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.

Multiple news sources report that archaeologists in Alta, Utah, unearthed a 150-year-old alcohol bottle from the town's mining era and brought it to High West Distillery to determine its contents. Experts noted the bottle's good condition and a vinegary smell emanating from the cork before carefully extracting the liquid for analysis.

Multiple news sources report that archaeologists in Alta, Utah, unearthed a 150-year-old alcohol bottle from the town's mining era and brought it to High West Distillery to determine its contents. Experts noted the bottle's good condition and a vinegary smell emanating from the cork before carefully extracting the liquid for analysis.

Drawing from multiple news sources, approximately one million people missed the January 31st deadline to file their UK tax returns with HMRC and now face penalties, including an initial £100 fine, even if no tax is owed. While millions filed on the final day, HMRC urges those who missed the deadline to submit their returns as soon as possible to minimize further penalties and interest charges.

Drawing from multiple news sources, approximately one million people missed the January 31st deadline to file their UK tax returns with HMRC and now face penalties, including an initial £100 fine, even if no tax is owed. While millions filed on the final day, HMRC urges those who missed the deadline to submit their returns as soon as possible to minimize further penalties and interest charges.

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.

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 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 on a range of developments, including Target's new CEO facing immediate challenges related to immigration concerns, Elon Musk's plans to merge xAI and SpaceX for space-based data centers, and global stock market recovery. Federal agents are also being equipped with body-worn cameras following public outcry, while a peaceful Portland protest against ICE policies was dispersed with tear gas, sparking outrage.

Multiple news sources report on a range of developments, including Target's new CEO facing immediate challenges related to immigration concerns, Elon Musk's plans to merge xAI and SpaceX for space-based data centers, and global stock market recovery. Federal agents are also being equipped with body-worn cameras following public outcry, while a peaceful Portland protest against ICE policies was dispersed with tear gas, sparking outrage.