Keeping up with America

Ryan Wesley Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

A federal judge in Florida handed down a life sentence plus 84 months for the man convicted of trying to assassinate the President at his golf club.

The Washington Post Lays Off One-Third of Staff, Eliminates Sports and Books Sections

In a “brutal blow” to journalism, the legendary outlet is slashing hundreds of jobs and closing several foreign bureaus to stay afloat.

Trump Signs $1.2 Trillion Funding Package to End Weekend Government Shutdown

The President signed the massive bill into law yesterday, narrowly avoiding a prolonged closure after a razor-thin vote in the House.

New SBA Policy: 100% Citizenship Required for Primary Small Business Loans

The Small Business Administration has issued new rules requiring all owners of a business to be U.S. citizens to qualify for 7(a) programs.

Clintons Agree to Deposition in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation After Contempt Threat

House Republicans canceled a contempt vote after Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to be questioned on camera regarding the high-profile case.

Border Wall Progress: Only 30 Miles Completed Out of 2,000-Mile Goal

A new report reveals that despite aggressive rhetoric, only a small fraction of the promised border barrier has been finished since the term began.

Around the World

Zelenskyy Reveals 55,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Have Been Killed in Conflict

In a rare admission of military losses, the Ukrainian President shared the updated casualty count while calling for continued international support.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Killed by Gunmen in Libya Home Raid

The son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated by unknown gunmen who broke into his residence, sparking fears of fresh instability.

Russia and Ukraine to Exchange 314 Prisoners of War Amid New Talks

A major prisoner swap has been brokered, marking one of the largest humanitarian exchanges since the start of the year.

Iran-US Talks: Mediators Propose New Framework for Negotiations This Week

International mediators are pushing for a high-level meeting to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and prevent further maritime harassment.

Gunmen Kill Nearly 200 People in “Beastly Attack” Across Nigeria

Presidential troops have been deployed to western states after a series of coordinated raids left hundreds of dead in rural communities.

Turkiye’s Erdogan and Egypt’s El-Sisi Meet in Cairo to Discuss Gaza Peace

Regional power players are working on a semi-protectorate plan to stabilize Gaza and facilitate the flow of medical aid through the Rafah crossing.

Business & Tech

SpaceX and xAI to Merge in Historic $1.25 Trillion “Orbital Intelligence” Deal

Elon Musk has officially announced the merger of his aerospace giant and AI startup. The move aims to build space-based data centers to bypass Earth’s energy constraints and cooling costs.

Nvidia Nears $20 Billion Investment in OpenAI as Funding Round Hits $100B

The chip-making titan is finalizing its largest-ever direct investment in the ChatGPT creator, a deal that could value OpenAI at a staggering $830 billion.

Bitcoin Crashes to $71,000 as Treasury Secretary Questions Bank Authority

Crypto markets faced a “flash crash” yesterday after comments from the Treasury suggested a lack of federal mandate for banks to hold digital assets, erasing months of gains.

Texas Instruments Acquires Silicon Laboratories for $7.5 Billion in Cash

In a major semiconductor shakeup, Texas Instruments has bought out its rival to dominate the “Internet of Things” (IoT) chip market, causing Silicon Lab shares to skyrocket by 50%.

Alphabet Completes $4.75B Acquisition of Intersect Power to Fuel AI Growth

Google’s parent company has finalized its deal to take over the clean energy giant, securing the massive gigawatts needed to power its expanding network of AI data centers.

Apple’s “F1” Movie Lands Best Picture Nomination, Shaking Up Sports Cinema

Following its record-breaking box office run, Apple’s high-octane racing film has officially entered the Oscar race, marking a major victory for the tech giant’s film studio.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

The “Background TV” Paradox: Why Ambient Noise Boosts Focus for Certain Brains

New psychological research reveals that “sensory seekers” actually perform better with background noise, as it acts as a buffer against more disruptive office sounds and lowers perfectionist anxiety.

MIT’s New Brain Imaging Tool: Cracking the Mystery of Conscious Productivity

Scientists have just unveiled a non-invasive ultrasound tool that tracks how the brain turns physical activity into thoughts, offering a new frontier for understanding “flow state.”

The “WISER” Model: Harvard’s Latest Framework for Navigating Life Transitions

A new program launching this month highlights the “WISER” method—a strategy designed to help professionals transform high-stress career shifts into opportunities for personal growth.

The 20-Minute “Priority Audit”: Why Friday Afternoon is the Secret to Monday Success

Productivity experts are trending toward the “Friday Audit”—a habit of reviewing energy levels (not just tasks) to plan the following week with surgical precision.

Why “Time to Talk Day” 2026 is Focused on Financial Mental Health

A major February initiative highlights the link between talking about money and mental wellness, proving that seeking financial advice can reduce physiological stress.

Gratitude 2.0: The 2026 Shift Toward “Resilience Journaling”

Recent studies show that focusing on “situations handled well” during your daily gratitude practice builds a stronger mental immune system against workplace burnout.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Penny the Doberman Pinscher Wins Best in Show at 150th Westminster Dog Show

In a historic victory on Tuesday night, a four-year-old Doberman named Penny took home the top prize at Madison Square Garden, marking the first time the breed has won the title since 1989.

Jeremy Ballard Becomes FIU’s Winningest Coach After Thrilling Overtime Win

Coach Jeremy Ballard secured his 109th victory on Wednesday night as the Panthers topped Middle Tennessee 88-84. Senior Corey Stephenson fueled the record-breaking win with a career-high 34 points.

Travis Kelce Accidentally Smashes Chair During “New Heights” Podcast Recording

The NFL star had a hilarious mishap during Wednesday’s episode, breaking a chair while leaning back too far. Kelce joked that his fiancée, Taylor Swift, was “gonna kill him” for the furniture casualty.

Dave Coulier Announces Full Remission from Two Separate Cancer Diagnoses

The Full House star appeared on Good Morning America on February 4 (World Cancer Day) to share the incredible news that he is officially cancer-free after battling both Stage 3 lymphoma and tongue cancer.

Sherri Shepherd’s Daytime Talk Show Canceled After Four Successful Seasons

Fans were stunned on Monday and Tuesday as news broke that the syndicated talk show Sherri will end this fall. Producers cited a “shifting daytime landscape” rather than ratings for the surprise decision.

Kelly Clarkson Announces Exit from Daytime TV to Prioritize Family

Following the Sherri news, Kelly Clarkson confirmed that her multi-Emmy-winning show will also conclude after its current seventh season so she can focus on her children.

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