Week in 5: Jun 8-14, 2025
Missile strikes between Iran and Israel escalated regional tensions; Australia mourns a school shooting; an Air India crash kills 249; Trump’s military parade; Apple announces liquid glass.
📰 Top 5
The week’s biggest headlines.
Iran launched missile strikes on Israel, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, in retaliation for an Israeli attack that killed over 70 people in Iran, including top generals and nuclear scientists. Israel had struck Iran’s key nuclear facilities and leaders in a pre-planned move it said was meant to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons; Iran hit back, saying it was defending itself after a massive, deadly assault. The exchange marks a dangerous escalation in a long-simmering conflict, pulling in U.S. missile defenses and rattling the region with school closures, panic buying, and closed airspace across multiple countries. NPR
Austria is mourning after a 21-year-old former student opened fire at a secondary school in Graz, killing 10 people and injuring 11 before taking his own life—the deadliest school shooting in the country's history. The suspect legally owned the guns used and left behind a farewell note and a non-functional pipe bomb, but no clear motive has emerged. Vigils and a nationwide moment of silence reflected a country shaken by grief, as residents lit candles and donated blood in solidarity. BBC
A London-bound Air India flight crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad just seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of 242 people onboard and at least 8 on the ground, with only one survivor. The black box was recovered within 28 hours, offering a critical step toward understanding what caused the Boeing 787 to plummet into homes and a medical college campus; DNA testing is now underway to identify victims as grieving families wait for answers. BBC
Trump’s long-desired military parade—set for June 14, his birthday—will showcase tanks, fighter jets, and 6,700 troops under the banner of the Army’s 250th anniversary, blurring patriotism with personal spectacle. Critics warn the $45 million display in Washington, D.C. echoes authoritarian pageantry, especially amid recent National Guard deployments and Trump’s threats to protesters that they’ll be met with “very big force.” Time
President Trump authorized an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after immigration raids triggered mass protests, freeway blockades, and clashes with police, despite objections from California leaders. The deployment, criticized by Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, follows violent unrest after federal agents detained dozens, raising legal and political tensions over federal intervention. AP
🚀 Next 5
The latest in science and tech.
UC Davis researchers created a brain-computer interface that let a man with ALS speak in real time using only his brain signals, even adding emotion and melody. The system uses implanted electrodes to decode brain activity and instantly turn it into voice, allowing the man to talk, ask questions, and sing—offering new hope for those who’ve lost their ability to speak. Link
MIT engineers have created a window-sized device that pulls safe drinking water straight from the air—even in deserts like Death Valley—without needing any electricity. Made of bubble-wrap-like hydrogel that swells and shrinks to trap and release moisture, the passive system turns dry air into clean water using only sunlight and smart materials, offering hope for water-scarce regions worldwide. Link
Cornell researchers found that birds sing more at dawn mainly to claim territory and prep for breakfast—not because it’s quieter then, as long believed. By placing recorders in India’s Western Ghats and analyzing songs from 69 species, they saw that the most vocal early birds were highly territorial or omnivores, suggesting morning singing is more about social strategy than perfect weather. Link
A chemical found in acne medication—retinoic acid—may hold the key to limb regeneration, according to new research on axolotls, the salamanders famous for regrowing legs. Scientists discovered that precise levels of this vitamin A derivative help the animals’ bodies map out what part of the limb to regrow and when, bringing researchers a step closer to unlocking human limb regeneration. Llink
Apple packed its WWDC 2025 keynote with AI-driven upgrades, unveiling “Apple Intelligence” across platforms along with new features in iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS 26, plus a bold new ‘Liquid Glass’ design. Highlights include ChatGPT integration in Xcode, an AI-powered Shortcuts app, enhanced Spotlight search, new Vision Pro accessories, and a more travel-friendly Wallet—positioning Apple to compete harder in the generative AI space. Link
⚡️Fast 5
Quick hits from sports, culture, and beyond.
Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ brilliant but troubled cofounder, died at 82, leaving behind a legacy that shaped modern music and defined California’s sound. Best known for crafting lush, harmony-rich hits like God Only Knows and Good Vibrations, Wilson battled lifelong mental illness even as his genius inspired everyone from the Beatles to generations of artists who followed. USA Today
To level the playing field at this year’s U.S. Open, Oakmont’s redesign includes a strategically placed bunker on hole No. 7 aimed at challenging golf’s longest hitters without punishing the rest of the field. Golf architect Gil Hanse added the trap 290 yards from the tee—just within range of Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau—to reintroduce risk-reward decisions and restore historical elements of the course. WSJ
With BTS members RM and V completing their military service, the K-pop supergroup edges closer to a long-awaited reunion, nearly three years after pausing group activities. All seven members are on track to finish their mandatory enlistment by the end of June, setting the stage for a 2025 comeback that fans—and the global music industry—have been anticipating since their 2022 hiatus. NPR
Warner Bros. Discovery announced June 9 that it will split into two publicly traded companies—one for cable networks like CNN and TNT, and another for HBO Max, Warner Bros. Studios, and its streaming operations—in a dramatic bid to tackle debt and revive its stock. Facing a $34 billion debt load and plunging share price, the company aims to give each segment more strategic focus as traditional cable revenues decline and pressure mounts from Netflix and Amazon. WSJ
J.P. Crawford says fatherhood gave him peace on the field and perspective off it, calling it “a piece of freedom” as he celebrates his first Father’s Day. MLB’s tribute to dads includes heartfelt stories from Jac Caglianone and Marcelo Mayer honoring the fathers who coached them, and from Matt Chapman and Mike Trout cherishing the everyday joys of being “just Dad” at home. MLB