How Skilled Trades Are Creating Millionaires

Today’s topics

• How Skilled Trades Are Creating Millionaires

• Nvidia Hits $3.4 Trillion Market Cap

• Spring on Mars: A Chaotic Dance of Geysers and Avalanches

• Pollution Concerns in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'

• Kayaker Swallowed by Whale

  and more…

Zelle Surpasses $1 Trillion—The End of Cash?

Zelle just dominated the competition, moving a record-breaking $1 trillion in payments last year—more than any peer-to-peer platform ever. While PayPal lags at $400 billion, Zelle’s user base surged 12% to 151 million, with transactions up 27%. Launched in 2017 to take on Venmo and CashApp, Zelle’s edge lies in instant transfers built directly into major bank apps. Backed by JPMorgan, BofA, Wells Fargo, and others, it’s growing fast—despite criticism that banks ignored fraud complaints. Zelle claims 99.95% of transactions are legit. Whether that’s fact or just smart PR, one thing’s clear: people don’t care. The cash keeps moving.

Honda & Nissan’s $60B Breakup

Honda and Nissan were on the verge of becoming the ultimate power couple with a $60 billion merger. But like many high-stakes romances, this one ended before it even began. Talks collapsed, dashing hopes for a Japanese mega-carmaker to rival Tesla and BYD. Still, they’re keeping it friendly—both companies (with Mitsubishi awkwardly third-wheeling) plan to collaborate on EVs, batteries, and software. No wedding, but at least they’re staying business partners.

Robinhood Hits the Jackpot

Robinhood just struck gold, riding the Bitcoin wave and a surge in crypto trading. Profits skyrocketed 3,200%, with Q4 revenue soaring past $1 billion. Wall Street loved it—sending Robinhood stock up 14% to a new high. For the first time in years, the company actually turned a profit. But 2025 might not be as lucky—analysts predict a slowdown because, well, what goes up must come down.

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Apple Hints at a New Release

Tim Cook just hinted at a new Apple product launching on February 19—without actually saying anything. A sleek logo, some cryptic text—classic Apple. No real details, just enough to send the internet into a frenzy. Tech insiders bet it’s the iPhone SE 4, since Apple usually drops budget iPhones in the spring. Apple, as always, stays silent.

TikTok Is Back—For Now

After weeks of uncertainty, TikTok has quietly returned to the App Store and Google Play. Apple and Google restored the app, letting users get back to endless scrolling. The comeback came after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi assured Apple it wouldn’t face fines for hosting TikTok. Meanwhile, Trump has put VP JD Vance in charge of exploring a possible sale.

Spring on Mars: A Chaotic Dance of Geysers and Avalanches

While Earth enjoys blooming flowers and allergy season, Mars welcomes spring with explosive geysers and avalanches. Thanks to its 25-degree tilt, the Red Planet experiences four seasons just like Earth—but with a 687-day year, each season feels endless. Spring on Mars is anything but serene. The planet's thin atmosphere causes ice to skip melting and turn straight into gas, sparking massive eruptions of carbon dioxide and dust. NASA’s probes have captured the intense action, proving once again that Mars isn’t exactly known for its “gentle” side.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Achieves Record-Breaking Close Approach to the Sun

On Christmas Eve 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe made a historic close approach to the Sun, flying just 3.8 million miles from its surface at a speed of 430,000 mph. This milestone is expected to provide valuable data on solar materials, the origins of solar wind, and the acceleration of energetic particles, enhancing our understanding of the Sun's influence on the solar system. Read more

Concerns Over Starlink Satellites Interfering with Astronomical Research

SpaceX's Starlink satellites, numbering over 7,000, are essential for providing internet services in remote areas. However, scientists have expressed concerns that unintended radio emissions from these satellites are affecting the detection of distant cosmic signals, potentially hindering astronomical research and the search for extraterrestrial life. Efforts are ongoing to mitigate this interference, including developing software solutions and potential international regulations. Read more

Pollution Concerns in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'

In early 2025, Robert Taylor, an 84-year-old environmentalist from Reserve, Louisiana, faced the loss of his wife, Zenobia, who suffered from breast cancer potentially linked to emissions from a nearby chemical plant. This personal tragedy coincided with the rollback of environmental protections under the Trump administration, threatening to undo progress made in reducing pollution in the area known as "Cancer Alley." Taylor's advocacy had previously led to significant EPA interventions, but the new administration's actions pose challenges for the community's health and environmental well-being. Read more

Dioxin Contamination at Houston Community Center

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered carcinogenic dioxin contamination at Hester House, a community center in Houston's Fifth Ward. Community leaders attribute this contamination to historical corporate negligence and environmental racism. The dioxin levels exceeded safety limits for children, prompting the installation of a protective fence around a nearby daycare facility. While the EPA states that the contamination does not pose an immediate threat, it remains a significant concern. Testing at nearby properties indicated that most chemicals were below harmful levels, but further investigation is underway in areas surpassing the screening limits. This situation underscores ongoing health disparities in Black and brown communities, with residents reportedly having higher cancer rates. Community and government leaders are calling for stronger regulatory measures to address and prevent such environmental injustices. Read more

WNBA Expansion: Cleveland Emerges as Likely Destination

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is preparing to announce a new expansion franchise, with Cleveland emerging as the likely destination. This marks the return of the league to the city that hosted the original Rockers from 1997 to 2003. Cleveland's bid is notably strong, with a record-setting $250 million offer from Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert. The WNBA aims to expand to 16 teams by 2028, with Cleveland potentially becoming the 15th team. Read more

Kayaker Swallowed by Whale

A father-son kayaking adventure off the coast of Chile took an unexpected twist when a humpback whale emerged from the depths and casually swallowed Adrián Simancas. Mere seconds later, the whale spit him out, leaving him stunned and soaked in the water—now with the most unforgettable party story. Meanwhile, his dad managed to capture the whole ordeal on film, because, of course, some moments are too good not to document.

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