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04.05.2025

 

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Good morning. It's Saturday, April 5, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the official removal of South Korea's impeached president, a 75-day extension given to TikTok, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.

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One Big Headline
 

South Korea's Yoon Removed

South Korea's highest court unanimously decided to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office yesterday, ending five months of political uncertainty after Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law in December. The Constitutional Court's ruling triggers a 60-day period to elect a new leader, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as acting president in the interim. 

 

Yoon had been indicted on charges of leading an insurrection by imposing martial law, the first such declaration since the country democratized in the 1980s. Yoon declared a six-hour-long martial law Dec. 3 over allegations that the opposition was made up of "anti-state" North Korean sympathizers, leading to troops storming the National Assembly and sparking nationwide protests. Yoon was impeached Dec. 14, arrested Jan. 15, and later faced a trial (see timeline). 

 

South Korea is one of the US' biggest allies, hosting America's largest overseas military base. It is set to hold a snap election June 3. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is considered a front-runner in the race, while the ruling Conservatives, reeling from Yoon's impeachment, have yet to decide on a candidate.

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Quick Hits
 

China imposes 34% tariff on imports of all US products.

The retaliatory tariff will go into effect April 10 and comes two days after President Donald Trump announced a 34% tariff on Chinese goods, which excludes some categories like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. China's tariff doesn't include any exceptions. China sells far more to the US than it buys (see overview). Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said inflation will likely pick up due to the trade war.

 

South Carolina, UConn head to women's NCAA championship.

The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Texas Longhorns 74-57, while the Connecticut Huskies beat the UCLA Bruins 85-51. South Carolina and Connecticut will face each other in the championship game tomorrow (3 pm ET, ABC). On the men's side, the Final Four begins tomorrow, with the Florida Gators taking on the Auburn Tigers (6:09 pm ET, ABC) and the Houston Cougars taking on the Duke Blue Devils (8:49 pm ET, ABC). 

 

Trump extends TikTok deadline by an additional 75 days.

TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, now has until June 19 to sell the popular social media app to a non-Chinese company or risk being banned in the US. The latest extension is the second one granted to the company after its original Jan. 19 deadline was delayed by 75 days to today. The administration is said to be considering a number of bids from US companies to buy TikTok, including Amazon.

 

Trump administration to freeze grants to Brown, sets terms for Harvard.

The Trump administration is reportedly planning to freeze $510M in grants to Brown University over concerns about antisemitism on campus, following similar actions against other universities, including Columbia and Princeton. Meanwhile, Harvard University received a letter from the administration ordering it to adhere to a set of changes to maintain $9B in federal funding, including eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion program.  

 

US hiring in March exceeds economist expectations.

US employers added 228,000 nonfarm jobs last month, higher than the 140,000 jobs economists had estimated and up from the revised 117,000 jobs in February. The unemployment rate increased to 4.2%, up from 4.1% in February. Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month over month (as expected) and 3.8% year over year (below expectations and the lowest level since July 2024).

 

Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault in UK.

Prosecutors charged the British comedian and actor with offenses involving four women between 1999 and 2005. The charges come roughly a year and a half after an investigation into Brand’s past behavior, fueled by media reports. Brand denies the accusations, maintaining that all his past relationships were consensual. He is set to appear in court May 2. 

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Humankind
 

Two Florida sisters donate more than 100 custom American Girl dolls to young girls affected by last year's Hurricane Helene. (More)

 

... and two childhood sweethearts reunite after more than 85 years, thanks to an old school photo. (More

 

A group of lonely 90-year-olds creates a podcast to share stories from a lifetime of experiences. (More)

 

New Jersey boy starts nonprofit and recycles 625,000 batteries by the age of 15, with hundreds of other youths joining in. (More

 

Family surprises bride on her wedding day with a guest who received her late brother's heart. (More, w/video)

 

Stranger helps raise more than $300K for an 81-year-old waitress who said she couldn't afford to retire. (More

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From Under the Radar to Industry Essential

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Humankind(ness)
 

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Sharon I. in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

 

"I was at the bank with my grandchildren exchanging their rolled coins for bills. As we were walking out, my grandson said loudly that the teller had given him $10 too much. He said we needed to get back in line to return it. The people in line all heard him, and after we returned the money, a young couple in line gave him a $10 bill and his very pregnant wife said she hoped that their child would grow up to be as honest as him while the others in line clapped. It warmed my heart in so many ways."

 

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here.

Etcetera
 

Bookkeeping

$92M: The cost of the world's largest wildlife crossing across a California freeway.

> 17%: The percentage of Americans who believe AI will positively impact the US over the next 20 years, compared to 56% of AI experts who believe the same.

 

Browse 

> Your brain remembers what gave you food poisoning

America's 10 best craft breweries in 2025.

The scientist behind the "torpedo bats" blowing up baseball

> When a pants button was a life-saving device

 

Listen 

Can you really die of a broken heart? The hidden dangers of grief

> Operation Anthropoid: Helena Bonham Carter tells the story of two Czech agents who assassinated one of Hitler's most high-ranking officials.

 

Watch 

Robot spy mimics orangutan behavior to earn their trust.

> Inside an architect's magical underground home in Mexico City.

> Love, happiness, and more, explained by philosophy

 

Long Read 

> Whisky-drinking rocker, once a member of a Grammy-winning band, transforms into West Africa’s most dangerous al-Qaida leader

Graffiti Limbo: A University of Virginia professor enlists students to document messages left behind on library carrels from previous generations.

 

Most Clicked This Week: Farmer seeks to revive a biblical superfood.

 

Historybook: Booker T. Washington born (1856); Actress Bette Davis born (1908); Actor Gregory Peck born (1916); Former Secretary of State Colin Powell born (1937); Kareem Abdul-Jabbar surpasses Wilt Chamberlain as all-time leading scorer in the NBA at the time (1984); Kurt Cobain dies (1994).

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."

- Booker T. Washington

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*Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for RAD Intel's Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.radintel.ai

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