Alphabet's silence on its AI partnership with Apple during its Q4 earnings call has sparked investor concern about the deal's impact on Google's core AI-driven business model. While the existing search partnership provides clear advertising revenue, the benefits of powering AI for Siri are less immediately apparent, raising questions about the long-term value and monetization strategies for AI-powered search. The Apple AI deal is rumored to cost Apple roughly 1 billion per year.

Alphabet's silence on its AI partnership with Apple during its Q4 earnings call has sparked investor concern about the deal's impact on Google's core AI-driven business model. While the existing search partnership provides clear advertising revenue, the benefits of powering AI for Siri are less immediately apparent, raising questions about the long-term value and monetization strategies for AI-powered search. The Apple AI deal is rumored to cost Apple roughly 1 billion per year.

A recent study challenges claims of TikTok censorship following its U.S. operations takeover, attributing perceived content suppression to a data outage affecting all video categories, not just political ones. This research highlights the complexities of content moderation and the importance of data-driven analysis in evaluating accusations of algorithmic bias on social media platforms, a crucial area of study as AI increasingly shapes online discourse.

A recent study challenges claims of TikTok censorship following its U.S. operations takeover, attributing perceived content suppression to a data outage affecting all video categories, not just political ones. This research highlights the complexities of content moderation and the importance of data-driven analysis in evaluating accusations of algorithmic bias on social media platforms, a crucial area of study as AI increasingly shapes online discourse.

Google's AI chatbot Gemini has experienced explosive growth, exceeding 750 million monthly active users, driven by the recent launch of its advanced Gemini 3 model and a new, affordable "AI Plus" subscription. This rapid adoption positions Gemini as a major competitor in the AI landscape, though it still trails behind ChatGPT in overall user base. The company plans to maintain momentum through continued investment and a focus on both free and subscription-based access.

Google's AI chatbot Gemini has experienced explosive growth, exceeding 750 million monthly active users, driven by the recent launch of its advanced Gemini 3 model and a new, affordable "AI Plus" subscription. This rapid adoption positions Gemini as a major competitor in the AI landscape, though it still trails behind ChatGPT in overall user base. The company plans to maintain momentum through continued investment and a focus on both free and subscription-based access.

Multiple news sources report that IonQ, a leading quantum computing company, faces scrutiny after a Wolfpack Research report alleged it misled investors about organic demand and revenue sources, particularly regarding undisclosed Pentagon earmarks that have since been cancelled, causing a significant stock drop. The report raises concerns about the commercial viability of IonQ's technology and the broader quantum computing sector, which is still in early stages of development despite advancements from major tech companies.

Multiple news sources report that IonQ, a leading quantum computing company, faces scrutiny after a Wolfpack Research report alleged it misled investors about organic demand and revenue sources, particularly regarding undisclosed Pentagon earmarks that have since been cancelled, causing a significant stock drop. The report raises concerns about the commercial viability of IonQ's technology and the broader quantum computing sector, which is still in early stages of development despite advancements from major tech companies.

Multiple news sources report on a range of events, including a U.K. police investigation into Peter Mandelson for allegedly leaking government secrets to Jeffrey Epstein, and an SEC lawsuit against Elon Musk for failing to properly disclose his acquisition of a stake in Twitter, which Musk claims is politically motivated. These reports are among a variety of other news items, including corporate policy violations, celebrity opinions, controversies surrounding social media activity, and concerns about AI's impact on job skills.

Multiple news sources report on a range of events, including a U.K. police investigation into Peter Mandelson for allegedly leaking government secrets to Jeffrey Epstein, and an SEC lawsuit against Elon Musk for failing to properly disclose his acquisition of a stake in Twitter, which Musk claims is politically motivated. These reports are among a variety of other news items, including corporate policy violations, celebrity opinions, controversies surrounding social media activity, and concerns about AI's impact on job skills.

Kilo, an AI coding startup backed by GitLab's co-founder, has launched Kilo CLI 1.0, a model-agnostic command-line tool supporting over 500 AI models, and a Slackbot powered by MiniMax, signaling a strategic shift away from IDE-centric AI development towards tools that integrate across various platforms like IDEs, terminals, and chat threads, as reported by VentureBeat. This move reflects Kilo's belief that the future of AI development lies in fluidity and accessibility across different workflows, rather than being confined to a single interface.

