Business
Trump’s Tariffs Stir Economic Uncertainty in Georgia: Former President Donald Trump’s tariffs are causing significant economic uncertainty in Georgia, a key swing state with a $900 billion economy. The effects vary across industries, with sectors like hospitality and film facing challenges due to fluctuating tariffs on European goods.
WHSmith Exits UK High Streets After 232 Years: WHSmith is permanently closing its longstanding Doncaster store, marking the end of its high street presence after 232 years. This closure is part of a broader £76 million deal where the company sold 500 high street branches to Modella Capital, with plans to rebrand them as TGJones.
BYD Leads China’s EV Market Amid Price War: In May 2025, key Tesla rivals in China, including BYD, XPeng, Li Auto, Nio, Xiaomi, and Zeekr, reported mixed electric vehicle (EV) sales amid intensified market dynamics. BYD, now the global leader in battery electric vehicles, led the sector with an estimated 390,000 vehicle sales, including 100,000 overseas.
Stock Markets Rally Despite Tariff Concerns: The stock market ended May with strong gains despite volatility influenced by tariff developments initiated by former President Donald Trump. The Dow Jones rose 3.9% for the month, the S&P 500 gained 6.15%, the Nasdaq surged 9.6%, and the Russell 2000 climbed 5.2%.
U.S. Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs: A U.S. court blocked former President Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, ruling they were illegal and exceeded presidential authority under emergency economic powers legislation. This move impacts Trump’s trade policies and may bolster opposition from corporate entities, foreign governments, and Congress.
Computing
Google Unveils AI Mode; Microsoft Build Faces Protests: At the Google I/O 2025 conference, the tech giant announced a new “AI Mode” for its Search platform, enabling conversational interactions with results. Microsoft’s Build 2025 event highlighted its AI-driven strategies but was disrupted by Pro-Palestinian protesters during keynotes.
Oracle Invests $40B in Nvidia Chips for AI Data Centers: Oracle is set to purchase approximately 400,000 of Nvidia’s high-performance GB200 chips, totaling around $40 billion. These chips will power OpenAI’s new data center in Abilene, Texas, expected to be fully operational by mid-2026, enhancing Oracle’s cloud computing infrastructure.
Computex 2025 Showcases Next-Gen Computing Innovations: Computex 2025 in Taipei highlighted over 250 devices, showcasing advancements in computing technology. Key innovations included AI-integrated hardware, energy-efficient components, and novel form factors, indicating the industry’s focus on performance and sustainability.
Recreation
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Awards Recovery Grants: The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable announced recipients of its Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Program, aiding restoration of outdoor recreation assets in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Each grantee plays a critical role in revitalizing local outdoor economies.
Philadelphia Celebrates $7.5M Murphy Recreation Center Renovation: Philadelphia’s Murphy Recreation Center reopened after a $7.5 million renovation, celebrated with community events featuring Eagles legend Ron Jaworski. The upgraded facility aims to enhance community engagement and provide improved recreational opportunities.