A clown school in France is using failure as a core tenet of its teaching philosophy, highlighting the importance of embracing mistakes in comedic performance. This approach, pioneered by Philippe Gaulier, suggests a novel method for AI training, where algorithms could learn through iterative failure and adaptation, potentially leading to more creative and resilient AI systems. The school's emphasis on understanding audience reaction and adapting accordingly also offers insights into developing AI with improved emotional intelligence and real-time responsiveness.

A clown school in France is using failure as a core tenet of its teaching philosophy, highlighting the importance of embracing mistakes in comedic performance. This approach, pioneered by Philippe Gaulier, suggests a novel method for AI training, where algorithms could learn through iterative failure and adaptation, potentially leading to more creative and resilient AI systems. The school's emphasis on understanding audience reaction and adapting accordingly also offers insights into developing AI with improved emotional intelligence and real-time responsiveness.

To safeguard Chile's unique plant life against climate change and potential disasters, researchers are cryogenically preserving seeds in remote facilities within the Atacama Desert. This initiative highlights the critical role of seed banks in preserving biodiversity and ensuring future food security amidst increasing environmental challenges.

To safeguard Chile's unique plant life against climate change and potential disasters, researchers are cryogenically preserving seeds in remote facilities within the Atacama Desert. This initiative highlights the critical role of seed banks in preserving biodiversity and ensuring future food security amidst increasing environmental challenges.

A fire at Southampton General Hospital prompted a major incident declaration, leading to patient evacuations and the cancellation of outpatient appointments. While the blaze is now under control thanks to the efforts of over 110 firefighters, the emergency department is diverting patients with non-life-threatening conditions, highlighting the importance of seeking alternative care options unless critically ill.

A fire at Southampton General Hospital prompted a major incident declaration, leading to patient evacuations and the cancellation of outpatient appointments. While the blaze is now under control thanks to the efforts of over 110 firefighters, the emergency department is diverting patients with non-life-threatening conditions, highlighting the importance of seeking alternative care options unless critically ill.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the federal government experienced a partial shutdown due to the House being out of session, despite the Senate passing a bipartisan spending package to fund most of the government through September 30th while allowing two weeks to negotiate immigration enforcement limits. The House, upon returning Monday, will decide whether to ratify the Senate plan or reopen debate, particularly concerning Department of Homeland Security funding following outrage over a recent fatal shooting by immigration agents.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the federal government experienced a partial shutdown due to the House being out of session, despite the Senate passing a bipartisan spending package to fund most of the government through September 30th while allowing two weeks to negotiate immigration enforcement limits. The House, upon returning Monday, will decide whether to ratify the Senate plan or reopen debate, particularly concerning Department of Homeland Security funding following outrage over a recent fatal shooting by immigration agents.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, tensions are rising between Iran and the EU after the EU designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting Iran to declare European armies as terrorist groups in response. Meanwhile, in Italy, protests have erupted over the planned deployment of US ICE agents for the Winter Olympics, despite assurances that they will only operate within US diplomatic facilities.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, tensions are rising between Iran and the EU after the EU designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting Iran to declare European armies as terrorist groups in response. Meanwhile, in Italy, protests have erupted over the planned deployment of US ICE agents for the Winter Olympics, despite assurances that they will only operate within US diplomatic facilities.

Multiple critics at *Variety* reviewed the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, noting a bittersweet atmosphere as the independent film world navigates streaming's influence, while traditional elements like buzzworthy acquisitions (such as "The Invite"), strong documentaries, and diverse film selections persist. Among the highlights was "Chasing Summer," a comedy directed by Josephine Decker, starring Iliza Shlesinger as a disaster relief worker returning to her Texas hometown and confronting her past.

Multiple critics at *Variety* reviewed the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, noting a bittersweet atmosphere as the independent film world navigates streaming's influence, while traditional elements like buzzworthy acquisitions (such as "The Invite"), strong documentaries, and diverse film selections persist. Among the highlights was "Chasing Summer," a comedy directed by Josephine Decker, starring Iliza Shlesinger as a disaster relief worker returning to her Texas hometown and confronting her past.

