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 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 the second Trump administration has missed the legal deadline to submit its budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, raising concerns about the White House's commitment to addressing the growing national debt and deficit. Experts, like the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), are urging the administration to share a concrete fiscal plan with specific policies to put the nation's finances on a sustainable path, including potential reforms to Social Security, Medicare, defense, and revenue.

Multiple news sources report that the second Trump administration has missed the legal deadline to submit its budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, raising concerns about the White House's commitment to addressing the growing national debt and deficit. Experts, like the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), are urging the administration to share a concrete fiscal plan with specific policies to put the nation's finances on a sustainable path, including potential reforms to Social Security, Medicare, defense, and revenue.

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.

Multiple news sources report that thousands in Rio de Janeiro celebrated Yemanjá, a significant figure in Afro-Brazilian spirituality, while Gaza's Rafah border crossing has reopened with limited access. Simultaneously, Iranian researchers are struggling with economic hardship, political instability, and international sanctions, severely impacting their research capabilities and international collaborations.

Multiple news sources report that thousands in Rio de Janeiro celebrated Yemanjá, a significant figure in Afro-Brazilian spirituality, while Gaza's Rafah border crossing has reopened with limited access. Simultaneously, Iranian researchers are struggling with economic hardship, political instability, and international sanctions, severely impacting their research capabilities and international collaborations.

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 that Israel has permitted a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, allowing a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians to exit for medical treatment, though the numbers permitted are far lower than expected due to Israeli security checks. The crossing, seized by Israeli troops in May 2024 to prevent weapons smuggling, represents a crucial lifeline for thousands of Palestinians needing medical care and those seeking to return home.

Multiple news sources report that Israel has permitted a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, allowing a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians to exit for medical treatment, though the numbers permitted are far lower than expected due to Israeli security checks. The crossing, seized by Israeli troops in May 2024 to prevent weapons smuggling, represents a crucial lifeline for thousands of Palestinians needing medical care and those seeking to return home.