U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is challenging Google's new Gemini AI checkout feature, raising concerns about potential privacy violations and data exploitation through the Universal Commerce Protocol, a system developed with major retailers. The inquiry highlights growing global scrutiny over data privacy and the ethical implications of AI-driven commerce, as international regulatory bodies grapple with similar issues of consumer protection in the digital marketplace.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is challenging Google's new Gemini AI checkout feature, raising concerns about potential privacy violations and data exploitation through the Universal Commerce Protocol, a system developed with major retailers. The inquiry highlights growing global scrutiny over data privacy and the ethical implications of AI-driven commerce, as international regulatory bodies grapple with similar issues of consumer protection in the digital marketplace.

Snooker world mourns the loss of John Virgo, dead at 79, a former UK Champion and beloved BBC commentator known for his iconic "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase. Tributes pour in from legends like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby as the sport remembers Virgo's 18-year playing career and his influential role in popularizing snooker through shows like "Big Break," leaving a legacy comparable to Ted Lowe's impact on the game. A minute's silence was held at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong to honor the snooker icon.

Snooker world mourns the loss of John Virgo, dead at 79, a former UK Champion and beloved BBC commentator known for his iconic "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase. Tributes pour in from legends like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby as the sport remembers Virgo's 18-year playing career and his influential role in popularizing snooker through shows like "Big Break," leaving a legacy comparable to Ted Lowe's impact on the game. A minute's silence was held at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong to honor the snooker icon.

Israeli strikes in Gaza have tragically killed 19 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement. This escalation has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the disproportionate impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations, particularly women, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The rising death toll underscores the urgent need for renewed efforts towards a lasting and equitable peace that protects all civilians.

Israeli strikes in Gaza have tragically killed 19 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement. This escalation has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the disproportionate impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations, particularly women, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The rising death toll underscores the urgent need for renewed efforts towards a lasting and equitable peace that protects all civilians.

Senate Democrats Wyden and Van Hollen are criticizing the Trump administration's tariff exclusion process, alleging it unfairly favors companies with close ties to the president. They claim the opaque process lacks transparency and could lead to corruption and economic harm, raising concerns about potential cronyism. The senators are calling for greater oversight and a more equitable approach to tariff relief.

Senate Democrats Wyden and Van Hollen are criticizing the Trump administration's tariff exclusion process, alleging it unfairly favors companies with close ties to the president. They claim the opaque process lacks transparency and could lead to corruption and economic harm, raising concerns about potential cronyism. The senators are calling for greater oversight and a more equitable approach to tariff relief.

According to multiple reports, Take-Two Interactive has paused development of Borderlands 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2, despite its initial announcement and planned October 2025 release, to focus on post-launch content and ongoing improvements for other platforms. While Borderlands 4 is on hold for the Switch 2, Take-Two reaffirmed its commitment to the platform with upcoming titles like PGA Tour 2K25 and WWE 2K26, and also confirmed Grand Theft Auto VI is still slated for a November 2026 release.

According to multiple reports, Take-Two Interactive has paused development of Borderlands 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2, despite its initial announcement and planned October 2025 release, to focus on post-launch content and ongoing improvements for other platforms. While Borderlands 4 is on hold for the Switch 2, Take-Two reaffirmed its commitment to the platform with upcoming titles like PGA Tour 2K25 and WWE 2K26, and also confirmed Grand Theft Auto VI is still slated for a November 2026 release.

Semiconductor startup Positron has secured $230 million in Series B funding, led by Qatar Investment Authority, to accelerate the deployment of its high-speed memory chips for AI workloads, as reported by multiple sources. This investment reflects a broader trend of hyperscalers and countries like Qatar seeking alternatives to Nvidia and building sovereign AI infrastructure, with Positron claiming its chips can match Nvidia's performance with significantly less power.

Semiconductor startup Positron has secured $230 million in Series B funding, led by Qatar Investment Authority, to accelerate the deployment of its high-speed memory chips for AI workloads, as reported by multiple sources. This investment reflects a broader trend of hyperscalers and countries like Qatar seeking alternatives to Nvidia and building sovereign AI infrastructure, with Positron claiming its chips can match Nvidia's performance with significantly less power.

Drawing from multiple sources, the U.S. and its allies are increasing humanitarian aid to Sudan amidst a deepening crisis, though diplomatic and logistical obstacles are slowing delivery. Separately, the Syrian government is taking steps to return property to Jewish citizens who left decades ago, with a Syrian-American organization now managing Jewish sites.

Drawing from multiple sources, the U.S. and its allies are increasing humanitarian aid to Sudan amidst a deepening crisis, though diplomatic and logistical obstacles are slowing delivery. Separately, the Syrian government is taking steps to return property to Jewish citizens who left decades ago, with a Syrian-American organization now managing Jewish sites.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of global events leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, including Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a severe knee injury and the participation of athletes and spectators after the 2022 games. Separately, sources detail international conflicts, nuclear talks, and a miraculous escape by a 12-year-old girl who fell from a ski lift in California, avoiding serious injury.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of global events leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, including Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a severe knee injury and the participation of athletes and spectators after the 2022 games. Separately, sources detail international conflicts, nuclear talks, and a miraculous escape by a 12-year-old girl who fell from a ski lift in California, avoiding serious injury.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is exploring measures to address housing affordability concerns, including allowing Americans to use 401(k) funds for home down payments, despite the president's reservations. These proposals come amid growing economic anxieties, with a significant portion of Americans describing current conditions as poor and anticipating further deterioration, despite relatively low unemployment and moderate inflation.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is exploring measures to address housing affordability concerns, including allowing Americans to use 401(k) funds for home down payments, despite the president's reservations. These proposals come amid growing economic anxieties, with a significant portion of Americans describing current conditions as poor and anticipating further deterioration, despite relatively low unemployment and moderate inflation.

Multiple news sources report that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup xAI, known for its Grok chatbot, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the most valuable private company ever. This merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media under one umbrella, though it faces scrutiny regarding Grok's AI image generation capabilities and regulatory investigations into X (formerly Twitter).

Multiple news sources report that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup xAI, known for its Grok chatbot, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the most valuable private company ever. This merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media under one umbrella, though it faces scrutiny regarding Grok's AI image generation capabilities and regulatory investigations into X (formerly Twitter).

Multiple news sources report that despite former President Trump's long-standing opposition to wind farms, particularly offshore projects, federal courts have ruled against his administration five times in recent weeks, allowing five halted wind farm projects to resume construction. These rulings undermine Trump's efforts to impede the growth of wind energy in the U.S., which has continued to expand despite his attacks and claims of national security concerns.

Multiple news sources report that despite former President Trump's long-standing opposition to wind farms, particularly offshore projects, federal courts have ruled against his administration five times in recent weeks, allowing five halted wind farm projects to resume construction. These rulings undermine Trump's efforts to impede the growth of wind energy in the U.S., which has continued to expand despite his attacks and claims of national security concerns.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the second round of trilateral peace talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials, initiated by President Trump, are set to occur in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on territorial disputes and security guarantees, despite significant disagreements and a recent Russian attack on Ukraine's power grid. These talks, following surprise meetings between U.S. and Kremlin envoys, face challenges as Russia demands Ukrainian territory and Ukraine seeks security assurances, potentially shifting its approach due to recent events.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the second round of trilateral peace talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials, initiated by President Trump, are set to occur in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on territorial disputes and security guarantees, despite significant disagreements and a recent Russian attack on Ukraine's power grid. These talks, following surprise meetings between U.S. and Kremlin envoys, face challenges as Russia demands Ukrainian territory and Ukraine seeks security assurances, potentially shifting its approach due to recent events.