The Bulletin
World in Brief
- Donald Trump: The former president has said he has decided on his running mate for the 2024 presidential election, and that they will "most likely" be at his first head-to-head debate against Joe Biden on Thursday.
- Lauren Boebert: The Colorado Republican congresswoman has a strong showing compared to her GOP rivals in a recent poll, but many Coloradans remain undecided going into Tuesday's primary election.
- Drinking water crisis: Several environmentalists and Democrats have expressed concern that a second Donald Trump presidency could lead to the rollback of Environmental Protection Agency policies targeting water pollution and dangerous levels of cancer-causing "forever chemicals."
- Child marriage: Gen Z is largely in favor of child marriage, breaking away from other generations' views on the controversial practice, recent polling data shows.
- Russia-Ukraine war: A new map has revealed all the Russian military bases that ATACMS missiles could strike if the United States gives Ukraine full permission for long-range attacks.
- Saudi Arabia: The Middle Eastern nation's bold bet on becoming a world-class player in the field of international sports has won the kingdom unprecedented global attention, emerging as a key component in its social and economic transformation.
How US Nuclear Arsenal Looks as Washington Increases Spending
The rundown: As nuclear fears deepen with the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia's references to the possible use of nuclear weapons in the conflict, the U.S., like many other nuclear-armed states, is reevaluating its arsenal. Here are the nine countries that currently possess nuclear weapons.
Why it matters: The U.S. increased its nuclear spending by nearly 18 percent, or $51.5 billion, in 2023, the largest among nuclear states. China and Russia follow, spending $11.9 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively. The chart shows how the world's nuclear weapons stockpiles compare, with the U.S. and Russia together holding nearly 90 percent of the global total. Meanwhile, growing arsenals in China and North Korea have prompted nuclear warnings.
Read more in-depth coverage:
US To Announce Bold New Nuclear Strategy
TL/DR: SIPRI said an estimated total of 12,121 nuclear warheads existed across the world as of January, and around 9,585 of these warheads, which are in military stockpiles, could be used.
What happens now? The U.S. is modernizing its nuclear triad and faces strategic concerns from China's growing arsenal, while ongoing NATO discussions influence nuclear deterrent strategies.
Deeper reading How US Nuclear Arsenal Looks as Washington Increases Spending
Judge Dissenting Over Steve Bannon Prison Sentence Gives MAGA Hope
The rundown: A federal appeals court has rejected Steve Bannon's request to stay out of prison while he fights his contempt of Congress conviction. However, a Trump appointee, dissenting judge Justin Walker said he should be allowed to take his case to the Supreme Court. Here's what this could mean.
Why it matters: Bannon, a close ally of Donald Trump and host of the WarRoom podcast, faces imprisonment for contempt of Congress charges related to his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack. Despite Bannon's intent to appeal to the Supreme Court, the appellate court found his arguments insufficient, citing concerns over obstructing congressional investigations. Here's a glimpse into what his impending prison term might entail.
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Steve Bannon's Legal Hail Mary Shot Down
TL/DR: Joey Jackson, a former New York state prosecutor and a legal analyst, said that Bannon's current appeal will likely be rejected by the nation's highest court.
What happens now? Only 11 days remain for the Supreme Court to intervene and keep Bannon from starting his prison sentence. If no action is taken, he must surrender July 1.
Deeper reading Judge Dissenting Over Steve Bannon Prison Sentence Gives MAGA Hope
Alvin Bragg's Legal Move Raises Republican Eyebrows
The rundown: Outrage is erupting over Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's decision to drop charges against dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters who barricaded themselves inside a building at Columbia University in April. Here's why he decided to drop the charges.
