Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,095 words, a 5-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Germany has a new chancellor

• InstaCart is launching a new drink delivery app

• Yosemite’s most dangerous animal

First-time reader? Sign up here!

Big Story

POTUS Meets with PM Carney

President Trump and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had their first meeting at the White House.

• There were no breakthroughs on tariffs, with Trump bluntly responding "No" when asked if anything could convince him to lift the 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Despite the tension, Trump called the meeting "great" and suggested their relationship would be "strong."

• The meeting comes amid escalating trade disputes where Trump has repeatedly suggested making Canada "the 51st state" - a notion Carney firmly rejected, stating Canada is "not for sale" and "won't be for sale. Ever."

• Both leaders kept it civil despite the disagreements, with Carney later describing their conversation as "wide-ranging" and "constructive." He acknowledged there would be "zigs and zags" in negotiations but remained optimistic about future talks.

• The stakes remain high for both nations - Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states, with nearly $2.7 billion in goods and services crossing the border daily. Canada provides 60% of the US's crude oil imports and 85% of the US's electricity imports.

Big Story

Germany Elects New Chancellor

Friedrich Merz was elected Germany's chancellor on Tuesday after suffering a historic first-round defeat.

• It was the first time any chancellor candidate in post-war Germany failed an initial ballot. After falling six votes short with just 310 of the required 316 in the first round, Merz rebounded to secure 325 votes in the second ballot.

• Merz, 69, leads the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which won February's federal election. His party will form a coalition government with the center-left Social Democratic Party. Their coalition agreement outlines plans for migration policy, tax reforms, and social security measures, including minimum wage changes.

• Merz faces immediate challenges leading Europe's largest economy, including a stagnating economy, internal migration tensions, US trade policy issues, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The new government has also proposed modifications to Germany's debt rules and a major climate and infrastructure investment fund.

Big Story

Conclave Begins

A historic papal conclave to select Pope Francis' successor begins today, May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel.

• The group will consist of 133 cardinal electors - the largest ever to participate in selecting a pope. Most cardinals will be attending their first conclave, with two dozen representing countries that have never before participated in choosing a pontiff.

• The Vatican shut down all mobile signals at 3 p.m. Wednesday (90 minutes before cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel) and is deploying signal jammers to prevent electronic surveillance, ensuring complete isolation during the papal selection process.

• Cardinals will begin with the traditional "Veni Creator Spiritus" chant, invoking the Holy Spirit's guidance. Each elector must take a solemn oath committing to faithfully fulfill papal duties if elected and maintain absolute secrecy about the proceedings. A two-thirds majority plus one vote is required to elect the new pope.

• Three frontrunners have emerged for the papacy: Italian Pietro Parolin (70), the Vatican's experienced diplomat and Secretary of State; Filipino Luis Tagle (67), known as the "Asian Francis" for his focus on the poor; and Italian Pierbattista Pizzaballa (59), Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem with extensive Middle East experience.

Quick Stories

US News

• Donations for Luigi Mangione’s legal defense topped $1 million, fueled by outrage over the healthcare system. Over 28,000 people have contributed, and organizers aim to hit $1.5 million to cover his legal costs. (More)

• Over 25 University of Washington protesters were arrested after occupying a building to demand that the university cut ties with Boeing over the Gaza war. The students face charges including trespassing and property destruction. (More)

• US and Chinese officials are meeting in Switzerland this week for their first formal economic talks since Trump implemented steep tariffs, despite China's earlier denials about discussions. (More)

World

• President Trump announced an immediate end to bombing the Houthis in Yemen after they promised to stop attacking ships. The deal didn’t say whether the Houthis had agreed to stop attacks on Israel. (More)

• The EU is giving all 27 member countries until 2027 to completely ditch Russian energy. They'll ban new contracts by 2025 and end long-term deals by 2027, targeting liquified natural gas shipments first. (More)

• New Zealand's prime minister wants to ban kids under 16 from social media to protect them from harmful content. Companies would need to verify users' ages or face hefty fines of up to $1.2 million. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Tuesday (S&P -0.77%, Nasdaq -0.87%, Dow -0.95%). Stocks slid lower after POTUS’s shaky commentary on global trade deals. (More)

• Mattel's CEO won't move toy production to America, opting to raise prices to handle Trump's 145% Chinese tariff. The company plans to cut Chinese manufacturing from under 40% to below 25% within two years. (More)

• DoorDash is buying UK rival Deliveroo for $3.87 billion to expand in Europe, while also acquiring SevenRooms, a restaurant management software company, for $1.2 billion in cash. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Former Giants teammates Eli Manning and Michael Strahan are now competing to buy a 10% stake in the team. Strahan's partnering with billionaire Marc Lasry on the $750 million deal, while Manning’s partners are unknown. (More)

• Four former housekeepers are suing Motown legend Smokey Robinson for sexual assault, claiming he abused some of them for years at his California home. They're seeking at least $50 million in damages. (More)

• Inter Milan beat Barcelona 4-3 in a wild Champions League semifinal. Acerbi's last-minute equalizer forced extra time, where Frattesi scored the winner to reach the final. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Instacart launched Fizz, a new 21+ drink and snack delivery app for gatherings. It lets hosts invite guests to add items to a shared cart, with everyone paying only for what they choose. (More)

• A new study found that pairing vagus nerve stimulation with therapy eliminated PTSD in all participants for six months. The implanted device enhances brain rewiring, offering hope for treatment-resistant cases. (More)

• MIT scientists captured the first photos of atoms freely interacting in space. Their technique freezes particles with light, revealing quantum behaviors like boson bunching and fermion pairing previously only theorized. (More)

Extra Credit

🐺 Arctic wolves cozy up to wildlife photographers. 

🍯 The purple honey only found in North Carolina.

😁 What makes people flourish?

🦌 Yosemite’s most dangerous animal.