FirstFT: Trump orders pause on enforcing ban against bribing foreign officials

Friday Briefing: Trump Digs in on Gaza Takeover

Plus, the complex patterns in whale songs.

The New York Times - Feb. 6

Trump Media Is Moving Into the Financial Services Industry

The parent company of Truth Social said it had applied for trademarks for investment products that would allow supporters to invest in the “patriotic economy.”

The New York Times - Feb. 6

Palmerston, the British Foreign Service Cat, Takes Up New Post in Bermuda

The cat, who first served in 2016, had feuded with Larry, the chief mouser at 10 Downing Street.

The New York Times - Feb. 6

Trump’s Tariff Plan Is Looking Potentially Disastrous for Inflation

Here’s why Trump’s opening tariff salvo will likely hurt U.S. consumers.

Inc. - Feb. 6

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices

Lawmakers in the House are proposing to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from U.S. government devices

ABC News - Feb. 6

The Untold Winners of the Trump Memecoin Frenzy

When US president Donald Trump launched his own cryptocurrency, he sparked a trading frenzy. A constellation of little-known crypto platforms quietly profited.

Wired - Feb. 6

Trump Digs In on Gaza Takeover and Palestinian Resettlement

Aides had sought to walk back the president’s proposal, which drew condemnations. Israel’s defense minister said its military would draft plans for Gazans who wished to leave.

The New York Times - Feb. 6

Israel begins preparations for Gaza exodus as Egypt lobbies against Trump plan

Israel says it has begun preparations for the departure of large numbers of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in line with President Donald Trump’s plan for the territory

ABC News - Feb. 6

For Europe’s Right, Trump Stirs Caution Alongside Celebration

The American president’s threat of tariffs is not in the interest of Europe’s nationalist parties, who are just as eager to put their own countries first.

The New York Times - Feb. 6

NOAA Employees Told to Pause Work With ‘Foreign Nationals’

An internal email obtained by WIRED shows that NOAA workers received orders to pause “ALL INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS.”

Wired - Feb. 6

Google Unwinds Diversity Goals, Citing Trump’s DEI Orders

The Silicon Valley giant also said it was reviewing other diversity programs and initiatives and would update them if they seemed risky or ineffective.

The New York Times - Feb. 5

Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze Leaves Millions Without HIV Treatment

President Trump’s pause on aid, and the gutting of the primary aid agency, could jeopardize the health of more than 20 million people worldwide, including 500,000 children, experts say.

The New York Times - Feb. 5