The Bulletin

• IRS tax deadline extended: While Tax Day looms over millions of Americans, taxpayers in at least nine states have been allowed by the Internal Revenue Service to file their individual income tax returns for tax year 2024 a little later, ditching the April 15 deadline. Here's why.

• Ohio State trophy falls apart in JD Vance's hands: Ohio State University's College Football National Championship trophy seemed to fall off its stand just as Vice President JD Vance lifted the hardware up for photo opportunities outside the White House on Monday. See the image.

• Nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia: As the United States negotiates with Iran to try to curb its nuclear program, it is also advancing towards a preliminary agreement on a civilian nuclear program with one of Iran's main rivals, Saudi Arabia.

• Trump health update raises eyebrow: President Trump's annual physical examination results have raised eyebrows after his physician mentioned his "frequent victories in golf events." Know more.

• F-16 jet fleets on China's doorstep: A Newsweek map shows at least six countries in the Western Pacific region are operating or have placed orders for F-16 fighter jets from the United States, including Taiwan and the Philippines, as they face threats posed by their powerful neighbor, China.

• Trump responds to Josh Shapiro arson attack: President Trump said the alleged arsonist who attacked Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home was "probably just a whack job." Read his full remarks.

The rundown: A federal task force under President Donald Trump froze $2.2 billion in funding for Harvard University on Monday, after the school said it would not abide by the Trump administration's list of demands. Find out more.

Why it matters: Trump and his administration have ripped into Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Columbia in the wake of nationwide demonstrations and protests related to Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The White House has accused Ivy League universities of allowing antisemitism on campus grounds. In a letter dated Monday, written by Harvard's legal team, the school said it would not give in to the list of the administration's demands, including getting rid of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The lawyers noted that they are willing, however, to discuss with the administration current plans to "improve the experience of every member of its community."

Read more in-depth coverage:
ICE Detains Pro-Palestinian Columbia Student at His Citizenship Interview

TL/DR: Political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek via text that the administration's move to freeze the funding is "complex" and "invites broader questions about government's role in higher education."

What happens now? It's not immediately clear if Harvard will attempt to fight the federal task force in court over its decision to freeze funding.

Deeper reading Trump Admin Hits Back at Harvard by Freezing $2.2 Billion in Funding

The rundown: Signal messages discussing sensitive U.S. military plans were not on CIA director John Ratcliffe's phone when the CIA reviewed them, the CIA's Chief Data Officer has said.

Why it matters: In a court document submitted as part of a lawsuit between nonpartisan watchdog group American Oversight and White House officials, Hurley V. Blankenship said that when the CIA reviewed a sensitive Signal group chat on March 31, days after news broke that a journalist had been erroneously added to it, "substantive messages" were not present and instead the chat showed only its group name and administrative settings. Federal Judge James Boasberg, the chief U.S. district judge in Washington, on March 27 ordered Ratcliffe—along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—to preserve all messages from March 11 to 15 in the chat group.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Who is Arthur Petrov? Man Accused of Stealing US Tech Returned to Russia

TL/DR: In a court document submitted as part of a lawsuit between nonpartisan watchdog group American Oversight and White House officials, Hurley V. Blankenship said that when the CIA reviewed a sensitive Signal group chat on March 31.

What happens now? The absence of the messages could complicate legal efforts to uncover possible mishandling of classified information and deepen scrutiny around internal transparency and records retention among top U.S. officials.

Deeper reading Signal War Plans Messages Disappear from CIA Director's Phone

The rundown: As tensions rise between the U.S. and Iran despite recent diplomatic efforts, the remote U.S. military outpost in United Kingdom-controlled Diego Garcia has emerged as a potential frontline. Here's everything we know.

Why it matters: Located in the Indian Ocean, it recently received multiple B-2 stealth bombers amid threats linked to Iran's ally, the Houthi movement in Yemen. Iranian media and officials have identified Diego Garcia as a possible target in the event of conflict. Experts suggest Iran could attempt strikes using modified ballistic missiles, long-range drones, or ship-launched cruise missiles, though actual capability remains uncertain. The base's strategic role in past U.S. conflicts and its controversial history—built after forcibly displacing the Chagossian people—adds complexity. As the U.K. prepares to transfer nearby islands back to Mauritius under a joint lease with the U.S., Chagossians demand a voice in decisions affecting their ancestral land, urging peace over militarization.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Iran Gives Update on Nuclear Talks with U.S.

TL/DR: The largest deployment of stealth bombers in U.S. history to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia was accompanied by Iran's buildup of missiles on another set of contested islands in the Persian Gulf.

What happens now? While the initial round of U.S.-Iran diplomacy held in Oman last Saturday was deemed "constructive" by both sides, with another meeting set for this weekend, both sides appear committed to demonstrating their military might in the midst of talks.

Deeper reading If US and Iran Clash, This Remote Base Could Be First To Fight

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: "There are risks here, but we need to watch how the situation unfolds," Nabiullina added.

What happens now? While oil is a larger chunk of Russia's revenues, tariffs could also hit Russian gas exports, namely of liquefied natural gas, or LNG. "Even though America didn't introduce any tariffs on Russia specifically, it is affected indirectly as a result of the impact on oil prices, and then also on gas," Sabatus said. "It's on gas that Russia is really suffering."

Deeper reading Russian Economy Braces for Blow From Collapsing Oil Price

The rundown: Donald Trump was heard speaking about the possibility of jailing U.S. citizens in El Salvador with President Nayib Bukele. Here's what we know.

Why it matters: Bukele, who has agreed to continue jailing immigrants removed from the United States, was visiting the White House on Monday. Just before entering the Oval Office, Trump said "home growns" should be next. He said: "The home growns. You gotta build about five more places. It's not big enough." "I just asked the president—it's this massive complex that he built, jail complex — I said, 'Can you build some more of them please?' As many as we can get out of our country," he told reporters. Pressed on whether that means deporting American citizens to El Salvador, he said: "I'm all for it."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Bukele Says He Lacks 'Power' to Return Maryland Dad Deported to El Salvador

TL/DR: Trump’s administration has already deported immigrants to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison CECOT, known for its harsh conditions.

What happens now? Nothing of this nature has ever been seriously considered in U.S. history, and it appears highly improbable. Beyond the fundamental legal protection that U.S. citizens cannot be deported, there are additional legal hurdles.

Deeper reading Donald Trump on Hot Mic Talks Arresting 'Home Growns': What to Know