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U.S. Legislation Threatens Credit Card Rewards

New U.S. legislation could potentially upend the credit card loyalty program industry, a development that comes as the Trump administration undertakes a significant overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and as international relations shift in Europe. These are among the key developments emerging from various news reports.

Americans' love for credit card rewards programs could be threatened by new U.S. legislation, according to Fortune. Almost three-quarters of Americans use a credit card that offers rewards, and the income generated from these programs is crucial to many Fortune 500 companies, particularly airlines, hotels, and merchants. Delta Air Lines, for example, reported a 6% increase in loyalty revenue last year, with co-brand income from Amex up to $8.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is proposing the biggest changes to FEMA in a generation, as reported by NPR News. President Trump, a vocal critic of the disaster response agency, appointed a 12-person review council shortly after taking office to propose sweeping changes. Rural communities heavily rely on federal disaster funds to recover after weather catastrophes.

In international affairs, a Munich Security Conference ended with Europe seeking a future less dependent on the U.S., according to NPR Politics. The conference, held on February 14, 2026, saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio deliver a keynote speech. The expectations for the conference were high, especially after the previous year's lecture on free speech and democracy from Vice President Vance, which reportedly shocked many European leaders.

Additionally, an immigration enforcement program has seen a surge in use under the Trump administration, as reported by NPR News. The program deputizes local police for immigration enforcement.

In other news, a Career column in Nature News discussed the efficiency of funding schemes. Gerald Schweiger argued that one Horizon Europe funding call cost more in researcher and funder time than the total amount it awarded, suggesting that such schemes could be a drain on the scientific ecosystem.

AI-Assisted Journalism

Synthesized from multiple sources. Reviewed for accuracy.

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