The Short List: China adopts new child policy; Paul Ryan takes reins; Giant asteroid on the way

Luke Skywalker · Oct 29, 2015

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[h=4]The Short List: China adopts new child policy; Paul Ryan takes reins; Giant asteroid on the way[/h]Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed about China's new child policy, Paul Ryan taking over as House Speaker, Halloween, an 85-year-old jewel thief and Millennials' love of smartphones.

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Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.(Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images file)

China adopts a new child policy, but it may be too late
Too late for so many Chinese moms to give their only-children a sibling. And too late for it to really make a difference in China's demographics, at least not anytime soon. Explain. Thirty*years ago, China told its people they could only have one kid.*It was an attempt by the Communist Party to reduce the drain on*resources as the population boomed. A bold, controversial*idea. Fast forward to 2015.China said Thursday it would allow all married couples to have two children.*The country is short on young labor, full of old people — and full of guanggun, or bachelors. Reaction to the policy change in China was mixed. For those fearing an explosion in the world's population nine months from now, that's not likely. Researchers*say the change actually won't make a huge difference over the next few decades — to China or to the rest of the world.
Tissues? Passed. Gavel? Passed. Now Paul Ryan just has to get legislation to pass
"No regrets or burdens." That's how outgoing Speaker John Boehner summed up his 25 years in the House of Representatives.*Boehner, known for teary speeches,*finished his remarks by waving a box of tissues in farewell and dabbing his*eyes. Then he stepped up to the dais to oversee the pomp and procedure of the election of Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to the post. Ryan, 45, who was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2012,*is the youngest speaker to lead the House in 140 years. He's got his work cut out trying to unite his*fractured Republican Party to pass meaningful legislation. Lucky for him, Boehner's last act was getting a budget deal in place. (It cleared Wednesday, and the Senate should take it up soon.)
The incredible story of an 85-year-old woman arrested for stealing earrings at Saks
Doris Payne is an international jewelry thief. She's 85. She's no Danny Ocean, but she is*kind of a celeb among thieves. Her criminal exploits span two continents and five decades. No, this is not a Hollywood movie. This is real life. Back up and explain. Payne made headlines yet again when she was arrested for shoplifting — this time, she's accused of pocketing a pair of $690 earrings at Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta. Meanwhile, police investigating that incident learned she's wanted in Charlotte for stealing a $33,000 ring. Why all the stealing? Payne, who was actually the subject of a 2014 documentary, says she started stealing watches to save her mother from an abusive relationship. She kept at it into her golden years so she could live a glamorous lifestyle, a far cry from her childhood of poverty.

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A notorious international jewerly thief was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. 85-year-old Doris Payne has been in and out of jail for the last several decades. VPC

Giant asteroid to give Earth a scare on Halloween
Boo! It looks like outer space has some tricks up its sleeve this Halloween. (Saturday, in case you forgot.) Scientists say a massive asteroid will hurtle by Earth at "unusually" high speeds Halloween morning. But don't worry too much, it will be about 300,000 miles away from crashing into the neighbor’s haunted house. Since humankind will be spared, let’s talk Halloween. Use this app to take spooky selfies — we bet you can look even scarier than these celebs. Whatever you do, skip the zombie contact lenses*and get out of St. Petersburg, Fla., while you’re at it.

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A massive asteroid will hurtle by Earth on Oct. 31, at "unusually" high speeds, according to scientists.However, it will not come anywhere close to endangering Earth. USA TODAY

It's true, almost every Millennial has a smartphone
The young folks love their phones. And the research actually proves it. A whopping 86% of people ages 18 to 29 have a smartphone — that compares with 68% of all adults. The only group more likely to have a smartphone is people living in households earning $75,000 or more. There, 87% have 'em. What’s not so hot? Computers. Desktop and laptop computer ownership is down to 73% of adults from 80% in 2012. Pro tip: Don’t text and walk. Or text and drive. But do keep reading #TheShortList on your devices, m’kay?

A smartphone's digitizer can sometimes cause your mobile device to pick apps on its own.*(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you only read one thing tonight:*Struggling Republican presidential candidate*Jeb Bush*had a really bad night, but the biggest loser of the Wednesday*night GOP debate was CNBC, writes USA TODAY's Rem Rieder.
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Extra bites:
We wish them a lifetime of adventure. Swipe through more stunning photographs from the National Geographic photography contest.

Whilst shooting the majestic Southern Stingray in the crystal clear water of the Sandbar in Grand Cayman, I was stunned when this newly wed couple arrived, the bride was still in her wedding dress! This shot "Dressed for Adventure" for me captures the beginning of a new life together, one where a couple will brave the troubles of the world hand in hand. The couple march confidently towards the clouds in the frame ignoring the beasts at their feet, this is an adventure they will seek together. This image is one of the entries for the 2015 National Geographic Photography Contest. The contest is accepting entries until Nov. 16, 2015, at http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/contest-2015/*(Photo: Jennifer Jo Stock, jennifer jo stock Member Profile -- National Geographic Your Shot)

Have you seen it? This heroic service dog was reunited with the blind woman he jumped in front of a bus to save.

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Audrey Stone and her guide dog Figo were reunited in an outpouring of hugs and kisses. Figo and Stone were both injured in June when they were struck by a school bus. VPC

Back to the #GOPDebate.*We check all the facts for you here. We bring you some takeaways here. Those quotable moments? Check 'em out here. Here's a really good analysis of the state of the 2016 GOP field. And here's a debate quiz for you nerds out there.
In honor of National Cat Day, we give you some glorious GIFs of fabulous cats to brighten your day. Meow!
We all need a little distraction at some point during the day (what else are smartphones for?), so add*DISTRACTME on the YO app. It'll be fun, we promise.
Want The Short List newsletter in your inbox every night?*Sign up here.
This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
Contributing: Greg Toppo, Kim Hjelmgaard, Erin Kelly, Deirdre Shesgreen, Elizabeth Weise USA TODAY;*Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY Network ; WXIA-TV, Atlanta and The (Palm Springs, Calif.) Desert Sun
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The Short List: China adopts new child policy; Paul Ryan takes reins; Giant asteroid on the way

Luke Skywalker

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