Week in 5: Mar 30-Apr 5, 2025
Tariffs shake markets, storms hit Midwest, South Korea ousts president, new HIV test, Simpsons renewed to 2029, and more…
📰 Top 3 in…
🇺🇸 U.S. News
President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs caused major disruption across corporate America, leading to the worst market drop since 2020 and forcing companies to rethink costs, supply chains, and pricing. While a few business leaders welcomed the move, many warned it could raise prices, slow production, and put extra pressure on both small businesses and everyday consumers. WSJ
At least seven people have died as powerful storms swept through the Midwest and South, unleashing tornadoes, downing power lines, and prompting dire warnings of “generational” flooding. The National Weather Service expects up to 15 inches of rain in some areas by Sunday, calling the multi-day storm one of the most extreme flooding events in recent memory. Axios
The Trump administration mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man legally ordered to stay in the U.S., to a dangerous prison in El Salvador and now says it can’t bring him back. Despite a 2019 court ruling that returning him could lead to torture or death, ICE deported him last month, claiming gang ties he denies and without charging him with any crime. His lawyer and lawmakers say the removal violated the law and due process, while the administration argues it was a good-faith error based on outdated records. WSJ
🌎 World News
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has permanently removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, upholding his impeachment after his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. The unanimous ruling marks a major victory for democracy, but the country remains deeply divided as conspiracy theories fuel mistrust ahead of a snap election due by June 3, with far-right protests growing and political instability looming. BBC
China hit back hard at President Trump’s new tariffs by slapping a 34% tax on all U.S. imports, stepping up the trade fight in the biggest way yet. Along with the new tax, China blocked some U.S. food imports, tightened controls on rare earth exports, put 27 American companies under trade restrictions, and filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, causing U.S. markets to tumble. AP
Russia is drafting 160,000 young men in its biggest call-up since 2011, just as the U.S. pushes for a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. The recruits aren’t supposed to go to the front lines, but past drafts saw some end up in combat. As Russia ramps up troop numbers and tensions with NATO rise, fighting in Ukraine continues with no clear pause in sight. BBC
🧪 Tech & Science
Northwestern scientists have developed a low-cost HIV test that delivers accurate results in minutes, using a solar-powered device built on nanotech originally designed for COVID-19 detection. The test identifies early-stage HIV antigens without needing a lab, offering fast, reliable results even in remote areas—paving the way for broader use in global health and future disease testing. Link
Northwestern engineers have created the world’s smallest pacemaker, a rice-sized device that can be injected with a syringe, powered by body fluids, and activated by light before safely dissolving in the body. Designed for newborns and others needing only temporary heart pacing, the tiny, wireless device avoids surgery and shows promise for broader medical use. Link w/video
SpaceX just launched Fram2, the first crewed mission to fly over Earth’s North and South Poles, giving astronauts a rare view and a chance to study how space affects the human body. Over 3–5 days, the team will film the poles, study unusual lights in the sky, and run health tests like space X-rays, sleep tracking, and muscle loss checks to prep for future missions. Link
📺 Sports & Culture
Fox has renewed The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and American Dad! for four more seasons each, securing all through at least 2028–29. The deal, in partnership with 20th Television Animation and Disney, extends The Simpsons to a historic 40th season and marks American Dad!’s return to Fox after a decade on TBS. Link
Duke’s powerhouse Final Four basketball team is backed by a secretive group of wealthy donors who quietly fund player deals through a low-profile collective called One Vision Futures Fund. Unlike other schools that openly advertise how they pay athletes, Duke’s group keeps things private—no website, no public fundraising—so all the money goes straight to the players without outside interference or attention. WSJ
Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty of federal wire fraud for defrauding luxury goods companies through a yearslong scheme involving fake wire transfers. Convicted in Florida, Kingston was placed under house arrest while Turner was remanded to custody; both await sentencing on July 11. NBC News
🏎️ Fast Five
Spending on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race topped $100 million—the most ever for a U.S. court contest—fueled by billionaire donors including Elon Musk and George Soros, as Democratic-backed Susan Crawford defeated Trump-endorsed Brad Schimel by 10 points. The race, doubling the previous $51M record, drew record turnout and keeps the court’s 4–3 liberal majority ahead of key rulings on abortion, unions, voting, and redistricting. AP
A new blood test measuring MTBR-tau243 protein can diagnose Alzheimer’s and accurately stage its progression, distinguishing it from other dementias with 92% accuracy. Developed by researchers at Washington University and Lund University, the test could help tailor treatments as more personalized Alzheimer’s therapies become available. Link
OpenAI has integrated powerful, precise image generation into GPT-4o, allowing users to create highly detailed, context-aware visuals directly through natural conversation in ChatGPT. The image below was generated by ChatGPT. Link
One of the standout April Fools’ pranks came from Dbrand, a company known for edgy marketing and custom gadget skins, which actually released a real “Touch Grass” collection—bright green turf wraps for phones and laptops so you can ‘touch grass’ without going outside. Best and Worst from The Verge
A 97-year-old doctor in Argentina felt lonely, so he posted a video asking other people over 90 to share stories—and it took off, turning into a podcast that brought dozens of seniors together. CNN (Video)
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