Welcome to the Bulletin,

• Putin issues nuclear warning: Russia has issued a warning to the West over the planned delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Belgium this year. Learn more.
• Americans hit retirement milestone: A record number of Americans with a 401(k)-retirement savings plan saved over $1 million at the end of the year's first quarter, according to a recent update from Fidelity Investments.
• Tragic fall into airplane engine: A person died on Wednesday after falling into a running aircraft engine at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, one of the world's busiest airports. Here's what happened.
• In the ongoing war in Ukraine, several explosions were heard in eastern Crimea overnight, according to local reports, as Russia says it shot down several Western-provided long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles.

Donald Trump has enjoyed his highest net approval rating since December 2021, according to surveys conducted by the polling company Civiqs.

Why it matters: Data from the pollster showed on Monday that 41 percent of American registered voters had a favorable view of Trump, against 55 percent who had an unfavorable view, giving a net favorability of -14. This is his best performance since December 29, 2021, and a substantial improvement on his net rating of -22 in October 2023. Trump is currently polling an average of 1.8 percentage points ahead of Biden, whose popularity is notably lower in key battleground states compared to the national average.

Read more in-depth coverage:

What Anti-Trump, Biden Primary Votes Means for 2024 Election

What happens now? Mark Shanahan, an American politics expert who teaches at the University of Surrey in the U.K., told Newsweek that Biden needs to strengthen his economic recovery message, especially in key battleground states in the West, upper Midwest, and Southeast where he is performing poorly.

President Joe Biden has suggested that he appoint progressive justices to the Supreme Court if he wins a second term in the White House in November.

Why it matters: During a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Biden emphasized the importance of countering conservative justices appointed by Donald Trump, highlighting potential impacts on voting rights and reproductive rights. Biden's remarks aim to mobilize Black voters, underscoring his administration's achievements for the community, including the appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female justice on the Supreme Court.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Jill Biden Talks 2024 Election on 'The View': 'Choose good over evil'

What happens now? Biden’s comments serve as a warning about the high stakes of November's election, given Trump's appointment of three justices in one term in office cemented the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority. If he wins in November and has the opportunity to nominate justices to replace anyone who retires, his appointments could affect the county for decades.

The Russian military is attempting to "take advantage" of delays in U.S. aid deliveries to Ukraine reaching the war's frontline, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Why it matters: Ukrainian adviser Mykhailo Podolyak noted that recently approved American military aid was taking "weeks" to reach "critical volumes" where they are needed most, giving Russia an edge. ISW, a U.S.-based think tank that regularly releases assessments of the Russia-Ukraine war, argued that Russia's attempt to "freeze the current frontline" amid the aid stall would be particularly "advantageous" to Moscow's war effort. ISW warned that this could allow Russia to reconstitute forces and prepare for renewed aggression.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Ukraine Gets Major Weapons Boost From NATO Ally

What happens now? While an aid package worth over $61 billion was finally passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, military experts and Ukrainian officials have continued to express concerns that the aid is being delivered too slowly. Several of Ukraine's European NATO allies, such as Sweden and Belgium, have recently committed to sending more assistance to Kyiv.

Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin said that U.S. Supreme Court justices could be removed from former President Donald Trump's presidential immunity ruling by petition of the Justice Department.

Why it matters: According to Raskin, the Justice Department "can petition the other seven justices to require Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas to recuse themselves not as a matter of grace but as a matter of law." Alito and Thomas have also accepted lavish gifts from GOP donors in the past, a revelation that led to the Supreme Court's adoption of its first code of ethics last fall, which prohibits justices from making political statements on issues that may come before them. Raskin suggests invoking constitutional and statutory authorities to ensure impartiality, arguing that ignoring such laws would violate the constitutional separation of power.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Alito Says 'Reasonable' People Aren't Mad He's on Supreme Court Trump Case

What happens now? Legal experts have previously cast doubt that the controversy surrounding Alito is enough for the justice to recuse himself from Trump's immunity case.

Several cities in southwest Florida broke records on Wednesday as the Sunshine State grapples with its first heat wave of the season.

Why it matters: According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Tampa broke its daily high-temperature record at 97 degrees, breaking its previous high of 96 set on May 29, 2006. Records were also set in Sarasota-Bradenton, which got up to 96 degrees, and Winter Haven, which peaked at 99. Punta Gorda tied its daily heat record of 98 degrees as well. The last time the city was that hot was in 2006 and 1945. Brooksville, Florida, also tied its daily record of 97 degrees.

Read more in-depth coverage:

Map Shows Florida Cities Break Heat Records Amid Surging Temperatures

What happens now? Scattered storms are also possible throughout the rest of the workweek, said the NWS, which noted, "Any storm will be capable of gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours. The rip current risk will increase over the east coast Friday into the weekend as onshore flow increases.”

ONE DEEPER READ:

Good morning, and welcome to Newsweek's summary of Thursday's national, regional, and international newspapers.

The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal's front page features a story about Donald Trump and Elon Musk's apparent growing alliance. The paper reports that the former president is considering offering the Tesla billionaire an advisory role if he wins November's election. The once-frosty relationship between the two men has thawed, the paper says.

USA Today

USA Today has run a story on the spate of tornadoes that struck the country this year. The paper reports there have been 850 twisters across the U.S. in 2024, the sixth-busiest year since 1994. Since April 26, 18 tornadoes have left 36 people dead—half of whom were living in mobile homes, the paper says.