Forbes Daily: Facebook Parent Meta Unveils New AI Model Muse Spark
Tax Day is quickly approaching, but to those who haven’t filed yet—don’t rush. It’s better to take your time and ensure your return is accurate.
Some common mistakes include an incorrect or missing Social Security number, name mismatches—especially after marriage or divorce—and choosing the wrong filing status. Take time to review the rules for any tax credits or deductions you are claiming and avoid “double dipping” on the same expenses.
And if you don’t feel ready by next Wednesday, consider filing an extension. Just be sure to make a payment by Tax Day if you expect to owe taxes.
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Iran accused the U.S. of violating their ceasefire deal, closing the Strait of Hormuz and putting the agreement in jeopardy, though the White House initially denied the strait had been closed. Iranian leadership made the claim following one of Israel’s deadliest attacks on Lebanon to date, and disagreement emerged over whether the ceasefire deal included conflict in Lebanon.
MORE: President Donald Trump said the buildup of U.S. military troops will remain in the region until Iran adheres to what he described as the “real agreement.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that if Iran doesn’t comply with the peace deal, future attacks will be “bigger, and better, and stronger.”
Stock indexes rallied on news of the ceasefire, recovering some of last month’s losses, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average all climbing between 2.5% and 2.85%. Still, Wednesday’s gains shouldn’t be viewed as an “all-clear signal” for investors, IG analyst Fabien Yip warned, noting that the process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take weeks.
Precious metals also hit their highest point in three weeks, but analysts say the longevity of the rally depends on a secure ceasefire. Sucden Financial analysts said in an email to Forbes the agreement “appears fragile and conditional,” suggesting its impact on markets may be “headline-driven” rather than sustained longer-term.
Members of the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee appeared split over whether a prolonged conflict with Iran could result in more interest rate cuts or a hike this year. It remains to be seen how the military operation has affected inflation, but “most” officials indicated an extended conflict could disrupt the U.S. economy enough to warrant additional cuts.
WEALTH + ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Avis Budget Group’s stock has skyrocketed over 160% in the past month, enriching billionaire SRS Investment Management founder Karthik Sarma, whose biggest bet is on the rental car company. At current prices, SRS’s stake in Avis is worth approximately $3.7 billion—more than double the roughly $1.7 billion valuation at the end of February. But rental car rallies like this rarely last for long.
Shares of Meta surged 6.5% Wednesday as the company unveiled its highly anticipated large language model Muse Spark. It’s the Facebook parent’s first AI model to release under billionaire tech entrepreneur Alexandr Wang, who Meta brought on as its chief AI officer in 2025, as it seeks to catch up with other tech giants.
Trump Media and Technology Group’s massive bet on crypto last year turned President Donald Trump into one of the world’s biggest bitcoin investors. But his sons’ predictions for bitcoin’s rise did not come true, and as the cryptocurrency has pulled back, the company’s stash is now worth about a billion less than Trump Media paid for it.
President Donald Trump is considering moving U.S. troops from NATO members that have not supported the war against Iran to more supportive countries, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The report follows comments from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that Trump has considered withdrawing from NATO—though a 2023 law prevents him from doing so unilaterally.
Forbes 250: The Greatest Self-Made Americans
The American Dream, the audacious belief that anyone can make it to the top, is as old as the Republic itself.
This ideal has always had its heroes: from Alexander Hamilton, the orphaned immigrant who crafted America’s first financial system, to Andrew Carnegie, who went from working as a young teen in a textile mill to forging a vast steel empire. Since 1917, it has been the prime subject matter of this publication. So, in honor of America’s Semiquincentennial, we feel uniquely qualified to rank the 250 greatest living self-made Americans.
To identify these revolutionaries, we first mined Forbes’ 109-year-deep archive for classic tales of entrepreneurial capitalism. Then we asked our current crop of beat reporters for their ideas. We canvassed AI, running hundreds of queries through both ChatGPT and Gemini. While we put a heavy emphasis on rags-to-riches billionaires, we also included pioneering scientists, Supreme Court justices and others whose “wealth” is measured in influence and impact, not just dollar signs.
Next, we ran names past a panel of expert judges—including DeAngela Burns-Wallace, CEO of the Kauffman Foundation; Jim McKelvey, cofounder of Block; and Ryan Rippel, CEO of NextLadder Ventures. The final ranking encompasses financial success, obstacles overcome, and enduring impact—and includes figures like Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James and Dolly Parton.
WHY IT MATTERS “As the economy is currently being rocked by geopolitical turmoil and inflation, it can be hard to stay optimistic,” says Forbes senior editor Alex Knapp. “This list reminds us of what is possible in America. The success stories here all began with hard times—whether that was the Great Depression, poverty or even homelessness. They are stories that teach us that barriers can be overcome and great things are always in reach.”
MORE Once Homeless, They Are Now Among The Nation’s Most Successful Self-Made Americans
The World Cup is quickly approaching, but hotel associations in host cities tell Forbes they don’t expect to see the economic lift that was promised. FIFA canceled tens of thousands of reserved rooms in host cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico in recent weeks:
$30.5 billion: FIFA’s predicted economic boost to the U.S. from the World Cup
‘Demand has certainly not been at anywhere near that level,’ Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, told Forbes
6.3%: The downturn in inbound international tourism since President Donald Trump took office
You may have heard of doomscrolling, but there’s a similar version for people with career anxiety: “doomjobbing.” Unhappiness at work may cause you to scan through endless job listings and send out dozens of applications without a clear strategy. But while doing so may feel productive, it’s more effective to be focused and intentional with your job search.
Nike’s lead on the sportswear industry appears to be narrowing as a major competitor reported double digit growth in the fourth quarter. Which company is it?
Thanks for reading! This edition of Forbes Daily was edited by Sarah Whitmire and Chris Dobstaff.
