Multiple news sources detail how snowboarder Kevin Pearce, once a major rival to Shaun White, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2009 accident while practicing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, ending his competitive career and leaving him with lasting neurological effects. The injury occurred after Pearce, driven to match White's skill, attempted a difficult trick, and he has no memory of the accident or the following month, later undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

Multiple news sources detail how snowboarder Kevin Pearce, once a major rival to Shaun White, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2009 accident while practicing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, ending his competitive career and leaving him with lasting neurological effects. The injury occurred after Pearce, driven to match White's skill, attempted a difficult trick, and he has no memory of the accident or the following month, later undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

Drawing from multiple sources, this summary highlights key developments: Google's unified Android and ChromeOS, "Aluminium OS," may face delays until 2028, according to leaked documents, while the Tesla Model S concludes its 14-year production run after revolutionizing the EV market, and the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over 17 million units since its release.

Drawing from multiple sources, this summary highlights key developments: Google's unified Android and ChromeOS, "Aluminium OS," may face delays until 2028, according to leaked documents, while the Tesla Model S concludes its 14-year production run after revolutionizing the EV market, and the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over 17 million units since its release.

Based on multiple reports, enterprises are recognizing retrieval as crucial infrastructure for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems due to risks associated with failures, while a novel infrared-activated hydrogel inspired by immune defenses shows promise in combating resistant bacteria and promoting wound healing in animal models, potentially addressing the global issue of antibiotic resistance.

Based on multiple reports, enterprises are recognizing retrieval as crucial infrastructure for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems due to risks associated with failures, while a novel infrared-activated hydrogel inspired by immune defenses shows promise in combating resistant bacteria and promoting wound healing in animal models, potentially addressing the global issue of antibiotic resistance.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.

Multiple news sources report that Jelly Roll, after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, expressed gratitude to Jesus and his wife, Bunnie XO, while also stating he avoids political commentary due to his self-proclaimed ignorance stemming from a challenging upbringing and disconnection from current events. He admitted to being a "dumb redneck" and said people shouldn't care about his political opinions because of his lack of knowledge.

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.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, revealing a network of powerful figures and sparking controversy over the unredacted release of victims' names and images. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.

Multiple news sources report on the release of over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, revealing a network of powerful figures and sparking controversy over the unredacted release of victims' names and images. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to reopen nuclear negotiations with Iran in Turkey, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions.