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It's a win -win. And for a limited time KidNews listeners can get 20 % off when they sign up at ixl .com slash kid news check out the monthly and annual memberships at ixl .com slash kid news good morning and welcome to kid news i'm kim today is friday may 9 2025 and we begin with a stunning selection for pope that few saw coming yesterday for the first time in history an american was chosen to lead the catholic church. Chicago -born Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Leo XIV, appeared on the balcony above St. Peter's Square yesterday, less than an hour after puffs of white smoke above the Sistine
Chapel signaled that a decision had been made.
Nearly 50 ,000 jubilant spectators, many holding cell phones, cheered as Pope Leo addressed the crowd in both Italian and Spanish with his first words, peace be with you.
According to MSNBC, the 69 -year -old pontiff's dad was an educator and his mom was a librarian.
After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, the new pope spent two decades in Peru and holds dual citizenship there before taking on a big role at the Vatican.
Still his Windy City roots are a big source of pride as Brandon Johnson, the mayor of his old hometown posted everything dope including the Pope comes from Chicago.
Buzzworthy changes are coming to the nation's top spelling bee the Scripps national spelling bee is updating its rules to ease some of the pressure off the finalists during the high intensity championship rounds.
Last year the finals ran long and producers had to speed things up to fit the two hour national tv window leading to a blink and you miss it spell off.
Now, judges will have flexibility to keep the bee going beyond the broadcast schedule if needed.
Another change with fairness in mind, the bee is bringing back a written test to the earlier rounds to help judges match each speller with the right level of word difficulty, so everyone's challenged fairly.
This year's competition kicks off in National Harbor, Maryland, on May 27th.
Disney is bringing its magic to the Middle East. The House of Mouse just announced its building its first -ever theme park in the region, set to open in Yaws Island in the United Arab Emirates.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be designed by the company's famed Imagineers, combining classic Disney magic with local culture and futuristic tech. Disney CEO Robert Iger shared few details, but he did promise the new park would feature the first real modern castle and immersive lands that haven't been seen anywhere else.
While no opening date has been set, the project will take several years to design and complete.
This will be Disney's seventh theme park resort.
One of the richest men on the planet is giving away almost everything he has and he's doing it on a deadline.
Microsoft co -founder Bill Gates plans to shut down his charitable foundation and donate 99 % of his wealth over the next 20 years.
Estimated at around 200 billion dollars, he's focusing the bulk of his fortune on three high -minded goals.
Ending preventable deaths for mothers and babies, wiping out infectious diseases for the next generation, and helping millions escape poverty.
Gates says he doesn't want to be remembered as someone who died rich, and he hopes his decision inspires others to give back.
Netflix is getting a major makeover.
For the first time in over a decade, the streaming service is redesigning its homepage to help viewers find shows and movies more easily.
The new look includes floating tiles with labels like number one in TV shows and a top navigation bar for quicker access to favorites.
On mobile, Netflix is testing a TikTok -style vertical video feed and a new AI search that lets users type things like I Want Something Funny and Upbeat to get personalized pics.
According to Netflix VP Pat Fleming, the changes are meant to make watching feel more playful, more personal, and way faster.
And now a quick programming note of our own, a new Kid News Convos will drop tomorrow morning and it's a conversation with three kids from three different countries who have started their own business.
They share how they came up with their ideas, the biggest rewards and challenges they've faced and advice for other kids who might want to give it a try.
Tune in tomorrow for the latest kid news convos on kid entrepreneurs.
Still to come, a record -setting twin twist at one California school, but first we want to say happy birthday to Dena Fateem of Belmont California, who loves gymnastics, jamming to music and her snugly cats Rosie and Chief.
Dena, your mom and dad are excited to celebrate your big day are proud of the courageous and smart young woman you are becoming, and they love you more than all the planets combined.
Happy birthday Dina.
Now today's kid news quiz.
What name did the first American -born pope choose?
Leo the 14th. What part of the spelling bee is making a comeback to help regulate word difficulty.
A written test, where is Disney building its first Middle East theme park?
Yes, Island in the United Arab Emirates, what percent of his fortune does Bill Gates plan to give away?
99 percent. In today's Kid News Kicker, double trouble more like double surprise, Clovis North High School in Fresno, California is graduating 14 sets of twins this year.
That's 28 seniors all in pairs getting their diplomas together, but what's even more surprising, the principal and his staff didn't even realize their record setting twin numbers until making plans for the ceremony.
As for the twins themselves, there's excitement and a little nervousness about writing their own chapters.
Some siblings are planning a shared grad party, while others admit they're grappling with the reality of going to different schools for the first time in their lives.
Thanks again to the Mirza Fatim of Belmont, California for sponsoring today's quiz.
And a big birthday shout out to Dina Fatim, who's probably about to jump out of the car to be with her friends, fellow Wildcats and her most favorite teacher Ms. Windy at Woodland School in Portola Valley, California, and shout outs to our other kid news classrooms, Ms. Grace and her Roadrunners at Robius School in Midlothian, Virginia, Mrs. Stevens and her Lions at Lions Park School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Mr. Stellwagen and his Panthers at Pfeiffer Burley School in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Ee and his Eagles at Avon Local School in Avon, Ohio.
Thanks for listening.
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Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here for more Kid news Monday morning.
