Airlines are improving their mobile apps with new features to help passengers during their travel journey. United Airlines and American Airlines have added updates like real-time notifications, bag tracking, and rebooking options. These app upgrades aim to make travel smoother and more efficient for passengers.
Key Facts
Airlines are enhancing their apps to provide travelers with more helpful information and updates.
United Airlines' app now offers real-time boarding updates and a proximity tool for nearby lounges.
United has updated its mobile bag tracking feature similar to how Amazon tracks packages.
United passengers can pre-order meals for flights over 1,190 miles through the app.
American Airlines' app now allows passengers to rebook, track bags, and handle disruptions without phone calls.
American Airlines uses a color-coded system in its app to show flight statuses like delays and cancellations.
Both airlines aim to improve passenger experience and make travel easier with these app enhancements.
A video game collector's edition for "Resident Evil Requiem" is not available, and some blame President Trump's tariff policy for the higher import costs of needed components. Experts suggest this tariff-related uncertainty might impact other aspects of the gaming industry as well, although there's no firm proof linking the tariffs directly to the lack of a collector's edition.
Key Facts
"Resident Evil Requiem" is the ninth main game in the Resident Evil series.
The game does not have a confirmed collector's edition.
Some suggest President Trump's tariffs on imports from China may have increased costs for gaming companies.
The tariffs have made importing consoles and components more expensive.
Experts mention that in an uncertain market, companies might avoid bundled items like collector's editions.
Moving to digital goods could help avoid fluctuating tariff rates.
Chris Pratt stars in a new film called "Mercy," where he plays a detective accused of killing his wife. The movie, set in a world controlled by AI surveillance, features Pratt's character trying to prove his innocence in front of an AI judge. The film uses real-time storytelling and sci-fi elements like digital monitoring and instant trials.
Key Facts
Chris Pratt plays a detective named Chris Raven in the movie "Mercy."
The plot involves Raven trying to clear his name with only 90 minutes to convince an AI judge of his innocence.
The film features a digital court system with a high conviction and execution rate run by AI Judge Maddox.
Rebecca Ferguson plays the AI judge in the movie.
The story highlights a futuristic world heavily monitored by digital surveillance.
Chris Pratt requested to be locked into an executioner's chair during filming to enhance his performance.
The shooting included extensive use of surveillance footage to tell the story.
The film delivers intense action scenes and presents a unique cinematic experience, blending elements of drama and sci-fi.
Farms in the U.S. and across North America are becoming more "tech dense," using advanced technology to improve efficiency. Farmers use tech tools like software, remote sensors, and apps to manage and increase crop yields while reducing costs. Surveys and reports show that a significant number of farmers are adopting new technologies in their operations.
Key Facts
U.S. farms are becoming fewer but more technology-focused according to government reports.
Jake Leguee, a farmer in Canada, uses remote cameras and software to spray crops more efficiently.
Using technology, Leguee can save on pesticide costs by targeting weeds precisely.
A McKinsey survey in 2024 found that 57% of North American farmers plan to use new tech to increase yields in the next two years.
A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that while the number of farms is decreasing, those remaining are embracing more technology.
Farmer Norah Lake uses software from Tend to streamline crop management tasks.
Syngenta, a Swiss agri-tech company, provides software that uses AI and satellite images to help farmers make decisions based on 20 years of weather data.
The UK government is considering a rule to stop children under 16 from using social media. They will gather opinions from the public to decide if such a law could help protect children online. The decision will follow with schools likely being asked to limit phone use.
Key Facts
The UK government will consult on banning social media for children under 16.
Ofsted may be given more power to enforce limits on phone use in schools.
A similar social media ban started in Australia in December 2025.
More than 60 Labour MPs and parents have pushed for action on this issue.
The consultation will gather input from parents, young people, and civil society.
Social media companies might be asked to strengthen age verification and limit addictive features.
