Happy Wednesday, N2K reader!

I’ve decided to change the theme of this week’s world-famous news haiku competition™ to the Venezuela sitch, because I can pivot™ with the best of them, baby. And I believe that you, yes, you, dear reader! — can craft an incredible haiku on the subject. Send me your entry — to our spiffy new email address, haiku at cheddar dot com — by noon ET Thursday for consideration by your Cheddar peers!

—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor

News You Need2Know

• Europe draws a firm line at Greenland

• Nvidia wants to power your future robotaxi

• Ford roars back with best U.S. sales since 2019

• CDC shakes up shot list for children

• Maduro claims kidnapping in non-guilty plea

• Poll of the day: How firm is your line at Greenlan …

• Poll results: You’re broke

What’s the stock market up to, eh?

$SPX ( ▼ 0.09% ) $DJI ( ▲ 0.54% ) $NDX ( ▼ 0.65% )

Companies mentioned in today’s newsletter

$NVDA ( ▼ 2.32% )  $MBGAF ( ▼ 1.11% )  

Europe draws a firm line at Greenland

European leaders have underscored Greenland’s sovereignty following renewed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about taking over the Arctic island. In a joint statement, leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark declared: “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

This statement reflects Europe’s growing unease with geopolitical competition in the Arctic. The region, increasingly vital due to its mineral resources and strategic location between North America and Europe, is now a focal point for global powers. Trump reignited the Greenland debate by telling The Atlantic, “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.”

European leaders highlighted the role of NATO in maintaining Arctic security, affirming: “NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority…and European Allies are stepping up…to deter adversaries.” Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reassured citizens, emphasizing his government’s commitment to self-determination and at the same time, er…cooperation with the U.S.

This collective European response sends a clear message: the Arctic’s future will be safeguarded under international law, not unilateral ambitions.

Nvidia wants to power your future robotaxi

Nvidia $NVDA ( ▼ 2.32% ) plans to deploy vehicles powered by its cutting-edge AI chips and Drive AV software stack, enabling "Level 4" autonomous driving — meaning cars can operate without human intervention in predefined areas — by 2027.

“We will probably start with a limited availability but work with the partner for us to get our footing,” said Xinzhou Wu, Nvidia’s vice president of automotive. This marks a significant milestone for Nvidia, as the self-driving space becomes a crucial growth area alongside its AI infrastructure.

Nvidia isn’t stopping with robotaxis. It’s also targeting automakers like Mercedes-Benz $MBGAF ( ▼ 1.11% ) , providing chips and simulation software to enhance self-driving development. By late 2026, new Mercedes models will integrate Nvidia’s AI systems to handle urban driving, automated lane switching, and even park-to-park capabilities. However, as Nvidia demonstrated with a recent test drive in San Francisco, challenges like tricky traffic jams still require driver intervention, indicating that “full” autonomy may take more time.

CEO Jensen Huang remains optimistic: “We imagine that someday, a billion cars on the road will all be autonomous,” he said.

Song of the Day: Sara Beth, ‘Vices’

Here’s a nice, weirdly upbeat song about a young woman fighting addiction. Just like this newsletter…?

Ford roars back with best U.S. sales since 2019

Ford Motor Company $F ( ▲ 5.1% ) has had its best U.S. annual vehicle sales performance since 2019, delivering a 6% increase in 2025. The Detroit automaker sold an impressive 2.2 million vehicles last year, including a 2.7% boost in fourth-quarter sales, which totaled over 545,200 vehicles. Andrew Frick, president of Ford's non-fleet vehicle businesses, said “We’re really pleased with where we finished the year...We outperformed the industry for 10 straight months.”

Despite challenges such as production delays caused by fires at a key aluminum supplier's plant in New York, Ford remained resilient. The company reported an 8.3% uptick in its F-Series pickup sales for the year.

While Ford’s traditional internal combustion engine vehicles dominated its sales, making up 86% of volume, the company saw mixed results in its transition towards electrification. All-electric vehicle sales dipped 14.1%, including a sharp 52% drop in the fourth quarter. However, Ford’s hybrid vehicle sales surged by nearly 22%, offering a bright spot in the company's strategy to balance EVs and hybrids.

The firm’s stock is up 38% over the last year.

Quote of the Day

CDC shakes up shot list for children

Federal health officials have reduced the number of recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., at the direction of President Trump, announced the revisions, claiming they align with vaccine standards in other wealthy nations. "This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health,” Kennedy said.

However, the move has sparked significant backlash from public health experts. Dr. Helen Chu, immunologist at the University of Washington, called the changes "alarming, unnecessary, and will endanger the health of children." She told the New York Times, "this will increase confusion and decrease vaccine uptake," raising concerns about further declines in immunization rates amid growing mistrust of vaccines. The U.S. saw a resurgence of measles cases in 2025, recording its highest numbers since 1993.

Challenges to the credibility of this overhaul persist. Dr. Sean O’Leary from the American Academy of Pediatrics argued the revisions lacked proper scientific review, telling the Times, "We can no longer trust the leadership of our federal government for credible information about vaccines." Despite Kennedy’s assurance of “transparency and informed consent,” critics fear these changes might exacerbate preventable disease outbreaks and erode public health trust further.

Should you check your 401(k) today?

👍️ 

Yes, markets were up again yesterday.

Maduro claims kidnapping in non-guilty plea

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday after being, let’s say…apprehended…by U.S. Army Delta Force commandos over the weekend. Pleading not guilty to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, Maduro alleged that he had been "kidnapped" and declared himself a “prisoner of war” during tense courtroom proceedings.

“I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country,” Maduro said defiantly, calling into question the legality of his detention. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein interrupted Maduro's speech, asking sternly, “Are you Nicolás Maduro Moros?” The embattled leader confirmed his identity but appeared unsettled, his hands moving nervously throughout the hearing.

The charges against Maduro and several co-defendants, including his wife, Cilia Flores, tie them to cocaine trafficking operations with narco-terrorist groups. Flores, who also pleaded not guilty, declared herself the “first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.” Prosecutors, however, allege the couple worked directly with criminal organizations to ship drugs into the U.S.

Outside the courthouse, protesters gathered to condemn or support Maduro’s court appearance. “It’s a small justice for my friends who lost their lives,” said Pedro Reyes, a former Venezuelan political prisoner, talking to the New York Times as he urged accountability for Maduro’s alleged crimes.

Poll of the day: How firm is your line at Greenland?

Poll results: You’re broke

We asked: Do you invest in companies that will benefit from the Venezuela sitch?

You answered:

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, through my 401(k). (111)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, profits are profits. (63)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, through the CIA. (14)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ No, I find it unethical. (159)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I have no money to invest in anything. (190)

537 Votes via @beehiiv polls

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