Week in 5: May 11-17, 2025
A massive NJ Transit strike, Trump’s meeting with Syria’s new leader, Menendez brothers’ resentencing, a brief China tariff pause, and Trump’s planned call with Putin on Monday.
📰 Top 5
The week’s biggest headlines.
A strike by NJ Transit locomotive engineers has halted all rail service across New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia, stranding over 350,000 commuters amid a prolonged pay dispute. The union walked out after rejecting a tentative deal offering 2%–4% annual raises, claiming it fell short of parity with other rail systems. Bus, ferry, and Metro-North alternatives only partially fill the gap, with negotiations set to resume Sunday. WSJ
Trump met Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa—once a U.S.-designated terrorist leader—in Saudi Arabia, announcing the lifting of U.S. sanctions and urging Syria to join the Abraham Accords. The move marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy as the new Syrian government, formed after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, seeks global legitimacy and investment, despite concerns from Israel and U.S. lawmakers. CBS News
More than 30 years after killing their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez have been resentenced to 50 years to life with a chance at parole, opening the door to possible release next month. The judge acknowledged their remorse and rehabilitation in prison, despite prosecutors’ claims they’ve never fully accepted responsibility; a parole board hearing is scheduled for June 13. BBC
Small business owners say Trump’s 90-day tariff pause with China provides too little certainty to plan, with many delaying orders, halting expansions, or raising prices amid fears tariffs could return to 145%. Entrepreneurs across industries—from board games to boba tea—liken the brief reprieve to a gamble, saying the temporary deal creates confusion rather than relief. BI
Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Vladimir Putin on Monday to push for an Ukraine ceasefire, calling it an effort to end the ongoing “bloodbath.” The call follows stalled peace talks in Istanbul, where Russia and Ukraine agreed only to a prisoner swap, and comes amid continued violence, including a deadly Russian drone strike on a civilian bus in Sumy. BBC
🚀 Next 5
The latest in science and tech.
Doctors in Philadelphia saved a baby’s life using a new kind of treatment that fixes faulty genes, offering hope for others with rare diseases. Baby K.J. was born with a condition that made toxic waste build up in his body, but a custom-made therapy helped his liver work properly—he’s now gaining weight, doing well, and may go home soon. WSJ
Ancient reptile-like footprints discovered near Melbourne, dated to 350 million years ago, push back the timeline for when animals first evolved to live fully on land. The tracks, preserved in sandstone and showing hooked claws, suggest reptiles adapted to dry environments much earlier than the previously known 318-million-year-old fossils, offering the earliest known evidence of land-dwelling vertebrates. AP
Apple is partnering with brain-computer interface company Synchron to enable thought-based control of iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro devices, using implants designed for people with severe motor impairments. The collaboration centers on Synchron’s “Stentrode” implant and Apple’s new BCI Human Interface Device protocol, with successful trials already allowing an ALS patient to use devices and explore virtual environments hands-free. Link
Aurora has launched the first fully driverless commercial trucking service in the U.S., running autonomous freight routes between Dallas and Houston without safety drivers. Partnering with Uber Freight and Hirschbach, Aurora’s trucks have already completed over 10,000 supervised loads and now operate independently, raising both excitement and concerns from regulators and labor unions over safety and job impacts. CNN
A study co-led by the University of St Andrews found that wild chimpanzees drum rhythmically, with patterns differing by region, suggesting musical rhythm may predate humans. Chimpanzees in West Africa drum like ticking clocks, while those in East Africa alternate beats, echoing the foundations of human musicality and hinting at an evolutionary link in rhythm perception and expression. Link
⚡️Fast 5
Quick hits from sports, culture, and beyond.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law banning fluoride in public drinking water statewide, rejecting decades of dental health guidance and making Florida the second state to do so. AP
Warner Bros. Discovery is rebranding Max back to HBO Max to emphasize its premium content and boost subscriber growth. IGN
YouTube will stream the Chiefs-Chargers NFL game live from Brazil this September, its first global free broadcast of an NFL game. The move expands the league’s international reach with an interactive, creator-driven viewing experience. Link
U.S. drug overdose deaths dropped by a record 27,000 in 2024, driven by wider naloxone access, telehealth addiction care, and opioid settlement funds, though future gains face budget threats. Vox
Staten Island bodega owner Wail Alselwi, known as “Island Ock,” rewards students with snacks and cash for good grades, sparking a viral movement that’s now supported by a $50,000 GoFundMe. Link