SpaceX has acquired Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, according to Bloomberg News, with Musk citing the need for space-based data centers to overcome the limitations of terrestrial AI infrastructure. This merger, reported across multiple sources, aims to solve the growing energy demands of AI and secure a continuous revenue stream for SpaceX through satellite launches, though it raises questions about a potential IPO and the financial challenges of both companies.

SpaceX has acquired Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, according to Bloomberg News, with Musk citing the need for space-based data centers to overcome the limitations of terrestrial AI infrastructure. This merger, reported across multiple sources, aims to solve the growing energy demands of AI and secure a continuous revenue stream for SpaceX through satellite launches, though it raises questions about a potential IPO and the financial challenges of both companies.

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.

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 sources report that Texas A&M University is discontinuing its Women's and Gender Studies certificate program after reviewing over 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with university policies, a move praised by education advocates who see it as eliminating race or sex discrimination. This action, along with similar restrictions at Texas Tech, is viewed by some as part of a broader effort, potentially influenced by Donald Trump, to reduce "woke ideology" in higher education.

Multiple sources report that Texas A&M University is discontinuing its Women's and Gender Studies certificate program after reviewing over 5,400 course syllabi to ensure compliance with university policies, a move praised by education advocates who see it as eliminating race or sex discrimination. This action, along with similar restrictions at Texas Tech, is viewed by some as part of a broader effort, potentially influenced by Donald Trump, to reduce "woke ideology" in higher education.

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 highlight two key developments: a leaked guide offering community organizers advice on using Signal's privacy features for secure communication and a new international report, backed by numerous countries except the US, warning that AI risks are growing faster than mitigation efforts. The AI report, guided by 100 experts, emphasizes the need for global collaboration to address these challenges, while the Signal guide aims to protect activists' digital rights.

Multiple news sources highlight two key developments: a leaked guide offering community organizers advice on using Signal's privacy features for secure communication and a new international report, backed by numerous countries except the US, warning that AI risks are growing faster than mitigation efforts. The AI report, guided by 100 experts, emphasizes the need for global collaboration to address these challenges, while the Signal guide aims to protect activists' digital rights.

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 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.

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 confirm that SpaceX has acquired xAI, another Elon Musk company, in a move to integrate AI, rocketry, and space-based internet, aiming to create a powerful innovation engine. This merger combines SpaceX's spaceflight expertise with xAI's AI capabilities, including the Grok chatbot and social media platform X, to potentially deploy orbital data centers and advance Musk's vision for AI's role in humanity's future, though the controversial nature of xAI's products and Musk's management of X present risks.

Multiple news sources confirm that SpaceX has acquired xAI, another Elon Musk company, in a move to integrate AI, rocketry, and space-based internet, aiming to create a powerful innovation engine. This merger combines SpaceX's spaceflight expertise with xAI's AI capabilities, including the Grok chatbot and social media platform X, to potentially deploy orbital data centers and advance Musk's vision for AI's role in humanity's future, though the controversial nature of xAI's products and Musk's management of X present risks.