Multiple sources highlight significant advancements across diverse fields: Anthropic's AI models are gaining traction and challenging OpenAI, a secretly filmed Iranian movie is receiving critical acclaim, and Ardour 9.0 introduces major new features for digital audio workstations. These developments showcase innovation and impact in technology, film, and software development.

Multiple sources highlight significant advancements across diverse fields: Anthropic's AI models are gaining traction and challenging OpenAI, a secretly filmed Iranian movie is receiving critical acclaim, and Ardour 9.0 introduces major new features for digital audio workstations. These developments showcase innovation and impact in technology, film, and software development.

Multiple news sources report that Fundamental, a San Francisco-based AI firm founded by DeepMind alumni, is launching NEXUS, a Large Tabular Model (LTM), with $255 million in funding to address the deep learning blind spot in understanding structured, relational business data. Unlike existing Large Language Models (LLMs) that struggle with the non-sequential nature and dimensionality of enterprise-scale tables, NEXUS is designed to treat business data as a complex web of relationships to improve business outcome forecasting.

Multiple news sources report that Fundamental, a San Francisco-based AI firm founded by DeepMind alumni, is launching NEXUS, a Large Tabular Model (LTM), with $255 million in funding to address the deep learning blind spot in understanding structured, relational business data. Unlike existing Large Language Models (LLMs) that struggle with the non-sequential nature and dimensionality of enterprise-scale tables, NEXUS is designed to treat business data as a complex web of relationships to improve business outcome forecasting.

Multiple retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, are offering discounts on the Apple Watch Series 11, with prices starting as low as $300 for the base model. The Series 11 features improved battery life, enhanced health tracking including FDA-cleared high blood pressure monitoring, and standard smartwatch functionalities like sleep and fitness tracking, along with optional cellular connectivity with satellite and 5G messaging.

Multiple retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, are offering discounts on the Apple Watch Series 11, with prices starting as low as $300 for the base model. The Series 11 features improved battery life, enhanced health tracking including FDA-cleared high blood pressure monitoring, and standard smartwatch functionalities like sleep and fitness tracking, along with optional cellular connectivity with satellite and 5G messaging.

Following criticism of its research practices, Meta is re-evaluating how it studies the social impact of its platforms, particularly concerning issues like teen mental health. CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggested a shift in approach, possibly drawing inspiration from Apple's lower profile strategy to avoid similar scrutiny.

Following criticism of its research practices, Meta is re-evaluating how it studies the social impact of its platforms, particularly concerning issues like teen mental health. CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggested a shift in approach, possibly drawing inspiration from Apple's lower profile strategy to avoid similar scrutiny.

Italy's commitment to a sustainable 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo faces scrutiny as climate change impacts the region, requiring artificial snow and raising questions about the Games' environmental footprint. The reliance on resource-intensive measures to maintain winter conditions highlights the challenge of balancing athletic events with ecological responsibility, a growing concern for future sporting events. This situation underscores the need for innovative solutions and transparent assessments of sustainability claims in the face of a changing climate.

Italy's commitment to a sustainable 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo faces scrutiny as climate change impacts the region, requiring artificial snow and raising questions about the Games' environmental footprint. The reliance on resource-intensive measures to maintain winter conditions highlights the challenge of balancing athletic events with ecological responsibility, a growing concern for future sporting events. This situation underscores the need for innovative solutions and transparent assessments of sustainability claims in the face of a changing climate.

Multiple news sources report that Storm Leonardo has caused significant flooding in Portugal, leading to one death, the evacuation of hundreds, and widespread damage, particularly in Alcácer do Sal where the Sado River overflowed. Emergency services are stretched thin responding to thousands of incidents, and officials warn that conditions could worsen as another storm system is developing.

Multiple news sources report that Storm Leonardo has caused significant flooding in Portugal, leading to one death, the evacuation of hundreds, and widespread damage, particularly in Alcácer do Sal where the Sado River overflowed. Emergency services are stretched thin responding to thousands of incidents, and officials warn that conditions could worsen as another storm system is developing.

Multiple news sources report that Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada unveiled a plan offering incentives and tax breaks to attract auto industry investment, aiming to transform Canada into a global electric vehicle leader and reduce reliance on the U.S. market amidst strained relations and tariffs imposed by President Trump. This initiative includes opening the Canadian market to a limited number of Chinese EVs and pursuing agreements with South Korea to potentially establish vehicle and battery factories in Canada.

