Russia says it and the U.S. now are aligned
Russia says that after the blowup by Donald Trump and Vice President Vance at Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Friday at the White House the U.S. is now aligned with Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also praised Trump and Vance while saying that Zelenskyy demonstrated a lack of diplomatic skills. He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of what transpired in Washington and that Putin was right when he said that it is Ukraine, not Russia that is blocking the path to peace.
Britain’s Prime Minister rallies European leaders
Britain’s Prime Minister Starmer told the leaders of 18 European countries that they need to do more to aid Ukraine in view of President Trump pulling back U.S. support for Ukraine as it tries to defend itself in the war that was started by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Starmer said that his country was prepared join other countries in sending troops and planes to defend Ukraine. French President Macron said that he and Starmer were considering offering a peace plan that would begin with a one-month ceasefire.
Prices for bitcoins jump after Trump announces cryptocurrency reserve plan
Donald Trump, who is in the cryptocurrency business as is his wife Melania, has ordered that the U.S. develop a Crypto Strategic Reserve. Trump’s announcement sent the prices of five bitcoins soaring, some more than 60%. Trump named the five bitcoins that the U.S. likely would be buying to hold in its strategic reserve, much like the U.S. holds gold in Fort Knox. Trump is scheduled to hold a cryptocurrency summit at the White House on Friday. His policy is a reversal of the Biden Administration’s crackdown on fraud and money laundering through the use of cryptocurrency. Before he got into the crypto business, in a 2021 Fox News interview Trump called bitcoins a scam.
“Anora” wins best picture at the Oscars
At last night’s Academy Awards the movie “Anora” won best picture of the year. Best actress was Mikey Madison, who starred in “Anora.” Sean Baker won Oscars for directing, editing and writing “Anora.” The best actor was Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist.” Best supporting actor was Kieran Culkin in “A Real Pain.” Best supporting actress was Zoe Saldaña in “Emilia Pérez.” The award ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment that paid tribute to actors who died during the year left out actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on Feb. 26. The tribute did include Gene Hackman, who was found dead the same day along with his wife and a dog in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home.
Chairman and CEO of Kroger resigns over personal conduct
The Kroger Co. today announced that Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned from the company following an investigation by the company’s board of directors into his personal conduct. The company said that, while unrelated to the business, his conduct was inconsistent with Kroger’s business ethics policies. A company director Ronald Sargent was named to serve as board chairman and CEO effective immediately. Details about what McMullen may have done were not revealed. The investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was reported to have started several weeks ago.
Treasury Department to stop enforcement of registration in business database
The Treasury Department last night announced that it will not enforce any penalties or fines against businesses that fail to register with the government in a database set up under the Corporate Transparency Act. Small businesses were required to register and provide ownership information by a deadline earlier this year, but the deadline was suspended as the result of a court challenge. The Treasury Department plans to issue a proposed rulemaking that will narrow the scope of the rule to cover foreign reporting companies only. “This is a victory for common sense,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.
