In northern Gaza, children are attending makeshift tent schools near the Israeli border, facing daily risks from ongoing gunfire. These students are determined to continue their education despite the dangers, highlighting the resilience of the community amidst conflict. This situation underscores the urgent need for safer educational environments in conflict zones.
Apple is launching "Creator Studio," a subscription bundle on January 28th offering access to professional creative apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro across Mac and iPad for $13/month, challenging Adobe's dominance. The subscription includes new AI-powered features and content, plus updates like Final Cut's Transcript Search and a new iPad version of Pixelmator Pro, impacting creative workflows and accessibility.
The co-CEO model is gaining traction, with the number of companies in the Russell 3000 employing dual leadership more than doubling since 2015, as seen with companies like Oracle, Comcast and Spotify. Proponents argue that shared leadership enhances decision-making and mitigates individual biases, though potential downsides include executive burnout, despite the high compensation typically associated with the role.
Superorganism, a venture capital firm focused on biodiversity, has closed its first $25 million fund to invest in early-stage companies developing technologies that protect and restore natural ecosystems. The firm targets startups addressing extinction, the intersection of climate and biodiversity, and tools for conservation, offering investments between $250,000 and $500,000 while allocating 10% of profits to future conservation initiatives.
In 2025, over 100 new tech unicorns emerged, fueled by AI investment but also spanning sectors like space and blockchain. Noteworthy examples include Heven Aerotech, developing hydrogen-powered drones, and Unconventional AI, focused on energy-efficient AI computing, highlighting diverse innovation driving billion-dollar valuations.
Multiple news sources report that Instagram is denying a data breach despite user reports of unsolicited password reset requests and claims from Malwarebytes that data from 17.5 million accounts is being sold on the dark web. While Instagram claims to have resolved an issue enabling unauthorized password resets and advises users to ignore suspicious emails, the company has not disclosed details of the vulnerability, leading to ongoing security concerns.
A recent drone attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan resulted in 27 fatalities, signaling a concerning escalation in the ongoing civil war. The attack, which targeted a Sudanese army base in Sinja, highlights the RSF's growing drone capabilities and their strategic intent to disrupt government forces' planned return to Khartoum, potentially reshaping the conflict's dynamics.
SpaceX is actively working to maintain Starlink connectivity in Iran amidst government-imposed internet shutdowns and signal jamming during protests. Recent software updates, developed in collaboration with Iranian tech groups, have reduced packet loss, but Starlink availability remains unstable as SpaceX attempts to circumvent Iranian jamming technology.
Apple will leverage Google's Gemini AI models and cloud services to power its upcoming Apple Intelligence features, including Siri, after a delay in its own AI development. This collaboration, while non-exclusive, signifies a major move for Apple to integrate advanced AI capabilities into its products and compete with other tech giants in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The multiyear deal's financial terms remain undisclosed, but it highlights Google's leading position in AI technology.
Keir Starmer has warned that X could lose its right to self-regulate in the UK if it fails to control its Grok AI chatbot, following concerns about the creation of non-consensual intimate images. The government plans new legislation targeting online tools used to generate such images, while Ofcom has launched an investigation into X, potentially leading to significant fines or even a UK block if the platform doesn't comply.
Deepgram, a voice AI platform, secured $130 million in Series C funding, valuing the company at $1.3 billion, signaling strong investor confidence in the growing voice AI market. The funding will fuel Deepgram's continued development and expansion, particularly in areas like customer support and sales, and follows Deepgram's acquisition of a Y Combinator AI startup to enhance its technological capabilities.
Marine Le Pen's political future is uncertain as she appeals a ruling that bans her from holding public office for five years, potentially preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election. The appeal, centered on charges of embezzling EU funds by using parliamentary staff for party activities, will be closely watched for its implications on French democracy and the far-right National Rally party. A ruling is expected well before next year's presidential vote.
A Tennessee man is pleading guilty to unauthorized access of the U.S. Supreme Court's electronic filing system, raising concerns about judicial cybersecurity. The breach, which occurred repeatedly between August and October 2023, highlights vulnerabilities in court systems despite recent efforts to bolster defenses following previous attacks.
UK regulators are investigating X (formerly Twitter) due to the proliferation of AI-generated sexualized images, created by Elon Musk's Grok chatbot, which violate online safety laws. The investigation focuses on X's potential failure to prevent the spread of illegal content, including non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material, prompting the UK government to consider further legislation against companies providing tools for creating such images.
Brazil's competition watchdog has ordered Meta to suspend its policy restricting third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp, initiating an investigation into potential anti-competitive practices favoring Meta's own AI. The probe, mirroring similar EU and Italian investigations, centers on whether Meta's policy unfairly excludes competitors from utilizing WhatsApp's Business API, potentially hindering innovation in AI-driven customer communication.
A Tennessee man is pleading guilty to unauthorized access of the U.S. Supreme Court's electronic filing system, raising concerns about the security of sensitive legal documents. The breach, which occurred repeatedly between August and October 2023, highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in U.S. court systems despite recent efforts to bolster cybersecurity defenses following previous attacks.
Multiple news sources report that the UK government, spurred by concerns over Grok AI's potential for generating non-consensual intimate images, is moving to enforce existing legislation and introduce new measures to combat deepfakes, including potential fines or a UK ban for X if it fails to control the AI chatbot. Labour leader Keir Starmer has warned X may lose its right to self-regulate, and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is urging swift action from Ofcom in its investigation of X.
Ammobia claims to have innovated the century-old Haber-Bosch ammonia production process, potentially reducing costs by up to 40% and decreasing its significant carbon footprint. With $7.5 million in seed funding from major industry players, Ammobia aims to scale its technology, paving the way for wider adoption of ammonia as a green energy carrier and alternative to hydrogen in industries and transportation.
Deepgram, a voice AI platform, secured $130 million in Series C funding at a $1.3 billion valuation, signaling strong investor confidence in the growing voice AI market. The funding will fuel Deepgram's expansion and product development, including its recent acquisition of a Y Combinator AI startup, to enhance its offerings for sales, marketing, and customer support applications. This investment highlights the increasing enterprise adoption of voice AI technologies and Deepgram's position as a key player in the industry.
