Tech, AI, and finance news coverage and analysis
EU leaders convened in Brussels to address soaring energy prices exacerbated by Middle East tensions, resolve Hungary's blockade of a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine over oil transit disputes, and advance institutional reforms to boost competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
Democrats walked out of a House Oversight Committee briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi, accusing Republicans of staging a "fake hearing" to circumvent a subpoena for Bondi to testify under oath regarding the Epstein files, while Republicans dismissed the protest as pre-planned theater.
Nvidia boosts investor confidence with China orders and massive buyback plans despite broader market volatility, while prediction market platform Kalshi faces criminal charges in Arizona and AI firm Anthropic battles the U.S. government over contract restrictions.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced the central bank is holding interest rates steady at 3.5%-3.75%, acknowledging that inflation remains elevated at 3% (core PCE) largely due to tariffs and new oil price shocks from Middle East conflicts, while maintaining a forecast for potential rate cuts later this year contingent on inflation progress.
Opposition supporters gathered in Istanbul's Saraçhane Square to mark one year since Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest, with leaders from diverse political parties and unions uniting to demand judicial transparency, the release of political prisoners, and organized resistance against what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions and economic injustice.
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams conducted the 278th ISS spacewalk, spending over four hours installing structural struts and thermal insulation on the 2A power channel modification kit to prepare for future rollout solar array upgrades.
Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing for Homeland Security Secretary was dominated by a heated exchange with Chairman Rand Paul over Mullin's past comments appearing to justify Paul's assault by a neighbor, while Mullin defended his record and outlined priorities including securing DHS funding and maintaining border security gains.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced sustained pressure over appointing Peter Mandelson as Washington
Funeral speeches vowed revenge against the US and Israel for an alleged attack on the Iranian destroyer Dena that killed 104 sailors, while calling for continuous public demonstrations and pledging loyalty
President Trump hosts Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin for the annual St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Bowl ceremony, using the occasion to confirm recent military strikes against Iran, highlight a $42 billion trade deficit with Ireland, and promote his domestic election reform agenda while celebrating centuries of Irish-American diplomatic ties.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang forecasts $1 trillion in AI infrastructure spending through 2027 driven by insatiable demand for Blackwell chips and viral adoption of agentic AI, though markets remain skeptical about whether the stock's valuation reflects a cyclical peak or structural growth.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the UK Parliament to reinforce the new 100-year bilateral partnership, demonstrate Ukraine's cost-effective drone defense innovations including a real-time iPad command system, and announce expanded military cooperation with Middle Eastern allies while warning that evolving AI and drone technologies threaten global security.