Multiple news sources report that Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2026, continuing a tradition rooted in European farming customs that draws large crowds to Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania. While the prediction aligns with weather experts' forecasts for continued cold conditions in the eastern United States, the event's popularity is also fueled by the festive atmosphere and the cultural impact of the film "Groundhog Day."

Multiple news sources report that Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2026, continuing a tradition rooted in European farming customs that draws large crowds to Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania. While the prediction aligns with weather experts' forecasts for continued cold conditions in the eastern United States, the event's popularity is also fueled by the festive atmosphere and the cultural impact of the film "Groundhog Day."

Multiple news sources report that the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been severely limited, with only a handful of people, specifically five individuals in need of urgent medical attention, being allowed to cross into Egypt despite thousands requiring assistance. While this offers a glimmer of hope for those few receiving treatment, the situation highlights Israel's continued tight control over the crossing and the challenges faced by those seeking to leave Gaza for medical care.

Multiple news sources report that the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been severely limited, with only a handful of people, specifically five individuals in need of urgent medical attention, being allowed to cross into Egypt despite thousands requiring assistance. While this offers a glimmer of hope for those few receiving treatment, the situation highlights Israel's continued tight control over the crossing and the challenges faced by those seeking to leave Gaza for medical care.

Multiple news sources report that Pakistan is threatening to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India due to perceived double standards at the International Cricket Council following Bangladesh's expulsion, while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has apologized for a joke about British football fans and arrests during the World Cup, clarifying his remarks and praising England's efforts to combat football violence.

Multiple news sources report that Pakistan is threatening to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India due to perceived double standards at the International Cricket Council following Bangladesh's expulsion, while FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has apologized for a joke about British football fans and arrests during the World Cup, clarifying his remarks and praising England's efforts to combat football violence.

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.

Newly released documents reveal Elon Musk's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, including a request for an invitation to Epstein's island, raising ethical concerns. This situation introduces uncertainty into Musk's plans to merge SpaceX with xAI and potentially take the combined entity public, highlighting the intersection of AI development, business leadership, and societal responsibility.

Newly released documents reveal Elon Musk's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, including a request for an invitation to Epstein's island, raising ethical concerns. This situation introduces uncertainty into Musk's plans to merge SpaceX with xAI and potentially take the combined entity public, highlighting the intersection of AI development, business leadership, and societal responsibility.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Victor Davis Hanson, a 72-year-old Hoover Institution senior fellow and conservative commentator, has provided updates on his health following successful lung cancer surgery, which was complicated by an arterial bleed and subsequent issues like low red blood counts and fatigue. While his specific cancer has a high recurrence rate and limited treatment options, Hanson is optimistic about recovery and plans to evaluate the benefits of further treatment after regaining strength.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Victor Davis Hanson, a 72-year-old Hoover Institution senior fellow and conservative commentator, has provided updates on his health following successful lung cancer surgery, which was complicated by an arterial bleed and subsequent issues like low red blood counts and fatigue. While his specific cancer has a high recurrence rate and limited treatment options, Hanson is optimistic about recovery and plans to evaluate the benefits of further treatment after regaining strength.

Synthesizing information from various news outlets, recent global developments include escalating geopolitical tensions, challenges for journalists in Russia, and significant events like the Costa Rican presidential election and Paramore's Hayley Williams launching a new band. Meanwhile, consumers can find deals on Amazon devices, and February brings a promising lineup of new book releases across diverse genres for those seeking literary escapes.

Synthesizing information from various news outlets, recent global developments include escalating geopolitical tensions, challenges for journalists in Russia, and significant events like the Costa Rican presidential election and Paramore's Hayley Williams launching a new band. Meanwhile, consumers can find deals on Amazon devices, and February brings a promising lineup of new book releases across diverse genres for those seeking literary escapes.

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.

Dyson is currently holding a winter sale on several of its vacuums and heaters, including discounts on the V8, V11 Extra, Gen5 Detect (WIRED's favorite pet hair vacuum), and purifier-heaters. According to multiple sources, these deals offer significant savings on Dyson's high-end and feature-rich devices, making it a good time to purchase if you're in the market for a new vacuum or heater.

Dyson is currently holding a winter sale on several of its vacuums and heaters, including discounts on the V8, V11 Extra, Gen5 Detect (WIRED's favorite pet hair vacuum), and purifier-heaters. According to multiple sources, these deals offer significant savings on Dyson's high-end and feature-rich devices, making it a good time to purchase if you're in the market for a new vacuum or heater.

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.

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.

Multiple news sources report that Iran experienced an unprecedented internet blackout in early January 2026 after protests, severely restricting information flow, while experts also discuss the largest number programmable in 64 bits. Although connectivity has been partially restored, concerns remain about potential state violence and the complex technological landscape utilized by both the government and opposition.

Multiple news sources report that Iran experienced an unprecedented internet blackout in early January 2026 after protests, severely restricting information flow, while experts also discuss the largest number programmable in 64 bits. Although connectivity has been partially restored, concerns remain about potential state violence and the complex technological landscape utilized by both the government and opposition.