Multiple news sources suggest that Venezuela's new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, is hinting at economic reforms and opening up the country to foreign investment, drawing parallels to Deng Xiaoping's post-Mao economic boom in China. This potential shift follows years of political and social turmoil under Nicolás Maduro, with Rodríguez signaling a new chapter for Venezuela, including revamped oil laws to attract foreign firms.

Multiple news sources suggest that Venezuela's new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, is hinting at economic reforms and opening up the country to foreign investment, drawing parallels to Deng Xiaoping's post-Mao economic boom in China. This potential shift follows years of political and social turmoil under Nicolás Maduro, with Rodríguez signaling a new chapter for Venezuela, including revamped oil laws to attract foreign firms.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the UK government has launched free and subsidized AI training courses, designed with input from tech giants like Amazon and Google, to equip up to 10 million adults with AI skills for the workplace by 2030. While the initiative aims to boost AI adoption and confidence, some experts caution that comprehensive workforce adaptation requires broader skills development beyond basic chatbot prompting.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the UK government has launched free and subsidized AI training courses, designed with input from tech giants like Amazon and Google, to equip up to 10 million adults with AI skills for the workplace by 2030. While the initiative aims to boost AI adoption and confidence, some experts caution that comprehensive workforce adaptation requires broader skills development beyond basic chatbot prompting.

Multiple news sources report that a passenger plane crashed in northern Colombia, killing all 15 people on board; the Satena airline's Beechcraft 1900 lost contact shortly before its scheduled landing in Ocaña, and the wreckage was found in a mountainous area where Colombia's armed forces are assisting with the search. Separately, Storm Kristin has caused at least five deaths in Portugal, with widespread damage from flooding and landslides.

Multiple news sources report that a passenger plane crashed in northern Colombia, killing all 15 people on board; the Satena airline's Beechcraft 1900 lost contact shortly before its scheduled landing in Ocaña, and the wreckage was found in a mountainous area where Colombia's armed forces are assisting with the search. Separately, Storm Kristin has caused at least five deaths in Portugal, with widespread damage from flooding and landslides.

Multiple news sources report that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in China for a three-day visit, the first by a British PM in eight years, aiming to strengthen trade and cultural ties despite facing domestic criticism regarding China's human rights record and national security threats. Starmer insists the trip will benefit the UK and emphasizes the importance of a strategic relationship with China, while also acknowledging concerns about human rights and espionage.

Multiple news sources report that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in China for a three-day visit, the first by a British PM in eight years, aiming to strengthen trade and cultural ties despite facing domestic criticism regarding China's human rights record and national security threats. Starmer insists the trip will benefit the UK and emphasizes the importance of a strategic relationship with China, while also acknowledging concerns about human rights and espionage.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Barbara Corcoran, the founder of the Corcoran Group and "Shark Tank" star, celebrated her 70th birthday by staging her own funeral, complete with a coffin and eulogies from friends who thought she was deceased. Corcoran orchestrated the elaborate prank after learning about a surprise party planned for her, allowing her to hear what people truly thought of her.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Barbara Corcoran, the founder of the Corcoran Group and "Shark Tank" star, celebrated her 70th birthday by staging her own funeral, complete with a coffin and eulogies from friends who thought she was deceased. Corcoran orchestrated the elaborate prank after learning about a surprise party planned for her, allowing her to hear what people truly thought of her.

Multiple reports suggest Giannis Antetokounmpo is considering leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, with rival teams preparing aggressive trade offers amid the Bucks' struggles and Antetokounmpo's reported openness to parting ways with the organization. While a trade could happen as early as the February 5th deadline, the Bucks may delay any decision until the summer, as Antetokounmpo evaluates the team's direction.

Multiple reports suggest Giannis Antetokounmpo is considering leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, with rival teams preparing aggressive trade offers amid the Bucks' struggles and Antetokounmpo's reported openness to parting ways with the organization. While a trade could happen as early as the February 5th deadline, the Bucks may delay any decision until the summer, as Antetokounmpo evaluates the team's direction.

