The Bulletin

• Munich conference: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US Vice-President JD Vance for talks in Munich later, with the war expected to dominate a meeting of world leaders. Get the latest updates.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez under investigation: Border czar Tom Homan suggested Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is being investigated by the Department of Justice for potentially impeding immigration enforcement law.

• Is the TikTok ban canceled? TikTok is back in Apple's and Google's app stores in the United States following a temporary delay in the enforcement of a federal ban that would have required its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face removal. Know more.

• Russia strikes nuclear plant in Ukraine: A reported Russian drone has struck the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, and videos of the explosion have spread on social media. Know details.

• Trump to equip India with F-35 Stealth fighters: President Trump announced that his administration would begin "paving the way" for India to eventually acquire the F-35 stealth fighter. Learn more.

• Student loan update: During her U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, addressed questions regarding the future of federal student loan programs. Here's what to know.

• Health care crisis: Newsweek brought five health care industry experts together for a virtual panel event on Thursday, to discuss best practices for managing future healthcare crises. Here's what industry leaders recommended.

• What is 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services on Thursday, and President Trump swiftly signed an executive order to establish the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission. Find out what it is.

The rundown: The fate of Hamas now hangs in the balance as Israel threatens to resume its war in the Gaza Strip with the full support of the United States and both nations begin drawing up postwar plans to exclude the group from power. Find out what happens next.

Why it matters: Amir Avivi, reserve brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that, even after suffering sweeping casualties among its ranks, nearly 20,000 by the IDF's estimates, along with the loss of its core leadership, Hamas has managed to recruit thousands more and is looking to regroup amid a ceasefire reached about a month ago. But as the temporary truce teeters on the brink of collapse, Avivi was "pretty confident that if the IDF launches a full-scale attack on Gaza, and it will be systematic, Hamas will be overpowered very soon."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Israel and Hamas Prepare for Return to War

TL/DR: "I think we're getting close to this moment where there will be a last stand and a decisive battle," Amir Avivi, reserve brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and chair of the Israel Defense and Security Forum in Tel Aviv, told Newsweek.

What happens now? Merissa Khurma, program director of the Wilson Center's Middle East Program in Washington, D.C, said that "an escalation in the West Bank and in Gaza may empower Hamas or Hamas-like elements outside of Gaza—in neighboring countries.”

Deeper reading Hamas Faces Last Stand in Gaza

The rundown: In the nearly 12 years since his inauguration, Pope Francis has received praise and criticism in almost equal measure for his outspoken stance on political issues. Look more into it.

Why it matters: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentine assumed the papacy in 2013 following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Francis' progressive attitudes toward issues as abortion and women's rights garnered him acclaim early on—Time magazine dubbing him "the people's pope" in 2013 while handing him their Person of the Year honor—and some have viewed his leadership as a much-needed revamp for the Catholic Church. However, his outspokenness has been met with at least as much outrage as it has praise, with many across the globe taking issue with Francis' stances on issues like immigration and geopolitics.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Pope Francis Headed to Hospital Again

TL/DR: His forays into debates on immigration and geopolitics, as his perceived lack of action on the Church's long-running sex abuse scandals, have seen Francis' popularity decline since 2013.

What happens now? As he approaches the final chapter of his life, and by extension, his papacy, 88-year-old Francis shows no signs of shying away from the public profile and perceived moral authority that comes with the papacy.

Deeper reading Pope Francis Has United the World—Against Himself

The rundown: The new budget resolution proposed by House Republicans calls for $2 trillion in "mandatory spending" cuts, and some are concerned this spells trouble for Social Security. Find out more.

Why it matters: Many government programs are facing significant funding cuts as the Republican Party looks to make room for a way to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which would add another $4.5 trillion in spending. House Republicans are asking for a $2 trillion reduction in "mandatory spending," which includes programs like Social Security, SNAP and Medicaid. Due to the high portion of the overall budget going to Social Security, many are worried that the new Republican budget translates to a cut in Social Security program, which oversees monthly benefits for more than 70 million Americans.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Republican Civil War Over Budget Ramps Up: 'It's a Fight'

TL/DR: Much remains up in the air for how lawmakers will actually implement the new budget, and some fear the social safety net retirement program could be on the chopping block.

What happens now? Despite the widespread cuts that are going to be needed to meet the House Republicans' budget, Kevin Thompson, a finance expert, said it's unlikely that it will amount to actual reductions in Social Security benefits. The House GOP's budget resolution needs a majority vote to make it out of the Budget Committee before moving to the full House, where Republicans have a small majority of 218 to 215.

Deeper reading Is Social Security Being Cut in Republican Budget? What to Know

The rundown: On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine, claiming NATO's eastward expansion posed a growing threat to Russia. Nearly three years later, the U.S. has signaled acquiescence to Putin's demands. Deep dive.

Why it matters: President Donald Trump, in discussions with both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky, ruled out Ukraine's NATO membership and a return to pre-2014 borders. As sidelined European leaders reeled in shock, the verdict from Carlo Masala, a professor at the Bundeswehr University of Munich, was clear. "Putin will have won this war from this point of view," he told Bild. Analysts warn this could empower Putin, who is bolstered by Russia's stock market surge and weakening opposition at home. With Europe uncertain, many fear a U.S.-Russia deal could leave them to bear the cost of Ukraine's post-war recovery.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Speaks to Putin, Negotiations on Ukraine War to Start 'Immediately'

TL/DR: After nearly three years of war—a war that has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides—that aim now appears to have been fulfilled, and it is Ukraine that must stand and watch.

What happens now? The Financial Times reported that European nations fear they will be left to shoulder the costs of post-war security and reconstruction in Ukraine as they remain excluded from U.S.-Russia talks.

Deeper reading Putin Won

The rundown: There are fears oil supplies to Texas could be negatively impacted after a report found U.S. oil refineries along the Gulf Coast have reduced purchases from Pemex, the Mexican state-owned oil company, after discovering its Maya crude contained up to six percent water. Get more details.

Why it matters: Citing several sources, Bloomberg reported a number of Texas refineries have moved away from using Mexican oil after discovering the Maya crude they received from Pemex included up to six percent water, around six times the industry standard. According to Bloomberg, a number of oil refineries in Texas and Louisiana have complained about the quality of Pemex oil, some of which they believe is unfit to produce gasoline. Instead, they have reportedly been turning to suppliers in Colombia and Canada. Additionally, oil supplies could also be impacted by any retaliatory sanctions from Canadian authorities.

Read more in-depth coverage:
After Heavy Spending to Elect Trump, Oil Industry Has an Energy Wish List

TL/DR: President Donald Trump has been threatening to impose a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada, though he indicated there could be an exemption for oil.

What happens now? It remains to be seen whether Pemex can reduce the quantity of water in its Maya crude down to levels Texan refineries deem are acceptable. If not, the reduced supply of oil from Mexico to the U.S. could be extended, impacting both oil supply and potentially price in the Lone Star State.

Deeper reading Texas Has an Oil Problem