1. Key points for April 21: Papal visit, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Israel-related news, Abrego Garcia arrest, Harvard University updates
Saturday marked the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. The devastating attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building took the lives of at least 168 people, including 19 children, making it the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US history. Among the victims was former Secret Service agent Alan Whicher, who had previously worked on Bill Clinton's detail. During a remembrance ceremony over the weekend, the former president shared a heartfelt story about the agent, calling on Americans to unite in the face of adversity.
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1. Pope Francis - RIP
Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years and one of the oldest popes in the church's history, passed away at the age of 88. Born in Buenos Aires, Francis entered the seminary at 16 and went on to become a Jesuit. He was appointed head of the Jesuit order in Argentina before becoming the first Latin-American pope in 2013. Known for his humility, Francis eschewed the opulence of his office and championed the poor, migrants, and the environment. Despite facing resistance from ultra-conservatives, Francis worked to modernize the church and improve relations with other religions.
Before his death, Francis faced health challenges, including surgeries for intestinal issues and respiratory illnesses. On April 21, 2025, he suffered a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, as confirmed by the Vatican's Director of Health and Hygiene[1][4][5].
2. Pete Hegseth - National Security Scandal
Last month, a national security scandal involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials rocked the Trump administration when they were caught discussing a US military attack on Houthis in Yemen on a group chat on Signal, incidentally including a journalist. Despite sharing highly confidential and likely classified information on a commercially available app with a member of the media, no one involved was punished for their actions. This conversation is still being investigated, but it seems it wasn't an isolated incident[2]. Hegseth is said to have created a second Signal group chat during his confirmation hearing and continued using it after he was confirmed, sharing sensitive details about the airstrikes in this group chat as well[3].
3. Israel - Investigation into Deadly Attack on First Responders
The Israeli military admits that "professional failures" led to the deadly March 23 attack on first responders in southern Gaza. The attack caused the disappearance of an ambulance crew in Rafah, resulting in a mass grave containing the bodies of the 15 first responders and their crushed emergency vehicles being discovered over a week later. The Israel Defense Forces initially claimed the convoy was moving suspiciously and that members of the emergency team were militants. However, a video found on one of the bodies revealed the convoy's lights were on, the vehicles were marked, and the rescuers were wearing reflective emergency uniforms. A subsequent investigation identified several failures during the incident, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report what happened[4].
4. Abrego Garcia - Mistaken Deportation and Detention
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and detained in the country's notorious CECOT prison, has been moved to another detention center. Abrego Garcia met with Sen. Chris Van Hollen last week and reported being traumatized by his incarceration. Since the Supreme Court mandated that the Trump administration must "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return, the administration has refused to do so[5].
5. Harvard - Frozen Federal Funding and Threatened Tax-Exempt Status
Harvard University's battle with the Trump administration may have escalated further due to a letter it should never have received. The letter outlined a list of demands, which, if unmet, could result in a loss of federal funding and the university's ability to enroll international students. However, two people familiar with the matter say the letter was "unauthorized" and should not have been sent. It remains unclear how this situation will unfold[6].
Breakfast Browse
Now that's a golden goal
The US defeated Canada 4-3 in a thrilling women's ice hockey world championship match. Tessa Janecke scored the winning goal in overtime, giving the US its 11th world title[7].
'Sinners' dominates the box office
The vampire film starring Michael B. Jordan earned $45.6 million in its theatrical debut, knocking "A Minecraft Movie" out of the top spot. It also boasts a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes[8].
A zombie show that tugs at your heartstrings
Did you see "The Last of Us" this week? Despite the episode officially being titled "Through the Valley," a more fitting title could be: "The One Where We All Cried for the Rest of Time"[9].
Osment - Public Apology for Disgraceful Language
Haley Joel Osment has issued a public apology for calling a police officer a Nazi and using an antisemitic slur during his arrest earlier this month. The former child star, who is now 37, was booked for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance[10].
Baby Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani missed a game against the Texas Rangers last week due to his wife giving birth to their first child. He expressed his gratitude on Instagram for his wife and the team[11].
In Memoriam
Fatima Hassouna - War Photographer Dies at 26
Hassouna, a war photographer who had covered the conflict in Gaza for 18 months, was killed in an Israeli airstrike last week along with at least seven members of her family. She was also the subject of "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," a documentary set to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May[12].
Today's Number
$239 million - The amount of money President Trump raised for his inauguration in 2023, setting a new record[13].
Today's Quote
"If you can't be trusted around Stacey Abrams' memoir or Maya Angelou, you probably have no business being a Navy SEAL or holding an assault rifle or flying a fighter jet. You're either an adult or you're not."
- Author Ryan Holiday, whose annual lecture at the US Naval Academy was canceled because he refused to avoid criticizing the academy's decision to remove nearly 400 books from its main library[14].
Today's Weather
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And Finally...
- The '5 Things' newsletter provides daily updates on breaking news in various categories, including politics, global events, and sports.
- Subscribers can expect curated content covering war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, general-news, sports, and other topics.
- This morning's newsletter includes updates on the passing of Pope Francis, a national security scandal involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and investigations into recent war-and-conflicts events.
- Additionally, the newsletter highlights a story about Israel admitting professional failures leading to a deadly attack on first responders in Gaza.
- The newsletter also covers a case of a man mistakenly deported and detained, and Harvard's battle with potential loss of federal funding and tax-exempt status.
- Readers can find updates on sports events, such as the women's ice hockey world championship and a successful debut of a vampire film.
- There are also discussions about popular TV shows like "The Last of Us" and an apology from Haley Joel Osment for disgraceful language during his arrest.
- The newsletter also provides updates on personal news, such as the birth of Shohei Ohtani's first child.
- Readers are informed about the death of war photographer Fatima Hassouna, and the record-breaking amount of money President Trump raised for his 2023 inauguration.
- A quote from author Ryan Holiday is also included, discussing censorship at the US Naval Academy.
- The newsletter concludes with a weather forecast.