Multiple news sources report that Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada unveiled a plan offering incentives and tax breaks to attract auto industry investment, aiming to transform Canada into a global electric vehicle leader and reduce reliance on the U.S. market amidst strained relations and tariffs imposed by President Trump. This initiative includes opening the Canadian market to a limited number of Chinese EVs and pursuing agreements with South Korea to potentially establish vehicle and battery factories in Canada.

According to multiple reports, Anthropic's Claude and its coding platform, Claude Code, have experienced a surge in popularity, revenue, and investor interest, potentially challenging OpenAI's dominance in the AI space. This increased attention, driven by successful user projects and positive word-of-mouth, has led to a new model release, Opus 4.6, and discussions about doubling the company's funding round.

According to multiple reports, Anthropic's Claude and its coding platform, Claude Code, have experienced a surge in popularity, revenue, and investor interest, potentially challenging OpenAI's dominance in the AI space. This increased attention, driven by successful user projects and positive word-of-mouth, has led to a new model release, Opus 4.6, and discussions about doubling the company's funding round.

Multiple news sources report on a range of events, including an Australian man facing hundreds of child abuse charges, a hospital fire in Pennsylvania, and the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother in Arizona, alongside a fatal police helicopter crash in Flagstaff. Furthermore, research suggests that dinosaurs may have matured faster than previously thought due to overestimations of age based on bone growth rings, while other developments include various health concerns, political situations, economic trends, and potential food poisoning cases.

Multiple news sources report on a range of events, including an Australian man facing hundreds of child abuse charges, a hospital fire in Pennsylvania, and the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother in Arizona, alongside a fatal police helicopter crash in Flagstaff. Furthermore, research suggests that dinosaurs may have matured faster than previously thought due to overestimations of age based on bone growth rings, while other developments include various health concerns, political situations, economic trends, and potential food poisoning cases.

Multiple news sources report a drastic increase in starvation-related deaths in Gaza, particularly among children and the elderly, with a 760% surge in deaths between 2024 and 2025. Despite a conservative global standard for famine analysis, experts raised alarms as early as 2025, noting the crisis met the technical criteria for famine due to the widespread suffering and death.

Multiple news sources report a drastic increase in starvation-related deaths in Gaza, particularly among children and the elderly, with a 760% surge in deaths between 2024 and 2025. Despite a conservative global standard for famine analysis, experts raised alarms as early as 2025, noting the crisis met the technical criteria for famine due to the widespread suffering and death.

Multiple news sources indicate a puzzling economic situation in the U.S., where strong GDP growth contrasts with a sluggish labor market, as evidenced by job openings falling to a five-year low of 6.5 million in December, the fewest since September 2020. Economists are uncertain whether hiring will accelerate to match economic growth, if growth will slow down, or if automation is allowing the economy to expand without substantial job creation.

Multiple news sources indicate a puzzling economic situation in the U.S., where strong GDP growth contrasts with a sluggish labor market, as evidenced by job openings falling to a five-year low of 6.5 million in December, the fewest since September 2020. Economists are uncertain whether hiring will accelerate to match economic growth, if growth will slow down, or if automation is allowing the economy to expand without substantial job creation.

Multiple news sources report that Lebanon has accused Israel of spraying southern villages with dangerously high concentrations of glyphosate, an agricultural herbicide, leading to condemnation from Lebanese officials and concerns about environmental and food security, especially for displaced residents reliant on agriculture. While the Israeli military has declined to comment, UN peacekeepers confirmed they were notified of planned spraying near the border, and Human Rights Watch highlights the incident's impact on livelihoods and rebuilding efforts following recent hostilities.

Multiple news sources report that Lebanon has accused Israel of spraying southern villages with dangerously high concentrations of glyphosate, an agricultural herbicide, leading to condemnation from Lebanese officials and concerns about environmental and food security, especially for displaced residents reliant on agriculture. While the Israeli military has declined to comment, UN peacekeepers confirmed they were notified of planned spraying near the border, and Human Rights Watch highlights the incident's impact on livelihoods and rebuilding efforts following recent hostilities.