Today's Headlines: Russia Pummels Kyiv, Prompting Rare Rebuke From Trump
What Elon Musk Didn’t Budget For: Firing Workers Costs Money, Too
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines

April 25, 2025, 4:10 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Russia Pummels Kyiv, Prompting Rare Rebuke From Trump

The attack, which killed at least 12 people, was the deadliest on Ukraine’s capital in nearly a year. President Trump called on President Vladimir V. Putin to “STOP!” in a post on social media.

What Elon Musk Didn’t Budget For: Firing Workers Costs Money, Too

An expert on the federal work force estimates that the speed and chaos of Mr. Musk’s cuts to the bureaucracy will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year.

Trump Takes a Major Step Toward Seabed Mining in International Waters

A new executive order pits the United States against the rest of the world over the question of who can exploit mineral resources in shared waters.

Editors’ Picks

They Stole a Quarter-Billion in Crypto and Got Caught Within a Month

How luxury cars, $500,000 bar tabs and a mysterious kidnapping attempt helped investigators unravel the heist of a lifetime.

Opinion | How Four Democrats Who Saved the Party Before Would Do It Again

How Democrats found their way out of the political wilderness once before, and how they could do it again now.

World

If America Walks Away From Ukraine, What Will Europe Do?

Europeans see Ukraine’s security as vital to their own and want to defend the principle of no border changes by force, even if President Trump does not.

Crisis Deepens for India and Pakistan Over Kashmir Attack

The Pakistani government said that if India followed through on a threat to block rivers it would take it as “an act of war.”

Israel Acknowledges Second Deadly Attack on Aid Workers in Gaza

In a rare apology to the United Nations, Israel said its forces had struck a U.N. compound in Gaza with tank fire. A Bulgarian aid worker was killed.

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U.S.

Courts Block Trump From Withholding School Funds Over D.E.I., for Now

In three cases, federal judges paused the administration’s effort to cut off money from public schools with diversity and equity programs.

Why Did a Charity Tied to Casey DeSantis Suddenly Get a $10 Million Boost?

The Hope Florida Foundation quietly gave the money to two nonprofit political committees that helped Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies defeat a ballot measure.

‘This Moment Is Critical.’ Whither Progressive Christians After Pope Francis?

Catholics and Protestants who saw Pope Francis as a guiding moral figure are losing their voice.

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Politics

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Revive Ban on Transgender Troops

Lower courts had blocked the policy, saying it was not supported by evidence and violated equal protection principles.

D.N.C. Leader Moves to Rein In Deputy Who Went Rogue on Primary Challenges

Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, criticized a vice chair of the party, David Hogg, over his controversial plan to challenge Democratic incumbents.

Hegseth Set Up Signal on a Computer in His Pentagon Office

The app facilitated communications in a building where cell service is poor and personal phones are not allowed in some areas.

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Business

Stocks Extend Gains as Investors Weigh Fed Rates and Tariff Talk

After an early wobble, markets resumed rising after Chinese officials contradicted suggestions from President Trump and others about tariff negotiations.

For China’s Trolls, ‘Chairman Trump’ and ‘Eyeliner Man’ Are Easy Targets

Online mockery of President Trump is fodder for the Communist Party’s propagandists. For liberal-minded Chinese, it is a creative expression of shock at his policies.

Trump’s Tariffs Expected to Grind Germany’s Growth to a Halt

The German government scaled back its prediction for 2025 to zero economic growth, citing the turbulence caused by U.S. tariffs, as well as stubborn bureaucracy and high energy prices.

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Technology

Chinese Manufacturers Make Appeals to Americans: Buy Direct

Videos on the social media app, filmed at factories in China, urge viewers to buy luxury goods directly, as tariffs drive up prices. Americans are receptive.

Saying ‘Thank You’ to ChatGPT Is Costly. But Maybe It’s Worth the Price.

Adding words to our chatbot can apparently cost tens of millions of dollars. But some fear the cost of not saying please or thank you could be higher.

If A.I. Systems Become Conscious, Should They Have Rights?

As artificial intelligence systems become smarter, one A.I. company is trying to figure out what to do if they become conscious.

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Arts

Penn Station’s Not-So-Secret Other Life: The People’s Dance Studio

Smooth floors. Public restrooms. A built-in audience: The lower level of Moynihan Hall doubles as a rehearsal space for a variety of dance groups, including K-pop, salsa and Brazilian Zouk.

Jimmy Kimmel Skewers Elon Musk’s Plan to ‘Get Out of DOGE’

“Musk says that he will dial back his work with the government so that he can spend more time with all 10 of his families,” Kimmel said.

Juilliard Plans $550 Million Drive to Go Tuition Free

The goal is to make the school’s programs more accessible and to ease the burden on graduates pursuing careers in the arts.

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New York