Tech
At Google I/O 2025, held in Mountain View, the company showcased its deepening commitment to artificial intelligence. Central to the event was the introduction of Gemini 2.5, an advanced AI model featuring “Deep Think” for complex reasoning tasks. Google Search debuted “AI Mode,” offering conversational, multimodal responses. Creative tools like Veo 3 and Imagen 4 enable realistic video and image generation from text prompts. Project Astra was unveiled as a universal AI assistant, while Android XR introduced smart glasses with real-time translation and AI overlays.
Chinese commercial space firm Laser Starcom set a new benchmark in orbital communications by achieving a 400 Gbps laser data link between two low Earth orbit satellites, Guangchuan-01 and Guangchuan-02. Separated by 640 kilometers, the satellites transmitted 14.4 terabytes of data in under seven minutes with remarkable precision, all while traveling at 28,000 km/h. It’s 4x faster than **Starlink (**owned by SpaceX)’s 100 Gbps optical links.
OpenAI acquired io, an AI hardware startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, in a $6.4 billion all-stock deal. The acquisition brings together Ive’s design expertise and OpenAI’s AI capabilities to develop innovative consumer devices. Approximately 55 employees from io will join OpenAI, while Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, will oversee design across OpenAI’s software and hardware products. This strategic move positions OpenAI to expand beyond software, aiming to create AI-integrated hardware that redefines user interaction.
China Huaneng Group officially deployed the world’s largest fleet of autonomous electric mining trucks at the Yimin open-pit mine in Inner Mongolia. The 100-truck fleet, branded “Huaneng Ruichi,” includes 90-ton vehicles with no driver’s cabins. Powered by Huawei’s 5G-A communications, AI sensing, and cloud coordination technologies, the trucks operate fully autonomously, even in extreme temperatures as low as -40°C. With efficiency surpassing human-operated vehicles by 120%, the fleet marks a major leap toward zero-carbon, safer, and more intelligent mining.
Google’s Veo 3 AI video tool, launched at I/O 2025, is flooding the internet with hyperrealistic clips, blurring the line between real and fake. Unlike OpenAI’s Sora, Veo 3 generates dialogue, soundtracks, and lifelike visuals with accurate physics and lip-syncing. Available to Google AI Ultra subscribers, it powers Flow, a filmmaking tool enabling cinematic clips from text prompts. Viral examples, like fake Fortnite gameplay and AI actors railing against creators, showcase its prowess, sparking awe and concern. While empowering filmmakers, Veo 3 raises fears of disinformation, though Google’s SynthID watermark aims to curb misuse.
Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 has surpassed OpenAI’s GPT-4.1, achieving a record-breaking 72.5% SWE-Bench score and coding autonomously for seven hours, redefining AI’s role in enterprise. Launched at Anthropic’s developer conference, Opus 4 excels in sustained, complex tasks, outperforming competitors like Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro. Its hybrid reasoning, parallel tool use, and memory enhancements enable human-like problem-solving. Companies like Rakuten and Cursor praise its precision in refactoring and codebase understanding. Despite transparency challenges, Claude’s advancements signal a shift toward AI as a day-long collaborator, transforming software development and enterprise workflows.
Global
The United Arab Emirates is ambitiously positioning itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence through the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Established in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, MBZUAI is the world’s first graduate-level, research-based AI university. Under the leadership of President Eric Xing, the institution aims to emulate the innovation ecosystem of Stanford University, expanding its programs to include undergraduate degrees and fostering interdisciplinary research.
On May 20, 2025, Spain suffered a major telecom outage affecting millions across Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and other cities. Mobile services from top providers—Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and O2—were disrupted, cutting off internet access and emergency hotlines. The crash began at 5 a.m. and lasted several hours. Telefónica attributed the failure to a faulty network update. Services were mostly restored by the afternoon. The incident came just weeks after a massive power blackout on April 28, 2025, raising concerns about the vulnerability of Spain’s critical infrastructure and emergency communication systems.
In May 2025, Japan’s tourism industry faced a significant downturn due to a viral prediction from the manga The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. The comic forecasts a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on July 5, 2025. Tatsuki, dubbed Japan’s “New Baba Vanga,” gained notoriety for allegedly predicting the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The prophecy has gone viral across East Asia, leading to a sharp decline in travel bookings, especially from Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Despite lacking scientific backing, the prediction’s psychological impact has led to widespread trip cancellations, prompting Japanese authorities to address public concerns and emphasize reliance on factual information.
In February 2025, two hikers in the Czech Republic’s Krkonoše Mountains discovered a hidden treasure worth over $340,000. Spotting an aluminum can in a stone wall, they found 598 gold coins from France, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans, dating from 1808 to 1915, with some marked for use in former Yugoslavia. A nearby iron box contained bracelets, cigar cases, and other artifacts, possibly gold. The Museum of Eastern Bohemia disclosed this finding to the public in May 2025 and is studying the find, believed buried after 1921, possibly due to wartime or economic turmoil. The hikers may receive a 10% reward.
