BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb 27 (IPS) - Gina Romero is UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and of associationThe U.S. administration has the prerogative to review and adjust public expenditure policies, including foreign aid. However, this power must be exercised responsibly, adhering to national and international legal frameworks, including the principles of human rights law.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/27/39193 [Collection]
ADDIS ABABA, Feb 27 (IPS) - Renewable energy and climate change activists have challenged African heads of state to take a united stance to safeguard essential mineral resources, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other parts of the continent, which are selfishly exploited by foreign miners with disregard for poverty-stricken local communities.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/27/39192 [Collection]
HORTOLANDIA, Brazil, Feb 26 (IPS) - Almost everything seems new or under construction in the southern Brazilian city of Hortolandia, from its wide avenues and cable-stayed bridge to its large buildings and riverside parks.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/26/39182 [Collection]
PORTLAND, US, Feb 26 (IPS) - Yeah, governments are having a hissy fit over it. And their hissy fit is not over the usual concerns of governments such as defense, the economy, trade, inflation, unemployment, crime, or terrorism.
Read the full story, “Governments Are Having A Hissy Fit Over It”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/26/39181 [Collection]
WASHINGTON DC, Feb 26 (IPS) - New technologies have the potential to improve the relationship between governments and citizens. Tax portals, customs IT systems and online services have simplified interactions with public authorities, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and increased transparency. Now, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is emerging as the next transformative force.
Read the full story, “How AI Can Help Both Tax Collectors and Taxpayers”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/26/39179 [Collection]
MEXICO, Feb 26 (IPS) - Mexico has seen several attempts at assembling electric vehicles (EVs), powered by rechargeable batteries, which have faced challenges related to industrial scale, supply chains, and competitiveness
Read the full story, “Mexican Electric Vehicles Struggle to Accelerate”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/26/39171 [Collection]
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 25 (IPS) - In 2025, the world is facing a new and intensifying era of crisis for children. Climate change, economic instability, and conflict are hitting harder and more often, intersecting in ways that make the challenges of addressing them even more severe.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/25/39169 [Collection]KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb 25 (IPS) - Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) appeal captured US mass discontent against globalisation. In recent decades, variations of America First have reflected growing ethnonationalism in the world’s presumptive hegemon.
Read the full story, “America First Deepens World Stagnation”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/25/39167 [Collection]
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, Feb 25 (IPS) - Ibrahim Basheer plunges into the sea and disappears. He remains gone for a couple of minutes before resurfacing for a deep breath of air, repeating this for the next half an hour. When he finally climbs aboard his boat, the net sack around his neck is filled with mussels—his catch for that diving trip. He rests for a short while before diving into the sea again—needing one more such trip to fill the basket he has brought along.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/25/39166 [Collection]
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb 24 (IPS) - As public development banks gather for the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) in Cape Town, South Africa, civil society and community activists from across the world are demanding a shift to a community-led, equitable, and human rights-based development approach, that prioritise people and planet over profit, and a reform of the global financial architecture.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39161 [Collection]The pastor behind a boycott of Target due to their decision to roll back DEI initiatives has a long history of associating with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and recently called Black Trump supporters "coons" in a fiery speech.
Dr. Jamal Bryant, head of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, recently called for a 40-day "fast" from shopping at Target during the upcoming Lenten season, arguing that the company has "spit in the face" of Black people by ending its commitment to DEI and joining a growing list of prominent companies to do so, including McDonald’s, Walmart and Ford.
"I want the stock to go down because we are standing in righteous indignation against racism and sexism in this nation," Bryant said during his sermon calling for the fast. "We are going to break the spirit of White entitlement. We are going to break the spirit of racism and sexism."
In a Sunday sermon that went viral on social media over the weekend, Bryant said, "I feel bad for them coons in the White House who are in there tap dancing for massah, wearing bow ties shimmying and grinding, laughing like nothin' is funny."
PEPSI DROPS DEI CHIEF, REPRESENTATION GOALS — BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED
Bryant also has a long history of praising Farrakhan, who has espoused antisemitic rhetoric dating back decades, including calling Jews "wicked" and comparing them to termites by saying he was "anti-termite." Bryant interviewed the Nation of Islam leader in 2015 and said he is "one of the greatest leaders of our people."
"We welcome to the Word Network and the entire world, the honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan! We’re honored to have you, sir," Bryant said while introducing him. "I’m so appreciative to be able to mark in history that I lived in the same chasm of time as one of the greatest leaders of our people."
In a tweet from 2019, Bryant said he was "humbled" to be in Farrakhan’s presence. His Twitter page has dozens of other tweets related to Farrakhan.
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION VOTES TO STOP ENFORCING DEI STANDARD FOR LAW SCHOOLS
Bryant has also publicly been critical of the gay community, telling a congregation at the Baltimore Empowerment Temple in 2012 that "homosexuality is not the only sin, but it is a sin," while adding that it is their "responsibility" to make gay people and other sinners "uncomfortable in [their] sin."
Despite his past comments, Bryant has been embraced by liberal organizations, many of which have flocked to support the Target boycott and Bryant even made an appearance on the campaign trail with Vice President Kamala Harris last year when she thanked him for his "leadership."
Fox News Digital reached out to Bryant for comment.
"If they start losing $29 million a day for 40 days, we will break the back of the system," Bryant said about the boycott, which is set to begin on March 5 and reportedly has at least 50,000 people who have signed an online pledge to take part.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/pro-farrakhan-pastor-leading-target-dei-boycott-calls-black-trump-supporters-coons-and-runaway-slavesA former Department of Defense insider, Steve Simoni, says it's "no surprise" DOGE has set its sights on the Pentagon for its next bout of uncovering "waste, fraud and abuse," and predicted Monday that the Elon Musk-led group will uncover "all kinds of wasteful spending" in the process.
"It's actually sending shockwaves through the department right now," the Allen Control Systems CEO told FOX Business.
"When I was at the Department of Defense, we were spending $10,000 on HDMI cables that were ‘ruggedized’ when we could have purchased them for $20 or $30 at Best Buy… We need to get more efficient with our spending, because there's a massive threat of drones that are proliferating on the battlefield right now, and the new administration, Secretary [Pete] Hegeth knows this."
Simoni, a former Navy nuclear engineer, suggested waste identified by DOGE could be reallocated to modernize military technology and prepare for the battlefield of the future, particularly homing in on developments capable of taking out drones.
China currently dominates the market with its drone manufacturing, producing around 90% of all the devices. Simoni identified it as the "primary issue of our time," adding that what American consumers once thought of as "toys" have since become "weapons of war."
"We're actually very vulnerable right now, and we need to have solutions to be able to take these drone threats out," he warned.
