The U.S. State Department authorized non-essential personnel and their families to leave Israel Friday, as a possible U.S. strike on Iran appears more likely. Thursday’s nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran did not result in any meaningful breakthroughs, but the Trump administration said Friday that additional talks are planned for next week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to the region in the coming days.
The U.S. State Department authorized non-essential personnel and their families to leave Israel Friday, as a possible U.S. strike on Iran appears more likely. Thursday’s nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran did not result in any meaningful breakthroughs, but the Trump administration said Friday that additional talks are planned for next week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to the region in the coming days.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told lawmakers Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, and that she does not remember meeting him. “I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices,” she told House Oversight Committee members in a closed-door hearing in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons have a home. Former President Bill Clinton is set to talk to lawmakers on Friday.
President Trump’s pick for the position of Surgeon General, Dr. Casey Means, appeared before the Senate on Wednesday, where lawmakers pressed her on her stance on vaccinations, her controversial comments on birth control, and her prior business entanglements.
Anthropic, the maker of the Claude AI platform, is in a high-stakes fight with the Pentagon over how its AI can be used. The company already has a two-year agreement with the Defense Department worth up to $200 million to use advanced AI for classified systems.
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Speed Read
Friday, February 27
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Bill Clinton says he ‘did nothing wrong’ with Epstein as he faces grilling over their relationship (AP)
Trump suggests “friendly” takeover of Cuba (MO NEWS)
Texas airspace closed after military reportedly downs US drone by accident (GUARDIAN)
Scouting America to end DEI efforts in deal with Pentagon (USA TODAY)
Trump’s ballroom project can continue for now, court says (NPR)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Left-wing plumber helps Greens sink ruling Labour and far-right in surprise U.K. election win (NBC)
Pakistan defense minister says country is in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes (PBS)
Ghana says at least 55 of its people killed after Russia ‘lured’ them to fight Ukraine (GUARDIAN)
IMF approves $8B loan to Ukraine despite EU clash with Hungary (POLITICO)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
Trump bans AI firm over explosive Pentagon Showdown (MO NEWS)
Fintech company Block lays off 4,000 of its 10,000 staff, citing gains from AI (AP)
Wholesale inflation was hotter than expected in January as tariffs threaten to push up prices for consumers (CNN)
Target to remove synthetic color from cereals by May end (CNBC)
State Farm announces $5 billion dividend, possible $100 rebate checks (USA TODAY)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
U.S. hockey player Brady Tkachuk slams White House TikTok as ‘clearly fake’ after anti-Canada slur (NBC)
California Attorney General plants flag on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger: “not a done deal” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Pink denies reports that she is separated from husband Carey Hart: ‘Not true’ (ABC)
Bobby J. Brown, The Wire and Law & Order: SVU actor, dies of smoke inhalation after reported fire (CBS)