Multiple news sources report that the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady, ending a series of cuts amidst elevated inflation and sluggish hiring, despite pressure from the White House and a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. While Powell views the economy favorably, futures markets anticipate two rate cuts later in the year, reflecting a divergence in opinion on the appropriate monetary policy.

Multiple news sources report that the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady, ending a series of cuts amidst elevated inflation and sluggish hiring, despite pressure from the White House and a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. While Powell views the economy favorably, futures markets anticipate two rate cuts later in the year, reflecting a divergence in opinion on the appropriate monetary policy.

Amidst widespread protests and government-imposed internet blackouts in Iran, a man risked his safety to report to CBS News, corroborating other sources, about a brutal crackdown in early January, particularly on January 8th and 9th, where government forces allegedly massacred protesters in cities like Yazd. The man, along with other Iranians, expressed support for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah, indicating a desire for regime change.

Amidst widespread protests and government-imposed internet blackouts in Iran, a man risked his safety to report to CBS News, corroborating other sources, about a brutal crackdown in early January, particularly on January 8th and 9th, where government forces allegedly massacred protesters in cities like Yazd. The man, along with other Iranians, expressed support for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah, indicating a desire for regime change.

Meta's Reality Labs, the company's VR division, reported a $19.1 billion loss in 2025, exceeding the previous year's losses, despite generating $2.2 billion in sales; the company anticipates similar losses in 2026 as it focuses on glasses, wearables, and expanding its Horizon platform to mobile, aiming to eventually establish a profitable VR ecosystem. These financial results highlight the significant investment Meta is making in its vision for the metaverse and the challenges it faces in achieving profitability in the VR market.

Meta's Reality Labs, the company's VR division, reported a $19.1 billion loss in 2025, exceeding the previous year's losses, despite generating $2.2 billion in sales; the company anticipates similar losses in 2026 as it focuses on glasses, wearables, and expanding its Horizon platform to mobile, aiming to eventually establish a profitable VR ecosystem. These financial results highlight the significant investment Meta is making in its vision for the metaverse and the challenges it faces in achieving profitability in the VR market.

Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £33 annually, reaching £639, to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades and address environmental concerns like sewage spills. This rise, following a similar increase last year, has sparked debate about affordability and the need for stronger support systems for low-income households, especially as some suppliers are raising prices by as much as 13%. The upgrades are needed due to decades of underinvestment.

Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £33 annually, reaching £639, to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades and address environmental concerns like sewage spills. This rise, following a similar increase last year, has sparked debate about affordability and the need for stronger support systems for low-income households, especially as some suppliers are raising prices by as much as 13%. The upgrades are needed due to decades of underinvestment.

Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux and known for his in-depth analysis of iPhone cameras and innovative apps like Halide and Kino, is joining Apple's design team to work on undisclosed products. This move raises questions about the future of Lux and its apps, given de With's expertise in computational photography and pro-level mobile video, which could significantly influence Apple's future product development.

Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux and known for his in-depth analysis of iPhone cameras and innovative apps like Halide and Kino, is joining Apple's design team to work on undisclosed products. This move raises questions about the future of Lux and its apps, given de With's expertise in computational photography and pro-level mobile video, which could significantly influence Apple's future product development.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the Trump administration is accused of employing increasingly authoritarian rhetoric by labeling dissenting citizens and activists as "domestic terrorists" and "enemies within," exemplified by the dismissive responses to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents. This pattern of dehumanizing language, coupled with the administration's actions, raises concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the redefinition of dissent as an act of aggression against the state.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the Trump administration is accused of employing increasingly authoritarian rhetoric by labeling dissenting citizens and activists as "domestic terrorists" and "enemies within," exemplified by the dismissive responses to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents. This pattern of dehumanizing language, coupled with the administration's actions, raises concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the redefinition of dissent as an act of aggression against the state.