'A moment of the greatest sadness'

People worldwide mourn the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. A look at her life, funeral plans and the future under Charles (and his new title) as he inherits the throne. Plus, what changes now that the queen is gone?

👑 Laura Davis here. We're taking a look at the news from the United Kingdom today in this special edition of The Short List.

But first, is there life out there? Scientists discovered two "super-Earths" orbiting the same star, 100 light-years away. Even though it has longer days than Earth, one of them could be suitable for life.

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Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96

The queen, a much-beloved symbol of stability in a turbulent era that saw the decline of the British empire and embarrassing dysfunction in her own family, has died after 70 years on the throne. She was 96. Elizabeth died peacefully Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. All four of her children and other members of her family traveled there to be at her side after her health took a turn for the worse. Read her obituary.

📸 A country united in sorrow: Britain mourns the queen's death.

🌈 A rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace after the flag was lowered to half-staff. The BBC played the national anthem, “God Save the Queen,” over a portrait of Elizabeth in full regalia as the second Elizabethan age came to a close.

In her unprecedented 70 years on the throne, Elizabeth guided the monarchy as the U.K. rebuilt from war, lost an empire, transformed its economy and endured a pandemic. She likely met more people than anyone in history, and her image, which adorned stamps, coins and bank notes, was among the most reproduced in the world.

• 📸 Platinum Queen: The most recent photos of Elizabeth.

• 'I remain committed to serving you': The queen's most memorable, poignant quotes.

A royal love story: Elizabeth was married to Prince Philip for more than 70 years before he died on April 9, 2021, at 99 years old. She famously described him as her "strength and stay" at the couple's golden wedding anniversary in 1997. The couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A look back at their lives together.

• Royal life, family, history: Milestones in the life of the queen.

• That time in 1957 when Elizabeth went to a college football game.

Death mourned around the world

Condolences are pouring in from those united in sorrow all around the globe, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff. The world reacts.

• Prince Charles: The death of his mother "is a moment of the greatest sadness” for him and his family. "I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

• President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden: More than a monarch, the queen "was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States,” the Bidens said. “She helped make our relationship special.”

• Sir Elton John, knighted by the queen: "She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly."

👉 'She defined an era': Biden, past presidents mourn Britain's queen.

• Elizabeth met every U.S. president since Truman (except one).

• Congressional leaders praise the queen, a 'devoted friend of freedom.'

A funeral fit for a queen

Operation London Bridge is underway. Because British monarchs typically die in office, plans for a suitably grand funeral happen far in advance. Plans for Elizabeth's funeral, which have been in place since the 1960s, include a blend of ancient tradition and modern practicalities, featuring tolling bells, half-staff flags and social media accounts gone dark. More plans for the queen's funeral (and why it's called Operation London Bridge).

Charles ascends to the throne

Appointed by the queen just two days ago, Prime Minister Liz Truss said the country was "devastated" by the monarch's death. “She was the very spirit of Great Britain – and that spirit will endure,” Truss said, ending on words no British leader has said for 70 years: "God save the king."

Charles has been preparing to be king his entire life. Now the moment has arrived. After his mother died, he automatically became king and will be known as King Charles III. Charles’ second wife, Camilla, will be known as the Queen Consort. No date has been set for his coronation. The ascension of Charles to the British throne promises to have a seismic effect on the roles of other royals orbiting the crown. The looming question: What happens to the other royals under a new slimmed-down monarchy?

Who is next in line for the crown? After Charles, the line of succession turns to his older son, Prince William, followed by William and Kate's children. See the British royal family tree.

In other news

Mourning and anger enveloped Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday as police searched for a motive after a gunman's daylong, livestreamed shooting spree that left four people dead and three people wounded. The crime scenes included seven shooting locations around Memphis as well as a carjacking in nearby Mississippi, police said. Keep reading.

An elected official was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, who was found stabbed to death on Saturday. Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles had been the subject of a series of high-profile stories by the slain journalist. Keep reading.

Steve Bannon, an adviser to former President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Thursday to new criminal charges involving an alleged scheme of duping donors for contributions to a border wall fundraiser. Keep reading.

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More headlines

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• Ricky Martin sues nephew for extortion after sexual assault claims.

• Netflix comedian and TV creator David A. Arnold dies at 54.

• Grizzly bear with 3 cubs attacks Michigan man hunting in Alaska.

• Skeleton of female 'vampire' unearthed in Europe during dig.

• It's been a month since the FBI searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. What we've learned.

A break from the news

• 🤑 Disney+ Day vacay perks: Early park entry, cruise discounts.

• 🍏 New Apple Watch just dropped. Here's how to preorder.

• 🏈 Football fans! Who is the most popular NFL team in your state?

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Queen Elizabeth dies, King Charles III, funeral plans. It's Thursday's news.