The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, emphasized that technology should benefit children, not harm them.
The government plans to respond to the consultation by the summer.
Dina Powell McCormick, Meta's new president, emphasized the need for cooperation among tech companies to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) benefits humanity. She highlighted AI as a major transformation that requires shared values for safety and productivity. Powell McCormick's experience in multiple sectors positions her to address the challenges AI presents.
Key Facts
Dina Powell McCormick is Meta's new president and vice chairman.
She suggests AI development should be a "group sport," needing collaboration among tech companies.
Powell McCormick spoke about AI at the Axios House in Davos, Switzerland.
She has experience in government, finance, and technology industries.
Last summer, she organized an AI-energy summit in Pittsburgh with key industry leaders.
Powell McCormick believes AI will create new jobs, such as 500,000 electricians.
She stresses the importance of aligning on values like safety and responsible use of AI.
Powell McCormick calls for tech companies to coordinate on shared values like safety standards and energy efficiency.
"Arknights: Endfield" is a new video game launching on January 21, 2025, in the U.S., and it will be available worldwide. The game is free to play with optional purchases and will be available on PS5, PC, iOS, and Android.
Key Facts
"Arknights: Endfield" will be released on January 21, 2025, at 5 pm Pacific Time.
The game is a spinoff of the mobile game "Arknights" and includes more action elements.
It will be available on PS5, PC, iOS, and Android.
"Arknights: Endfield" is a free-to-play game but includes optional paid content called "gacha" elements.
Over 35 million players have pre-registered for the game.
Paid content allows players to unlock additional characters and items.
The game is developed by HYPERGRYPH and involves strategy and real-time gameplay.
OpenAI plans to release its first device in the second half of 2026, according to its policy chief, Chris Lehane. The device, initially hinted at by CEO Sam Altman, could be different from traditional smartphones, with a focus on simplicity.
Key Facts
OpenAI aims to launch its first device in late 2026.
The company's policy chief, Chris Lehane, confirmed this plan at an event in Davos.
CEO Sam Altman has mentioned a future AI device but provided limited details.
Altman bought Jony Ive's company, a former Apple design chief, last May.
Reports suggest the device could be small, possibly wearable, and without a screen.
Chris Lehane did not specify what the device might be or look like.
Lehane suggested the device would be more peaceful than a smartphone.
OpenAI is still working on finalizing the timelines for the device launch.
Elon Musk plans to use SpaceX to create data centers in space to support future AI needs. He believes space-based data centers will be more efficient and solve power issues faced on Earth. Other tech leaders like OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman are also exploring space ideas to stay competitive.
Key Facts
Elon Musk wants to build data centers in space using SpaceX’s technology.
Space-based data centers could be more efficient than those on Earth.
AI needs significant computing power, which could strain Earth’s power grids.
OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman is also interested in space for AI and has looked into reusable rocket technology.
SpaceX’s Starship could launch satellites equipped with supercomputers into orbit.
Google has a 7% stake in SpaceX and could benefit if Musk's plan succeeds.
Musk claims that SpaceX has developed cooling systems to manage heat in space.
Building and maintaining data centers in space will require new robotics innovations.
OpenAI plans to address a "capability overhang" at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This term refers to the gap between what AI tools like ChatGPT can do and what users currently make them do. OpenAI's goal is to help more users fully use AI technology to unlock its social and economic benefits.
Key Facts
OpenAI will discuss their plans to enhance ChatGPT usage at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"Capability overhang" is a term OpenAI uses for the difference between AI's full potential and how it's currently used.
ChatGPT's abilities have been improving quickly, doubling in task length and complexity every seven months.
Most users currently use only a small part of ChatGPT's capabilities.
OpenAI wants to help more users and leaders understand and use AI to its full potential.
OpenAI plans to release a report called "Ending the Capability Overhang."
The focus is on ensuring AI benefits are shared widely rather than concentrated among a few countries and companies.
