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.

Multiple news sources report that American skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender's appeal to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics has been denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which cited a lack of jurisdiction, effectively ending her fight to participate after she alleged a Canadian coach's point-rigging scheme prevented her qualification. Uhlaender, a five-time Winter Games veteran, expressed disappointment and is exploring further options, maintaining that the alleged actions harmed numerous athletes.

Multiple news sources report that American skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender's appeal to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics has been denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which cited a lack of jurisdiction, effectively ending her fight to participate after she alleged a Canadian coach's point-rigging scheme prevented her qualification. Uhlaender, a five-time Winter Games veteran, expressed disappointment and is exploring further options, maintaining that the alleged actions harmed numerous athletes.

Multiple news sources highlight a potential biocontrol solution for bark beetle infestations using *Beauveria bassiana* fungal strains and the unearthing of a massive archaeological collection during HS2 railway construction. These sources also report on concerns about political interference in NIH appointments, Asda's financial struggles, Fab5's mechanism of action against gammaherpesvirus gB, and other diverse developments like the Crans-Montana bar fire investigation and low public awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen.

Multiple news sources highlight a potential biocontrol solution for bark beetle infestations using *Beauveria bassiana* fungal strains and the unearthing of a massive archaeological collection during HS2 railway construction. These sources also report on concerns about political interference in NIH appointments, Asda's financial struggles, Fab5's mechanism of action against gammaherpesvirus gB, and other diverse developments like the Crans-Montana bar fire investigation and low public awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen.

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 gold and silver prices have significantly fallen from recent record highs due to factors like changes in trading regulations and the nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the US Federal Reserve, which strengthened the dollar; conversely, the FTSE 100 has reached record highs, closing at 10,341.56 points. Despite the precious metal declines, gold prices remain higher than they were a few weeks prior.

Multiple news sources report that gold and silver prices have significantly fallen from recent record highs due to factors like changes in trading regulations and the nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the US Federal Reserve, which strengthened the dollar; conversely, the FTSE 100 has reached record highs, closing at 10,341.56 points. Despite the precious metal declines, gold prices remain higher than they were a few weeks prior.

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.

Multiple news sources report that President Trump aims to build a 250-foot triumphal arch near Washington, D.C., potentially dwarfing existing structures and coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, despite its location along a flight path for Reagan National Airport. The project, intended to be an iconic landmark, has not yet been submitted to the FAA for airspace analysis, and the FAA is currently shut down.

Multiple news sources report that President Trump aims to build a 250-foot triumphal arch near Washington, D.C., potentially dwarfing existing structures and coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary, despite its location along a flight path for Reagan National Airport. The project, intended to be an iconic landmark, has not yet been submitted to the FAA for airspace analysis, and the FAA is currently shut down.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 68th Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoring top musicians with Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny leading nominations. Key winners included Billie Eilish for Song of the Year, Kendrick Lamar with SZA for Record of the Year, Olivia Dean for Best New Artist, and Bad Bunny for Album of the Year.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 68th Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, honoring top musicians with Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Bad Bunny leading nominations. Key winners included Billie Eilish for Song of the Year, Kendrick Lamar with SZA for Record of the Year, Olivia Dean for Best New Artist, and Bad Bunny for Album of the Year.