Keeping Up With America

Elon Musk says federal workers must justify their work — or resign: Billionaire Elon Musk issued an ultimatum to federal employees Saturday, saying in a post on his social media platform X that employees must respond to an email justifying the work they completed this week or resign.

Police officer killed, five injured in Pennsylvania hospital shooting after gunman takes hostages: A police officer was killed Saturday after responding to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital located just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where a gunman took several hostages and injured at least five other people before he was shot dead.

After 30 years in prison for murder, new DNA evidence frees Hawaii man who maintained innocence: A Hawaii man who spent 30 years in prison for a murder he long denied committing declared the day “Freedom Friday” and said he was eager to visit his mother after a judge ordered him released because of new DNA evidence.

Trump uses CPAC to hype first month in office, despite legal setbacks: In a speech that amounted to an attempted post-inauguration victory lap, Donald Trump on Saturday hyped his first four weeks in office, even as much of his agenda is bogged down in court fights and has Republicans facing pushback in their districts.

FBI Director Kash Patel to be named ATF chief: President Donald Trump’s newly-confirmed FBI director, Kash Patel, is expected to take on another top law enforcement role in the administration as head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to a White House official and two other sources familiar with the plan.

Around the World

Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition: Pope Francis remains in critical condition after he experienced a severe asthmatic respiratory crisis this morning requiring high-flow oxygen therapy, according to a Vatican update released Saturday.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Netanyahu delays prisoner release after 6 hostages freed: After hours of delays, the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the seventh and final hostage-prisoner exchange of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal was not completed.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Berkshire operating earnings surge 71% in fourth quarter, cash hoard balloons to record $334 billion

Fintechs like Block and PayPal are battling like never before to be your all-in-one online bank

This ETF provider thinks it’s time to rethink investing in China

Richer, Wiser, Happier

How much will a $10,000 CD earn by 2026?: With the Federal Reserve expected to keep interest rates the same when it meets next month, certificates of deposit (CDs) provide a low-risk, high-reward way to earn a return on your money. While rates aren’t as high as they were a couple of years ago, today’s CD interest rates are still attractive, especially compared to the rates being offered on traditional savings accounts.

Claiming Social Security Early and Planning to Work? Don’t Let This Lesser-Known Rule Cost You Money. | Stefon Walters, Fool. There have been many questions surrounding Social Security in recent times, but one thing remains true: It’s an essential source of income for many of the almost 52 million Americans who were receiving retired workers’ benefits as of the end of January.

Debt forgiveness vs. Chapter 11 bankruptcy: How to choose the best option: When you’re facing increasing amounts of debt without a way to pay it off, the path forward isn’t always clear. As a result, many people in this situation find themselves lying awake at night, wrestling with stress caused by mounting debt and diminishing options. Luckily, there is no shortage of debt relief solutions available. Two options that tend to be near the top of the list, though, are debt forgiveness and Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Each one has its pros and cons which can make choosing between them difficult.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Juan Soto slams 426-foot HR in 1st at-bat as Mets top Astros | Dirk Nowitzki ‘disappointed and sad’ for traded Luka Doncic

Kamala Harris Gives Rousing NAACP Image Awards Speech in First TV Appearance After Leaving Office: ‘Our Power Has Never Come From Having an Easy Path’ | Keanu Reeves ‘Recently’ Pitched ‘Constantine 2’ to DC After Trying to Make the Sequel for ‘Over a Decade’: ‘We’re Going to Try and Write a Script’

Rihanna covers Harper’s Bazaar magazine, talks music and motherhood after A$AP Rocky trial | Tyga announces on Instagram death of mom Pasionaye Nguyen: ‘I love you forever’

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

20 Mediterranean Recipes You’ll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight

Try this 7-sec hack for bone-on-bone relief (it’s genius)

10 Things You Should Never Put On The Bottom Rack Of The Dishwasher

How To Remove Scratches From Stainless Steel For Good—A Step-By-Step Guide