Drawing from multiple news sources, BRICS, initially conceived in 2001, has expanded to include ten countries and is seen by some as a potential counterweight to the U.S.-led international order, possessing significant global resources and offering alternative markets and supply chains. While BRICS faces potential threats, including possible tariffs and anti-American policies, its primary challenges may lie elsewhere.

Drawing from multiple news sources, BRICS, initially conceived in 2001, has expanded to include ten countries and is seen by some as a potential counterweight to the U.S.-led international order, possessing significant global resources and offering alternative markets and supply chains. While BRICS faces potential threats, including possible tariffs and anti-American policies, its primary challenges may lie elsewhere.

A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law reveals that over half of transgender youth in the U.S. reside in states with restrictive laws impacting their access to gender-affirming care, sports, and school facilities, while a significant percentage live in states with "shield laws" protecting such care. This study, drawing from multiple sources, highlights a growing trend of state legislation affecting transgender youth, with stark regional disparities in access to supportive or restrictive policies.

A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law reveals that over half of transgender youth in the U.S. reside in states with restrictive laws impacting their access to gender-affirming care, sports, and school facilities, while a significant percentage live in states with "shield laws" protecting such care. This study, drawing from multiple sources, highlights a growing trend of state legislation affecting transgender youth, with stark regional disparities in access to supportive or restrictive policies.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Stanley Richards, a former inmate convicted of robbery in the 1980s, as the new commissioner of the Department of Correction, marking the first time a formerly incarcerated individual will hold the position, according to multiple news reports. Richards, who served time on Rikers Island and in state prison, aligns with Mamdani's vision for a rehabilitation-focused approach to corrections, signaling a shift away from punishment-centered incarceration.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Stanley Richards, a former inmate convicted of robbery in the 1980s, as the new commissioner of the Department of Correction, marking the first time a formerly incarcerated individual will hold the position, according to multiple news reports. Richards, who served time on Rikers Island and in state prison, aligns with Mamdani's vision for a rehabilitation-focused approach to corrections, signaling a shift away from punishment-centered incarceration.

Multiple news sources confirm Democrat Christian Menefee won a special election runoff in Texas's heavily Democratic 18th congressional district, narrowing the Republican House majority and vowing to challenge President Trump's agenda. Menefee, the Harris County attorney, will fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner until January 2027, but will face another election in March against Democratic Rep. Al.

Multiple news sources confirm Democrat Christian Menefee won a special election runoff in Texas's heavily Democratic 18th congressional district, narrowing the Republican House majority and vowing to challenge President Trump's agenda. Menefee, the Harris County attorney, will fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner until January 2027, but will face another election in March against Democratic Rep. Al.

Based on multiple reports, January saw the emergence of five new European tech unicorns, including Belgium-based cybersecurity startup Aikido Security, which secured $60 million in Series B funding to enhance its platform and support its rapid revenue and customer growth. These investments, while not guarantees of success, signal strong investor interest in the European tech scene, as highlighted by events like the upcoming TechCrunch Founder Summit focused on startup growth and scaling.

Based on multiple reports, January saw the emergence of five new European tech unicorns, including Belgium-based cybersecurity startup Aikido Security, which secured $60 million in Series B funding to enhance its platform and support its rapid revenue and customer growth. These investments, while not guarantees of success, signal strong investor interest in the European tech scene, as highlighted by events like the upcoming TechCrunch Founder Summit focused on startup growth and scaling.

Multiple news sources confirm that Stellan Skarsgård made surprise appearances in two sketches during his son Alexander Skarsgård's "Saturday Night Live" hosting debut, including one parodying Scandinavian dramas and another lampooning immigrant parents. In one sketch, Stellan played a character concealed in a bathtub with a Hulk prop, while in the other, Alexander played a stoic Finn.

Multiple news sources confirm that Stellan Skarsgård made surprise appearances in two sketches during his son Alexander Skarsgård's "Saturday Night Live" hosting debut, including one parodying Scandinavian dramas and another lampooning immigrant parents. In one sketch, Stellan played a character concealed in a bathtub with a Hulk prop, while in the other, Alexander played a stoic Finn.