The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Trump reveals humanitarian concerns for Gaza: Trump said on Friday that he encouraged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza as his nation's war with Hamas remains ongoing. Catch the latest.
- Major student visa change: In a sudden reversal on Friday, the Trump administration announced it will reinstate thousands of foreign students to active status after their records were terminated from a database earlier this month.
- Family arrested while trying to relocate to Canada: The mother of a family of four undocumented immigrants who were arrested by U.S. Border agents while fleeing to Canada has told Newsweek they spent more than two weeks in a locked windowless cell. Find out more.
- Trump reveals Melania's birthday plan: First lady Melania Trump is making an unexpected trip to Rome and will have a "working birthday", according to President Donald Trump. Find out more.
- Kennedy Center cancels LGBTQ+ world pride events: Organizers and artists are scrambling to find new venues after the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts abruptly canceled a week's worth of events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights. Here's what we know.
Pope Francis Funeral: Updates From Ceremony at Vatican
The rundown: Tens of thousands of people crowded the streets leading to St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday morning to witness the Pope Francis' funeral. Catch the latest updates.
Why it matters: Pope Francis' funeral commenced in a solemn ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the world. The funeral Mass was held in St. Peter's Square, where Pope Francis' simple wooden coffin was displayed, reflecting his commitment to humility. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered Pope Francis' eulogy, describing him as "a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone." Among world leaders in attendance were U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "It feels like history to be here and pay tribute to all he [Pope Francis] did for the world and all the Catholic people in the world," Pauline, a PhD in Economics from France who was in Rome with her parents, told Newsweek.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Pope Francis Funeral in Photos: Key Images From Historic Day
TL/DR: Tens of thousands of people were crowding the streets leading to St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday morning, with many resting after hours spent waiting for the ceremony to begin.
What happens now? Over 250 cardinals are attending Pope Francis' funeral. Of these, 135 are eligible to vote in the conclave, and from that group one of them will be chosen as the next pontiff.
Deeper reading Pope Francis Funeral Live: Updates From Ceremony at Vatican
Trump Arrives for Pope's Funeral With Message to Putin, Zelensky
The rundown: Moscow and Kyiv must hold direct talks soon to end the Ukraine war President Donald Trump posted on social media on his arrival in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Read more on what Trump said.
Why it matters: Trump's post said that most major issues had been addressed and called for an "end to this cruel and senseless war." Following talks on Friday between Russia and the U.S., Trump's post will add to speculation about whether a peace deal is imminent as well as concerns over whether it would be to Ukraine's disadvantage. Trump is joining world leaders in Rome for the funeral of the Pope Francis, which as a major set piece of international relations will include informal talks regarding the war in Ukraine, although Russian President Vladimir Putin is not attending. The White House said on Saturday that there had been a "very productive" meeting between Trump and Zelensky on the sidelines of the funeral.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Russia, Ukraine Defy Trump Plea to Stop Attacks
TL/DR: His comments ahead of the funeral where world leaders are gathering come amid intensified U.S. efforts for peace and a warning that the White House will walk away from the table if a deal is not agreed soon.
What happens now? Trump's proposal for formal recognition of Crimea and the de facto acceptance of Moscow's hold over other occupied territories in Ukraine will continue to clash with Kyiv's counterproposal for security guarantees and for territorial questions to be addressed after a full ceasefire.
Deeper reading Donald Trump Arrives for Pope's Funeral With Message to Putin, Zelensky
Trump's Approval Rating With Men Turns Sour
The rundown: Donald Trump's approval rating with men is turning sour, according to multiple polls. Find out how this will impact his presidency.
Why it matters: Men have traditionally been one of the strongest bases of support for Republicans. And indeed, in 2024, 55 percent of male voters supported Trump. But polls now show that Trump's image as the 'men's' candidate may be beginning to unravel. According to a Pew Research poll, Trump's approval among men has dropped from a net positive in February (52 percent approve, 46 percent disapprove) to a net negative in April (44 percent approve, 55 percent disapprove). The latest Economist/YouGov poll also shows a similar trend. The findings come after Trump unveiled a new round of tariffs earlier this month. The announcement sent financial markets into turmoil: Wall Street suffered its worst single-day loss since the pandemic era, and global markets followed suit.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Is Trump's Approval Rating on Immigration Falling? What Polls Show
TL/DR: The latest Harvard Youth Poll found that Trump's approval rating among Gen Z men currently stands at 34 percent, while 59 percent disapprove.
What happens now? Casey Burgat, Director of the Legislative Affairs program at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, noted that "it's too early to call it a full erosion," but it is "definitely a warning sign" for Trump.
Deeper reading Donald Trump's Approval Rating With Men Turns Sour
Jeffrey Epstein Accuser Virginia Giuffre Dies By Suicide
The rundown: One of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers has died by suicide, her family told NBC News on Friday. Here's everything we know.
Why it matters: Virginia Giuffre, 41, died in Neergabby, Australia, where she had lived for several years. Giuffre "lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking," her family said in a statement. Giuffre had been outspoken about being a victim of sexual abuse, alleging in lawsuits that she was recruited and groomed by Ghislaine Maxwell for Epstein, to have sex with his wealthy and powerful friends. In her most prominent suit, Giuffre alleged that she was forced to have sex with the U.K.'s Prince Andrew in London, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2001.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Virginia Giuffre 'No Way' Suicidal Tweet Resurfaces Following Her Death
TL/DR: She alleged in the lawsuit that she had been 17 when she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew after a night out at Tramp nightclub in 2001, according to court documents.
What happens now? Funeral services for Giuffre have not yet been announced.
Deeper reading Jeffrey Epstein Accuser Virginia Giuffre Dies By Suicide
Americans Fear Going Broke More Than Death, Study Shows
The rundown: Nearly two in three Americans (64 percent) are more scared of running out of money than dying, a new study has found.
Why it matters: The Allianz 2025 Annual Retirement Study, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. workers aged 25 plus, found that the majority of millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers harbor fears about dwindling savings, namely when they stop working. Gen Xers, for whom retirement is fast approaching, were most concerned, with 70 percent saying they have a greater fear of financial instability later in life than death. Among millennials, 66 percent said they feared running out of money more. Boomers had 61 percent say they feared financial ruin more than the end of life. The top reasons why people are so concerned about their financial futures are high inflation, followed by high taxes and doubts that Social Security will provide adequate support in retirement.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Americans Want Retirement Redefined
TL/DR: Mark Turner, a retired financial professional and founder of GoldIRAGuide.com, said, "I've literally had people call our office in tears saying, 'I don't care if I die tomorrow, I just don't want to die broke.'"
What happens now? Tom Buckingham, chief growth officer at Nassau Financial Group and retirement planner, told Newsweek, "Families simply spend more today than they did decades ago, and that can be challenging when there will be fewer predictable sources of income in retirement."
Deeper reading Americans Fear Going Broke More Than Death, Study Shows
Watching Papal Transitions Change With the Times
When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, the world watched along on laptops and early-era iPhones, following updates on a growing social media network then known as Twitter. Compared with the death of Pope John Paul II eight years earlier, in 2005, it marked a new era of digital engagement in papal history.
Twelve years after that, as the Catholic Church prepares to choose Francis' successor after his death at 88 this week, the traditional papal viewing, funeral and coming conclave are all being shaped by an even more sophisticated digital age—one where livestreams, AI-generated memes and TikTok content creators are defining how we experience one of the biggest stories of the year.
