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.

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 on the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting NBC and NPR's comprehensive coverage, the opening ceremony featuring Mariah Carey and Sabrina Impacciatore, and skier Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a recent ACL tear. Separately, sources also report on a 12-year-old girl's miraculous escape from a ski lift fall in California, and broader global and domestic issues including geopolitical tensions and revitalization efforts in San Francisco.

Multiple news sources report on the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, highlighting NBC and NPR's comprehensive coverage, the opening ceremony featuring Mariah Carey and Sabrina Impacciatore, and skier Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a recent ACL tear. Separately, sources also report on a 12-year-old girl's miraculous escape from a ski lift fall in California, and broader global and domestic issues including geopolitical tensions and revitalization efforts in San Francisco.

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.

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 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 Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy is suing Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers, Ford Field, and others for $100 million in damages stemming from a December altercation where Metcalf allegedly swung at Kennedy during a game, leading to a two-game suspension for the player. The lawsuit includes claims of negligence against Ford Field and defamation against Metcalf, Chad Johnson, and Shannon Sharpe's Shay Shay Media.

Multiple news sources report that Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy is suing Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers, Ford Field, and others for $100 million in damages stemming from a December altercation where Metcalf allegedly swung at Kennedy during a game, leading to a two-game suspension for the player. The lawsuit includes claims of negligence against Ford Field and defamation against Metcalf, Chad Johnson, and Shannon Sharpe's Shay Shay Media.

Multiple news sources report that at least 15 people died, including one after being rescued, when a speedboat carrying migrants collided with a Greek coast guard vessel off the island of Chios, prompting an ongoing search for the missing. The Greek Coast Guard stated the speedboat, lacking navigation lights, collided with their patrol boat after attempting to evade it, leading to the boat's capsizing amidst Greece's increasingly strict migration policies.

Multiple news sources report that at least 15 people died, including one after being rescued, when a speedboat carrying migrants collided with a Greek coast guard vessel off the island of Chios, prompting an ongoing search for the missing. The Greek Coast Guard stated the speedboat, lacking navigation lights, collided with their patrol boat after attempting to evade it, leading to the boat's capsizing amidst Greece's increasingly strict migration policies.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns following deadly incidents potentially linked to power failures preventing door operation, with new regulations requiring mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for handles by 2027. This decision, impacting a significant portion of China's new energy vehicle market, is expected to have global implications as other countries like the US and those in Europe are also investigating or considering similar regulations.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns following deadly incidents potentially linked to power failures preventing door operation, with new regulations requiring mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for handles by 2027. This decision, impacting a significant portion of China's new energy vehicle market, is expected to have global implications as other countries like the US and those in Europe are also investigating or considering similar regulations.