The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Trump's approval rating: President Trump's approval rating is negative on almost every policy issue, a new poll has indicated.
- China fires warning at US treaty ally: China has fired a warning shot at the Philippines following a close naval encounter with the U.S. defense treaty ally earlier this week near a contested feature in the South China Sea. Learn more.
- Green cards could be revoked: The Justice Department told the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has the authority to reconsider and potentially revoke green card holders' lawful permanent residency at any time. Find out more.
- Qatar's gift to Trump is unsold plane: The Boeing 747-8 being offered to Trump by Qatar once served the Qatari royal family and has been sitting unsold for years. Here's what we know.
- How North and South Korea train special forces: The training enhanced what the U.S. military called "rapid infiltration capabilities" between American and South Korean special operations forces. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demanded that his army be prepared to fight and win a war at any time.
- Nationwide Walmart boycott: Another nationwide boycott of Walmart is set to commence next week. Here's what to expect.
- Musk's Cybertrucks used as police cars: President Trump was escorted by a fleet of police cars when he arrived in Qatar on Wednesday, May 14, which included one notable model: Tesla Cybertrucks outfitted for police usage. Know more.
China Makes Overtures to Allies in America's Backyard
The rundown: Chinese President Xi Jinping made overtures to Latin American and Caribbean countries this week in a bid to make inroads in the region. Read his full remarks.
Why it matters: Launched under Xi, the China–LAC Community is Beijing's vehicle for expanding trade, infrastructure, and political ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, extending China's reach into a region long seen as part of the United States' sphere of influence. "China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Independence and autonomy are our glorious tradition," Xi said in a speech in Beijing. Xi also highlighted key achievements under the initiative, including major projects tied to his trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure plan. Chief among them is the new megaport in Chancay, Peru—a joint development between China's state-owned COSCO Shipping Ports and Peru's Volcan Compañía Minera.
Read more in-depth coverage:
China's Space Projects on US Doorstep Have Military Worried
TL/DR: On Wednesday, during the 10th anniversary of the framework's official launch, Xi struck a contrast between China's focus on "win-win" cooperation and what he portrayed as Trump's administration's combative approach.
What happens now? Xi also unveiled five new cooperative programs for the region, including expanded infrastructure investment and a $9 billion line of credit to support future development.
Deeper reading China Makes Overtures to Allies in America's Backyard
DHS Exploring Reality TV Show Where Migrants Compete For Citizenship
The rundown: The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly reviewing a pitch for a reality TV show in which immigrants compete for the chance to fast-track their path to U.S. citizenship. Learn more.
Why it matters: DHS is reportedly collaborating with writer and producer Rob Worsoff to develop the show called The American, in which immigrants take part in a series of challenges across the country for a shot at U.S. citizenship, the Daily Mail reports. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin acknowledged the pitch's existence, the newspaper reported, adding "I think it's a good idea." Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is supporting the proposal, however the DHS said that was "completely false" and Noem is unaware of the pitch. According to the Daily Mail, which reviewed Worsoff's 35-page program proposal, the Canadian-born producer hopes to spark a nationwide dialogue on American identity by showcasing the perspectives of those who aspire to become citizens.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Green Card Holder Detained for Two Months Details 'Horrendous' Conditions
TL/DR: President Donald Trump's administration has shut down asylum as it looks to remove millions of migrants without legal status as part of a mass deportation policy.
What happens now? The concept still requires funding and a platform for distribution, such as a network or streaming service, before it can get greenlit.
Deeper reading DHS Exploring Reality TV Show Where Migrants Compete For Citizenship
Trump's Qatar Nexus: The Officials With Close Ties to the Middle East State
The rundown: At least six officials in Donald Trump's administration, including the president himself, have previously done business in or with Qatar. Find out which ones.
Why it matters: Qatar has been in the news amid criticism of Trump's intention to accept a $400 million plane as a gift from Qatar's royal family. The Boeing 747-8 will be retrofitted with state-of-the-art security and communications to serve as Air Force One. Critics have noted that Qatar has faced criticism for its human rights record. Others warned the gift amounts to foreign influence and may require congressional approval. Among those linked to Qatar: Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel, both of whom previously worked with Qatari interests. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also have financial or lobbying ties to the Gulf state.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Trump's Middle East Tour: Five Things We Learned
TL/DR: The president has business dealings with Qatar. In April, the Trump Organization - the holding company for Trump's hotels, golf courses and other businesses—announced a new deal to develop a luxury golf resort in the country.
What happens now? Trump visited Qatar Wednesday as part of his trip to the Middle East. There, he announced defense and aviation deals with the nation.
Deeper reading Trump's Qatar Nexus: The Officials With Close Ties to the Middle East State
Trump Gives Update on Putin Meeting
The rundown: U.S. President Donald Trump said he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin "as soon as we can set it up". Get more details.
Why it matters: Trump was speaking to reporters during his trip the UAE, the final stop on his multi-day tour of the Middle East. "I would actually leave here and go," Trump said of meeting Putin, but he said he wanted to meet his new grandson after his daughter, Tiffany Trump, gave birth while he was away. The president had said previously that nothing would happen on peace between Russia and Ukraine until he and Putin met. He made the remarks after Putin declined to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for face-to-face talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Instead, Putin sent a low-level delegation to the negotiations, due to begin on Friday, for the first set of direct Russia-Ukraine talks in more than three years.
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Donald Trump Ukraine Peace Plan Stonewalled by Putin
TL/DR: Trump had demanded the meeting to take place, but later said he did not think Putin would show up unless he was there too.
What happens now? The Ukrainians are calling for a full, immediate 30-day ceasefire as an initial step in the peace talks. Russia has so far rejected a full ceasefire, saying Ukraine could use it to regroup and rearm while it is on the back foot in the war, though Moscow says it seeks peace, too.
Deeper reading Trump Gives Update on Putin Meeting
America's Most Expensive Area Sees Surge in People Trying to Sell Homes
The rundown: Silicon Valley and the Bay Area have seen an explosion in the number of for-sale homes this spring, in what analysts think may be a telltale sign of brewing troubles in the tech sector. Find out more.
Why it matters: Last month, according to data from Realtor.com, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area had a total of 6,208 homes for sale listed on the market—the highest level since July 2022, when it reached 6,246. It was up 43 percent from a year earlier, marking the fourth month of consecutive growth after an increase of 21 percent reported in April, 27 percent in March, and 21 percent in February. This is not a positive comparison: back in summer of 2022, San Francisco and the Bay Area were experiencing an exodus of residents relocating to more affordable, more livable cities in California and out of state, and the City by the Bay was in the midst of a crisis.
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Housing Shortage Hurting Middle-Class Americans Most
TL/DR: The Bay Area, one of the most affluent and expensive major urban regions in the country, reported the highest level of inventory since before the pandemic in February, according to data from the California Association of Realtors.
What happens now? It is not yet clear whether inventory will remain this high in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley in the coming months.
Deeper reading America's Most Expensive Area Sees Surge in People Trying to Sell Homes
Keir Starmer Has Transformed Into Donald Trump
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken to employing anglicized forms of Trumpian rhetoric and emulating the president's stances on immigration in an apparent effort to stave off growing electoral threats from the country's truly MAGA-esque forces.
As Britain's broadsheets and tabloids have begun to notice, the prime minister has channeled Trump in increasingly frequent and obvious ways. Seemingly borrowing from the Trump playbook, he pledged to "cut the weeds of regulation" in a January op-ed for The Times, and more recently described his approach to the development of nuclear power stations in England and Wales as "build, baby, build," echoing Trump's promise to "drill, baby, drill."
