Multiple news sources report that Pinterest fired two engineers for violating company policy by writing a script to identify and share the names of employees affected by recent layoffs, which impacted roughly 700 roles as the company shifts towards an AI-focused approach. The engineers' script accessed confidential information to track employee removals from internal communication tools, raising privacy concerns and leading to their termination.

Multiple news sources report that Pinterest fired two engineers for violating company policy by writing a script to identify and share the names of employees affected by recent layoffs, which impacted roughly 700 roles as the company shifts towards an AI-focused approach. The engineers' script accessed confidential information to track employee removals from internal communication tools, raising privacy concerns and leading to their termination.

Due to a surge in tourism fueled by social media and a weak yen, the Japanese city of Fujiyoshida has canceled its annual cherry blossom festival after ten years, as the influx of visitors—up to 10,000 daily—has led to overtourism, traffic congestion, litter, and disrespectful behavior towards residents. Citing the need to protect the dignity and living environment of its citizens, the mayor announced the festival's end, highlighting the negative impact on the town's infrastructure and the quiet lives of locals.

Due to a surge in tourism fueled by social media and a weak yen, the Japanese city of Fujiyoshida has canceled its annual cherry blossom festival after ten years, as the influx of visitors—up to 10,000 daily—has led to overtourism, traffic congestion, litter, and disrespectful behavior towards residents. Citing the need to protect the dignity and living environment of its citizens, the mayor announced the festival's end, highlighting the negative impact on the town's infrastructure and the quiet lives of locals.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is launching TrumpRx.gov, a website intended to help Americans purchase prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. While the site aims to offer potential savings, experts caution that prices may vary widely and consumers with insurance should compare costs, as savings are not guaranteed and some could overpay.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is launching TrumpRx.gov, a website intended to help Americans purchase prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. While the site aims to offer potential savings, experts caution that prices may vary widely and consumers with insurance should compare costs, as savings are not guaranteed and some could overpay.

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.

Selling silver bars is generally not difficult due to an active market of dealers and marketplaces, but the ease of the process depends on factors like the type of bar, the seller, and market conditions. While silver is a globally traded commodity, it's best held as a long-term asset, and the initial purchase details significantly impact the selling process.

Selling silver bars is generally not difficult due to an active market of dealers and marketplaces, but the ease of the process depends on factors like the type of bar, the seller, and market conditions. While silver is a globally traded commodity, it's best held as a long-term asset, and the initial purchase details significantly impact the selling process.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a secretly filmed Iranian movie showcasing Tehran's underground arts scene won a Sundance award, while Bad Bunny's adoption of jíbaro fashion has transformed the symbol into a global representation of Puerto Rican identity and resistance. Separately, Isabel Sandoval's new Filipino noir film, "Moonglow," is receiving mixed reviews, noted for its slow pacing and delayed title card.

Drawing from multiple news sources, a secretly filmed Iranian movie showcasing Tehran's underground arts scene won a Sundance award, while Bad Bunny's adoption of jíbaro fashion has transformed the symbol into a global representation of Puerto Rican identity and resistance. Separately, Isabel Sandoval's new Filipino noir film, "Moonglow," is receiving mixed reviews, noted for its slow pacing and delayed title card.

Cameron Faulkner from The Verge has tested various protective cases for the Nintendo Switch 2 since its June launch, evaluating both shells for scratch protection during gameplay and carrying cases for safe transport. His review process involves using each case as intended, assessing its fit and protective capabilities to identify the best options across different brands and budgets.

Cameron Faulkner from The Verge has tested various protective cases for the Nintendo Switch 2 since its June launch, evaluating both shells for scratch protection during gameplay and carrying cases for safe transport. His review process involves using each case as intended, assessing its fit and protective capabilities to identify the best options across different brands and budgets.

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 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.

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.

According to multiple reports, HELOC interest rates have fallen significantly in the last year and a half, with the average rate now at 7.31% as of late 2025/early 2026, making it a relatively inexpensive borrowing option amid record-high home equity levels. While the variable nature of HELOC rates makes precise repayment calculations difficult, borrowing $100,000 is now more affordable due to these lower rates.

According to multiple reports, HELOC interest rates have fallen significantly in the last year and a half, with the average rate now at 7.31% as of late 2025/early 2026, making it a relatively inexpensive borrowing option amid record-high home equity levels. While the variable nature of HELOC rates makes precise repayment calculations difficult, borrowing $100,000 is now more affordable due to these lower rates.