Pornhub is restricting access for UK users who haven't previously verified their age due to the upcoming Online Safety Act requiring robust age verification, a law criticized for being easily bypassed with VPNs and potentially driving users to less regulated sites. Some experts speculate Pornhub's move, similar to actions taken in multiple US states, may be a tactic to pressure lawmakers into changing the law or to increase user sign-ups.

Pornhub is restricting access for UK users who haven't previously verified their age due to the upcoming Online Safety Act requiring robust age verification, a law criticized for being easily bypassed with VPNs and potentially driving users to less regulated sites. Some experts speculate Pornhub's move, similar to actions taken in multiple US states, may be a tactic to pressure lawmakers into changing the law or to increase user sign-ups.

Moltbook, launched in late January by Octane AI's Matt Schlicht, is a social media network designed for AI agents to interact, share information, and form communities, though human observation is permitted. Utilizing agentic AI and an open-source tool called OpenClaw, the platform features AI-generated content ranging from optimization strategies to philosophical manifestos, though the authenticity of AI autonomy and the reported 1.5 million user count have been questioned.

Moltbook, launched in late January by Octane AI's Matt Schlicht, is a social media network designed for AI agents to interact, share information, and form communities, though human observation is permitted. Utilizing agentic AI and an open-source tool called OpenClaw, the platform features AI-generated content ranging from optimization strategies to philosophical manifestos, though the authenticity of AI autonomy and the reported 1.5 million user count have been questioned.

Multiple news sources report that a 22-year-old Australian woman died after her backpack became entangled in a ski lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Japan, causing her to be suspended and suffer a heart attack. The resort has issued an apology, launched an investigation into the incident, and is cooperating with police while reviewing safety procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Multiple news sources report that a 22-year-old Australian woman died after her backpack became entangled in a ski lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Japan, causing her to be suspended and suffer a heart attack. The resort has issued an apology, launched an investigation into the incident, and is cooperating with police while reviewing safety procedures to prevent future occurrences.

SpaceX's acquisition of xAI aims to create a vertically integrated AI powerhouse, leveraging SpaceX's capabilities to deploy a massive satellite constellation for AI computing. This ambitious merger signifies a major push by Elon Musk to dominate the AI landscape, raising both excitement and concerns about the future of AI development and its societal impact.

SpaceX's acquisition of xAI aims to create a vertically integrated AI powerhouse, leveraging SpaceX's capabilities to deploy a massive satellite constellation for AI computing. This ambitious merger signifies a major push by Elon Musk to dominate the AI landscape, raising both excitement and concerns about the future of AI development and its societal impact.

Elon Musk is merging SpaceX and xAI (which owns X) to create a vertically-integrated AI innovation engine leveraging space-based resources. This merger aims to overcome terrestrial limitations in energy and data for AI, envisioning a future where AI scales dramatically by harnessing solar power in space.

Elon Musk is merging SpaceX and xAI (which owns X) to create a vertically-integrated AI innovation engine leveraging space-based resources. This merger aims to overcome terrestrial limitations in energy and data for AI, envisioning a future where AI scales dramatically by harnessing solar power in space.

At the 2026 Grammy Awards, held amidst immigration protests, winners like Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean used their acceptance speeches to voice support for immigrants and criticize the Trump administration's immigration policies, drawing from multiple news sources. Bad Bunny, who won both best música urbana album and album of the year, specifically called for the removal of ICE and urged people to combat hate with love, while Dean highlighted her own family's immigrant history.

At the 2026 Grammy Awards, held amidst immigration protests, winners like Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean used their acceptance speeches to voice support for immigrants and criticize the Trump administration's immigration policies, drawing from multiple news sources. Bad Bunny, who won both best música urbana album and album of the year, specifically called for the removal of ICE and urged people to combat hate with love, while Dean highlighted her own family's immigrant history.

Drawing from multiple industry sources, a memorial service was held for Robert Pietranton, a long-serving and well-respected Warner Bros. Television Group PR executive who passed away in November at 56, with colleagues praising his work ethic, dedication, and kindness despite his preference for staying out of the spotlight. Pietranton was remembered as a consummate professional who consistently delivered exceptional work without seeking attention or affirmation.

