The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Epstein file release: The Trump administration has released government documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and the rollout has received criticism from both ends of the political spectrum. Know more.
- Thailand deports Uyghurs despite appeals: Thailand fulfilled China's demand to deport dozens of Uyghurs Muslims who had taken refuge there despite appeals from the United States and an outcry from human rights groups who feared they would be tortured if sent back. Delve into its history.
- Nationwide economic blackout: Some Americans are planning a 24-hour spending blackout for Friday, February 28. The boycott is being organized by the People's Union USA and targets major retailers Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. Here's what to know.
- US targets Chinese firms over Iran drones: The United States has imposed a fresh round of sanctions on six entities based in Hong Kong and China, accusing them of involvement in an Iranian drone procurement network. Get more details.
- Japan may buy aircraft from the US: Japan is reportedly considering buying military transport aircraft from the United States, its security treaty ally, local media reported on Thursday, citing government sources.
- USPS announces changes to services: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced it is adopting new service standards that are projected to save the government agency at least $36 billion over the next 10 years. Find out more.
Ukraine Minerals Deal Could Be Trump's First Big Win—Or a Fiasco
The rundown: Donald Trump's plan to recoup U.S. funds spent on Ukraine's self-defense holds significant potential, but is accompanied by several contingencies, question marks and potential drawbacks. Find out here.
Why it matters: According to a copy of the deal published by the Financial Times, in compensation for America's "significant financial and material support to Ukraine," the country will vest a share of its natural resources into a "Reconstruction Investment Fund," jointly owned and managed by the two nations. The deal could mark the first major foreign policy win of the new administration addressing Republican concerns about the costs of aiding Ukraine, while also providing a repayment mechanism that alleviates some of the political obstacles for future assistance.
Read more in-depth coverage:
US-Ukraine Rare Earths Deal: Everything We Know
TL/DR: The specific details of the agreement and plans for its execution remain scarce, and the deal faces several pitfalls before it can be declared a victory for the U.S. president.
What happens now? Trump has said that the deal—described by Kyiv officials as "preliminary"—could be signed as soon as Friday, when Zelensky is rumored to be making a tripping to the U.S. capital.
Deeper reading Ukraine Minerals Deal Could Be Trump's First Big Win—Or a Fiasco
DOGE Has Added Years to Immigration Backlog, Says Fired Judge
The rundown: A former federal immigration judge who was recently laid off said that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has significantly worsened the immigration backlog by dismissing dozens of judges. Here's how.
Why it matters: The judge, who requested anonymity due to legal appeals, told Newsweek she believes the firings of immigration judges have added years of delays to asylum cases, with some hearings now postponed until 2028. The Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges across the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review on February 27. Immigration courts are overwhelmed, with a backlog exceeding 3.7 million cases, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Asylum-seekers often wait years for a decision.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Conservative-Appointed Judge Orders Trump Officials to Testify About DOGE
TL/DR: Fewer judges mean longer wait times for migrants awaiting decisions on their cases.
What happens now? With the immigration crisis deepening, the judge and legal experts warn that unless more judges are reinstated or hired, the backlog will continue to grow, leaving countless individuals without legal status in limbo.
Deeper reading DOGE Has Added Years to Immigration Backlog, Says Fired Judge
Trump Adviser Hints at Medicaid Cuts
The rundown: An adviser of President Donald Trump has said there will be cuts in the administration of Medicaid to reduce fraud. Learn more.
Why it matters: The House this week voted 217-215 to adopt its budget proposal that calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts, some of which could potentially impact Medicaid and other key health-care programs. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said in an interview with CNBC that the president "has made it clear that he wants Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to be safe for all people who deserve it." However, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan, progressive think tank based in Washington, D.C., said that "the magnitude" of the resolution "would force congressional committees to make enormous cuts in Medicaid, SNAP, student loan assistance and other vital sources of support."
Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows Which States Could See Biggest Drop In Medicaid Enrolment
TL/DR: The bill instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to slash $880 billion in mandatory spending—although the bill did not specifically mention Medicaid.
What happens now? The resolution now advances to the Senate, where it is likely to encounter strong opposition from Democrats but may still pass due to Republican control of the chamber.
Deeper reading Donald Trump Adviser Hints at Medicaid Cuts
Trump's Resort Mentality Pushes Middle East to Rethink Failed Strategies
The rundown: As President Trump embarks on a massive shake-up of traditional U.S. policy at home and abroad, his controversial plans for the Middle East envision a new order in which stakeholders will put aside their complex conflicts and prioritize peace in pursuit of economic prosperity. Find out more.
Why it matters: President Trump's Middle East policies focus on prioritizing economic prosperity over traditional conflicts. His transactional approach, which builds on past U.S. failures, has generated backlash. His controversial Gaza plan proposes transforming it into a resort, removing its Palestinian residents, which has angered Arab leaders. Trump's proposed "Verifiable Nuclear Peace Treaty" with Iran has met skepticism from Israel and Washington. However, his business-first mindset has earned him ties with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Arab royals. Trump's "Peace to Prosperity" plan faced rejection, but his Abraham Accords led to normalization between Israel and several Arab nations.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Could a Trump Deal Change the Middle East in 2025?
TL/DR: The explicitly transactional approach, built upon the failures of past U.S. strategies to achieve lasting peace in the region, has drawn significant backlash from all sides.
What happens now? Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has earned Trump's trust as an adept negotiator given his breakthrough on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza but he has also been tapped to play a role in putting an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, potentially limiting his bandwidth.
Deeper reading Trump's Resort Mentality Pushes Middle East to Rethink Failed Strategies
Electricity Prices Surge in US: Map Shows Most-Expensive States
The rundown: Electricity prices are spiking across the country, posing another challenge for President Trump after the rising cost of gas at the pump and skyrocketing egg prices continue making headlines. Here is a map showing electricity prices by state in February.
Why it matters: In a research note shared last Friday, David Michael Tinsley, senior economist at the Bank of America Institute, found that the median customer utility bill payment rose 6 percent in January, "well above the rate of inflation in utilities, reflecting higher usage." The conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) said electricity prices are reaching levels unmatched since the 1990s, when considering inflation. The average electric rate in the U.S. was 16.54 cents per kWh in February, according to data from Electric Choice. Louisiana had the cheapest electric rate on average, with residents paying 11.23 cents per kWh.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Gas Prices Set To Rise in 'Weeks Ahead,' Analyst Warns
TL/DR: During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to halve energy and electricity costs "within 12 months, at a maximum 18 months."
What happens now? The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects demand for electricity in the U.S. to continue growing this year, potentially leading to higher bills for Americans. For Trump, it may be a difficult problem to solve as he focuses his attention on fossil fuels; and for some Americans, especially those in lower-income households, it could mean having to cut down significantly on spending.
Deeper reading Electricity Prices Surge in US: Map Shows Most-Expensive States
How Smart Is Elon Musk, Really? Debate Rages on X and Substack
Elon Musk only became the world's richest person some three or so years ago, but for more than two decades, his intellect has been hailed as a defining characteristic of the tech visionary.
Now, as he emerges as a political power broker with unparalleled access to the president — while also maintaining a near-constant presence on social media, where he is prone to delve into conspiracy theories and promote outright falsehoods — some pundits are questioning whether Musk is really all that "smart."
