The Bulletin

• Ukraine peace talks: There is a "potential" agreement on the table in ceasefire talks between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia on the Black Sea, Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Sunday. Get more details.

• Earthquake rocks Malibu: A 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Malibu area on Sunday night, affecting thousands of residents. Know more.
• US to leave Ukraine war probe: The U.S. is withdrawing from an international group investigating those responsible for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including President Vladimir Putin, it has been reported.

• Japan mulls missiles on China's doorstep: Japan, a key United States ally in Northeast Asia, is reportedly mulling deploying missiles on an island that can hit targets in China, as well as North Korea. Find out more.

• Storm claims at least 36 lives across the US: A powerful storm system tore through the central and southern United States, leaving destruction in its wake and killing at least 36 people. Here's what to know.

• French lawmaker demands US return Statue of Liberty: Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the center-left Place Publique party in France, demanded on Sunday that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, accusing it of siding with "tyrants."

• Republicans push to make TDS a mental illness: Five Republican Minnesota state senators are set to introduce a bill that would classify "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS), which they define as an "acute onset of paranoia" regarding the presidencies of Trump, as a mental illness, according to state documents.

The rundown: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on Sunday morning that 250 Venezuelans, allegedly members of the MS-13 and Tren de Agua gangs, were sent to El Salvador after a U.S. federal judge ordered to temporarily halt the removals and turn back any planes carrying deportees. Know more details.

Why it matters: On Saturday, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, seeking to remove the reported Venezuelan gang members, who he said "have unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States." The law, which has been enacted only three times in U.S. history—during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II—grants the president authority to deport non-citizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities. Shortly after, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered to halt deportations for at least 14 days and directed that flights already in the air be turned around.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Elon Musk Backs Impeachment Action for Judge Who Blocked Trump Deportations

TL/DR: Axios reported on Sunday that two senior White House officials acknowledged the administration was aware of and ignored the court order, with one suggesting the legal clash will end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

What happens now? A hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine whether the judge's injunction on the Act will be extended. It remains unclear what legal consequences the administration could face for seemingly defying the judge's order as suggested by Rubio's announcement.

Deeper reading Rubio Touts Migrants Sent to El Salvador After Judge Orders Planes Return

The rundown: Donald Trump's recently unveiled tariff plans have sparked a stock market meltdown and stoked fears of a looming recession, which experts said would further slow down an already "comatose" U.S. housing market. Here's how.

Why it matters: While the likelihood of the U.S. entering a recession this year has increased, there is no certainty that this is the direction the country is headed towards. Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner told Newsweek that the recent nosedive in the stock market could slow down the housing market even further, "as prospective buyers are watching some of their wealth that they might be using for a down payment on a new home evaporate." The U.S. imports about 30 percent of the softwood lumber it uses in home construction, according to the National Association of Home Builders, much of this material comes from Canada, and it is likely to become more expensive because of tariffs against the U.S. neighbor.

Read more in-depth coverage:
How a Recession Would Worsen US Insurance Crisis

TL/DR: The consensus among experts is that even as a recession would not shake the U.S. housing market to the point of causing a crash, it would not be good news either.

What happens now? “A recession could create motivated sellers, an expert explained, "and because of sluggish activity, well-qualified buyers would have more homes to select from and more room to negotiate without fierce competition from other buyers."

Deeper reading Trump Tariffs Could Slow US Housing Market in 2025

The rundown: Every morning recently, one federal employee wakes up and wishes she had not. She has lost 20 pounds since January 21, 2025 and says she is traumatized. Here's how the ongoing cuts are impacting workers' mental health.

Why it matters: Layoffs in the public sector increased by more than 40,000 percent this year compared to the same period of 2024, says global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Sarah Levine-Miles, a psychotherapist who works in a clinic in North Bethesda, Maryland, which is 20 minutes from the heart of the federal government in Washington D.C., told Newsweek she has seen a noticeable increase in federal workers and their family members seeking mental health support. "Many are experiencing heightened anxiety, depression and a profound sense of hopelessness due to job insecurity and the feeling that their dedication to public service is being disregarded," Levine-Miles said.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Federal Government Layoffs Tracker 2025: Latest DOGE Cuts So Far

TL/DR: William Chan, founder and clinical director of Banyan Behavioral Health in San Mateo, California, said he had seen about a 10 percent increase in federal workers reaching out.

What happens now? Ashley Strong from Strong Skies Therapy in Denver, Colorado, told Newsweek that the speed of the change was exacerbating the psychological impact. "It is happening so fast; the threats just keep coming, and the overall fear spread by the administration is causing existential breakdown," Strong said. "These sorts of factors can lead people to feel entirely hopeless and embarrassed and can increase suicidal ideation."

Deeper reading Some Federal Workers Face Mental Health Struggles As Cuts Bite

The rundown: The Houthis, an Iranian-backed Yemeni armed group, claimed to have carried out attacks on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles and drones after President Trump launched airstrikes against them. More on the attack.

Why it matters: The group, known as Ansar Allah, said it attacked the USS Harry S. Truman twice in past 24 hours, with ballistic and cruise missiles, and drones, in a retaliation operation "that lasted for seven hours," military spokesperson Yahya Saree said early on Monday. The U.S. military's Central Command released a 16-second video clip of aircraft preparing for takeoff and said that forces "continue operations against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists." President Trump announced on Saturday that he had ordered "decisive and powerful" military action against the Houthis.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Iran's Supreme Leader Reacts to U.S. Airstrikes on Houthis

TL/DR: The U.S. strikes on Saturday killed at least 53 people and injured a hundred, according to Houthi officials.

What happens now? Escalation is likely to continue in the Red Sea and in Yemen. The Houthis are threatening further attacks against the U.S. and Israel, in relation to growing tensions in Gaza. The U.S. says it will not tolerate Houthi attacks.

Deeper reading Houthis Claim Attacks on U.S. Aircraft Carrier: What We Know

The rundown: The Glassdoor Worklife Trends 2025 Report found that 65 percent of employees are feeling trapped in their current roles and employee satisfaction with career opportunities has dropped over the past two years across 10 industries. Here's what they are opting for.

Why it matters: Revenge quitting is when employees who feel undervalued or frustrated leave their jobs in a way that is abrupt and designed to cause as much chaos and dismay as possible. Keri Mesropov the founder of Spring Talent Development, highlighted a key difference in Gen Z's attitude to work and said that for them, "Work is meant to support a full life, not consume it." "Unlike previous generations, who often prioritized work and career above all else, Gen Z is unwilling to accept workplaces that conflict with their values or well-being." She continued that Gen Z hasn't had years of experience to "know how to productively bring their concerns forward and often their workplaces haven't set clear avenues for this.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Gen Z Is Embracing 'Micro-Retirement'

TL/DR: "Gen Z has a fierce commitment to their personal values—values like transparency, ethical leadership, inclusion, well-being and social responsibility," Mesropov told Newsweek.

What happens now? Mesropov said that we need to not look at this as an entitled generation behaving impulsively. "Let's see severe actions like revenge quitting as a cry for change," she said. "Gen Z wants those of us who have come before them to do better, and benefit from change alongside them."

Deeper reading What Is Revenge Quitting? Gen Z Driving New Career Trend