Multiple news sources report that UK Prime Minister Starmer condemned Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as "barbaric," which occurred despite a week-long pause requested by US President Trump, who is leading efforts to broker peace negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian envoys amidst extensive damage and freezing temperatures. While Trump claimed Putin honored the agreement, renewed attacks have left many without power and heating, forcing residents to seek shelter in communal centers and metro stations.

Multiple news sources report that UK Prime Minister Starmer condemned Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as "barbaric," which occurred despite a week-long pause requested by US President Trump, who is leading efforts to broker peace negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian envoys amidst extensive damage and freezing temperatures. While Trump claimed Putin honored the agreement, renewed attacks have left many without power and heating, forcing residents to seek shelter in communal centers and metro stations.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is facing criticism from late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel after the FCC announced it is providing guidance to ABC, CBS, and NBC to adhere to the "statutory equal opportunities requirement," citing the Communications Act of 1934, "including their airing of late-night and daytime talk shows." The FCC's effort aims to address potential bias in broadcast networks' programming, particularly regarding political candidates, as reported across multiple news outlets.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is facing criticism from late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel after the FCC announced it is providing guidance to ABC, CBS, and NBC to adhere to the "statutory equal opportunities requirement," citing the Communications Act of 1934, "including their airing of late-night and daytime talk shows." The FCC's effort aims to address potential bias in broadcast networks' programming, particularly regarding political candidates, as reported across multiple news outlets.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will host approximately 2,900 athletes, including around 230 from Team USA, who have historically been a strong contender with 330 medals. Among the American athletes to watch are freestyle skiers Alex Ferreira, a two-time Olympic medalist, and Alex Hall, who is approaching the games with more confidence than in previous years.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will host approximately 2,900 athletes, including around 230 from Team USA, who have historically been a strong contender with 330 medals. Among the American athletes to watch are freestyle skiers Alex Ferreira, a two-time Olympic medalist, and Alex Hall, who is approaching the games with more confidence than in previous years.

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.

Drawing from a 2026 blog post, the author expresses concern over the diminishing opportunities for deep, prolonged thinking, a trait they value alongside building and creating. Reflecting on their university experience, the author contrasts students who seek immediate help with those who persevere independently through challenging problems, lamenting the loss of these difficult mental struggles.

Drawing from a 2026 blog post, the author expresses concern over the diminishing opportunities for deep, prolonged thinking, a trait they value alongside building and creating. Reflecting on their university experience, the author contrasts students who seek immediate help with those who persevere independently through challenging problems, lamenting the loss of these difficult mental struggles.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, facing scrutiny over potential antitrust issues and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, while a competing bid from Paramount Skydance complicates the acquisition.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, facing scrutiny over potential antitrust issues and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, while a competing bid from Paramount Skydance complicates the acquisition.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a closed-door meeting at the White House, resulting in an agreement to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, marked by pleasantries and a signed copy of Trump's book, signals a surprising shift in relations after Trump had previously made hostile remarks about Petro.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a closed-door meeting at the White House, resulting in an agreement to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, marked by pleasantries and a signed copy of Trump's book, signals a surprising shift in relations after Trump had previously made hostile remarks about Petro.

Multiple news sources report that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has instructed his Foreign Minister to pursue negotiations with the US to de-escalate tensions, marking a potential shift in Iran's approach amidst recent incidents including the downing of an Iranian drone and attempts to impede a US-flagged ship. Despite these incidents, the US is planning to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey, signaling a willingness to pursue diplomacy.

Multiple news sources report that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has instructed his Foreign Minister to pursue negotiations with the US to de-escalate tensions, marking a potential shift in Iran's approach amidst recent incidents including the downing of an Iranian drone and attempts to impede a US-flagged ship. Despite these incidents, the US is planning to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey, signaling a willingness to pursue diplomacy.

Multiple news sources report that former President Trump has repeatedly called for the Republican Party to nationalize voting procedures in the U.S., despite the fact that elections are governed primarily by state law, and even as the White House and some Republicans attempt to distance themselves from the idea. Trump's remarks, which follow unsubstantiated claims of widespread election corruption, suggest the federal government should intervene in state-run elections, particularly in areas he alleges are rife with corruption.

Multiple news sources report that former President Trump has repeatedly called for the Republican Party to nationalize voting procedures in the U.S., despite the fact that elections are governed primarily by state law, and even as the White House and some Republicans attempt to distance themselves from the idea. Trump's remarks, which follow unsubstantiated claims of widespread election corruption, suggest the federal government should intervene in state-run elections, particularly in areas he alleges are rife with corruption.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy a large part of Warner Bros. Discovery, facing concerns about potential consumer cost increases and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, particularly as Netflix faces a competing bid from Paramount Skydance.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy a large part of Warner Bros. Discovery, facing concerns about potential consumer cost increases and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, particularly as Netflix faces a competing bid from Paramount Skydance.