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.

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.

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.

Multiple sources, including a report from TollBit and data from Akamai, indicate that AI bots are increasingly dominating web traffic, driven by both AI training and real-time information retrieval for AI agents. This surge in bot activity is sparking an "arms race" as websites attempt to defend against scraping, potentially reshaping the internet's future look, feel, and functionality.

Multiple sources, including a report from TollBit and data from Akamai, indicate that AI bots are increasingly dominating web traffic, driven by both AI training and real-time information retrieval for AI agents. This surge in bot activity is sparking an "arms race" as websites attempt to defend against scraping, potentially reshaping the internet's future look, feel, and functionality.

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.

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.

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.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a partial government shutdown ended on February 3, 2026, after President Trump signed a funding bill passed by the House with bipartisan support, directing agencies to reopen promptly. The legislation includes full-year spending bills and a short-term extension for the Department of Homeland Security, setting the stage for upcoming debates on immigration enforcement.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a partial government shutdown ended on February 3, 2026, after President Trump signed a funding bill passed by the House with bipartisan support, directing agencies to reopen promptly. The legislation includes full-year spending bills and a short-term extension for the Department of Homeland Security, setting the stage for upcoming debates on immigration enforcement.

Multiple sources confirm that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the world's most valuable private company; this merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media, though xAI's Grok chatbot has faced scrutiny over its AI image generation capabilities and is under investigation by European regulators.

Multiple sources confirm that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the world's most valuable private company; this merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media, though xAI's Grok chatbot has faced scrutiny over its AI image generation capabilities and is under investigation by European regulators.

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.