The Bulletin

• Japan refuses quick trade concessions: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he will not make "big concessions" to President Trump in order to get a U.S. trade deal wrapped up quickly ahead of talks due to start on April 17 in Washington. Here's what else he said.

• China expands Pacific military influence: China has quietly extended its military reach far across the Pacific by building dozens of ports, airports, and communications projects at key points in a vast region that could shut out the United States and its allies in the event of war, a new report says.

• Russia's birth rate nears record low: Russia's birth rate has fallen to a historic low, reaching levels not seen since the late 18th to early 19th century, according to a leading Russian demographer.

• Helicopter Tour company shuts down: The Federal Aviation Administration announced Sunday that New York Helicopter Tours (also known as New York Helicopter Charter) is shutting down operations immediately following a fatal crash that killed six people. Learn more.

• Trump booed at Coachella during Bernie Sanders speech: Sen. Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at the Coachella festival in California on Saturday night. When the Vermont independent mentioned Trump, the crowd booed, and he quickly told them, "I agree," in response. Know more.

• Texas faces a pileup of unsold homes: An ongoing construction boom has combined with slowing demand to create a pileup of unsold homes in the once-booming Texas housing market, where prices are now starting to "correct" after years of overheating, experts told Newsweek.

The rundown: President Donald Trump's move to exempt electronics from a sweeping U.S. tariff on China marks a "small step" back from an "erroneous practice," Beijing said on Sunday, urging the administration to scrap its tariff regime altogether. Learn more.

Why it matters: The U.S. announced another surprise trade update in a memorandum of understanding on Friday, exempting smartphones, computers and chips from its 145 percent tariff rate on Chinese goods. China accounts for much of the world's electronics manufacturing and plays a critical role in global supply chains. Commenting on the move, China's Commerce Ministry suggested the U.S. had blinked and reiterated its opposition to the trade war. "It should be said that this is a small step taken by the U.S. side to correct the erroneous practice of unilateral 'reciprocal tariffs,'" a spokesperson said.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump Trade Adviser Insists New Tariff Exclusion Is 'Not an Exclusion'

TL/DR: Trump has defended his tariff strategy as a way to restore U.S. manufacturing and push trading partners to eliminate what he calls unfair barriers to American goods.

What happens now? With both sides firmly entrenched, a near-term resolution to the U.S.-China trade war—originally launched by Trump during his first term—appears unlikely.

Deeper reading China Thinks Trump Has Blinked First in Tariff War

The rundown: The man arrested on suspicion of setting fire to Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence appears to have posted several social media posts criticizing former president Joe Biden. Check it out here.

Why it matters: Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said. A Facebook page that appears to belong to Balmer does not have any recent posts, but featured several critical of Biden during his presidency. In September 2021, Balmer appears to have posted a meme about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It shows Biden in a car with text reading: "Get in, loser. We're leaving Afghanistan." A second picture of Biden is captioned: "Drives off without you." In a March 2021 post, Balmer also appears to have written: "Five dollars was gas money when Trump was president."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Photos Show Josh Shapiro's Home Ravaged by Fire After Arson Attack

TL/DR: No one was harmed during the incident, and the suspect escaped. 

What happens now? Authorities will conduct a thorough review of security measures around the Governor's Residence, and Shapiro said his family will celebrate the second night of Passover.

Deeper reading Cody Balmer's Social Media Reveals Anti-Joe Biden Posts

The rundown: Elon Musk has become a prominent figure in President Trump's administration, leading budget cuts, held private meetings on Capitol Hill and even attended cabinet meetings. However, his growing political influence and controversial policies are sparking backlash. Find out more.

Why it matters: Musk's favorability ratings have sharply declined, with polls showing more Americans now view him unfavorably. Democrats see this as an opportunity to rally support ahead of the 2026 midterms. Protests and the GOP's recent loss in Wisconsin—despite Musk's financial backing—have fueled hopes of a resurgence. Strategists argue Musk could become a potent symbol for opposition, especially if linked to Trump. However, experts warn Democrats must also present a compelling agenda to regain trust on key issues like crime and the economy. While Musk's unpopularity may energize the base, it alone won't be enough to secure victory without broader messaging and leadership.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Elon Musk's DOGE Role Under Increased Pressure

TL/DR: Pollster Nate Silver's tracker also shows Musk's approval rating deep underwater, with 54 percent of Americans viewing him unfavorably and 40 percent viewing him favorably.

What happens now? Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, Democratic strategist Christy Setzer argues that if Democrats want to use the unpopularity of figures like Musk as part of their campaign, they must connect that negative image directly to Trump.

Deeper reading Elon Musk Could Be Democrats' Secret Weapon in 2026 Midterms

The rundown: U.S. President Trump said he expects to make a decision on Iran "very quickly," following what officials described as positive nuclear talks held in Oman. Know more on the talks.

Why it matters: Saturday's discussions in Oman were the first nuclear talks involving Iran and a Trump administration, including the president's first term from 2017 to 2021. Officials from both sides described the tone of the meeting as "productive, calm and positive." Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had conferred with his national security team about Iran. Though he offered no timeline or policy specifics, he said a decision would come soon. Iran's rial gained sharply following Saturday's nuclear talks with the U.S., closing Sunday at 850,000 per U.S. dollar. The currency briefly surged to 830,000 earlier in the day, a significant rebound from over 1 million per dollar last month.

Read more in-depth coverage:
US Threatens Iran to 'Go Far, Deep and Big' if Talks Fail

TL/DR: Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, confirmed discussions with his advisers but gave no details. A second round of talks is reportedly scheduled for next Saturday in Rome.

What happens now? All eyes now turn to Rome, where U.S. and Iranian officials are expected to meet for a second round of nuclear talks on Saturday. With momentum building after the Oman meeting and market signals showing cautious optimism, the next session could determine whether diplomacy gains traction or stalls once again amid long-standing mistrust.

Deeper reading Trump: Iran Decision Coming 'Very Quickly'

The rundown: Tuesday marks Tax Day as well as the three-year deadline to claim tax refunds and credits for the year 2021. That includes the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit, which some still haven't filed for and received. Here's what to know.

Why it matters: Those who qualify for the $1,400 stimulus check have until tomorrow, April 15, to file for the payment. At that point, the money will go back to the Treasury and they will miss out on it for good. To earn the check, you must file for 2021 taxes, so you'll need all W-2 and other employment and income forms regarding that tax year. If you did file in 2021 but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit, you also could qualify to earn the check. Though, in December, the IRS said it would send out a total of $2.4 billion in "special payments" to 1 million people who did not claim federal stimulus checks on their tax returns for 2021.

Read more in-depth coverage:
IRS April 15 Tax Deadline Extended in 9 States: Here's Why

TL/DR: For those who file by the proper deadline, the money will be sent either by paper check or deposited using the banking information taxpayers used on their 2024 tax returns.

What happens now? After April 15, taxpayers will forfeit the stimulus check money and it will be returned back to the U.S. Treasury.

Deeper reading IRS Deadline to Claim $1,400 Stimulus Check Is Tomorrow: What to Know