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.

Google's upcoming Aluminium OS, a unified Android and ChromeOS, faces controversy as leaked court documents suggest a delayed launch until 2028, despite earlier promises of a 2026 release alongside potential devices like the Intel Panther Lake "Ruby" laptop. This discrepancy raises questions about the readiness of the new OS and its impact on the PC market, potentially affecting Google's competitive position against Windows and Mac.

Google's upcoming Aluminium OS, a unified Android and ChromeOS, faces controversy as leaked court documents suggest a delayed launch until 2028, despite earlier promises of a 2026 release alongside potential devices like the Intel Panther Lake "Ruby" laptop. This discrepancy raises questions about the readiness of the new OS and its impact on the PC market, potentially affecting Google's competitive position against Windows and Mac.

The Tesla Model S, ending its 14-year production run, revolutionized the auto industry by establishing Tesla as a major player in the EV market. Launched in 2012, the Model S demonstrated the viability of luxury electric vehicles and pushed technological boundaries, influencing subsequent EV development across the industry. Its impact extended beyond transportation, shaping perceptions of sustainable technology and inspiring innovation.

The Tesla Model S, ending its 14-year production run, revolutionized the auto industry by establishing Tesla as a major player in the EV market. Launched in 2012, the Model S demonstrated the viability of luxury electric vehicles and pushed technological boundaries, influencing subsequent EV development across the industry. Its impact extended beyond transportation, shaping perceptions of sustainable technology and inspiring innovation.

Vema Hydrogen is pioneering a cost-effective method of extracting hydrogen from underground rock formations, potentially revolutionizing energy supply for data centers and industrial applications. Their pilot project in Quebec demonstrates the viability of producing hydrogen for under $1 per kilogram, offering a cleaner and cheaper alternative to traditional steam methane reformation and paving the way for wider adoption of hydrogen power.

Vema Hydrogen is pioneering a cost-effective method of extracting hydrogen from underground rock formations, potentially revolutionizing energy supply for data centers and industrial applications. Their pilot project in Quebec demonstrates the viability of producing hydrogen for under $1 per kilogram, offering a cleaner and cheaper alternative to traditional steam methane reformation and paving the way for wider adoption of hydrogen power.

Five new economic papers presented at the American Economic Association's annual meeting offer insights into pressing issues like economic opportunity, the reliability of government statistics, and the pandemic's impact on inflation. These pre-peer review drafts provide a glimpse into emerging economic ideas and potential future news in the field.

Five new economic papers presented at the American Economic Association's annual meeting offer insights into pressing issues like economic opportunity, the reliability of government statistics, and the pandemic's impact on inflation. These pre-peer review drafts provide a glimpse into emerging economic ideas and potential future news in the field.

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 significant AI developments, including Asana's launch of AI Teammates with shared memory and human oversight, and Elon Musk's plan to merge SpaceX and xAI to leverage space for AI computing and resources. Additionally, LNAI is introduced as a tool to streamline AI coding tool configurations by using a single source of truth for project rules and permissions.

Multiple news sources report on significant AI developments, including Asana's launch of AI Teammates with shared memory and human oversight, and Elon Musk's plan to merge SpaceX and xAI to leverage space for AI computing and resources. Additionally, LNAI is introduced as a tool to streamline AI coding tool configurations by using a single source of truth for project rules and permissions.

Multiple news sources report that Jon Stewart addressed the appearance of his name in the Epstein files on The Daily Show, explaining it was related to a 2015 email exchange between Epstein and producer Barry Josephson discussing a potential stand-up routine for Woody Allen. Separately, Savannah Guthrie is absent from Today as authorities investigate the disappearance of her mother as a potential crime.

Multiple news sources report that Jon Stewart addressed the appearance of his name in the Epstein files on The Daily Show, explaining it was related to a 2015 email exchange between Epstein and producer Barry Josephson discussing a potential stand-up routine for Woody Allen. Separately, Savannah Guthrie is absent from Today as authorities investigate the disappearance of her mother as a potential crime.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 paint a picture of a world grappling with geopolitical tensions, including developments in Gaza and Iran, alongside technological advancements like Waymo's expansion and cultural milestones such as Spielberg's EGOT. These advancements are juxtaposed with anxieties surrounding international conflicts, immigration debates, ethical AI dilemmas, economic uncertainties, and events like a mass blackout in Ukraine, creating a complex narrative of both progress and significant global challenges.

Multiple news sources from early February 2026 paint a picture of a world grappling with geopolitical tensions, including developments in Gaza and Iran, alongside technological advancements like Waymo's expansion and cultural milestones such as Spielberg's EGOT. These advancements are juxtaposed with anxieties surrounding international conflicts, immigration debates, ethical AI dilemmas, economic uncertainties, and events like a mass blackout in Ukraine, creating a complex narrative of both progress and significant global challenges.

Multiple news sources report that Target's new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, is facing immediate pressure to address immigration raid concerns and protests, despite outlining priorities focused on improving the customer experience and strengthening communities; meanwhile, Elon Musk is merging xAI and SpaceX to pursue data centers in space, and global stocks are rebounding after recent volatility.

Multiple news sources report that Target's new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, is facing immediate pressure to address immigration raid concerns and protests, despite outlining priorities focused on improving the customer experience and strengthening communities; meanwhile, Elon Musk is merging xAI and SpaceX to pursue data centers in space, and global stocks are rebounding after recent volatility.

Chuck Negron, a founding member and lead vocalist of the hit 1960s and 70s rock band Three Dog Night, known for songs like "Joy to the World" and "One," died at 83 due to complications from heart failure and COPD, according to multiple news sources. Negron struggled with drug addiction during the band's peak, later achieving sobriety and a solo career, and reconciled with bandmate Danny Hutton before his death.

Chuck Negron, a founding member and lead vocalist of the hit 1960s and 70s rock band Three Dog Night, known for songs like "Joy to the World" and "One," died at 83 due to complications from heart failure and COPD, according to multiple news sources. Negron struggled with drug addiction during the band's peak, later achieving sobriety and a solo career, and reconciled with bandmate Danny Hutton before his death.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial facing serious charges including rape, domestic violence, assault, and drug possession, which has shaken the royal family already facing scrutiny due to mentions of the Princess in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Hoiby, who pleaded not guilty, was recently arrested again for new accusations of assault and is being held in detention due to the risk of reoffending, with parts of the trial being held behind closed doors.

Multiple news sources report that Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is on trial facing serious charges including rape, domestic violence, assault, and drug possession, which has shaken the royal family already facing scrutiny due to mentions of the Princess in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Hoiby, who pleaded not guilty, was recently arrested again for new accusations of assault and is being held in detention due to the risk of reoffending, with parts of the trial being held behind closed doors.