Keeping Up With America

Marc Fogel, American teacher held in Russia for 3.5 years, is released: An American school teacher held by Russia for three and a half years over a minor medical cannabis infraction will be released and allowed to come home, the White House said Tuesday.

Salman Rushdie testifies that he feared he was dying during stabbing attack: Salman Rushdie described in graphic detail Tuesday about the frenzied moments in 2022 when a masked man rushed at him on a stage in western New York and repeatedly slashed him with a knife, leaving him with terrible injuries and fearful he would die.

Man says he was drugged, robbed and left for dead by woman accused in reporter’s death in New Orleans: More than three years before a Louisiana woman was arrested last week in the death of a TV reporter in New Orleans to cover the Super Bowl, a man visiting the city from out of state accused the woman, Danette Colbert, of drugging him, robbing his savings and leaving him for dead.

Two American tourists bitten by shark seconds after jumping in Bahamas water: A dream vacation in the Bahamas for two young American tourists turned into a nightmare when they jumped into the sparkling blue water hand-in-hand and mere minutes later were attacked by a shark.

FEMA official ignores judge’s latest order, demands freeze on grant funding: A senior official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency instructed subordinates to freeze funding for a wide array of grant programs Monday, just hours after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration — for the second time — to stop such pauses.

Around the World

Dozens of World War II bombs unearthed at children’s playground in northern England: It could have been an explosive discovery. But luckily, more than 170 World War II bombs lying underneath a children’s playground in northeastern England did not go off and workers were able to recover them.

Haitian migrants share harrowing stories of abuse as Dominican Republic ramps up deportations: A crowd of 500 descended from dusty trucks on a recent morning and shuffled through a tiny gap in a border gate separating Haiti from the Dominican Republic.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Coca-Cola sales easily top estimates as global demand rises

Affirm plans to bring Buy Now, Pay Later debit cards to more users through deal with FIS

GM expects to mitigate up to 50% of potential North American tariffs, which Ford describes as ‘chaos’

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Home office deduction: Here’s who qualifies and how to claim it on your taxes: The home office deduction allows some filers to claim a tax break for expenses incurred working remotely. If you were a W-2 employee in 2024 — meaning your company withholds taxes from your paycheck — you can’t claim a deduction for home office costs. But you could qualify as a freelancer, contractor or self-employed worker, assuming you used the space “regularly and exclusively” for business, according to the IRS.

Here’s What Happens When You Only Use Credit Cards | Jake FitzGerald, Fool. The best credit cards have a lot of perks — cash back, travel rewards, purchase protection, and more. But what happens if you rely only on credit cards for every purchase? While swiping or tapping your way through life might sound convenient (and rewarding), there are some potential downsides to consider. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and what you should know if you’re thinking about going all-in on plastic.

Want cheaper car insurance? Review this: Car insurance rates are climbing, leaving many Americans struggling to keep up with the cost of coverage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), auto insurance prices surged 11.3% year-over-year from December 2023 to December 2024.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Saints hire Eagles OC Kellen Moore as head coach | Luka Doncic scores 14 in 24 minutes in debut win with Lakers

Peter Dinklage Joins ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ at Showtime | Box Office: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Aims for $95 Million Opening Over President’s Day Weekend

Louis Tomlinson at the Super Bowl: One Direction star makes rare appearance | Seth Rogen sidesteps question on James Franco friendship after #MeToo claims

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

How to Get Free Car Maintenance and Repair Work

RFK Jr’s FINAL warning?

8 Reasons Your Coffee Tastes Bitter—and How to Brew It Right

How to Grow a Lemon Tree Indoors for Delicious Citrus Year-Round