Latest stories from this desk, published newest first.
A rare alliance between Apple and Google aims to bring Google’s Gemini models into Apple’s AI roadmap, with the deal framed as a multi-year partnership that could reshape how Siri and Apple’s next wave of on-device and cloud features work.
After a steep one-day drop tied to tariff threats, investors are weighing whether the shock was an isolated tremor or the start of a broader repricing, with volatility lingering across equities and risk assets.
The New England Patriots face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday, with kickoff in the late afternoon as the league crowns its conference winners and sets the Super Bowl matchup.
The CDC’s latest update shows hundreds of confirmed measles cases reported so far in 2026, with most linked to outbreaks that began in 2025 and spread across multiple jurisdictions.
Protests and political backlash intensified after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis nurse, was killed by federal agents. Video and witness accounts challenged initial claims that he posed a deadly threat, and Senate Democrats warned they could block funding tied to the Department of Homeland Security as pressure mounts over enforcement tactics.
Investors are watching the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate decision of 2026 and a wave of high-profile earnings, including reports from major tech firms. With inflation still a concern and politics pressuring the central bank, markets are focused on forward guidance as much as on the rate move itself.
Iran unveiled a new public warning against a potential U.S. strike as regional military deployments and domestic unrest collide. The move comes amid continued turmoil tied to nationwide protests and a severe crackdown, raising fears of miscalculation as rhetoric hardens on both sides.
A profile of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman describes 2026 as a decisive year for turning massive AI ambitions into durable business results. The report highlights the scale of infrastructure investment being pursued and the growing political and regulatory pressures surrounding fast-expanding generative AI.
Sunday’s slate includes NFL conference championship games alongside NBA, NHL, college basketball, and major events like the Australian Open and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Weather disruptions in parts of the U.S. are also influencing travel and scheduling decisions across sports.
The U.S. government announced it completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization on January 22, 2026. Public health experts warned the move could weaken international cooperation on outbreaks and surveillance, while federal officials said the U.S. would pursue global health efforts through alternative partnerships.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted a White House screening of a new documentary as a fatal federal shooting in Minneapolis intensified protests and congressional pressure. The event drew criticism from Democrats who argued the administration appeared detached amid widening public anger and storm disruptions.
Myanmar’s junta-led election process is drawing fresh condemnation as analysts and rights advocates say a military proxy is poised for a sweeping win. Large areas were excluded due to conflict, turnout appeared subdued, and critics argue the vote is being used to entrench military rule rather than restore democracy.