Monday, February 17, 2025

Happy Presidents' Day! On this day in 1864, the CSS H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship, taking down the USS Housatonic off the coast of South Carolina during the Civil War, though the Hunley itself was lost shortly after. See why it sank.

Imagine typing on your computer using only your thoughts. Meta is testing a half-ton, room-sized machine that can turn brain signals into text. It’s not ready for everyday use, but the research is turning heads. Read more in our Science section.

We're sponsored today by Colonial Metals Group. If you're looking to get started buying precious metals, be sure to check out their free guide to buying gold and silver in 2025.

High-Level Talks Push for Ukraine War End

High-level diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine are accelerating, with U.S. and Russian officials set to begin talks in Saudi Arabia this week, though European allies have not been invited.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff were scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to hold preparatory discussions with Russian negotiators ahead of a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin in the near future.

A Ukrainian delegation is also in Saudi Arabia, officially focused on economic agreements, though there is speculation about a possible visit from President Zelensky and links to the broader talks.

The exclusion of European leaders has prompted heads of state to gather in Paris today for an emergency meeting to coordinate their response.

Severe Weather, Flooding Hits Eastern U.S.

A major storm in the Eastern U.S. has brought devastating flooding as more than 110 million people were under weather alerts Sunday.

In Kentucky, flooding has led to at least 1,000 rescues and eight fatalities, including the deaths of a mother and her 7-year-old daughter whose car was swept away in flood waters.

"This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade," said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, whose request for federal aid was approved by President Trump on Sunday.

Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina have also been impacted by the storm. In some areas, snow followed severe flooding on Sunday morning. Watch a video report here.

Byron Wins Daytona as NASCAR Season Opens

The 2025 NASCAR season roared to life with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, where William Byron captured his second straight victory in a dramatic finish on Sunday.

The race was delayed for more than three hours due to rain, with several late crashes shaking up the field.

Tyler Reddick finished second, and Jimmie Johnson placed third, while Kyle Busch blamed Joey Logano for a wreck that knocked out several contenders.

President Trump attended the season opener and took ceremonial laps in his armored limousine, known as "the Beast," before leaving during the rain delay. Watch a video here.

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➤ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel on Sunday, backing its war aims and saying Hamas “must be eradicated.” Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled he is moving forward with President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, calling it the “only viable plan” for the region. (More)

➤ Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has unveiled a $500 million plan to close the state’s second-oldest prison, built in 1898 in Green Bay, and overhaul its correctional system without constructing a new facility. (See Details)

➤ President Trump toured a Boeing airplane on Saturday, highlighting the delay by the aircraft’s maker in delivering replacements for Air Force One's two-plane fleet, originally scheduled for 2024 but now projected for 2027 for the first plane and 2028 for the second. (More)

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As a result, gold just broke another record high in 2025, a historical gold rush is unfolding, and global shortages are already forming. Experts predict gold could soar to $4,000, and an ex-CIA advisor says $10,000 isn’t off the table.

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➤ Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung clinched the first-ever three-peat in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest, scoring 50 points in each round of the contest. (Watch Dunks)

➤ Speaking of three-peats, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was eliminated in the first round of the NBA’s three-point contest after winning each of the last two contests. Instead, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro was the champion in his first time competing in the event. (More)

➤ Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles has agreed to a race against Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill, the fastest player in the NFL. The date and distance of the race is yet to be decided. (More)

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➤ The Trump administration is trying to rehire federal nuclear safety employees it had laid off on Thursday, following concerns that their dismissal may pose a national security risk. (More)

➤ President Trump said he would target countries that use value-added tax (VAT) systems with reciprocal levies, arguing that VAT systems—a standard for nations in the European Union—were “far more punitive” than tariffs. (See Details)

➤ The Justice Department fired multiple immigration judges on Friday, adding to a growing list of judges, managers, and new hires for the Executive Office for Immigration Review to be laid off since the start of the Trump administration. (More)

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➤ Apple and Google restored TikTok to U.S. app stores after a temporary ban imposed in January, allowing downloads to resume amid ongoing national security debates. (More)

➤ Home prices fell 8.6% to a $560,000 median in Washington, D.C., as thousands of DOGE-led federal layoffs and return-to-office orders unsettled buyers. (See Details)

➤ Truth Social's parent, Trump Media & Technology Group, posted a $400.9 million net loss in 2024, citing legal costs linked to Biden administration disputes. (More)

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This Rare “Gold Wealth Window” Could Disappear in 2025—Don’t Miss Out

Gold just broke another record high in 2025, and global shortages are forming fast. But what happens next could send prices past $4,000, and an ex-CIA advisor says gold could even reach $10,000.

That’s because of the same policies from Trump's first term: tariffs and interest rate cuts. But now, he’s employing even bigger tariffs and deeper rate cuts. That’s why the Fed’s March 18 meeting could be your last window.

Our 100% Free 2025 Gold Guide reveals an IRS loophole that lets you move part of your 401(k) or IRA into gold tax-free and penalty-free. If you wait until after March 18, locking in gold at today’s prices may no longer be possible.

Send My Free 2025 Gold Guide Now

➤ The first total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, since 2022 will be viewable on the night of March 13 in the lower 48 states. (More)

➤ Facebook parent company Meta is testing a machine that can decode brain signals into words typed onto a screen with up to 80% accuracy. (See Machine)

➤ ChatGPT, one of the world’s most widely used conversational artificial intelligence systems, tends to exhibit a left-leaning political bias rather than reflecting the broader range of opinions held by Americans, according to recent research. (See Details)

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➤ More than 40 people, mostly women, died in Mali after an illegal gold mine collapsed. The victims had climbed into abandoned mining pits left by industrial companies to search for gold when the ground suddenly caved in. (More)

➤ Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory tract infection on Friday in Rome. The Vatican said Sunday that he had his second consecutive restful night. (See Details)

➤ Argentina’s President Javier Milei faced backlash after endorsing LIBRA cryptocurrency on Friday, which crashed 85% within hours, erasing $4.4 billion. (More)

➤ "Zizians," a cultish group of tech-savvy radical vegans, is linked to six deaths across Vermont, California, and Pennsylvania, including a Vermont border patrol agent. (More)

➤ A young Indigenous man from an isolated Amazon tribe briefly emerged in Brazil on Wednesday, seeking fire, before returning to the forest hours later. (See Photos)

➤ A cake-loving opossum in Omaha, Nebraska, ate an entire Costco chocolate cake before wildlife rescuers admitted the "cranky" animal for recovery and diet rehab. (See Photo)

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Yesterday's Results:

How many hours of sleep do you typically get at night?

Five or less: 12%
Six: 22%
Seven: 32%
Eight: 22%
Nine: 8%
Ten or more: 4%

Daily Quote

"I actually just wanted to take a gap year after school, but I've ended up with a bounty!"

— Chloe Cheung, a 19-year-old Hong Kong student, the youngest of 19 activists accused of breaching a Chinese national security law.

Today's Trivia

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Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia, Three-Peat Slam Dunk, and Cake-Eating Opossum

Monday, February 17, 2025

High-Level Talks Push for Ukraine War End

Severe Weather, Flooding Hits Eastern U.S.

Byron Wins Daytona as NASCAR Season Opens

Daily Quote

Today's Trivia

Older messages

Trump Cabinet Meeting, Giant Flying Squirrel, and Faberge Eggs

Bracing for Cold, IRS Scams, and… Afraid of the Phone?

Airplane Safety, an AOC Probe, and a Baby Seal Wants Pizza

Top investors are buying this “unlisted” stock

Defense Cuts, Asteroid Risk, and Skiing Next to Lava

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