ELON MUSK'S DOGE PREPARES TO AUDIT US GOLD RESERVES AT FORT KNOX AFTER URGING BY SEN. RAND PAUL
In an X post on Friday, DOGE announced that it held an initial meeting with the Defense Department as it prepares to take its controversial cost-cutting measures to yet another realm of the federal bureaucracy.
"Great kickoff with @DeptofDefense. Looking forward to working together to safely save taxpayer dollars and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse," DOGE wrote.
The $800 billion defense budget, like other areas of exorbitant government spending, could soon see some fat trimmed as DOGE roots out certain areas and identifies ways to streamline other processes.
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FOX Business' Eric Revell contributed to this report.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/elon-musks-planned-sending-shockwaves-through-pentagon-ex-dod-insider-saysElon Musk is warning federal workers who haven't returned to in-person work in compliance with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administration's executive order will face consequences.
Musk on Monday wrote a post on X that said federal workers who aren't back in the office this week will be put on leave.
"Those who ignored President Trump's executive order to return to work have now received over a month's warning," Musk wrote in response to a clip of Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., on Fox News. "Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave."
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Inauguration Day that instructed the heads of all federal departments and agencies to "as soon as practical, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary."
TRUMP SAYS ELON MUSK SHOULD BE 'MORE AGGRESSIVE' ON DOGE CUTS, MUSK RESPONDS
Musk and DOGE over the weekend sent emails to workers across the federal government instructing them to reply with a five-bullet-point list of accomplishments to show what they did at work last week with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday.
"Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump's instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week," Musk wrote. "Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation."
ACTING SOCIAL SECURITY CHIEF OPENS UP ON DOGE, CLAIMS OF DEAD PEOPLE RECEIVING BENEFITS
He wrote in a follow-up post on Saturday that "the bar is very low" and added an "email with some bullet points that make any sense at all is acceptable! Should take less than 5 mins to write."
The email spurred confusion among the federal workforce and several agencies instructed their workers not to reply to the DOGE team's email that was sent through the Office of Personnel Management.
MUSK'S DOGE LAUNCHES AGENCY ACCOUNTS TO SOLICIT COST SAVINGS TIPS FROM THE PUBLIC
In a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, Darin S. Selnick, who is performing the duties of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, provided guidance on how to handle Musk's demand.
"DoD personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information. The Department of Defense is responsible for reviewing the performance of its personnel and it will conduct any review in accordance with its own procedures," Selnick wrote. "When and if required, the Department will coordinate responses to the email you have received from OPM. For now, please pause any response to the OPM email titled, ‘What did you do last week.’"
FBI Director Kash Patel told the agency's workers not to respond in a note first reported by ABC News, saying the FBI's Office of the Director "is in charge of all review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses."
Workers at the State Department were told in a follow-up email that "no employee is obligated to report their activities outside their Department chain of command."
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The American Federation of Government Employees labor union said it plans to "challenge any unlawful terminations of our members and federal employees across the country."
Fox News' Greg Wehner, Jennifer Griffin and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/elon-musk-has-warning-federal-employees-still-working-from-homeTesla is recalling more than 376,000 of its Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles in the U.S. over a potential power steering issue.
The recalled Model 3s and Model Ys could face a loss of power steering assistance "when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again" if they experience an "overstress condition" in the printed circuit board for electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS), Tesla said in a recall report submitted last week to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
All the potentially affected vehicles feature EPAS and used a software release prior to 2023.38.4, the report said. They belong to the model year 2023.
"A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash," NHTSA said.
HONDA RECALLS NEARLY 295K HONDA, ACURA VEHICLES FOR RISK OF ENGINE STALL, POWER LOSS
Tesla said it designed the vehicles in a way that steering "will not be affected" if they suffer the "overstress condition" while driving above 0 miles per hour.
"Tesla’s design avoids any unreasonable risk to safety by preventing a loss of EPAS while the vehicle is in motion," the automaker said on its website. "In addition, Tesla does not believe that loss of EPAS when the vehicle reaches 0 mph is an unreasonable risk to safety because manual steering remains available."
Tesla said it decided to recall the affected vehicles in all markets to "avoid confusion for our customers" after a "determination by regulator in a non-US market that loss of EPAS at 0 mph should be remedied through a recall."
The automaker started deploying a free over-the-air software fix to address the issue that could cause the "overstress condition" in the printed circuit board in October 2023. It said in the report that 99% of U.S. affected Model 3 and Model Y cars had already received software release 2023.38.4 or later as of Jan. 23 of this year.
OVER 80,000 KIA ELECTRIC, HYBRID VEHICLES RECALLED OVER ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS: NHTSA
The problem has not caused any known injuries, deaths or crashes.
Owners of the recalled EVs will not need to take their vehicle to a dealership, according to the report. They can expect to receive notification about the recall in the mail late next month.
Tesla also applied the software remedy to vehicles in production starting in October 2023. The recalled Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were built between late February 2023 and Oct. 11 of that year, according to the report.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JEEP CHEROKEES RECALLED OVER ISSUES THAT ‘INCREASES RISK OF CRASHES’
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/tesla-recalls-over-376k-vehicles-over-potential-power-steering-issueStarbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced Monday that the company is laying off over 1,000 corporate employees as it works to simplify operations.
Specifically, it is eliminating 1,100 current support partner roles and closing several hundred additional open and unfilled positions.
"We are simplifying our structure, removing layers and duplication and creating smaller, more nimble teams," Niccol said in a letter to employees. "Our intent is to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity and drive better integration. All with the goal of being more focused and able to drive greater impact on our priorities."
STARBUCKS CUTTING 30% OF ITS 'OVERLY COMPLEX' MENU
Niccol informed employees about the layoffs in January, stating that they were part of the "Back to Starbucks" strategy – a series of changes aimed at enhancing the in-store customer experience while improving efficiency.
Niccol, who became CEO in September with plans to return the company to its coffeehouse roots, is working to boost profitability and improve the work environment after the company faced years of growing pressure from unionization campaigns nationwide and consecutive disappointing fiscal quarters as traffic declined.
Niccol said in the note Monday that the layoffs were "a necessary change to position Starbucks for future success."
Niccol said the new structure is focusing on priority work and that the company will continue to simplify operations "to make it easier to drive the business forward."
The company said it will inform all employees who have been affected by Tuesday. Employees will be informed of any other changes to employee roles, including responsibilities and reporting structures, by the end of the week.
Niccol said the company will still hire for positions that fit its new structure and add capacity when needed.
When Niccol took the reins late last year, he announced a number of initiatives to reverse the slump in sales and declining foot traffic, including reducing wait times at cafés to four minutes. He also announced the company would revert cafés back to their former "coffeehouse" aesthetic with "personal touches" like mugs and Sharpies, and bring back the condiment bar.
