Welcome to the Bulletin,

• Willis, McAfee win elections: Fani Willis on Tuesday secured her Democratic primary win in Georgia for Fulton County District Attorney, while Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court clinched re-election, securing another four-year term on the bench.
• Iowa tornado: A devastating tornado ripped through Iowa on Tuesday, causing several reported deaths and leaving a trail of damage. Watch the videos of the tornado ripping through the countryside.
• Cannon slammed after new evidence: Judge Aileen Cannon has received further criticism for delaying Donald Trump's classified documents trial following the release of new evidence about the case. Learn more.
• James celebrates abortion care win: New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated a court ruling on Tuesday that allows the state to continue requiring companies to cover medically necessary abortions as part of their health insurance plans. Find out more.
• In the ongoing war in Ukraine, the French-led push for deeper NATO involvement inside Ukrainian borders is making headway with European allies, a spokesperson for President Emmanuel Macron's political party said.

Exclusive: Pentagon's Russian Oil Red Line Questioned

TL/DR: The drone strikes have already disrupted at least 14 percent of Russian oil refinery capacity, the Pentagon's intelligence agency said this month.

The Pentagon's red line on Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure is under scrutiny after an investigation found that some targeted oil refineries have supplied President Vladimir Putin's military with fuel in the ongoing war.

Why it matters: Kyiv began its drone campaign targeting Russian refineries in early January, nearly two years into the war, obstructing gasoline production in Russia and cutting Moscow's export revenues, which are at the heart of the country's war economy. At least 13 successful attacks have been carried out on Russian oil refineries during the conflict so far, targeting some of the largest in the country and facilities deep inside Russian territory, according to Ukraine. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged the Pentagon to authorize the use of U.S.-provided weapons to strike "strategic targets" within Russian territory "under certain circumstances, but the U.S. remains opposed to strikes.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Ukraine's Drones Attack Russia's Only Large Black Sea Oil Refinery

What happens now? Gas prices are typically a sensitive topic during presidential election campaigns. The Biden administration may face pressure to change its stance on striking Russian refineries.

US Allies Recognize 'Palestine as a State'

TL/DR: In April, the United States effectively prevented the United Nations from recognizing a Palestinian state by vetoing Palestinians' full membership.

Ireland, Spain, and Norway have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state next week. Norway, a close ally of the U.S., has repeatedly attempted to mediate peace between Israel and the Palestinians in recent decades.

Why it matters: In April, the United States effectively prevented the United Nations from recognizing a Palestinian state by vetoing Palestinians' full membership. The recognition comes as the mounting death toll in Gaza from Israel's seven-month war has prompted global calls for a ceasefire and lasting solution for peace. Leaders of the countries said that a two-state solution is essential for peace in the region.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Full List of Countries Who Voted to Give Palestine New UN Power

What happens now? European Union members Slovenia and Malta have also indicated in recent weeks that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region, according to Reuters.

Biden Suffers Huge 'Uncommitted' Vote Against Him in Kentucky

TL/DR: The "uncommitted" vote in the Democratic primary season has previously been considered a protest against Biden's handling of Israel's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

President Joe Biden suffered a loss of a significant number of votes in the Kentucky Democratic primary, including tens of thousands who opted for "uncommitted," which has previously been considered a protest against his handling of Israel's war against Hamas.

Why it matters: Biden, who clinched the Democratic presidential nomination without any real challenge in March, won the primary in Kentucky on Tuesday night with 71.3 percent of the vote, amounting to more than 131,000 votes. However, nearly 33,000 voters (17.9 percent) in the Bluegrass State backed "uncommitted" over the president, and nearly 20,000 voters opted for the long-shot Democratic presidential hopefuls Marianne Williamson (6.1 percent) and Dean Phillips (4.8 percent).

Read more in-depth coverage:

Joe Biden's 'Uncommitted' Problem Is Getting Worse

What happens now? The Democratic Idaho caucus will take place on May 23. The Democratic National Convention, where Biden will be confirmed as the party's presidential candidate, will be held in August.

Republican Will Vote Against His Own Border Bill

TL/DR: Migration into the United States soared at the beginning of the year, and several politicians have described the immigration issue across the country's southern border with Mexico as a "crisis."

Oklahoma Senator James Lankford said he plans to vote against a bipartisan border bill he helped create earlier this year.

Why it matters: Senate Democrats, led by Majority leader Chuck Schumer of New York, aim to force a vote on Thursday on the border package that GOP lawmakers blocked in February. Lankford, a Republican who was one of three architects behind the legislation of the $118 billion border deal that was released to lawmakers in early February. He criticized the bill on Tuesday, saying it "is no longer a bill, now it's a prop." Despite the bill's provisions, it failed to gain enough support.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Republicans Will Regret Turning Down Border Bill: Ex-Bush Official

What happens now? Schumer said Biden was a driving force behind bringing the border bill to the Senate floor on Thursday. Republicans have pressed the administration of President Joe Biden to address it before the general election in November. Trump has made immigration policy one of his key reelection hot buttons.

Hurricane Season 2024 Predictions

TL/DR: "This year is pretty cut and dry, and we have a concerning problem on our hands," a hurricane expert told Newsweek.

Hurricane season is set to bring multiple intense storms that people need to be more prepared for than usual as this year "stands on its own," a hurricane expert has said.

Why it matters: The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Weather and Climate Research Team has already released its forecast, predicting 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes—storms of category three or higher intensity. Team member Alex DesRosiers told Newsweek their prediction of an "extremely active hurricane season" is "not something they do lightly," with sea surface temperatures in some Atlantic regions being "record high." Elsewhere, the University of Pennsylvania forecast, led by Michael E. Mann in the Earth and Environmental Science department, has predicted 33 named storms.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Warning as US May Face 'More Destructive' Hurricanes

What happens now? The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will reveal its predictions on Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT in Washington, D.C. This year, the U.S. is expecting to transition to a La Niña—where temperatures drop—which is more favorable for Atlantic storms. However, DesRosiers warned people, saying "now is the time to put a plan in place."

I Left America to Teach in Saudi Arabia After 9/11

"Are you crazy?"

I heard this from my friends and family in 2005 when I told them I had signed a contract to teach English at a university in Saudi Arabia.

Their alarm was understandable: Saudi Arabia was the birthplace of Osama bin Laden and 15 of the nineteen 9/11 al-Qaeda terrorists.