In a rare bipartisan move, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the No Tax on Tips Act, allowing tipped workers to deduct up to $25,000 in cash tips from their taxable income. Introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz and co-sponsored by Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, the bill, a key Trump campaign promise, supports workers like servers and bartenders earning $160,000 or less annually. Now headed to the House, it could provide relief to millions.
On May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City during a goodwill tour, killing two cadets and injuring 22. The 297-foot vessel lost power, accelerating backward and snapping its masts under the bridge’s 135-foot clearance. Mexico’s Navy chief reported no distress calls due to the brief 80–90-second incident window. The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating mechanical or human error. Initial assessments indicate no structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, though inspections continue to ensure safety.
On May 23, 2025, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced unconditional admission for Harvard’s international students, following the Trump administration’s ban on Harvard enrolling foreign students. HKUST offered expedited admissions, credit transfers, visa assistance, and housing support to ensure a seamless transition. This move aligns with Hong Kong’s strategy to attract global talent, as Education Minister Christine Choi urged local universities to act proactively. HKUST’s initiative, praised for fostering diversity, aims to provide a world-class learning environment for affected students.
Economy & Finance
In May 2025, the U.S. Senate advanced the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, marking a significant step toward regulating stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to assets like the U.S. dollar. The bipartisan bill mandates that issuers maintain full reserves, undergo regular audits, and comply with anti-money laundering protocols. It also restricts non-financial and foreign entities from issuing stablecoins without stringent oversight.
In February 2025, David Webb, the renowned Hong Kong activist investor and founder of Webb-site.com, announced that he had only months to live due to terminal metastatic prostate cancer. Having battled the disease since 2020 and after exhausting multiple lines of therapy, Webb stated that his prognosis had shifted from years to months. In a farewell appearance at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in May, the 59-year-old reflected on his decades-long advocacy for corporate transparency and governance. Webb has made the extensive database and software from Webb-site.com publicly available on GitHub, hoping that others will continue his mission to promote accountability in Hong Kong’s financial markets.
Science
Scientists at Colossal Biosciences have created three wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—that carry DNA from the extinct dire wolf, famous from Game of Thrones as the fierce companions of the Stark family. Using ancient DNA from 13,000- and 72,000-year-old fossils, they edited gray wolf genes to give these pups dire wolf traits like white fur and bigger bodies. Kept in a secret 2,000-acre U.S. preserve, they’re not pure dire wolves but hybrids. Critics say it’s more about hype than true revival, but it could help save endangered wolves.
Nature & Environment
In January 2025, a Chicago-sized iceberg, A-84, broke off Antarctica’s George VI Ice Shelf, revealing a hidden seafloor ecosystem. Scientists aboard the research vessel Falkor explored this untouched area using a remotely operated vehicle, discovering vibrant life including giant sponges, corals, icefish, octopuses, and sea spiders. The ecosystem, thriving under 500 feet of ice for centuries, likely relies on ocean currents for nutrients. Unveiled on March 20, 2025, the findings offer insights into life in extreme environments and the impact of climate-driven ice loss on Antarctic ecosystems and global sea levels.
Entertainment & Culture
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Superstar Tom Cruise returned to the Croisette to a live orchestra playing the iconic theme as he walked the red carpet. The film received a five-minute standing ovation inside the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the eighth installment sees special agent Ethan Hunt battling a rogue AI. As one of Hollywood’s greatest action franchises, Mission: Impossible continues to redefine blockbuster filmmaking with daring stunts, global intrigue, and Cruise’s legendary commitment to cinematic spectacle.
TIME’s 2025 summer reading list highlights 16 anticipated books. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere explores love and ambition in 1980s Hollywood, while Susan Choi’s Flashlight delves into family secrets. S.A. Cosby’s crime thriller follows Roman Carruthers navigating a dangerous Virginia town. Other notable titles include Gary Shteyngart’s novel about identity in a divided America, narrated by a 10-year-old, and a graphic novel by Lubchansky about the best man at a bizarre bachelor party. The list spans fiction, nonfiction, thrillers, and memoirs, offering diverse, engaging reads for summer.
Memorial Day honors U.S. military personnel who died in service. Originating as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, it was established to decorate soldiers’ graves. General John A. Logan formalized the date as May 30, chosen for its springtime bloom. In 1971, the U.S. government shifted it to the last Monday in May, creating a long weekend. Today, Memorial Day includes ceremonies, parades, and flag placements at cemeteries, fostering national reflection on sacrifice and unity. It will fall on May 26, Monday, in 2025.
In a May 2025 TIME for Kids story, 11-year-old Hayden Roland from Florida shines as a “Service Star” for fostering animals. With two dogs, two rabbits, and two potbellied pigs, Hayden’s family took in BunBun, an injured rabbit, inspiring him to volunteer at shelters. He walks dogs, cleans kennels, and socializes animals to prepare them for adoption. Hayden’s efforts have helped many animals find homes, earning him recognition. His story, part of a series on young change-makers, highlights how kids can make a big impact through small acts of kindness.
Fortnite returned to the U.S. iOS App Store on May 20, 2025, after a nearly five-year absence, following a legal battle between Epic Games and Apple. A federal court ruled Apple violated a 2021 injunction by restricting third-party payment options and imposing a 27% commission on external transactions. Epic Games used its Epic Games Sweden account to resubmit Fortnite, which now offers both Apple’s in-app purchase system and Epic’s direct payment option, rewarding players with 20% Epic Rewards for using the latter.
