The Bulletin

• London's Heathrow Airport shuts down: London's Heathrow Airport shut down operations Friday after a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation knocked out power, forcing the cancellation or diversion of over 1,300 flights, impacting more than 100,000 travelers worldwide. More on the incident.

• China responds after executing Canadians: China has told Canada to mind its own business following Ottawa's protest over the execution of four Canadian citizens for drug-related offenses. Find out more.

• DOGE stimulus check update: The mastermind behind the proposal to issue "DOGE dividend" checks to Americans has confirmed to Newsweek that millions of taxpaying immigrants without legal status will not be eligible for the payments.

• US targets China's 'teapot' oil refiners: Oil prices surged on Friday, heading for a second consecutive weekly gain, as new U.S. sanctions on Iran intensified concerns over global supply. Know more.

• Britain issues travel warning for US: The United Kingdom has updated its travel advice for British citizens planning to visit the United States, warning of potential arrest or detention if travelers fail to comply with entry requirements. Here's what to know.

• US naval vessel overhaul in South Korea: A United States naval logistics vessel recently completed an overhaul in South Korea, as Washington's warships seek to counter threats from China. Get more details.

The rundown: China's rapid economic growth spurred a construction boom, resulting in vast, under-populated developments known as "ghost cities." Find out more about it.

Why it matters: These metropolises, built as investments, remain largely uninhabited due to a combination of real estate speculation and the bursting of the property bubble. An estimated 70 percent of household wealth in the country is tied up in real estate. When the property bubble burst and prices began to fall amid a broader economic slowdown, the market froze, leaving many of these units unoccupied. Over the past decade, some of these areas have slowly attracted enough residents to cast doubt on the "ghost city" label. But the scale of the vacancy problem remains staggering: From 65 million to 80 million housing units across China are estimated to be empty.

Read more in-depth coverage:
China Throws Money at Population Crisis

TL/DR: One of the most notorious examples is the Kangbashi District in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. In 2010, the district had the capacity to house around 300,000 people—but less than 10 percent of those units were occupied.

What happens now? It's the smaller, lesser-known ghost cities that pose the biggest threat to China's already fragile housing market, according to Sarah Williams, associate professor of technology and urban planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "They represent pockets of over investment that lie vacant and threaten the livelihoods of the people who purchased apartments within them because they likely will not get a return on their investment," Williams said.

Deeper reading What Happened to China's 'Ghost Cities'?

The rundown: President Donald Trump has warned that anyone found vandalizing Tesla vehicles could face lengthy prison sentences. Get more details.

Why it matters: Tesla dealerships and vehicles have been targeted in protests across the country in recent weeks in response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Trump's warning on Thursday came hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi said that three suspects accused of using Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations could face between five and 20 years in prison. Lucy Grace Nelson, 42, is accused of repeatedly targeting a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, in January and February. In a separate incident, Adam Lansky, 41, is accused of throwing eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon, on January 20 — the day of Trump's inauguration. He is also alleged to have fired bullets at a Tesla vehicle at the same dealership the following month.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Admin 'Can't Wait' to Jail People Who Burn Teslas, Kevin O'Leary Says

TL/DR: "People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes the funders," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday night.

What happens now? Nelson is scheduled to appear in court on March 21 and is expected to go to trial before May 14. Lansky has yet to enter a plea and will next appear in court for a preliminary hearing in April.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Issues Jail Warning to Tesla Vandals

The rundown: Elon Musk threatened Pentagon staff who leaked what he called "false information" to the New York Times over a story saying he will receive a briefing about highly-sensitive American military plans for any potential war with China. Here's what he said.

Why it matters: Trump rejected the Times report, which cited anonymous U.S. officials about the briefing reportedly slated for Friday. "The Fake News is at it again, this time the Failing New York Times," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The Wall Street Journal also later reported that Musk would receive a "top secret" briefing on American tactics and planning for war with China. The U.S. military has long been planning for a potential war with China. The biggest flashpoint is Taiwan, and there are also tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims most of as its own. It is possible that the U.S. would intervene to defend Taiwan if China were to invade, though it operates a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on the question.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows US Military Commands Targeted for DOGE Cuts

TL/DR: "The New York Times is pure propaganda," Musk posted on his X platform in the early hours of Friday morning.

What happens now? Musk is due to visit the Pentagon on Friday. For what purpose remains in dispute and under scrutiny. As Musk said, the Trump Administration will likely try to find the sources of the leaks to the American media.

Deeper reading Elon Musk Threatens Pentagon Leakers After China War Story

The rundown: As President Donald Trump seeks to assert U.S. influence across the globe by implementing stiff tariffs and threatening to seize the Panama Canal, his first economically motivated hot war looms in the turbulent seas off Yemen. Learn more.

Why it matters: Trump's administration has ramped up military actions against Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi movement), which has escalated attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, supported by Iran, have disrupted trade and targeted both U.S. and commercial vessels, causing significant economic damage. Since launching its operations in the wake of the war sparked by the Palestinian Hamas movement's surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, Ansar Allah has attacked commercial vessels 145 times and U.S. Navy ships 174 times, according to the U.S. State Department. With U.S. allies notably absent from military efforts, the U.S. bears most of the cost.

Read more in-depth coverage:
US Airstrikes Aren't Stopping Houthi Attacks

TL/DR: Despite promising a peaceful Middle East, Trump is now involved in a conflict that risks becoming a protracted "forever war."

What happens now? Experts suggest that the U.S. should push its allies to contribute, as this conflict benefits them more than the U.S. itself, especially considering limited U.S. dependence on the Red Sea's trade routes.

Deeper reading Trump's Looming War for a Key Trade Route Will Be Costly

The rundown: More visitors to the United States are having their electronic devices and social media accounts checked when arriving at the border, raising questions about the legality of such a move. Find out here.

Why it matters: On Wednesday, it was reported a French scientist was denied entry to Houston after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found messages criticizing Trump's cuts to science funding. Photos on another visa holder's phone allegedly showing support for Hezbollah saw her denied reentry into the U.S. Immigration attorneys have also reported increased scrutiny of visa holders' messages and social media accounts at official ports of entry, including airports. CBP has the power to search personal electronic devices without a warrant. While the agency says this is rare, with less than 0.01 percent of travelers experiencing a search in Fiscal Year 2024, it can happen.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Could Visa and Green Card Holders Be Deported? What the Law Says

TL/DR: The American Civil Liberties Union has previously challenged the federal government's stance that Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless search do not apply at the U.S. border.

What happens now? New Zealand, Germany and the United Kingdom have issued new travel guidance for the U.S. following tightening immigration enforcement at the border. Immigration attorneys are advising immigrants with visas to think carefully before leaving the U.S.

Deeper reading Border Patrol Checking US Visitors' Phones, Social Media: Is It Legal?