Kilo, an AI coding startup backed by GitLab's co-founder, has launched Kilo CLI 1.0, a model-agnostic command-line tool supporting over 500 AI models, and a Slackbot powered by MiniMax, signaling a strategic shift away from IDE-centric AI development towards tools that integrate across various platforms like IDEs, terminals, and chat threads, as reported by VentureBeat. This move reflects Kilo's belief that the future of AI development lies in fluidity and accessibility across different workflows, rather than being confined to a single interface.

Multiple news sources report that Sheffield-based law firm PM Law, which includes several other firms, has abruptly closed due to regulatory issues, leaving hundreds of staff and clients in the dark. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has intervened, taking control of the firm's assets and documents, while employees express devastation over the lack of communication and sudden job loss.

Multiple news sources report that Sheffield-based law firm PM Law, which includes several other firms, has abruptly closed due to regulatory issues, leaving hundreds of staff and clients in the dark. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has intervened, taking control of the firm's assets and documents, while employees express devastation over the lack of communication and sudden job loss.

Multiple news sources report a correction to a Nature article regarding protein aggregation and ribosome function due to misannotated strains in two figures, though the authors maintain that the overall study conclusions remain valid. Separately, Mistral AI has released two new open-source speech-to-text models for batch and real-time transcription and translation, potentially enabling seamless multilingual conversation.

Multiple news sources report a correction to a Nature article regarding protein aggregation and ribosome function due to misannotated strains in two figures, though the authors maintain that the overall study conclusions remain valid. Separately, Mistral AI has released two new open-source speech-to-text models for batch and real-time transcription and translation, potentially enabling seamless multilingual conversation.

In Washington D.C., the intersection of technology and politics has become increasingly chaotic, with numerous technologies like AI, crypto, and social media sparking heated debates among politicians, lobbyists, and corporations. According to a report synthesizing various observations, the tech industry is actively trying to influence legislation while also being utilized as a political tool, making it difficult to focus on a single dominant story each week.

In Washington D.C., the intersection of technology and politics has become increasingly chaotic, with numerous technologies like AI, crypto, and social media sparking heated debates among politicians, lobbyists, and corporations. According to a report synthesizing various observations, the tech industry is actively trying to influence legislation while also being utilized as a political tool, making it difficult to focus on a single dominant story each week.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as US and European regulators also scrutinize Tesla's door handle designs.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, China has banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, particularly after fatal incidents involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures may have prevented door operation. The new regulations, effective January 1, 2027, mandate mechanical releases and specific recessed spaces for handles, potentially impacting the global car industry as US and European regulators also scrutinize Tesla's door handle designs.

Multiple news sources report that a measles outbreak in South Carolina, which began in October, has surged to 876 cases, leading to hospitalizations and severe complications like encephalitis in some children, a dangerous condition that can cause lasting neurological damage or death. This outbreak contributes to a concerning national trend of rising measles cases, attributed to declining vaccination rates, potentially making 2025 another year with high infection numbers.

Multiple news sources report that a measles outbreak in South Carolina, which began in October, has surged to 876 cases, leading to hospitalizations and severe complications like encephalitis in some children, a dangerous condition that can cause lasting neurological damage or death. This outbreak contributes to a concerning national trend of rising measles cases, attributed to declining vaccination rates, potentially making 2025 another year with high infection numbers.

Multiple news sources report that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump in 2024 at his Florida golf course, received a life sentence in federal court on Wednesday, presided over by Judge Aileen Cannon. During the hearing, Routh, despite his request for assisted suicide and claims of contributing to the U.S., was deemed unremorseful by the prosecution, who emphasized the meticulous planning and intent behind his actions, leading to the life sentence as a necessary deterrent.

Multiple news sources report that Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate President Trump in 2024 at his Florida golf course, received a life sentence in federal court on Wednesday, presided over by Judge Aileen Cannon. During the hearing, Routh, despite his request for assisted suicide and claims of contributing to the U.S., was deemed unremorseful by the prosecution, who emphasized the meticulous planning and intent behind his actions, leading to the life sentence as a necessary deterrent.