The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Trudeau taunts Trump: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau taunted President Donald Trump after Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in overtime to win the 4 Nations ice hockey competition in Boston. Read his remarks.
- U.S. bombers step up flyovers near Iran: U.S. bombers have carried out their second flyover in the Middle East within 48 hours at a time of growing tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Learn more.
- Trump called 'megalomaniac': Trump faced intense criticism from local residents during a town hall meeting for Republican Representative Rich McCormick in his Georgia district, with one person labeling him a "megalomaniac." Find out why.
- Hawaii explosion: Several people have been injured in an explosion at a resort in Maui, according to local media reports. Know more about the incident.
- DOGE stimulus check update: President Trump has said he is considering sending 20 percent of the money saved by the Department of Government Efficiency directly to Americans. Here's what we know.
- Israel bus bombings: A senior Hamas leader has told Newsweek that there was no proof linking the group to the series of bus bombings that targeted Israel hours after the group handed over four bodies purported to be those of slain Israeli hostages as part of their ceasefire agreement.
- Kash Patel's confirmation: The Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director on Thursday, tightening President Trump's control of the federal government. Here's how.
- Who could replace Mitch McConnell? Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving the seat open to a new slate of contenders. Here are the potential candidates.
FAA Under Scrutiny Amid Spate of Deadly Aircraft Crashes
The rundown: This year has already seen a series of shocking aviation accidents—some fatal—leading to increased scrutiny of America's already-embattled civil aviation regulator. Find out why air travel is becoming less safe.
Why it matters: According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 2024 saw 1,158 non-fatal and 257 fatal aviation accidents. Both sets of figures had been on a downward trend since 2020, with pandemic-induced disruptions contributing to the fall. Jeff Guzzetti, former director of the agency's accident investigation division, told Newsweek that "depending on the specific circumstances from each of the recent crashes, (the January 29 crash and Toronto plane crash) the FAA will likely bear some responsibility of varying degree in some or all of these cases."
Read more in-depth coverage:
How Many Plane Crashes Have There Been in the U.S. in 2025 vs. 2024?
TL/DR: "It's more than just an indication," Guzzetti said, when asked whether there was any sign that aviation accidents were becoming more frequent or severe. "It's happening right now."
What happens now? Hassan Shahid, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation told Newsweek that installing a Senate-confirmed FAA administrator was necessary to "provide the stable leadership the agency needs to address the urgent safety concerns and lead the overhaul of the air traffic control system."
Deeper reading Flying Becoming Less Safe in 'Disturbing Trend,' Ex-FAA Investigator Warns
Trump and Putin’s Plan To Isolate China: 'Reverse Nixon'
The rundown: Former U.S. President Richard Nixon famously reconciled with China's Communist leader Mao Zedong in a process that shut out the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War and deepened a Sino-Soviet split. However, Trump may attempt a "reverse Nixon" to separate Russia from China, experts warn.
Why it matters: Nixon, advised by Henry Kissinger, capitalized on existing fractures between leaders in China and Russia, created by ideological differences and territorial skirmishes. Today, the neighbors are self-described "no limits" partners, with the former accused by critics of aiding the latter by offsetting its losses in oil and gas sales to Europe. Experts warn that dividing Moscow and Beijing would be a monumental task. Trump's outreach to Putin and his hard stance on China may disrupt the Russia-China relationship, but experts doubt it will succeed. Meanwhile, Beijing views any U.S.-Russia thaw as an opportunity to strengthen its own global influence, particularly in Europe and the Global South.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Takes on Xi and Putin at Their Own Great Power Game
TL/DR: A month into his second presidency, Trump has renewed his hard line against China, appointing hawks in his cabinet and threatening to escalate the trade war with tariffs and market restrictions.
What happens now? The American and Russian leaders are expected to meet to continue the ceasefire talks initiated by their top diplomats this month. Liu Pengyu, the Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington, D.C., said that "Cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party and will not be affected by any factor from any third party.”
Deeper reading What Trump's Gamble on Putin Could Mean for China
Florida Sues Target Over DEI
The rundown: Florida has filed a federal lawsuit against Target, alleging the retail giant misled investors by failing to disclose potential financial risks associated with its diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, particularly its LGBTQ+ Pride merchandise line. Know more.
Why it matters: The case, spearheaded by newly appointed Attorney General James Uthmeier, represents a growing conservative pushback against corporate DEI programs. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Fort Myers, Florida, argues that Target violated the Securities Exchange Act by failing to warn investors about the potential backlash from its DEI and Pride Month initiatives. Target's 2023 Pride collection, which included LGBTQ+ apparel and accessories, faced significant conservative boycotts, leading the company to remove certain items from its stores.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Target Ending DEI Program, Other Equity Initiatives Amid Trump's Order
TL/DR: Target's sales drop in 2023 marked the first such decline in years, though analysts who spoke with The Washington Post also pointed to economic factors, such as inflation, as contributing factors.
What happens now? The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for corporate governance and the political landscape surrounding DEI policies in the U.S.
Deeper reading Florida Sues Target Over DEI
New Undersea Cable Broken Under 'NATO Lake'
The rundown: An undersea cable break has occurred in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Gotland, Sweden, according to Swedish media reports. Find out more.
Why it matters: In January, Swedish authorities seized a ship suspected of having sabotaged a fiber-optic cable in the Baltic Sea but later said that "a combination of weather conditions and deficiencies in equipment and seamanship" led to that cable break. In recent years, multiple undersea cable breaks in the Baltic Sea have raised suspicions of sabotage, heightening regional security concerns. Incidents involving internet, energy, and military communication cables have been reported, with Russia widely suspected of involvement. NATO has since increased surveillance, deploying naval assets to monitor critical infrastructure.
Read more in-depth coverage:
At Least 11 Baltic Cables Sabotaged in 15 Months: What to Know
TL/DR: The Baltic Sea is sometimes called the "NATO lake," following the accession of Finland and Sweden into the military alliance.
What happens now? The police said they were monitoring the situation but had "no detailed information to share at this time," according to a statement shared with Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet.
Deeper reading New Undersea Cable Broken Under 'NATO Lake'
Which Countries Spend the Most on Military Defense?
The rundown: The debate over U.S. defense spending has intensified as the Pentagon faces proposed budget cuts under the Trump administration. See which countries spend the most on military defense.
Why it matters: The United States continues to lead the world in military expenditures. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, U.S. defense spending reached $916 billion in 2023, an increase of 2.3 percent from the previous year. An internal mandate from the Department of Government Efficiency has instructed the military to propose an 8 percent annual budget reduction over the next five years. This directive could lead to widespread layoffs of civilian Pentagon employees and the potential restructuring of military leadership.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Hegseth's Pentagon Shakeup Could Remove Female Military Leaders
TL/DR: As the U.S. government debates the future of its defense spending, a broader question emerges: How much does the U.S. spend compared to other countries, and where does it stand globally?
What happens now? Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has openly criticized current defense policies, arguing that military spending should prioritize combat readiness rather than what he calls "woke" initiatives.
Deeper reading Which Countries Spend the Most on Military Defense?
He Served Four Tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. DOGE Just Fired Him
Thousands of U.S. veterans transition from their military service to the federal civil service every year, with the federal government maintaining its distinction of the country's largest employer of vets, many of whom choose to work in government for its stability after a career in the armed forces that is often anything but.
But with sweeping federal workforce terminations under the new Trump administration, many veterans who have served their country for years now face pink slips and uncertainty over their benefits and future career paths.
