The Bulletin

• Transgender women athletes: President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will prohibit transgender women from competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but it makes no mention of transgender men. Here's more.

• Russia's North Korean missiles: North Korean short-range ballistic missiles are getting more accurate after more than a year of direct combat use by Russia against Ukraine, according to a new report.

• California's wildfire insurance crisis: Proposition 103, passed in 1988, protects residents from insurance company abuses by requiring state approval for rate hikes. It also prevented insurers from using forward-looking risk estimates when setting rates. Find out how this has contributed to the current insurance crisis, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.

• Trump migrant deportation numbers: The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that in the first two weeks of President Donald Trump's second term, nearly 5,700 illegal immigrants had been deported. See how this compares to the deportation rates under Biden and Obama.

• China's wartime command site: Timelapse images show China's rapid construction of a military complex that U.S. officials say is on track to be at least 10 times the size of the Pentagon. See the images.

• Mitch McConnell falls down Senate stairs: Republican Senator Mitch McConnell fell down the stairs in the Senate on Wednesday, multiple media outlets reported. Here's what we know.

The rundown: Lawyers for the Department of Justice have agreed to restrict Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from having access to sensitive Treasury Department payment system information. Here's what happens next.

Why it matters: Concerns were raised, including among Democratic lawmakers, over DOGE's potentially unrestricted access to the federal government's payment and collections system. Lawyers for the DOJ submitted court filings on Wednesday evening largely agreeing to prevent DOGE workers from having access to sensitive Treasury payment system information. The agreement allows only two Treasury Department employees affiliated with DOGE—Tom Krause and Marko Elez—to have "read-only" access to the system that controls trillions of dollars in federal payments, as well as the personal details of federal employees.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Elon Musk's DOGE Getting Access to Treasury Payment Data Alarms Critics

TL/DR: The move was in response to a lawsuit filed by two unions and an advocacy group on Monday against the Treasury Department.

What happens now? The DOJ's order still needs to be approved by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is overseeing the case. The agreement will stay in place until February 24, when both parties will argue in court about a longer-term injunction, ABC News reported.

Deeper reading DOGE Access to Treasury Records Restricted by Justice Department

The rundown: President Trump's threats of federal freezes have left scientists panicking, as they face funding cuts for critical research in areas ranging from PTSD, opioid use, cancer, infectious disease and more. Two PhD researchers shared their concerns with Newsweek.

Why it matters: Abbey Green, researching the impact of HIV and opioid use on the brain and Jiana Cressy, researching how trauma affects social behaviour at the University of California San Diego discussed how National Institutes of Health funding cuts and the sudden loss of research grants have left the scientific community reeling. The grant that Green said is not currently available is known as an F-31 Diversity Grant to fund their PhD studies. Cressy explained that while people may assume a "diversity" grant only goes to minorities, it is also available to veterans and first-generation students of all backgrounds.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Warning Over Donald Trump's 'Catastrophic' Plans To Cut School Funds

TL/DR: Cressy explained that while people may assume a "diversity" grant only goes to minorities, it is also available to veterans and first-generation students of all backgrounds.

What happens now? Green and Cressy explained that the process to obtain a grant can take months if not a year, so even a brief 'pause' in the grant system can have a ripple effect over research funding for a long time. Meanwhile, the president has rescinded his total federal funding freeze for now; however, there is still a lot of confusion over whether programs will be frozen in the next four years, and whether there will be enough individual grants to go around for researchers.

Deeper reading Trump Leaves Scientists 'Panicking' as They Face Research Funding Cuts

The rundown: Texas' affordable housing has fueled the state's massive population growth over recent years, according to a new report by Realtor.com shared with Newsweek, and it will continue attracting newcomers as inventory in the state surges. Here's how it is shaping the future of the state.

Why it matters: According to the Realtor.com report, more than one in four homebuyers looking to purchase a property in Texas are coming from outside the state. A majority of those looking to relocate to the Lone Star State are from outside the country or from California—one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. Housing, jobs, and climate are the most common reasons people move to Texas from other states, Realtor.com found. As of December 2024, the latest data made available by Realtor.com, the median listing price in Texas was $360,000, roughly $40,000 below the national median.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Texas Housing Market 'In the Crosshairs' as Inventory Skyrockets

TL/DR: "The state has grown rapidly in the last several years as people from across the country and across the world have seen what Texas has to offer," said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

What happens now? While homes for sale in Texas are cheaper than in most of the country, and inventory is likely to improve affordability, buying a home remains a near-impossible dream for many in the state. "Though Texas offers considerable inventory in lower price tiers, the price distribution of for-sale homes does not match well to the state's income distribution," Realtor.com wrote.

Deeper reading Texas is Booming—Here's Why

The rundown: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that he has directed the military to develop plans for the mass departure of Palestinians from Gaza, in with former President Donald Trump's proposal for the war-torn region. Here's what it means for the region.

Why it matters: Katz stated that the plan for "any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them," will outline options for exit through land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departures by sea and air. He said he welcomed Trump's "bold plan, which could allow a large population in Gaza to leave for various places in the world," according to The Associated Press. He did not clarify whether Palestinians would be allowed to return to Gaza in the future, a territory left largely uninhabitable by Israel's 15-month military campaign against Hamas.

Read more in-depth coverage:
White House Says Trump 'Not Committed' to Sending US Troops to Gaza

TL/DR: On Tuesday, Trump proposed that the U.S. "take over" the Gaza Strip and "own it," during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, D.C.

What happens now? Katz said Thursday that Spain, Ireland and Norway "which have falsely accused Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory. Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse."

Deeper reading Israel Orders IDF Plan for Palestinians to Leave Gaza After Trump Proposal

The rundown: President Donald Trump is taking a page out of the playbook used by many of the tech titans who now support him, moving fast and breaking things—all to the delight of his supporters. Learn more.

Why it matters: Voters who cast ballots for Trump in November told Newsweek they are thrilled over the rapid speed and breadth of the president's action over his two-and-a-half weeks back in office. In just 16 days, he has signed 45 executive orders. Moves like dismantling USAID, slashing federal jobs and negotiating with foreign nations have reinforced his "America First" agenda. However, Trump's critics warn that his administration's "honeymoon phase" may not last, especially if economic results falter. His rhetoric, such as blaming a plane crash on diversity hiring, has sparked controversy.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Republicans Criticize Proposal Allowing Trump a 3rd Term: 'Embarrassing'

TL/DR: "He's damn near got a checklist and he just going down the line," Michaelah Montgomery, a Trump supporter and political activist from Atlanta, said in an interview.

What happens now? While his approval ratings have risen among Republicans, the broader political landscape remains polarised as the administration pushes forward.

Deeper reading Trump Is Moving Fast and Breaking Things. These Voters Can't Get Enough