Drawing from multiple news sources, India's Supreme Court rebuked Meta over WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy, questioning how the platform monetizes user data in a market where it holds a near-monopoly and users may not fully understand data-sharing practices. The court expressed concerns about the commercial value of user metadata and its potential use in targeted advertising, even if anonymized, and suggested it may restrict data sharing while Meta appeals the penalty.

Drawing from multiple news sources, India's Supreme Court rebuked Meta over WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy, questioning how the platform monetizes user data in a market where it holds a near-monopoly and users may not fully understand data-sharing practices. The court expressed concerns about the commercial value of user metadata and its potential use in targeted advertising, even if anonymized, and suggested it may restrict data sharing while Meta appeals the penalty.

Multiple news sources report that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened, facilitating limited medical evacuations and family reunions after months of closure. This follows heavy strikes, humanitarian lobbying, and the return of an Israeli hostage's remains, with Egyptian officials managing the flow of a limited number of people in both directions for medical screening and transfer.

Multiple news sources report that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened, facilitating limited medical evacuations and family reunions after months of closure. This follows heavy strikes, humanitarian lobbying, and the return of an Israeli hostage's remains, with Egyptian officials managing the flow of a limited number of people in both directions for medical screening and transfer.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 on a wide array of developments, ranging from investigations into a controversial cherub restoration in Rome resembling Prime Minister Meloni to scientific breakthroughs and political-economic issues. These sources also cover complex social issues, global events, archaeological discoveries, and entertainment industry news, reflecting a multifaceted and dynamic news landscape.

Multiple news sources report on a wide array of developments, ranging from investigations into a controversial cherub restoration in Rome resembling Prime Minister Meloni to scientific breakthroughs and political-economic issues. These sources also cover complex social issues, global events, archaeological discoveries, and entertainment industry news, reflecting a multifaceted and dynamic news landscape.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of current events, from scientific advancements like fungal biocontrol and the evolution of algae to plants, to political and economic issues such as potential NIH interference and company financial struggles. These sources also cover complex social issues like transgender rights debates and global events, reflecting a multifaceted and interconnected news landscape.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of current events, from scientific advancements like fungal biocontrol and the evolution of algae to plants, to political and economic issues such as potential NIH interference and company financial struggles. These sources also cover complex social issues like transgender rights debates and global events, reflecting a multifaceted and interconnected news landscape.

Multiple news sources report that the House is voting on a funding package to end the partial government shutdown, which includes funding for several departments and a short-term extension for Homeland Security, despite Democratic concerns over immigration enforcement. While some conservatives pushed to attach an elections-related bill requiring proof of citizenship to the package, Republican leaders appear to have quelled the effort, as it threatened to derail the funding agreement and faced opposition in the Senate.

Multiple news sources report that the House is voting on a funding package to end the partial government shutdown, which includes funding for several departments and a short-term extension for Homeland Security, despite Democratic concerns over immigration enforcement. While some conservatives pushed to attach an elections-related bill requiring proof of citizenship to the package, Republican leaders appear to have quelled the effort, as it threatened to derail the funding agreement and faced opposition in the Senate.