The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Trump hit in face: President Donald Trump stared down a reporter and joked after he was hit in the face by a boom microphone on Friday, as he spoke to media at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Here's what happened.
- Who voted for GOP funding bill? Nine Democrats and one independent voted to advance a Republican stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown hours before a midnight deadline. Here's the full list.
- Impact of Medicare, Medicaid cuts: Half of those on Medicare and Medicaid would have to delay or skip their medical treatments if the programs face major cuts under the Republican House budget, according to a new Everly Health survey.
- Federal agencies directed to rehire employees: Two federal judges on Thursday ordered federal agencies to reinstate tens of thousands of probationary workers who had been fired as part of President Donald Trump's plans to shrink the federal workforce. Find out more.
- SpaceX's NASA rescue mission: NASA's replacement crew launched to the International Space Station on Friday night, clearing the way for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return after nine months in orbit.
How to Survive a Trump Recession: The Ultimate Guide
The rundown: Economists have weighed in on the possibility of a U.S. recession with Newsweek, highlighting the warning signs and what individuals and families can do should one occur. Here's are a few things to note.
Why it matters: Some believe that the back-and-forth movement on tariffs, associated stock market volatility, and marked declines in consumer confidence have set the stage for a significant economic downturn in America's future. "The risks of recession have risen quite significantly," said KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk. "We are not there yet and could see a course correction but are moving closer to the edge." The consensus wisdom is that minimizing expenses and avoiding risk are key to preparing for and navigating a recession. Financial adviser Carl Richards said that the time to begin preparing for a recession is often well before one is already in motion.
Read more in-depth coverage:
What a Recession Could Mean for Your 401(k) Retirement Fund
TL/DR: Long-term inflation expectations jumped from 3.5 percent in February to 3.9 percent in March, marking the biggest month-on-month rise since 1993.
What happens now? Should a recession materialize, economists predict this would be marked by persistent inflation, tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, slow consumption growth, challenges in the labor market, and broader declines in production.
Deeper reading How to Survive a Trump Recession: The Ultimate Guide
Could Fog Harvesting Solve California's Water Shortages?
The rundown: California has long struggled with chronic drought and water scarcity—Newsweek spoke to two experts about whether capturing water from fog may be able to help. Here's what the experts said.
Why it matters: The state has a dry Mediterranean climate with rainfall concentrated in the winter months—California gets half its yearly precipitation from December through February. Experts were both optimistic about using fog harvesting for California, which is being explored there with several research initiatives and pilot projects, but warned that it probably "can't produce water for all of the needs and demands of humans and society." Professor Daniel Fernandez, who carries out research at California State University, Monterey Bay's Fog Collection Project, told Newsweek that fog collection could be used where it is "practical in locations without regular access to water for some applications"—for example, fire management, reforestation, small-scale farming or local flora and fauna.
Read more in-depth coverage:
California Changes Drinking Water Restrictions
TL/DR: One of these locations is near the California State University library, where Fernandez has deployed 10 fog collectors to support sapling oak trees.
What happens now? California's Department of Water Resources warned of an especially dry forecast given the state's snowpack levels thanks, in part, to an abnormally dry January.
Deeper reading Could Fog Harvesting Solve California's Water Shortages?
Tesla Owners Are Rushing to Sell Their Cars
The rundown: Tesla owners appear to be impacting the used car market as they ditch the brand, causing a drop in prices, according to sales data.
Why it matters: The backlash to Tesla is both financial and cultural, with vandalism and protests against the car company becoming a symbol for protests against Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. San Francisco dealerships at both Audi and Mercedes both reported an increase in Tesla trades. It comes as Musk's growing political power as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and as one of Trump's closest advisers has coincided with a drop in Tesla stock and sales. A global backlash against Tesla has emerged as Trump and Musk both turned their eye beyond U.S. borders, most notably toward Europe. Following Musk's intervention over the German election, Europe has reduced its demand for Tesla.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Elon Musk Responds to Canadian Tesla Move
TL/DR: A study from the Netherlands found that 30 percent of Tesla owners were considering getting rid of their vehicles, with Musk's personal reputation being cited as the number one reason behind the decision.
What happens now? Developments could depend on how long Musk continues in his role as head of DOGE, while also being CEO of Tesla, and whether he keeps attempting to influence foreign elections.
Deeper reading Tesla Owners Are Rushing to Sell Their Cars
Map Shows Proposals for Relocating Gaza's Palestinians
The rundown: Although U.S. President Donald Trump has said there is no intention to expel the Palestinian population from Gaza, he has proposed the relocation of its people so that the devastated territory can be rebuilt. See the map of territories proposed for housing Gaza's Palestinians.
Why it matters: Trump initially proposed Egypt and Jordan as destinations, but both countries have strongly rejected the idea. Some African countries are now being considered as destinations, according to the Associated Press. Trump's plan envisions the permanent relocation of Gaza's over two million residents. It proposes that the U.S. take control of the territory and redevelop the area into a luxury destination, potentially a "Riviera of the Middle East." The U.S. and Israeli officials have now reached out to three African countries as potential destinations for the Gazan population, according to the Associated Press.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Hamas Responds to Donald Trump on Gaza Expulsions
TL/DR: In January, Trump first suggested Egypt and Jordan take in the Palestinian population of Gaza, but both countries rejected this.
What happens now? It is far from clear that any territory would accept to take a large number of Palestinians, whether or not they move voluntarily, meaning that discussions may need to come up with an alternative solution for Gaza.
Deeper reading Map Shows Proposals for Relocating Gaza's Palestinians
Are Deaths in Congress Increasing?
The rundown: The recent deaths of two lawmakers who served in the House of Representatives have sparked conversations about the average age of those serving in Congress. Find out what the trend suggests.
Why it matters: Representative Raúl Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, died on Thursday, making him the second Congressional death this month following Representative Sylvester Turner, a Texas Democrat. So far in the 2020s, there have been 13 members of Congress who have died while still in office. The deaths come amid growing calls for longtime Congressional leaders to pass the baton to a new generation. The number of lawmakers who have died in office this decade has already surpassed the number from the 2010s, when only 12 serving members of Congress from either chamber died. The number hasn't yet surpassed that of earlier decades, however.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Should Congress Be Forced to Retire?
TL/DR: The 1980s, however, saw a higher number of lawmakers die in office.
What happens now? It's yet to be seen what leadership changes will occur after the 2026 midterms, though several lawmakers such as Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, have already said they're not running for reelection, potentially opening an opportunity for new political leadership.
Deeper reading Are Deaths in Congress Increasing?
How a Recession Would Worsen US Insurance Crisis
The likelihood of the U.S. entering a recession this year has grown in recent weeks, as Donald Trump's policies have thrown the stock markets into turmoil and sparked the threat of dangerous trade wars with some of the country's biggest trade partners.
Not even the property insurance sector, which is traditionally considered to be recession-proof, will be untouched by an economic downturn, experts warned, with homeowners facing the possibility of seeing premiums finally drop as competition grows or skyrocket should natural disasters strike.
