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.

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 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.

New economic research presented at the American Economic Association's annual meeting, along with commentary in Nature, explores topics ranging from economic opportunity and the accuracy of government data to the pandemic's inflationary effects and the importance of quality PhD supervision. Synthesizing these sources reveals emerging ideas in economics and highlights the need for intellectual challenge and strategic guidance in doctoral education.

New economic research presented at the American Economic Association's annual meeting, along with commentary in Nature, explores topics ranging from economic opportunity and the accuracy of government data to the pandemic's inflationary effects and the importance of quality PhD supervision. Synthesizing these sources reveals emerging ideas in economics and highlights the need for intellectual challenge and strategic guidance in doctoral education.

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.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for door handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as other regions also investigate or consider similar rules.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for door handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as other regions also investigate or consider similar rules.

Multiple news sources report that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.

Multiple news sources report that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.

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 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.