Tech
Nintendo has officially announced the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch on June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99. The console features a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screenwith HDR support, 256GB of internal storage, and redesigned Joy-Con controllers with magnetic attachments and a new “C” button for voice and video chat functionalities. Additionally, the Switch 2 supports 4K resolution at 60 FPS when docked and introduces the GameChat feature for enhanced player communication. The Switch 2 will launch with a robust lineup of titles, including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza. The console also maintains backward compatibility with most original Switch games, ensuring a seamless transition for existing users.
Clarivate’s 2025 Top 100 Global Innovators report highlights organizations leading in technology research and innovation. The list includes 33 Japanese companies, 18 from the U.S., and 13 from Taiwan. Samsung Electronics remains the top innovator. Six new companies joined the list, while six others re-entered. The top 100 generate $4.6 trillion in annual revenues, representing 4.4% of the global economy. Key sectors include electronics, semiconductors, and automotive.
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, had agreed to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to a U.S.-majority-owned entity, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. However, President Trump’s recent implementation of a 34% tariff on Chinese goods led ByteDance to withdraw from the deal, citing the need for further trade discussions. In response, Trump extended the sale deadline by 75 days, aiming to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. Ongoing negotiations involve potential buyers such as Amazon and a consortium led by OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely. Any agreement will require approval under Chinese law.
Global
On March 29, 2025, a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle, equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, was involved in a tragic accident on the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway in Anhui province, China. The crash, which resulted in the deaths of three young women, occurred while the vehicle was operating in Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) mode at 116 km/h. Xiaomi claims that the vehicle’s FSD system detected an obstacle and issued a warning, but when the driver attempted to regain control, the car collided with a cement barrier at 97 km/h. The accident has raised concerns about the reliability of FSD systems, especially after reports that the vehicle’s doors were difficult to open after the crash, and the post-collision fire worsened the situation. Xiaomi’s stock fell by 5.5% in response to the incident.
Economy & Finance
In early April 2025, U.S. stocks faced their steepest weekly decline since 2020, triggered by escalating trade tensions. President Donald Trump announced substantial tariffs on imports from major trade partners, including a 54% levy on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China imposed a 34% tariff on all U.S. products starting April 10. This tit-for-tat exacerbated fears of a trade-driven recession, leading to a significant market sell-off. The S&P 500 plunged nearly 6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 2,200 points. US tariffs could hit their highest level in more than a century.
Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires List reveals a record 3,028 billionaires with a combined net worth of $16.1 trillion. Elon Musk leads with $342 billion, followed by Mark Zuckerberg ($216 billion) and Jeff Bezos ($215 billion). The U.S. hosts 902 billionaires, China and Hong Kong have 516, and India counts 205. Notably, there are 288 newcomers, including Bruce Springsteen, Steve Ells, Sundar Pichai, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 28-year-old Alexandr Wang (founder of Scale AI), the youngest self-made billionaire. Additionally, 107 billionaires dropped off the list this year.
Science
Asteroid 2024 YR4, once feared to have a 3.1% chance of impacting Earth in 2032, now poses minimal risk to our planet. However, recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope indicate a 4% probability of it colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032. The asteroid, measuring approximately 174-220 feet in diameter, could create a significant lunar crater if an impact occurs. Scientists are closely monitoring its trajectory to refine predictions and assess potential outcomes
Entertainment & Culture
In March 2025, Youtube influencer IShowSpeed stormed China, blending chaos and cultural curiosity. His Chongqing escapades—sweating over a fiery hotpot, gaping at Hongya Cave’s labyrinth, and hilariously lost in the “8D city”—trended globally. Viral clips of him cheering street performers and fumbling chopsticks countered Western stereotypes with unfiltered joy. Beyond spectacle, Speed’s raw interactions—bonding with locals, marveling at Sichuan opera—framed China’s vibrancy through relatable humanity, contrasting politicized narratives. “Never seen anything like this!” he tweeted, echoing fans worldwide. By spotlighting everyday culture over ideology, his whirlwind tour bridged divides, proving that authenticity could reshape global perceptions—one spicy bite at a time.
April Fool’s Day, celebrated on April 1st, is a lighthearted tradition where people play pranks and jokes on each other. Its origins are uncertain, but it may date back to the 16th century when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Those who continued to celebrate New Year’s in late March were mocked as “April fools.” Today, it’s a global day of playful deception, from harmless personal tricks to elaborate hoaxes by media and corporations. While mostly fun, the spirit of the day relies on good humor and keeping pranks clever, not cruel. Laughter is the ultimate goal.
