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[h=4]The Short List: Another cool Tesla we can't afford; the problem with Afghanistan; Millennial couples and cash[/h]Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.
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Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk unveils the Model X at a launch event in Fremont, Calif., Sept. 29.(Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)
The Tesla Model X SUV: It goes to 11
No, really. The stereo system in Tesla's new Model X SUV goes to 11, not just 10, one of many subtle ways CEO Elon Musk manages to incorporate humor into his otherwise serious-as-heck luxury electric cars. (The "bio weapon defense mode" air filter is another — though the humor there is<span style="color: Red;">*</span>debatable.) Perhaps the most striking feature of the Model X, unveiled Tuesday, is its "falcon-wing doors," which fold out and up with just a foot of clearance, a modern version of the DeLorean we've all been dreaming of since Back to the Future.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>USA TODAY cars reporter Chris Woodyard says the Model X will "turn the world of luxury SUVs on its cushy little ear" and that it's "loaded with features that just seem beyond the pale of anything the traditional auto industry" would try. Practical car buyers won't jump at paying<span style="color: Red;">*</span>$132,000 for the relatively untested, technology —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>but if your view is that life is too short to let great things pass you by, Woodyard says,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>this is the car for you. It goes to 11.
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USA TODAY auto writer Chris Woodyard got a chance to get behind the wheel of Tesla’s new $132,000 Model X SUV before the launch event in Fremont, Calif. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
What's happening in Afghanistan is a huge deal for the U.S.
Quick recap: Kunduz fell to the Taliban. The U.S. launched airstrikes. Here's why you really should care. 1) It's a big blow to the new, U.S.-backed government. 2) It shows the weakness of U.S.-trained Afghan forces. 3) It's linked to withdrawal of U.S. troops from combat in Afghanistan. 4) What happens will factor into how long our military remains involved in the country (current status: 9,800 troops.) 5) It could encourage the Taliban to seize cities elsewhere in Afghanistan. Also in Wednesday's world news: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the U.N. his government is abandoning agreements with Israel. And Russia launched its first airstrike in Syria.
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Heavy fighting raged inside the key northern Afghan city of Kunduz for a third day early on Wednesday as government forces, backed by U.S. air strikes, battled Taliban insurgents who had scored one of their boldest successes in 14 years of war. USA TODAY
Oh, those progressive unmarried Millennials splitting rent and sharing money
Millennials are shacking up and living the joint credit card life. Forget about marriage. Because these young couples don’t need a ring to start making serious relationship decisions, like combining bank accounts. Here’s the deal: According to a recent survey by Credit Karma, half of Millennial couples had joined some or all of their finances before marriage, compared to a third of more-traditional Boomers. Surprised? It may be partly due to circumstance. Not only are Millennials marrying later in life, but Census data show that 25- to 34-year-old couples are more than twice as likely to live together before tying the knot, compared to 20 years ago. For some, sharing finances is just the next logical step when you’re already splitting rent.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>… As for the thrifty Millennial<span style="color: Red;">*</span>couples<span style="color: Red;">*</span>who are the marrying kind, would you bill no-show wedding guests for their reception eats? (It happens. Really.) And who would walk you down the aisle? (One lucky girl had two escorts.)
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Anticipation is high even for the dads involved in weddings, sometimes even more so for step-dads. The gesture between father and step-father at this wedding will have you smiling. VPC
Dear pope and #KimDavis: Thanks a lot for complicating our workday
We had already started writing about other people, and then these two reappear. (The pontiff had even left the country!) Our column lineup began to unravel after Kim Davis<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>who you may know by her more formal title of Embattled Kentucky Clerk Opposed to Gay Marriage<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>said she met with Pope Francis. Then the Vatican confirmed it<span style="color: Red;">*</span><span style="color: Red;">*</span>and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Twitter freaked out,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>which meant that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>we had to scrap the item<span style="color: Red;">*</span>about the surprising number of Americans who wouldn't vote for a Muslim to be president. According to Davis and her lawyer, she and the pope met last week in Washington — after the Vatican reached out to her. The Vatican isn't talking, but Kim is. “Who am I to have this rare opportunity?" she said. "I am just a county clerk who loves Jesus.”
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Your super-cute-selfie-in-the-car pic is soooo 2015
Ch-ch-changes are coming soon to your Facebook profile. (We know: We'll be complaining about it soon enough.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>In the meantime, prepare to be enchanted with possibilities.)<span style="color: Red;">*</span>One of the new features: Instead of a static photograph, users can upload a short, looping video clip that plays when people visit their profile. Users will also be able to temporarily change their profile picture while on vacation ("Look at me<span style="color: Red;">*</span>sipping Mai Tais on the beach!")<span style="color: Red;">*</span>or for a major event ("I got married!")<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and have it change back at a specified time ("I got divorced!"). Facebook says it is also giving users new controls over what people can see when visiting their profile — but posting photos of yourself doing really stupid stuff is still a really terrible idea.
Users will soon be able to set a temporary profile picture.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Facebook)
If you read only one thing tonight:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>A surprising number of Americans wouldn't vote for a Muslim to be president
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Extra bites:
"And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills ..." Snow covers the peaks of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Mount Rainier in Washington on Sept. 23. Swipe through more fantastic weather photos from readers.
In all its glory, Washington’s snow-capped Mount Rainier appears through the clouds, taken while aboard an airplane. The photo was taken at 39,000 feet on Sept. 23, 2015.The photo was submitted to USA TODAY via Your Take at yourtake.usatoday.com<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Bijoy Mishra, Your Take)
Speaking of weather,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 1 storm with 80-mph winds, is forecast to strengthen over the next two days — but forecasters are still divided whether the storm will hit land on the East Coast.
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Joaquin strengthened to a hurricane Wednesday as it approached the Bahamas. The East Coast is expected to feel the impact of Hurricane Joaquin this weekend. VPC
Sad news.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ozzie, one-half of the famous Internet eagle couple Ozzie and Harriet, died Wednesday.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>R.I.P., Ozzie.
Have you seen it?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Watch Taylor, HAIM and Nelly get Hot in Herre in St. Louis.
Did you hear?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Carlos Santana is NOT<span style="color: Red;">*</span>dead<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>no matter what the Internet says.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"He is alive and well and enjoying his morning!" his rep told us.
We all need a little distraction at some point during the day (what else are smartphones for?), so add<span style="color: Red;">*</span>DISTRACTME on the YO app. It'll be fun, we promise.
Want the Short List newsletter in your inbox every night?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Sign up here.
This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
Contributing:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Jim Michaels, Hadley Malcolm, Chris Woodyard, Jessica Guynn, Melanie Eversley, John Bacon,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>USA TODAY; Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY Network; Jay Olstad, KARE-TV, Minneapolis-St. Paul; Chris Tye, WKYC-TV, Cleveland, Ohio; The (Louisville) Courier-Journal
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