Why it matters: Bragg, best known for his recent successful criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump, initially charged 46 protesters with misdemeanor trespass after an April 30 police raid on Columbia's then-occupied Hamilton Hall, however, on Thursday, it was announced that charges against 32 of the protesters—30 students and two Columbia staffers—would be dropped. Reactions on social media, mainly from Trump supporters and conservatives, focused on political implications, while some Jewish activists feared it might encourage similar protests.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Alvin Bragg Hit With New Legal Complain
TL/DR: Doug Cohen, the spokesperson for Bragg's office, told Newsweek on Thursday night that Bragg was "continuing to pursue cases" stemming from Columbia and City College of New York protests.
What happens now? Charges against another 13 defendants remained active after they refused to accept a deal that would have seen the charges dropped if they were not arrested for any other reason during six months. Michael Nussbaum of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York denounced the decision as "turnstile justice," telling The New York Post that it amounted to "a green light for chaos" and "a green light for destroying property."
Deeper reading Alvin Bragg's Legal Move Raises Republican Eyebrows
Russia's Suspected Spy Ship Fleet in North Sea Raises Cold War Era Fears
The rundown: Russia's fleet of suspected spy ships operating in the North Sea has grown to nearly 200 civilian vessels, an investigation has found. Here are the findings of the investigation.
Why it matters: Russian ships have been linked to spying on infrastructure in the North Sea since 2014. A previous investigation by Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian public broadcasters found that at least 50 Russian ships, supposedly civilian and fishing vessels, had loitered near power plants, oil and gas fields, and military training areas, and did so during NATO training drills. Sweden's Navy Chief Ewa Skoog Haslum also raised concerns about Russian vessels operating in the Baltic Sea in April.
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US Ally Captures Chinese and Russian Ship Positions
TL/DR: The vessels are suspected of having engaged in nearly 1,000 incidents of espionage in the North Sea, and they are mostly docked in Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, the report found.
What happens now? Agentstvo, an independent Russian investigative site, said on Friday, commenting on the latest findings, "Russia could use about 200 civilian vessels for espionage in the North Sea. This has not happened since the Cold War.”
Deeper reading Russia's Suspected Spy Ship Fleet in North Sea Raises Cold War Era Fears
Florida's Insurance Market is About to be Upended
The rundown: The rules around selling policies for Florida's state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., are about to change as a bill was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month. Find out how this could impact homeowners and insurers alike.
Why it matters: The law comes when Florida homeowners are struggling with skyrocketing premiums and limited policy offers as a crisis in the sector is unfolding in the state. Many factors, like excessive litigation, fraud, etc., have contributed to the rise in insurance costs and an exodus of private insurers in the state in the past few years. Find out how climate change-related weather disruptions have been blamed for higher insurance expenses. Citizens is now estimated to have more than 1.171 million policies—around 18 percent of Florida's insurance market.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Florida Insurance Company Sets Stage for Another Rate Hike
TL/DR: In late January 2020, the state-backed insurers had 443,229 policies in force. At its peak last year, it held 1.412 million policies.
What happens now? The bill takes effect on July 1. The growth of Citizens has raised concerns over the potential insolvency of the company should it be hit by an explosion of claims after a particularly disastrous extreme weather event in Florida. In that case, all Floridians will have to pay for it.
Deeper reading Florida's Insurance Market is About to be Upended
Paula Deen Is Still Thriving Years After Scandal
It's been 11 years since the Food Network cut its ties with Paula Deen after she apologized for using racist language, but now her career is thriving again.
Deen was once a staple of the network, joining in 1999 and going on to be the face of a variety of cooking shows, including Paula's Home Cooking and Paula's Best Dishes. Viewers loved her for her Southern hospitality, and she has often been credited for popularizing the cuisine of the American South.
However, on June 21, 2013, the Food Network announced it hadn't renewed the TV chef's contract after she admitted that she had used racial slurs in the past. That month, Deen was sued by a former employee for racial and sexual discrimination. While Judge William Moore threw out the suit's race-discrimination claims, he let the claims of sexual discrimination stand. Want more stories like this? Subscribe to our For the Culture newsletter.