Drawing from multiple industry sources, a memorial service was held for Robert Pietranton, a long-serving and well-respected Warner Bros. Television Group PR executive who passed away in November at 56, with colleagues praising his work ethic, dedication, and kindness despite his preference for staying out of the spotlight. Pietranton was remembered as a consummate professional who consistently delivered exceptional work without seeking attention or affirmation.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, was arrested for assault and violating a restraining order, just before his trial on multiple rape charges; this development follows the release of US documents revealing his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, had extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, prompting an apology from her. Høiby faces 38 offenses, including four alleged rapes, and prosecutors are seeking to detain him for four weeks due to concerns about potential re-offenses.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Norway's Crown Prince, was arrested for assault and violating a restraining order, just before his trial on multiple rape charges; this development follows the release of US documents revealing his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, had extensive contact with Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, prompting an apology from her. Høiby faces 38 offenses, including four alleged rapes, and prosecutors are seeking to detain him for four weeks due to concerns about potential re-offenses.

Multiple news sources reveal that since March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been using AI tools from Palantir and Credal AI, founded by Palantir alumni, to screen grants, applications, and job descriptions for noncompliance with Trump-era executive orders targeting gender ideology and DEI initiatives, with these audits primarily occurring within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). While Palantir earned over $35 million from HHS during this period, neither the company nor HHS publicly disclosed the use of AI for these specific purposes, and ACF staff conduct a final review of AI-flagged items.

Multiple news sources reveal that since March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been using AI tools from Palantir and Credal AI, founded by Palantir alumni, to screen grants, applications, and job descriptions for noncompliance with Trump-era executive orders targeting gender ideology and DEI initiatives, with these audits primarily occurring within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). While Palantir earned over $35 million from HHS during this period, neither the company nor HHS publicly disclosed the use of AI for these specific purposes, and ACF staff conduct a final review of AI-flagged items.

Multiple news sources report that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, is missing from her Arizona home, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department is treating the case as a crime scene due to concerning evidence found at the residence. Authorities have ended the search and rescue effort, with Sheriff Nanos stating that Nancy Guthrie's medical condition requires medication, and the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Multiple news sources report that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, is missing from her Arizona home, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department is treating the case as a crime scene due to concerning evidence found at the residence. Authorities have ended the search and rescue effort, with Sheriff Nanos stating that Nancy Guthrie's medical condition requires medication, and the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Drawing from multiple news sources, global events range from political shifts like presidential and prime ministerial appointments in Costa Rica and Thailand, respectively, to controversies surrounding figures like Senator Fetterman and the Norwegian Crown Princess. Meanwhile, the 2026 Winter Olympics unveiled sibling stoats as mascots, and speedskater Jordan Stolz experiences fame in Europe while remaining relatively unknown in the United States.

Drawing from multiple news sources, global events range from political shifts like presidential and prime ministerial appointments in Costa Rica and Thailand, respectively, to controversies surrounding figures like Senator Fetterman and the Norwegian Crown Princess. Meanwhile, the 2026 Winter Olympics unveiled sibling stoats as mascots, and speedskater Jordan Stolz experiences fame in Europe while remaining relatively unknown in the United States.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a delayed January jobs report due to the government shutdown adds uncertainty to the labor market, while globally, BBC journalists face challenges in Russia, a pre-Trump inauguration deal raises conflict of interest concerns, Pornhub restricts UK access, and Laura Fernández won the Costa Rican presidential election. Simultaneously, escalating tensions are seen in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and China's execution of individuals involved in a Myanmar-based criminal syndicate responsible for gambling and telecom scams.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a delayed January jobs report due to the government shutdown adds uncertainty to the labor market, while globally, BBC journalists face challenges in Russia, a pre-Trump inauguration deal raises conflict of interest concerns, Pornhub restricts UK access, and Laura Fernández won the Costa Rican presidential election. Simultaneously, escalating tensions are seen in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and China's execution of individuals involved in a Myanmar-based criminal syndicate responsible for gambling and telecom scams.