Spotify is expanding its social features by introducing group chats, allowing up to 10 users to share and discuss podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks within the app, building upon previous social integrations like collaborative playlists. This move aims to enhance user engagement and stickiness, though messages are encrypted in transit and at rest, they lack end-to-end encryption.

Spotify is expanding its social features by introducing group chats, allowing up to 10 users to share and discuss podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks within the app, building upon previous social integrations like collaborative playlists. This move aims to enhance user engagement and stickiness, though messages are encrypted in transit and at rest, they lack end-to-end encryption.

Multiple news sources report a complex political landscape with Amy Klobuchar entering the Minnesota governor's race, Austin Rogers vying for a congressional seat in Florida, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem facing pressure amidst immigration debates and potential government shutdown talks tied to DHS oversight. Separately, a former Zurich council member was convicted for disturbing religious freedom, while the AI boom's reliance on massive data centers is sparking political debate over resource usage and economic impact, and skier Mikaela Shiffrin is struggling with mental hurdles.

Multiple news sources report a complex political landscape with Amy Klobuchar entering the Minnesota governor's race, Austin Rogers vying for a congressional seat in Florida, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem facing pressure amidst immigration debates and potential government shutdown talks tied to DHS oversight. Separately, a former Zurich council member was convicted for disturbing religious freedom, while the AI boom's reliance on massive data centers is sparking political debate over resource usage and economic impact, and skier Mikaela Shiffrin is struggling with mental hurdles.

Multiple news sources report on several developments: Brendan Banfield denied conspiring with his former au pair in the murder of his wife and Joe Ryan, despite the prosecution's claim that they staged the crime scene; the Library of Congress inducted 25 films into the National Film Registry, including *Clueless* and *Inception*, recognizing their cultural significance; and *Bridgerton* actress Yerin Ha, the series' first Korean lead, received support from Simone Ashley, who previously experienced a similar race change for her character.

Multiple news sources report on several developments: Brendan Banfield denied conspiring with his former au pair in the murder of his wife and Joe Ryan, despite the prosecution's claim that they staged the crime scene; the Library of Congress inducted 25 films into the National Film Registry, including *Clueless* and *Inception*, recognizing their cultural significance; and *Bridgerton* actress Yerin Ha, the series' first Korean lead, received support from Simone Ashley, who previously experienced a similar race change for her character.

Multiple news sources indicate that Washington is facing another government shutdown, the second in four months, due to a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over President Trump's immigration policies, specifically his administration's aggressive crackdown that resulted in the deaths of two Americans. While Democrats appear unified in opposing Trump's policies, Republicans are standing behind him, despite growing unease even within Trump's own base regarding the severity and consequences of the immigration enforcement actions.

Multiple news sources indicate that Washington is facing another government shutdown, the second in four months, due to a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over President Trump's immigration policies, specifically his administration's aggressive crackdown that resulted in the deaths of two Americans. While Democrats appear unified in opposing Trump's policies, Republicans are standing behind him, despite growing unease even within Trump's own base regarding the severity and consequences of the immigration enforcement actions.

Multiple genetic studies have identified over 100 genes with rare risk mutations linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet transcriptomic analyses reveal convergent patterns of dysregulation in the ASD postmortem brain. By studying human cortical organoids derived from hiPS cells representing various ASD-associated mutations, researchers identified shared transcriptional changes and a common RNA/protein interaction network enriched in ASD risk genes, suggesting that genetically defined forms of ASD can converge on dysregulated pathways through transcriptional regulation.

Multiple genetic studies have identified over 100 genes with rare risk mutations linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet transcriptomic analyses reveal convergent patterns of dysregulation in the ASD postmortem brain. By studying human cortical organoids derived from hiPS cells representing various ASD-associated mutations, researchers identified shared transcriptional changes and a common RNA/protein interaction network enriched in ASD risk genes, suggesting that genetically defined forms of ASD can converge on dysregulated pathways through transcriptional regulation.

Multiple news sources report that the Library of Congress has announced its newest additions to the National Film Registry, including "Philadelphia," "Clueless," and "The Karate Kid," alongside several silent films and documentaries, recognizing their cultural and historical significance. The annual selection, typically announced in December, was revealed in January 2026 and features 25 films, with a notable emphasis on silent films, some recently discovered or restored, and films featuring diverse casts and themes.

Multiple news sources report that the Library of Congress has announced its newest additions to the National Film Registry, including "Philadelphia," "Clueless," and "The Karate Kid," alongside several silent films and documentaries, recognizing their cultural and historical significance. The annual selection, typically announced in December, was revealed in January 2026 and features 25 films, with a notable emphasis on silent films, some recently discovered or restored, and films featuring diverse casts and themes.

