FBI Seizes RAMP, Online Criminal Marketplace
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized RAMP, a prominent Russian-language online bazaar catering to cybercriminals, on Wednesday. The site, which billed itself as the only place ransomware was allowed, had both its dark web and clear web sites taken down as part of the agency's efforts to combat the growing threat of ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure and organizations worldwide, according to Ars Technica.
Visits to the RAMP domains now display pages indicating the FBI's control. RAMP had become one of the few online crime forums operating with relative impunity after the takedown of other forums like XSS, whose leader was arrested last year by Europol, Ars Technica reported. The closure of other forums left RAMP as one of the leading online destinations for cybercriminals.
Microsoft's Cloud Business Booms, But Investors Show Concern
Microsoft reported strong earnings for its cloud business, crossing a significant $50 billion quarterly revenue milestone and seeing its demand backlog more than double to $625 billion, boosted by its partnership with OpenAI, according to Fortune. However, the tech giant's stock tumbled nearly 5% in after-hours trading following the release of its second-quarter earnings, which revealed a slowdown in Azure revenue growth and capacity constraints that Microsoft admitted would extend to at least the end of its fiscal year in June. During an earnings call with analysts, Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood addressed investor concerns about the slowdown in revenue growth for the Azure platform amid soaring capital expenditures, Fortune reported.
Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady
The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to hold steady on interest rate cuts on Wednesday, leaving its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last year, Euronews reported. The central bank stated that there are signs the job market has stabilized and that growth was "solid," an upgrade from last month's characterization as "modest." According to Euronews, when the Fed reduces its key rate, it tends to lower borrowing costs for things like mortgages, car loans, and business borrowing, though those rates are also influenced by market forces.
Trump Administration Loosens Nuclear Safety Rules
The Trump administration has quietly changed how the Department of Energy oversees the safety and security of nuclear power plants built on its properties, according to a report from NPR, as reported by TechCrunch. About a third of the rulebook has been axed, and several sections have been heavily revised. Previous requirements, including those aimed at limiting groundwater and environmental contamination, are now suggestions, and worker protections have been weakened. Nuclear startups have been raising large sums of money, well over $1 billion so far, and data centers' thirst for electricity has been one driving force, TechCrunch noted.
Tesla's Profit Falls Sharply in 2025
Tesla published its financial results for 2025, revealing a significant downturn in its performance. For the first time in Tesla's history, revenues fell year over year, Ars Technica reported. Automotive revenues fell by 11% to $17.7 billion. However, double-digit growth in its energy storage business ($3.8 billion, an increase of 25%) and services ($3.4 billion, an increase of 18%) partially offset the shortfall, according to Ars Technica. Earlier this month, Tesla revealed its sales and production numbers for the fourth quarter of 2025, with a 16% decline compared to Q4 2024.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment