Ongoing Now

Ongoing Now Top Headlines
Headlines for May 20, 2025
World Snap (10 Headlines)
- US Markets Brace as Trump’s Tariff Pause Sparks Global Trade Talks – Wall Street celebrates temporary tariff relief, but EU and China push back. What’s next for trade?
- UK’s Lammy in Guyana: Maternity Hospital Visit Signals Stronger Commonwealth Ties – Foreign Secretary’s trip highlights Yorkshire steel and Caribbean diplomacy.
- Germany Faces Energy Crunch as Nord Stream Fallout Lingers – Rising costs and renewable delays challenge Berlin’s winter plans.
- France’s Pension Reform Protests Flare Again in Paris – Thousands rally against Macron’s latest push, disrupting transport nationwide.
- Canada’s Wildfires Threaten Alberta Towns, Forcing Evacuations – Smoke blankets western provinces as 2025 fire season intensifies.
- Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Sees Record Coral Bleaching – Climate alarms sound as UNESCO reviews protection status.
- Japan’s Yen Slides Amid US Tariff Uncertainty – Tokyo markets wobble as Trump’s trade policies loom large.
- South Korea’s Chip Exports Soar Despite US Trade Tensions – Samsung and SK Hynix defy global slowdown with AI-driven demand.
- UAE Hosts COP30 Talks Prep, Pushes Green Tech Innovation – Dubai’s summit aims to set ambitious climate goals for 2030.
- Norway’s Oil Fund Hits $1.8 Trillion, Sparks Wealth Tax Debate – World’s largest sovereign fund fuels calls for redistribution at home.
Money Moves (10 Headlines)
- Wall Street’s Record Rally: How Trump’s Tariff U-Turn Ignited Stocks – S&P 500 hits historic highs after tariff pause—can it last?
- UK Inflation Ticks Up to 2.5%, Pressuring Bank of England – Rising energy costs and weak pound stir rate hike fears.
- Germany’s Auto Giants Cut Jobs as EV Transition Falters – Volkswagen and BMW face demand slump, sparking economic concerns.
- Canada’s Housing Bubble Worsens: Toronto Prices Defy Rate Hikes – Affordability crisis deepens as Bank of Canada mulls next moves.
- Australia’s Mining Stocks Surge on China’s Stimulus Hopes – Iron ore and lithium rally as Beijing signals economic boost.
- Japan’s Nikkei Dips as Tariff Fears Hit Exporters – Toyota and Sony stocks slide amid US trade policy chaos.
- South Korea’s Crypto Exchanges Face New Tax Rules – Seoul tightens regulations, impacting Binance and local platforms.
- Singapore’s Wealth Inflows Slow as Global Rates Bite – Private banks report cautious clients amid economic uncertainty.
- Switzerland’s UBS Eyes $2B Profit Boost from AI Investments – Banking giant doubles down on tech to cut costs.
- No-Spend May Trend Gains Traction in Netherlands – Gen Z embraces frugal living to combat rising costs.
Scoreboard (10 Headlines)
- Texas Rangers’ Chris Martin Injured Again, Faces Season-Ending Fears – Elbow concerns mount after one-pitch outing, fans slam medical staff.
- UK’s Premier League: Arsenal Stuns Man City in 3-2 Thriller – Gunners’ title hopes reignite with last-minute winner at Emirates.
- Germany’s Bundesliga: Bayern Munich Held by Dortmund in Klassiker Draw – Title race tightens as Harry Kane’s goal is matched late.
- France’s Ligue 1: PSG’s Mbappé Scores Hat-Trick in Lyon Rout – Superstar’s form silences critics amid contract rumors.
- Canada’s NHL: Maple Leafs Edge Oilers in Overtime Classic – Auston Matthews’ goal keeps Toronto atop Atlantic Division.
- Australia’s Cricket: Pat Cummins Shines in Test Win Over India – Captain’s five-wicket haul seals Sydney victory.
- Japan’s Baseball: Ohtani’s Dodgers Clinch Playoff Spot – Two-way star’s homer powers LA to postseason berth.
- South Korea’s K League: Ulsan Hyundai Wins Title in Final Matchday – Dramatic stoppage-time goal secures championship glory.
- Singapore’s F1 Preparations Ramp Up for 2026 Season – Marina Bay circuit upgrades promise faster races.
- Norway’s Cross-Country Skiing: Klæbo Dominates World Cup Opener – Olympic champ sets pace for winter season.
Entertainment Buzz (10 Headlines)
- Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Stuns in Givenchy Beauty’s Marie Claire Korea Shoot – K-pop star’s gender-free buzz cut sparks global fan frenzy.
- UK’s Glastonbury 2026 Lineup Rumors: Coldplay to Headline Again? – Festival buzz grows as organizers hint at major acts.
- Germany’s Berlinale 2025: New Films from Wenders, Herzog Draw Buzz – Europe’s top film fest promises bold cinematic visions.
- France’s Cannes Bans Nudity on Red Carpet, Sparks Debate – Festival’s new dress code ignites social media firestorm.