Multiple news sources report that the Confederation of African Football has issued hefty fines and bans to Senegal and Morocco following a chaotic African Cup final marred by player protests, fan disturbances, and altercations among journalists. Senegal's coach received a ban and fine for leading a walk-off protest, while both federations face significant financial penalties for the unsporting conduct of their players, staff, and supporters, though these bans do not extend to the upcoming World Cup.

Multiple news sources report that the Confederation of African Football has issued hefty fines and bans to Senegal and Morocco following a chaotic African Cup final marred by player protests, fan disturbances, and altercations among journalists. Senegal's coach received a ban and fine for leading a walk-off protest, while both federations face significant financial penalties for the unsporting conduct of their players, staff, and supporters, though these bans do not extend to the upcoming World Cup.

Drawing from a PwC Global CEO Survey and insights from business leaders, this analysis suggests that despite significant investment in AI, many companies are not seeing measurable returns due to a focus on efficiency and traditional ROI metrics, rather than recognizing AI as a transformative economic input that fundamentally changes the cost of analytical labor. The core issue isn't the technology itself, but rather how companies are framing the opportunity and measuring success, often overlooking the need for clean data, disciplined processes, and governance.

Drawing from a PwC Global CEO Survey and insights from business leaders, this analysis suggests that despite significant investment in AI, many companies are not seeing measurable returns due to a focus on efficiency and traditional ROI metrics, rather than recognizing AI as a transformative economic input that fundamentally changes the cost of analytical labor. The core issue isn't the technology itself, but rather how companies are framing the opportunity and measuring success, often overlooking the need for clean data, disciplined processes, and governance.

Drawing from multiple sources, Nathan Cheng and Adam Gries' Vitalism movement, distinct from historical vitalism, aims to combat death by prioritizing indefinite lifespan extension and launching a "longevity revolution." This movement seeks to rebrand the longevity space, distancing itself from unsubstantiated supplements and transhumanist ideas, while focusing on the core principle that death is inherently negative and should be overcome.

Drawing from multiple sources, Nathan Cheng and Adam Gries' Vitalism movement, distinct from historical vitalism, aims to combat death by prioritizing indefinite lifespan extension and launching a "longevity revolution." This movement seeks to rebrand the longevity space, distancing itself from unsubstantiated supplements and transhumanist ideas, while focusing on the core principle that death is inherently negative and should be overcome.

Based on multiple reports, Western Sugar's early adoption of SAP S4HANA Cloud Public Edition to escape a heavily customized and un-upgradable on-premise ERP system has unexpectedly positioned them for an AI transformation. Their adherence to clean core principles and standardized processes, initially driven by operational needs, has created a foundation of clean data and disciplined workflows that makes them uniquely ready to leverage SAP's expanding business AI capabilities.

Based on multiple reports, Western Sugar's early adoption of SAP S4HANA Cloud Public Edition to escape a heavily customized and un-upgradable on-premise ERP system has unexpectedly positioned them for an AI transformation. Their adherence to clean core principles and standardized processes, initially driven by operational needs, has created a foundation of clean data and disciplined workflows that makes them uniquely ready to leverage SAP's expanding business AI capabilities.

In a guide drawing from personal experience and expert knowledge, Sarah Jeong at The Verge provides advice on purchasing gas masks for protection against tear gas, prompted by concerns over government use of tear gas on civilians and the lack of readily available information on protective gear. The article highlights the Parcil Distribution PT-100 Respirator Mask as a suitable option due to its full-face coverage, adjustable straps, included filters, and affordability, while also noting potential drawbacks like fragile plastic components.

In a guide drawing from personal experience and expert knowledge, Sarah Jeong at The Verge provides advice on purchasing gas masks for protection against tear gas, prompted by concerns over government use of tear gas on civilians and the lack of readily available information on protective gear. The article highlights the Parcil Distribution PT-100 Respirator Mask as a suitable option due to its full-face coverage, adjustable straps, included filters, and affordability, while also noting potential drawbacks like fragile plastic components.

Multiple news sources report that a Waymo robotaxi struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school, causing minor injuries and triggering a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into the vehicle's behavior in school zones. This incident occurs amidst an existing NHTSA investigation into Waymo robotaxis illegally passing school buses, raising further concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles around children.

Multiple news sources report that a Waymo robotaxi struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school, causing minor injuries and triggering a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into the vehicle's behavior in school zones. This incident occurs amidst an existing NHTSA investigation into Waymo robotaxis illegally passing school buses, raising further concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles around children.