1. Crucial Points for April 25: Trump, India-Pakistan Tensions, DOJ Grants, Jewish Community Surveys, NSF Updates

Daily Roundup: Here's What's Happening Today, Unfiltered and Straight-Up!

5 Things Today

Are you someone who needs a morning dose of news to kick-start your day? If so, we've got just the thing for you! Sign up for our daily '5 Things' newsletter right here.

1. The National Weather Service is Back!

Good news for non-English speakers! The National Weather Service has resumed providing forecasts and advisories in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Samoan. The service halted due to a contract expiration with an AI company. However, fear not, the translations are back, and it's a relief for the 68 million non-English speakers who rely on this service for life-saving weather information.

2. Trump's Tangled Web

President Trump had a busy week arguing with the judicial system. Multiple judges—even those he appointed—ruled against his administration's actions on various issues. The most notable decisions included blocking Trump's policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools, denying funding to "sanctuary" jurisdictions, and halting parts of his executive order requiring voters to prove their citizenship when registering to vote.

3. India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate

A deadly attack on sightseers in the disputed region of Kashmir has led to growing tensions between India and Pakistan. Gunmen killed at least 26 people in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, and while Pakistan denies involvement, India responded by downgrading ties, shutting down a key border crossing, canceling visas, and suspending its participation in a crucial water-sharing treaty. Pakistan retaliated with tighter travel restrictions, trade barriers, and even called the move to stop or divert water an act of war.

4. DOJ Grants Slashed

The Department of Justice terminated more than 350 federal grants this week, causing concern among grantee organizations. Several of these grants supported efforts to fight hate crimes, gun violence, and opioid abuse. Others helped crime victims find services to aid in their recovery or funded trauma recovery centers and programs to reform policing and the juvenile justice system. The DOJ justified the cuts by stating that they were reallocating funds to focus on prosecuting criminals and protecting American institutions from perceived harmful policies.

5. NSF's New Director

The director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) resigned on Thursday. Sethuraman Panchanathan, who was nominated by President Trump, served as the agency's leader since 2019 and was confirmed by the Senate. His resignation comes amid demands by the Department of Government Efficiency to cancel hundreds of research grants worth more than $230 million and to begin sweeping cuts to the NSF's workforce. The terminated research primarily focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion and the study of misinformation.

Bonus News

The famous country singer Jelly Roll might receive a pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, following a recommendation from the Tennessee Board of Parole.
The final two episodes of the 50th season of "Saturday Night Live" have been announced. Walton Goggins will host on May 10th, and Scarlett Johansson will host on May 17th.
The final film in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," is set to return to theaters next week to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
A new analysis of fossils suggests that the Deinosuchus riograndensis, a giant crocodilian that ate dinosaurs, belongs on a different part of the crocodilian family tree.
Taco Bell has brought back its chicken nuggets, and McDonald's will return chicken strips to its menu after a five-year absence!

Time to Test Your Knowledge!

Which team did the US defeat to win the women's ice hockey world championships in 2025?

Germany
Canada
Finland
Russia

Don't forget to take the quiz and challenge your friends!

Today's Number

$797 million — The combined amount the European Union fined Apple and Meta this week under its new digital competition law.

Today's Fun Fact

A female jaguar was flown from the Iberá Wetlands to the Gran Chaco forest in the hopes of reviving a dwindling population of jaguars in Argentina!

[1] "National Weather Service to resume translations of forecasts and advisories" — USA Today[2] "National Weather Service to halt language services" — CNN[3] "Contract that provided National Weather Service multilingual forecasts lapses" — The Washington Post[4] "Official: Spanish language translations resume for National Weather Service" — Associated Press[5] "National Weather Service to resume providing multilingual forecasts" — FOX News[6] "Will Jelly Roll Receive a Pardon?" — Tennessean[7] "Final 'SNL' hosts for season 50 announced" — NBC News[8] "'Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith' to return to theaters for its 20th anniversary" — Variety[9] "A new analysis of fossil evidence puts the terror crocodile in a genetic family far from alligators and crocodiles" — National Geographic[10] "McDonald's bringing back chicken strips" — CNBC[11] "EU fines Apple and Meta" — BBC News[12] "CNN — "Jaguar flown from Brazil to Argentina for conservation effort" — CNN

In the realm of 'policy-and-legislation', the National Weather Service has resumed providing forecasts and advisories in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Samoan, following a contract expiration with an AI company.
Moving forward to 'general-news', the Department of Justice terminated over 350 federal grants this week, causing concern among grantee organizations involved in initiatives like fighting hate crimes, gun violence, and opioid abuse, and supporting crime victims and reforming policing.
On a lighter note from our 'newsletter', Taco Bell has brought back its popular chicken nuggets, and McDonald's will be returning chicken strips to its menu after a five-year absence.
The Bonus News section mentions the final two episodes of the 50th season of 'Saturday Night Live', with Walton Goggins set to host on May 10th and Scarlett Johansson hosting on May 17th.