Nintendo has announced that a live-action Legend of Zelda movie is officially in the works. Directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), the film will adapt the Nintendo gaming franchise of the same name that launched in 1986. The fantasy-inspired game series centers on the young Link and Princess Zelda, who attempt to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil Ganon. Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of the Zelda series, will serve as producer. Zelda is a massive IP property of Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which revolutionized open-world gaming with its vast, interactive environment and non-linear progression, is widely considered one of the greatest video games of all time.
Sports
In a thrilling 2024-25 Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on April 2, 2025, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad battled to a 4-4 draw at the Bernabéu, with Madrid advancing 5-4 on aggregate to the final. The match saw dramatic momentum shifts: Sociedad led 3-1 in regular time after Álaba’s own goal and Mikel Oyarzabal’s brace, but Madrid clawed back with goals from Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni to level at 3-3. Sociedad retook the lead in stoppage time via Oyarzabal’s header, forcing extra time. In the 115th minute, Antonio Rüdiger headed home the decisive goal from Arda Güler’s corner, sealing Madrid’s progression.
On March 16, 2025, Newcastle United ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup final at Wembley. Dan Burn opened the scoring just before halftime, and Alexander Isak doubled the lead early in the second half. Despite a late goal from Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa, Newcastle held on for a historic win. The victory marks their first major domestic title since 1955 and secured European qualification. Celebrations erupted across the city, with 150,000 fans joining an open-top bus parade.
On April 5, 2025, Thomas Müller bid an emotional farewell to Bayern Munich, concluding a 25-year journey that began as a 10-year-old academy prospect in 2000. Over 709 appearances—tying Manuel Neuer’s club record—Müller became a Bavarian icon, contributing 244 goals, 32 trophies, 12 Bundesliga titles, 2 Champions Leagues, and countless moments of genius. From his 2008 debut to his final match, his intelligence, humor, and clutch performances defined a generation, and Müller became the embodiment of “Raumdeuter"—space interpreter. Though his 2023 contract expired without renewal, Müller’s departure marks the end of an era at Bayern and in German football.
In a thrilling matchup on April 3, 2025, Stephen Curry’s 37 points propelled the Golden State Warriors to a 123-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Rookie Brandin Podziemski contributed a career-high 28 points, including eight three-pointers. LeBron James led the Lakers with 33 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 31. This win brings the Warriors within one game of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings, intensifying the playoff race.
On April 2, 2025, American cyclist Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) delivered a tactical masterclass at Belgium’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, overcoming powerhouse Visma-Lease a Bike in a chaotic sprint finish. The 183.5km cobbled classic—a key Tour of Flanders warm-up—saw Powless outmaneuver three Visma riders, including Wout van Aert, who led a late chase after a grueling race marked by relentless attacks on climbs like the Knokteberg6. Visma initially dominated, controlling the peloton with six riders, but Powless countered their strategy, joining a decisive breakaway. Despite Van Aert’s final sprint gamble, Powless surged ahead in the final meters, securing his first WorldTour one-day victory.
The 2025 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya delivered drama as Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) claimed overall victory with a daring solo attack on the final stage in Barcelona, overturning a 32-second deficit to dethrone UAE Team Emirates’ Juan Ayuso. The seven-day WorldTour race, held from March 24–30, saw crosswinds and tactical battles define the narrative. British 19-year-old Matthew Brennan stunned the peloton by winning Stage 5 after a chaotic crosswind split, briefly seizing the leader’s jersey before Ayuso regained control. Roglič’s decisive move on the Montjuïc climb during Stage 7 sealed his triumph, while Ayuso settled for second.
This Day in History
On April 5, 1614, Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan chief Wahunsenacawh, married English tobacco planter John Rolfe in Jamestown, Virginia. Their union marked a rare moment of peace between English settlers and Native Americans, known as the “Peace of Pocahontas.” Pocahontas converted to Christianity, taking the name Rebecca. The marriage was seen by the English as a symbol of potential harmony and assimilation. Her story became mythologized over time, often romanticized, yet it remains a complex symbol of cultural encounter, colonization, and indigenous resilience.
Joke
An American is making a sandwich and realizes he’s out of ketchup. He asks his Chinese roommate, “Do we have any condiments?” The roommate replies, “Mayo.” So, the American eats his sandwich plain. How come?
Turns out his roommate wasn’t offering mayonnaise. He was saying “méiyǒu” (没有), which means “no” in Chinese.
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Last modified on 2025-04-05
