Discord removes Reddit's WallStreetBets server from its platform

Reuters
Ukraine's foreign minister discussed 'lasting peace' with US envoy
Kellogg's visit to Kyiv comes at a difficult time in diplomatic terms for Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump effectively ended Russian leader Vladimir Putin's political isolation, engaged in bilateral talks with Moscow, and has since echoed Russian lines regarding Ukraine. "I affirmed Ukraine's willingness to achieve peace through strength and our vision for the necessary steps," Sybiha said on X.
Associated Press
Sightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending February 15, the Labor Department said Thursday. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for layoffs. The four-week average, which evens out some of the week-to-week volatility, fell by 1,000 to 215,250.
AFP
DR Congo unrest sparks biggest refugee wave to Burundi in 25 years
Burundi is dealing with its biggest influx of refugees in 25 years as families flee the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations refugee agency said.The 25-year-old motorbike taxi rider said armed groups had "started firing in all directions", leaving the family no option but to run.
Associated Press
When the pope is sick, Italians always gossip about who comes next - even before 'Conclave'
While the Vatican has been providing twice-daily updates on his condition and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said they “joked around as usual” during her visit Wednesday, all kinds of reports — true and not — abound about Francis' health. It doesn’t help that the Oscar-nominated movie “Conclave” is in theaters and has made everyone an expert in the arcane rules and spectacular drama involved in a papal election. Or that Francis recently extended the term of the dean of the College of Cardinals rather than find someone new to fill a key job during the next papal transition.
Reuters
White House adviser urges Ukraine to tone down criticism
The White House continued to press Kyiv on Thursday with its efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging it to rein in criticism and quickly sign a minerals deal pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump. "They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal," Mike Waltz, the White House national security adviser, said in an interview with Fox News. Pushback from Ukraine on the minerals deal and how Trump is carrying out peace talks is simply unacceptable, Waltz said, given everything the United States has done for Ukraine.
Associated Press
The Latest: Trump supports Musk’s idea to send some DOGE savings to American citizens
President Donald Trump said that he likes the idea of giving some of the savings from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency back to U.S. citizens as a kind of dividend. This comes as labor unions, Democrats and federal employees have filed several lawsuits against DOGE. The Resolute Desk, an Oval Office mainstay, “is being lightly refinished,” Trump posted on social media.
USA TODAY
Iranian Christians feared death in Iran. Then the US deported them to Panama.
Iranian Christians were flown to Panama after seeking asylum at the U.S. border. The flights are part of Trump's strategy to expel migrants.
AFP
South Korea's ousted PM says he tried to stop martial law decree
South Korea's ousted premier said on Thursday that he had opposed suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law, testifying for the first time at his former boss's impeachment trial about the events of a night that threw the country into turmoil.Much of Yoon's impeachment trial has centred on the question of whether he violated the constitution by declaring martial law, which is reserved for national emergencies or times of war.
USA TODAY
Hegseth orders $50 billion of defense budget redirected from Biden to Trump priorities
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the funds will be pulled from 'so-called "climate change" and other woke programs.'
USA TODAY
What's next for NYC Mayor Eric Adams? That depends on one judge and the NY governor
Adams, facing corruption charges and possibly a gubernatorial ouster, planned a full day of standared mayoral actitives Thursday.
Reuters
Indonesia anti-graft body arrests senior opposition official
Indonesian investigators on Thursday arrested a senior politician from the only opposition party in parliament in a long-running bribery case connected to a parliamentary appointment, the country's anti-graft agency chief said. Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, known as PDIP, was arrested on charges of bribing an election official to install his preferred politician in a parliamentary seat in 2019, and obstruction of justice, Setyo Budiyanto said at a press conference.
AFP
Walmart sales rise but shares tumble on forecast
Walmart reported solid fourth-quarter results Thursday behind higher US sales, but shares tumbled after its quarterly and annual projections missed estimates.Shares of the retail behemoth fell around eight percent in pre-market trading after the company projected annual profits of between $2.50 and $2.60 a share in fiscal 2026, below the $2.77 expected by analysts.
Associated Press
Ancient deity, pet and endangered species. Why is axolotl Mexico's most beloved amphibian?
Legend has it the axolotl was not always an amphibian. Long before it became Mexico’s most beloved salamander and efforts to prevent its extinction flourished, it was a sneaky god. “It’s an interesting little animal,” said Yanet Cruz, head of the Chinampaxóchitl Museum in Mexico City.
Time
Denmark’s PM Opens Up About Fiery Trump Call Over Greenland
In an exclusive interview, Mette Frederiksen discusses the incident and new transatlantic tensions over NATO and Ukraine.
Yahoo Finance
Mercedes-Benz CEO on Trump tariffs: We are an American company too
Auto tariffs are the topic of the moment with industry leaders. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius says
AFP
Seven civilians killed in Syria UXO blast: monitor
At least seven civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed on Thursday when unexploded munitions ignited at a house in northwestern Syria, a war monitor said."Seven civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed when leftover munitions stored inside a house" in Idlib province exploded, the Observatory said.
AFP
Mercedes-Benz flags cost cuts, tough year ahead after torrid 2024
Mercedes-Benz warned of looming cost cuts Thursday and gave a bleak outlook for 2025 after its profits plunged almost a third last year amid a slump in China and slowing electric car sales. The group announced plans to slash production costs by a tenth in the next two years and warned that 2025 would be another difficult year, with sales set to slow further and profit margins worsening.
AFP
ECB rate hikes result in record loss in 2024
The European Central bank on Thursday reported a record loss in 2024 after it had aggressively hiked eurozone interest rates in response to soaring inflation. "Increases in the ECB's key interest rates in 2022 and 2023" resulted in higher interest expenses for the central bank itself on its liabilities, while income from interest on its assets did not rise as fast.
Associated Press
Is spending all day on your feet at work an occupational hazard?
While traveling in Europe, Margaux Lantelme noticed something different about the store cashiers: they did their work sitting down. It was a stark contrast to Chicago, where Lantelme works the register at REI and cashiers typically spend eight hours a day on their feet. For Lantelme, a former kayaking instructor, prolonged standing can trigger flare-ups of chronic pain that limit her mobility.
Reuters
Vatican work continues apace even with Pope Francis in hospital
While Pope Francis battles pneumonia in hospital, work at the Vatican, headquarters of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, continues apace. Although certain doctrinal matters require the pope's direct attention, senior Catholic cardinals and other Vatican officials can make many of the daily decisions that govern the global Church. Although this is Francis' fourth stay at Rome's Gemelli hospital as pope, it is potentially the 88-year-old pontiff's most serious health crisis yet.

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