Week in 5: Apr 13-19, 2025

Apr 19, 2025

🇺🇸 U.S. News

Meta Faces Landmark Antitrust Trial - The FTC’s high-profile case against Meta began, alleging illegal monopolization through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Mark Zuckerberg took the stand defending Meta's strategy, which prosecutors claim was to "buy rather than compete." A forced breakup is on the table. NPR
Harvard vs. Trump Administration Escalates - Harvard publicly rejected federal demands to eliminate DEI initiatives, overhaul governance, and ban masks during protests. In response, the Trump administration froze over $2B in funding and threatened to revoke the school’s tax-exempt status, intensifying debates on academic independence. WSJ
Florida State University Shooting - A 20-year-old opened fire near FSU’s student union, killing two and injuring six. The suspect, stepson of a sheriff’s deputy, was wounded and arrested. This is the second FSU shooting in a decade, reigniting scrutiny on campus security and gun access. NYT

US and Iran Resume Nuclear Talks - For the first time since 2018, US and Iranian officials held direct nuclear talks in Oman. Discussions aim to curb Iran’s uranium enrichment and address sanctions relief, but opposition remains strong in both countries and Israel. NYT
Sudan's Civil War Deepens with Rival Government Declaration - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, declared a new government in opposition to Sudan's military. The announcement coincided with the takeover of a major refugee camp and hundreds of civilian deaths, escalating the humanitarian crisis. BBC
Supreme Court Halts Deportation of Venezuelan Detainees Under Wartime Law - The US Supreme Court ordered a pause on the Trump administration’s deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members detained under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, citing lack of due process. The ACLU argued detainees received English notices despite language barriers and were denied a chance to challenge their removal in court. BBC

James Webb Telescope Discovers Ancient Milky Way Twin - The JWST identified "Zhúlóng," a spiral galaxy from just 1 billion years post-Big Bang—much earlier than such large structures were thought to form. The discovery challenges prevailing models of early galaxy evolution. Link
Astronomers Detect Bio-Signatures on Distant Planet - The James Webb Telescope also found dimethyl sulfide—produced by marine life on Earth—in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, along with carbon dioxide and methane. While not conclusive, it’s a compelling lead in the search for extraterrestrial life. CNN
Lab-Grown Chicken Chunks Break New Ground - Japanese researchers created nugget-sized pieces of chicken with lab-grown tissue using vascular-like structures, mimicking real meat texture for the first time. The breakthrough could pave the way for scalable, slaughter-free meat products in the next decade. Nature

Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters, Completes Career Grand Slam - McIlroy captured his first green jacket after a dramatic sudden-death playoff, becoming just the sixth man in history to win all four major championships. The win caps a decade-long pursuit and solidifies his legacy. BBC
Paige Bueckers Goes No. 1 in WNBA Draft - Former UConn standout and college hoops sensation Paige Bueckers was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings, setting the stage for a new wave of talent and growing fan interest in the WNBA. ESPN
“Minecraft” Movie Becomes 2025’s Biggest Box Office Hit - The family-friendly film pulled in $80M in its second weekend, overtaking all other 2025 domestic releases to become the top-grossing film of the year so far. Link

Teens Riot at ‘Minecraft’ Screenings Over Viral TikTok Trend and Pandemic Nostalgia - A chaotic mix of TikTok hype and nostalgia has teens throwing food and even releasing chickens during Minecraft movie showings. Link
Google Ruled to Have Illegally Monopolized Ad Tech - A federal judge found Google abused its dominance over publisher and advertiser tools, paving the way for a potential breakup of its advertising empire. WSJ
Ankylosaur Footprints Discovered in Canada - Fossilized tracks of a club-tailed, three-toed dinosaur fill a major gap in the ankylosaur fossil record, confirming that these armored giants roamed North America 100 million years ago. Link
Rapper Kosha Dillz Hosts Passover Seders on NYC Subways to Combat Antisemitism with Food, Fun, and Unity - Dressed as Moses, rapper-comedian Kosha Dillz brings matzoh ball soup and rap verses to the Q train in a rolling Passover feast aimed at healing divisions and spreading joy amid rising antisemitism. Link
Easter Egg Alternatives! - Amid high egg prices and bird flu concerns, people are turning to creative Easter egg alternatives like dyed potatoes, marshmallows, onions, and homemade peanut butter eggs. Link

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