The Bulletin
World in Brief
Welcome to the Bulletin,
- Deadly tornadoes hit Oklahoma: Videos shared on social media show the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma over the weekend, leaving at least four people dead and injuring roughly 100. Find out more.
- Abbott issues alligator warning: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has warned migrants crossing the southern border of alligators in the Rio Grande River. Learn what this warning could really mean.
- SNAP expands online food options: SNAP recipients will now be able to buy food online from two additional retailers, Thrive and DashMart, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) efforts to modernize the program. See its benefits.
- Trump struggles with women voters: Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are neck-and-neck in the polls, each seeking votes to win the White House. However, his unpopularity with women voters might hurt Trump's chances. Here's why.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia continues to suffer large losses of troops and equipment, including artillery systems and armored personnel vehicles (APVs), according to Kyiv's latest figures.
Biden Talks Ceasefire Deal With Netanyahu Days After Signing Aid Package
President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, where the leaders discussed the terms of a possible ceasefire deal that would include the release of hostages held captive by Hamas, according to a statement from the White House.
Why it matters: The White House said Biden "reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel's security", highlighting the successful defense against Iran's missile and drone attack earlier this month. While remaining steadfast in his support for Israel, Biden and other top U.S. officials have been increasingly critical of Israel's military offensive in the besieged territory. Sunday's call comes days after Biden signed an aid bill authorizing $26 billion in military aid to Israel, which includes humanitarian relief for people in besieged Gaza. College campuses across the U.S. have seen waves of pro-Palestinian demonstrations since Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza started.
Read more in-depth coverage:
US Issues Stark Warning to Israel Over 'Reckless' Plan
Full List of Colleges Where Students Voted To Cut Ties With Israel
Here's What Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine Are Getting Under the Aid Package
TL/DR: President Joe Biden's talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes as Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken leaves for the Middle East.
What happens now? U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel from April 29 to May 1. The President and the Prime Minister also discussed increasing the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week.
Deeper reading Biden Talks Ceasefire Deal With Netanyahu Days After Signing Aid Package
Trump Demands Gag Order Immediately Be Lifted
Donald Trump has called for the gag order imposed in his hush money trial to be lifted as the high-profile case continues.
Why it matters: Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on former President Trump in March, barring him from making public comments about prosecutors, witnesses, jurors, or their families in the hush-money case related to alleged payments to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. This month, the gag order was expanded to include comments about Merchan's family and District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges, is accused of falsifying business records.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Donald Trump Gag Order Violations Could Require Prison Time: Attorney
Donald Trump Tests Limits of Gag Order Once Again
Donald Trump Attacks Judge Hours Before Gag Order Hearing
TL/DR: Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, the presumptive Republican nominee for the presidential election called the order "unprecedented and constitutional."
What happens now? There is no court today for his hush-money case. The trial will resume tomorrow. Trump is expected to be in court later this week for another hearing for allegedly violating the gag order.
Deeper reading Donald Trump Demands Gag Order Immediately Be Lifted
Japan's Leader Fumio Kishida on Countering Threat of China and North Korea
More than a dozen times, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida uses the word "peace" as he discusses his country's momentous decision to undertake its largest buildup of military capabilities since World War II during an exclusive interview with Newsweek at his office in Tokyo.
Why it matters: Japanese Prime Minister Kishida described the current global security environment as the most complex since World War II. Japan faces a challenging international order, with threats from China and North Korea's military advances and tensions with Russia. Kishida emphasized the need for Japan's defense forces to play a bigger role in regional security while urging a unified international response to growing threats.
Read more in-depth coverage:
'Most Complex Security Environment Since WWII,' Says Japanese PM
Russian Military Planes Intercepted in Sea of Japan
North Korea Activates 'Nuclear Trigger' System in Counterattack Drill
TL/DR: In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, the Prime Minister of Japan talks about the growing geopolitical tensions in East Asia.
What happens now? Kishida voices confidence in Japan's path under his leadership but also warns that the daunting social, economic, diplomatic, and military challenges it faces cannot be underestimated.
Deeper reading Japan's Leader Fumio Kishida on Countering Threat of China and North Korea
Poland Issues Grim Prediction for Russia if It Attacks
Poland has issued a grim prediction for Russia should President Vladimir Putin attack the NATO member state.
Why it matters: In an interview with German newspaper Bild published on Sunday, Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Poland "wouldn't be surprised at all" if Russia attacks, but it will ultimately lose because it is much weaker than the West. Russian officials have repeatedly suggested that Russia might attack NATO members in retaliation for their support to Ukraine, while Poland's military reports that Russian missiles have crossed into its airspace during the war. Sikorski stressed the importance of Ukraine winning the ongoing war.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Russia Puts Trophied NATO Vehicles From Ukraine on Display
Ukraine Decoy Missiles Spark Crimea Attack Fears
Putin Ally Draws Red Line for 'Legitimate Targets' in NATO Country
TL/DR: "Russia has attacked Poland many times in the 500 years of our history," Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said. "But in this scenario, Russia will lose because we, the West, are far more powerful than Russia."
What happens now? While Russian President Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed the idea of attacking NATO, Sikorski said Russia could become aggressive in four or five years.
Deeper reading Poland Issues Grim Prediction for Russia if It Attacks
America's Retirement Dream is Dying
The dream of retiring after 60 is slowly dying among Americans, with one in four workers aged 50 and above who haven't yet left the workforce believing they'll never retire, according to a recent survey.
Why it matters: The latest American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Financial Security Trend Survey conducted in January 2024 reveals that older Americans face growing financial insecurity, with 25 percent having no retirement savings due to high housing costs and everyday expenses. About 37 percent worry about affording basic living costs. The survey involved over 8,000 participants, and it was found that the number of Americans aged 50 and older who didn't think they'd ever retire was more or less unchanged compared to January 2022 and July 2022, when it was 23 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Social Security Benefits Could Be Changed for Thousands of Children
Social Security Cuts Backed for Some Americans
TL/DR: Only about one in four Americans aged 50 and older believe they'll ever be able to retire, according to a recent survey.
What happens now? Despite inflation easing, the higher cost of living, the unaffordability of the housing market and the struggles faced by older Americans are likely to be crucial issues in the months leading up to the November election.
Deeper reading America's Retirement Dream is Dying
What Hollywood Will Look Like in 10 Years
It's been a tough few years for Hollywood. Once a sure money maker, COVID-19, strikes and the rise of AI have battered the industry in ways no one could have foreseen, so how will it look in 2034?
Entertainment stalwarts such as Disney, Paramount and Warner Brothers reported losses in 2023. Many blockbusters flopped, and movie theaters failed to regain their pre-pandemic profitability.
Studios are attempting to get back on track following a tumultuous year, but production activity is still down, while Wall Street's faith in the industry remains shaken. It's clear that Hollywood is undergoing a shift right now, but how will that affect it over the next ten years? Newsweek asked the experts. For more entertainment, subscribe to For the Culture newsletter.
