Soft News
From Quartz. AI companies face intensifying legal and policy scrutiny over opaque training data, affecting how copyrighted works are used and compensated. Key developments include AI copyright lawsuits targeting Anthropic, Google, Stability AI, and AI music firms, alongside calls for training data transparency. In 2025, Disney and Universal Pictures sued Midjourney over character copying; Judge…
From Quartz. Linda Ta Yonemoto will begin a no-buy year on Feb. 17 to save $5,000, illustrating a 2026 savings trend with growing relevance. The no-buy challenge and no-buy year are resonating with millennials and Gen Z, with 70,000+ Reddit participants and viral activity on TikTok and YouTube. Expert Trae Bodge advises starting small, tailoring…
From Quartz. A Bel Air megamansion billed as the most expensive home for sale in the U.S. reduced its asking price by $40 million, bringing the figure to just under $100 million. The Bel Air mansion La Fin, listed since 2022, sits on more than two acres with panoramic city views and remains a reference…
From Quartz. Donald Trump proposed importing Japan’s kei cars to address rising U.S. vehicle costs, underscoring a gap between consumer demand and domestic offerings. The suggestion cites average new-car prices near $50,000 as buyers pivot, making kei cars and U.S. car prices a policy flashpoint. It also intersects with fuel economy standards that linked efficiency…
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From Business Insider. —————————————————— Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143 Business Insider on TikTok:…
From The Economist. President Xi Jinping has purged his top military officials, raising doubts about the China’s readiness for war.
From Wired. Professor of Sport Studies Amy Bass joins WIRED to answers the internet’s burning questions about the history of the Olympics. When were the first olympics contested? How do the olympic games of Ancient Greece compare to the modern incarnation? Who is the biggest underdog to ever take home an olympic gold medal? What…
From Cheddar. Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano delivered yet another dramatic display of nature’s raw power this past Saturday, marking its 41st eruption with lava fountains that soared as high as 1,575 feet into the air. For over eight hours, the volcano spewed approximately 14 million cubic yards of lava, blanketing most of Halemaʻumaʻu crater’s floor in…
From Cheddar.
From 60 Minutes. In her first on-camera interview, Dayanne Figueroa, a U.S. citizen, described what happened when her car collided with a Border Patrol vehicle in October. The situation escalated: agents drew their guns, pulled her out of her car and arrested her. She said it was an "assault" that left her emotionally scarred: "I…
From Wall Street Journal. Tens of thousands of kids who take prescription ADHD medication also wind up on other powerful psychotropic drugs—including antipsychotics and antidepressants, studies show. #ADHD #Drugs #WSJ
From Cheddar.
From The New York Times. A frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti and the two officers who fired 10 times shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/U8Ys7n More from The New York Times Video: http://nytimes.com/video ———- Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and…
From The Atlantic. “Behind the violence in Minneapolis—captured in so many chilling photographs in recent weeks—is a different reality: a meticulous urban choreography of civic protest,” Robert Worth reports from the city. At times, Worth was reminded of his coverage of the Arab Spring in 2011, in which a series of street clashes between protesters…
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From Quartz. Deluxe Holiday Homes surveyed more than 1,000 hotel workers to identify items most frequently taken by guests, highlighting routine property losses. This report outlines the most stolen hotel items across rooms and amenities. It compiles a hotel theft survey of commonly removed goods and their prevalence. Towels rank first, with nearly 90% of…
From Cheddar. With the launch of Dolby Vision 2, Peacock is first to market – and live sports will never look the same. Your living room is about to feel more like a stadium. Connect with Cheddar! On Facebook: https://facebook.com/cheddar On Instagram: https://instagram.com/cheddar On the web: https://cheddar.com In your inbox: https://need2know.cheddar.com/subscribe
From Quartz. OpenAI is pursuing a new multibillion-dollar raise in the Middle East, a development with implications for private-market records and valuation benchmarks. CEO Sam Altman recently visited the United Arab Emirates to meet sovereign wealth funds as the OpenAI funding round targets $50 billion or more, Bloomberg reports. The raise could value the company…
From Quartz. The White House is advancing a proposal to let Americans tap retirement savings for first-home down payments as part of an affordability agenda. NEC Director Kevin Hassett said 401(k) withdrawals for home purchases would be included in a plan — Subscribe to the Quartz Daily Brief newsletter, the most interesting news from the…
From Quartz. The Trump administration is signaling interest in government ownership stakes, a move with implications for energy policy and corporate governance. Officials are considering U.S. stakes in Venezuela’s oil sector and PDVSA, tying the push for government ownership stakes to post-Maduro scenarios. Energy Secretary Chris Wright outlined the approach, while Sen. Thom Tillis and…
From Quartz. The Trump administration and Northeast governors advanced a plan to fund new power plants via an emergency electricity auction amid rising demand on PJM’s grid. PJM Interconnection would run the auction, allowing data centers to bid on 15-year contracts, with Big Tech funding tied to new generation rather than household rates. A statement…
From Quartz. Americans are averaging $6,000 per person annually on wellness in 2025, according to the Global Wellness Institute, underscoring rising consumer costs tied to New Year fitness goals. The segment outlines how to approach gym memberships and wellness spending cautiously, citing contract terms, hidden fees, and cancellation provisions. Guidance includes reviewing employer wellness benefits…
From Cheddar. For Trump, markets matter more than polls. Luke Broadwater, White House correspondent for The New York Times, examines how Wall Street guides decisions. Connect with Cheddar! On Facebook: https://facebook.com/cheddar On Instagram: https://instagram.com/cheddar On the web: https://cheddar.com In your inbox: https://need2know.cheddar.com/subscribe
From The Economist. Are ICE agents intentionally targeting sanctuary cities? The Economist’s Deputy editor, Edward Carr, and Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, explore why immigration enforcement has zeroed in on Minneapolis and what that focus might reveal about the Trump administration’s broader political objectives. 00:00 – Why is Minneapolis being targeted 01:46 –…
From Wall Street Journal. Kenn Ricci is a pilot whose obsession over four decades with aviation and luxe travel made him a billionaire. He has started businesses tied to almost every aspect of flying—his private-jet company Flexjet was recently valued at $4 billion after an investment by a private-equity firm backed by LVMH. So how…
From Wired. How to stay safe when US Immigration Customs and Enforcement is in the area. Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►► http://wrd.cm/15fP7B7 Listen to the Get WIRED podcast ►► https://link.chtbl.com/wired-ytc-desc Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►► https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_YouTube?source=EDT_WIR_YouTube_0_Video_Description_ZZ Follow WIRED: Instagram ►►https://instagram.com/wired Twitter ►►http://www.twitter.com/wired Facebook ►►https://www.facebook.com/wired Tik Tok ►►https://www.tiktok.com/@wired Get more incredible…
From Cheddar. Watch this powerful Makita cordless snow shovel make quick work of clearing a snow-covered driveway. Credit @krugerconstruction
From The Atlantic. “The only reason we know that this happened the way it happened was because so many people in that neighborhood were also prepared to witness,” Adam Serwer tells Hanna Rosin from Minneapolis. Listen to more on "Radio Atlantic":
From Wall Street Journal. Gabapentin has soared in popularity as an alternative to opioids, but patients are finding it can cause harm. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration decades ago for seizures and nerve pain from shingles, gabapentin is now the seventh-most widely prescribed drug in the U.S., according to the Iqvia…
From The Economist. Rare earths are integral to modern daily life, yet China has a near-monopoly on them. Could anything break its grip? And are there any alternatives for these critical metals? Video supported by @mishcondereya 00:00 – What are rare earths? 00:37 – Where are they found? 00:50 – China’s control of the market…
From Vox. America is football. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Why do we love football so much? Why does this sport dominate American culture in a way nothing else can? Why does it feel essential even to people who barely like sports? And what does it say about us that we keep watching, even as…
From Business Insider. Florida’s on track to have its worst orange season in nearly a century. The state’s citrus industry generates millions of dollars and supports tens of thousands of jobs. But it has also been up against hurricanes, freezes, and a deadly citrus disease. We head to Florida to understand why orange production has…
From The Economist. What could break China’s grip on rare earths? The Economist’s business affairs editor, Rachana Shanbhogue, explores the alternatives.
From 60 Minutes. Millions of years before people ever set foot on Australia, this was crocodile country. Now, humans are debating whether there are too many crocodiles. #saltwatercrocodile #australia #crocodiles
From The Atlantic. A second American was shot and killed by federal agents. The Atlantic staff writer Adam Serwer joins from Minneapolis to describe what he’s seen there in recent days, describing it as a form of activism America’s not seen since the 1960s—perhaps even earlier. Serwer spent last week in Minneapolis talking to protesters.…
From Wall Street Journal. Charles Schwab’s CEO Rick Wurster sat down with The Wall Street Journal to discuss prediction markets, young investors and how he views the Trump accounts. He also discusses Robinhood, his first year as CEO of Charles Schwab and more. #Finance #Investing #WSJ
From Business Insider. America has more Chinese restaurants than it has locations of nearly any fast-food chain. But many of the country’s favorite takeout dishes, such as fortune cookies and chop suey, were invented in the US, not China. Throughout the 20th century, traditional Chinese dishes like Peking duck didn’t catch on in America in…
From Wall Street Journal. A U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, escalating tensions between federal agents and local residents. WSJ’s Mariah Timms was in the city as protests continued. #WSJ #Minneapolis #Immigration #ICE
From The Atlantic. Come on a journey with the Atlantic staff writer Alexandra Petri as she paints a portrait of Oscar Wilde (and a bird!) while discussing sip-n-paints, how she became a humor writer, and her lifetime of pun-making. This is “Behind the Byline,” a series from The Atlantic that lets you get to know…
From Wall Street Journal. This year’s winner has spent billions improving its operations—while navigating a corporate shake-up and revamping its strategy. #Airlines #Travel #WSJ
From 60 Minutes. Should Australia legalize crocodile hunting? Politician Bob Katter says yes, because he believes it would make waterways safer. But others argue crocodiles fuel tourism, which the economy relies on. #australia #saltwatercrocodile #crocodiles #tourism