Part of his immediate strategy included simplifying the coffee chain's "overly complex menu" to better align with its identity as a coffeehouse company, separating mobile order pickup from the café experience, and fixing its pricing architecture.
STARBUCKS' 'FALL FROM GRACE': HOWARD SCHULTZ SAYS COMPANY NEEDS TO FIX US OPERATIONS
Starbucks said in a separate announcement on Monday that it was removing a "selection of less popular beverages" from its menu to reduce wait times and improve quality and consistency.
The drinks being removed include several Frappuccino blended beverages, the Royal English Breakfast Latte and the White Hot Chocolate. Starbucks said the beverages aren’t commonly purchased, can be complex to make or are similar to other drinks on its menu.
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Niccol also told FOX Business in an exclusive interview in December that he aims to make pricing on its app more transparent.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/starbucks-lay-off-over-1000-corporate-workersWarren Buffett’s highly anticipated Berkshire Hathaway annual letter to shareholders, released Saturday, praised his core U.S. holdings as well as his penchant for Japan.
"We own a small percentage of a dozen or so very large and highly profitable businesses with household names such as Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola and Moody’s," he wrote.
"Many of these companies earn very high returns on the net tangible equity required for their operations. At year end, our partial-ownership holdings were valued at $272 billion."
He also hinted at buying these stocks when others are selling.
"Understandably, really outstanding businesses are very seldom offered in their entirety, but small fractions of these gems can be purchased Monday through Friday on Wall Street and, very occasionally, they sell at bargain prices," he noted.
WARREN BUFFETT'S ANNUAL BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY LETTER: READ HERE
As for Japan, Berkshire increased its exposure to companies belonging to the world's fourth-largest economy.
"A small but important exception to our U.S.-based focus is our growing investment in Japan. It’s been almost six years since Berkshire began purchasing shares in five Japanese companies that very successfully operate in a manner somewhat similar to Berkshire itself. The five are (alphabetically) ITOCHU, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo. Each of these large enterprises, in turn, owns interests in a vast array of businesses, many based in Japan but others that operate throughout the world" he detailed.
Prior to his annual letter, the conglomerate took a new position in Constellation Brands, the maker of top-selling Mexican beers Corona, Modelo and Pacifico, of nearly 6 million shares, during the fourth quarter worth over $1.2 billion, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, even as President Donald Trump threatens tariffs against Mexico.
Shares have fallen nearly 30% over the past 12 months.
Bud Light, once the top-selling U.S. beer, was unseated by Modelo after it teamed up with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, which angered core customers.
Also disclosed earlier this month, Buffett and his team kicked two S&P 500 mainstays to the curb completely, selling Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF and SPDR S&P 500 ETF, per filings with the SEC.
The S&P 500 climbed to a new record this year and has gained over 22% during the last 12 months.
For those looking to invest or trade around Buffett’s "guidance and sentiments" the first leveraged and inverse single stock exchange traded funds, launched in December, could be worth a look.
"Berkshire Hathaway is one of the most widely held stocks globally and is amongst the top ten in terms of market cap." Ed Egilinsky, managing director at Direxion, told FOX Business shortly after the ETF launched.
The Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X shares and the Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X shares give you both bull and bear options.
"Traders that perceive Berkshire as a stock that provides consistent returns may be interested in magnifying those returns and taking on more risk for certain short-term periods, so they might utilize our 2x bull fund (BRKU). Others might have substantial unrealized gains with their Berkshire stock holdings, but don't want to sell their position. They could hedge those gains with a bearish position in our inverse 1X fund (BRKD)." In addition, if the stock is trending lower, a trader might consider taking an outright short term bearish view with BRKD." he explained.
BUFFETT SLAMS REGULATORY BURDENS
Additionally, the conglomerate’s cash position swelled to a record $334 billion and Buffett singaled his heir apparent may soon take the reigns.
"At 94, it won’t be long before Greg Abel replaces me as CEO and will be writing the annual letters," he wrote.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/warren-buffett-u-s-stock-holdings-japanConsumers nationwide are facing egg shortages at retail stores, leading to purchasing restrictions and sky-high prices when they are in stock.
The cost of eggs surged by 15.2% in January, according to the Labor Department's consumer price index. This marked the largest increase in egg prices since June 2015 and accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total monthly rise in food prices, the Labor Department reported.
Whitney Bissonnette, an Arkansas-based chicken breeder, is fielding 50 to 100 messages every day from people asking to buy her chickens. The messages coming from across the country are double the amount she normally receives, though she has noticed an increase since outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza began in 2022.
EGG FARMER HIT HARD BY BIRD FLU, DESCRIBES 'NIGHTMARE' OF LOSING 3 FLOCKS
The wait list for one breed, Bresse chickens, is already closed, Bissonnette said, adding that she isn't the only one getting hit with droves of messages. There is "such a high influx and demand of people just flooding everyone's inboxes," she said.
Jen Tompkins, co-founder of Rent The Chicken, a company that helps people rent chickens and provides all the necessary supplies, from feed to coops, has been flooded with inquiries, which have surged by 500% as of last week.
Reservations are also up 15% to 20% compared with the same period a year ago, Tompkins told FOX Business.
People who don't want to take the challenge have started relying on neighbors or friends who have already been raising their own chickens.
One of them, Stephanie Hall, who has a farm stand in South Carolina, told FOX Business she can't keep up with the requests she has been getting from people seeking to buy her eggs.
EGG PRICES AREN'T COMING DOWN ANYTIME SOON, EXPERTS SAY
When she opened the farm stand at the foot of her driveway last week, she sold out of her eggs within a few hours. She is getting requests from her friends, family, co-workers and even her husband's co-workers.
"Not only do I sell my chicken eggs, but I sell my duck eggs and I can't even keep up with that either," said Hall, whose chickens produce about eight to nine eggs a day.
Gina Bare, director of program and partnership development at the National Environmental Health Association, recognizes that the "rise in backyard chicken coops reflects an exciting trend in local food production, with families increasingly interested in raising their own flocks for fresh eggs and educational opportunities."
However, Bare told FOX Business that "it's important for families to approach backyard poultry keeping with proper health precautions."
"Backyard poultry can carry germs that cause illness in humans, including infections from salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. However, these risks can be effectively managed through simple preventive measures," Bare said.
She emphasized the importance of families implementing basic hygiene practices, ensuring that there is space between flocks and living spaces, and that chickens are kept away from wild birds. She also said families need to monitor their birds' health closely and report any unusual illness or unexpected deaths to their veterinarian, local cooperative extension office or state veterinarian immediately.
To help, she also recommends that families connect with local resources.
"Their veterinarian and cooperative extension service can provide valuable guidance on proper care, disease prevention, and flock health maintenance," she said, adding that the United States Department of Agriculture and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites offer comprehensive resources for backyard poultry owners.
