Multiple news sources report that Israeli strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including women and children, prompting condemnation and raising questions about the U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in October 2025, which has seen at least 556 Palestinian deaths; Israel claims the strikes are a response to a Hamas militant attack on Israeli soldiers, while Palestinians describe the situation as a continuation of war.

Multiple news sources report that Israeli strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including women and children, prompting condemnation and raising questions about the U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in October 2025, which has seen at least 556 Palestinian deaths; Israel claims the strikes are a response to a Hamas militant attack on Israeli soldiers, while Palestinians describe the situation as a continuation of war.

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.

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 indicate a growing trend of "wellness" focused Super Bowl ads, with telehealth company Ro leading the charge by featuring Serena Williams in an ad promoting the broader health benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond weight loss, aiming to destigmatize obesity treatments and position them as a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Drugmakers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are also planning campaigns around the Super Bowl to further address the stigma surrounding these drugs, potentially leading to wider adoption.

Multiple news sources indicate a growing trend of "wellness" focused Super Bowl ads, with telehealth company Ro leading the charge by featuring Serena Williams in an ad promoting the broader health benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond weight loss, aiming to destigmatize obesity treatments and position them as a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Drugmakers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are also planning campaigns around the Super Bowl to further address the stigma surrounding these drugs, potentially leading to wider adoption.

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 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 sources indicate a growing intimacy crisis in the US, with rising rates of loneliness, depression, and sexual inactivity, particularly among younger adults, despite increased opportunities for connection. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute, argues that a decline in the craving for intimacy, misdirected by the digital world, is a key factor, as explored in his book "The Intimate Animal."

Multiple sources indicate a growing intimacy crisis in the US, with rising rates of loneliness, depression, and sexual inactivity, particularly among younger adults, despite increased opportunities for connection. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute, argues that a decline in the craving for intimacy, misdirected by the digital world, is a key factor, as explored in his book "The Intimate Animal."

Multiple news sources report a newborn in New Mexico died from a Listeria infection likely linked to the mother's consumption of raw milk during pregnancy, leading health officials, the FDA, and ACOG to reiterate warnings against unpasteurized dairy due to the risk of Listeria and other pathogens. These sources emphasize that Listeria poses a severe threat to pregnant women and their babies, potentially causing miscarriage, stillbirth, or fatal infection.

Multiple news sources report a newborn in New Mexico died from a Listeria infection likely linked to the mother's consumption of raw milk during pregnancy, leading health officials, the FDA, and ACOG to reiterate warnings against unpasteurized dairy due to the risk of Listeria and other pathogens. These sources emphasize that Listeria poses a severe threat to pregnant women and their babies, potentially causing miscarriage, stillbirth, or fatal infection.

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.