Follow the Money

EU-backed reconstruction in Ukraine is drawing private investment mainly to profitable sectors and areas, rather than to the most heavily damaged regions, EUobserver reports. The report raises questions about whether recovery funding is reaching the places destroyed by war or simply following commercial returns.

Following the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike, financial experts note that high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts may offer better returns to savers. Banks tend to raise deposit rates after Fed increases, meaning customers holding cash in these accounts could earn more interest in the coming weeks.

The Trump administration has moved to cancel nearly $1 billion in federal funding without seeking approval from Congress, according to a report picked up by international outlets. The decision bypasses the legislature's traditional power of the purse, drawing criticism from opponents who call it an overreach of executive authority. Observers are questioning which programs will lose money and what legal challenges may follow.

Ursula von der Leyen delivered a pitch framed around the Congress of Europe, but investigative outlet Follow the Money highlights key points she omitted. The report examines which themes, commitments or details were missing from her address, prompting questions about gaps between the Commission president's European rhetoric and the substance of her proposals.

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded roughly $5.3 billion in inflows following the US Treasury's announced buyback plan. The policy move has been read as supportive liquidity for risk assets, prompting investors to rotate into spot bitcoin funds. Market watchers are tracking whether the buying momentum continues as Treasury operations expand.

A court ruling has triggered refunds for customers of Maryland-area utilities BGE, Pepco and Delmarva Power. The decision means residents in Baltimore, Washington DC and Delaware service areas may be owed money on past bills. Local news outlets are reporting on who qualifies, how the refunds will be issued, and when customers can expect to see the credits on their accounts.

Bitcoin now makes up less than 60% of the total cryptocurrency market value, marking a drop in its dominance. Historical patterns cited in coverage suggest that when Bitcoin's share falls this low, alternative cryptocurrencies tend to outperform in the period that follows, fueling speculation about an upcoming shift in investor money toward altcoins.

American companies are beginning to receive refunds on tariffs, and many are finding unconventional ways to use the incoming money. The refunds follow legal and policy changes that required duties collected by the US government to be returned to importers. Businesses are reportedly allocating the funds in creative ways rather than straightforward reinvestment, drawing attention to how trade policy shifts are affecting corporate balance sheets.

The Department of Justice has announced a $1.7 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' as part of a settlement resolving a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS. Under the agreement, the money will reportedly be dedicated to preventing the politicized use of tax enforcement. The settlement follows Trump's long-standing claims that federal tax authorities were weaponized against him during and after his presidency.

A Japanese-language roundup lists the Los Angeles Dodgers' ten highest-paid players, comparing their performance this season with contract value, total money and annual average salary for the 2026 edition. Interest follows the Dodgers' star-studded, big-spending roster and debate over whether their expensive lineup is delivering results on the field.

A blood pressure medication has been recalled, while OpenAI has scrapped a planned new model release. The recall affects patients taking the medication, who are advised to check their prescriptions and consult their doctor or pharmacist. OpenAI's decision to shelve its model release has drawn attention in the tech industry. Both stories are being covered together in a business news roundup.

Ukraine's Supreme Court has ruled that a bank is not obliged to return money stolen from a client's card if the client voluntarily gave access to her account. A woman lost almost 43,700 hryvnias after following a phishing link promising 6,500 hryvnias in aid and entering her login details, which gave fraudsters access to her account. The decision signals that responsibility can fall on customers who hand over credentials themselves.