The Bulletin

• Iran shows off nuclear advances: Iran showcased new nuclear achievements just days ahead of talks with the United States on its nuclear program. Get full details here.

• Musk to send 'Optimus' robots to Mars: Tesla's Optimus robots will be used to explore the surface of Mars, Elon Musk confirmed today. The humanoid robots, which were initially pitched as household assistants in October last year, will "hopefully" be sent to Mars on a SpaceX flight by the end of 2026.

• Bernie Sanders warns about Elon Musk: Sen. Bernie Sanders did not hold back on Elon Musk, DOGE and the Trump administration during his appearance on CNN's town hall on Wednesday. Here's what all he said.

• Butter recalled in 7 states: Cabot Creamery is recalling 1,700 pounds of butter after testing found elevated levels of coliform bacteria in the product, a marker of potential fecal contamination. Know more about the warning.

• Russia recruited Chinese troops via TikTok: Chinese citizens have been recruited to fight for Russia against Ukraine via social media networks such as TikTok, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

• Social Security to begin new identity checks: The Social Security Administration has provided an update on its identity proofing requirements that will change next week. See the changes.

The rundown: U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns of his trade war with China escalating beyond the exchange of eye-watering tariffs, alluding to a cache of "the most powerful weapons in the world." Read his full remarks.

Why it matters: Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, he said was "not concerned" about the economic conflict with China escalating further, calling Chinese President Xi Jinping "one of the very smart people of the world." "I don't think he would allow that to happen," Trump said. The U.S. is "far more powerful than people understand," he added. Trump told the media he believed Beijing and Washington would "end up making a very good deal" beneficial to both countries. In his remarks posted to social media, the president said more than 75 countries had reached out to U.S. authorities to "negotiate a solution" to tariffs and "have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Yuan Sinks to 17-year Low as Trump Excludes China From Tariffs Pause

TL/DR: The Trump administration's raft of tariffs has been wide-ranging, but have singled out China above all others.

What happens now? It isn't clear how far the world's two largest economies will go in their trade war, with the WTO predicting that goods trade between the two countries could plunge by up to 80 percent.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Sends Warning to China: 'Most Powerful Weapons in the World'

The rundown: Michael Tanzi was executed in Florida for the abduction, sexual assault and murder of Janet Acosta on April 25, 2000—a crime he confessed to and for which he offered a final apology before his death. Newsweek reporter shares first hand account of Tanzi's execution.

Why it matters: Michael Anthony Tanzi was executed at Florida State Prison in Raiford for the abduction and murder of Janet Acosta, a 25-year-old employee at the Miami Herald. Tanzi kidnapped Acosta from her van during lunch, assaulted her and strangled her in the Florida Keys, later using her ATM card. Witnesses, including Acosta's family, observed his execution, which followed standard procedures involving a three-drug lethal injection. Tanzi apologized in his final words, referencing Acosta and another woman he had confessed to killing. Despite concerns about complications due to his size, the execution proceeded without issue. The event marked a solemn, clinical end to a brutal crime, 25 years after its occurrence. Tanzi's death was the eleventh U.S. execution of the year.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Are Executions in the US On the Rise? How 2025 Compares to 2024

TL/DR: In an unemotional and declarative voice that was piped in at low volume through a speaker, he apologizes to the relatives of Acosta, as well as those of Caroline Holder, a 37-year-old woman he confessed to killing in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1999.

What happens now? The death chamber will be reactivated in three weeks, when Jeffrey Hutchinson, a 59-year-old Gulf War veteran convicted of killing his girlfriend and her three children in 1998, is set to die there via lethal injection on May 1.

Deeper reading Inside the Death Chamber: What It's Like to Watch a Convicted Killer Die

The rundown: As state lawmakers consider cutting and even abolishing property taxes in Florida, California—which passed major reform in the late 1970s protecting homeowners against significant hikes—offers a cautionary tale of how well-intended tax revolts can backfire against those they should benefit. Find out here.

Why it matters: Florida, along with Illinois, Kansas, and Pennsylvania, is among four states currently planning to eliminate property taxes entirely. Governor Ron DeSantis supports this proposal. Experts warn of unintended consequences similar to California's Proposition 13, which, while lowering taxes, led to major funding cuts for local services, growing tax inequality, housing shortages and reduced mobility. Prop 13's long-term effects included locking homeowners into properties to preserve low tax rates, favoring commercial property owners, and shifting tax burdens onto residents. Florida already limits property tax hikes under its "Save Our Homes" law, but full abolition would be far more radical.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows Battle Against Property Tax Across US States

TL/DR: While abolishing property taxes requires a constitutional amendment backed by 60 percent of Florida voters, the Republican governor has proposed immediate property tax relief to the state's homeowners in the form of $1,000 rebates for each homesteaded property.

What happens now? Replacing $55 billion in property tax revenue is deemed unrealistic, raising concerns over fiscal stability, fairness and potential harm to Florida communities.

Deeper reading Florida Wants to Cut Property Taxes—But California Has a Warning

The rundown: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariffs, and said the EU is committed to working towards "frictionless" trade with the U.S. Learn more.

Why it matters: Trump had hit the EU with a 20 percent tariff, comprising a 10 percent baseline tariff and an additional 10 percent that was "reciprocal," intended to reflect the trade barriers he said the Europeans unfairly imposed on the U.S. Von der Leyen made clear on Thursday that the EU sees its trading future as largely outside of the U.S. Meanwhile, Trump had rejected von der Leyen's suggestion of zero-for-zero tariffs on industrial goods, saying it was not enough. He cited U.S. defense spending and NATO, and said Americans had been paying to guard Europe while the EU was "screwing" the U.S. on trade. But von der Leyen reiterated her position on Thursday morning.

Read more in-depth coverage:
European Firms Eye Alternatives to US Amid Trump Tariff Pain

TL/DR: "Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. That's why I've consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the European Union and the United States," von der Leyen said.

What happens now? On Wednesday, the EU approved proposals for retaliation against Trump's 25 percent steel and aluminum tariffs that would see a wide range of U.S. goods spanning industrial, agricultural and consumer products hit with tariffs from mid-April. The list of products is due to be published in the coming days, though it is not immediately clear if the EU's retaliation will still go ahead in light of Trump's pause.

Deeper reading EU Chief Sends Trump Clear Message About Future Trade After Tariffs Pause

The rundown: Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have said tens of thousands of people have incorrectly claimed unemployment benefits from the federal government. Here's what to know.

Why it matters: On Wednesday, DOGE posted figures on X, formerly Twitter, that it said were for incorrect unemployment insurance payments. Unemployment insurance pays benefits to eligible applicants who lose their job through no fault of their own. It is administered by state governments and is funded by state and federal payroll taxes levied on employers and workers. Most states offer 26 weeks' worth of unemployment benefits. According to DOGE, since 2020, 24,500 individuals over the age of 115 have claimed a total of $59 million in benefits; 28,000 claimants between the ages of 1 and 5 received $254 million; and 9,700 people with birth dates more than 15 years in the future were paid $69 million in benefits.

Read more in-depth coverage:
DOGE Cuts Update Today: Over a Dozen Buildings Sold Off

TL/DR: Upon returning to office on January 20, President Donald Trump created DOGE by executive order to slim down government spending and restructure the federal workforce.

What happens now? Musk is set to exit his role in the Trump administration, but the date of his departure has not been announced.

Deeper reading Elon Musk Issues Warning Over Unemployment Claims