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.

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 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.

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 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.

Multiple news sources report on a complex global landscape, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its devastating impact on civilians, preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and cultural events like the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Other developments include rising precious metal prices, tech industry scrutiny, Blizzard's Overwatch 2 reverting to "Overwatch" with substantial updates, China banning hidden car door handles on EVs due to safety concerns, and renewed Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy sector leaving thousands without power.

Multiple news sources report on a complex global landscape, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its devastating impact on civilians, preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and cultural events like the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Other developments include rising precious metal prices, tech industry scrutiny, Blizzard's Overwatch 2 reverting to "Overwatch" with substantial updates, China banning hidden car door handles on EVs due to safety concerns, and renewed Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy sector leaving thousands without power.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Speaker Mike Johnson defended border security by citing biblical scripture, arguing that while immigration is welcomed and assimilation expected, nations have a right to establish borders. This response came after he was questioned about Pope Leo's interpretation of Matthew 25:35, which critiques mass deportations and advocates for humane treatment of migrants.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Speaker Mike Johnson defended border security by citing biblical scripture, arguing that while immigration is welcomed and assimilation expected, nations have a right to establish borders. This response came after he was questioned about Pope Leo's interpretation of Matthew 25:35, which critiques mass deportations and advocates for humane treatment of migrants.

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."

Multiple news sources report that U.K. police have launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson, the former U.K. ambassador to Washington, D.C., over allegations that he leaked sensitive U.K. and U.S. government information to Jeffrey Epstein, including emails from his time as a cabinet secretary. The investigation follows the release of new Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department, which revealed photos, alleged payments, and emails suggesting Mandelson shared government secrets with Epstein.

Multiple news sources report that U.K. police have launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson, the former U.K. ambassador to Washington, D.C., over allegations that he leaked sensitive U.K. and U.S. government information to Jeffrey Epstein, including emails from his time as a cabinet secretary. The investigation follows the release of new Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department, which revealed photos, alleged payments, and emails suggesting Mandelson shared government secrets with Epstein.

Multiple news sources report on a variety of events, including corporate policy violations at Pinterest, celebrity criticisms of political figures, and investigations into alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, controversies surround a YouTube star's social media activity and the FBI's inability to bypass iPhone security features, while OpenAI's CEO voiced concerns about AI's impact on job skills, and Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of the Super Bowl halftime entertainment, citing political differences with the performers.

Multiple news sources report on a variety of events, including corporate policy violations at Pinterest, celebrity criticisms of political figures, and investigations into alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, controversies surround a YouTube star's social media activity and the FBI's inability to bypass iPhone security features, while OpenAI's CEO voiced concerns about AI's impact on job skills, and Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of the Super Bowl halftime entertainment, citing political differences with the performers.