touch

Image: Amazon

Amazon’s newest worker is like Confessions Part II Usher—all in its feels. The online retail giant this week unveiled Vulcan, its first robot with a sense of touch, which the company aims to utilize to pick and pack items in its warehouses that only humans could handle previously.

Specs on the feeling robot with the same name as a Star Trek species that notoriously doesn’t feel things:

  • Vulcan uses AI-powered sensors on its “hand” to determine the precise pressure and torque each object needs—a step up from other item-limited robotic arms Amazon has used in its warehouses that rely on cameras for detection and suction for grasp.
  • The robot is already operational in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, where it’s processed 500,000 orders. Amazon says Vulcan can work 20-hour shifts as well as handle ~75% of products stored in warehouses, with human intervention needed for the others.

Speaking of humans…Amazon’s Director of Robotics told CNBC he doesn’t believe in 100% automation—something many experts agree with, given the complexity of replacing every task a human can do (apparently the last mile problem applies to more than just logistics). The company maintains that its robots—other projects include Sparrow, Robin, Cardinal, and Proteus—are there to collaborate with warehouse workers instead of replace them.

Big picture: ~1 million people are currently working in Amazon warehouses, compared to ~750,000 robots.

POV: When another GLP-1 side effect is discovered

Image: Disney

Some GLP-1 users are starting to look a lot like Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove.

A new side effect of GLP-1 drugs, called “Ozempic face,” is causing users to develop lines, wrinkles and sagging loose skin around the mouth due to rapid fat loss, according to recent reports.

There’s more: In addition to Ozempic face, medical experts have identified several other side effects associated with GLP-1 drugs in recent years:

  • Similar aging and wrinkling effects have been observed in different areas of the body—colloquially known as Ozempic feet, fingers, and butt.
  • In June 2024, the drugs were linked to severe gastroparesis, AKA stomach paralysis.
  • The FDA has also warned that Ozempic can lead to severe gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, as well as a life-threatening bowel condition known as ileus.

But…GLP-1 drugs also carry a significant number of positive side effects. Researchers are increasingly recognizing the drugs for broader health benefits like improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of certain cancers, and potential benefits for neurological conditions like Alzheimer's or addiction.

Zoom out: At least 1 in 8 US adults have taken a GLP-1 medication at least once, according to a June 2024 survey—though studies also show that 50%-75% of people who start taking such drugs stop using them within a year.

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🍩 DONUT Holes

BUSINESS & MARKETS

  • 📊 US markets rose across the board (S&P: +0.6%; Dow: +0.6%; Nasdaq: +1.1%). | Bitcoin rose above $102,000 to touch its highest level since late January.
  • 🍩 Krispy Kreme shares fell 24% after the doughnut chain paused its McDonald's rollout and pulled its full-year outlook.
  • 📝 President Trump unveiled the framework of a trade deal with the UK; it marks the first deal since the introduction of "reciprocal tariffs." | China and US officials are reportedly scheduled to meet in Switzerland for trade talks this weekend.

SPORTS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

in partnership with Veriheal

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SCIENCE, SPACE & EMERGING TECH

  • 🤖 An AI video of a dead man forgave his killer during a sentencing hearing; it’s believed to be the first time AI was used to deliver a victim impact statement in court. | US AI leaders including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before Congress yesterday. | Instacart CEO Fidji Simo will join OpenAI as its "CEO of Applications" later this year.
  • 😴 Scientists identified a rare genetic mutation that allows some people’s brains to function properly on as little as 4-6 hours of sleep.
  • 🌎 Just 0.001% of Earth’s deep seafloor has been imaged by humans, per new research; a combined ~66% of our planet’s surface is deep seafloor.

US, WORLD & POLITICS

in partnership with Four Leaf Rover

  • 💰 Bill Gates announced plans to give away “virtually all” of his $112 billion fortune more quickly than previously intended (within 20 years).
  • 🏛️ The House approved a bill along party lines that would rename Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. | President Trump is reportedly pushing Congress to create a new top tax bracket that would apply a higher tax rate for Americans earning $2.5+ million/year.
  • 🌏 India said it intercepted missiles and drones targeting its military sites that were launched by Pakistan.

