Waymo secured $16 billion in funding, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, to expand its robotaxi service to 20 new cities and overseas markets, valuing the company at $126 billion. This investment, a significant increase from the $5.6 billion raised in 2024 at a $45 billion valuation, will be used to grow Waymo's fleet of over 2,500 vehicles and potentially disrupt the global transportation market. The funding round included new investors like Sequoia Capital and DST Global, signaling strong market confidence in Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology.

Waymo secured $16 billion in funding, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, to expand its robotaxi service to 20 new cities and overseas markets, valuing the company at $126 billion. This investment, a significant increase from the $5.6 billion raised in 2024 at a $45 billion valuation, will be used to grow Waymo's fleet of over 2,500 vehicles and potentially disrupt the global transportation market. The funding round included new investors like Sequoia Capital and DST Global, signaling strong market confidence in Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology.

SpaceX has acquired xAI to create space-based data centers, addressing the unsustainable energy demands of terrestrial AI development. This merger, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, aims to leverage space for AI infrastructure, though it raises questions about SpaceX's potential IPO and the financial sustainability of both companies.

SpaceX has acquired xAI to create space-based data centers, addressing the unsustainable energy demands of terrestrial AI development. This merger, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, aims to leverage space for AI infrastructure, though it raises questions about SpaceX's potential IPO and the financial sustainability of both companies.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent global developments include a Democrat winning a Texas State Senate seat in a district previously held by Trump, a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's visa freeze, and Laura Fernández's presidential win in Costa Rica, while discussions around universal basic income are emerging amid concerns about AI-driven economic disruption. Simultaneously, global tensions are escalating with Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and China's execution of scam perpetrators, while FIFA President Infantino apologized for comments made about British football fans.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent global developments include a Democrat winning a Texas State Senate seat in a district previously held by Trump, a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's visa freeze, and Laura Fernández's presidential win in Costa Rica, while discussions around universal basic income are emerging amid concerns about AI-driven economic disruption. Simultaneously, global tensions are escalating with Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and China's execution of scam perpetrators, while FIFA President Infantino apologized for comments made about British football fans.

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.

Synthesizing information from various sources, key developments include China's mandate for mechanical car door releases by 2027 due to safety concerns, the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and battery technology advancements, and the emergence of new technologies like the open-source AI agent OpenClaw alongside rising concerns about AI deepfakes. Global events and trends span from geopolitical incidents and scientific solutions to technological advancements and market shifts, painting a complex picture of the near future.

Synthesizing information from various sources, key developments include China's mandate for mechanical car door releases by 2027 due to safety concerns, the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market and battery technology advancements, and the emergence of new technologies like the open-source AI agent OpenClaw alongside rising concerns about AI deepfakes. Global events and trends span from geopolitical incidents and scientific solutions to technological advancements and market shifts, painting a complex picture of the near future.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, recent global events include political transitions in Costa Rica with Laura Fernández's presidential win and Thailand with Anutin Charnvirakul becoming Prime Minister, alongside controversies like FIFA President Gianni Infantino's apology and the unveiling of mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Developments also include the emergence of Moltbook for chatbots and American speedskater Jordan Stolz's potential to elevate his sport's popularity, particularly in Europe.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, recent global events include political transitions in Costa Rica with Laura Fernández's presidential win and Thailand with Anutin Charnvirakul becoming Prime Minister, alongside controversies like FIFA President Gianni Infantino's apology and the unveiling of mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Developments also include the emergence of Moltbook for chatbots and American speedskater Jordan Stolz's potential to elevate his sport's popularity, particularly in Europe.

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.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including a promising fungal solution for climate change-driven bark beetle infestations and the unearthing of a large archaeological collection from HS2 construction, alongside concerns about potential political interference in NIH appointments and financial challenges for Asda. Other key stories cover regulatory hurdles for the hemp industry, an intensifying divide regarding transgender rights in the U.S., condemnation of Trump-era immigration policies, and a tragic fire in Switzerland.

Multiple news sources report on diverse developments, including a promising fungal solution for climate change-driven bark beetle infestations and the unearthing of a large archaeological collection from HS2 construction, alongside concerns about potential political interference in NIH appointments and financial challenges for Asda. Other key stories cover regulatory hurdles for the hemp industry, an intensifying divide regarding transgender rights in the U.S., condemnation of Trump-era immigration policies, and a tragic fire in Switzerland.

Multiple news sources report that Israel has partially reopened the Rafah crossing into Egypt, allowing approximately 150 sick and wounded Palestinians to seek medical treatment after over 20 months of closure, though Gaza health officials estimate 20,000 need care. The crossing, Gaza's only one not shared with Israel, had been closed since May 2024 when Israeli forces seized it to prevent weapons smuggling, and all movement will be subject to joint Israeli-Egyptian security screening.

Multiple news sources report that Israel has partially reopened the Rafah crossing into Egypt, allowing approximately 150 sick and wounded Palestinians to seek medical treatment after over 20 months of closure, though Gaza health officials estimate 20,000 need care. The crossing, Gaza's only one not shared with Israel, had been closed since May 2024 when Israeli forces seized it to prevent weapons smuggling, and all movement will be subject to joint Israeli-Egyptian security screening.

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 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.