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 on a diverse range of events, including Pinterest firing engineers for privacy violations related to layoff tracking, Halle Berry's criticism of Governor Newsom, and investigations involving Savannah Guthrie's mother and Peter Mandelson's alleged Epstein connections. Additionally, the news covers backlash against YouTube star Ms. Rachel over social media activity related to the Gaza conflict, the FBI's iPhone access challenges, and OpenAI CEO's concerns about AI-driven job displacement.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of events, including Pinterest firing engineers for privacy violations related to layoff tracking, Halle Berry's criticism of Governor Newsom, and investigations involving Savannah Guthrie's mother and Peter Mandelson's alleged Epstein connections. Additionally, the news covers backlash against YouTube star Ms. Rachel over social media activity related to the Gaza conflict, the FBI's iPhone access challenges, and OpenAI CEO's concerns about AI-driven job displacement.

Multiple news sources highlight a complex global landscape marked by advancements in health and technology, including strength training benefits, AI infrastructure development, and radiative cooling research, alongside challenges like housing crises, AI energy demands, and geopolitical tensions impacting precious metal markets. These diverse narratives also reveal concerns about AI safety and declining opportunities for deep thinking, while showcasing human resilience and scientific breakthroughs across fields like molecular biology and methane extraction by forest soils.

Multiple news sources highlight a complex global landscape marked by advancements in health and technology, including strength training benefits, AI infrastructure development, and radiative cooling research, alongside challenges like housing crises, AI energy demands, and geopolitical tensions impacting precious metal markets. These diverse narratives also reveal concerns about AI safety and declining opportunities for deep thinking, while showcasing human resilience and scientific breakthroughs across fields like molecular biology and methane extraction by forest soils.

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 news outlets are covering a diverse set of events, ranging from preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the U.S. athletes participating, to a stabbing incident in France that underscores rising concerns about school violence. Other stories include the Supreme Court's ruling on California's congressional map, Prince Andrew's relocation, and the ongoing search in Arizona for Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, with authorities suspecting foul play.

Multiple news outlets are covering a diverse set of events, ranging from preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the U.S. athletes participating, to a stabbing incident in France that underscores rising concerns about school violence. Other stories include the Supreme Court's ruling on California's congressional map, Prince Andrew's relocation, and the ongoing search in Arizona for Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, with authorities suspecting foul play.

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 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 indicate a diverse range of developments, including Apple TV's content expansion in 2026 to compete with streaming giants, data breaches at Harvard and UPenn attributed to hacking group ShinyHunters, and a variety of global events ranging from the 2026 Winter Olympics to social media restrictions in Spain. Additionally, reports highlight antitrust concerns surrounding Netflix and Google, China's ban on hidden EV door handles, reviews of laptop backpacks, and the release of new Harry Potter-themed apparel.

Multiple news sources indicate a diverse range of developments, including Apple TV's content expansion in 2026 to compete with streaming giants, data breaches at Harvard and UPenn attributed to hacking group ShinyHunters, and a variety of global events ranging from the 2026 Winter Olympics to social media restrictions in Spain. Additionally, reports highlight antitrust concerns surrounding Netflix and Google, China's ban on hidden EV door handles, reviews of laptop backpacks, and the release of new Harry Potter-themed apparel.

Multiple news sources report that Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has raised $15 billion, allocating $1.7 billion to its infrastructure team for AI investments like OpenAI and ElevenLabs, while Waymo and Tesla executives testified before the US Senate, urging lawmakers to pass legislation regulating autonomous vehicles to compete with China. The a16z infrastructure team, led by Jennifer Li, will focus on addressing the AI talent crunch and exploring search infrastructure, while senators remain divided on autonomous vehicle regulation.

Multiple news sources report that Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has raised $15 billion, allocating $1.7 billion to its infrastructure team for AI investments like OpenAI and ElevenLabs, while Waymo and Tesla executives testified before the US Senate, urging lawmakers to pass legislation regulating autonomous vehicles to compete with China. The a16z infrastructure team, led by Jennifer Li, will focus on addressing the AI talent crunch and exploring search infrastructure, while senators remain divided on autonomous vehicle regulation.

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.

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."