Multiple news sources report that tens of millions of Americans are facing increased utility bills due to 43 approved rate hikes totaling $11.6 billion in 2025, primarily driven by infrastructure repairs, extreme weather costs, volatile fuel prices, and rising electricity demand. The Southern region is particularly affected, with Florida Power & Light's rate hike significantly contributing to the financial strain on consumers already burdened by high energy costs.

Multiple news sources report that tens of millions of Americans are facing increased utility bills due to 43 approved rate hikes totaling $11.6 billion in 2025, primarily driven by infrastructure repairs, extreme weather costs, volatile fuel prices, and rising electricity demand. The Southern region is particularly affected, with Florida Power & Light's rate hike significantly contributing to the financial strain on consumers already burdened by high energy costs.

Fueled by inflation worries, industrial demand, and investor interest, silver's rising price has prompted questions about purchasing power. While $500 could theoretically buy around 5.45 ounces at the spot price of $91.72, premiums and format choices affect the actual amount of silver acquired.

Fueled by inflation worries, industrial demand, and investor interest, silver's rising price has prompted questions about purchasing power. While $500 could theoretically buy around 5.45 ounces at the spot price of $91.72, premiums and format choices affect the actual amount of silver acquired.

Multiple news sources confirm that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on multiple felony charges, including attempted assassination and firearm possession. Despite his attorney's plea for a reduced sentence citing mental health concerns and ineffective self-representation during the trial, the court sided with prosecutors who argued that Routh's actions warranted a life sentence due to the premeditated nature of the crime and lack of remorse.

Multiple news sources confirm that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on multiple felony charges, including attempted assassination and firearm possession. Despite his attorney's plea for a reduced sentence citing mental health concerns and ineffective self-representation during the trial, the court sided with prosecutors who argued that Routh's actions warranted a life sentence due to the premeditated nature of the crime and lack of remorse.

The ShinyHunters hacking group has released data allegedly stolen from Harvard and UPenn in last year's breaches, impacting over a million records per university. The breach, initially attributed to social engineering, exposed alumni and development-related data, raising concerns about data security protocols in higher education and potentially leading to increased investment in advanced security measures.

The ShinyHunters hacking group has released data allegedly stolen from Harvard and UPenn in last year's breaches, impacting over a million records per university. The breach, initially attributed to social engineering, exposed alumni and development-related data, raising concerns about data security protocols in higher education and potentially leading to increased investment in advanced security measures.

Lunar Energy has secured $232M in funding to scale up production of home battery systems, highlighting the growing importance of stationary storage in bolstering grid resilience. These batteries, managed by AI-driven virtual power plant (VPP) software, can provide crucial support to the grid amidst increasing electrification and data center energy demands, showcasing a shift towards distributed energy resources.

Lunar Energy has secured $232M in funding to scale up production of home battery systems, highlighting the growing importance of stationary storage in bolstering grid resilience. These batteries, managed by AI-driven virtual power plant (VPP) software, can provide crucial support to the grid amidst increasing electrification and data center energy demands, showcasing a shift towards distributed energy resources.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the search continues for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home over the weekend and is believed by the Pima County Sheriff's Department to have been taken against her will. Authorities are seeking public assistance in locating Guthrie, who is of sound mind but has mobility issues and requires daily medication, as they have not yet identified any suspects and consider her home a crime scene.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the search continues for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home over the weekend and is believed by the Pima County Sheriff's Department to have been taken against her will. Authorities are seeking public assistance in locating Guthrie, who is of sound mind but has mobility issues and requires daily medication, as they have not yet identified any suspects and consider her home a crime scene.

Multiple news sources paint a picture of a world grappling with diverse challenges, from business and media issues like Novo Nordisk's struggles and revenue losses due to piracy, to international political tensions and antitrust concerns surrounding potential media mergers. Amidst these global issues, stories of human resilience emerge, including a heroic rescue in Australia and a documentary highlighting stateless individuals, alongside discussions on AI safety, leaked emails, and reflections on overlooked films.

Multiple news sources paint a picture of a world grappling with diverse challenges, from business and media issues like Novo Nordisk's struggles and revenue losses due to piracy, to international political tensions and antitrust concerns surrounding potential media mergers. Amidst these global issues, stories of human resilience emerge, including a heroic rescue in Australia and a documentary highlighting stateless individuals, alongside discussions on AI safety, leaked emails, and reflections on overlooked films.

Multiple news sources report that gold prices have surpassed $5,000 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical tensions, while silver experiences similar volatility driven by economic uncertainty and its dual role as an industrial commodity and safe-haven asset. Despite recent price fluctuations influenced by events like the US downing an Iranian drone and speculation around Federal Reserve leadership, both precious metals remain significantly higher than last year, prompting investors to assess current buying opportunities.

Multiple news sources report that gold prices have surpassed $5,000 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical tensions, while silver experiences similar volatility driven by economic uncertainty and its dual role as an industrial commodity and safe-haven asset. Despite recent price fluctuations influenced by events like the US downing an Iranian drone and speculation around Federal Reserve leadership, both precious metals remain significantly higher than last year, prompting investors to assess current buying opportunities.

Multiple sources report that Israel permitted a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing, allowing a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians to enter Egypt for medical treatment, though the numbers were far lower than expected due to Israeli security checks, causing delays and leaving many more awaiting passage. The crossing, closed since May 2024, is a crucial route for thousands of Palestinians needing medical care and those seeking to return home, but Israel's control is aimed at preventing weapons smuggling.

Multiple sources report that Israel permitted a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing, allowing a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians to enter Egypt for medical treatment, though the numbers were far lower than expected due to Israeli security checks, causing delays and leaving many more awaiting passage. The crossing, closed since May 2024, is a crucial route for thousands of Palestinians needing medical care and those seeking to return home, but Israel's control is aimed at preventing weapons smuggling.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former US President Donald Trump met at the White House and seemingly agreed to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, held behind closed doors with no press access, concluded with pleasantries and symbolic gestures, including Petro receiving a signed copy of Trump's book.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former US President Donald Trump met at the White House and seemingly agreed to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, held behind closed doors with no press access, concluded with pleasantries and symbolic gestures, including Petro receiving a signed copy of Trump's book.

The Verge's 2026 Valentine's Day gift guide offers over 25 unique and creative gift ideas for men, moving beyond traditional clichés like flowers and chocolates. The guide, curated by Brandon Widder and Cameron Faulkner, spans various categories and price points, suggesting items like cashmere sweaters, neck lamps, custom viewfinders, and even the option to name a cockroach after the recipient.

The Verge's 2026 Valentine's Day gift guide offers over 25 unique and creative gift ideas for men, moving beyond traditional clichés like flowers and chocolates. The guide, curated by Brandon Widder and Cameron Faulkner, spans various categories and price points, suggesting items like cashmere sweaters, neck lamps, custom viewfinders, and even the option to name a cockroach after the recipient.

Databricks, building on its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service designed for online transaction processing and AI agent-driven application development, drawing from its acquisitions of Neon and Mooncake. Lakebase aims to revolutionize database management by treating databases as ephemeral, self-service infrastructure on data lake storage, enabling faster application delivery and reducing the need for traditional DBA oversight, according to VentureBeat.

Databricks, building on its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service designed for online transaction processing and AI agent-driven application development, drawing from its acquisitions of Neon and Mooncake. Lakebase aims to revolutionize database management by treating databases as ephemeral, self-service infrastructure on data lake storage, enabling faster application delivery and reducing the need for traditional DBA oversight, according to VentureBeat.