The release date for the video game "Marathon" was possibly leaked on the Xbox platform as March 5, 2026. "Marathon" is an upcoming multiplayer game developed by Bungie, known for "Halo" and "Destiny." The game had been delayed from its original release due to feedback and other issues.
Key Facts
"Marathon" is developed by Bungie, the company behind "Halo" and "Destiny."
The game’s release date was potentially leaked on Xbox as March 5, 2026.
This matches earlier announcements that the game would launch in March 2026.
"Marathon" is a multiplayer extraction shooter, a genre where players collect and escape with items.
The initial release was postponed from September 23, 2025, due to poor feedback.
The game faced a plagiarism issue in May 2025 involving an independent artist's designs.
"Marathon" will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
A woman named Tori was startled when she heard a noise from her bathroom at 2 a.m. and saw what appeared to be a snake coming out of her broken toilet. It turned out to be a tool called a drain snake, used to clear clogs in pipes, and not a real snake.
Key Facts
Tori shared her experience on TikTok using the account @moreliketoritilla, and the video went viral with over 87 million views in two days.
The toilet was visibly broken, with its porcelain cracked at the bottom, allowing the drain snake to poke through.
A drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake, is a tool to clear blockages in pipes.
The drain snake is not a living creature; it's a helix-shaped tool that twists to clean pipes.
Most homeowners use a manual version of the drain snake, while a plumber's snake can attach to a power drill for more power.
Users on TikTok initially mistook the drain snake for a real snake, adding to the video's viral popularity.
Newsweek attempted to contact Tori for more details but could not verify additional information.
Paramount+ announced that the TV series "Landman" has been renewed for a third season, but few details are known. Billy Bob Thornton, the show's star, mentioned that creator Taylor Sheridan has not shared any information about the new season's plot. The series focuses on the oil industry in Texas and has performed well on the streaming service.
Key Facts
"Landman" is a TV series on Paramount+ about the oil industry in Texas.
The show features Billy Bob Thornton as a petroleum landman named Tommy Norris.
Paramount+ confirmed the renewal for Season 3 on December 5, 2025.
No plot details or cast confirmations have been announced for Season 3 yet.
Season 2's premiere was the most-watched debut for an original series on Paramount+, with 9.2 million views.
The show is based on a podcast called "Boomtown," created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace.
Season 3 is likely to be released in November 2026 or later, based on prior release patterns.
The article discusses how common phone charging habits, like charging phones overnight, can affect battery health negatively. It suggests maintaining battery levels between 20% to 80% during the day and highlights features in some smartphones that help manage charging to improve battery life.
Key Facts
Charging phones overnight is common, but it may harm lithium-ion batteries.
Experts suggest keeping phone battery levels between 20% and 80% for optimal health.
Some phones, like Apple's iPhone, have built-in features to manage charging and reduce battery stress.
A complete charge cycle occurs when a total of 100% battery capacity is used over time, not necessarily all at once.
Charging throughout the day in smaller amounts can help maintain battery health.
High temperatures can damage batteries, so it's important to remove a phone from charging if it feels hot.
Portable chargers and charging stations can help maintain healthy charging habits for users on the go.
A man named Dante struggled to find a movie title in a word search because the name was too long for the puzzle grid. He shared his experience online, where it gained a lot of attention. The missing movie title was "French Connection," which could not fit in the 12x12 grid.
Key Facts
Dante tried to find movie names in a word search puzzle.
The title "French Connection" was too long to fit in the grid.
The puzzle grid was 12x12 characters in size.
Dante shared his frustration on Reddit, and the post went viral.
Over 6,100 people on Reddit reacted to Dante's post.
Puzzles can provide a pleasure response in the brain when solved, involving a chemical called dopamine.
No specific reason was identified for why the puzzle contained an unsolvable task.