From Business Insider. Subscription services exist for nearly everything consumers buy. Many, like Netflix or Spotify, start out affordable, but the cost adds up over time. And while signing up is effortless, cancelling can be difficult. Companies such as Adobe and Amazon have even been accused by the Federal Trade Commission of using dark patterns…
From Vox. Minnesota has become ground zero for the biggest federal immigration operation in US history. Thousands of immigration officers are patrolling the streets of Minneapolis, leading to the death of one anti-ICE protester, Renee Nicole Good, and setting off a massive swirl of protests. Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis late this week —…
From 60 Minutes. From 2025, Jon Wertheim’s report on the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of Greenland. From 1983, Harry Reasoner’s profile of the people who live in Greenland. From 2016, Sharyn Alfonsi’s visit to Greenland to see the effects of climate change and sea level rise on glaciers. And also from 2016, Lesley Stahl’s…
From Business Insider. Whether tin mining, sand diving, underwater welding, or deep-sea fishing, workers around the world risk their lives to supply materials for construction, electronics, and food. Many dive with little protection, facing serious injury or death just to earn a living. 00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:22 – Lobster Divers in Honduras 00:02:43 – Tin…
From Quartz. Security and privacy experts warn that oversharing with AI chatbots exposes personal, medical, and corporate data, raising fraud and safety risks. The video details AI chatbot security risks and the consequences of sharing sensitive data with AI in health, finance, family safety, and workplace scenarios. C-suite leaders remain cautious; an AvePoint survey reports…
From Quartz. A Public Citizen report says federal agencies canceled or froze enforcement actions against 166 corporations in the first year of Donald Trump’s second term, a scope the group calls “dramatic”. The report cites Ripple’s $4.9 million inaugural donation, after which the SEC dropped its appeal and settled for $125 million. It also notes…
From VICE News. Greenlanders in the capital city of Nuuk have one message for President Donald Trump: Hands off Greenland. Subscribe to VICE News here: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-News Check out VICE News for more: http://vicenews.com Follow VICE News here: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vicenews?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicenews Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicenews Instagram: http://instagram.com/vicenews More videos from the VICE network: https://www.fb.com/vicevideo #VICENews #News
From Quartz. The Los Angeles-area exterior home used as the Banks family residence on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was listed for $29.5 million, its first sale since 1978. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air house for sale is not in Bel-Air but in Brentwood Park, about a 15-minute drive away. The listing ties the property…
From Quartz. Kevin Hassett is losing frontrunner status in the race to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, reshaping the selection field. The Justice Department’s criminal probe into Powell drew backlash across Congress and Wall Street, and Trump on Friday said he wants Hassett to remain in his current economic role. Finalists now include Kevin…
From Quartz. PETA urged retiring Punxsutawney Phil in favor of a hologram, citing animal welfare, a proposal that challenges a longstanding Groundhog Day tradition. In a letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel, PETA offered a state-of-the-art 3D projection of Punxsutawney Phil if the animal is moved to a sanctuary. The group says a…
From Business Insider. —————————————————— Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143 Business Insider on TikTok:…
From Quartz. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski issued his 2026 Instagram forecast, citing shifts in consumer tastes with implications for menus. The outlook highlights food trends 2026 for McDonald’s: a fiber trend, sweet-and-spicy pairings, and continued focus on sauces. It also flags broader fast food beverages and references PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta, who said in October…
From Quartz. Netflix added 26 of the 27 James Bond films to its catalog, bringing an almost complete franchise lineup to a single streaming service. The Netflix James Bond films arrive under an unusual arrangement, as Amazon, which bought the franchise from MGM in 2021 for $8.5 billion, is developing the next film. The Amazon–Netflix…
From The Atlantic. The Minneapolis protests are less online-based than many other modern protests, Ryan Broderick tells Charlie Warzel: “To compare that to the other side, which is extremely online, is a total inversion of everything I’ve seen in my career.” Listen to the episode:
From Business Insider. Sponsored by Indeed AI is reshaping how work gets done.
From Cheddar. Vertical Aerospace is showcasing its Valo electric air taxi in New York City. The Valo is a piloted electric aircraft designed to carry four passengers up to 100 miles at speeds of 150 mph with zero operating emissions, and this marks its first U.S. appearance following its London unveiling last month. Alongside the…
From 60 Minutes. “You would risk your life if you went near any of these waterways,” says Bob Katter, a member of Australia’s parliament. He says he swam in the local rivers as a child, but now the crocodile population has made it too dangerous. Katter wants the hunting ban lifted on crocodiles. #australia #saltwatercrocodile…
From Cheddar. Construction tech is booming! EquipmentShare CEO Jabbok Schlacks discusses their IPO, AI-driven equipment, and how they’re reshaping a $60B industry. Connect with Cheddar! On Facebook: https://facebook.com/cheddar On Instagram: https://instagram.com/cheddar On the web: https://cheddar.com In your inbox: https://need2know.cheddar.com/subscribe