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Iran Experiences Longest Internet Blackout Amidst Protests
Iran experienced its longest internet blackout in history, beginning in early January 2026, following the outbreak of protests, according to The Verge. The internet shutdown, implemented by the Iranian regime, aimed to curb the spread of information both within and outside the country. Despite the government's efforts, the protests continued, although the blackout did slow down the dissemination of information.
The internet shutdown in Iran was one of several significant events occurring globally. Euronews reported on these events in its February 1st, 2026, midday bulletin, covering top stories from around Europe and beyond.
Meanwhile, in the tech world, January 2026 saw the emergence of five new European unicorns – tech startups reaching valuations above $1 billion, TechCrunch reported. These companies, spanning from Belgium to Ukraine, secured substantial funding. TechCrunch noted two important considerations regarding these new unicorns. First, some may be incorporated outside of Europe but maintain strong ties to the European tech scene. An example is Lovable, incorporated in Delaware but closely linked to Stockholm's startup environment. Second, a high valuation does not guarantee commercial success, and it remains to be seen whether these companies will achieve significant traction.
In the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was facing a power struggle over institute directorships, Ars Technica reported. The change in presidential administration typically leads to around 4,000 job appointments across the federal government, intended to align agencies with the president's agenda. While some appointments, like the Secretary of State, are widely recognized, others, such as the deputy assistant secretary for textiles, consumer goods, materials, critical minerals & metals industry analysis, are less known. Science agencies like NASA and NIH generally have fewer political appointees compared to other government sectors.
Also making headlines, Tesla CEO Elon Musk continued to push for a rebranding of his company, according to TechCrunch. Musk has been attempting to position Tesla as more than just an electric vehicle manufacturer for years. Following Tesla's acquisition of Solar City in 2016, the company was pitched as a sustainable energy provider. More recently, Musk has emphasized Tesla's potential in AI and robotics. However, Tesla's financial performance in 2025 revealed that the majority of its $94.8 billion revenue came from selling and leasing EVs, totaling $69.5 billion.
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