In 2025, crypto criminals stole over $700 million by hacking into people's digital wallets and using other methods. The crimes often involved old tricks and affected many individual investors, like a couple in the UK who lost all their Cardano coins. Although all transactions are visible on blockchain, recovering stolen cryptocurrency remains very difficult.
Key Facts
Crypto criminals stole more than $700 million from individuals in 2025.
The theft involved hacking digital wallets and using other tactics.
A UK couple lost their Cardano coins after hackers accessed their digital keys stored in cloud storage.
Globally, about 560 million people own cryptocurrency, and about 12% of British adults have owned crypto-assets.
Most stolen funds are from cyber-attacks on crypto companies, such as a $1.5 billion theft from Bybit by North Korean hackers.
In 2025, attacks on individual crypto investors doubled from 40,000 in 2022 to 80,000.
Individual attacks accounted for $713 million of the stolen crypto.
An international study is examining if a finger-prick blood test can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease by detecting specific proteins related to the condition. The trial involves 1,000 participants over the age of 60 from the UK, US, and Canada, with hopes that this method will provide a simpler and more accessible way to identify Alzheimer's risk compared to current tests. This research could potentially allow people to screen for Alzheimer's risk at home.
Key Facts
The trial includes 1,000 volunteers aged over 60 from the UK, US, and Canada.
The study aims to detect proteins in the blood linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Existing tests for Alzheimer's involve brain scans or lumbar punctures, which are expensive and invasive.
The finger-prick test could allow at-home testing for Alzheimer's risk.
The study is led by LifeArc and the Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation, supported by the UK Dementia Research Institute.
Dr. Michael Sandberg participated in the study after witnessing his mother's Alzheimer's progression and found relief in his negative test results.
Early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's is viewed as critical, with new treatments expected in the future.
A global survey by IBM found that business leaders expect AI spending to focus more on innovation than just improving efficiency over the next few years. By 2030, many believe AI will be crucial to business operations, influencing decisions and driving growth. IBM's report suggests practical steps for businesses to integrate AI into their strategies effectively.
Key Facts
IBM's survey involved C-suite executives from around the world.
64% of executives think AI's main role will be innovation by 2030.
IBM's report, "The enterprise in 2030," will be released at the World Economic Forum.
IBM believes AI will be vital for quick business decisions and launching new products.
Gary Cohn of IBM stated that AI will evolve gradually, much like past technologies.
IBM suggests companies should identify key capabilities where AI can help.
Businesses are encouraged to test and adapt AI models often.
IBM recommends making AI knowledge crucial for senior management roles.
The FDA has introduced a new program to speed up drug reviews, which is supported by President Donald Trump's administration. This program is facing criticism because some experts and staff worry it may not meet legal and scientific standards. The program aims to approve drugs faster, but there are concerns about safety and political influence.
Key Facts
The FDA's new program tries to shorten drug review times to as little as one month.
Some FDA staff and experts worry this may not allow enough time for proper safety checks.
Approval decisions traditionally involve FDA scientists and supervisors, but this program involves higher officials.
Concerns involve potential breaches of legal, ethical, and scientific standards.
The new program supports drugs that benefit "U.S. national interests."
Recent reports indicate two drugs under this program had delayed reviews due to safety concerns, including a patient death.
The White House supports the program, seeing it as a way to offer treatments quickly.
The program's rules and procedures are not fully detailed in federal regulations.
A video shows a NASA rocket's 12-hour journey from the Kennedy Space Center to a launch pad. The rocket is part of the Artemis II mission, aiming to launch astronauts further into space than before. The mission sets the groundwork for a future Moon landing.
Key Facts
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Space Capsule were moved to a launch pad.
The journey was about four miles long and took nearly 12 hours at 0.82 mph.
The move happened at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
This is part of the Artemis II mission.
The scheduled launch date is no earlier than February 6.
The mission could take astronauts farther into space than ever before.
The mission is intended to prepare for a human Moon landing, the first since 1972.
