Europe experienced a glitch, and the silence is deafening

Today’s topics

• U.S. airlines are struggling—but hey, at least the flights are affordable.

• ChatGPT just became your new shopping buddy.

• Toyota and Hyundai Join Forces with Boston Dynamics for AI-Powered Robots

• Knicks vs. Celtics: Playoff Showdown Begins Tonight

• Europe experienced a glitch, and the silence is deafening

  and more…

U.S. airlines are struggling—but hey, at least the flights are affordable

Airline CEOs are feeling the heat. Domestic fares dropped 5.3% in March year-over-year, making tickets cheaper than they were 15 years ago. Carriers that entered 2025 with optimism are now cutting capacity and slashing prices across the board. Executives are openly acknowledging that demand has fallen short of expectations. Business travel, which was up 10% earlier this year, has stalled. Government travel has plummeted amid layoffs and budget cuts. The outlook is grim—but at least airfare is a bargain.

Crypto’s Hot Again — And the ETF Crowd Is Eating It Up

Bitcoin is back on a tear, and the ETF bros are riding the wave. Crypto saw a major resurgence last week, with Bitcoin and Ether ETFs raking in $3.2 billion. BlackRock’s IBIT alone pulled in a record-breaking $1.5 billion, while ARKB grabbed $620 million and FBTC took in $574 million. Ether posted its first inflows since February. Bitcoin surged 10%, nearing $94K, breathing new life into the “digital gold” storyline. Michael Saylor is dreaming big — predicting $13 million per coin and declaring IBIT will become the world’s largest ETF. Meanwhile, legacy giant VOO, with its $600B in assets, quietly rolled its eyes.

Trump’s Meme Coin Dinner Rakes In $900K in Two Days

Trump’s latest crypto stunt is paying off—fast. He offered a black-tie dinner for the top 220 holders of his $TRUMP meme coin, and the market went wild. The token’s price soared over 50%, boosting its market cap to $2.7 billion. In just 48 hours, insiders pocketed nearly $900,000 in trading fees, according to Chainalysis. The promo now includes a flashy leaderboard, a reception at Trump’s private club, and promises of a “VIP White House tour.”

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ChatGPT just became your new shopping buddy.

OpenAI has unveiled a new shopping feature in ChatGPT Search, blurring the lines between virtual assistant and personal shopper. Now, anyone — with or without an account — can browse products and get direct links to buy from retailers like Amazon and Walmart. There’s no sponsored content, just AI-powered suggestions. In a demo with Wired, ChatGPT’s product lead Adam Fry showed how users can get customized picks for items like espresso machines and office chairs — the kind of purchases meant to upgrade your life. The assistant taps into your preferences, memory, and online reviews, including Reddit threads and trusted publisher write-ups.

Meta’s AI Gets Its Own App — and It Wants to Be Everywhere

Meta just launched a standalone app for its AI assistant, as if embedding it into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger wasn’t already enough. Now the assistant gets center stage in Meta’s push to rival OpenAI and Google in the AI race. Powered by the new Llama 4 model, the assistant boasts improved reasoning, broader language support, and smarter responses — all while tapping into your Facebook and Instagram data for context. Because if anyone knows your deepest digital habits, it’s Meta. The app also links up with Meta’s AI-powered glasses and integrates across its ecosystem. Zuckerberg’s vision? To have this assistant in your feed, on your face, and now in its own dedicated app.

Amazon Finally Enters Orbit — Kuiper Takes Aim at Starlink

Amazon has officially joined the satellite internet race, launching its first 27 Project Kuiper satellites into orbit. The long-delayed mission — over a year behind schedule — lifted off Monday from Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket. It's the start of a $10 billion effort to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink, which already dominates the skies. Amazon plans to deploy 3,236 satellites in total, but must launch at least 1,618 by mid-2026 to stay compliant with FCC rules — a deadline analysts say they may struggle to meet. Meanwhile, Starlink holds a massive lead with a sprawling fleet already active. Kuiper is targeting rural and underserved regions with broadband, echoing Starlink’s mission. It's Bezos vs. Musk — this time, in low Earth orbit.

NASA's Super Pressure Balloon Reaches New Heights

On May 3, 2025, NASA successfully launched its second super pressure balloon from Wānaka Airport in New Zealand. The 18.8 million-cubic-foot balloon ascended to an altitude of 108,000 feet, marking a significant milestone in the agency's scientific balloon program. Designed to remain aloft for up to 100 days, the balloon will carry out various scientific investigations and technology demonstrations in the Southern Hemisphere's mid-latitudes. This mission aims to test and qualify super pressure balloon technology, which is crucial for conducting long-duration scientific research in the upper atmosphere. Read more

Measles Resurgence in the Southwest U.S. Amid Declining Vaccination Rates

A significant measles outbreak has emerged in the southwestern United States, with over 800 confirmed cases across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, as of May 2, 2025. The outbreak, which began in January, has led to three deaths and more than 50 hospitalizations. The resurgence is attributed to declining vaccination rates and the highly contagious nature of the virus. Health officials are urging communities to ensure up-to-date immunizations to prevent further spread. Read more

EPA Faces Major Budget Cuts and Staff Reductions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undergoing significant restructuring under the Trump administration. Proposed budget cuts could reduce the agency's funding by up to 65%, potentially leading to the closure of its Office of Research and Development. This move threatens ongoing scientific research on critical issues like toxic pollutants and wildfire smoke. Additionally, up to 75% of the EPA's ORD staff may face layoffs, raising concerns about the agency's ability to monitor and address environmental hazards effectively. Read more

Keystone Pipeline Rupture Leads to Oil Spill in North Dakota

On April 8, 2025, a rupture occurred in the Keystone oil pipeline near a rural area in North Dakota, releasing an unspecified amount of crude oil. The pipeline operator has shut down the affected section, and cleanup efforts are underway. The incident has reignited debates over the environmental risks associated with pipeline infrastructure and the broader implications for energy policy. Read more

Knicks vs. Celtics: Playoff Showdown Begins Tonight

The New York Knicks are set to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 tipping off tonight at 7:00 PM ET in Boston. This marks the first playoff meeting between the two teams in over a decade. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of defensive consistency and rebounding, while players like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart highlighted the need for mental toughness and strategic discipline. Despite the Celtics' regular-season sweep, the Knicks are confident in their ability to compete at a high level.

Europe experienced a glitch, and the silence is deafening

A massive power outage struck Spain, Portugal, parts of France, and even Andorra on Monday, leaving tens of millions in the dark. Airports came to a halt, trains were paralyzed, and the Madrid Open was interrupted mid-match as scoreboards, cameras, and other systems went offline. By Tuesday, 99% of the power had been restored, with trains back on track and flights resuming, but both Spain and Portugal remained in a state of emergency. Portugal confirmed full recovery for its 6.4 million customers, though Lisbon's airport continued to face delays. The cause of the blackout remains unclear, leaving two major European economies offline without explanation. Just another day in the world of unexpected power failures.

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