Multiple news sources report that over 200 hospitality and leisure businesses are urging the government to scrap plans for a tourist tax in England, arguing it would harm local businesses and potentially deter travelers. The proposed tax, which would allow local leaders to implement a visitor levy, is opposed by major holiday providers who fear it could lead to higher costs and decreased tourism, despite similar taxes already existing or planned in other parts of the UK.

Multiple news sources report that over 200 hospitality and leisure businesses are urging the government to scrap plans for a tourist tax in England, arguing it would harm local businesses and potentially deter travelers. The proposed tax, which would allow local leaders to implement a visitor levy, is opposed by major holiday providers who fear it could lead to higher costs and decreased tourism, despite similar taxes already existing or planned in other parts of the UK.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged a recent military purge in his annual address to the People's Liberation Army, referencing the removal of top generals, including his close ally General Zhang Youxia, due to alleged corruption. Xi's remarks, which also highlighted the army's loyalty and dependability, mark the first time since 2022 he has publicly addressed corruption in his New Year greetings, reflecting ongoing anti-corruption drives that critics suggest are also used to eliminate political rivals.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged a recent military purge in his annual address to the People's Liberation Army, referencing the removal of top generals, including his close ally General Zhang Youxia, due to alleged corruption. Xi's remarks, which also highlighted the army's loyalty and dependability, mark the first time since 2022 he has publicly addressed corruption in his New Year greetings, reflecting ongoing anti-corruption drives that critics suggest are also used to eliminate political rivals.

According to multiple news sources, Blackie Alvarez, a 33-year-old Florida man, was arrested and faces seven felony charges stemming from a road rage incident where he allegedly pointed a handgun at another driver. Authorities say the incident occurred on February 8th in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and resulted in charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to multiple news sources, Blackie Alvarez, a 33-year-old Florida man, was arrested and faces seven felony charges stemming from a road rage incident where he allegedly pointed a handgun at another driver. Authorities say the incident occurred on February 8th in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and resulted in charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The House GOP passed the "SAVE America Act," mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification at the polls, a move intended to combat voter fraud. Democrats oppose the bill, arguing it will suppress voter turnout, while Republicans maintain it is necessary to ensure election integrity. The legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

The House GOP passed the "SAVE America Act," mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification at the polls, a move intended to combat voter fraud. Democrats oppose the bill, arguing it will suppress voter turnout, while Republicans maintain it is necessary to ensure election integrity. The legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

RELX Plc's 2025 revenue of £9.59 billion fell short of analyst expectations, signaling potential headwinds as the information and analytics firm navigates the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The market is closely scrutinizing the company's performance, particularly its ability to integrate new AI products and maintain growth momentum.

RELX Plc's 2025 revenue of £9.59 billion fell short of analyst expectations, signaling potential headwinds as the information and analytics firm navigates the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The market is closely scrutinizing the company's performance, particularly its ability to integrate new AI products and maintain growth momentum.

Drawing from an international study, meditation is revealed to be a state of heightened brain activity, not simply a resting state, profoundly altering brain dynamics. Researchers used magnetoencephalography to analyze the brain activity of Thai Forest Tradition monks practicing Samatha and Vipassana meditation, finding both techniques actively engage attentional mechanisms.

Drawing from an international study, meditation is revealed to be a state of heightened brain activity, not simply a resting state, profoundly altering brain dynamics. Researchers used magnetoencephalography to analyze the brain activity of Thai Forest Tradition monks practicing Samatha and Vipassana meditation, finding both techniques actively engage attentional mechanisms.

Drawing from recent analyses, electric vehicles in Africa are projected to become economically competitive with gasoline-powered vehicles by 2040, and even sooner for electric two-wheelers, due to decreasing battery and vehicle costs and the potential of solar off-grid charging. Despite existing challenges like unreliable grids and limited infrastructure, the study suggests that EVs, including cars and minibuses, could be cheaper to own than their fossil fuel counterparts across most African countries within the next 15 years.

Drawing from recent analyses, electric vehicles in Africa are projected to become economically competitive with gasoline-powered vehicles by 2040, and even sooner for electric two-wheelers, due to decreasing battery and vehicle costs and the potential of solar off-grid charging. Despite existing challenges like unreliable grids and limited infrastructure, the study suggests that EVs, including cars and minibuses, could be cheaper to own than their fossil fuel counterparts across most African countries within the next 15 years.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Chile has launched Latam-GPT, a Latin American-focused AI model designed to combat biases and provide a more accurate regional representation in a field dominated by US developments. Supported by various Latin American countries and spearheaded by Chile's National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Latam-GPT aims to empower the region in technological advancements and prevent the loss of cultural traditions by fostering active participation in AI development.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Chile has launched Latam-GPT, a Latin American-focused AI model designed to combat biases and provide a more accurate regional representation in a field dominated by US developments. Supported by various Latin American countries and spearheaded by Chile's National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Latam-GPT aims to empower the region in technological advancements and prevent the loss of cultural traditions by fostering active participation in AI development.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the U.S. shale oil boom's maturation is prompting major oil companies like Chevron to resume global exploration efforts after years of focusing domestically. This shift is driven by factors including potentially peaking U.S. shale production, recent drilling successes, and evolving projections of future oil demand, signaling a rebound in global exploration and resource capture.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the U.S. shale oil boom's maturation is prompting major oil companies like Chevron to resume global exploration efforts after years of focusing domestically. This shift is driven by factors including potentially peaking U.S. shale production, recent drilling successes, and evolving projections of future oil demand, signaling a rebound in global exploration and resource capture.

Following the merger of xAI and SpaceX, and the subsequent reorganization, two co-founders and other employees have departed xAI, with some announcing plans to start their own AI companies. This information, drawn from multiple news sources, comes after Elon Musk revealed ambitious plans for the combined company, including space-based AI data centers and a focus on vertical integration. The departures leave xAI with only half of its original co-founders, prompting Musk to seek new talent.

Following the merger of xAI and SpaceX, and the subsequent reorganization, two co-founders and other employees have departed xAI, with some announcing plans to start their own AI companies. This information, drawn from multiple news sources, comes after Elon Musk revealed ambitious plans for the combined company, including space-based AI data centers and a focus on vertical integration. The departures leave xAI with only half of its original co-founders, prompting Musk to seek new talent.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid's ex-girlfriend responded to his public confession of cheating, stating his actions are "hard to forgive" despite his apology. Laegreid admitted to infidelity during a live interview after winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics, expressing regret and a desire to reconcile, which has now been met with a critical response from his ex-partner.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid's ex-girlfriend responded to his public confession of cheating, stating his actions are "hard to forgive" despite his apology. Laegreid admitted to infidelity during a live interview after winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics, expressing regret and a desire to reconcile, which has now been met with a critical response from his ex-partner.

Drawing from multiple news sources, over 200 hospitality and leisure businesses are urging the government to scrap proposed plans for a tourist tax in England, fearing it would harm local businesses and potentially deter travelers. The proposed tax, which would allow local leaders to implement a visitor levy, is opposed by major holiday providers who argue it could significantly increase holiday costs and drive tourists to spend their money elsewhere, while similar taxes are already in place or planned in other parts of the UK.

Drawing from multiple news sources, over 200 hospitality and leisure businesses are urging the government to scrap proposed plans for a tourist tax in England, fearing it would harm local businesses and potentially deter travelers. The proposed tax, which would allow local leaders to implement a visitor levy, is opposed by major holiday providers who argue it could significantly increase holiday costs and drive tourists to spend their money elsewhere, while similar taxes are already in place or planned in other parts of the UK.