The Bulletin

• Signal group chat leak: Donald Trump has expressed his anger that Judge James Boasberg is overseeing a lawsuit against the president's administration for accidentally leaking defense secrets. Read his full remarks.

• Ukraine strikes on Russian targets: Ukraine is using F-16 fighter jets to launch ground strikes on Russian targets, Kyiv's air force announced Wednesday.

• DOGE stimulus check update: The Trump Administration has sent out an email poll regarding Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) stimulus checks, according to the man who developed the idea. Here's what to know.

• Island building in contested South China Sea: Chinese activities in the South China Sea have remained a focal point in the ongoing dispute over the contested waters, drawing attention for both their scale and security implications. Know more.

• Social Security close to 'total system collapse': The former Social Security commissioner Martin O'Malley has said the government department is on the brink of "total system collapse" under the Trump administration. Here's how.

• Trump's executive order for 'America's bank account': President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to overhaul how the federal government tracks and manages trillions of dollars in transactions. Find out more.

• US jets intercept Russian military plane: A video purportedly shows a Russian military aircraft buzzing a United States aircraft carrier at low altitude as it was escorted by American fighter jets over the Western Pacific Ocean. See the video.

The rundown: The United States-Mexico border may be calmer than usual under President Donald Trump, but it is far from secure, according to a top Border Patrol official.

Why it matters: The Republican leader vowed to "seal the border," and border crossings have plummeted under his iron fist. Under his administration, the southern border has experienced a significant decrease in illegal crossings, reaching lows not seen in decades. In February 2025, Border Patrol agents recorded approximately 8,347 apprehensions of migrants attempting to cross the border unlawfully between ports of entry, marking a 94.1 percent decrease compared to February 2024, when the number stood at 140,641. Sean McGoffin, chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, told Newsweek that the agency still has work to do. "We don't want anything coming across that border, narcotics, weapons, money, any of that type of stuff," McGoffin said.

Read more in-depth coverage:
What Deportation Ruling Means for Donald Trump's Immigration Plans

TL/DR: This decline in illegal crossings is attributed to the administration's stringent immigration policies.

What happens now? The border may never be fully "secure," but with continued vigilance and a more unified effort between federal and state authorities, the hope is that the most dangerous elements can be mitigated and a more sustainable solution can be reached for the country and those seeking to cross it.

Deeper reading All Quiet on the Southern Front: How the Border Has Changed Under Trump

The rundown: A leading auto industry group in the European Union (EU) warned U.S. President Donald Trump that American manufacturers will suffer too from his planned 25 percent tariff on the sector. Find out here.

Why it matters: Trump said on Wednesday that the tariff, which takes effect after April 2, will apply to all cars not made in the U.S. It will also include auto parts. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), which represents 16 of Europe's largest vehicle makers, said in a statement it was "deeply concerned" by the tariff news, and urged the U.S. and EU to find an "immediate resolution." ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries said on Thursday morning that "European automakers have been investing in the U.S. for decades, creating jobs, fostering economic growth in local communities and generating massive tax revenue for the US government."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Issues Ultimatum To Canada And EU

TL/DR: Trump wants to protect domestic manufacturing and jobs from what he sees as unfair global competition from the EU and other trading partners.

What happens now? The autos tariff and many more are due to come in from the start of April under what the Trump Administration is calling a "reciprocal" policy that aims to equalize trade terms across the world. But Trump has signalled some flexibility in recent days, suggesting that there may be deals to make for U.S. trading partners who want to avoid the tariffs, so further horsetrading is expected in the coming days and weeks.

Deeper reading Autos Group Warns Trump on EU Tariffs

The rundown: More Americans than ever are dipping into their retirement prematurely, and experts warn it could have serious consequences on their finances later in life. Here's what we know.

Why it matters: A study by Vanguard that examined data from nearly 5 million people with retirement accounts, found a record 4.8 percent of account holders took hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) accounts in 2024, up from 3.6 percent in 2023. Hardship withdrawals allow savers to access their retirement funds early in cases of an urgent and significant financial need, but they are generally considered a last resort. In the report, Vanguard noted that more employers are automatically enrolling workers in retirement plans, increasing the number of people who might not have otherwise saved, which can contribute to a larger share of pre-retirees dipping into their later-life funds.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Americans Are Planning To Retire Differently

TL/DR: Congress has also recently made it simpler to access hardship withdrawals. A 2018 federal law eased restrictions and removed the requirement for employees to take out a loan before applying for a hardship withdrawal.

What happens now? Vanguard concluded that the hardship withdrawal rate remaining below 5 percent indicates that savers are "generally resilient" and are maintaining a "long-term approach to retirement saving."

Deeper reading Americans Are Dipping Into Their Retirement Funds

The rundown: European states are reportedly walking back their plans to put troops from NATO allies on the ground in Ukraine to secure the country against future Russian aggression if a peace deal is eventually made. Know more.

Why it matters: According to Reuters, European leaders are weighing the challenges of sending troops as proposed by the U.K. and France, including the improving U.S.-Russia relationship under the Trump Administration and Ukraine's battlefield retreat. "They are taking a step back from ground troops and trying to re-dimension what they were doing to something that could be more sensible," one unnamed European diplomat told Reuters. Another told the publication: "When Ukraine was in a better position, the idea of sending troops appealed. But now, with the situation on the ground and the U.S. administration as it is, it's not very sexy."

Read more in-depth coverage:
NATO High-Readiness Forces on Ukraine's Doorstep 'Ready' To Deploy

TL/DR: Another told the publication: "When Ukraine was in a better position, the idea of sending troops appealed. But now, with the situation on the ground and the U.S. administration as it is, it's not very sexy."

What happens now? Around 30 leaders will convene in Paris on Thursday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions will focus on bolstering military aid, evaluating ceasefire initiatives and determining their potential roles in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

Deeper reading NATO Allies Reverse Course on Ukraine Troop Deployment Plans

The rundown: President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed about four U.S. Army soldiers reported missing during military exercises in Lithuania. Get more details.

Why it matters: Around 1,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in Lithuania on a rotational basis. Lithuania and Poland bracket the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, where Moscow bases its Baltic Sea naval fleet, and both NATO countries share significant land borders with key Russia ally, Belarus. U.S. Army Europe and Africa said on Wednesday that four soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were missing from the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area near Pabradė, which sits around six miles from the country's border with Belarus. The soldiers were carrying out "scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident," the U.S. Army said in a statement. It added that search efforts involved both the U.S. and Lithuanian militaries, along with law enforcement.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Lithuania's Budrys Hails Black Sea Truce, Wants Ukraine Security Guarantees

TL/DR: When asked by a reporter whether he had been briefed on the situation, Trump said: "No, I haven't."

What happens now? Search and rescue operations are ongoing as of Thursday morning local time.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Says He Wasn't Briefed About US Soldiers Missing in Lithuania