2025-02-28 17:48:48.194

President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, with plans to sign a deal exchanging US access to Ukraine's mineral resources for investment and security guarantees for Kyiv. This occurred amidst a backdrop of mass layoffs within the Trump administration, particularly affecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with around 800 employees facing termination. A federal judge ruled these firings likely unlawful. Adding to the complexity, US intelligence suggests Russia and China are actively recruiting recently fired federal employees with security clearances, exploiting their vulnerability. Trump also surprisingly mused about taking over the government of Washington, D.C. Zelensky, after meeting with a bipartisan US Senate delegation, described the meeting with Trump as focusing on military assistance, legislative initiatives, and achieving a just and lasting peace. The minerals deal, while potentially beneficial for both countries, faces skepticism due to the unclear extent of Ukraine's mineral wealth and the challenges of extraction during wartime. The deal's value, initially touted as half a trillion dollars by Trump, is now less certain. Meanwhile, Democratic super PACs launched ads criticizing Republican plans for Medicaid cuts, showcasing Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw to symbolize these cuts. Trump also signed an executive order designating English as the official US language, a move criticized by Democrats. Republican leaders face challenges in funding federal agencies targeted for dismantling by Trump and Musk, leading to uncertainty surrounding a potential government shutdown. Senator Jeanne Shaheen accused Putin of manipulating Trump, while expressing cautious optimism about the minerals deal. Finally, the article highlights the evolving relationship between Trump and Zelensky, noting Trump's shifting tone towards Zelensky, from calling him a dictator to welcoming him to the White House for the minerals agreement. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is becoming a key battleground as federal workers fight Trump's layoffs, with the board facing an avalanche of cases and political maneuvering.

2025-02-27 08:06:51.186

Two alleged gang members in Georgia have been charged with the murder of Brianna Long, a former high school soccer star who was killed by a stray bullet while working at a bar. Tsion Clayton, 23, and Kimone Green, 21, were charged with malice murder for the October 2023 killing. Long, a Valdosta State University student, was closing The Pier in Remerton with a co-worker when a fight outside led to gunfire. She was struck by a stray bullet and died from her injuries; her co-worker survived. Investigators believe the suspects were involved in an ongoing gang dispute. Long was a standout soccer player and regional winner for Positive Athlete Georgia. Her mother, Brandi Spinks, has established the Brianna Long Foundation to honor her daughter's legacy and promote dental care.

2025-02-27 08:06:08.936

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg has tragically passed away at the age of 39. Her mother found her unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment Wednesday morning. Law enforcement sources state that Michelle was found lying on her back in bed. While she had recently undergone a liver transplant and experienced complications with her liver and thyroid, she had been active in the days leading up to her death, even going out with friends just last Thursday. Michelle had publicly defended her appearance online in recent months, stating she was 'happy and healthy'. The family has requested privacy.

2025-02-27 08:03:24.933

Nvidia announced a record-breaking fourth quarter, with revenue reaching $39.3 billion—a 12% increase from the previous quarter and a staggering 78% year-over-year growth. This surge is largely attributed to the skyrocketing demand for their Blackwell chips, which power artificial intelligence systems. Adjusted earnings per share reached 89 cents, exceeding analyst predictions of 85 cents and $38.1 billion in revenue. Data center sales were a key driver, reaching $35.6 billion—a 93% increase year-over-year. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, highlighted the "amazing" demand for Blackwell chips, emphasizing the role of increasing compute power in enhancing AI models. The company forecasts continued growth, projecting approximately $43 billion in revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Nvidia's success is intertwined with the broader AI boom and major projects like the Stargate initiative, a joint venture involving OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and Nvidia itself, aimed at building AI infrastructure. Despite concerns about tariffs and inflation, Nvidia's strong performance and the overall AI boom have propelled the S&P 500 to record highs. The company's impressive growth has also been noted amidst the emergence of Chinese AI company DeepSeek, which developed a cost-effective large language model. Nvidia acknowledged DeepSeek's innovation, emphasizing the widespread use of its technology. Looking ahead, Nvidia anticipates the next wave of AI innovation, focusing on agentic AI, physical AI, and sovereign AI development, positioning itself as a central player in this transformative technological landscape.

2025-02-27 06:02:50.874

The battle over the budget is heating up, with potential consequences for millions of Americans' healthcare. House Republicans aim to extend trillions in tax cuts, but to offset the cost, they're considering slashing up to $880 billion from federal programs over 10 years, including Medicaid. While Republicans like Senator Josh Hawley express reluctance to cut benefits for working individuals, the proposed cuts are raising alarm bells. Medicaid, a crucial part of the US social safety net providing health insurance to over 72 million people, is at risk. The program's funding is a joint federal-state endeavor, with variations in coverage and eligibility across states. Potential cuts could include work requirements, reducing the federal match for expansion populations, and establishing per capita caps on federal funding. These measures could lead to millions losing coverage. Although the improper payment rate in Medicaid is being addressed, concerns of waste, fraud, and abuse persist. Despite the Republican party's past efforts to cut Medicaid resulting in electoral setbacks, the current proposal is causing significant public concern, especially given the program's high public approval rating.

2025-02-27 06:02:50.864

Nvidia closed 2024 with record-breaking sales and profits, exceeding Wall Street's expectations and calming fears about the AI industry's future. Despite a slight initial dip, Nvidia's shares surged after reporting a stunning $39.3 billion in sales for the January quarter—a 78% year-over-year increase. Profits soared 72% to $22 billion. For the full year, profits more than doubled to $74.3 billion. The company projects another massive increase, forecasting $43 billion in sales for the current quarter, a 65% year-over-year growth. This success comes despite the launch of DeepSeek, a highly efficient AI model from a Chinese startup, which raised concerns about overspending in the US AI sector. However, major tech companies continue to invest tens of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, and analysts believe that more efficient AI models will accelerate adoption, benefiting Nvidia. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, envisions a future where AI permeates various aspects of life, including autonomous vehicles. The company's strong performance has boosted the overall tech market, with shares of other tech giants also rising.