The Bulletin
World in Brief
Welcome to the Bulletin,
- School shootings: In the 25 years since the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, the number of people killed with guns on school property has climbed to at least 493, with at least 138 of those people killed in active shooter incidents. David Riedman, the creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database, discusses the trends.
- Donald Trump: The former president's legal team has failed once again to halt his hush-money criminal trial and for the case to be moved outside of Manhattan.
- Max Azzarello: The man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse where Donald Trump's hush-money trial is taking place has died, police have said.
- 'New Axis of Evil': Joe Biden is juggling significant conflicts worldwide as he tries to fight off a fierce challenge from Donald Trump, all the while trying to keep the U.S. out of another major war.
- Letitia James: The New York Attorney General is urging New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron to void the $175 million bond that Donald Trump posted to appeal his New York civil lawsuit.
- Ukraine war: Kyiv's air force was on high alert for a week before launching its attack that took down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber overnight Friday, according to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
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Israel's Attack on Iran—Everything We Know
Israel has carried out a retaliatory military operation against Iran amid growing tensions in the Middle East that threaten to push the region into broader conflict. Iran used air defense batteries in several locations after reports of three explosions close to a military airbase near the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz, Tehran state media said early Friday.
Why it matters: U.S. officials have confirmed the strike, adding that President Joe Biden had been forewarned earlier on Thursday that the attack would come within the next 48 hours. Israel assured the U.S. that Iranian nuclear facilities near Isfahan would not be targeted, CNN reported. It comes after Iran's retaliatory strike over the weekend when Tehran launched some 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to the killing of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard commanders at an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Iran Issues Nuclear Warning to Israel
China Says Iran Can 'Handle the Situation Well' As Israel Mulls Response
Russia Calls on UN to Sanction Israel
TL/DR: A tit-for-tat conflict now threatens to spiral out of control in the Middle East as Iran decides how to respond to the latest attack.
What happens now? The U.S., European Union, and G7 group all subsequently announced plans to tighten sanctions on Iran in the hope that it would persuade Israel not to react militarily.
Deeper reading Israel's Attack on Iran—Everything We Know
Republicans Join Democrats on Foreign Aid Bills in 'Incredibly Rare' Move
Republicans and Democrats voted together to approve a rule to debate the $95.3 billion foreign aid package in what has been described as an "incredibly rare" move. The rule was passed by nine votes to three, with all the dissent coming from Republicans.
Why it matters: Congress has debated an aid package for Ukraine for months, which was approved by the Senate in March. While Democrats support it, some Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, oppose further aid. Greene and others criticized a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund government agencies, challenging Speaker Mike Johnson. The House will address aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and a TikTok ban, merging them into one measure. Seven amendments will also be discussed in the rule.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Ukraine Official Talks US Aid Package: 'We Have No Plan B'
US Supporting Ukraine for Own Benefit: Russia
MAGA Tears Into Mike Johnson: 'False Prophets'
TL/DR: The House Rules Committee approved a rule by nine votes to three on Thursday to move a $95.3 billion foreign aid package to the floor for a vote.
What happens now? Voting on the bills will be done on Friday, with a final passage vote expected on Saturday. If they pass, they will then be combined into one amendment before being sent to the Senate.
Deeper reading Republicans Join Democrats on Foreign Aid Bills in 'Incredibly Rare' Move
Trump's Jurors: Legal Analysts Discuss What Stands Out About Panel
After three days of trial, 12 New Yorkers have been selected to serve on the jury that will determine the outcome of Donald Trump's hush money case, and legal experts told Newsweek that there are several surprises in the panel selected to serve on the case.
Why it matters: Legal experts were surprised that two of the 12 jurors in a high-profile case are lawyers, as their presence might lead others to defer to their opinion, essentially reducing the jury to one voice, according to Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney. Additionally, Matthew Barhoma, a defense attorney, commented on the small jury pool given the case's notoriety. Out of nearly 200 potential jurors, 12 were chosen, including seven men, raising concerns about the lack of female perspectives possibly affecting the trial's outcome — "potentially tilting favor toward the former president," Barhoma said.