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Bissonette warned that this isn't an easy undertaking, saying that taking care of her chickens has been a 24/7 job. Bissonette said she constantly goes outside to break the ice up in the water buckets or give the chickens more straw or more feed.
"It is so much work. People don't realize that. It's definitely something that you have to love. You have to love working with animals," she said.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/americans-take-raising-own-chickens-amid-nationwide-egg-shortageApple is committing $500 billion to the U.S. economy in a historic initiative, the company announced on Monday, marking "an extraordinary new chapter in the history of American innovation."
Apple's 11-figure commitment will roll out over the next five years. It will involve building an advanced AI server manufacturing factory near Houston, as well as doubling the company's Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion.
The tech giant also plans to establish an Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, as well as hire 20,000 new employees with focuses on research and development, silicon engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
"This new pledge builds on Apple’s long history of investing in American innovation and advanced high-skilled manufacturing, and will support a wide range of initiatives that focus on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering, and skills development for students and workers across the country," the company said in a statement.
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Apple also plans to expand teams and facilities in numerous states, including Michigan, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina and Washington. In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that his company is "bullish on the future of American innovation."
"We're proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future," his statement added. "From doubling our Advanced Manufacturing Fund, to building advanced technology in Texas, we’re thrilled to expand our support for American manufacturing."
APPLE IPO ANNIVERSARY: HOW MUCH WOULD A $1,000 INVESTMENT BE WORTH TODAY?
"And we’ll keep working with people and companies across this country to help write an extraordinary new chapter in the history of American innovation."
The announcement comes two days after President Donald Trump alluded to the tech giant's plans, saying that the company planned to invest "hundreds of billions of dollars" in the United States.
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"Yesterday I had Tim Cook in the office from Apple. He's investing hundreds of billions of dollars," Trump said at a White House gathering on Friday. "That's what he told me. Now he has to do it."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/apple-unveils-historic-500-billion-investment-u-s-manufacturing-innovation-bullish-futureThe United States and Canada are negotiating President Trump's 25% tariff proposal on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. The tariffs haven’t started yet, but some Canadians are processing the possibility of higher prices every day.
"People that live in Canada now can't afford to travel anywhere outside Canada because our money is almost useless," said Canadian resident, Vance Lyons.
And there are differing opinions on whether Trump will go through with his threats.
"I don't think it will happen" said Paul Dutton, who lives in Canada. "So I think it's just the threats, and I'm not fearful." But others are angry. "I think it's foolish on his half. I think it's stupid. I think he's an idiot," said Lyons.
It's not just everyday people that are worried. Businesses are already hurting over concerns with tariffs. Products are getting stuck at the border and orders between the countries are coming to a halt.
"Our American distributors have been unable to take possession of the goods that they ordered from us." said Rahim Moloo, owner of Conquest Steel in Toronto. "We're focusing on trying to redistribute some of that inventory that was from the U.S. to the Canadian market and provided to the Canadian market at a little bit of a cheaper price."
Business is slowing down, so Moloo is cutting business hours.
"We've had to shut down our night shift and roll them into the day shift temporarily," said Moloo.
Moloo says some Canadian distributors have put a hold on taking new American orders. President Trump says Americans won't experience the pain of tariffs for long, but the CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade says the U.S. is making a good profit off Canada without more tariffs.
"I think they're really hard to understand in the sense that we obviously, you know, were neighboring countries. Our economies are very tightly integrated. The U.S., as you know, has $500 billion of investment in Canada," said Giles Gherson, CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
TRUMP DEFENDS TARIFFS, ACCUSES CANADA OF BEING 'VERY ABUSIVE OF THE UNITED STATES': VIDEO
During President Trump’s first term he imposed similar tariffs, but granted exemptions. This time around, Trump says no exemptions, and Canadian leaders are fighting back.
"If it comes to that our response will be firm and clear," said Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU SENDS FIERY MESSAGE TO US AFTER CANADA'S 4 NATIONS WIN
The U.S. imported over $7 billion worth of steel from Canada last year, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration. Canada will impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of goods if Trump goes ahead with this.
"What have we done to deserve this? And what have American leaders done to deserve it, either because you're going to see, you know, potentially massive shutdowns in the U.S. auto sector and other sectors because of this," said Gherson.
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As of now, the tariffs are slated to take effect on March 12.
"We can be friends. Not enemies," said Joanne Tea, a Canadian resident.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/canadian-businesses-already-feeling-impact-trumps-tariff-threats
DOMINICA, Feb 24 (IPS) - CARICOM leaders wrapped up a crucial meeting on February 21, reaffirming their commitment to tackling pressing regional challenges with unity and resolve. From crime and security to education, trade and climate change, the leaders highlighted the need for decisive action amid global uncertainties.
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39156 [Collection]
ANTARCTICA, Feb 24 (IPS) - It was 7:30 a.m. I got ready the fastest I could, adrenaline kicking in, curiosity and excitement peaking. I rushed out of my cabin, opened the big exit door, and there in front of me was the first visual of the majestic white continent - Antarctica.
Read the full story, “Global Heating in The Coldest Place on Earth”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39155 [Collection]UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24 (IPS) - The UN’s human rights agenda is in danger of faltering since the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is planning to “restructure” the office, under the moniker OHCHR 2.0.
But this proposal, if implemented, would result in the abolition of the Special Procedures Branch, established by the Human Rights Council (HRC), to report and advise on human rights from thematic and country-specific perspectives.
Read the full story, “Is the UN's Human Rights Agenda in Jeopardy?”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39154 [Collection]UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24 (IPS) - The UN’s human rights agenda is in danger of faltering since the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is planning to “restructure” the office, under the moniker OHCHR 2.0.
But this proposal, if implemented, would result in the abolition of the Special Procedures Branch, established by the Human Rights Council (HRC), to report and advise on human rights from thematic and country-specific perspectives.
Read the full story, “Is the UN's Human Rights Agenda in Jeopardy?”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39154 [Collection]UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24 (IPS) - The UN’s human rights agenda is in danger of faltering since the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is planning to “restructure” the office, under the moniker OHCHR 2.0.
But this proposal, if implemented, would result in the abolition of the Special Procedures Branch, established by the Human Rights Council (HRC), to report and advise on human rights from thematic and country-specific perspectives.
Read the full story, “Is the UN's Human Rights Agenda in Jeopardy?”, on globalissues.org →
https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/02/24/39154 [Collection]The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published an urgent warning instructing consumers to discard a certain brand of frozen supplement milkshakes over listeria concerns.
The recall, which includes all Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental shakes, was announced by the FDA on Friday. Of the 38 illnesses that have been reported so far, 37 people have been hospitalized and 11 have died.
Manufacturer Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., initiated the recall and alerted food distributor Lyons Magnus LLC to the outbreak. In its Feb. 21 statement, the FDA said that officials became aware of the listeria outbreak in late November, "with many ill people residing in long-term care facilities (LTCF) prior to illness onset."
"FDA’s traceback investigation identified that each of the LTCF who supplied invoice information for review from 2024 to present received a frozen supplemental shake of either Lyons ReadyCare or Sysco Imperial brand," the statement explained. "As part of this investigation, FDA collected environmental samples and found the outbreak strain of Listeria."
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Citing the CDC, the FDA said that the outbreak dates back to 2018, and that 20 cases from 2024 and 2025 have been recorded. Officials have been unable to find the source of the outbreak until now.
Most of the illnesses involved those in long-term care facilities, the FDA said.
"Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 34 (89%) reported living in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to becoming sick. Records reviewed from facilities indicated nutritional shakes were available to residents," officials said.
QUAKER OATS RECALL UPDATED TO 'MOST SERIOUS' CATEGORY AS FDA SOUNDS ALARM ON PANCAKE MIX
The milkshakes were distributed to the following states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.
Listeria monocytogenes can lead to listeriosis, which is especially deadly to older adults, though pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are also at risk.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), listeriosis can lead to "fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms." Symptoms start within two weeks of eating the contaminated food, though listeriosis is known to occur 10 weeks after ingestion as well.
"Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food," the agency advises.
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The FDA is actively investigating the outbreak.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/frozen-shakes-served-nursing-homes-recalled-numerous-deaths-hospitalizations-fdaA Florida woman took it upon herself to bless two planes she recently traveled on, and the decision is getting mixed reviews from viewers of her viral video.
Desiree Salter posted footage on TikTok of her blessing a JetBlue plane heading to Punta Cana on Feb. 15 and rubbing it with oil while boarding. The post's caption reads, "In Jesus name we pray… AMEN!"
Salter took some of the oil on her finger and made the sign of the cross next to the plane's open door. Her video has gotten more than 6 million views as of Sunday, with both supporters and nonbelievers commenting.
"The way I would instantly feel safer on that flight," one man said in response to the video.
"There is a thin line between faith and fear," another commented.
Salter posted a subsequent video saying she had no idea her video would garner so many views, but she particularly wanted to answer a repeated question she was getting from social media users.
"I actually get the oil from my church," she explained. "My stepfather is a pastor, and he prayed over the oil and passed it out to the congregation."
She said she keeps some bottles of oil at her home and in her purse.
"Happened to have one right before the trip and, of course, with some of these planes that's been crashing and some weird stuff that's going on, I just wanted to pray for it and get everybody here safe," she said. "God kept us safe. God kept us covered, and the devil is a liar."
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Salter did the same thing on the plane for her return flight to Florida on Feb. 20.
JetBlue did not immediately respond to a FOX Business request for comment.
The videos come after some high-profile aviation incidents in recent weeks.
On Jan. 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, killing all 67 onboard when the two aircraft plunged into the Potomac River.
Two days later, a medical jet crashed in Philadelphia, killing six who were onboard and one person in a car, while injuring dozens of others.
On Feb. 6, a small commuter plane went down in Alaska, killing 10 people.
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On Feb. 17, Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport. No fatalities were reported, though 21 people were injured, including three who were critically wounded. The flight had departed from Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport earlier that day.
FOX Business' Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jetblue-passenger-blesses-planes-oil-following-flight-incidentsJust one month into the job and President Donald Trump is making big changes in government. That includes energy policy, which is vital for the economy.
Trump has to do a couple of things, Bjorn Lomborg, political scientist and president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, told FOX Business on the sidelines at the three-day Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London last week.
"We need to get much more energy because we know energy is the lifeblood of making sure you have very prosperous societies… He will be doing that."
That’s a different approach to energy policy than Democrats took earlier this decade. In 2022, the number of federal lands drilling permits approved by the Biden government plunged from the previous year.
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But with a new administration, an energy policy shakeup is in process. Earlier this month, a White House memo announced the formation of the National Energy Dominance Council to help with "unleashing American energy." That means cutting red tape and raising energy output, the memo states.
However, there’s more to it than that, Lomborg told FOX Business. "Around the world there are plenty of people who are very worried about climate change. We need to address those issues as well," he says.
The way to do it is to make significant cuts in overall funding but funnel the smaller budget "smartly" toward innovation that will eventually fix climate change, Lomborg said. "This is going to be much cheaper," he said, adding, "It's going to drive innovation in a lot of different ways." He says a likely suitable allocation would be up to $30 billion, which he dubs as a "rounding error in most of the U.S. conversations on developing cheap, free and effective energy."
But Lomborg has mixed views on whether the phrase "drill baby drill’ is helpful in crafting energy policy. "It's a way to, you know, burn a lot of votes and also get a lot of people annoyed," he says. "I think we should probably not be saying it that way. But fundamentally, it shows you what drives the world is energy, cheap, available energy."
And it’s clear the world needs more energy, Lomborg said. "It's easy for rich people in the rich world to say, we can do with less energy," he said, pointing to rich developed countries such as the U.S. and Western Europe. "But most people in this world, are incredibly poor and they need much, much more energy. So, in that way, Trump is absolutely right."
EUROPE’S BEST KEPT SECRET: POLAND, THE REGION’S ECONOMIC TIGER
Poorer countries are largely relying on fossil fuels, such as coal, and that’s because it’s far cheaper than green technologies. "Imagine if we could make fourth generation nuclear cheaper than fossil fuels," Lomborg said. "We would get not just the U.S. and Europe on board, but we get the Chinese and the Africans." In other words, lower priced clean energy would get more countries on board with newer energy tech.
One region that doesn’t seem to have a stable energy policy is Europe, notably the United Kingdom and Germany, two of the largest economies in that part of the world.
Germany made some radical changes to energy policy a decade and a half ago, involving a desire to go green at breakneck speed. It didn’t happen. "In 2010, Germany got 79.6% of its energy from fossil fuels," Lomborg told FOX Business. "Fast-forward to 2023 and they still get 79.3% of its energy from fossil fuels." At least part of Germany’s situation is due to its decision to reduce its nuclear power output to a tiny fraction of what it was in 2010.
Britain also has its own energy challenges. Since 2003, the price of electricity for British households and businesses has jumped three-fold. "This is a real drag on the economy," Lomborg said. He points to the likelihood that higher energy costs will likely push industrial companies away from Europe to countries such as China and India.
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On the United Nations push for green energy, he said, "We need somewhere where all nations can meet and talk." That said, he’s not so convinced by the rush to get to net-zero, meaning no carbon emissions by 2050. "There's no way we can do that… It's going to be fantastically costly, and it's going to be incredibly damaging, especially for poor countries."
