“Dictator” Zelensky
Thursday, February 20th, 2025
World Events — Trump Slams Zelensky
The Economists
Ukraine is facing a multifaceted crisis as Donald Trump's growing alignment with Russia and criticism of President Zelensky add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing war. Trump's potential return to power and his willingness to engage with Putin have alarmed Kyiv, especially as doors in Washington were already closing. Exhausted by years of conflict and grappling with significant losses, Ukraine fears a ceasefire without security guarantees and immediate elections, a scenario that could lead to a devastating outcome, potentially orchestrated by Trump's team echoing Russian strategies. Despite the uncertainty, Zelensky must navigate these treacherous waters, balancing the urgent need for peace with the preservation of Ukraine's sovereignty and security, all while facing declining domestic trust and the looming threat of a deal that could unravel the nation's unity.
Tech — Grab Ain’t Grabbing On
Bloomberg
Grab Holdings Ltd. experienced a significant drop in share value following the release of a full-year revenue forecast that fell short of analyst expectations, signaling a potential downturn in the Southeast Asian ride-hailing and food delivery market where competition with GoTo Group remains intense. The company projects a 19% to 22% revenue increase, amounting to $3.33 billion to $3.4 billion, slightly below the anticipated $3.5 billion. Despite a smaller-than-expected decrease in quarterly net income, Grab's spending on incentives rose by nearly 30% to stimulate usage across its various services, reflecting the escalating competitive pressures. While Grab aims for positive net income in 2025 and explores strategic moves like a potential GoTo takeover, the company faces challenges related to slowing growth and increased competition from rivals like Sea's ShopeeFood, which necessitates a stronger defense leveraging its established ecosystem.
Business — China Tries to Woo Investor Back
China is intensifying its efforts to entice foreign businesses back after inbound investment plummeted to a three-decade low, pledging increased engagement and unveiling an action plan to ease restrictions. The Commerce Ministry plans to visit foreign enterprises to understand their needs and resolve their issues, while also vowing to remove all market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, ensure equal treatment for goods produced by both local and foreign firms, and improve access to credit. Despite these measures, which follow similar initiatives in 2023, foreign firms have continued to scale back new investments in China, with a net inflow of only $4.5 billion last year.
Health — Healthy Relationship, Unpacked
Healthy relationships are built upon a foundation of trust, openness, respect, and affection, all of which contribute to the well-being of those involved. Trust involves a sense of security and dependability, fostered by consistent, positive interactions and the belief that your partner has your best interests at heart. Openness and self-disclosure are equally important, creating an environment where each person feels comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears without judgment. Respect entails valuing each other's individuality, opinions, and boundaries, avoiding demeaning or belittling behavior, and supporting each other's personal growth and pursuits. Affection, expressed through physical touch, words of affirmation, and acts of service, nurtures emotional intimacy and reinforces feelings of love and connection. These core elements are further strengthened by good communication, marked by respectful dialogue and effective conflict resolution, and a balanced give-and-take, where both partners contribute and support each other's needs. Conversely, unhealthy relationships are characterized by control, poor communication, disrespect, and a lack of trust, often leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and unhappiness. Cultivating a healthy relationship requires ongoing effort, mutual commitment, and a willingness to address challenges constructively, ultimately fostering a strong and fulfilling partnership.
Food — Blueberry Pancake
I really miss blueberry pancake so here is some blueberry pancake recipe.
Pinch of Yum
Song Rec — homecoming queen (Kelsea Ballerini)
Quote of the Day
“All of the bright precious things fade so fast, and they don’t come back.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby