Multiple news sources confirm that SpaceX has acquired xAI, another Elon Musk company, with the ambitious goal of creating a vertically-integrated innovation engine combining AI, space technology, and communication platforms. This merger aims to leverage SpaceX's capabilities to support xAI's AI development, including its controversial chatbot Grok, and reflects Musk's belief in the central role of AI in humanity's future.

Multiple news sources confirm that SpaceX has acquired xAI, another Elon Musk company, with the ambitious goal of creating a vertically-integrated innovation engine combining AI, space technology, and communication platforms. This merger aims to leverage SpaceX's capabilities to support xAI's AI development, including its controversial chatbot Grok, and reflects Musk's belief in the central role of AI in humanity's future.

According to multiple news sources, the original Nintendo Switch has become Nintendo's best-selling console ever, surpassing the Nintendo DS with over 155.37 million units sold since its 2017 launch. Fueled by holiday sales and the successful launch of the Switch 2 in June 2025, Nintendo is aiming to dethrone Sony's PlayStation 2 as the best-selling video game console of all time.

According to multiple news sources, the original Nintendo Switch has become Nintendo's best-selling console ever, surpassing the Nintendo DS with over 155.37 million units sold since its 2017 launch. Fueled by holiday sales and the successful launch of the Switch 2 in June 2025, Nintendo is aiming to dethrone Sony's PlayStation 2 as the best-selling video game console of all time.

According to multiple news sources, a guide by Stevie Bonifield on TechPolicyReport highlights Signal's key privacy settings and best practices for community organizers, emphasizing its importance for groups like mutual aid networks and ICE watch patrols. The guide also reminds users of their First Amendment rights when using the platform, referencing concerns raised by FBI director Kash Patel and reaffirming the right to observe and communicate about law enforcement activity.

According to multiple news sources, a guide by Stevie Bonifield on TechPolicyReport highlights Signal's key privacy settings and best practices for community organizers, emphasizing its importance for groups like mutual aid networks and ICE watch patrols. The guide also reminds users of their First Amendment rights when using the platform, referencing concerns raised by FBI director Kash Patel and reaffirming the right to observe and communicate about law enforcement activity.

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 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.

Multiple news sources report that Júnior Pena, a Brazilian influencer and Trump supporter who has lived in the US since 2009, was arrested by ICE in New Jersey after falsely claiming that migrants being detained were all criminals, despite previously urging Brazilians to remain calm amid immigration crackdowns. Pena, known for his social media content reflecting a migrant's perspective and criticism of Brazil's president, was detained after missing a court hearing, and his lawyer is working to prevent his transfer.

Multiple news sources report that Júnior Pena, a Brazilian influencer and Trump supporter who has lived in the US since 2009, was arrested by ICE in New Jersey after falsely claiming that migrants being detained were all criminals, despite previously urging Brazilians to remain calm amid immigration crackdowns. Pena, known for his social media content reflecting a migrant's perspective and criticism of Brazil's president, was detained after missing a court hearing, and his lawyer is working to prevent his transfer.

Multiple news sources report on several developing situations: a Bangladesh court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UK lawmaker Tulip Siddiq on corruption charges, escalating tensions between the US and Iran threaten regional conflict despite potential diplomatic efforts, and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy promise a spectacle of returning legends, debuting NHL stars, and a new sport amidst geopolitical and environmental concerns. Additionally, several films have been picked up by agencies ahead of the Berlinale World Premiere.

Multiple news sources report on several developing situations: a Bangladesh court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UK lawmaker Tulip Siddiq on corruption charges, escalating tensions between the US and Iran threaten regional conflict despite potential diplomatic efforts, and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy promise a spectacle of returning legends, debuting NHL stars, and a new sport amidst geopolitical and environmental concerns. Additionally, several films have been picked up by agencies ahead of the Berlinale World Premiere.

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 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.

Multiple news sources indicate the Rafah crossing has reopened, but with severely limited access, as only a handful of people, specifically five individuals in need of urgent medical care, were able to cross from Gaza into Egypt despite thousands requiring assistance. While this provides a sliver of hope for those receiving treatment, the situation highlights Israel's continued tight control over the crossing and the significant obstacles to humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

Multiple news sources indicate the Rafah crossing has reopened, but with severely limited access, as only a handful of people, specifically five individuals in need of urgent medical care, were able to cross from Gaza into Egypt despite thousands requiring assistance. While this provides a sliver of hope for those receiving treatment, the situation highlights Israel's continued tight control over the crossing and the significant obstacles to humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

Drawing from multiple news sources, former President Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalize voting in at least 15 states, a move that would challenge the current state-led election system and raises concerns about potential political interference. This call follows other actions by Trump and his allies to exert more control over American elections, including the seizure of voting records in Fulton County, GA, and the Justice Department's demand for voter rolls from numerous states.

Drawing from multiple news sources, former President Trump has called for the Republican Party to nationalize voting in at least 15 states, a move that would challenge the current state-led election system and raises concerns about potential political interference. This call follows other actions by Trump and his allies to exert more control over American elections, including the seizure of voting records in Fulton County, GA, and the Justice Department's demand for voter rolls from numerous states.