Welcome to the Bulletin,

•  Blinken criticizes Israel: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians."
• US destroys Houthi drones: The U.S. and its Red Sea allies took down five Houthi drones that posed an "imminent threat" over the weekend, according to statements released by U.S. Central Command. Find out more.
• Putin ousts long-serving defense minister: President Putin has replaced Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in a reshuffle that comes as he begins his fifth term in office. Find out more about Shoigu.
• Flood warning: Severe thunderstorms are expected to cause flash floods in six states today, including Texas and Florida, with several weather warnings in place. See other affected states.
• In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian forces are making "tactically significant gains" in areas of Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region where Kyiv likely has fewer defenses, according to a new assessment, after Moscow launched a push across the border on Friday.

Trump's Trial Entering 'Tricky Territory': Attorney

TL/DR: Michael Cohen previously pleaded guilty of lying to Congress in connection to a real estate deal the former president's company was pursuing in Russia during the 2016 campaign.

The hush-money trial involving Donald Trump is entering a crucial but complicated stage of proceedings, according to former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance.

Why it matters: The testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, has long been considered one of the potential key moments in the case, with Trump's ex-fixer expected to tell the jury about the money he paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep an alleged affair she had with Trump a secret ahead of the 2016 Election. The money was later listed in Trump's company records as Cohen's "legal fees." The trial's complexity arises from Cohen's prior convictions, and "the fact that Cohen was prosecuted, but not Trump, could be used to suggest that Trump did not violate the law in this regard," Vance said.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Michael Cohen Faces 'Grueling and Brutal' Cross-Examination: Lawyer

Michael Cohen Should Emulate Stormy Daniels on Witness Stand—Legal Analyst

Donald Trump Prosecutors 'Know They've Got a Problem'—Legal Analyst

What happens now? Cohen is set to take the stand today. Vance said that questions about Cohen's character will almost certainly be brought up during upcoming proceedings, with Trump's legal team set to try and paint the prosecution's key witness as unreliable, with a history of lying.

Migrant Says US Has 'No Obligation' to Help People Crossing Border

TL/DR: “The city of Denver has helped all the migrants a lot. I can tell you that from the bottom of my heart—for the United States,” said Nickdaly Salazar, a Venezuelan migrant living in the Denver area.

A Venezuelan migrant residing in the greater Denver area is working hard and praying that her arduous physical journey to the United States will bear the fruits of her labor, acknowledging that her newfound country has "no obligation" to help her or her family.

Why it matters: Denver, known as a sanctuary city in the same vein as New York City and Chicago, has experienced the largest per-capita surge of migrants since they began accepting and accommodating them in December 2022. Migrants told Newsweek that they all migrated here for a better, safer life. The city, like others, faces challenges in accommodating migrants due to federal inaction. However, despite challenges, these migrants express gratitude for the help received and hope for a better future.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Denver Migrants Send List of 13 Demands to Mayor

'Significant' Number of People Want to House Migrants

Lauren Boebert Slams Denver Over 'Ridiculous' New Migrant Initiative

What happens now? “The city can only do so much with the money it has,” Nickdaly Salazar, a Venezuelan migrant, said, “based on federal policies and the lack of an improved, comprehensive framework pushed forward by politicians in Washington, D.C.”

Russia Suffers Highest Daily Casualties of War So Far: Kyiv

TL/DR: Ukraine's tally of Russian losses often spikes during drawn-out or fierce battles for key settlements, such as fighting for the Donetsk cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine.

Russia lost 1,740 troops in a day, marking the highest number of daily Russian casualties since the start of the war more than two years ago, Ukraine's military said on Monday.

Why it matters: Moscow's troops have sustained around 484,030 casualties since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to statistics published by Kyiv's armed forces. In an update posted to social media, Ukraine's military also said Russian forces had lost more than 30 tanks and 42 armored vehicles in the previous 24 hours. The figures offer some indication of the scale of the war's impact, deep into its third year and as Russia launches a new offensive in northeastern Ukraine.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Russia Loses Over 8,000 Troops and Nearly 80 Tanks in a Week: Kyiv

Explosion Rips Through 10-Story Russian Apartment Building

Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Target Deep Behind Enemy Lines

What happens now? Moscow's casualties will likely increase over the next two months, the British government said earlier this month. Ukrainian officials have said Russian shelling is focused on the border city of Vovchansk and that around 6,000 Kharkiv region residents have been evacuated.

Social Security Payment of $4,873 to Go Out This Week

TL/DR: Payments in 2024 have been boosted thanks to the annual cost-of-living adjustment, otherwise known as COLA.

Millions of American retirees will be getting Social Security payments this week that could be worth up to $4,873.

Why it matters: The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays out benefits to retired Americans, individuals with disabilities and surviving family members of deceased claimants every month. Checks are paid out several times a month, with around 72 million people being paid by the government agency in April 2024. Retirement benefits are calculated on how much a person earned during their career and the age at which they stopped working, and they are paid according to when the claimant's birthday is. Unfortunately, not every recipient will receive the $4,873 maximum amount.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Social Security Update Could Expand Benefits to Millions

Millions of Americans Get $4,800 Social Security Check

Social Security Maps Reveal Areas With Longest Waiting Times

What happens now? Social Security recipients with birthdays that fall between the 11th and 20th of any given month will be paid their monthly amount directly by the SSA on Wednesday. If you don't get your payment on the scheduled date, the SSA suggests waiting an additional three mailing days before contacting them.

Psychologists Debunk 'Harmful' Policies Still Used in US Schools

TL/DR: In a new book called Investigating School Psychology, researchers examine unscientific school psychology practices that pose a risk to young people.

In a new book titled Investigating School Psychology, researchers warn that many school programs, including zero tolerance policies, are "entrenched in school culture" but are often unsupported by scientific evidence or based on "fringe science."

Why it matters: Not only do these strategies fail to keep children safe, but they also direct crucial funds away from evidence-based practices, such as education that involves teaching young people about contraception. Researchers note sex education laws and policies emphasizing abstinence-only approaches are associated with increased rates of teen pregnancies and births. Despite this, such programs have historically been supported by the federal government, and state policies continue to prioritize abstinence without additional requirements regarding contraceptive methods.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Sexting So Common U.S. Schools Must Cover How to Do It Safely, Say Experts

California Mom Says She Was Fired for Objecting to School's Gender Lessons

'Welcome to Sex' Author Gets Positive News After Death Threats Over Book

What happens now? According to the book's editors, school psychologists can protect themselves from believing in pseudoscience and engaging in dubious practices by approaching ideas with a critical lens and engaging in critical thinking.

I Worked at Trump's Mar-a-Lago. The Whole Family Were Lovely People

I was working at a small beer and burger joint called Duffy's in Florida's Palm Beach when one of the Mar-a-Lago Beach Club chefs came in with a few co-workers for dinner. He noticed I was working really hard to clean up one of my tables, and he came over to say that he saw that and gave me his card, adding that he'd love for me to apply to Mar-a-Lago...

I finally went for it and applied, hit it off with my interviewers, and soon started as a banquet server. I was one of the few locals who worked there. Most people at Mar-a-Lago were international workers.

Then, a few months in, I was asked to go and help up in the main house with formal dining, where I picked up more shifts as a front server. I helped serve plenty of meals to the entire Trump family and all their friends.