Good morning. Welcome to your daily briefing. Dive into the latest updates and make sure you’re prepared for the day. To have the newsletter delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe here. For more, listen to the Up First podcast.
Key Developments
Harvard University is set to challenge a significant federal funding freeze today. The Trump administration halted more than $2 billion in grants and contracts, citing violations related to antisemitism on campus. The government demands changes in faculty hiring and student admissions, alongside unobstructed access to student records. Harvard contests these actions as illegal, pushing for the freeze to be lifted. Read more details here.
Students walk through Harvard Yard. Jesse Costa/WBUR
- 🎧 Harvard acknowledges past mistakes regarding antisemitism and has instituted protective measures for Jewish students. However, NPR’s Elissa Nadworny reports that the university argues the administration bypassed due process. Legal experts suggest Harvard has a strong case, but an appeal is likely regardless of the outcome. There are concerns about the federal government’s reach into higher education, notes Midwest colleges’ representative Jodie Ferise.
In Texas, lawmakers commence a critical special session to potentially reshape electoral districts. The Republican-led legislature aims to redraw lines to bolster GOP representation, a move supported by President Trump. The initiative stems from a Justice Department letter claiming constitutional issues with the 2021 map. Despite skepticism from legal experts, the session proceeds amid warnings of potential miscalculations regarding voter demographics. Discover more here.
- 🎧 Texas Governor Greg Abbott cites the Justice Department’s concerns as motivation for redistricting. However, NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang highlights that Trump’s interest in gaining more GOP seats in Texas might drive the push. Lawmakers face the challenge of avoiding outdated voter assumptions.
In a tragic turn, over 100 Palestinians reportedly died amidst gunfire in Gaza. The incident occurred as individuals sought food and supplies, marking the deadliest day for these efforts. Israel contests the death toll, claiming it issued warnings. More information is available here.
- 🎧 NPR’s Daniel Estrin details that the majority of fatalities happened when a crowd gathered around UN World Food Programme trucks. Dr. Nour Sharaf from Shifa Hospital described the grim scene to NPR’s Anas Baba, noting severe injuries and malnutrition, an unprecedented situation in her experience.
Health and Lifestyle
Wrapped healthy granola bar isolated on a white background. winterling/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Protein-heavy diets have surged in popularity, but is the extra protein in snacks necessary? Health experts advise caution. For those interested in evaluating their snack choices, consider the following:
- 🍫 High-protein claims on packaging might be misleading if the sugar content is equally high.
- 🍫 A product is considered high in protein if it provides 20% or more of the Daily Value, as per FDA guidelines.
- 🍫 Whole foods like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese offer ample protein along with other nutrients like calcium.
Global Heritage
Orango National Park on the Bijagós Archipelago off of the coast of Guinea-Bissau is a newly designated World Heritage Site. Hellio & van Ingen/IBAP/UNESCO Nomination File
UNESCO has expanded its World Heritage List with 26 new sites, emphasizing both cultural and natural treasures. This brings the total to 1,248 globally recognized locations. The newly listed sites span continents and include a sacred mountain in Malawi, petroglyphs in South Korea, and the biodiversity-rich river canyon in Brazil. Explore the full list here.
Quick Updates
A view of the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Stadium, defunct and currently under demolition, in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2025. President Trump is threatening to intervene in a deal for a new stadium. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
- President Trump has expressed intentions to influence the construction of a new stadium for Washington’s NFL team, pushing for a return to its controversial former name. More here.
- Social media mourns Jake Larson, the WWII veteran known as “Papa Jake,” who passed away at 102. His life stories inspired millions. Read his obituary here.
- Jane Austen fans are hosting celebrations across the UK, marking 250 years since her birth. The festivities reflect the charm of her literary era. Learn more here.
This newsletter was curated by Obed Manuel.
