A 13-year-old Australian boy utilized his endurance to swim for four hours and seek rescue for his family, who were swept out to sea while paddleboarding. After drifting 14km offshore due to unexpected wind and lost equipment, the family was rescued, highlighting the importance of water safety awareness. The teen's actions demonstrate the potential for quick thinking in emergency situations.

A 13-year-old Australian boy utilized his endurance to swim for four hours and seek rescue for his family, who were swept out to sea while paddleboarding. After drifting 14km offshore due to unexpected wind and lost equipment, the family was rescued, highlighting the importance of water safety awareness. The teen's actions demonstrate the potential for quick thinking in emergency situations.

Multiple news sources reveal a complex global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and technological advancements, alongside domestic issues such as a partial government shutdown triggered by House inaction on a funding bill, investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's network, and the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother. President Trump urged House lawmakers to pass the Senate-approved funding bill to end the shutdown, highlighting Speaker Johnson's challenge in navigating partisan divisions.

Multiple news sources reveal a complex global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and technological advancements, alongside domestic issues such as a partial government shutdown triggered by House inaction on a funding bill, investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's network, and the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother. President Trump urged House lawmakers to pass the Senate-approved funding bill to end the shutdown, highlighting Speaker Johnson's challenge in navigating partisan divisions.

Multiple news sources detail how snowboarder Kevin Pearce, once a major rival to Shaun White, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2009 accident while practicing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, ending his competitive career and leaving him with lasting neurological effects. The injury occurred after Pearce, driven to match White's skill, attempted a difficult trick, and he has no memory of the accident or the following month, later undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

Multiple news sources detail how snowboarder Kevin Pearce, once a major rival to Shaun White, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2009 accident while practicing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, ending his competitive career and leaving him with lasting neurological effects. The injury occurred after Pearce, driven to match White's skill, attempted a difficult trick, and he has no memory of the accident or the following month, later undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

YouTube is now enforcing its Premium subscription requirement for background playback on mobile devices, closing a loophole previously exploited by users of browsers like Brave and Edge. This change, intended to ensure consistent functionality across platforms, impacts users who previously enjoyed background audio without a Premium subscription and may drive more users to subscribe. The move has sparked user frustration and workarounds are being explored.

YouTube is now enforcing its Premium subscription requirement for background playback on mobile devices, closing a loophole previously exploited by users of browsers like Brave and Edge. This change, intended to ensure consistent functionality across platforms, impacts users who previously enjoyed background audio without a Premium subscription and may drive more users to subscribe. The move has sparked user frustration and workarounds are being explored.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the impending expiration of the New START treaty, the last nuclear arms control pact between the US and Russia, is heightening tensions. A Russian official warned that if the US deploys its "Golden Dome" missile defense program to Greenland, Russia will respond with military measures, further complicating the already strained relationship between the two nations.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the impending expiration of the New START treaty, the last nuclear arms control pact between the US and Russia, is heightening tensions. A Russian official warned that if the US deploys its "Golden Dome" missile defense program to Greenland, Russia will respond with military measures, further complicating the already strained relationship between the two nations.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial in Oslo facing 38 charges, including rape, domestic violence, drug possession, and making death threats, to which he has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted guilt to some lesser offenses. Following new accusations, police are seeking to keep Hoiby in custody for an additional four weeks, potentially adding to the existing charges.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial in Oslo facing 38 charges, including rape, domestic violence, drug possession, and making death threats, to which he has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges but admitted guilt to some lesser offenses. Following new accusations, police are seeking to keep Hoiby in custody for an additional four weeks, potentially adding to the existing charges.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Multiple news sources report that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup begins on February 7th with 20 teams competing, including co-hosts England and the West Indies, who are aiming for their third title. India, the defending champions, will be led by Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format.

Multiple news sources highlight two key developments: a leaked guide offering community organizers advice on using Signal's privacy features for secure communication and a new international report, backed by numerous countries except the US, warning that AI risks are growing faster than mitigation efforts. The AI report, guided by 100 experts, emphasizes the need for global collaboration to address these challenges, while the Signal guide aims to protect activists' digital rights.

Multiple news sources highlight two key developments: a leaked guide offering community organizers advice on using Signal's privacy features for secure communication and a new international report, backed by numerous countries except the US, warning that AI risks are growing faster than mitigation efforts. The AI report, guided by 100 experts, emphasizes the need for global collaboration to address these challenges, while the Signal guide aims to protect activists' digital rights.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 reveal a world navigating geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and economic uncertainties, as highlighted by discussions at the American Economic Association meeting and events ranging from international conflicts to scientific breakthroughs. These diverse reports also cover complex social issues, cultural milestones, and political-economic developments, including investigations and concerns surrounding the economy and immigration.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 reveal a world navigating geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and economic uncertainties, as highlighted by discussions at the American Economic Association meeting and events ranging from international conflicts to scientific breakthroughs. These diverse reports also cover complex social issues, cultural milestones, and political-economic developments, including investigations and concerns surrounding the economy and immigration.

Planet Money attended the American Economic Association's annual conference, a major event for economists, to get a sneak peek at cutting-edge research. They highlighted several pre-peer review papers, including one exploring the productivity impacts of AI in American industries, suggesting AI initially slows productivity before ultimately accelerating it. This is based on observations and discussions with economists at the conference.

Planet Money attended the American Economic Association's annual conference, a major event for economists, to get a sneak peek at cutting-edge research. They highlighted several pre-peer review papers, including one exploring the productivity impacts of AI in American industries, suggesting AI initially slows productivity before ultimately accelerating it. This is based on observations and discussions with economists at the conference.

Several sports, including bandy, ski ballet, and equestrian skijoring, have appeared in past Winter Olympics but will not be included in the 2026 games. These sports, ranging from a mix of field hockey and soccer to dancing on skis while being judged on artistry, had brief appearances in the Olympic program, with some like ski ballet influencing modern freestyle events.

Several sports, including bandy, ski ballet, and equestrian skijoring, have appeared in past Winter Olympics but will not be included in the 2026 games. These sports, ranging from a mix of field hockey and soccer to dancing on skis while being judged on artistry, had brief appearances in the Olympic program, with some like ski ballet influencing modern freestyle events.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, revealing a network of powerful figures and sparking controversy over the unredacted release of victims' names and images. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, revealing a network of powerful figures and sparking controversy over the unredacted release of victims' names and images. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.