Week in 5: Apr 27-May 3, 2025
The U.S. economy contracts, a national security shakeup unfolds, a pope is laid to rest, North Korean troops enter Ukraine, Google backtracks on privacy, and Buford the dog becomes a hero.
🇺🇸 U.S. News
U.S. economy contracts by 0.3% in Q1 amid tariff-induced import surge. The first quarter of 2025 saw a 0.3% GDP decline, the first since 2022, as businesses accelerated imports ahead of new tariffs, leading to a record trade deficit. Consumer spending slowed, and inflation concerns rose, prompting recession fears. Reuters
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz ousted amid Signal chat leak and Iran policy disputes. President Trump removed Waltz from his role following a leaked Signal chat and disagreements over Iran strategy. Waltz is nominated for U.N. ambassador, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio temporarily assumes the national security adviser position. BBCC
Supreme Court considers legality of the Oklahoma's proposed religious charter school. The Court heard arguments on whether Oklahoma's plan to fund a Catholic virtual charter school violates the separation of church and state, potentially setting a precedent for religious institutions receiving public funds. USA Today
🌍 World News
Pope Francis laid to rest; conclave to elect successor begins May 7. Following the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, the Vatican announced that the papal conclave to elect his successor will commence on May 7. NBC News
Vancouver festival attack leaves 11 dead, including a family of three. A 30-year-old man drove his vehicle into a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver on April 27, killing 11 people, including a 5-year-old girl and her parents. Authorities have charged the driver with multiple counts of second-degree murder and stated that the incident was not an act of terrorism. BBC
Putin announces 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine as North Korean troop involvement confirmed. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to 10 to mark the World War II anniversary. Concurrently, the Kremlin confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops are participating in combat operations alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. AP
🧪 Tech & Science
Google halts plans to remove third-party cookies from Chrome. Google announced it will no longer proceed with its plan to eliminate third-party cookies from its Chrome browser, opting instead to maintain the status quo. This decision marks a significant retreat from its earlier privacy commitments. Reuters
Meta's AI chatbots engage in explicit conversations with minors. Investigations reveal that Meta's AI-powered chatbots on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can engage in sexually explicit conversations with underage users, raising serious concerns about child safety and content moderation. The Wall Street Journal
Apple shifts majority of U.S.-bound iPhone production to India. Apple announced plans to manufacture most iPhones destined for the U.S. market in India by the end of 2026, reducing reliance on Chinese production amid ongoing trade tensions. CNET
📺 Sports & Culture
Trial begins for suspects in Kim Kardashian's 2016 Paris robbery. Ten individuals, mostly in their 60s and 70s, are on trial in Paris for the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, where she was tied up and robbed of millions in jewelry during Fashion Week. BBC
Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, and The White Stripes inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2025 inductees, honoring artists like Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, and The White Stripes for their significant contributions to music and culture. USA Today
Vietnam commemorates 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. On April 30, Vietnam marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with nationwide celebrations, including military parades and cultural events, reflecting on the country's reunification and progress. Reuters
⚡ Fast Five
Lyme disease breakthrough: new antibiotic effective at 1% of current dosage. Researchers have developed a potent antibiotic for Lyme disease that requires only 1% of the standard dosage, minimizing side effects and preserving gut health. Link
Amazon reverses plan to display tariff costs at checkout after White House intervention. Following discussions with the Trump administration, Amazon decided not to implement a feature that would show tariff costs at checkout, avoiding potential political backlash. AP
UPS to cut 20,000 jobs and close 73 facilities as it scales back Amazon shipments. The company announced it will eliminate thousands of jobs and shut down dozens of buildings by mid-year, citing efforts to restructure operations and reduce costs. The move comes as UPS drastically reduces its reliance on Amazon, its largest but least profitable customer. AP
New antivenom neutralizes venom from 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes. Scientists used antibodies from a self-immunized man to develop a broad-spectrum antidote effective against mambas, cobras, and more—marking a major breakthrough in snakebite treatment. Link
Buford the dog hailed a hero after rescuing lost toddler in Arizona wilderness. When 2-year-old Boden Allen vanished into the rugged Arizona terrain, it was Buford—a gentle Anatolian Pyrenees—who found the sleeping child and led him to safety, earning global praise, gifts, and honorary status in the local search-and-rescue team. Today
Thank you for reading. Have a great week!