"I think what President Trump is now saying is that we need to get off this path and get on a smarter path," Lomborg told Fox News.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-world/expert-says-president-trump-is-absolutely-right-world-needs-more-energy-resourcesAudrey Hepburn's former villa in Switzerland is ready for a new owner.
The actress' home, affectionately referred to as La Paisible, meaning "the peaceful" in French, rests on 40 acres of land, just a short distance from the stunning landscape of Lake Geneva, in the Tolochenaz, Vaud, area of Switzerland.
Spanning almost 11,000 square feet, the house, currently listed by British realty company Knight Frank, is on the market for $21 million. The high price comes with the promise of 12 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a two-bedroom service apartment and much more.
Originally built in the 18th century, the home was first purchased by Hepburn in 1963, and she lived there for 30 years, until her death from cancer at the age of 63. According to Bloomberg, her sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti, sold the home in 2001, to Katharina Beaujolin and her husband, Jean-Marc Beaujolin, the current chairman of ECH Ltd.
After purchasing the home, Katharina and Jean-Marc made small renovations to the home, which Bloomberg reports included moving the location of the kitchen and modernizing it, as well as updating the bathrooms and electrical systems, and adding more guest bedrooms.
While they did make changes, Hepburn's legacy remains in the home, as a plaque with Hepburn's name on it hangs on the exterior of the house, a feature that often attracts tourists. Katharina told Bloomberg that the public's continued interest in Hepburn is "actually quite touching," as "she died more than 30 years ago now," saying it just goes to show "how much she meant to people."
"When Audrey Hepburn turned 60, she got 60 white rosebushes sent and had a rose garden planted, and half of those are still there," Katharina shared about what remains from Hepburn's time at the villa.
In addition to the white rosebushes, the grounds are surrounded by centuries-old trees, which tower over the home. The home features five separate entrances, including one that is lined with rosebushes and features flowers covering the walls and front door.
Once inside the home, guests will be greeted by one of its 21 rooms—one of which is the spacious living room—spread across three floors. The room features light green walls and tan carpeted flooring as well as a wood-burning fireplace.
The large room features two separate sitting areas, both composed of white couches, wooden tables and upholstered chairs. One wall boasts multiple large windows which look out onto the grass fields, while others boast built-in bookshelves.
A door at one end of the living room leads to a small sitting room with black-and-white tiled flooring and a small chair placed in front of glass French doors leading out to the yard.
On the other side of the sitting room is the library. The library features terracotta floors, which are accented with a rug, draped in the center of the room.
White built-in bookshelves cover multiple walls of the library, including the walls above the blue sofa, which sits next to a pink armchair. The room also boasts a flat screen TV and double doors that lead to what appears to be a dining area.
The main level is rounded out with a fully renovated modern kitchen, which boasts a large center eat-in island that also houses the oven and stovetop. The kitchen features white countertops and blue cabinetry as well.
Just steps away from the center island is the home's casual dining area and a built-in bookshelf, situated near a door that leads outside.
Two staircases and an elevator lead to the upper levels of the home, which contain the guest bedrooms, as well as the primary suite.
One of the guest bedrooms features two twin beds, tan carpeted flooring and an angular structured ceiling with exposed wooden beams.
In contrast, one of the other guest bedrooms boasts hardwood flooring, covered in a light blue carpet, a full bed, wooden chairs and a small desk, two large windows looking out onto the property and built-in bookshelves.
Also on the second level is the home's spacious primary bedroom. It features hardwood flooring, a wood-burning fireplace, multiple windows looking out onto the property, and various pieces of wooden furniture.
Elsewhere in the home is a second living room, which features oak parquet flooring.
One key highlight of the home is a loft space. The large room, featuring brick flooring and wood paneling on the ceiling, has been left fairly empty, except for a pool table and a few other recreational accoutrements placed in the corner, and is perfect for entertaining large parties.
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Once outside the home, guests will find multiple seating areas, including an outdoor dining area and lounge area.
In addition to all the amenities inside the house, the estate features a private 16,000-square-foot park, which includes a heated 50-foot pool. The area also includes a large parking garage and outdoor parking spaces, big enough to accommodate 15 cars.
"It’s a nice place to invite friends in the summertime, when the kids are around with their families," Katharina said of the loft space and the private park, adding that two of her sons got married on the grounds.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-entertainment/audrey-hepburns-swiss-villa-hits-market-whopping-21-millionPeople of all socioeconomic statuses appear to know Costco is the place to turn for deals, whether it be for $1.50 hot dog combos or luxury cars, according to the retailer's chairman Hamilton "Tony" James.
James, who has been a director of the company since 1988, according to his biography on the Costco website, said he loves going to the board meetings because "the company is a great window on what’s going in the world of consumers, what they’re buying or not buying."
He recently said in a Q&A with Chief Executive Magazine that Costco has always kept an eye on the competition while focusing on growth, from the small supermarket next to them in Seattle to retail giants Walmart and Amazon.
"Since the beginning, we’ve always known we could move anything in volume if the quality was good and the price was great—Rolex watches, Dom Perignon, 10-karat diamonds," James said.
COSTCO GOLD BARS SELLING OUT QUICKLY AS BULLION PRICES RISE: SURVEY
While most of Costco's members are "average-income earners," James noted that "affluent members with two times the average income" allow the business to "do remarkable things."
"A Porsche dealer in Seattle put their cars on the floor of a Costco, and they sold out in a week," James gave as an example. "Affluent people love a good deal."
COSTCO ROLLING OUT GAME-CHANGING NEW FEATURE ON MOBILE APP
James even addressed the gold bars that have made headlines for quickly selling out.
"I don’t know if affluent people are buying them or just people suspicious of the economy. I’d love to see the demographics on the buyers," he said.
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Earlier this month, Costco reported net sales of $19.51 billion for the retail month of January, which is a 9.2% increase from last year.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/costco-chairman-reveals-surprising-luxury-items-fly-off-shelves-affluent-people-love-good-deal"Pawn Stars" personality Rick Harrison broke down why investors are putting their cash behind the "absolutely nuts" gold market in record numbers on "The Claman Countdown."
Harrison joined FOX Business anchor Liz Claman on Thursday after she reported gold prices hit a record high nine times this year, up over 11% year-to-date. This comes during growing calls from officials like Elon Musk to audit Fort Knox, the guarded depository for American gold reserves.
"I'm just saying that if everyone doesn't say, 'No, we shouldn't audit it,' we should probably audit it," Harrison said of Fort Knox. "There's no good reason not to, and then when they start arguing that we shouldn't, it makes an even better case for auditing it."