- Canada’s Drake Drops Surprise Album, Tops Streaming Charts – Toronto rapper’s midnight release breaks Spotify records.
- Australia’s Hemsworth Stars in New Marvel Thor Sequel – Filming wraps in Sydney, promising epic 2026 release.
- Japan’s Anime Boom: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Teaser Breaks Internet – Fans crash servers as Studio MAPPA drops first look.
- South Korea’s BTS Jungkook Announces Solo World Tour – ARMYs go wild as 2026 dates include Seoul, Tokyo, and LA.
- New Zealand’s Lorde Teases Fourth Album with Cryptic Posts – Kiwi pop star’s Instagram hints at 2025 comeback.
- Sweden’s Netflix Hit ‘Young Royals’ Ends with Season 4 Renewal – Fans celebrate as final chapter gets green light.
History (10 Headlines)
- US Civil Rights Act of 1965 Echoes in Today’s Voting Debates – 60 years on, landmark law shapes modern electoral fights.
- UK’s Magna Carta at 810: How 1215 Still Influences Democracy – Historic charter’s legacy fuels parliamentary reform talks.
- Germany’s Fall of Berlin Wall: 36 Years Later, Unity Lessons – 1989’s milestone resonates amid EU integration challenges.
- France’s Revolution of 1789 Inspires Modern Protest Movements – Bastille’s fall ties to today’s pension reform clashes.
- Canada’s Confederation in 1867 Shapes 2025 Indigenous Talks – Historical treaties drive reconciliation efforts today.
- Australia’s 1967 Referendum: Aboriginal Rights’ Lasting Impact – Historic vote’s legacy fuels modern land rights debates.
- Japan’s Meiji Restoration of 1868: Roots of Today’s Tech Power – 19th-century reforms paved way for modern innovation.
- South Korea’s 1987 Democracy Movement Fuels Youth Activism – June Uprising’s legacy inspires K-pop stars’ social stands.
- Singapore’s 1965 Independence: Building a Global Hub – City-state’s founding shapes its 2025 economic strategy.
- Netherlands’ Golden Age Trade: How 1600s Ports Power Today – Historic commerce roots drive Rotterdam’s modern logistics.
Trend Watch (6 Headlines)
- TikTok’s #TechHumor Trend Explodes in Japan, South Korea – Playful hashtags like #foryou go viral among tech brands.
- UK’s Chunky Sneaker Craze Dominates London Fashion Week – Bold kicks steal the show, driving sales for Nike, Adidas.
- Germany’s Smart Home Gadgets Surge in 2025 – Alexa and Google Nest lead as households embrace automation.
- Canada’s Viral Travel Reels Spotlight Banff’s Winter Glow – Instagram influencers boost tourism with snowy vistas.
- Australia’s Sustainable Fashion Wave Hits Sydney Runways – Eco-friendly brands like Patagonia trend among Gen Z.
- UAE’s AI-Powered Fitness Apps Top Dubai Downloads – Smart workout trackers redefine wellness trends.
Wellness (6 Headlines)
- US Meditation Apps Surge as Stress Levels Hit Record Highs – Headspace and Calm report 20% user growth in 2025.
- UK’s NHS Pushes Weekly Fitness Challenges to Combat Obesity – Nationwide campaign promotes 30-minute daily workouts.
- Sweden’s Forest Bathing Trend Boosts Mental Health – Shinrin-yoku gains traction with science-backed benefits.
- Canada’s Plant-Based Diets Rise Amid Health Push – Veganuary 2025 sees record sign-ups in Toronto, Vancouver.
- Japan’s Sleep Tech Gadgets Promise Better Rest – Wearables like Oura Ring trend for tracking REM cycles.
- Australia’s Coastal Yoga Retreats Draw Global Wellness Seekers – Bondi Beach sessions blend fitness and mindfulness.
Peak Picks (6 Headlines)
- Top 5 Smartphones of 2025: iPhone 17, Samsung S25 Lead – US and Japan buyers rank camera and AI features highest.
- Top 5 Netflix Series to Binge This Week – Sweden’s ‘Young Royals’ and Canada’s ‘Drake Doc’ top charts.
- Top 5 Fitness Trackers for 2025: Fitbit, Apple Watch Shine – UAE and Australia users praise heart rate accuracy.
- Top 5 Viral TikTok Dances Dominating South Korea – K-pop-inspired moves rack up billions of views.
- Top 5 Budget Travel Destinations for Summer 2025 – Canada’s PEI and New Zealand’s Christchurch top lists.
- Top 5 Eco-Friendly Sneakers Ruling UK Streets – Veja and Allbirds lead sustainable fashion wave.
Brain Food (2 Headlines)
- Yuval Noah Harari’s New Book Sparks Global Debate in 2025 – ‘Homo Deus’ sequel tops charts in US, Germany, Japan.
- Singapore’s Philosophy Cafes Trend as Gen Z Seeks Meaning – Weekly meetups explore big ideas from Socrates to AI ethics.