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🧠 Tidbits

Image: Matthew Swensen

☝️ You’re looking at the winner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's annual photo contest, which drew 1,200+ entries.

🤔 Did You Know? Oregon University’s duck mascot is explicitly based on Donald Duck, with the school having signed a special license agreement with Disney in 1947.

📰 Worth a Read: The fighter who volunteered for Auschwitz so he could sabotage it from the inside

🖱️ Clickbait: The world's best new restaurants in 2025

🔢 By the Numbers

Here are five stats from this past week that made our team go “whoa.” Hopefully you will, too.

  • 💻 Taking just one computer science class in high school boosts a person’s wages by 8%, regardless of career path or college attendance.
  • 📈 Berkshire Hathaway shares have risen 5,502,284% between when Warren Buffett took over as CEO in 1965 and the end of last year; the S&P 500 has risen 39,054% over the same period.
  • 🌆 The number of homicides in America’s largest cities fell by 21% in the first three months of 2025 compared to last year, per the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
  • 🚶 Paul Pierce walked ~20 miles to work yesterday—an eight-hour trek—to fulfill a promise the commentator made on FS1 prior to the Celtics’ Game 2 loss to the Knicks.
  • 🏡 There are 233 US cities where a typical starter home costs $1+ million, up from 85 such cities in March 2020, per a new Zillow report.

📰 Fun

Quiz pro quo

Here's the deal: You take our weekly news quiz, and we calculate how well you paid attention this week. Let’s do this.

🤗 Daily Dose of Positive

🚀 Two hard-of-hearing siblings were taken to infinity and beyond when Buzz Lightyear began to sign with them at Disneyland.

🔋 15-year-old Nihal Tammana has recycled 625,000+ batteries through his nonprofit, Recycle My Battery. Since founding the organization at 10, Nihal has placed 1,000+ battery-recycling bins in schools, libraries, and businesses.

🚴 66-year-old Li Dongju took her first international trip ten years ago. The grandmother now spends her time solo biking around the world—so far, she’s ridden to 12 countries across three continents.

✅ Recs

🛣️ Shotgun!: Stuck at a desk but yearning for adventure? Take an online road trip with internet strangers.

🚩 Useful: A free AI-powered browser extension that detects fake product reviews and scams. Works on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, and others.

🧠 Get smarter: About sports in five enjoyable minutes with the Press Sports newsletter. No opinions or hot-takes—it’s free, witty, and designed for intelligent sports fans.

💬 Explore: This Reddit thread for conversation starters that turn small talk into deep talk.

💸 Balancing act: Want to save money but don't want to miss out on having fun? Our Frugal Friends have shared a list of 52 Free Things To Do. Get it sent to your inbox now.*

*A message from our partners

🤔 Trivia

Hungry, hungry DONUT

Below are three lists of ingredients. Your job is give us the completed dish they make.

☝️ Recipe #1:

  • Beef chuck roast
  • Salt & pepper
  • Vegetable oil
  • Beef broth
  • Russet potato
  • Carrots
  • Frozen pearl onions
  • S&B Golden Curry Sauce Mix
  • White rice

✌️ Recipe #2:

  • Broccoli florets
  • Asparagus
  • Snow peas
  • Angel hair pasta
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Zucchini
  • Roma tomatoes
  • Chicken stock
  • Heavy cream
  • Peas
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Basil leaves
  • Kosher salt

3️⃣ Recipe #3:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Whole milk
  • Peanut butter
  • Butter
  • Honey
  • Chocolate chips

🤔 Answers

☝️ Recipe #1: Korean curry rice

✌️ Recipe #2: Classic pasta primavera

3️⃣ Recipe #3: Buckeye pancakes

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