The Bulletin

• Houthis claim attack on US aircraft carrier: The Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen claimed an attack on two U.S. aircraft carriers based in the Middle East, including the recently deployed USS Carl Vinson. Find out more.

• China-Taiwan tensions: Beijing's pressure campaign on Taipei continues, with fresh points of diplomatic friction emerging this week. Know here.

• Travel warning for journalists entering the US: The Committee to Protect Journalists has advised journalists traveling to the United States to take special precautions, citing growing concerns over potential new travel restrictions and increased scrutiny at U.S. borders under President Trump's administration. Here's what to know.

• Gun age law in Florida: Florida Republican lawmakers are continuing to push for a repeal of a gun safety law passed in the state after the Parkland massacre in 2018, despite mass shootings still occurring in the United States. Learn more.

• IRS chief axed: The acting head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was replaced after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent complained to President Trump that he was installed by billionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Get more details.

The rundown: As relations between the U.S. and China deteriorate, the European Union risks becoming caught in the crosshairs. Here's how.

Why it matters: The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Washington would be using the tariff negotiations with more than 70 countries to limit their trade with China. "EU trade with China is nearly as high as its trade with the U.S, and Trump's backtracking on tariffs last week will probably signal to European leaders that he doesn't have the stomach for a truly global trade war," Kyle Haynes, assistant professor at Purdue University's department of political science, said. Europe has the advantage of being in a sort of 'pivotal' position here. It currently has better relations with both China and the U.S. than the U.S. and China do with each other.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Spat With Ukraine Opens Door for China in Europe

TL/DR: While the tariff increases have appeared to have paused for now, the U.S. is hitting at China via its other trading partners.

What happens now? Rosemary Foot, professor and senior research fellow at the University of Oxford's Department of Politics and International Relations, said that "with U.S. positions changing almost daily it would be foolish for any European to sign up to such a polarized position on China-U.S. trade relations."

Deeper reading Donald Trump Could Struggle to Force Europe's Hand on China

The rundown: In the early hours of Saturday, the Supreme Court instructed the Trump administration to pause the deportation of a number of Venezuelan men in custody using a 1798 law traditionally only applied in wartime. Find out more.

Why it matters: The Trump administration had been seeking to deport several Venezuelan men it accused of being members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal group it has designated as a terrorist organization, using powers contained in the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. In its ruling, the Supreme Court suspended this bid, writing: "The Government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this Court." Two of the conservatives on the court, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, said they dissented from this opinion. According to Reuters on Friday the American Civil Liberties Union filled an urgent request to the Supreme Court following reports some men had been placed on buses and were about to be deported.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Reason Behind Alien Enemies Act Contradicted By New Intel

TL/DR: The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the Trump administration could only carry out deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act if those targeted have the chance to challenge their removal.

What happens now? Saturday's ruling suspended deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua members, rather than banning it outright, raising the prospect this could go ahead if the Trump administration provides further legal assurances.

Deeper reading Supreme Court Blocks Donald Trump Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

The rundown: The Trump administration is poised to recognize Crimea as Russian territory as part of a broader peace deal to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Here's what we know.

Why it matters: Bloomberg's report came hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the U.S. will decide in "a matter of days" whether a peace deal is achievable in the first place. Rubio said he went to France to discuss "more specific outlines" on what's required to secure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian officials met with Rubio as well as officials from the U.K., France and other European countries who created a "coalition of the willing" in February to support and defend Ukraine after a disastrous Oval Office meeting in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated and belittled Zelensky. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's reported preparedness to recognize Crimea as part of Russia will likely throw a wrench in tenuous discussions with Ukraine and Russia about a ceasefire deal.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Reported Plan to Recognize Crimea as Russian Sparks Fury

TL/DR: The U.S. currently recognizes Crimea as part of Ukraine and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that he will not cede Crimea or any other territory to Russia as part of a ceasefire agreement or peace deal.

What happens now? It's not immediately clear whether the U.S. will push for a ceasefire deal that includes Ukraine ceding Crimea to Russia. Bloomberg's sources told the outlet a final decision on the issue hasn't been reached.

Deeper reading Trump Admin Prepared to Recognize Crimea as Russian Territory: Report

The rundown: The White House has posted what it considers proof of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's MS-13 gang membership by sharing images of tattoos on his hand. Know more.

Why it matters: Following criticism that the deportation of Abrego Garcia was unlawful, Trump posted an image of himself in the Oval Office, holding a picture that the White House said was of Abrego Garcia's hands. In the image, the left hand has knuckle tattoos of a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross, and a skull, which the Trump administration says are symbols for "M", "S", "1", and "3," respectively. Newsweek was unable to verify these claims. "This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such 'a fine and innocent person,'" Trump said in a Truth Social post that accompanied the image. However, critics of the president said that the symbols did not necessarily align with MS-13 insignia and pointed out that members of the gang frequently use the actual letters rather than metaphorical symbols.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Kilmar Abrego Garcia Moved Out of Notorious CECOT, Van Hollen Says

TL/DR: Abrego Garcia was arrested in 2019 and accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization.

What happens now? Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador while the discussion about whether or not he can return to the U.S. continues. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Trump administration must facilitate his return, though the White House have said repeatedly that he will not.

Deeper reading Does Kilmar Abrego Garcia Have 'MS-13' Tattooed on His Hand? What We Know

The rundown: A forecast map from AccuWeather has revealed the best locations for American skywatcher to view the Lyrid meteor shower as they shoot across the night sky over the weekend. Check it out here.

Why it matters: According to AccuWeather's forecast map for Monday night, the best places to see the celestial phenomenon include California, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, as well as parts of western and southern Texas, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. "Fair" viewing conditions would exist in Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, the map showed. States on the East Coast and in the southeast fared less well, according to the forecast, with the majority in the "poor" viewing area. The Lyrids are visible anywhere between April 15 and April 29, with peak activity expected the evening of April 21 to 22. The meteors' radiant point is in the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Lyrid Meteor Shower: How to Watch Night Sky Light Up This Weekend

TL/DR: The annual Lyrid meteor shower is set to reach its peak during the night of April 21 into April 22. It is associated with Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) and on average produces between 15 and 20 meteors per hour.

What happens now? Stargazers who find themselves in states with poor viewing conditions can still look ahead to the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which reaches its peak in May.

Deeper reading Map Reveals Best States to See Lyrid Meteor Shower This Weekend