The Bulletin

• Gene Hackman and wife found dead: Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, 64-year-old former classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday afternoon at home in New Mexico, along with their dog, authorities said. Here's the cause of death.

• Trump's immigration policies: On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration's shutdown of the refugee program, the latest legal challenge to the president's sweeping immigration orders. Find out more.

• Hostages exchanged for prisoners: Hamas handed over four deceased hostages to the Red Cross in exchange for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, just days before the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire is set to expire. Learn more.

• Jeffrey Epstein list release: Attorney General Pam Bondi said she hopes to release flight logs and "a lot of names" related to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday. Read here.

• Trump issues new executive order on DOGE: President Trump has signed an executive order intended to give the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) more power to gut federal agencies and slash government spending. Here's what we know.

• North Korea sends more troops to Russia: North Korea has provided Russia with more troops, according to South Korean intelligence, which outlined the deepening military cooperation between the allies. Get more details.

• Medicare coverage to change next month: Medicare coverage is scheduled to change for millions of Americans starting March 31. Know about the changes.

The rundown: The Social Security Administration (SSA) is under instruction to slash its staff by 50 percent, according to media reports.

Why it matters: Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein and The American Prospect Executive Editor David Dayen reported on X that the workforce at the SSA is expected to be cut in half. Stein added in his post that the layoffs "are imminent." Dayen's post notes that the terminations will include 1,200 field office locations. The reported terminations to the SSA workforce come as the Department of Government Efficiency also takes aim at other federal departments, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the previous dismantlement of the United States Agency for International Development.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Mike Johnson Gives Update on Social Security, Medicaid Talks With Trump

TL/DR: Concerns have grown over potential cuts to Social Security and Medicaid after the House passed a budget blueprint on Tuesday evening.

What happens now? It is immediately unknown when the reported cuts are planned to occur and how the distribution of benefits would be impacted.

Deeper reading Social Security Administration Workforce To Be Cut by Half: Reports

The rundown: Across the U.S., federal judges are blocking many of President Donald Trump's executive orders, leading to a standoff in the legal system. Experts weigh in on what may happen.

Why it matters: Orders related to birthright citizenship, the Department of Government Efficiency and gender care policies have faced temporary restraining orders. While only temporary restraining orders have been imposed, they could transform into longer-lasting orders, given the visceral denunciations of Trump's policies by some of the judges involved. The American Bar Association denounced attacks on judicial power by the administration. Lawsuits challenging Trump's orders are increasing, potentially leading to confusion in the federal court system.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Supreme Court Grants Trump Request to Halt Lower Court Order on Foreign Aid

TL/DR: In a statement on February 11, the American Bar Association strongly denounced the Trump administration's attempts to undermine judicial power.

What happens now? After granting temporary restraining orders, federal judges have to decide whether to grant preliminary injunctions, which are longer in duration and can be appealed to higher federal courts. The Trump administration's solicitor general and legal team are already preparing appeals and the entire process is likely to consume years of legal argument.

Deeper reading Who Will Win in Donald Trump and Judiciary's Power Battle?

The rundown: In a Pentagon memorandum dated Wednesday, the Department of Defense (DOD) is requesting transgender service members be identified in 30 days and then separated. Here's what we know.

Why it matters: According to the memo signed by Darin S. Selnick, who performs duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, separation actions will commence for those service members "who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and are not granted a waiver." The memo echoed Trump's order, saying that people with gender dysphoria "are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service." Trump's order also said transgender troops "cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Republican Being Censured Over Transgender Athlete Post Sparks MAGA Fury

TL/DR: Trump's order also said transgender troops "cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service."

What happens now? According to the memo, the secretaries of the military departments will identify transgender troops within 30 days.

Deeper reading Transgender Troops to Be Separated From Military in New Pentagon Directive

The rundown: President Donald Trump's pivot toward improving ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised questions about Russia's relationship with Iran, with whom Moscow just recently signed a historic treaty. More about these shifting dynamics.

Why it matters: As Trump focuses on resolving the war in Ukraine, the U.S. has sought Russia's help in the Middle East, where Iran and Israel are in direct conflict. Russia, which was part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, may assist in diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran. While Russia and Iran's ties have strengthened, especially in military cooperation, recent tensions over Syria and military support have complicated their relationship. Russia's new approach under Trump may lead to diplomatic breakthroughs but requires careful balancing of regional and international interests.

Read more in-depth coverage:
What Trump's Gamble on Putin Could Mean for China

TL/DR: For Russia, it's a wait-and-see approach as to where Trump lands in his quest to recalibrate the U.S. approach to the region.

What happens now? Putin may ultimately find a way to play a constructive part in bringing nuclear talks back on track in light of the stark shift in U.S.-Russia relations. Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst, described the current rapprochement between Trump and Putin as approaching a "New Détente," one in which both sides are motivated to discuss a range of issues, including those pertaining to Iran.

Deeper reading What A Trump-Putin Detente Means for Russia and Iran's Partnership

The rundown: Nearly 50 schools in South Korea are set to fall victim to the country's low birth rate, the world's lowest. More on the impact.

Why it matters: This year, 49 elementary, middle, and high schools will shutter in the East Asian country, 16 more than last year and more than double the number of closures in 2023, according to Education Ministry data released on Sunday. The declining birth rate cast a shadow, with elementary schools making up all but 11 of the closures. Last year, 122 elementary schools across the country enrolled no new students. The impact of decades of intense urbanization was also felt. Rural schools account for 88 percent of those affected, while only a handful of closures will occur metropolitan areas—and none in the capital of Seoul.

Read more in-depth coverage:
South Korea Population Crisis Linked To Historic Tax Rises

TL/DR: South Korea has the world's lowest fertility rate, with just 0.75 births expected per woman.

What happens now? South Korea is expected to lose even more schools in the coming years as births continue their downward trend. Observers have called for a society-wide effort to reform work culture, including workplace discrimination against women, a factor often cited in decisions to delay or forgo childbirth.

Deeper reading South Korea's Population Crisis Forces School Closures