The Bulletin

• Conan O' Brien's Trump joke at Oscars: Conan O'Brien appeared to make a joke about Donald Trump and how he is dealing with the Russia-Ukraine war at the Oscars. Here's more on the moment that got everyone talking.

• Stabbing attack in Israel's Haifa: One person has died and several more have been injured after a "stabbing attack" in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, according to Israeli authorities. Know more about the incident.

• Southern California air quality alert: Millions of people in Southern California have been advised to keep their windows shut and limit time spent outdoors after air-quality alerts were issued for the area due to harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust. Learn more.

• End of Corporate Transparency Act Measure: President Trump has celebrated the Treasury Department's announcement that it will not enforce fines under the Corporate Transparency Act, an anti-money laundering law that aims to increase transparency around the ownership of certain business entities. Here's what to know.

• Fire engulfs Russian oil refinery: A fire erupted at one of Russia's largest oil refineries in the city of Ufa in Bashkortostan, approximately 900 miles from the Ukrainian border, following a reported drone attack. Find out more.

• Musk's Social Security remark rebuked: Elon Musk called Social Security "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan released on Friday, drawing criticism and warning from Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

• Harris pulls out of Oscars appearance: Former Vice President Kamala Harris was set to make an appearance at the 97th Academy Awards last night, but her plans appeared to change last minute. Know why.

The rundown: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron hope to steer through a partial ceasefire in Ukraine that would not cover on-the-ground clashes, the French leader has said.

Why it matters: Starmer had told the BBC early on Sunday that London and Paris, along with "possibly one or two others," had agreed to work with Ukraine on a ceasefire plan to present to the U.S. Macron told French newspaper Le Figaro in an article published on Sunday that he and Starmer had proposed a ceasefire "in the air, on the seas and on energy infrastructure" that would span one month. Russia has hammered Ukraine's energy infrastructure with persistent missile and drone attacks, limiting access to heating, power and water for swathes of the war-torn country. There are deep concerns over how fighting could impact facilities linked to Ukraine's nuclear power plants, like substations.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Zelensky Gets Boost in Ukraine After Heated Clash With Donald Trump: Poll

TL/DR: European unity has taken on fresh importance as U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have quickly rewritten Washington's relationship with the continent.

What happens now? It remains to be seen what type of agreement will materialize from the talks — and how quickly — not to mention how it will intersect with Russian discussions with the U.S.

Deeper reading Europe's 'Coalition of the Willing' Seeks Partial Ceasefire in Ukraine

The rundown: A previously secret study revealing that Florida insurers claimed to be losing money because of major storms while transferring billions of dollars to affiliate and parent companies sheds light on the crisis that has enveloped the state over the past few years. Read more.

Why it matters: The 2022 study report, obtained and released by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times last week, shows that insurance companies in the Sunshine State justified massive premium hikes for policyholders as necessary to cover losses at the same time that executives distributed $680 million in dividends to shareholders and diverted billions to affiliates. While insurers' profits are capped at about 4.5 percent by Florida regulators, the profits of affiliate and parent companies are not. Insurers are known to use these companies to reward their executives and investors in a way that's open to be abused and has been linked to companies going insolvent before.

Read more in-depth coverage:
How Florida Could Solve Its Insurance Crisis in 2025

TL/DR: According to NerdWallet's latest data, homeowners insurance costs an average of $2,625 a year for $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage in Florida, higher than the national average of $1,915.

What happens now? Doug Quinn, executive director of the watchdog American Policyholder Association, told Newsweek that “you can have all the laws and regulations you want, but if the state regulatory and law enforcement agencies do not enforce them, they have no use, and bad actors will abuse the system.”

Deeper reading Florida Insurance Scandal Has 'Huge' Impact for Homeowners

The rundown: U.S. Cyber Command has been ordered to halt operations against Russia, according to reports.

Why it matters: On February 28, the Record, a cybersecurity news site, reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions. U.S. Cyber Command, established more than a decade ago, has several thousand computer operatives at its base at Fort Meade, Maryland. The defense secretary gave the instruction to Cyber Command Chief General Timothy Haugh, who then informed the organization's outgoing director of operations, Marine Corps Major General Ryan Heritage, three unnamed people familiar with the matter told the Record.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Pete Hegseth Issues Update to Pentagon on Elon Musk's DOGE Order

TL/DR: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's instruction, part of a move to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin into talks about the war in Ukraine, highlights a new relationship between Moscow and Washington, The New York Times said.

What happens now? The consequences of Hegseth's order are unclear. According to the Record, if it applies to U.S. Cyber Command digital operatives focused on Russia, the instruction will affect hundreds of people, including members of the roughly 2,000-strong Cyber National Mission Force and the Cyber Mission Force.

Deeper reading Pete Hegseth Orders US Cyber Command to Stand Down on Russia: Reports

The rundown: Norway, a NATO member located on the Arctic front line, has said that China's presence in the region is "limited but growing" as it increases cooperation with its quasi-ally Russia. Learn more about the warning.

Why it matters: The Norwegian Intelligence Service warned in its annual threat assessment report of current security challenges, which was released on February 5, that "over the past year, tensions have been rising between Russia and China on the one hand and the West on the other." China's "largest and most prominent" activities in the Arctic are its investments in Russian liquefied natural gas projects, the report said. With regard to the Chinese icebreaker fleet, the report said in addition to the five ships in service, China is working on developing heavier icebreakers and icebreakers with nuclear propulsion, increasing its ability to map the Arctic for both civilian and military purposes.

Read more in-depth coverage:
NATO's Plan to Defend Arctic From Putin Faces Trump-Shaped Hurdle

TL/DR: China, an East Asian country located at least 900 miles away from the Arctic Circle, has claimed itself a "near-Arctic state," as well as a stakeholder in the Arctic affairs.

What happens now? The U.S. and Russia have discussed cooperation to explore Arctic's natural resources and trade routes, Bloomberg reported, which could "drive a wedge" between Russia and China.

Deeper reading Front-Line NATO Member Issues Warning About China's Ambitions in Arctic

The rundown: As inflation and high interest rates squeeze household budgets, credit card debt weighs heavily on millions of Americans—but not equally across the country. Here's the region with the highest levels of debt.

Why it matters: A new survey by Talker Research for Newsweek has revealed that Americans in the northeast are most likely to carry credit card debt, with 75 percent reporting balances on their cards. In contrast, the southeast had the lowest percentage of credit card debt at just 63 percent. The data highlights a troubling financial reality: while credit cards offer flexibility, they also carry some of the highest interest rates. That can turn a temporary shortfall into a long-term burden, especially in regions where other forms of debt—like mortgages, auto loans and medical bills—are also widespread.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Americans Have a Credit Card Debt Problem

TL/DR: The survey, conducted nationwide, asked 1,000 employed U.S. adults about the types of debt they hold and how much they owe.

What happens now? As credit card balances remain high, financial experts warn that even small changes in interest rates can have a huge effect on consumers Consumer Finance Expert at CardRates.com Erica Sandberg told Newsweek that when it comes to getting out of debt, "First, stop charging. After all, you can't get out of debt if you are continuing to get into it."

Deeper reading Map Shows Region With the Most Credit Card Debt