"My problem is my suppliers are limiting the amount of gold they’ll sell you in gold and silver," Harrison continued. "Because they can't get any in. I mean, it's gone absolutely nuts. I mean, you take South Korea, they banned retail sales here lately because the government’s buying it all."
Fort Knox holds 147.3 million ounces of gold, according to the U.S. Mint.
TRUMP BACKS CONFIRMING FORT KNOX GOLD IS THERE, AS TREASURY SAYS IT IS
Harrison credited inflation, or the government "printing money like confetti," to explain the public’s popular investment in gold and silver.
"Remember, we live in a world where we're printing money like confetti, and it's getting a lot of people concerned," Harrison said.
"I mean, the government's number-one line item now is interest on the debt. It's $36 trillion. I mean, you're never going to be able to pay that off," he said. "So the only way to pay down the debt is either inflate the money supply or monetize the debt, which can cause inflation, anyway. So, that's one of the reasons why I think everyone's buying gold and silver."
Harrison and Claman discussed how the price of gold rose exponentially just this year, referencing its 1974 cost of below $200 per troy ounce. Currently, gold costs $2,940 per ounce, according to JM Bullion.
'PAWN STARS' LAS VEGAS STORE, OTHER PAWN SHOPS REGAINING BUSINESS AMID INFLATION, COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Still, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owner insisted there are no downsides to repricing gold for those who are not buying or selling it. He maintained that many are buying gold as a "hedge against inflation."
"When we were on the gold standard, there really wasn't much inflation at all because you couldn't print money," Harrison said. "Because the whole definition of inflation is increasing the monetary supply, which our government is doing at an astonishing rate right now."
After highlighting the gold standard, Harrison transitioned to explaining the cause of today’s inflation.
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"Back in the day, you know, the gold standard, you just couldn't print gold, and therefore, it kept inflation in check," he added. "The bankers complained about it. They wanted more money in the system, so they load more money, you know, but that caused inflation. The gold standard, it works. It's worked for thousands of years… "
https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/pawn-stars-personality-rick-harrison-concerned-world-printing-money-confettiA Delta Air Lines flight was diverted back to Los Angeles, California, on Saturday night after smoke was detected in the galley.
Flight DL43 had departed from Los Angeles International Airport for Sydney, Australia, before diverting back to Los Angeles and landing safely a short time later.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people," a Delta spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "That’s why the flight crew followed established procedures to return to Los Angeles (LAX) after smoke was detected in the galley. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels."
The spokesperson said the Airbus A350-900 was carrying 162 passengers. The aircraft landed safely and proceeded to an arrival gate routinely.
Passengers can be reaccommodated on other flights on Saturday night, the spokesperson said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to LAX for additional details.
This comes after several recent aircraft collisions in North America.
A Delta flight operated by Endeavor Air crashed and landed upside down at Toronto Pearson Airport last week after departing from Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport. There were no deaths in the crash, although more than 20 people were injured, including three who were critically wounded.
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Earlier this month, 10 people died after a commuter plane crashed off the coast of Alaska.
On Jan. 29, 67 people died near Washington, D.C., when a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines-affiliated commercial flight from Kansas.
A Learjet 55 serving as medical transport crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing a pediatric patient, her mother and four crew members who were on board when the plane crashed shortly after departing Northeast Philadelphia Airport. A motorist on the ground also died, and two dozen people on the ground were injured, according to the city.
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There were also a pair of plane crashes in Asia in recent months.
In South Korea,179 people died when a Jeju Air flight crashed into an airport's concrete barrier, and a crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines plane killed 38 people and injured 29 in Kazakhstan on Christmas.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/fox-news-travel/delta-flight-diverted-back-lax-after-smoke-detected-galleyBerkshire Hathaway chairman and CEO Warren Buffett on Saturday released his annual letter, which touted the company's record-setting tax payments last year and urged the federal government to spend the money wisely.
Buffett recalled how, when he first bought Berkshire Hathaway 60 years ago, his longtime business partner Charlie Munger warned him that what was then a large textile business was "headed for extinction," as indicated by its inability to generate profits and pay taxes at the time.
"The U.S. Treasury, of all places, had already received silent warnings of Berkshire's destiny," he wrote. "In 1965, the company did not pay a dime of income tax, an embarrassment that had generally prevailed at the company for a decade. That sort of economic behavior may be understandable for glamorous startups, but it's a blinking yellow light when it happens at a venerable pillar of American industry. Berkshire was headed for the ash can."
"Fast forward 60 years and imagine the surprise at the Treasury when that same company – still operating under the name of Berkshire Hathaway – paid far more in corporate income tax than the U.S. government had ever received from any company – even the American tech titans that commanded market values in the trillions," Buffett wrote.
WARREN BUFFETT'S ANNUAL LETTER TO BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY SHAREHOLDERS: READ HERE
"To be precise, Berkshire last year made four payments to the IRS that totaled $26.8 billion. That's about 5% of what all of corporate America paid. (In addition, we paid sizable amounts for income taxes to foreign governments and to 44 states.)"
Buffett added that the company's aggregate income tax payments to the U.S. Treasury over time have reached an aggregate $101 billion, and noted that the company only paying out one dividend in the past 60 years allowed the conglomerate to build its base of taxable income over time.
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The value investor, known for holding stocks over the long term, also touted his top investments.
"We own a small percentage of a dozen or so very large and highly profitable businesses with household names such as Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola and Moody’s. Many of these companies earn very high returns on the net tangible equity required for their operations", he said.
Buffett went on to discuss the value of capitalism, which he said has faults and abuses that "in certain respects are more egregious now than ever" but "also can work wonders unmatched by other economic systems."
"True, our country in its infancy sometimes borrowed abroad to supplement our own savings. But, concurrently, we needed many Americans to consistently save and then needed those savers or other Americans to wisely deploy the capital thus made available. If America had consumed all that it produced, the country would have been spinning its wheels."
BUFFETT SLAMS REGULATORY BURDENS
"The American process has not always been pretty – our country has forever had many scoundrels and promoters who seek to take advantage of those who mistakenly trust them with their savings. But even with such malfeasance – which remains in full force today – and also much deployment of capital that eventually floundered because of brutal competition or disruptive innovation, the savings of Americans has delivered a quantity and quality of output beyond the dreams of any colonist."
"From a base of only four million people – and despite a brutal internal war early on, pitting one American against another – America changed the world in the blink of a celestial eye," Buffett wrote.
He explained that in a "very minor way" Berkshire's shareholders have participated in the American miracle by forgoing dividends. What was originally a "tiny, almost meaningless" reinvestment "mushroomed" over time.
"Berkshire's activities now impact all corners of our country. And we are not finished. Companies die for many reasons but, unlike the fate of humans, old age itself is not lethal. Berkshire today is far more youthful than it was in 1965," he wrote.
