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 Nintendo has resurrected the infamous Virtual Boy as a Switch peripheral for playing classic games on Nintendo Switch Online, a move signaling the company's confidence in revisiting past failures. While the peripheral is praised for its nostalgic design, some critics find the games themselves to be outdated.

Multiple news sources report that Nintendo has resurrected the infamous Virtual Boy as a Switch peripheral for playing classic games on Nintendo Switch Online, a move signaling the company's confidence in revisiting past failures. While the peripheral is praised for its nostalgic design, some critics find the games themselves to be outdated.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the global landscape is marked by the devastating conflict in Ukraine, impacting civilians and energy infrastructure, alongside preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics and cultural events like the International Film Festival Rotterdam and SXSW. Other key developments include rising precious metal prices, tech industry scrutiny, Blizzard's Overwatch 2 reverting to "Overwatch" with updates, China's EV safety regulations, NIH research grant cuts under the Trump administration, and Speaker Johnson's defense of border security using biblical scripture, while Fallout's Season 2 finale leaves everything in shambles.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the global landscape is marked by the devastating conflict in Ukraine, impacting civilians and energy infrastructure, alongside preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics and cultural events like the International Film Festival Rotterdam and SXSW. Other key developments include rising precious metal prices, tech industry scrutiny, Blizzard's Overwatch 2 reverting to "Overwatch" with updates, China's EV safety regulations, NIH research grant cuts under the Trump administration, and Speaker Johnson's defense of border security using biblical scripture, while Fallout's Season 2 finale leaves everything in shambles.

Multiple news sources report that Donald Trump criticized the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny and Green Day for Super Bowl entertainment, citing their political views and perceived divisiveness. The NFL's decision to feature these artists, particularly Bad Bunny, is seen as a strategic move to expand its market into Latin America, despite potential controversy and backlash from conservative audiences.

Multiple news sources report that Donald Trump criticized the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny and Green Day for Super Bowl entertainment, citing their political views and perceived divisiveness. The NFL's decision to feature these artists, particularly Bad Bunny, is seen as a strategic move to expand its market into Latin America, despite potential controversy and backlash from conservative audiences.

Multiple news sources report that Kyiv residents are enduring brutal winter conditions, including prolonged power outages due to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy grid, forcing them to rely on candles and other emergency measures for survival. Despite the harsh conditions and ongoing Russian strikes, Ukrainians remain resilient, finding ways to cope with the cold and darkness.

Multiple news sources report that Kyiv residents are enduring brutal winter conditions, including prolonged power outages due to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy grid, forcing them to rely on candles and other emergency measures for survival. Despite the harsh conditions and ongoing Russian strikes, Ukrainians remain resilient, finding ways to cope with the cold and darkness.

Drawing from AI security guidance and frameworks like Google's SAIF and NIST AI, this article outlines an eight-step plan for mitigating agent risk by treating AI agents as powerful, semi-autonomous users with clearly defined identities and limited capabilities, focusing on controlling their access to tools, data, and outputs at the system boundaries. The proposed solution involves implementing strict access controls, pinning approved tool versions, and requiring human approval for high-impact actions to prevent vulnerabilities like those exploited in the Anthropic espionage framework.

Drawing from AI security guidance and frameworks like Google's SAIF and NIST AI, this article outlines an eight-step plan for mitigating agent risk by treating AI agents as powerful, semi-autonomous users with clearly defined identities and limited capabilities, focusing on controlling their access to tools, data, and outputs at the system boundaries. The proposed solution involves implementing strict access controls, pinning approved tool versions, and requiring human approval for high-impact actions to prevent vulnerabilities like those exploited in the Anthropic espionage framework.

Multiple news sources report that Donald Trump has not intervened in the SEC lawsuit against Elon Musk, which alleges Musk failed to properly disclose his acquisition of a 9% stake in Twitter, allowing him to purchase shares at a lower price and causing economic harm to investors. Musk has defended himself by claiming the SEC is targeting him politically and infringing on his free speech rights, arguing the disgorgement amount sought is disproportionately high and that the Trump administration was expected to intervene but has not.

Multiple news sources report that Donald Trump has not intervened in the SEC lawsuit against Elon Musk, which alleges Musk failed to properly disclose his acquisition of a 9% stake in Twitter, allowing him to purchase shares at a lower price and causing economic harm to investors. Musk has defended himself by claiming the SEC is targeting him politically and infringing on his free speech rights, arguing the disgorgement amount sought is disproportionately high and that the Trump administration was expected to intervene but has not.

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.

Multiple sources indicate deals are available on various iPad models at major retailers, while the Google Pixel 9A is on sale for $399 at Best Buy, despite the expected unveiling of the Pixel 10A on February 18th. Significant discounts are also noted on the Asus Vivobook 14 at Best Buy, offering a budget-friendly laptop option.

Multiple sources indicate deals are available on various iPad models at major retailers, while the Google Pixel 9A is on sale for $399 at Best Buy, despite the expected unveiling of the Pixel 10A on February 18th. Significant discounts are also noted on the Asus Vivobook 14 at Best Buy, offering a budget-friendly laptop option.

Multiple news outlets, including The Baltimore Sun and Fox 45 News, report that the Baltimore City Health Department used taxpayer money to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion training that separated employees into "White caucus" and "people of color caucus" meetings. Records obtained by Spotlight on Maryland show the department paid roughly $50,000 to the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond for an "Undoing Racism Workshop" and to provide feedback for a monthly "White Caucus Group."

Multiple news outlets, including The Baltimore Sun and Fox 45 News, report that the Baltimore City Health Department used taxpayer money to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion training that separated employees into "White caucus" and "people of color caucus" meetings. Records obtained by Spotlight on Maryland show the department paid roughly $50,000 to the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond for an "Undoing Racism Workshop" and to provide feedback for a monthly "White Caucus Group."