Read more in-depth coverage:
12 Jurors Selected for Donald Trump Trial: Everything We Know
Trump's Complaining More Than Campaigning in Court: Ex-Aide
Donald Trump Gets Bad Legal News From D.C. While in New York Court
TL/DR: Twelve Manhattan residents have been sworn in to serve on the jury determining Trump's hush money case.
What happens now? The final five alternates will be selected today. A hearing will also likely happen regarding what prosecutors can discuss about Trump's legal history. Opening arguments are set to start on Monday. The trial is expected to last six weeks.
Deeper reading Trump's Jurors: Legal Analysts Discuss What Stands Out About Panel
Russia's Zircon Hypersonic Missile Could Hit Kyiv in Minutes
Ukraine has said that Russia has stockpiled Zircon cruise missiles in Crimea, which it could use to target Kyiv within a matter of minutes.
Why it matters: Russia first tested the 3M22 Zircon in January 2020, as part of Putin's "super weapons" arsenal he has boasted about, claiming to reach Mach 9 with an unconfirmed 660-mile range. Nataliya Gumenyuk, the spokeswoman for Ukraine's southern military command, claimed in March that Russia has "several dozen" of these missiles stockpiled in Crimea, leaving a threat of "sporadic terror attacks" including "targeting the capital."
Read more in-depth coverage:
War Maps Reveal How Russia Could Attack NATO
Ukraine May Have Just Crossed Putin's Nuclear Red Line
Satellite Photo Shows Russian Black Sea Fleet Upgrades
TL/DR: Ukraine's southern military command said Russia has several dozen such missiles stockpiled at military hubs like Crimea.
What happens now? However, Andrii Kulchytskyi, head of the Scientific Research Institute, told Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne that the Zircon missile "is far from ready for combat" and claimed Kyiv could intercept it as it "fly in the wrong direction" and “cannot be compared to the warheads of such missiles as (Khinzhal) Kh-101 and Kh-22."
Deeper reading Russia's Zircon Hypersonic Missile Could Hit Kyiv in Minutes
China Building New Outpost on U.S. Doorstep, Leaked Documents Reveal
On a Caribbean Island just 220 miles from the shore of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a black-clad Chinese security guard swept an arm at more than a thousand acres of woodland and a glittering, aqua-green marine reserve beyond. The island of Antigua, where officials will study Xi Jinping's thoughts, is about to be razed for a Chinese-run special economic zone.
Why it matters: According to documents reviewed by Newsweek, it will have its own customs and immigration formalities, a shipping port, and a dedicated airline and will be able to issue passports. It will establish businesses offering everything from logistics to cryptocurrencies and facial surgery to "virology." China's rapid expansion in Antigua, Barbuda, and other Caribbean nations poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests, potentially akin to the Soviet Union's presence in Cuba. The U.S. military is wary, fearing China could leverage commercial ties for military purposes. Chinese investments in critical infrastructure raise concerns, shifting Antigua from America's "backyard" to China's "front yard."
Read more in-depth coverage:
Beijing Warns US After Missile Launcher Reaches 'China's Doorstep'
China's Warplanes Face Threat From Neighbor's New Air Defense Missile
US Firepower Reaches 'Historic' New Location Amid China Tensions
TL/DR: Analysts say China's growing presence in the Caribbean is a particular challenge to America.
What happens now? Regional diplomats suspect the Chinese embassy in Antigua may function as an intelligence base. China aims to isolate Taiwan and expand its influence, while the U.S. plans to enhance its diplomatic presence in the Caribbean.
Deeper reading China Building New Outpost on U.S. Doorstep, Leaked Documents Reveal
How 'The Tortured Poets Department' Will Boost Taylor Swift's Net Worth
Taylor Swift is already having a record-breaking year and now her new album is set to boost her already impressive net worth.
In April, the singer landed on Forbes' billionaires list for the first time. The business media outlet wrote that the 14-time Grammy winner reached billionaire status in October 2023, due partly to an "estimated $190 million post-tax earnings from her historic Eras Tour."
The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), released April 19, is the pop superstar's 11th album and one of the most highly anticipated records of the year.
