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.

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.

The Internet Archive and Automattic (WordPress) have partnered to launch the "Link Fixer" plugin, addressing the pervasive issue of link rot by automatically archiving and redirecting broken links to archived versions, ensuring content accessibility. Drawing from multiple sources, including a Pew Research study, this tool aims to combat digital decay across various webpages, preserving online information for future access and dynamically prioritizing live links when available.

The Internet Archive and Automattic (WordPress) have partnered to launch the "Link Fixer" plugin, addressing the pervasive issue of link rot by automatically archiving and redirecting broken links to archived versions, ensuring content accessibility. Drawing from multiple sources, including a Pew Research study, this tool aims to combat digital decay across various webpages, preserving online information for future access and dynamically prioritizing live links when available.

Multiple news sources report that Kyiv residents are enduring brutal winter conditions, including extended power outages due to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy grid, forcing them to rely on candles and other makeshift solutions for warmth and light. Despite the hardships, Ukrainians remain resilient, finding ways to cope with the ongoing crisis and adapt to the challenging circumstances.

Multiple news sources report that Kyiv residents are enduring brutal winter conditions, including extended power outages due to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy grid, forcing them to rely on candles and other makeshift solutions for warmth and light. Despite the hardships, Ukrainians remain resilient, finding ways to cope with the ongoing crisis and adapt to the challenging circumstances.

Multiple news sources report that a measles outbreak in South Carolina, which began in October and has surged to 876 cases, is causing serious complications like encephalitis in some children, a condition that can lead to death or permanent neurological damage. This outbreak, fueled by declining vaccination rates, contributes to a potential surge in measles cases nationwide, reminiscent of the high numbers seen in 2025, and has also resulted in hospitalizations, including pregnant women and cases of pneumonia.

Multiple news sources report that a measles outbreak in South Carolina, which began in October and has surged to 876 cases, is causing serious complications like encephalitis in some children, a condition that can lead to death or permanent neurological damage. This outbreak, fueled by declining vaccination rates, contributes to a potential surge in measles cases nationwide, reminiscent of the high numbers seen in 2025, and has also resulted in hospitalizations, including pregnant women and cases of pneumonia.

Multiple news sources report that SXSW 2026 announced a second wave of film and TV programming, while Chris Hemsworth expressed concerns about revealing his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's impacting his acting career. Separately, Jay Bhattacharya testified before the Senate HELP Committee regarding significant cuts to NIH research grants under the Trump administration, detailed in a report by Sen. Sanders, which senators questioned him about.

Multiple news sources report that SXSW 2026 announced a second wave of film and TV programming, while Chris Hemsworth expressed concerns about revealing his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's impacting his acting career. Separately, Jay Bhattacharya testified before the Senate HELP Committee regarding significant cuts to NIH research grants under the Trump administration, detailed in a report by Sen. Sanders, which senators questioned him about.

Multiple sources confirm that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the world's most valuable private company. This merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media, though xAI's Grok chatbot has faced scrutiny and investigations regarding its AI image generation capabilities.

Multiple sources confirm that Elon Musk's SpaceX is acquiring his AI startup, xAI, in a deal valuing the combined entity at over $1 trillion, making it the world's most valuable private company. This merger aims to integrate AI, space exploration, internet, and media, though xAI's Grok chatbot has faced scrutiny and investigations regarding its AI image generation capabilities.