The Bulletin

• Trump launches first self-deportation program: President Donald Trump is urging illegal immigrants to jump before they are pushed out of the U.S. after a signing an executive order "to launch the first-ever self-deportation program" on Friday.

• El Salvador deportation case: U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has this week made two orders in a case determining whether people deported to El Salvador should be returned, and whether the U.S. even has the power to return them. More about the orders here.

• Pentagon's new sweeping order: The Pentagon has issued its most sweeping directive yet in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's ongoing campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion content from the U.S. military. Find out more.

• Why was librarian of Congress fired? The White House has revealed why the administration fired the first female congressional librarian, Dr. Carla Hayden. Find out the reason here.

• Trump's Greenland bid: The U.S. will look at offering Greenland a special status that can loop the island into the U.S. sphere of influence, similar to deals in place with several Pacific Island nations. Here's everything we know.

• Newark Mayor reacts after arrest at ICE facility: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka reacted Friday after being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Jersey. Read his comments.

The rundown: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV's significance as leader of the Catholic Church is beyond dispute, but the papacy's role has historically extended far beyond the altar and pews. Find out how it has shaped America.

Why it matters: For more than a century, the papacy has shaped American affairs—through spiritual and cultural guidance—but also by quietly influencing major geopolitical shifts and cultural developments. From Cold War diplomacy to modern discussions on climate change and human rights, various popes have engaged with U.S. leaders behind the scenes, acting as mediators, moral voices and, at times, catalysts for historic change. Perhaps the most famous example of a pope's role in global affairs is Pope John Paul II's association with the fall of communism. A more recent example is Pope Francis' involvement in thawing relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Pope Leo XIV in His Own Words: Immigration, Euthanasia, Abortion and More

TL/DR: Some historians have suggested that the medieval papacy pioneered the concept of ambassadors, said Ben Wiedemann, lecturer at Cambridge University who specializes in the political role of the medieval papacy.

What happens now? The pope also has a more direct role on everyday Americans, in the sense that he is the head of a church followed by 20 percent of the country. Some 53 million U.S. adults are Catholic, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2024.

Deeper reading The Pope's Behind-the-Scenes Role in America

The rundown: Escalating hostilities between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan—a close strategic ally of Beijing—may be serving as a testing ground for Chinese defense technology. Catch the latest on the conflict.

Why it matters: Pakistan claimed it shot down five Indian planes: three French-made Rafale fighters, a Russian-designed MiG-29, and a Russian Su-30. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said J-10C jets were used in the operation. If confirmed, it would mark the first time plane in the 27-year-old J-10 family has seen combat—and the first time the capable Rafale has been shot down in battle. Pakistan, "which Beijing has dubbed an "all-weather" ally is the only country other than China to operate the J-10. India has denied losing aircraft. The Indian Embassy in China called the claims "disinformation." India also said it had struck Pakistani air defense systems during the operation. Indian media reported that Pakistan's HQ-9P and HQ-16 surface-to-air missile platforms—supplied by China—were destroyed during strikes near Lahore.

Read more in-depth coverage:
India Fires New Rounds of Ballistic Missiles, Pakistan Says

TL/DR: The dogfight includes the first "kill" ever by the Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter, a Chinese-built jet Pakistan said shot down Indian air force fighters Wednesday.

What happens now? The tit-for-tat conflict marks the most serious clash between the South Asian rivals since 1999, and it's unclear how much further it could escalate. The U.S. and other countries have issued calls for restraint and encouraged both sides to de-escalate through diplomacy.

Deeper reading India-Pakistan War: Chinese Weapons Get Combat Test

The rundown: A United States district judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday halting key aspects of the Trump administration's extensive efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Know more about the order.

Why it matters: Northern California District Judge Susan Illston sided with a group of unions, nonprofits, and local governments and blocked large-scale mass layoffs known as "reductions in force" for 14 days, Reuters reported. The two-week pause in the Trump administration's mass layoff plans bars two-dozen agencies from moving forward with the largest phase of the president's downsizing efforts, which the judge said was illegal without Congress's authorization. Thousands of federal workers have been fired as part of Trump's efforts to shrink what he called a "bloated" federal government. The administration has faced a flurry of lawsuits, including several from unions representing recently terminated employees.

Read more in-depth coverage:
List of Companies Laying Off Employees in May

TL/DR: The restraining order affects various departments, including Agriculture, Energy, Labor, and the Social Security Administration, among others.

What happens now? Illston has scheduled a hearing for May 22 to consider a longer-lasting preliminary injunction, Reuters reported.

Deeper reading Donald Trump Suffers Legal Blow Over Mass Layoff Plans

The rundown: Russia could launch a significant attack on Ukraine during the period of a ceasefire unilaterally declared by Vladimir Putin, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has said. Here's everything we know.

Why it matters: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said it had "received information concerning a potentially significant air attack that may occur at any time over the next several days." Ukraine rejected Putin's call for a ceasefire between May 8 and May 11 in honor of Friday's Victory Day celebrations in Red Square, Moscow, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The warning by the U.S. embassy for civilians to take cover signals that, as Kyiv had previously said, Putin's call for a three-day ceasefire during the parade was not sincere. It also adds another obstacle to U.S. calls for a 30-day ceasefire.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Europe Prepares New Blow to Putin's Shadow Fleet

TL/DR: Ukraine has reported that Russia continued to launch deadly attacks against civilians, and combat operations on the front lines are ongoing.

What happens now? U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which Kyiv first agreed to in March, but Moscow has refused. However, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has teased an agreement over the terms for such a ceasefire as Kyiv's allies meet in the Ukrainian capital this weekend.

Deeper reading US Warns of Major Russian Assault Amid Putin's Victory Day Truce

The rundown: The Texas housing market is undergoing a substantial correction, driven by a combination of oversupply, declining demand and persistent affordability issues.

Why it matters: Texas experienced a significant migration boom during the pandemic. In 2022, net domestic migration brought 222,100 new residents to the state. However, by 2024, that number fell to 85,200, a 62 percent decline, according to Nick Gerli, a real estate analyst and the CEO of Reventure App. Additionally, Texas led the nation in homebuilding, issuing 15 percent of the country's new-home permits in 2024. But as population growth slowed and high mortgage rates locked out potential buyers, the increased supply outpaced demand, resulting in downward pressure on prices in major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Texas Could Ban Certain Foreigners From Buying Land. Here's Who

TL/DR: Although lower prices could eventually benefit local buyers, the road to a more balanced market remains uncertain.

What happens now? Gerli predicts that Texas home prices could drop an additional 4 percent statewide over the next year. However, affordability challenges are expected to persist throughout 2025.

Deeper reading Texas Faces Major Housing Market Correction as Prices Drop Across State