Patrick O'Shea: Mondays are a-changing: E-edition to replace print paper

Reuters
Trump's DOJ antitrust nominee to be grilled on enforcement
President Donald Trump's pick to oversee the U.S. Department of Justice's blockbuster antitrust cases against Alphabet's Google and Apple will have her commitment to enforcement tested by a Senate panel at her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Gail Slater, a veteran antitrust attorney and economic adviser to Vice President JD Vance, would lead the DOJ division that enforces laws against illegal monopolies and anticompetitive business behavior, if confirmed as assistant attorney general of the antitrust division.
Associated Press
Trump doubles down on plan to empty Gaza. This is what he has said and what's at stake
Behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s vows to turn Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” lies a plan to forcibly drive a population from its land, rights groups say, warning it could be a war crime under international law. Trump doubled down this week on his vows to empty Gaza permanently of its more than 2 million Palestinians, saying they would not be allowed to return and suggesting at one point he might force Egypt and Jordan to take them in by threatening to cut off U.S. aid. Whether it’s serious, a negotiating tactic or a distraction, Palestinians have roundly rejected the idea of leaving.
Reuters
US Republicans find unity on taxes a heavy lift in Trump 'golden age'
Barely a month after predicting a new "golden age" under President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans are struggling to move forward on the president's tax-cut agenda, despite their control of both the Senate and House of Representatives. House and Senate Republicans are pursuing rival plans for enacting Trump's tax proposals, including an extension of the 2017 tax cuts that were the signature legislative accomplishment of his first presidential term, and key party members in both chambers claim they can largely ignore an estimated cost of more than $4 trillion. With only a 218-215 majority, House Republicans are split between lawmakers from Democratic states who want a bigger federal tax deduction for state and local tax payments, hardliners pushing offsetting spending cuts and centrists worried about the potential ill-effects of those cuts back home.
Reuters
Analysis-Trump's Justice Department hits the brakes on anti-corruption enforcement
The U.S. Justice Department has sharply stepped back its anti-corruption efforts under President Donald Trump, from loosening enforcement of laws meant to stop companies from bribing foreign officials to directing its prosecutors to drop a criminal case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. It has disbanded an effort to enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs and fired veteran public corruption prosecutors who played a role in the department's two criminal cases against Trump during his years out of office.
Yahoo Finance
Why the 'best hedge' against the AI rally losing steam in 2025 is healthcare: Morning Brief
Investors have largely abandoned much of the healthcare space in favor of tech. But as tech falters, some strategists see the underrated sector as being the perfect tech hedge.
Associated Press
Kremlin says unidentified Russian freed in US in exchange for Moscow's release of Marc Fogel
The Kremlin said Wednesday that a Russian citizen was freed in the United States in exchange for Moscow’s release of American Marc Fogel, but refused to identify them until they arrive in Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the unidentified individual would return to Russia “in the coming days,” and when they are on the Russian soil, their name would be revealed — unlike during past prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Washington, when Russians and Americans were released simultaneously and their identities were revealed right away.
Reuters
Russia says it will never swap Ukrainian territory for Kyiv-held parts of Kursk region
The Kremlin said on Wednesday Russia will never discuss trading the Ukrainian territory it holds for areas in Russia's western Kursk region held by Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the Guardian newspaper that he planned to offer Russia a straight territory exchange to help bring an end to the war, including offering pockets of Kursk that Ukraine holds.
Reuters
Lyft shares sink as tough competition takes a toll on bookings forecast
The ride-hailing platform has been aggressively working on luring customers away from Uber through competitive pricing and new features, but faced challenges from wildfires and extreme weather in some crucial markets.
Reuters
India's top court says handouts creating 'class of parasites', Live Law reports
India's top court said on Wednesday that the practice of giving handouts was creating a "class of parasites" that was unwilling to work during elections because of "freebies" offered by political parties, legal news website Live Law reported. Handouts, including cash giveaways, free power, water, grain and loan waivers have become standard features ahead of elections in India despite the central bank and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warning against the fiscal damage they cause. He made the observations as part of a two-judge bench hearing a public interest litigation for a mechanism to ensure shelter for homeless people, Live Law reported.
AFP
France set to hand over sole military base in Ivory Coast
In a few days, France will hand over its only military base in Ivory Coast, its former star colony in west Africa, and both sides say the run up is proceeding seamlessly without any rancour.At the base's entrance, the watchtowers have been repainted in orange, white and green -- the national colours of Ivory Coast -- but the flags of both countries are still flying.
Reuters
Exclusive-Trump poised to attend Saudi-backed conference in Miami in February, sources say
DUBAI (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of global financiers and tech executives hosted by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund in Miami later in February, according to several people with knowledge of the event. According to the people, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, Trump is scheduled to deliver an address at the gathering. Among other attendees poised to attend the FII Priority summit are TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Oracle CEO Safra Catz, as well as Yasir Al-Rumayaan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund, the $925 billion Saudi sovereign fund, according to the FII website.
USA TODAY
Why TikTokers are pretending they got into Harvard
People on TikTok are pretending they got into top colleges like Harvard. Why?
USA TODAY
Susan Collins is in a familiar place: the Trump hot seat
The independent Republican senator is up for reelection in 2026, giving her some insulation from GOP critics.
USA TODAY
Happy 216th Abe: Today is Lincoln's birthday, a president Trump is fixated on
President Lincoln, regarded by historians as one of the best presidents in history, was born on this day in 1809. He is frequently invoked by Trump.
USA TODAY
Graffiti and middle fingers: Tesla Cybertrucks have become a political statement
EVs have long been championed by people who care about climate change. But the Cybertruck is part of a new crop of EVs aimed at a different driver.
Reuters
Brazil agriculture agency plans long-term research into cannabis cultivation
Brazil's agricultural research agency Embrapa, which helped turn the country into a leading grains exporter, is preparing a 12-year research program that could do the same for cannabis cultivation in the farming powerhouse. Embrapa scientists, who bred genetic varieties of grains, cotton and vegetables best suited for Brazil's tropical climate, expect health agency Anvisa to give a green light this year for the cannabis research program. "Can you imagine if we had already carried out the genetic improvement of this plant like we've done with cotton in the last 50 years?" said Daniela Bittencourt, a researcher with the cannabis work group at Embrapa.
AFP
Two astronauts stranded on space station to touch down early
Two American astronauts who have been trapped on the International Space Station since June could return to Earth earlier in March than expected, NASA said Tuesday.Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were due to spend eight days on the International Space Station (ISS), but have been there for more than eight months after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft suffered propulsion problems.
USA TODAY
North Korea condemns Donald Trump's proposal to take over Gaza as 'bluster'
North Korean state media on Wednesday denounced Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and relocate Palestinians and accused Washington of robbery.
CNN
Is there anyone in government Trump can’t fire? Why Humphrey’s Executor may be in peril at the Supreme Court
President Donald Trump’s purge at independent agencies is putting a target on a nearly 100-year-old Supreme Court precedent that protects certain officials from the political whims of the White House.
Associated Press
Modi and Trump's bonhomie may be tested as Indian prime minister's visits Washington
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding bonhomie with President Donald Trump could be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington on Wednesday, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports. India, a key strategic partner of the United States, has so far been spared any new tariffs, and the two leaders have cultivated a personal relationship. Modi — a nationalist criticized over India’s democratic backsliding — has welcomed Trump's return to the White House, seeking to reset India’s relationship with the West over his refusal to condemn Russia for its war on Ukraine.

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