Multiple sources indicate that credit card interest rates are currently near record highs, averaging around 21%, almost double what they were a decade ago. This surge is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes aimed at combating inflation, which have significantly increased borrowing costs for consumers.

Multiple sources indicate that credit card interest rates are currently near record highs, averaging around 21%, almost double what they were a decade ago. This surge is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes aimed at combating inflation, which have significantly increased borrowing costs for consumers.

Multiple news sources report that the Colombian navy seized 116 packages of cocaine, worth $5.6 million, from a speedboat fleeing authorities in the Pacific Ocean, as the U.S. pressures Colombia to curb drug trafficking. This incident occurred during a White House visit between the Colombian President and President Trump, amidst strained relations due to increased cocaine production and ongoing U.S. military campaigns against drug-ferrying boats.

Multiple news sources report that the Colombian navy seized 116 packages of cocaine, worth $5.6 million, from a speedboat fleeing authorities in the Pacific Ocean, as the U.S. pressures Colombia to curb drug trafficking. This incident occurred during a White House visit between the Colombian President and President Trump, amidst strained relations due to increased cocaine production and ongoing U.S. military campaigns against drug-ferrying boats.

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.

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.

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.

Databricks, building on the success of its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service aimed at enabling rapid application development and autonomous AI agent management of databases. Developed through acquisitions like Neon and Mooncake, Lakebase treats databases as ephemeral compute on data lake storage, offering a scalable and self-service infrastructure that contrasts with traditional, DBA-managed systems, according to VentureBeat.

Databricks, building on the success of its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service aimed at enabling rapid application development and autonomous AI agent management of databases. Developed through acquisitions like Neon and Mooncake, Lakebase treats databases as ephemeral compute on data lake storage, offering a scalable and self-service infrastructure that contrasts with traditional, DBA-managed systems, according to VentureBeat.

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).

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, will feature 116 medal events across 16 sports with spectators allowed, unlike the 2022 Beijing Games. NBC will provide extensive coverage, while the opening ceremony on February 6th at the San Siro Stadium will include performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy, will feature 116 medal events across 16 sports with spectators allowed, unlike the 2022 Beijing Games. NBC will provide extensive coverage, while the opening ceremony on February 6th at the San Siro Stadium will include performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli.

Multiple news sources report that fourth-grader Elizabeth Zuna, detained with her mother by ICE in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, is being released from the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, though a measles outbreak at the facility may delay their return. This follows the recent release of another student and his father who were similarly detained, but several other students and dozens of parents from the district remain in federal custody, causing ongoing concern and tension within the community.

Multiple news sources report that fourth-grader Elizabeth Zuna, detained with her mother by ICE in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, is being released from the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, though a measles outbreak at the facility may delay their return. This follows the recent release of another student and his father who were similarly detained, but several other students and dozens of parents from the district remain in federal custody, causing ongoing concern and tension within the community.

Following Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine this winter, which targeted civilian energy infrastructure, trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia talks are scheduled in Abu Dhabi, though Ukraine's delegation's position will be adjusted in response to the attack, according to President Zelenskyy. These developments, reported across multiple news sources, highlight the ongoing tensions and the Ukrainian president's assertion that Russia is prioritizing terror and escalation over diplomacy, using a proposed halt to attacks to stockpile missiles.

Following Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine this winter, which targeted civilian energy infrastructure, trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia talks are scheduled in Abu Dhabi, though Ukraine's delegation's position will be adjusted in response to the attack, according to President Zelenskyy. These developments, reported across multiple news sources, highlight the ongoing tensions and the Ukrainian president's assertion that Russia is prioritizing terror and escalation over diplomacy, using a proposed halt to attacks to stockpile missiles.

Multiple news sources report that Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy is suing Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers, Ford Field, Chad Johnson, and others for $100 million in damages stemming from a December altercation where Metcalf appeared to swing at Kennedy, leading to a two-game suspension for Metcalf and allegations of negligence and defamation. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Court, includes claims against Ford Field for negligence and against Metcalf, Johnson, and Shay Shay Media for making defamatory statements after the incident.

Multiple news sources report that Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy is suing Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers, Ford Field, Chad Johnson, and others for $100 million in damages stemming from a December altercation where Metcalf appeared to swing at Kennedy, leading to a two-game suspension for Metcalf and allegations of negligence and defamation. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Court, includes claims against Ford Field for negligence and against Metcalf, Johnson, and Shay Shay Media for making defamatory statements after the incident.