Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering began May 12, 2025, in Manhattan. Prosecutors allege he ran a criminal enterprise exploiting women, detailing "freak-offs" and violence against Cassie Ventura. The defense acknowledged potential abuse but differentiated it from federal charges. Jury selection involved questions about a video of Combs assaulting Ventura. The trial, closed to cameras, has high public interest.

On May 19, 2025, several significant events occurred. In the U.S., mortgage rates rose above 7% after Moody's downgraded the U.S. credit rating, driven by concerns over government debt and a higher 10-year Treasury yield. A Republican tax bill in the House is under scrutiny for potentially adding trillions to the national debt, a factor cited by Moody's in their downgrade. The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for over 350,000 Venezuelans. Former President Joe Biden announced a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. President Trump reportedly discussed a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the Kremlin was less enthusiastic. Trump also signed the "Take It Down Act" to address revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes. Severe weather, including tornadoes, is a threat in the central U.S.. Other U.S. news includes escaped inmates in New Orleans, a reported $5 million settlement for Ashli Babbitt's family, an air traffic control outage at Newark Airport, and approximately 12,000 live chicks abandoned in a USPS truck in Delaware. A bust of Jim Morrison was found after 37 years, and a study links climate change to increased foreclosures.

Internationally, aid trucks entered Gaza after a nearly three-month Israeli blockade, amid growing international pressure on Israel. The UK, France, and Canada called the aid "wholly inadequate". Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated plans to "take control of all of Gaza" and promote "voluntary emigration" of its population, which Palestinians reject. Canada has sanctioned Israel over West Bank settler violence. Estonia is recovering economically but faces high costs, global uncertainty, and rising defense spending. The EU has trained over 6.1 million workers under the "Pact for Skills" and is reportedly agreeing to a €150 billion loans-for-arms scheme. The UK and EU reportedly reached a "reset" deal to boost trade and security. In India, reports indicate "no nuclear signaling by Pakistan", and a potential 5% tax on international remittances from the US is being discussed. Pakistan is reportedly turning to China. The U.S. is absent from the annual World Health Assembly for the first time since 1948. In crypto news, a U.S. provider acquired a Bermuda-regulated stablecoin issuer, and a U.S. fintech company is acquiring a Toronto-traded crypto platform. Germany seized $38 million in crypto linked to a Bybit hack, and the Mobius Token smart contracts were exploited for $2.1 million. OFAC announced Russia- and Iran-related sanctions. The newly consecrated Pope Leo II, who spent decades in Peru, was met with pride in his former community.