Sports
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are heating up in the conference finals. In the East, the Indiana Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam’s 39-point Game 2 explosion, face the New York Knicks, with Game 3 set for Sunday in Indiana. The Knicks aim to rebound after a historic Pacers comeback. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-0, with Game 3 tonight in Minnesota. Both series feature intense battles, with the Thunder dominating defensively and the Pacers showcasing their fast-paced style. The NBA Finals begin June 5.
The 2024-25 Kia NBA All-NBA First Team, announced on May 23, 2025, featured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Nikola Jokić (Nuggets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), and Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers). Selected by a global media panel, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić, Antetokounmpo, and Tatum earned unanimous votes, reflecting their elite performances. Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP, led OKC to 68 wins, while Jokić averaged a triple-double. Antetokounmpo’s dominance continued, Tatum shone for Boston, and Mitchell’s leadership elevated Cleveland.
The 2025 Giro d’Italia, the 108th edition, is in full swing with thrilling action. Stage 13 saw Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) outsprint Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) in Vicenza, securing his fourth stage win and the maglia ciclamino points lead. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) retained the maglia rosa, extending his general classification lead with a third-place finish. Stage 14, a 195km route from Treviso to Nova Gorica, featured a flat start but a tricky Slovenian finale. A crash marred the stage, impacting key riders like Giulio Ciccone.
On May 22, 2025, Luka Modrić, Real Madrid’s legendary midfielder, announced his retirement, stating his final match at the Santiago Bernabéu would be Saturday. The 39-year-old Croatian, who joined from Tottenham in 2012, expressed gratitude for a career that transformed his life, citing 579 appearances, six Champions League titles, and the 2018 Ballon d’Or. Modrić, who dreamed of retiring at Madrid, plans to lead Croatia at the 2026 World Cup before retiring. His emotional farewell, shared via social media, sparked tributes, with fans and teammates celebrating his unparalleled legacy.
On May 20, 2025, Kevin De Bruyne played his final home game for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth. The 33-year-old captain, leaving after a decade and 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles, missed a close-range shot, hitting the crossbar, and was substituted in the 69th minute to a standing ovation. Fans chanted his name, and a post-match ceremony with a guard of honor and tribute montage left De Bruyne and manager Pep Guardiola emotional. The club announced a statue to honor his legacy.
On May 21, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, with Brennan Johnson’s goal securing Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years. This marked their fourth victory over United this season, following a 3-0 Premier League win, a 4-3 EFL Cup triumph, and a 1-0 league victory. Son Heung-min, Spurs’ captain, was dubbed “the happiest man in the world,” beaming with pride as he lifted the trophy. His leadership and seven-goal involvement against United fueled the historic campaign, cementing his legacy and sparking wild celebrations among fans.
At the 2025 Chinese National Swimming Championships in Shenzhen, Pan Zhanle, a 20-year-old Olympic champion, and Sun Yang, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, shared the podium in the men’s 400m freestyle. Pan clinched gold with a personal best of 3:45.34, edging out Sun, who took bronze at 3:47.94 despite his age and past doping bans of four years. The race marked their first competitive clash, symbolizing a generational handover. Pan, who idolized Sun since childhood, expressed nerves but fulfilled his decade-old vow to surpass him. Their post-race handshake highlighted mutual respect, uniting two eras of Chinese swimming.
This Day in History
On May 24, 1941, Robert Zimmerman—later known as Bob Dylan—was born in Duluth, Minnesota. A future Nobel laureate and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, who was hailed as the Shakespeare of his generation, Dylan redefined the boundaries of popular music with poetic lyrics and a distinctive voice. Rising to fame in the 1960s, his protest anthems like Blowin’ in the Wind and The Times They Are a-Changin’ captured the spirit of a restless generation. Dylan’s blend of folk, rock, and blues—and his enigmatic persona—would inspire countless artists and forever change the soundscape of modern music.
Oddities
At the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar, the French men’s doubles pair, Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourrassaud, reached the semifinals, securing a bronze medal. However, their celebration turned to heartbreak when Dorr injured his knee during the festivities, forcing the duo to withdraw from the tournament. This unexpected injury handed a free pass to the Japanese pair, Shinozuka and Togami, who advanced to the final. The French team’s promising run, marked by strong performances, ended abruptly, leaving fans stunned as the injury highlighted the risks of overzealous celebrations in high-stakes competition.
Funny
By Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman, May 24, 2025, on The Washington Post
Previous Issues
May 17, 2025, AI Advances Scientific Discovery
May 11, 2025, Blaze of Glory & Sound of Silence
May 3, 2025, Hello Darkness My Old Friend
P.S. You can download the PDF version of this issue from the link below, which is now available to all free subscribers. Starting from July 1, 2025, the PDF link will be paywalled and available only to paid subscribers (monthly, yearly, or lifetime). Thank you for your support!
Shining Stars Of The Last Generation
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Last modified on 2025-05-24
