Friday's News & Ideas - 5/2/2025
- Religious liberty commission
- Musk likens himself to Buddha
- Conclave chimney installed
- Ship with aid for Gaza damaged
- Mormon quilters
- Dementia in Texas
Trump, brushing aside separation of church and state, establishes religious liberty commission
Politico: “We’re bringing religion back to our country, and it’s a big deal,” the president said.
Elon Musk finally meets the press and compares himself to Buddha
CNN: During the hourlong conversation, Musk admitted that DOGE has not yet met the $1 trillion in cuts he initially proposed. Instead, he said, he’s cut around $160 billion, and that it will be “really difficult” to reach his goal without more support in Washington.
Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the papal election
The Associated Press: Preparations for the conclave to find a new pope accelerated Friday with the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of a successor to Pope Francis.
Explosions damage ship carrying aid to Gaza in the Mediterranean Sea*
The New York Times: A human rights group operating the ship blamed a drone attack for the explosions, which caused a fire on the vessel. The crew was safe and remained on board.
These women are giving their legislators a piece of their mind — one quilt square at a time
Religion News Service: Mormon Women for Ethical Government and its allies assembled 57 quilts to present to members of Congress on Wednesday.
The Spark
The Texas county where ‘everybody has somebody in their family’ with dementia
The condition affects about one in five adults on Medicare — more than double* the national rate, The Atlantic says.
*access is limited for nonsubscribers
