Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,007 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Scientists create night vision contacts

• UK sex drive suppression drugs

• World’s most expensive housing markets

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Big Stories

Education Battle

A federal judge in Boston halted the Trump administration's effort to close the Department of Education and ordered the immediate reinstatement of over 1,300 terminated employees.

• Trump's Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the March layoffs as part of the department's "final mission," to eliminate "bureaucratic bloat." The cuts preceded Trump's executive order calling for the department's complete closure - a campaign promise to leave education policy entirely to states and local boards.

• Judge Myong Joun found the administration's "true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute." The court noted that staff reductions made it impossible for the agency to oversee $1.6 trillion in student loans, enforce civil rights laws, and provide federal funding to needy districts.

• Meanwhile, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's certification to enroll international students, citing an "unsafe campus environment" with "anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators."

• Additionally, DHS Secretary Noem said existing foreign students must transfer to another school or lose legal status, a decision that affects 27% of Harvard’s enrollment. However, a California federal judge blocked the legal status terminations, potentially protecting Harvard's current foreign students while legal challenges proceed.

D.C. Shooting

A man from Chicago gunned down two Israeli embassy employees outside D.C.'s Capital Jewish Museum.

• Afterwards, he entered the building where security detained him. The suspect shouted "Free, free Palestine" while in police custody and told authorities where he discarded the weapon.

• The shooting happened as people were leaving a "Young Diplomats" reception focused on "turning pain into purpose" and Middle East bridge-building. The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who were about to get engaged.

• The attack comes 18 months into Israel's Gaza campaign following Hamas's October 7, 2023, terrorist attack. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered increased security for Israeli missions worldwide, while President Trump and US officials condemned the violence as antisemitic terrorism.

Night Vision Contacts

Scientists have created contact lenses that give wearers night vision without batteries or bulky equipment.

• The lenses use special nanoparticles to absorb invisible infrared light and convert it into visible wavelengths that human eyes can detect. Unlike traditional night-vision goggles that need power sources and weigh down users, these contacts work passively and feel just like regular lenses.

• Testing proved the concept works in both mice and humans. Mice wearing the lenses avoided boxes lit with infrared light that they normally couldn't see, while human volunteers could detect flickering infrared signals and determine their direction. Surprisingly, people detected the infrared signals more clearly with their eyes closed because this eliminated interference from competing visible light sources.

• The technology needs refinement before hitting the market - currently, it only detects incredibly bright LED sources, so researchers must boost sensitivity for real-world use. Applications could include security operations, search and rescue missions, and even helping colorblind people by converting specific light wavelengths.

Quick Stories

US News

• The NOAA predicts a 60% chance of an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season due to multiple factors fueling tropical cyclones. The forecast includes 3-5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5). (More)

• House Republicans narrowly passed Trump's sweeping legislative package 215-214 after marathon negotiations. The victory sets up a Senate battle over White House priorities. (More)

• A deadlocked Supreme Court blocked funding for America's first religious charter school in Oklahoma. The 4-4 vote upheld a state ruling that the publicly funded Catholic school violated church-state separation. (More)

World

• Britain will roll out sex drive suppression drugs for sex criminals in 20 prisons to reduce repeat incidents. The UK’s Justice Secretary says studies show a 60% reduction in offenses with the treatment. (More)

• UN teams received over 90 truckloads of aid in Gaza after Israel eased its 11-week blockade. The supplies included flour and medical equipment, but officials say it's insufficient for Gaza's needs. (More)

• North Korea's second naval destroyer sustained damage when its transport cradle slid off during the debut launch, puncturing the ship's bottom. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed mixed on Thursday (S&P -0.04%, Nasdaq +0.28%, Dow -1.35%). The S&P and Nasdaq closed little changed as investors waited for lawmakers to pass a bill that they fear could worsen the US deficit. (More)

• BYD beat Tesla in European electric vehicle registrations for the first time in April. Tesla sales fell 49% while BYD surged 169%. (More)

• Nike will raise prices on select shoes, clothing, and equipment this week. Footwear will increase by $5-10, depending on price range, while apparel and equipment will rise by $2-10. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Disney delayed both upcoming Avengers movies by seven months. "Doomsday" moves from May 2026 to December 2026, while "Secret Wars" shifts from May 2027 to December 2027. (More)

• The College Football Playoff adopted straight seeding for this fall's 12-team format. The top four committee-ranked teams will receive first-round byes and the highest seeds. (More)

• Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the top seeds on the men’s side French Open. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are on top for the women. The tournament runs Sunday through June 8. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Scientists found traces of ruthenium in Hawaiian volcanic rocks that came from Earth's core, proving precious metals including gold are leaking from the core into the mantle above. (More)

• The FDA is requiring Pfizer and Moderna to expand COVID vaccine warnings for heart inflammation risks in adolescents and young men. Studies found 8 cases per million doses. (More)

• Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi is challenging Apple with its cheaper 15S Pro starting at $764 versus iPhone's $1,100+ prices. CEO Lei Jun also claims it’s new chip outperforms Apple's A18 Pro. (More)

Extra Credit

Mapping the world’s most expensive real estate markets.

Swiss evacuate livestock by helicopter due to landslide risk.

Finalists for the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year.

6 wienermobiles will compete in this year’s Wienie 500.