• ☝️ Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday drew ~250,000 attendees, including kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, cardinals, archbishops, and more; the conclave to select a new Pope is expected to begin sometime between May 6-11.

BUSINESS & MARKETS

• 📊 US markets rose across the board last week (S&P: +4.6%; Dow: +2.5%; Nasdaq: +6.7%). | 25% of buy now, pay later users are funding grocery purchases with the loans, up from 14% in 2024, per a new Lending Tree survey.
• 💉 Novo Nordisk scored a legal victory against compounding pharmacies; the ruling opens the door for FDA action towards those making cheaper versions of Wegovy and Ozempic.
• 🤖 Chinese tech company Huawei is reportedly testing a new AI processor it hopes will rival Nvidia’s high-end chips.

SPORTS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

in partnership with MTE

• 🎥 Sinners earned $45 million in its second weekend at the domestic box office, beating out Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith re-release ($25.2 million) and The Accountant 2 ($24.5 million).
• 📲 Instagram Edits, Meta’s newly released video creation app, recorded 7+ million downloads in its first week.
• 🏈 The NFL draft held rounds 2-7 over the weekend, with new Patriots DB Kobee Minor earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant. | 🏆 NBA Playoffs: OKC clinched a 4-0 sweep of Memphis, while all other series are still ongoing; see the full bracket. | NHL Playoffs: All eight First Round series are still ongoing; see the full bracket.

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SCIENCE, SPACE & EMERGING TECH

• 🐛 A new carnivorous caterpillar that wears the remains of its prey—earning the nickname “bone collector”—was discovered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
• 🧠 Listening to your favorite music prompts the brain to release opioids, per a new study; the process is linked to how often someone feels pleasurable chills while listening to music.
• 💰 Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-implant company, is reportedly raising capital at a $8.5 billion valuation.

US, WORLD & POLITICS

in partnership with Meru Health

• 🇨🇦 Canada is holding national elections today to determine control of Parliament and the office of Prime Minister.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade US immigration authorities while he was in court for a different case.
• 🏛️ Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was sentenced to 7+ years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

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CLICKBAIT

• 🌎 Play the classic game Snake—but on a map of the world