"However, as Charlie and I have always acknowledged, Berkshire would not have achieved its results in any locale except America whereas America would have been every bit the success it has been if Berkshire never existed."
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"So thank you, Uncle Sam. Someday your nieces and nephews at Berkshire hope to send you even larger payments than we did in 2024. Spend it wisely. Take care of the many who, for no fault of their own, get the short straws in life. They deserve better. And never forget that we need you to maintain a stable currency and that result requires both wisdom and vigilance on your part," Buffett wrote.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/warren-buffett-touts-berkshires-record-tax-payments-urges-government-spend-wiselyPresident Donald Trump said Saturday he is happy with the work Elon Musk has done with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he has one complaint — Musk hasn’t gone far enough.
The president wrote on Truth Social that the tech billionaire is "doing a great job," but should be "more aggressive."
"ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE. REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA!," Trump wrote.
A few hours after Trump's Truth Social post, Musk responded with an enthusiastic post of his own on X. "Will do, Mr. President!" Musk wrote.
According to the agency’s website, as of Feb. 17, 2025, DOGE’s total estimated savings are around $55 billion. The agency attributes this to "a combination of fraud detection/deletion, contract/lease cancelations, contract/lease renegotiations, asset sales, grant cancelations, workforce reductions, programmatic changes, and regulatory savings."
DOGE has been the subject of multiple controversies since it was officially established on Jan. 20, with several Democrats dismissing or publicly condemning the agency. There are also critics who take issue with the agency’s access to federal systems, including the Treasury Department’s payment system.
In a statement, Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., said it was "impossible for us to do that important work when unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his lackeys are set on burning down the government." She also accused Musk of trying to "line his own pockets and rip off Americans."
Much of DOGE’s work so far has been focused on tackling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The agency has canceled numerous government contracts, which it says have saved the American people millions.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was also a major focus for DOGE. According to the White House, some of the DEI initiatives funded by USAID included $1.5 million to push DEI in Serbia, $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland and $47,000 for a "transgender opera" in Colombia.
DOGE, though, seems to not only be looking for ways to cut spending, but also for a possible opportunity to give some of the savings back to the American people through dividend payments.
MUSK WEIGHS A 'DOGE DIVIDEND' TO SEND AMERICANS CHECKS USING SAVED FUNDS
James Fishback, CEO of investment firm Azoria, came up with the idea for DOGE to issue refunds to Americans based on its savings. When he initially posted about the idea, Fishback urged DOGE to send the savings it created "back to hard-working Americans as a tax refund check. It was their money in the first place!"
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In a letter published on his X account, Fishback put out a detailed proposal on how the dividend would work. Fishback suggested that the checks be sent out after DOGE’s expiration in July 2026 and that they be funded "exclusively with a portion of the total savings delivered by DOGE."
Musk told the crowd at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that Trump "is supportive" of the dividend idea, though there has been no formal action taken as of Feb. 22.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-says-elon-musk-should-more-aggressive-doge-cutsIn Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders he reflects on the 2024 year:
"Berkshire did better than I expected, though 53% of our 189 operating businesses reported a decline in earnings. We were aided by a predictable large gain in investment income as Treasury Bill yields improved and we substantially increased our holdings of these highly-liquid short-term securities…" he said, while also noting the massive tax bill the company has paid to the U.S. government.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/warren-buffetts-annual-letter-berkshire-hathaway-shareholders-read-hereBritney Spears’ former home in the heart of Beverly Hills has hit the market for just under $8 million.
The "Gimme More" singer bought the property in 2007 following her divorce from her second husband, Kevin Federline, and sold it five years later for $2.1 million in May 2012, real estate records show.
The recently renovated six-bedroom, seven-bath home carries a price tag of $7,999,995, which includes murals by renowned painter Maria Trimbell, a sound-proof music studio/screening room, saltwater swimming pool and Jacuzzi, all nestled in a community with a 24-hour guarded gate.
LORI LOUGHLIN LISTS LA MANSION FOR $16.5 MILLION
"This one-of-a-kind estate and former celebrity haven, exudes timeless allure within the prestigious 24-hour guard-gated enclave of The Summit above Beverly Hills," agent Ben Salem of Compass said of the home on Summit Circle. "Recently reimagined inside and out, this secluded retreat atop Mulholland Drive offers unparalleled tranquility. Renowned artist Maria Trimbell’s breathtaking murals grace both the interior and exterior, adding a distinctive artistic touch to this exceptional residence."
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The 7,453-square-foot home also has double-height ceilings, five oversized bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and walk-in closets, a sixth bedroom with a private entrance, a gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, warming drawers, a wine fridge, an ice maker and a built-in barbecue area.
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A large crystal chandelier is a focal point of the home that can be seen from the first floor entryway and from a second-floor balcony.
In early January, Spears shared that she was one of thousands who were forced to evacuate from her current home in Thousand Oaks, northwest of Beverly Hills, as wildfires raged through the area.
"I hope you are all doing OK !!! I had to evacuate my home and I’m driving 4 hours to a hotel !!!" the "Piece of Me" singer wrote on her Instagram at the time.
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Spears' former Beverly Hills home previously sold for $6.1 million in 2021.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/entertainment/britney-spears-former-la-mansion-hits-market-nearly-8mThe age of over-relying on credentials is fading out, according to Mike Rowe.
"I think we're coming out of a period where we have relied too heavily on credentials," Rowe said during an interview on FOX Business' "Varney & Co." Tuesday.
MIKE ROWE DETAILS ‘SHIFT’ IN THE PATH TO PROSPERITY: ‘ENTERING A WHOLE NEW TIME’ OF SMART MONEY
When Varney asked Rowe – best known for creating and hosting the iconic Discovery series "Dirty Jobs" – whether the "demands of many jobs" require too many credentials, he said: "Yes," and that it stands in the way of getting more workers into skilled trades.
However, he is not necessarily "against" some credentials and proof of learning.
"Obviously, we need those things, but it's very rarely right where it ought to be, in my opinion," he said.
Rowe, who champions the fostering of trade skills, careers and work ethic through the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, further explained the impact of fixating on hiring those who are credentialed versus those who lack them, but may be better qualified with their skill sets.
"When we rely too heavily on the credential, on the checklist, then I think we make a bad trade, and we often overlook people who are, in fact, the most qualified to help us close the skills gap, which is very real," he stressed.
He concluded by highlighting how there are a vast number of jobs that can be filled without a college education, and that his foundation's scholarship provides an alternative for those seeking another avenue for a career.
"As you know, 7 million jobs [are] open right now. Most of them don't require a four-year degree. Many pay six figures," he said. "That's what the scholarship is for."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/age-relying-credentials-nearing-end-mike-rowe-says