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.

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.

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.

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 just before his death, Jeffrey Epstein signed a document called the 1953 Trust, allocating a significant portion of his estate, including a $50 million annuity and a 33-carat diamond ring, to his girlfriend Karyna Shuliak, along with millions to his lawyer and accountant. The newly released document, part of a larger Justice Department file, reveals Shuliak, Epstein's lawyer Darren Indyke, and his accountant Richard Kahn as primary beneficiaries, though the actual distribution amount remains uncertain due to estate reductions from taxes, victim restitution, and legal fees.

Multiple news sources report that just before his death, Jeffrey Epstein signed a document called the 1953 Trust, allocating a significant portion of his estate, including a $50 million annuity and a 33-carat diamond ring, to his girlfriend Karyna Shuliak, along with millions to his lawyer and accountant. The newly released document, part of a larger Justice Department file, reveals Shuliak, Epstein's lawyer Darren Indyke, and his accountant Richard Kahn as primary beneficiaries, though the actual distribution amount remains uncertain due to estate reductions from taxes, victim restitution, and legal fees.

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 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 funds several departments fully for the year and extends Homeland Security funding for two weeks, setting the stage for renewed debates on immigration enforcement reforms as DHS funding nears expiration.

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 funds several departments fully for the year and extends Homeland Security funding for two weeks, setting the stage for renewed debates on immigration enforcement reforms as DHS funding nears expiration.

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.