Week in 5: Apr 6-12, 2025
Tariffs, stocks, and a Minecraft movie smashed records amid technological breakthroughs and more...
📰 Top 3 in…
🇺🇸 U.S. News
U.S. stocks rallied Friday to cap one of the wildest weeks in years, with the Dow up 5% and the Nasdaq jumping 7.3% despite escalating trade tensions and growing recession fears. A sharp drop in consumer sentiment and warnings of rising inflation pushed markets down early, but stocks rebounded on news of active trade negotiations and reassurances from Fed officials. Gold surged to record highs, the dollar had its worst week since 2022, and 10-year Treasury yields soared to their largest weekly gain since 2001. Meanwhile, China raised tariffs to 125%, calling further U.S. levies a “joke,” as global leaders braced for economic fallout. WSJ
A sightseeing helicopter in New York City broke apart midair and crashed into the Hudson River, killing six, including a Spanish family celebrating a child’s birthday. The Bell 206 aircraft, operated by New York Helicopters, suffered a likely mechanical failure, with video showing its main rotor detached. Recovery crews pulled the wreckage and victims from the water Thursday evening. AP
The Trump administration is pressuring Columbia University to enter a court-enforced consent decree as a condition for restoring $400 million in federal funding pulled over antisemitism concerns. The move, usually used in police or corporate cases, would let a judge enforce changes to how Columbia handles civil rights on campus—marking an unprecedented step for a university. WSJ
🌎 World News
At least 124 people died and over 150 were injured when the roof of Santo Domingo’s Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a concert, prompting a massive rescue effort in the Dominican Republic. Victims included famed merengue singer Rubby Pérez and ex-MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco; President Abinader declared three days of national mourning. BBC
U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped at gunpoint during a church service in South Africa, as ransom kidnappings surge nationwide. Four armed men called him by name, forced him into his car, and fled; the car was later found abandoned. No ransom demand has been made. CBS News
European allies pledged over $24 billion in new military aid to Ukraine Friday, as a U.S. envoy met with Putin in Russia in a renewed push for a ceasefire. Ukraine backs the U.S. peace proposal, but Russia is stalling with tough demands, even as signs point to a potential new Russian offensive. Leaders urged faster arms deliveries to strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table. AP
🧪 Tech & Science
The most detailed mammalian brain map ever created now includes both structure and activity, marking a major milestone in neuroscience. Researchers mapped over 200,000 brain cells—including 82,000 neurons—and more than 500 million synapses in a cubic millimeter of mouse visual cortex, while also tracking tens of thousands of neurons in action, combining connectivity and function at an unprecedented scale. Nature
A woman in the UK has given birth to her baby girl using a donated womb from her sister — the first time this has ever happened in the country. Grace Davidson, born without a womb, had a transplant in 2023 and became pregnant through IVF. Baby Amy was born in February, a moment Grace calls “incredible” and “surreal.” BBC
OpenAI is rolling out a new memory feature for ChatGPT that lets it reference past conversations to offer more personalized responses. Available first to Pro and Plus users outside the U.K. and EU, the feature aims to make chats more fluid, with opt-out options and tools to manage or disable stored memories. Link
📺 Sports & Culture
Florida won the NCAA men’s basketball title with a dramatic 65–63 comeback over Houston, clinching their third national championship. Down 12 in the second half, the Gators rallied behind tough defense and clutch plays from Walter Clayton Jr., who was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player, sealing the win in the final seconds with a key stop and hustle play. ESPN
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby marks its 100th anniversary in 2025, its legacy evolving from Jazz Age satire to cultural touchstone across genres and generations. Once overlooked, the novel now anchors literary canon and pop culture alike, spawning operas, memes, fan fiction, and hip-hop reinterpretations—its enduring themes of reinvention, longing, and American identity remaining as resonant today as ever. NYT
“A Minecraft Movie” crushed expectations with a $163 million U.S. debut, setting a new record for video game adaptations and lifting a sluggish 2025 box office. Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, the family-friendly hit also pulled in $150 million overseas for a $313 million global launch, fueled by strong marketing and cross-generational appeal. Variety
🏎️ Fast Five
Scientists have brought back the extinct dire wolf using ancient DNA and gene editing, creating three live pups. Biotech firm Colossal mixed dire wolf DNA with that of modern gray wolves, naming the pups Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi. They now live in a large private preserve, with help from Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and filmmaker Peter Jackson. Link
Prada is buying Versace for $1.38 billion, betting on growth despite tariff turmoil and scoring a discount from its 2018 sale price. The deal strengthens Italy’s luxury fashion footprint and helps Capri Holdings refocus on Michael Kors. Reuters
Prince Harry says he was treated unfairly when the UK government took away his police protection after he stepped back from royal duties and moved to the U.S. In court this week, his lawyer argued the decision put him and his family at risk and didn’t follow proper process. A final ruling is expected soon. AP
At just 9, heart transplant survivor Prince Wise turned his love of cooking into a fundraiser, creating a crab cake sandwich now sold to benefit Make-A-Wish. The Pittsburgh restaurant dish reflects Prince’s passion—and helps give other kids a chance at their own wishes. Today
A pilot honored 100-year-old WWII veteran and Iwo Jima survivor Gordy before takeoff, calling him “the closest thing to royalty in America.” Passengers applauded as the tribute recognized Gordy’s service, marking 80 years since he landed on Iwo Jima on his 20th birthday in 1945. Video
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The ChatGPT memory feature is very cool.