By Emma Tucker

Ukraine is set to sign a mineral-rights deal with the U.S., hoping it can help reset the country's relationship with President Trump as he looks to recoup some of what the U.S. has spent on the war. In Washington, the Trump administration is making generous use of "special government employees," a status that allows those from the private sector to work inside the government without giving up their outside salaries or investments -- and, for most, without making public disclosures. Plus, the ranks of the ultrarich have begun to pull away from the merely wealthy, creating a new category of superbillionaires.

Today's Headlines

Ukraine's mineral-rights agreement with the U.S. could be finalized as soon as Friday at a White House meeting with Trump.

Trump says the U.S. has spent $350 billion on the war in Ukraine. Other tallies total far less.

Republicans squeaked their budget blueprint through the House after swaying a handful of wavering members to back the framework for Trump's agenda.

Data centers have been touted as big job creators. But after they are built, they need very few workers.

Hamas is regrouping its military forces for a potential return to fighting with Israel in Gaza, as mediators work to salvage the cease-fire that expires this weekend.

Live From The Markets

An investor known for squeezing cash out of dying malls is now trying a similar approach to profit from tanking office towers.

Read It Here First

Some Trump staffers get paid by private clients.

A set of influential Trump employees are working for the administration while simultaneously doing private-sector work. They carry a designation that lets them wear both hats: "SGE," or special government employee. The designation has typically been used to allow subject matter experts to sit on advisory boards or serve in narrow, specialized roles without giving up their jobs. But the Trump administration has used the status in a way never before seen, installing multiple people at top levels who are setting U.S. policy, Josh Dawsey, C. Ryan Barber and Katherine Long report.

A Disney worker downloaded an AI tool. It led to a hack that ruined his life.

Last year, Matthew Van Andel downloaded free software while trying out some new artificial intelligence technology on his home computer. The AI assistant was actually malware that gave the hacker behind it access to Van Andel's computer and his entire digital life, eventually allowing the hacker to steal from his employer, Disney. Robert McMillan and Sarah Krouse examine Van Andel's digital unraveling, a cautionary tale for companies -- and individuals.

Expert Take

Q: It's tax season. What should homeowners know?

For most Americans, buying a home is the biggest investment they will make. There are ways to make it less taxing. Ashlea Ebeling spoke to us about some key things to know when it comes to taxes and owning or buying a home.

A: For homeowners, tax season means extra paperwork and the possibility of extra tax breaks.

Taxpayers who itemize deductions, instead of taking the standard deduction, can deduct mortgage interest paid for loans on their main home and a second home -- up to a point. For mortgages originated after Dec. 15, 2017, interest on up to $750,000 of debt is deductible.

Itemizers can also deduct real-estate taxes, subject to the state and local tax deduction cap.

There's the home-office deduction. That's for those who are self-employed and use part of their home exclusively and regularly for business purposes. It's not for someone working from home who gets a W2 from an employer.

There are also tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. My husband and I are restoring a historic home in Connecticut, and we're expecting a tax credit for adding insulation and an electric heat pump. Tax credits for installing solar panels or battery storage are even more generous.

See The Story

Meet the world's 24 superbillionaires.

As the ranks of global billionaires have swelled dramatically in recent years, a new category of ultrarich has emerged -- the superbillionaire. Just 24 people worldwide qualify for that distinction, which is defined as individuals worth $50 billion or more. And they are changing wealth as we know it.

Happening Today

The Commerce Department reports new-home sales for January at 10 a.m. ET.

Earnings: Nvidia, Salesforce, TJX Cos., Lowe's, Snowflake, Agilent Technologies, Heico

Number Of The Day:

$5 million

The price of a proposed "gold card" that would allow those who could afford it permanent U.S. residency, ending an existing program that offers green cards to people who invest in the country. Trump said the new program, which he hopes to roll out in the coming weeks, would eventually provide a pathway for full citizenship.

And Finally...

GOP loyalists are trying to turn their adulation for Trump into law.

Republicans in Congress are looking to score political points with bills to have Trump's face chiseled into Mount Rushmore, make his birthday a new federal holiday, and rename one of Washington's main travel hubs Donald J. Trump International Airport.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 26, 2025 06:13 ET (11:13 GMT)

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