Happy Friday, Panthers! We are in the single digits of school left for seniors. Nine more school days until the seniors are home free. To take your mind off of the ticking clock, take a look at this week’s KICs. This week we have increased military spending in Europe and Asia, a Colorado grandpa finishing a 60,000 piece jigsaw, 143 SCAD students being displaced after a dorm fire, and a 60-day limit on unauthorized war passing.

World – Increased military spending in Europe and Asia lead the world to revolutionary levels

Global military spending increased by 3% in 2025. Almost $2.9 trillion has been spent globally.

The United States, Germany, India, China, and Russia were the world’s top spenders, collectively contributing to 58% of the global sum. Germany ranked fourth for their total military spending of $114 billion. China increased its defense spending by 7.4%, which was the highest price jump in the last decade.

As a percentage of GDP spending, Ukraine makes up 40%. The US is looking to increase its military budget by $1.5 trillion.

National – Colorado grandpa finishes 60,000 piece jigsaw puzzle

Lou Salas is a puzzle fanatic who spent an estimated 800 to 1,000 hours on a 60,000 piece puzzle. It is the “The World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle by Dowdle.”

The puzzle was a world map and had 60,000 pieces divided into 60 segments. When Salas was making the 17th section, he noticed a piece was missing. Luckily the company mailed him the missing piece. 

Salas’ friend set up a 8-foot by 29.5-foot styrofoam table in his garage to hold the puzzle. Salas plans on donating the puzzle to another fanatic or organization. 

State – 143 SCAD Students displaced after dorm room catches on fire

SCAD formally announced a fire inside one of the dormitory buildings that impacted 143 students. Fortunately, students were able to return to their rooms to gather any items that were salvageable.

The fire happened on April 27. The fire was inside a room on the seventh floor of the complex. According to firefighters, the flames started on a mattress.

No one was hurt and all students were evacuated safely. SCAD has already reassigned new dorm rooms to all students impacted by the fire.

Politics – 60-day limit on unauthorized war surpassed

The US has been at war, declared by President Donald Trump, for 60 days as of May 1. According to a law developed in 1973, when a president decides to launch a war it can only go on for 60 days without Congressional approval. 

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have argued that the ongoing ceasefire paused the 60-day clock. Congressional approval for the war is still not being sought by the president, and the war remains unauthorized. State senators of Alaska and Utah have spoken of their wishes for a clearer plan for the war before any approval happens. 

If Congress does not decide to authorize the war then Trump must terminate any military action. Trump has claimed to be in no hurry to end the war.