The Bulletin

• DOGE announces 'major cleanup' for Social Security: Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has said it has begun a "major cleanup" of records at the Social Security Agency. Here's what to know.

• Earthquake rocks Northern California: A 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday evening, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

• China's nuclear weapons arsenal: China is estimated to possess approx. 600 nuclear warheads, which are ready to be delivered by land-based and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as well as bombers, according to a report. Read more.

• Iran and Houthis respond to Trump's threat: Officials from Iran and its Yemeni ally have warned that any action taken against them by the United States would not go unanswered after Trump issued a stark threat amid a series of escalations in some of the world's most crucial trade corridors. Find out more.

• Scientists trapped in Antarctica plead for help: A group of South African scientists has pleaded for help, saying they are trapped in an isolated base on a cliff edge in Antarctica with a team member who has become violent. Know more.

• What Is LRAD cannon? Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has brushed aside accusations that his police forces used a military-grade LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Devices) cannon against a crowd of hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters in the capital on Saturday. Find out more about the incident.

The rundown: Israel began carrying out a wave of "extensive strikes" in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, local time, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that "Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength." Find out more.

Why it matters: According to the Associated Press, Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, as confirmed by hospital officials. The Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency announced the latest wave of strikes early Tuesday local time. Israel is "currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip," they said. The strikes come as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled in recent days. In the first phase of the truce, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for about three dozen hostages who were held in Gaza.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Hamas Hits Back at U.S. Over Gaza Ceasefire

TL/DR: Israel and Hamas have not been able to reach a final agreement on releasing the nearly 60 remaining hostages since the first phase of the ceasefire ended.

What happens now? The AP reported that it's unclear whether this latest wave of strikes is part of a one-time pressure tactic designed to force Hamas to the negotiating table, or if Israel plans on scrapping the ceasefire talks and resuming the war altogether.

Deeper reading Israel Says It's Conducting Strikes in Gaza Amid Ceasefire: What We Know

The rundown: As the worry that the United States could be headed towards a recession is growing, so is the concern about what impact this could have on Medicare. Find out here.

Why it matters: One of the first things to happen during a recession is people losing their jobs. Some people would therefore lose their employer-sponsored health insurance, resulting in higher rates of uninsured individuals, which could increase the strain on hospitals and health care providers. Meanwhile, others could become eligible for Medicare or Medicaid due to the job losses, increasing enrollment numbers and financial pressure on the programs. As Medicare is also primarily funded by payroll taxes, general revenue and beneficiary premiums, having fewer people in the workforce due to job losses could reduce the funds normally provided by taxes.

Read more in-depth coverage:
How to Survive a Trump Recession: The Ultimate Guide

TL/DR: Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older and for some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions.

What happens now? It's not yet certain whether a recession is definitely on the cards for the U.S., but several upcoming economic reports will offer further insight into the economy's trajectory.

Deeper reading What a Recession Would Mean for Medicare

The rundown: Elon Musk has voiced ambitions to privatize Amtrak, the biggest high-speed rail provider in the U.S., which could have a huge impact on the technology's future. Here's what it means.

Why it matters: Amtrak is the largest high-speed rail provider in the U.S., carrying more than 30 million passengers a year. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley conference on March 5, Musk told listeners that Amtrak was an example of a service that should be privatized, as it wasn't being properly managed. He later said that the high-speed rail system "is a sad situation." Amtrak is undergoing major construction work in almost 30 areas along the Northeast Corridor, where the bulk of its tracks are. Any clampdown on federal or state funding, such as Congress' 2021 $22 billion grant, would put the upgrades in jeopardy, but some industry actors think Musk's plan could be a boon.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows Amtrak Projects Underway Across US

TL/DR: President Donald Trump's adviser said that Amtrak, which is supported by state and federal subsidies, was in "a sad situation" and that privatizing it would boost productivity for high-speed rail in the U.S.

What happens now? The White House has not issued further intentions for privatization, though Musk has also voiced opposition to the U.S. Postal Service and has suggested it could be privatized, too.

Deeper reading What Elon Musk's Amtrak Idea Means for High-Speed Rail

The rundown: In a potential setback for China's growing influence in Latin America and its ambitions in space, the Chilean government is reviewing an agreement for a joint astronomical observatory in Chile following a Newsweek investigation of the deal. Read more.

Why it matters: The decision comes amid a deepening geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China that has become clearly evident in Latin America, with the Trump administration putting Panama under pressure for a deal to allow an American company to regain control of the Panama Canal from a Chinese company, Hong Kong's Hutchison Ports. The project, based in Chile's Atacama Desert, was a collaboration between a Chilean university and China's National Astronomical Observatory. While billed as an academic venture, concerns arose that it could support China's military space ambitions, as it would track satellites and monitor objects in orbit. The U.S. raised alarms about its potential defense implications.

Read more in-depth coverage:
China's Quest for Supremacy Moves into Space

TL/DR: Chile has grown increasingly close to China in recent years. Today, 60 percent of its electrical grid is owned by Chinese companies and 40 percent of its exports go to China.

What happens now? Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now analyzing the agreement, with a focus on its nature and implications. China defends the project as legitimate technological cooperation, emphasizing transparency and compliance with Chilean laws.

Deeper reading Chinese Space Project Under Review After Newsweek Investigation

The rundown: Two NASA astronauts stranded in space for months are finally returning to Earth on Tuesday, concluding a mission that was expected to last just a few weeks but stretched into nine months due to spacecraft complications. Here's what to expect.

Why it matters: Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was intended to be a short test mission. However, significant technical issues—including helium leaks and propulsion concerns—prevented Starliner from returning to Earth, leading NASA to send the spacecraft back empty. NASA then reassigned the astronauts to a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, further delaying their return. SpaceX's own scheduling challenges pushed the homecoming from February to March. On Sunday, their replacement crew arrived at the space station, allowing NASA to prioritize Wilmore and Williams' departure before weather conditions worsened later in the week.

Read more in-depth coverage:
SpaceX Capsule Arrives To Pick Up Stuck NASA Astronauts: What Happens Next?

TL/DR: Wilmore and Williams, who initially launched aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, are traveling home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon alongside two other astronauts.

What happens now? After splashing down, Wilmore and Williams will be transported to a SpaceX recovery ship before flying to Houston for medical evaluations and a long-awaited reunion with their loved ones. Meanwhile, NASA and Boeing continue troubleshooting Starliner's technical issues ahead of its next planned crewed test flight.

Deeper reading NASA Astronauts Returning to Earth: What Time and Where Will They Land?